WOODSIDE
Woodside Vineyards
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In 1884 a San Francisco attorney named Emmett Rixford planted 40 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains near the town of Woodside. The story goes that the original cuttings were sourced from Chateau Margaux in France. The vineyard was named La Questa and soon became famous for the quality of its cabernets.
Following Rixford's death the vineyard fell into disrepair. He was succeded by two sons who had neither the knowledge or the vision to maintain the business. For a while the vineyard was managed by Rusty Ray, before finally being subdivided and used for housing.
In 1957 Bob Groetzinger discovered a few vines in the gardens of a couple of the houses, around an acre in total. With the permission of the owners he began tending them and producing home-made wine from the fruit. In 1960 he was joined by his friend Bob Mullen. The following year Mullen purchased a nearby property which became the winery, and Woodside Vineyards was bonded in 1963.
Today the winery still manages that first acre, believed to be the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines anywhere in the USA, as well as 20 more vineyards scattered around the Woodside area. Production is limited to 2,000 cases by an agreement with the city.
In 2008 Bob, aged 82, sold the property including the winery building and its surrounding vineyard, but not the business. In 2009 the winery entered a partnership with Auto Vino, a car and wine storage facility in Menlo Park. The winery moved to their new premises in 2010.
Woodside produces several wines, all from locally grown fruit La Questa Cabernet Sauvignon is produced only in exceptional years solely from the La Questa Vineyard. Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Kings Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Zinfandel Estate Pinot Noir Estate Chardonnay Vintage Sparkling Wine There is also a NV "California Champagne" produced for Woodside by Weibel vineyard in the East Bay and an occasional blend called "Mikey's Rooftop" The winery also provides the sacramental wine for Woodside Village Church.
Links
Posts tagged with Woodside Vineyards on the scmwine blog Interview with Bob Mullen on Reign Of Terroir