2007-12-20
Longboard Vineyards
A Hot Spot in Healdsburg
by Millie Howie
Longboard Vineyards is just two years old, but it’s amazing what this young winery has accomplished and how well-planned the future is – both immediate and long-range. Sitting down with the three partners: Robert Watkins, Bruce Lindquist and Oded Shakked, you can see that their enthusiasm has kept pace with their sales and that their buoyant easy-going spirit is an open invitation for you to become a member of the family by joining the Longboard SurfRider Club. This irrepressible trio has set up two levels of membership in their club. Become a Big Kahuna member and be assured that a shipment of each of the single vineyard wines will be arriving regularly at your door, followed by a fun-to-read newsletter and an invitation to a members only Vineyard Party each summer. Membership as an Ohana brings only slightly fewer benefits and does assure at least one bottle each of all single vineyard wines and invitations to winery parties. Other celebrations will also mark your membership, including a pick-up party should you decide to appear in person to pick up your wine allotment.
In the past year production at Longboard Vineyards has grown from 7,000 cases to 10,000 cases, with expanded distribution driving the production figure. Robert, who does most of the traveling, particularly on the eastern seaboard, has now made placements of the wines in twenty-five states and three countries. Looking ahead he is training a representative to market the wine in New York and other points east. Also in the planning stage is an increased presence of Longboard wines in the export market.
Bruce quietly takes care of the financial end of the business and all three are frequently on-premise to greet their guests.
Oded, the winemaker, has old-fashioned hand-shake grape contracts with some of the finest growers in the Russian River Valley Appellation. He introduced his first Longboard Pinot Noir from the prized O’Neill vineyard with the harvest of 2006. The limited production of 1200 cases will undoubtedly be sold out by the end of 2007.
New hours have been established for the tasting lounge, with one of the partners or vivacious Sadie Dahlgren, hospitality manager, there to greet guess from 11 a.m. till 6 p.m. (or a bit later) Wednesday through Monday. Visitors may elect to taste any of the Longboard wines from a list that includes, in addition to the Russian River Pinot Noir, two Syrahs, a pair of Cabernet Sauvignons, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot from the cooler Russian River Valley area. The modest tasting fee of $5 may be applied to any wine purchase.
The Longboard tasting lounge is fast becoming one of the most popular spots in Healdsburg to taste fine examples of the winemaker’s art. Elegant leather chairs and a sofa offer splendid seating for sipping wine and watching films of famous surfers catching challenging waves around the world.
Overhead the partners have hung a priceless collection of surf boards, created by distinguished board crafters over the years. Most are fine enough to be welcomed into collections at museums around the world. As a reminder of the visit, guests can choose tees and hoodie sweatshirts in colors that remind one of tropical flowers or the blush of early sunrise. And for the very young set, there are almost-too-pretty-to-be-spilled on baby bibs.
Carry home your purchases from your visit or order on-line
and have the wines delivered. And to reorder, visit the website www.longboardvineyards.com. To visit in person, stop in at 5 Fitch Street in Healdsburg. For directions, call (707) 433-3473.
Related Information
|
