Gewurztra-what?

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The tasting room has been aflutter since the release of our first vintage of Estate Gewürztraminer (sounds like girls are meaner).  Although guests have been shy to call it by name, the wine has been flying out the door.  Some guests have resorted to renaming it “The G Wine”.  Some simply point at the tasting menu and say, “I want that one”.  The somewhat awkwardness of this grape's name is slowing down no one

We planted a one acre test plot of Gewürztraminer in 2008, harvested our first vintage in 2013, and recently released this vintage to the public a few weeks ago.   It was planted along with our Estate Sauvignon Blanc to determine whether Stolo Family Vineyards was indeed the proper climate for these lively whites to grow.  Gweurztraminer thrives in cool climate regions. Based on the feedback we’ve been receiving, we’re pretty sure our vineyard site is optimal.

Gewurztraminer is an interesting grape.  It hails from Alsace and can produce wines varying in sweetness.  German versions tend to be on the dry side, whereas French styles tend to hold onto the high natural sugars this grape produces.  We’ve opted to create an off-dry version of this wine, leaning towards dry but retaining a touch of sweet.

All that being said, it is a fun wine.  It’s approachable yet classic.  It pairs well with spicy food or a warm summer day.   We are one of very few, if not the only, estate grown & bottled Gewürztraminer in San Luis Obispo County.   So far “The G Wine” has been a huge crowd pleaser….we may have to plant more.

Drink What You Like

I get a lot of self-imposed neophytes in the tasting room.  Most are very shy about telling me “they know nothing about wine.”  I’ll ask them if they prefer white wine, red wine, or like both.  They’ll pick one and I’ll reciprocate with, “See, you already know something about wine, what YOU like.”  This is, quite frankly, the most important thing you’ll ever need to know about wine.

Wine has been celebrated for thousands of years.  It holds agricultural, religious, and historical significance. For centuries, wine has been woven through the facets of the everyday life of the common man.  Not until the 20th century was wine perceived as a luxury good surrounded by this notion that you had to be in the know to partake.  Ratings, medals, websites, classes, flashy label designs, and marketing schemes all developed to tell you what wine is hot and what you are supposed to be drinking right now.  Most people feel lost and are afraid to admit it.

You don’t need any of that. You need your mouth and your nose.  It’s mindblowingly simple.

If you are truly interested in wine, into finding the one that makes your mouth sing, then get out and try as much of it as you can.  You are the only critic of your taste buds.  Have fun with it.  Pick up a $6 bottle of wine and give it a try.  Like it?  Great!  Pick up a different bottle next time, go wine tasting, or grab a glass of wine at a restaurant.  Don’t be afraid to try different types, it’s only wine.  If you like it, fantastic!  Put it in the “like” column.  If you don’t, there’s always next time.  But, at least you know. You are beginning to form your own opinions about what YOU like and more importantly, what you don’t like.  

So, next time you wander into a tasting room, don’t be shy.  Boldly tell the person behind the bar you are on a quest for the perfect wine for you.

Harmony Cafe:A Little Bit of Italy on The Central Coast

Being part of a business that is not on the beaten path, I find myself seeking out other establishments that have chosen that course as well.  More often than not, finding an out of the way place, is usually well worth it.  For months, I have heard a growing buzz about Harmony Cafe and finally got the chance to visit today for lunch.  This truly hidden gem is located in the old Harmony Creamery building.  Upon entering, you are immediately transported to a small cafe along the Amalfi Coast of Italy.  Loud scratchy records from a tiny old-fashioned record player greet you.  The smell of something wonderful cooking in the back fills the air and you immediately want one of everything on the short but concise menu.  

I had been hearing rumors of the eggplant burger and that was what I had my sights set on.  I was tempted by a few other choices on the list, but decided to stick to my guns.  I ordered up and also grabbed 3 small cranberry pistachio biscotti to snack on as I waited.  I was immediately envious of the biscotti.  I have tried several times to make the exact same recipe, but mine were dense and not as nearly as light and crumbly as the cafe’s.  I watched Giovanni, the owner and chef, pop in and out from the back grabbing spices and such.  He was busy preparing for one of the few dinners they host being held that evening.  

