Walk through Eden Rift Vineyards in Hollister

Walk through Eden Rift Vineyards in Hollister, California

 

2019 Eden Rift Estate Chardonnay

Today four of us participated in the 2024 Valentine's walk-through at the charming grounds of Eden Rift Vineyards. 

The 2024 Eden Rift Vineyard Valentine Walk

The property originally known as Pietra Santa, has some of the original 1849 Pinot Noir grapevines which thrive in the unique blend of limestone, dolomite and quartz that any vigneron (someone who cultivates a vineyard for winemaking) worth his salt would literally kill for. 

The new name 'Eden Rift Vineyards' given by the current estate owner Christian Pillsbury is a nod to John Steinbeck's romantic description of The Garden of Eden personified when he said, "I remember that the Gabilan Mountains to the east of the valley were light gay mountains full of sun and loveliness, and a kind of invitation so that you wanted to climb into their warm foothills almost as you want to climb into the lap of a beloved mother."

Located in Hollister, California, at the foothills of the Gavilan Mountain Range, 500 acres of Eden Rift Vineyards straddle the infamous San Andreas Fault. 

Looking past the dramatic setting, you see nearly inhospitable soil comprised of limestone-rich, chalky deposits running through granitic grainy loam. 

The slopes of the valley allow the water to percolate slowly, which combined with the singular maritime-influenced micro- and macro-climates conspire to make the ideal terroir suited to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Pinot Gris. 

The first two are the cash cows whereas the latter two while not a commercial success are nevertheless important as a homage to the storied history of the vineyards. It also breaks away from the avant-garde trend of homogeneity after all diversity is the key to the future.

Cheers ... Saúde ... Salud  ... Santé ...

We were treated to a selection of four wines at wine-tasting stations positioned at intervals along the 2.5-mile walk. 

At the first station set up at the head of the trail, we tasted the 2022 Eden Rift Estate Rose, a  Zinfandel described as follows, "Expressive aromas of cranberry, lychee, rhubarbs, orange rind and minerals. Replete with refreshing acidity crisp and clean with great vivacity and verve on the palate".

The second station offered the 2019 Eden Rift Estate Chardonnay, a crowd-pleaser; "Aromas of spring jasmine, crisp honeydew melon and under-ripe pear. A textured palate, layered with fruits, and apricots. Framed with bright acidity, balanced with peppery wild honey and dried flower notes"

Next, they served us the 2019 Eden Rift Estate Pinot Noir, "Bursting with notes of savoury red fruits, cranberry and pomegranate. Crunchy red cranberry, chalk, and dark cherry highlight its light-medium body.

Last but not least, at the fourth and final station we sipped the 2019 Eden Rift Palmtag Pinot Noir; "A silky smooth texture with red and blue tones in the bouquet. Aromas of rose buds and raspberry exude from the glass. Flavors of Bing cherry, earth, cherry pit and oak carry through the palate".

Kudos to the creative writers for coming up with such alluring descriptions. It's all part of creating a cache to tantalise the mind even as the taste enraptures the senses. 

A perfect ending to our clear blue sky crisp morning walk was the packed dry lunch on park benches under the oak trees with a couple of pied woodpeckers oblivious to the day's festivities.