Bringing Great Winemakers Together with The Garagiste Festival & Paso Robles Wines
Episode 42 : The Wine Down
Episode Synopsis
Stewart McLennan and Doug Minnick, who run the Garagiste Festival in Paso Robles school us on the distinctions and points of pride of being a (very) small winemaker. Their festival exposes many small local labels that operate under the radar of most purchasers, but exceed the quality of most Chateau brands.
They clue us into some of the labels that’ll be featured at the scenic fest, and also illuminate how to keep wine makers and drinkers approachable to eachother. We taste several gorgeous local labels and get our mouths wet for Paso Robles.
Guest Bio
Stewart McLennan has been a Garagiste for over a decade. Though until recently never used the term “garagiste” to refer to himself or his (mis) adventnering he now finds garagiste the most apt way of describing both his present self and his future winemaking aspirations. Stewart was instrumental in forming Brothers of the Barrel in 1991. A group of guys from differing backgrounds and professions who came together to learn about winemaking through the process of drinking beer and making wine. The Brothers have now been making wine for over a decade and, yes, it isn’t half bad – scoring various medals over the years at Paso Robles’ California Midstate Fair.
For the past three years Stewart has been involved in all aspects of wine marketing from the tasting room to national distributorship. He has worked for Four Vines Winery in this capacity and as such has gained valuable experience regarding brand building in the national wine market.
Doug Minnick is now partnered with TV Journalist and fellow wino, Dan Erland Andersen, in Ethanol Video Marketing, a company that brings together Dan’s video expertise with Doug’s marketing know-how and project management skills, he is again ignoring more lucrative pursuits in favor doing what he loves to do – promote the Central Coast wine business. They also continue to shoot video for a wide variety of clients in Southern California, but their hearts are in Paso.
Doug and Dan are also making their first vintages as Garagistes, (along with fellow Garagistes, Scott Gruber and Ted Behlendorf). Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah this year – more next year. It’s tasting pretty good right now. Come judge for yourself.
Episode Breakdown
00:01 Welcome to the Wine Down.
00:27 Introducing Stewart McLennan and Doug Minnick of the Garagiste Festival.
01:26 The Garagiste wine maker movement and defining the term.
04:25 The reality of making wine in a garage and the additional work involved in expanding.
08:09 At what point is a wine no longer Garagiste?
09:39 Finding garagiste wines, and the motivations for looking.
13:05 The maverick community of Paso Robles and the festival.
16:40 Stewart and Doug’s backgrounds and their connection to wine and music.
18:50 The festival’s music component and the preview party.
21:18 Finding Paso Robles and where to stay.
22:42 Paso Robles’ surge in the last 15 years.
24:06 How Australia gave Syrah a bad name.
25:44 The seminar discussions and staying away from stodginess.
29:55 Getting in depth on wood and more.
30:53 Tasting the Alta Colina GSM.
33:09 Windfall farms and the site of the fest.
35:09 Keeping the festival at a size that allows people to seriously get in touch with winemakers.
37:18 The shared love of Randall Grahm and getting deep with wine.
39:47 Tasting the Syrah from Vines on the Marycrest-a model for garagistes.
43:58 Ranchero Cellars’ Carignan, a fabulous deconstructed approach to winemaking.
48:18 Keeping up with the Garagiste Festival and finding tickets.
51:52 Cheers and Goodbye!
Additional Links
http://californiagaragistes.com/
http://www.altacolinawine.com/
http://www.vinesonthemarycrest.com/
http://www.rancherocellars.com/