Earlier this 12 months, I visited town of Monterey for the primary time and was intrigued by its historical past, panorama and tradition. It’s solely a few hours north of my residence in Paso Robles and belief me, I’ll be again so as to add just a few extra spots to the go to. A kind of spots would be the Steinbeck Museum in Salinas the place the lauded creator and famend son of Monterey County grew up and is now honored.
Reality be advised, I’ve spent a good period of time in Monterey County and particularly at just a few wineries within the Santa Lucia Highlands, AVA, every with its personal distinctive historical past. The attractive Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is a 12-mile lengthy area above the Salinas River close to Monterey Bay. Vineyards, discovered at 30-1200 ft above the valley ground, are on dry, granite soil. Ample sunshine within the morning, afternoon fog and sometimes sturdy breezes from the Pacific Ocean lead to an extended ripening season.
Photograph Credit score: Pisoni Household Vineyards
This previous month, I’ve learn Cannery Row, Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden, all penned by John Steinbeck. His distinctive descriptions of place and character helped me enhance my understanding of the hardships and struggles, achievements and recognitions of the arduous working individuals who lived in Monterey County within the early 1900s.
Throughout my Steinbeck reads, I sipped good Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from the Lucia label of Pisoni Household Vineyards, a extremely lauded vineyard with an enchanting historical past in Monterey County. What higher technique to rejoice this space than to pair Steinbeck’s books with superior wines from Monterey County?
The story of the Pisoni household continued within the mid-20th century in a spot close by Steinbeck’s hometown of Salinas. In 1952, Jane and Eddie Pisoni started a produce enterprise in Gonzales, California the place their dairy and alfalfa farm reworked into one providing lettuce, tomatoes, onions, broccoli, and extra. In 1979, they bought a 280 acre parcel of land within the Santa Lucia Mountains. There, cattle grazed as a result of the rocky slopes have been deemed unsuitable for crops. Nevertheless, their son, Gary Pisoni, had different concepts. As Steinbeck wrote in The Grapes of Wrath, “You’re sure to get idears in the event you go thinkin’ about stuff.”
Gary Pisoni
In 1982, “Gary started the method of turning 40 acres of adverse terrain into vineyards, regardless of others’ shock and disbelief that he might truly accomplish such a feat. Finding a water supply was an enormous problem; it took 9 years to lastly strike water on the property. Extremely energetic, Gary Pisoni is called a maverick and anybody who has the finger on the heartbeat of the California wine business is aware of the influence of Gary Pisoni and household’s wines that obtain constant accolades from around the globe.” (from Pisoni Household Vineyards – The place a Sense of Connection to Household and Land is At all times Current)
What Lucia wines was I sipping as I took a deep dive into the novels of John Steinbeck? New releases of 2022 Pisoni Household Vineyards Lucia wines of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have been distinctive. Every mirrored the household’s farming and winemaking philosophy which emphasizes sustainability, help of the surroundings, and love for the land. Fruit is sourced from their three property vineyards within the Santa Lucia Highlands: Pisoni, Gary’s and Soberanes. Every hand crafted wine is unfined and unfiltered.
Winemaker Jeff Pisoni writes, ”the 2022 classic delivered unbelievable focus and purity. Usually the early years could be austere, however not this time. The classic is beneficiant, richly layered and really targeted. We love the 2022 classic.” So do I.
Mark and Jeff Pisoni
Savory aromas of baked apples, ginger shavings, stone fruit and trace of lemon on 2022 Chardonnay Soberanes Winery ($65) led to notes of grilled pineapple, crème brulee, orchard fruit, lemon, herbs and spice on the palate. Chalky minerality, salinity, and vivid acidity framed this luscious wine that was aged for 17 month in in 30% new French oak.
An distinctive Chardonnay, 2022 Chardonnay Property Cuvee ($50) supplied vibrant citrus, yellow floral and gravel aromas. Ever so balanced with simply the correct amount of oak and acidity, I discovered yellow apple, beeswax, lemon zest within the wine with depth and breadth. Barrel growing old was for 11 months in 40% new French oak.
2022 Pinot Noir Soberanes Winery ($70) was mesmerizing with aromas of cherry liqueur, darkish plums and freshly picked roses. On the palate, salinity, black cherries, crushed raspberries, baking spice and inexperienced tea have been framed with vivid acidity and silky tannins. The wine was aged for 11 months in 48% new French oak and has the flexibility to age within the cellar for years.
Pinot Noir from three estate-farmed vineyards, 2022 Pinot Noir Property Cuvee ($55) is a recent, lush wine. Wealthy spice, earth, and darkish berry aromas wafted from the glass adopted by notes of herbs, sage, black tea, vanilla and extra berries on the palate. Contemporary and flavorful, racy acidity and smooth tannins offered a agency basis to this good wine that was aged for 11 months in 53% new oak.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
“A person with out phrases is a person with out thought.”
― John Steinbeck, East of Eden
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