It is interesting how many small, family-owned wineries there
are that seem to survive financially without the mass marketing
that their big brothers rely on to generate interest and, most
importantly, sales. How the smaller facilities all can survive in
the competitive world of winemaking is a testament to business
savvy and ingenuity.
It is interesting how many small, family-owned wineries there are that seem to survive financially without the mass marketing that their big brothers rely on to generate interest and, most importantly, sales. How the smaller facilities all can survive in the competitive world of winemaking is a testament to business savvy and ingenuity.
The Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill has been a family-owned business for more than 80 years. Three generations have had a hand in producing great wine in the Santa Clara Valley, currently under the direction of three brothers: George, Gene and Gary Guglielmo (pronounced GOOL-yell-mo).
The winery produces a number of varietals under three labels: Guglielmo Private Reserve, Villa Emile Varietal Wines and Emile’s. Even though the winery now produces 40,000 cases a year, the traditions that started back in 1925 are still in place.
One of the traditions that lives on and has become extremely popular is the Cork Equity Days that Guglielmo holds about four times a year. Early in their inception, the Guglielmo family would entertain customers with food, music and the opportunity to fill empty jugs with the family wine.
We are all familiar with sweat equity when it comes to house repair. It is heavy on the sweat, and at the end of the day, you could care less about the equity because your whole body aches from the experience. Cork Equity at Guglielmo requires very little effort and no sweat!
First, save up your used, well-rinsed wine bottles and bring them to the winery on the day of the festivities. I like doing this because you often get a nice assortment of bottles that will make unique gifts.
Additionally, I’m a firm believer in recycling (thanks to lessons I learned from South Valley Disposal and Recycling’s own Julie Osborne Alter). By participating in Cork Equity Days, you’re also being environmentally conscientious. If you do not have any bottles to bring, you can buy bottles at the winery for a nominal fee.
Next, after a little paperwork and credit-card business, you get to fill the bottles with a delicious red table wine blended by Guglielmo’s winemakers. You can watch them cork your bottles on an old-fashioned corking machine, apply the labels yourself and pack them off to your car.
I sampled the wine as well as some grilled Italian sausage, cheese and breadsticks. Because I felt I was getting the better part of the deal, calling this “equity” did not come to mind. I certainly would call it fun.
After the experience, you might just find yourself wanting to go home and start that house repair. For $5 per bottle, this was about as inexpensive as wine purchasing can get.
Cork Equity No. 10 was comprised primarily of 2001 San Luis Obispo petite syrah (40 percent) and 2003 Santa Clara Valley sangiovese (30 percent). This base blend was then enhanced with a bit of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, ruby cabernet and zinfandel. The wine had a robust, rich color.
A quick refresher: This is a red table wine due to the fact that there are many different grape varietals in the blend, with no grape varietal having more that 75 percent.
This wine was called Cavalcade Cellar Red. This was to honor the label used by the first two generations of family to denote selected barrels of wines that had received additional aging. They were considered the best the winery had to offer. Wines that are offered during Cork Equity Days are usually only available at the event itself.
The next Cork Equity Day is Feb. 25. Other tentative dates for 2006 include May 6, Aug. 12 and Nov. 4.
Another fun event that Guglielmo is offering is the Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Seminar/Tasting on Jan. 26. The seminar will cover the types of oils, processing methods, health benefits, terminology and history of olive oil. Oils from Italy and California will be featured. Reservations are required.
Stay tuned to the Guglielmo Web site, www.guglielmowinery.com for more information.
Cheers!
Bottle of the Week
DeRose Winery, Hollister
www.derosewine.com
Wine: Negrette
Price: $22
Grape: 100 negrette
Why: “The Negreet is a very unique grape,” said winemaker Ralph Hurd. “There are only 180 acres of it in the world, and 16 acres are here. These vines are more than 150 years old.”
Where: The wine can be purchased at De Rose Winery, located at 9970 Cienega Road in Hollister. For more information, call (831) 636-9143. Tastings are available by appointment.
