I love wine because it’s special. It’s unique. No two bottles are ever going to be exactly the same because you’re not going to be exactly the same when you drink it.
Imagine my disappointment as we drove along Highway 29 in Napa Valley traffic. It was not special. It was not unique. Everything seemed to be overly large and grandiose, rather like looking at the wine displays in Grocery Outlet. It was like gazing at a cherished piece of art under cheap, florescent lighting. That may seem like a funny way of viewing the go-to wine region in California, but my joy in wine is about pleasure, not pretension.
All of that disappointment ended the minute we walked into Flora Springs. We had an appointment to taste and tour the caves. It was just Charles, me, a lovely couple who own a restaurant in Virginia, and our guide, Jason. Jason led us on a personal journey through Flora Springs. We learned about the winery’s history and dedication to its grapes. He introduced us to the lovely, individual personalities of the wines. We experienced the potential of vintages still maturing in their barrels beneath the ground. He also answered every question posed to him, from fruit flies to the characteristics of different oak types, with a depth of knowledge quite remarkable to behold.
Flora Springs is the perfect example of why I love wine. They’re caringly crafted by a family that retains only 20%-30% of the grapes they grow in order to make the best wines they can – and they are quite lovely. Even in their infancy, they are quite lovely wines. Once they’re residing within their bottles – wow! Charles is planning on bringing in at least a couple of the varieties, so everyone will get a chance to experience the organically-grown charm of this family winery. I can’t wait until we have them on our shelves.
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