Roll Out The White Carpet

Nestled in the hills of Nipomo, the landscape was breathtaking albeit momentarily blinded from view by the bright setting sun. In a few more minutes, that sun would dip below the horizon and sink into the ocean ending one of the most beautiful days of the year. It had been the sort of day that would be the best first impression to someone you love as you introduce them to a place you love.

Our vintner John was opposite our Winemaker Uncle John and his wife Linda. Two sweating bottles of Chardonnay dripped onto the kitchen island counter as each person arranged and rearranged two crystal glasses in front of them. The talk was nonchalant at first. And then there was no talk at all.

The winemaker poured from one of the bottles to one glass, and the other bottle to the second glass. (If you know John, you know how much he loves a blind tasting and so every once in a while, Uncle John gets to turn the tables and experiment on our trickster vintner.)

John was certain one glass held the new 2018 Chardonnay and the other glass held our previous Chardonnay vintage, but which was which was the test.

Despite all things being nearly equal, one glass rose to the front of John’s palate and he deemed it the better wine.

When that wine was unveiled to be the 2018 Chardonnay, all those around the table announced bottle-shock was over and our newest wine was ready to meet the world.

To our Pre-Release buyers; your allocated Chardonnay is working its way to you, if it hasn't already found you. It is ready and anxious to greet you.

There are two types of people. Those who like to talk, effortless keeping a conversation flowing from one thing to the next. And then there are those of little words; little meaning-packed words.

At the tasting, Uncle John took his glass of 2018 Chard, raised it quickly to his mustached palate and just as quickly lowered it to the counter again. A languid eternity passed before his decisive words came.

“I like it.”

And from a seasoned winemaker- that’s all it takes.