Summer 2010 Tour of Clos Pepe

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of the California Central Coast and it's characterful wines.  I have been lucky to travel though Central Coast wine country on several occasions, tasting many lovely wines and soaking in the incredible old California ambiance and natural beauty.  One of those memorable trips occurred last summer when I had the special privilege to take part in one of the last tours offered at Clos Pepe Vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills. The extremely personable Wes Hagen, vineyard manager and the estate's winemaker, was a font of knowledge as he led the group from the vineyards, through the wine-making process, to a memorable private tasting in the estate's main house.  Wes even took time to personally put together a local cheese and bread platter as he answered the group's questions and poured several delicious wines. To top off an amazing morning, we were treated to the fruits of another of  Wes' great passions; his freshly brewed, home roasted expresso.

I absolutely fell in love with the beautiful vineyard setting with meticulously kept vines, olive groves, and even a picturesque little heard of sheep which are an integral part of the bio-intensive vineyard culture.  Eve more impressive were the wines.  We tasted two vintages of exquisitely crafted, bright, crisp, Burgundy style Chardonnay, one of them an unfiltered barrel sample.  Quite the treat.  Then came the lovely Pinot Noirs, with their characteristic Santa Rita Hills raspberry and cherry aromas backed by a hint of Central Coast herbalness. These were juicy Pinot Noirs, quite drinkable in their youth, but with Burgundy-like earthy complexity and the backbone to develop nicely for several years in the bottle.  Clos Pepe wines are a great testament to what can happen when an incredibly talented winemaker's skills combine with low-yields, organic/sustainable practices, and meticulous hand-labor in the vineyard.  

Sadly, Clos Pepe no longer offeres tours of their beautiful estates, but their wonderful wines are available online on clospepe.com and in wine shops for your enjoyment.  I heartily recommend seeking them out.  In the meantime here are some photos from my memorable 2010 tour, so you too can experience some of the beauty of this incredible estate.