I was talking to a customer the other day in the wine room about
wines from down there, and up there, this label and that label.
”
Remember that year?
”
I was talking to a customer the other day in the wine room about wines from down there, and up there, this label and that label. “Remember that year?”
Oh, we just out-did ourselves. With an expression on my face that read, “I kept up with this wine expert,” I asked the customer his thoughts on the local wine scene.
“Local wines?” he said. “You grow wines here? Isn’t it too hot to grow wine here?”
As my eyes twinkled, I responded, “We have five wineries, here, six actually because we include our friend and winemaker Stave Pessango of Pessango Winery.”
He produces a Pinot Noir and Zinfandel from his vineyards in San Benito County, I told the customer.
“Here, taste this!” I said as I offered a sampling, while I told him we have the oldest existing winery in California here in Hollister – DeRose Winery.
I told him they produce deep and lush, full-bodied wines from old-aged vines. And some of the varietals are even dry-farmed.
“You never heard of his Negrette or Hollywood Red, or its killer Zinfandel and Fiognier?” I said.
“We have Calera Winery here,” I said, “Josh Jensen’s wine company that produces renowned Pinot Noir’s, Viognier and Chardonnay.”
I went on.
“There’s Flint Winery, owned by Scott Flint. His two ‘Gary’s Vineyard Pinot Noir’s, the Flint and Tres have been enjoyed and well written about, not to mention his Central Coast Pinot Noir and his Merlot that are both wonderful and local favorites.
As I told him about the local wine scene, I continually offered a variety of samples.
“We have Pietra Santa Winery with its very distinct Italian-style wines, the Dolcetto and Sassolino. Say, I guess that means you never tried their award-winning Sangiovese”
I gave him some.
“Good, huh! You’re lucky I still have some.”
“Then, there is our newest winery here in the county – Leal Vineyards. From the time its first Chardonnay came out, the 2000, the winery hasn’t stopped coming on strong.”
I told him we’re around 10 degrees cooler than Napa and have a slightly longer growing period.
Hollister and the Cienega Valley are the most outstanding areas to grow wine, I said, great soil and a beautiful micro-climate (Of course, that’s no secret to us local folks).
My customer and newfound friend smiled and said, “I can’t believe wines with this richness and freshness in the fruit have alluded me.
“I never would have guessed there would be wines of this caliber right here, so close to where I live.”
“Well,” I told him, “you are one lucky guy.”
I told him the weekend of June 21, we will be having our Passport Weekend, during which people can visit all the wineries here and taste all the great wines produced in San Benito County.
My new buddy left with a box of wine, a smile and a slightly purple tongue. To our local wines, I awakened another new fan who may spread the word.
I invite everyone to come out and enjoy our local wineries during the Passport Weekend. Cheers!
Larry Brewster is the wine room manager at Dorothy McNett’s Place, 800 San Benito St.
