From Microsoft to the Ford, many great things have started
in a garage. Now it wine's turn. Starting with small batch wine makers in
Bordeaux doing a barrel or two in an outbuilding, the Garagiste movement has
exploded along the Central Coast. Around 100 winemakers, few with a full bore
winery or tasting room and generally no visitation, have sprung up between
Monterey and Santa Barbara.
Some are hobbyists but many are winemakers or consultants to
full production wineries. They use custom crush facilities or rent/borrow space
in bonded locations and rarely own vineyards, sourcing grapes from growers with
whom they have developed relationships. They range from self taught to degrees
from respected college programs in the field.
Hard to find, often unknown to most wine lovers, they must
produce less than 1,500 cases per year (to qualify for the Garagiste
organization) but most make far fewer. At the just held 4th Garagiste Festival
in Paso Robles, a majority of the 70 or so labels made less than 500 cases and
only 15 to 50 of any single bottling. The selections poured offered wines made
from over 20 varieties, many blends and 200 plus wines there for tasting.
Several wines coming from few available planted acres, such as Albarino and
Tempranillo were available. As would be expected, there were lots of Rhone
style efforts. Zinfandel, Cabernet and Pinot Noir were popular varieties but
even those making Gewurzt and Riesling were found.
Information about the event, and others the group does in
Santa Ynez and the LA area, is available at http://californiagaragistes.com and www.garagistefestival.com. You may want to put these
events on you to-do list. You won't want to miss what ABC News calls the
festival; one of the "Top Ten Incredible Epicurean Destinations In The
World". Part of that attendees, and there were plenty of them at the Paso
event, either know a lot about wine or are very interested in gaining that
knowledge. And they tend to be a group who tastes smartly then head for a beer
and a band. Another plus is that the winemakers and owners conduct the tastings.
They also conduct educational seminars and, aside from the main tasting, side
bar events over a four day period.
To quote from the Festival's
promotional material: "The Festival fosters the free exchange of ideas,
wine knowledge and enthusiasm that has made the Central Coast one of the
friendliest, most successful and innovative wine-making regions in the world.
The Festivals are dedicated to furthering the education of future winemakers
and those training for employment within the wine industry. Proceeds from
the Festivals are donated to support the growth of the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture
Program".
Highly recommending the event. I found
many excellent wines a few new friends last and the chance to renew old ones
over the weekend. Note that attending may be the only way to obtain some of
these wines. Most are only sold on line and have waiting lists. One winery I
was especially curious about told me they release the wines on their web site
on Monday morning and are sold out on Tuesday morning. No, I won't tell you
which one!
But I will say congrats and keep up the
good work to the founders, Stewart McLennan and Doug Minnick. For news about
upcoming events, sign up for the newsletter on the above web site.
