The wine world is buzzing about this Pinot Gris
Wine lovers are suddenly paying attention to Wargin Vineyards—and rightly so. The family-owned winery, with tasting rooms in Soquel and Watsonville, recently poured its 2013 Pinot Gris at a recent event, and comments from imbibers were all very positive.
“What’s neat about this wine is that the Pinot Blanc gives it kind of a luscious fruit. It’s not sweet, there’s no residual sugar, but the pinot blends into it very nicely and rounds it out. It’s a softer style,” says Denise Wargin, who owns the winery with her husband and winemaker Mikael Wargin.
With grapes harvested from Nessere Vineyards in Butte County—a delicious blend of 75 percent Pinot Gris and 25 percent Pinot Blanc—this wine was also awarded 90 points by Wine Enthusiast magazine. “This has a vivid, gold color with just a touch of pink,” says Jim Gordon of Wine Enthusiast. “Aromas are like buttered popcorn, toasted almond and a touch of honey. It is undeniably flavorful, lush in texture and full bodied.”
Right now, there’s a summer special on the Pinot Gris, and instead of the regular price of $24, it’s a steal at only $20—and an even better deal of $15 if you’re a wine club member.
Wargin was a label series winner in the San Francisco Chronicle’s 2014 wine competition. Visit Wargin’s website to see awards he has won over the years with his whimsical labels, and to check out his current releases. The fun label on the Pinot Gris depicts a bear balancing a glass of wine on its nose.
Stop by the tasting room in Soquel Village, which recently opened in a 525-square-foot antique store and features a burl wood bar, wine, antiques and a beautiful patio space. You can also try their wines at the tasting room in Watsonville or at Gourmet Grazing on the Green in Aptos Village Park from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. This food, beer and wine festival is a fundraiser put on by the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group. Visit sccbg.org for more information.
Wargin Wines, 5015 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 531-8108. Open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; 18 Hangar Way, Watsonville, open noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. warginwines.com.
FRUITS OF LABOR Pinot Gris grapes are thought to be a mutant clone of the Pinot Noir variety. The word pinot is French for “pine cone,” for the cone-shaped clusters, and gris defines the grayish-blue fruit. PHOTO: ANDREW FOGG
