Whether you prefer red or white, the secret to a tasty wine is a meticulously planted vineyard, and a five-year wait.
At Lion Ranch Vineyards and Winery in San Martin last month, Kim and Todd Engelhardt added two acres of red Rhone varietals to their already impressive wine portfolio, with the aim of offering 100 percent estate wines once the new vineyard is in full production.
“Four red varietals will comprise our estate red vineyard,” said Kim, who along with husband Todd, fell for Rhone wines when the couple visited the region in Southern France during their honeymoon in 2009.
The similar climate to Santa Clara Valley—warm days and cool nights, with a cooling aspect from the ocean—make Rhone varietals a perfect match for the region, said Todd.
“You are also going to get different, more refined and restrained flavors than, say, Paso Robles wine,” he added.
“In order of prevalence: Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, and Cinsault. These vines will compliment our original white Rhone vineyard just north of us, on Santa Teresa Boulevard, that was planted in 2011,” Kim said.
Lion Ranch will be the first to grow Mourvedre in the Santa Clara Valley, said Todd, and Grenache and Cinsault have been here for generations.
“We are planting what settlers planted here over 100 years ago,” said Todd, “We want to continue what was here.”
Both vineyards are located on the original Lion Ranch’s 5,000-acre property.
Over the course of three days, 2,100 individual vines will be planted. The new vineyard is similar in design to the couple’s white Rhone vineyard up the road, which shares similar growing conditions.
“You want equal growth throughout,” said Todd, as a work crew dug and dropped each vine into the ground. “That’s the sign of a good vineyard.”
The individual vines grow in tubes, like “mini-greenhouses,” said Todd. The encasement allows in light, but protects the fragile vines from wind and critters that may want to nibble on its tender stalks as it grows.
The tubing will allow the vines to grow upright and build strength until they are removed next fall.
Todd says the nubile vines will grow like bushes the first year, requiring frequent watering and monitoring.
“By the second year the plants are more established,” Todd said, adding that by the fifth year, when the red vines are considered in full production, the roots will be 10-20 feet underground.
“Of all crops to grow, this is one of the heartiest to grow in drought conditions,” said Todd, after the all-important first year, the vines require less and less water.
Lion Ranch uses sustainable vineyard practices, said Todd. In the beginning, the plot is cleared of weeds to reduce competition with the growing vines, but by next year a cover crop will grow among the plants.
The couple also use babydoll sheep as natural weed control and portable fertilizer factories.
Their small stature is perfect for fitting underneath the irrigation lines.
“During winter when the leaves drop and plants are dormant, we let the sheep loose,” said Todd, explaining that releasing them in the vineyard any sooner could spell disaster, as the sheep’s love for grape vines is not restricted to falling leaves.
With blue skies overhead, the vineyard is proceeding nicely. Kim’s parents, visiting from Austin, Texas, are helping out and their two-year old son, Jack, who loves to ride alongside his dad on the tractor, is inside taking a late-morning nap.
“The quality end product—your wine—is based on the vineyard,” said Todd.
Lion Ranch Vineyards & Winery, 645 W San Martin Ave, San Martin. Next tasting is Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (408) 713-8501.
