It’s wonderful when new wineries pop up in our area. Charmant Vineyards is one of them. Winemaker Eug Theron owns and operates Charmant Vineyards with his wife, Julie.
The Therons are from South Africa, but they left their native country in 1989 and emigrated to the United States. In 2014, they fell in love with a piece of property high up in the Aptos hills and purchased it—naming it Charmant. Then in 2017, Eug and Julie took over the vineyard lease, farming operations and winemaking, eventually bottling their first vintage of Charmant Estate Pinot Noir.
Eug also makes a 2019 Chardonnay ($38) with grapes from the well-known Tondré Grapefield in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Considering Eug doesn’t have decades in the biz, he is producing some excellent wines, including this one. It comes with an abundance of flavor—pome fruits such as apple and pear to the fore—and some aromatic banana and pineapple aromas.
“Our Chardonnay reflects the fullness and complexity of a year in barrel and is perfect to enjoy while relaxing with friends,” he says.
The Therons have already set up a wine club with the usual advantages for members, such as free wine tastings for two and member discounts on wine and events.
This delightful duo also participates in wine events far and wide, including the upcoming Grand Wine Tasting on April 24 at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. scmwa.com.
Charmant Vineyards, 800 Larsen Road, Aptos. 831-888-7256; charmantvineyards.com (reservations required).
Thoory Dates
On a winter trip to Palm Desert, we bought several pounds of Medjool, Deglet Noor, Barhi and Thoory dates. Thoory, also known as the bread date, is naturally dry and chewy with a hard texture. They originated in Algeria, where nomads could keep these non-sticky dates in their pockets for a healthy snack. Also, dates are high in fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants.
