The Editor Speaks
Wine Faith enlightened
Photograph by Matt Wilson
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Winefullness Magazine as we delve into part two of the recent California jaunt.
Firstly, I should explain that while the Mendocino and Nevada issue are here as Part Two, they should be Part Three. The reason is simple. It's because I'm saving Napa and Sonoma for a big finale when there were so many points raised by my visit there that I wanted to finish the three California issues by posing some of the questions I think are important to address, and from what those I talked to said, it seems these are worries that what is happening in Napa, and to a lesser extent Sonoma, might have a negative effect on the whole of California wine and wine tourism, but before that, what's in this exciting edition you are about to read?
It's Mendocino time, and a return to an area with such a growing reputation for grape production that the folks down in Napa and Sonoma are buying their produce by the truck-load, because they've tasted the quality that is now being produced with an exciting regularity, and is starting to make this area a natural stop for anybody with an interest in the wines of California.
I chanced upon the area the last time I was in California and I couldn't stop raving about the wines I discovered, going so far as to proclaim one of the producers the heart of California winemaking on that visit.
On this trip, I not only try and catch up with him, I'm also looking for other exciting Winefullness discoveries, and these appeared when I was least expecting them.
I pop in for a chat with the delightful Katrina Frey, and as we stroll around her new tasting room, we talk about Frey's biodynamic approach to wine that has seen it win numerous awards and plaudits.
The Editor in Winefullness Towers
Next stop is Dancing Crow Vineyards, where I meet owners Tony and Sarah. Sarah proved to be a very fascinating find, and I discovered that she came to Napa in the sixties, has seen all the changes, met all the personalities and has earned the title of 'Napa Valley Royalty' from those in the know. They'll be more about that in the next issue, but for now she lays the groundwork by telling me how Tony and her came to Dancing Crow.
I also interview Dancing Crow's erudite and observant winemaker, Scott Kirkpatrick. He's a man who has used his experiences and philosophy to produce wines that are becoming a talking point beyond the borders of Mendocino.
Not content with just exploring the California wine scene, I head into Southern Nevada, to the small town of Pahrump to see what motivates people to set up shop and try to produce wine in the searing desert heat.
Here I call on Tim Burke at Artesian Cellars to hear his story before heading over to Charleston Peak and the wonderful Jenn Sela Bowen, where she tells me what motivates people based in Napa to come down here with ambitions aplenty, and a desire to make a winery that will become a destination for the wine enthusiast if they can steer themselves away from Las Vegas.
If you add travelogue pieces and observations about beautiful areas, beautiful people and beautiful wines, you'll see that, once again, Winefullness Magazine is really turning the wine world into a place of discovery and fun.
Bye for now
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Tony Harries
Editor of Winefullness Magazine