Looking around, I wished I could stay and eat lunch, but knew I had to head off to the winery.  The cafe is so quaint, so relaxing, and really cute.  As I was handed my burger, I immediately knew I would be back again.  I could smell the burger and could not wait to get to work to try it.  As I expected, Harmony Cafe’s food lived up to the rave reviews I had been hearing.  Simple and yummy.  Also, not over priced.  I will undoubtedly be back and will hopefully make it to one of the dinners.  I hear it’s a tough ticket to get.

Double Crossed

If you’ve been out to visit us here at the tasting room and vineyard, you’ve most likely noticed the two crosses perched high upon the hill, watching over the Stolo property.  Simple in construction, two old pieces of wood strapped together by barbed wire, but striking against the skyline.  I’ve had lots of people asking if I know why the crosses are there.

I do know how one cross made it up to the hilltop.  The previous owner of this property, as he tells it, put one there during his time of need.  Being a religious man and having had fallen on difficult times, he dragged two large pieces of wood up the steep hill, strapped them together and plunged the makeshift cross into the ground next to the cross that was already in place on the hill.  He immediately felt a sense of inspiration after placing his worries into that hilltop cross.  Every time he felt overwhelmed he would gaze up at the cross and feel a sense of calm, knowing that someone was watching over him.  

How or why the original cross was erected continues to be a mystery along Santa Rosa Creek Road.  Descendants from families that have lived along this road for decades know almost everything about the evolution of Santa Rosa Creek Road except the origin of that one cross.  Most people believe that someone is buried up there since it was common practice back in the day to bury the dead at the highest point possible, closest to God.  No one feels the need to dig around to find out.

Whatever the story is behind the original cross, it is obvious that both crosses were placed high upon the hilltop for meaningful reasons.  You can still feel it to this day, a sense of peace when you gaze up at the two.  It is a beautiful sight.

 

You Want My Opinion?

I had a fantastic time chatting with a young wine blogger in the tasting room the other day.  Megan Bauer, wineallday.tumblr.com, has recently started a wine blog and was out to review the wineries on the Pacific Coast Wine Trail.  I believe Stolo Family Winery was her 3^rd(ish) stop along the trail.  Megan is a shade of my younger self; loves wine, food, and was ready to tell me just what she thought about it all.  She loved to talk foodie and we spoke at length about wine styles and food pairing.  She was unabashedly upfront with her opinions…I loved it.

I was ultimately envious of her new adventure in wine reviewing and tried to squeeze every bit of information out of her about what it was like to wander from tasting room to tasting room critiquing wine as she went.  This is something that I have always secretly wanted to do (in my spare time of course).  But, I have no spare time.  And, I am not as gutsy as she is…anymore.  I think my wine review blog would ultimately turn into a lukewarm dissertation of why I “kind-off” liked the wine.  I can usually find the good in a glass, even if it’s not my style.  I always try to appreciate what the winemaker is aiming for and based on price, production size, etc. I tend to judge accordingly.  I am the type of person though, that if I don’t like a glass, I don’t say anything.  My response, now, mirrors the age old saying, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”.

Who am I to deem whether the Chardonnay has too much oak?  It may for me, but for someone else, it may be right on the mark.  You will hear me say time and time again in the tasting room, “It’s o.k. to not like a particular wine.  Tasting all wines is part of the journey to discovering what it is you do like”.  I do believe strongly in that.  But, naturally we are all inclined to have opinions and would like others to agree with us. 

I have to hand it to those out there laying down their personal opinions like a new law.  It appeals to the “scrappy” part of me that has softened over the years when it comes to giving my private opinion in a public setting.  Really, only my husband is privy to my actually opinion when it comes to wine, and I think he’s had an earful!

At the time of this post, Megan had not yet published her review of Stolo Family Winery and Vineyards.  I look forward to reading exactly what she thinks about us!