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The Santa Cruz Mountains are a long way from Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula. But since Nicole Walsh's arrival there in 2001, she's immersed herself entirely in the distinct microclimates and terroirs along California's coastline (and along the way, earned arguably the ultimate stamp of approval in CA wine: she's Randall Grahm's right hand, getting her start at Bonny Doon and now overseeing his ambitious Popelouchum project). In 2012, she launched Ser Wines with the goal of crafting expressive, single-varietal wines that tell the story of their origin, pure representations of fruit, terroir, and the pacific influence that forms the common thread throughout.
We'll taste Nicole's take on California classics (134 year-old Cinsault from Bechtold Vineyard, and exceptionally elegant, complex Pinot from the cool reaches of the Santa Cruz Mountains), stonefruit and white pepper-laden Trousseau Gris from San Benito, and grassy, fresh Grüner, both in still and sparkling form. A perfect end to Winemaker Week!
