Author: hellerestate

Notes: All the News that’s fit to Print

To paraphrase the motto of the venerable New York Times

“All The News That’s Fit to Print”

We copy below some excerpts which recently appeared in a blog by Robert Hillyer:

“Many years ago, at my first sommelier job, I picked an obscure, organic Cabernet from Monterey as my house pour. The distributors had never heard of such a thing, but promised to get me a good “by the glass” price for an obscure product. That wine … “Cachagua” Cabernet Sauvignon, is now known as Heller Estate.  The name was the Native American  pronunciation of “Cache Aqua,” the Spanish name for “Hidden Waters” as the vineyards are fed by underground springs.

When I first encountered the Cab, as a waiter, it was sent back by a table as not being “California Enough.”

The bartender left it behind the bar for the somm to taste the next day, but forgot to cork it back up. When we arrived the next morning, the entire bar area smelled like blackberries. From that day on, I decanted the wine whenever anyone ordered it by the bottle. The other waiters asked me why I would decant a then-$35 bottle, and I said “Walk by the table in 15 minutes, and you tell me.” The cloud of blackberry aroma was evident from five feet away. Imagine a house wine that not only doesn’t go BAD, but gets better when open for a day or two!

Read more…

Notes: They Shall All Sit Under Their Own Vines and Fig Tree

In a 1787 issue of the New York Journal, a reference to the above title can be found, alluding to the idea of the oppressed of other nations having a place to go for refuge.

The phrase “They shall all sit under their own vines and fig tree” is also notably found in a well-known letter that George Washington wrote to a congregation in Rhode Island. In the letter, Washington proclaimed, “May all who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants – while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid”.

In the ensuing years, American Colonists heeded Washington’s words and began planting their own vines and fig trees in their new land. Throughout the years, the grapevine plantings have expanded throughout America, and the wines produced from them are now of world-class recognition.

Our vineyards are now approaching a half-Century after planting (1968), and the roots of these vines have now descended to some thirty feet below the surface of the hills of Carmel Valley, seeking the water levels under our vineyards. Stressing these vines to do so, happily results in outstanding fruit of quality and flavor.

Read more…

Notes: A Vineyard Success Story

Twenty years ago, we planted French prune (plum) trees around the perimeter of our vineyards. These trees play host to predatory wasps, which attack the eggs of the undesirable insects in the vineyards. Hence, it eliminates the need to apply harmful herbicides and pesticides. These beneficial wasps help support our organic vineyard program.

In addition, at the end of the harvest, a compost of grape skins, seeds and stems are spread throughout the vineyards. This creates a home to vineyard spiders, which aid in controlling unwanted insects. This maintains an eco-balance in our organic vineyard.

The grapes produced from this organic program are CERTIFIED by a USDA certifier and the corresponding certificate is issued; all of the grapes used to produce our wines are grown on our vineyard only. We do not source fruit from other vineyards.

Read more…