What to Buy
’06 Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay Snappy, natural acidity, stone fruit, brioche $30
’06 Kendric Vineyard Pinot Noir Sandalwood, nutmeg, blueberry, wildflowers $45
’05 Vogelzang Vineyard Vinolocity Raspberry, cardamom, rose petal, lavender $30
’06 Ripken Vineyard Petite Sirah Sultry, spicy, velvety soft tannins, balanced acidity $32
Getting There
From Hwy 101, take the Todd Rd exit. Follow Todd Rd to Llano Rd and turn right. Take Llano Rd (2 miles) to CA 12/Luther Burbank Memorial Hwy (1.5 miles). The winery is on the left.
|
The story of Sheldon Wines is a love story, really. It began when Dylan Sheldon returned to the United States after Western Australia’s 2000 harvest to help launch Cépage Wine Bar in Carmel, California. He met geologist and frequent customer Tobe Weatherly there in 2001, and five weeks after their first kiss, they were engaged. They sold everything they owned and traveled the world together making wine.
When Dylan and Tobe re-turned to the States, they leased an empty winery, borrowed an old basket press, and rolled up their sleeves and the legs of their jeans. After burning an unimaginable number of calories stomping grapes, they were the proud producers of 420 cases of wine in 2003.
By the 2005 vintage, they broke the 1,000-case mark, and that’s all the growing they intend to do. In fact, they call themselves a micro-winery.
The couple shies away from wine scores. As Tobe says, “We believe you should drink the wine because you like it, not because someone told you to like it.” But thanks to a sneaky friend who submitted their 2004 Chardonnay to Wine Enthusiast, it got 93 points and an Editor’s Choice nod.
|
|
Along with wine, the Sheldons love people. To prove this to the after-work crowd (and possibly make new friends), they recently introduced “Wino Wednesdays” and “Thank Bachus for Fridays” on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 4 to 7 in their tasting room, located in the Old Southern Pacific Rail Caboose in Gravenstein Station. Tastings are complimentary, and Dylan or Tobe—or both—are there, often with a great cheese, Dylan’s guitar, or their lovable dogs. The Sheldons also offer tasting parties for those who want to host a private wine tasting in their home. “It’s fun,” Tobe exclaims. “We bring the party to you.”
For the Sheldons, winemaking is a labor of love. And sharing it with other wine enthusiasts is too.
|
|
){kind=link}