We drove up to the sturdy wooden carport with its solar-paneled roof and parked the Vette in one of the few available spaces. After wandering around for a few minutes photographing the woodland surroundings, we decided to venture up to a small house in the distance. I scheduled a vineyard tour and tasting with Shane for Friday at noon. Since there wasn't a single sign declaring this to be Medlock Ames, we could only hope we had followed the directions correctly and made it to the right place. As soon as we neared the house, Shane came out to greet us; welcoming us as if we were family.
The front porch of the ranch-style house sheltered a sizable wooden table just waiting to accommodate a large group of wine-loving tourists. But there was no large group of tourists, just Zach and me. And that is how they do things here at Medlock Ames - relaxed and personable. Shane brought out a bottle of white (cue Billy Joel) and two glasses from the kitchen where several people were canning fruits and vegetables from the organic garden. They all looked like they were having so much fun, I was ready to roll up my sleeves and go help them as they hovered over steaming pots of boiling water and produce. Before I knew it, I had a glass of white wine in my hand, and we were off on our tour.
Shane walked us through the grounds, explaining the origin of the vineyard's namesake - a combination of the middle names of the two men who started the vineyard. Medlock, if I remember correctly, is Shane's brother-in-law and he and Ames were long-time friends who decided to start the vineyard together after leaving other careers. Shane pointed out the organic methods used in the vineyard, including four ponds used to collect rain water for irrigation and the introduction of barn owls as a natural method of reducing a gopher problem. We sampled some of the grapes and learned that around harvest time they know when the grapes are ready, in part, based on how the seeds give way between their teeth. We meandered around organic gardens and talked about the importance of using sustainable growing methods. Growing a garden with nature in mind often works better than "traditional" methods, which aren't really that "traditional" since farmers haven't always had synthetic fertilizer, but they have always had manure.
The tour was casual and informative as well as inspirational. We learned so many interesting facts about the process and the place. We even got to meet Ames! Through it all, we always had a glass of wine to enjoy. After we finished the Sauvignon blanc, we sampled a rose. The best rose I've ever had. We sipped it while touring the gravity flow system used to make the wine. Selected for its gentle processing, gravity flow helps retain all the subtle flavors as the grapes move through the stages that advance them from juice to wine. We saw the large metal vats that hold the delicious liquid as well as the barrels housed below that nurse it on its journey to become some of the best wine Zach and I have tasted. Every decision from the addition of natural predators (barn owls) to the inclusion of a large window in the winery so the workers are exposed to healthful natural light is made with the highest regard for the environment and the well-being of Medlock Ames' employees. It's a remarkable place.
Upon completion of our tour, we sat out on the front porch around that large table (joined by the vineyard dog - whose name I unfortunately can't remember) and talked with Shane about wine, photography, the environment. We were hooked. We loved the wine. We loved the vineyard. We loved the tour (thanks to the best tour guide ever!). I know I'm gushing, but I seriously can't say enough about this place. As if the day couldn't get any more perfect, Shane showed us where the picnic table was so we could enjoy the picnic lunch we had packed. He then sent us on our way (but not without filling our glasses with more Rose first), and we strolled over to the picnic area. Truly a perfect day.
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