Insanity at Pisoni Memorial Day Weekend!!!
Santa Lucia Highlands
Tasted Tuesday, May 31, 2005 by jamiekutch with 2,115 views
Introduction
What a KILLER weekend I HAD!!. It definitely goes down in my history books as one of the most fun wine weekends I have ever had.
On Friday, I finally officially moved from the east coast of NYC to the West coast of California to start making my dream of making Cal. Pinot a reality. On Friday I flew into San Jose airport where I was greeted by the awesome Andrew Vigniello of A.P. Vin
Andrew and Brian Loring of Loring Wine Company made me feel right at home by extending an invitation to Pisoni Weekend in the Santa Lucia Highland to me a few weeks prior. They said it was a must attend and I made sure I was there.
Basically the weekend is a celebration of Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands and its totally jam packed with excitement. Some of the incredible people I had the honor of meeting included Gary Franscioni of Rosella's and Garys' vineyard as well as ROAR,Gary Pisoni of Pisoni & Garys' vineyard, Ed Kurtzman of August West and winemaker for Freeman Winery, Tim Lesko and Ryan Zepaltas - both assistant winemakers at Siduri, Kimberly Loring - Brian Lorings sister, Stephen Pessagno of Pessagno Wines, Board members - Kevin Mobley, Bob Summers, Greg Piatigorski, Paul Galli, Barry Rossum, & Ken Emmery, Jan and Jon Breausse of Breausse vineyard. David N - wine lover, and many more.
Andrew and I drove down 101 South to Soledad where we passed right by Gary's and Rosellas vineyard (which Andrew pointed out). It was spectacular to actually finally see these great California Pinot vineyards with my own eyes. When I did, I got Goosebumps. Andrew took a long windy rode through the back country. The sorta road that someone would have to show you how to get to. We drove past Chalone vineyard which was manicured to perfection. In the distance you could see these pointy mountains which are called The Pinnacles. The pinnacles are a national monument of absolute beauty that many climb and just enjoy the view from. Finally we passed Brosseau vineyard. Its a beautiful vineyard that Brian Loring is fortunate to get fruit from. It was wild passing the rows of trellises and seeing Loring written on row after row (which showed his block in the vineyard).
Finally we arrived at The Inn At The Pinnacles where Brian was diligently setting up for the evening. The Inn is owned by Jan and Jon Brosseau and I really enjoy getting to know them over the weekend.
There were menus on the table and I glanced at them to see what was in store for us for the evening. It looked to be nothing short of spectacular and boy was I excited.
Flight 1 - Champagne Starter
I quickly met David N. who's cellar has been written up in several magazines for its beauty and size. He brought along a bottle of Bubbly.
Flight 2 - Primer Whites & Reds (5 Notes)
After sipping some bubbly, we made our way out to the patio to watch the sunset and drink some wines that others brought along. There must have been close to 40 more California Pinots on the table and I wish I had time to taste them all but with so many people to talk to and the sheer beauty of the surroundings I just couldn't.
After the cocktail hour we made our way into the dinning room for the dinner. Prior to each course and flight each winemaker gave a little history about their wine.
Flight 3 - 1st Course & Flight (2 Notes)
Roasted Tomato Confit with Pinot Marinated Feta, Fava Bean & Arugula salad with Kalamata Olive Vinaigrette
Flight 4 - 2nd Course & Flight (2 Notes)
Pinot barrel staves with sweet Scallop, sweet Potato, and sweet peas on tart rhubarb jam.
Flight 5 - 3nd Course & Flight (2 Notes)
Olive Oil poached game hen breast on apple wood smoked bacon & savoy cabbage grantinet with porcini mushroom jus.
Flight 6 - 4nd Course & Flight (2 Notes)
Slow roasted Colorado Mountain Lamb chop on enriched white polenta with mushroom summer squab & turnip hash finished with a black pepper pinot vinaigrette
Flight 7 - Day 2 Pessagno Winery
We started out Day 2 at Pessagno Winery where we all met at 10:30 AM in the Tasting Room. I have been to some serious offlines in my time, but never have I started before noon. This was intense and I forgot to spit early on..
Flight 8 - Pessagno's 03 Line-up (3 Notes)
Stephen Pessagno and Brian Loring were pouring several of their wines including Andew's A.P. Vin barrel samples and BRIAN'S BARREL SAMPLES. Pessagno is located a few miles from Gary's and Rosella's vineyard.
Flight 9 - Loring & A.P Vin 04 Barrel Samples (4 Notes)
NICE!!! - I am the first to post a notes on the 04's iin CellarTracker!!
