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“Where are you? It’s 4:50 and I expected to see you behind the bar to help pour? DiMaggio is here. There were at least a dozen of us waiting outside so they had to let us in!!!” Cathy Martin, fellow WSET graduate and home winemaker, yelling into her cell phone – at me!
(The photo adaptation on the right is by Roman “Photoshop” Weiser and left many people on Facebook wondering how they missed the opening!)
Yes, the day finally arrived. The “soft” opening for Pulchella Winery’s tasting room smack dab in the middle of downtown Newhall. (And on this night, Pulchella was smack in the middle of some rain, motorcycles and a Farmer’s market.)
Guests could choose wines by the taste, by the glass, purchase a bottle to take home or start a membership. (We members get free tastes!)
I tried everything of course: 2007 Paso Chardonnay (an immediate favorite of guest Jeannie Carpenter), 2007 Paso Syrah I loved, 2008 Janes Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel that was an instant “Perlis Pick” and an 06 Creston Ranch Farm Cabernet Sauvignon that I enjoyed a full glass of later.
And one wine, caught in the rain and a delivery truck, the Everyday Red Blend (at a low $14.99 per bottle) though not there at “press” time arrived later that weekend. (I texted Steve Lemley Sunday afternoon and he was running out of wine! Bet he has more by this press time!)
Many members of the Santa Clarita Valley Vintners and Growers Association came as well as many friends and relatives. During the first hour or so I spied Michael Perlis, Mayor Marsha McLean, former councilman TimBen Boydston, Derrick and Maureen McKaughan, Steve and Cathy Martin, John Dow, Doug Gould, Diane Ghilardi, Kim Mangers, DiMaggio Washington, Donald “DJ” Schramm and his lovely wife brought a nice group of people and Jeannie Carpenter brought brownies!
And of course, the owners of Pulchella Winery: Steve and Megan Lemley and Nate and Jennifer Hasper were there with the broadest of smiles serving a crowd that just kept coming!
Click for: Tasting Room Hours
Wine Club
I can't wait to stop in — how exciting!
I'll be there tomorrow night about 6 if you and Little Henn want to come!