Sierra Madre Vineyards: A Rising Star in the Central Coast

Greetings bohemians. I have a friend who is making a documentary called "Broke." The premise of the movie is that the landscape of the music industry has so drastically changed, that is no longer easy to quantify how an artist gets their "big break" and stands out as a singer worth listening to. The movie argues that there are too many songs, that are too easy to access, too many gigs, and too much talent, for even the most talented musician to ‘break' from the pack, and engages the questions: "what does success in the music industry look like today" and "is there a way to succeed without playing by the old rules of the game." I saw some footage and it looks absolutely fascinating. (When the trailer is completed, I'll post the link)

Some have said that soon (some say it has happened already), as it has gone in the music industry, it will be the same with wine. With the arrival of massive crush pad facilities popping up all over, the point of entry for making wine becomes drastically more accessible. (keep an eye out for Room Forty Cuvee-Not!!) I've heard all sorts of different opinions on the ‘wine rush' of the last years. Some argue that the more attention the wine industry gets, the better-as the competition drives creativity, and an urgency for quality and affordability. Others argue the law of diminishing returns, and believe that the over-saturation of wine in the market is a bad thing for good wine and good winemakers. (I probably have some distant relatives in Calabria, Italy who have been making table wine in their backyard for years who could care less about either view point, and are happy to keep stomping and pouring the fruits of their garden.)

Whichever side of the discussion your opinions are, one thing for sure is that the oldest form of marketing on the planet, word of mouth, will always reign supreme as the best way to find the diamonds-whether it's a diamond in the rough, or a diamond among rhinestones. So in spirit of word of mouth, here's another tip on a diamond wine. 

Many of you have heard of Sierra Madre Vineyard in Santa Maria. As a Pinot Noir source for many of the Central Coast's best-known Pinots, including wines from Lane Tanner, Ken Brown, Qupé, Fiddlehead, Au Bon Climat, and many others, Sierra Madre has long been regarded for the quality of fruit it produces. What you might not have known is that vineyard owners, Orange County residents and friends of Room Forty, Doug and Jan Circle decided a few years back to begin bottling an estate label, (aptly called Sierra Madre Vineyards). And if you already knew that, what you REALLY might not have known is that after only two vintages, you need to find a way to get Circle's SMV Pinot on your table.  Far from many of its rhinestone new world, flat Pinot competitors, this burgundian-style, austere, and complex Pinot has great structure, and in true Burgundy fashion, is a great food wine. Be prepared for mid and back palate surprises and a great finish.  CA-based Wine Insider News, just awarded the 07 Pinot with 97 points, and I'm sure other vineyard-varietals are quickly on their way to becoming cult classics.  The vineyard has a rich heritage (previously owned by Mondavi) and the juxtaposition of the long history of the vineyard, with the new vision and promising team at SMV, has this label poised for greatness.

Between the skills of sage winemaker Steve Rasmussen (Talley), the sandy-loam soil and cool climate of the vineyard, and the visionary leadership of Circle, I honestly believe that (to use our earlier musical reference) when the "flash-in-the-pan band" wineries have faded, this project has all the ingredients of becoming an enduring member of the Central Coast crew.  (Maybe in the spirit of being associated with enduring bands as opposed to one-hit wonders, Circle should get his wine in the hands of Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam-after all these years, the voice of a generation still has a bottle on stage at every concert)

You can order wine through the website: www.Sierramadrevineyard.com. I believe Hi-Time cellars in Costa Mesa is carrying it as well.  For you OC residents especially, support your own, and make sure you spread the word.  At some point, Room Forty will partner up with these guys for a winemaker dinner, but until then, whether you go to  Hi-Time or you go to the website, join the celebration as a wine worth drinking rapidly approaches its "big break."

 

Cheers.

Fort