Wine Tasting in Central California

Terravant Wine Company, in Buellton California, had a coming out party in December when it hosted a benefit open house wine tasting at its new ultra premium winery. Eleven wine producers, all who used the central coast facility for their 2008 wines, were pouring their best to enthusiastic wine tasters. 

The brand-spanking new 45,000 sq. ft. custom crush facility is a winemakers dream with all the latest wine making tools, toys and winemaking systems. President Lew Eisaguirre along with general manager Randy Pace, and real estate partner Tom Davidson, created the $27 million winery that provides a full service winemaking facility to small and medium-sized producers. 

Terravant Winery is located in the Santa Ynez Valley on Industrial Way, just east of the Santa Rita Hills appellation. In addition to the production capabilities, the winery will be opening a 4700 sq. ft. full service hospitality center and tasting room with event capabilities in 2009 to showcase the area’s up and coming winemakers.

The tasting

Tasting tables were set up between the forest of tall jacketed stainless steel fermenters.  Live music along with gourmet artesian cheeses and tasty nibbles contributed to the party-like atmosphere.  The spacious winery and event layout allowed visitors ample opportunity to talk with the winemakers and leisurely sample dozens of wines.

Lots of rich Pinot Noir and Rhone varietals dominated the wine offerings. Micro producers such as Alere Vineyards, Pace Family Vineyard, and Mojo Wines generously offered wines from their limited stocks of Syrah, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Alan Phillips, director of wine making at Terravant, was sampling his own excellent 2007 Pinot Noirs, a 2008 Pinot Gris and a Rosé.  Daniel Gehrs was showing his fine fruit forward 2005 Sangiovese and a bright floral 2008 Gewürztraminer.

Lyn Dee Rankin from Imagine Wine was in her holiday best, sporting swaying felt antlers while pouring their creamy Viognier and their yummy Paradise Mountain Syrah. Brad Macdonald traveled up from Malibu Wines to pour the Semler Merlot, Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc.

Frank Ostini, in his trademark hard shell hat, along with winemaker Gray Hartley, were treating tasters to their flagship 2006 Hitching Post Highlander Pinot Noir, as well as the 2006 Syrah and Merlot.  Nearby, Ken Brown poured from his own label, showing off his 2006 Nielson Vineyard Chardonnay, two excellent local Pinots and a ’05 Syrah. Huber Cellars with some of the oldest vines in the Santa Rita Hills Appellation was showcasing its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a monster reserve Dornfelder.

Twenty-five vintners used Terravant’s wine making facility in 2008, producing dozens of wines to be released over the next couple of years. To taste these wines, contact the winemakers directly for a private tasting appointment. Also look for the grand opening of the Terravant wine tasting room in 2009.