3rd Annual Santa Lucia Highlands Gala
Ξ April 29th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ A Day at a Time, Wine History, Wine News, Wineries |
On May 16th Hahn Estates will host the 3rd Annual Santa Lucia Highland (SLH) Gala, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., an event put together by the Wine Artisans of the SLH, an association of growers and producers from the AVA. An excellent account of the district, written by Laurie Daniel of the always reliable Appellation America, provides solid information on the AVA and is required reading for a proper introduction to this interesting growing region.
This year’s event differs from last year’s in three important ways. The venue is the grounds of Hahn Estates rather than the associated wineries themselves. The last time I was up there I had a particularly good time. The grounds enjoy a commanding view of the Salinas Valley below, there is an expansive outside deck, plenty of seating area, and a very playful staff.
The second difference is of the wines that will be poured. We are told that “…sample limited release gems and hard-to-get vintages” will be available for tasting. One ambiguity I discovered is whether the wines will be exclusively those of the wineries in the SLH AVA. In a recent press release it is written that there will also be wines from “wineries that rely on the district’s world-class fruit”. So it may well be there will be available efforts from far flung wineries who source from the area, a big plus for those of us interested not only in terroir but in winemaking styles.
The third distinction in the cost: $85. I do hope this does not dissuade too many from attending. It is not an unreasonable price for the value offered, but a risk these days. I would like that the event were a couple hours longer, perhaps starting at 12.
Among the wineries attending (from the press release linked above): “Belle Glos, Bernardus, Boekenoogen, Cru, Hahn, La Rochelle, Lucienne, Manzoni, Martin Alfaro, Mer Soleil, McIntyre, Morgan, Novy, Parasio, Pelerin, Pessagno, Pisoni, Puma Road, Roar, Robert Talbott, Testarossa, Siduri, Six Strings, Tondre, and Tudor. Foghorn, Miura, and Wrath wineries will be making their first appearance as S.L.H. members.”
One quibble. The SLH website, on its history page, makes the following remark,
The earliest vinifera plantings, in what was to become the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation, took place in the 1790s, with the arrival of the first Spanish missionaries and conquistadors.
My understanding is that it was on the grounds of Mission Soledad, on the Salinas Valley floor, where the original vines were planted. Inasmuch as the AVA begins at 40′ that would seem to exclude those historic plantings from inclusion. Further, the vines never produced well. Of the Mission itself, please do yourself a favor. Please visit. It is among the most forlorn, beautiful and historically interesting places I have ever seen.
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