Santa Cruz Mountains Passport July 18th, 2009
Ξ July 13th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Uncategorized |
Over the weekend I enjoyed a fine interview with one of the most important individuals in the history of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Ken Burnap, founder and winegrower of Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard. It was Mr. Burnap who, along with his very good friend, David Bennion of Ridge, hiked the boundary, I should say, established the boundary of the AVA. The first part of that interview will be posted later this week. And a few days before that encounter it was a story in the San Francisco Chronicle about the sale of the Ahlgren Winery and Vineyard. I had a fine interview with Val Ahlgren many weeks ago. I am both pleased and saddened to hear from Dexter Ahlgren that the sale seems to be going forward. And months before that it was from Bob Mullen of the esteemed Woodside Vineyards that I learned of his approaching retirement.
All the folks above have played a profound role in the formation of the Santa Cruz Mountain AVA itself. And all are moving on. I encourage folks interested in this remarkable region to please read, in addition to the interviews above, the series of discussions I had with Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard’s current winemaker, and Ken Burnap’s right-hand man for many years, Jeff Emery. The historical traditions of the AVA, the plurality of wine-making styles, the independence of mind and spirit, are safe in Jeff’s hands.
So, for my part, I am going to recommend folks check out the wineries listed above for this Passport Event. There are many others associated with the AVA’s founding, David Bruce, Clo Tita, Mount Eden, for example.
Indeed, at whatever winery you may visit you simply must ask after their founding, their origin. Winegrowing is agriculture, it is hard work. Yes, what is in the bottle wins the day, but let’s not miss the opportunity to learn more about those who give their very lives to this most civilized of drinks!
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