A Few Words About the 2009 Harvest

We know that the farming business is highly dependent on Mother Nature. Since we had our first harvest in 2003 we have been lucky that each season the quality of our grapes has been from very good to outstanding. However, even with a short history of only six harvests under our belts, a couple of them stand out above the rest. But the wines we produced from the 2004 season are the ones that everyone uses as a measuring “stick” for us. The 2004 vintage (which sold out in record time) won medals in competitions not only in Texas but in San Francisco, Los Angeles and others.

However, the 2009 harvest will be considered one of these standouts. The flavors and color extraction were exceptional, and the sugar/acid ratios and overall chemistry was excellent. Vintage 2009 will be remembered for the terrible spring storm and late freeze that destroyed much of the Texas grape harvest. Even our share was reduced by about 40% but the quality of what remained in the vine was exceptional. Some wineries got caught in the economic issues of 2008-2009 and were not able to fulfill their contracts with some growers. We helped out by purchasing these options from the other wineries and were able to quickly fill our tanks with an incredible quality harvest increasing our production by 20% in a down year. Now all we need to do is not to screw up the wine and make sure that we sell it in about two years. Salud!

Thank You

In the US we pause on the fourth Thursday of November every year to take stock of our blessings and to give thanks for all of the good things in our lives. These are the times when we gather with close friends and family, share a meal of traditional American favorites, and reflect on the good fortune that has followed our nation since its inception.

Therefore, in the spirit of giving thanks, we would like to take this opportunity to tell you just how much your friendship and support means to our family and to our business. Many of us have lost dear friends and loved ones this past year and in times like this, we get a chance to stop and reflect and think about what is really important in this life. This is an opportunity to reflect on how precious and fragile life is and to not waste what time we are given with the special people in our lives.

For us, it is the gift of family and friends that are the riches in our lives. Those precious times that we hold dear to our heart and memories and special moments that can never be replaced, neither by time nor all the wealth in the world.

Whether you have planned a grand feast surrounded by friends and family, an intimate candlelight dinner for two, or a simple frozen dinner or takeout, it is not really the edible food, but rather who we share them with that counts most of all, and to us, this is the true value and meaning of Thanksgiving. Our family gives thanks for you all, friends and close loved ones. You have touched our lives in many ways and we are very wealthy for this.

Please remember our men and women who are serving our country and can't be with their loved ones this year. We will be observing a moment of silence in their honor this year.

In this Thanksgiving season San Martiño Winery & Vineyards wish all of you health, happiness, and many good things for which to be thankful.

Pinot may not be for me

I am “Pinot Out.” Ever since the movie Sideways, Pinot Noir has been some of the highest costing wine in the market. Not long ago, I spent some time travelling through the Willamette Valley in Oregon. It certainly is a beautiful place. Actually “absolutely gorgeous” is a better description. Some of my favorite places are in the Dundee Hills just 20 miles south of Portland. With several dozen wineries to choose from the place is worth a trip BUT you better like Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir. That is all they grow there. After two days of tasting and enjoying the beautiful sites I would have given up my right arm for glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.

I don’t dislike Pinot Noir but I don’t really like it either. Frankly I find most of them thin and just not very exciting. If I just offended you then get a grip. It is all a matter of taste after all. I prefer heavier wines with more “muscle.” Give me a tannic Cabernet or a jammy Zinfandel or Syrah and I am in heaven; but a Pinot Noir... well... no so much… I gave it all I had by going to about 20 wineries in two days and then drinking more Pinot Noir for dinner and lunch from wineries that I couldn’t get to. After that trek, I was Pinot Out. My last day for dinner, I had a blend of Cabernet and Zinfandel for dinner… delicious.

As I mentioned, most Pinots I tasted were thin, very thin. A bit of metallic taste on most of them (they told me it was terroir). All I can say that it must be a lot of Zinc and Iron under the valley. But as with anything in life there were some exceptions. Archery Summit has two incredible Pinots but at $85 for one and $150 for the other they are out of reach for me and most of you. The great surprise was Domain Serene and their Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir. This is a Pinot I could drink every day and at $58 per bottle it is a bit pricy for my wallet but reachable. The rest of the Pinots I tasted I am told that they are good and the critics may agree but I will stick with my Merlot.