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About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 2015)
September 11, 2015 CapitalPress.com Winemaker says his work not all glamour For the Capital Press Daven Lore Winery Location: Prosser, Wash. Started: 2005 Wines: Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tem- pranillo, Aridsol Red, Malbec, Merlot, Durif, Petit Verdot, Recovery Red, Port, Sweet Riesling, Dry Riesling, Rose, Muscadelle with some glaring differences. The biggest difference relates to public involvement. Nowadays, people volun- teer to help him with his pro- duction. They ask him if they can clean bottles, clean or do anything else needed. That never happened on the farm, he said. “People are just fascinat- ed with the industry,” he said. “They think it’s sexy.” He admits to becoming something of a celebrity in his community, which has value. The attention leads to greater wine sales. People want to meet him, ask to volunteer and then buy bottles of wine, even when he tells them there are no op- portunities for volunteering. The glamour — the images of people standing around in fancy dress and filled glasses — is only 3 percent of the winery, he said. The remainder is “labo- rious.” He puts in 10 to 12 hours a day, “like most farmers.” He starts his day at 5 a.m. and finishes at 7 p.m., or later if he has a pouring event. He sticks with it because he is not discouraged by long days. This is the farmer in him, he said. It is a unique ethic, a feeling that work equals fun. He also likes seeing the enjoy- ment of others when they try his wine. By HEATHER SMITH THOMAS For the Capital Press NAMPA, Idaho — The vineyards that surround Saw- tooth Estate Winery were once lush pastures owned by Charles Pintler. The Pintler family saw more potential than grazing in the steep, south-facing slopes and decided to grow wine grapes, creating a vineyard in 1982. They planted 7 acres of Eu- ropean vinifera that included Chenin Blanc, Riesling and Semillon grapes. The next year they planted 4 more acres, to include Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. In 1987 they harvested the first fruit for their winery. The name was changed to Sawtooth that year, to honor Idaho’s famous mountain range and scenic grandeur. In 1989 the tasting room opened and curious visitors enjoyed Idaho’s new premium winery. In following years, Chardon- nay and experimental varieties were planted on what grew to be a 70-acre vineyard, which was eventually merged with a neighboring 400-acre vineyard. Syrah, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc and Viognier plantings added more varieties. Pintler Cellars then joined Corus Estates and Vineyards in 1998, which later merged with Precept Wine. V15-7/#7 PROSSER, Wash. — Gor- don Taylor hesitates a bit when asked about his title at Daven Lore Winery. “What am I?” he said. “I’m the winemaker, forklift driver, chief bottle washer and cleaner of the toilets.” The winery’s owner, he covers all of the aforemen- tioned positions, and more. He explains that winery ownership is less glamorous than people think, though many outsiders seem attracted to the industry. Taylor is in the midst of cel- ebrations and events to com- memorate the winery’s 10th an- niversary. Also, new wines have been released and membership specials have been created. In all the excitement, the owner said the wine business is much like the agricultural work that he experienced growing up on a farm in Canada, though He makes 16 different wines, and said that his goal is to show people the greatness of Washington state grapes. He purchases nearly all of his grapes, and grows only an eighth of an acre of grapes near his winery. “The wine is made by the growers,” he said. “It’s my job not to screw it up.” He said he prefers buy- ing grapes, as the growers are within 30 miles of the winery and dealing with the growers saves him the hassle of growing grapes himself. These growers are all established, and their fruit comes from highly reput- ed areas — the Horse Heaven Hills, Snipes Mountain and the Yakima Valley. Sawtooth dates back to early years of Idaho wineries Contact us today for more information on our services. (800) 422-7611 • pggcountry.com V15-7/#6 By ERICK PETERSON 13 PENDLETON GRAIN GROWERS, INC.