Saarloos and Sons
Okay I have been a little enamored with this winery since seeing Keith Saarloos speak on the Wine Down. This is a family vineyard and the whole family works it. Bradley was pouring in the tasting room when we got there and was full of great and passionate information about the family the wine and the vineyards. The wines are named for someone in the family each year and all wines are individual to the vintage and are not meant to ever be recreated.
The names include “Brielle” a fantastic Savignon Blanc named for Keith’s daughter; Hers a grenache blanc; His a Cabernet, Humble Harv a 100% grenache named for Keith’s dad and Big Larr a 100% syrah named for Bradley’s dad. 194d8 is a wine that is made new every year. The first year it was called 1945 for Keith’s grandparents anniversary.
Each year they make a new blend and honor another year of their grandparents being together with a label complete with a photo of the happy couple from that year. The last wine we tasted was the Creed a 100% Petite Sirah. Oh…and did I mention that on Thursday through Sunday “Enjoy Cupcakes” is in the house with great cupcakes and a $10 pairing menu to go with the wines! Yeah! Totally Rocks!
So I’ll try to remember the pairings. A Ginger Lime Chardonnay cupcake with the Brielle, (chardonnay cake, buttery ginger crust filled with a lime curd and topped with a lime frosting and sugared lime zest). I remember that the “His” went with the Chocolate Malt Milkshake with “fries” (chocolate cake filled with malt pudding topped with chocolate frosting and “fries”- that is shoestring style).
Okay I can’t remember the rest…but…can you picture getting a little box with 6 miniature cupcakes and then walking over the to tasting bar and having them pour something to taste with each!? IT IS THE BEST! So Keith was not there but Bradley was amazing handling 8 guests at the tasting bar with ease and keeping us all informed and entertained!
Larry came in while we were tasting and we all said hello. This is a very warm and welcoming tasting room. And after hearing the stories about the wines and the family you feel very much a part before leaving.
