In the cool night air, I find myself sitting down with Frank
Leal, owner and winemaker at Leal Vineyards in Hollister. The full
moon is starting to rise, casting an eerie but calming shadow over
the vines that are just a few feet away. I can almost sense another
idea forming in his mind
– the glimmer in his eyes tells me he is concocting his next big
social event.
In the cool night air, I find myself sitting down with Frank Leal, owner and winemaker at Leal Vineyards in Hollister. The full moon is starting to rise, casting an eerie but calming shadow over the vines that are just a few feet away. I can almost sense another idea forming in his mind – the glimmer in his eyes tells me he is concocting his next big social event.
There are two components that drive Frank Leal. One is a desire to work hard and the other is to have fun. This work hard/play hard mentality is translated into some of the social events being held at his eponymous winery.
About every two to three months, Leal Vineyards holds a Comedy Night. Most recently, comedians Mark Gross and Shawn Gnandt were featured. “My face literally hurts from laughing so hard,” giggled Jennifer Niklaus from San Jose.
Recording artist Kid Rock stopped by earlier this month for another visit, including a small set of musical numbers with the local band, Soul Kiss.
Over the past two summers, the winery has held a concert series that occurs every other Friday night. The public is invited to enjoy the summer sun, bring in a picnic, spread out a blanket and listen to the music of local bands. These concerts are held out at the winery’s event center, a place affectionately known as Lavanda.
“Leal Vineyards has been the saving grace of having fun here in Hollister,” said Jananne Gaver, who works for the Hollister School District.
The winery hosts a number of private events at Lavanda, particularly weddings. “Brides and grooms make an emotional purchase when they choose our facility. They have a good experience with our wine and service. Combine that with delicious food, a lake, swans, a waterfall, outdoor hot tub, magnificent views from the Vineyard Houses and the romance of the vines – what you get is a perfect match for the perfect couple,” Leal said.
If you talk to anyone who knows Frank Leal, they would say he is a workaholic, someone who never seems to sleep. He also is the kind of guy who always has some project brewing – his most recent being tequila!
Following a love for great tasting tequilas, Leal had a vision to start making his own. With the help of some friends in Jalisco, Mexico, Leal realized through careful study that many tequila makers were not removing the harsh impurities that can occur during the beginning and end of the distillation process. “I wanted to get the ‘center cut’ qualities of the spirit. Then, by invoking some wine making techniques, like using re-toasted American oak barrels instead of old bourbon barrels, we create a smooth, aromatic artisan tequila that pleases the palate and leaves no harsh aftertaste.”
The tequila is called “5150” – the call number law-enforcement officers use to identify a mentally disturbed person. Call me crazy, but I had to try them all! Leal is producing all three types – the blanco, reposado and añejo.
While his tequila is currently being produced in Mexico, Leal has plans to actually grow and produce the product in Hollister. More than 15,000 blue agave tequilana Weber plants were imported back in March, with planting taking place in the surrounding areas of Hollister and Gilroy. It is believed that Leal was the first to legally import the plant in the United States. According to the International Wine and Spirit record back in December 2006, consumption of tequila is the United States rose almost 40 percent over the past five years. “Most of the boutique, high-quality tequilas never make it to United States. That’s why I want to create one here in our backyard.”
Scattered throughout Leal’s winery are quotes that depict resolve and determination. Perhaps the most popular quote, from Dr. Seuss, describes Frank Leal the best – “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Next week, I sign off – my last official column, my last waltz. Cheers!