Flight 10 - Tasting direct from Barrel @ Pessagno Winery (4 Notes)
Stephen brought us up to his cellar were we barrel tasted several of his 2004 line-up. Here are some of my brief impressions.
Flight 11 - Visiting Gary's Vineyard
We left Pessagno's and traveled a few miles until Garys' vineyard. There, standing in front of Brian Lorings rows of fruit were the two INCREDIBLE Garys'. Standing there awaiting our arrival. Gary Francioni and Gary Pisoni are easily (in my opinion) making the best Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot out there and being in their vineyard, its easy to see why. The two gentlemen are extremely meticulous and their vineyards were as perfect as can be.
Flight 12 - Visiting Rosella's Vineyard
Now were talkin.. Breathtakingly beautiful I got the chills driving through the center of the vineyard. The two Garys' stopped us all where we got out of our cars dead center in the vineyard. Coincidently, it was right next to a few rows one which said LORING and the other A.P. Vin.. Andrew was like a little kid asking the Gary to get a picture in front of his rows of fruit he got in 2004 and will get again in 2005. My jaw was on the ground.. It was awesome. Brilliantly manicured and heavenly standing amongst the shoots, I didn't want to leave.
Flight 13 - Visiting Pisoni Vineyard
What can I say.. I am speechless.. Gary Pisoni' invited us all back to his vineyard to drink, eat, and party.. If you ever have a chance to party with Gary Pisoni and Gary Francioni, don't pass it up. I never in my life felt a feeling that resembled Woodstock till being amongst so many wine lovers and sharing the passion in Pisoni Vineyard. The food was Killer and so were the 50 or so Pinot bottles spread amongst the table. I was having too much fun to take notes and there were simply too many wines to bother. Gary’s workers were busy cooking up a plethora of food for us to consume on a HUGE BBQ including Asparagus that was cut that day, Chicken, some green salsa spread, pita's, sausage, beans. Fresh Strawberries , Pork that was fried in a Huge copper pot on an open fire pit then cut into pieces (possible Pigs foot - but I am not sure) MAN was it killer. The food was served up in Gary’s cave which was hallowed out into the middle of land and was set up with Huge table that sat 40+ people. There was even a fireplace in the cave, which gave us some awesome light and made the feeling being there insanely cool. For dinner, Gary produced a case of Syrah which had no labels - I just assumed it was from his own vineyard that he made.. He was opening bottle after bottle by pushing the cork directly into the bottle and then pouring a splash direct into his mouth I guess to see if it was corked.. ;) He ended up wearing plenty of it.. .
The wine was amazing to say the least...
Soon after lunch Gary took some lucky souls into his Jeep where they got a jeep ride of their lives through his vineyard. It’s a rugged old Flat Fender Willies and damn did it look fun. With all the excitement Gary came back, stripped down to his draws and jumped into his lake- (right off the deck we were partying on). There is a waterfall from up near the cave that trickles water down and I couldn't resist - so after 15 minutes I found myself swimming in the lake as wel (wish I had a picture)l. It sobered me right up.
HERE are some pictures that Brian took (last year maybe)? I found them on his web site.
Closing
What can I say but thank you to Brian Loring for extending an invitation to me Gary Francioni for his dedication and perfection, Gary Pisoni for his hospitality, Stephen Pessagno for sharing his wines and afternoon with us, and Jan and Jon Brosseau for allowing us to enjoy the weekend at their Inn and cooking a delightful dinner on Saturday night.
Finally thanks Andrew Vingiello for making me feel like we have been Friends for ages..
It was the best Memorial Day I have ever had without a doubt.. HUGE THUMBS UP!!!
1997 Calera Chardonnay Mount Harlan
USA, California, Central Coast, Mount Harlan
Golden honey color this was amazingly still crisp with ripe fruit flavors including some creamy white pear and crisp iceberg lettece. A streak of alcohol and a buttery finish with nice minerality.
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2001 Testarossa Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Bing cherry with a slinky mouth feel. Streak of alcohol again on the mid palate and a full lingering tart cherry finish. A delight toasting with the one and only Testy Troal Paul Galli
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2002 Varner Pinot Noir Spring Ridge Vineyard Hidden Block
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
This lighter styled pinot was very nice with its lower alcohol. It tasted more towards the burgundian style and having just had an 85 Mount Eden Pinot, I recognized similarities. Unfortunatly there was but only a small taste left when I got to the bottle.
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2003 August West Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Magnum... Fresh bright ripe cherry with a clean mid palate showing layers of happy red fruit. You can't have enough of this wine and the mag was the first bottle to be finished amongst a sea of 750's. The finish just goes on and on.
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2002 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
Dark strong fruit with a bite of tannin that showed this bottled was in need of some cellar time. Still the fruit was fine from glance I got from my glass.
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