New Santa Barbara Wine Talk Blog Posts (Spear & Bevela)

WINE TALK
#1

Hey, Everyone!

Back from a long hiatus. Been writing again on the Berserker blog, Santa Barbara Wine Talk. This month, I just posted about a new label in the Sta. Rita Hills named, Spear Vineyards and Winery. It’s a very intriguing project. Been monitoring from the start. Ofer Shepher is the owner, and he has tabbed Greg Brewer to be his winemaker. The estate fruit is in barrel. Ofer also owns Gnesa…and this will be estate fruit as well. Please give it a read:

http://www.wineberserkers.com/content/?p=4095

I also posted about a husband and wife team making some killer wine out of Santa Maria. Kris and Marisa Beverly have a wine label named Bevela. Marisa is Jim Clendenen’s niece, and is now the Assistant Winemaker at ABC. They are an amazing couple. If you can, check out that story here:

http://www.wineberserkers.com/content/?p=4047

Thanks in advance for checking them out. Would love your feedback.

CHEERS!

#2

Nice to read your in-depth reports, Phil - thanks for posting them. I’ve been curious about what’s been going on with Spear - I’d tasted a barrel sample a couple of years ago of Spear 2014 Pinot Noir from La Encantada Vineyard that was made by Mike Roth. Do you know what became of that wine? Doesn’t sound like it was ever released.

The Bevela project sounds interesting - I’d love to check out their Teroldego one of these days.

#3

That L.E. was what I was luckily enough to taste at our dinner. I don’t know if Ofer truly released it, but I’m sure I can hook you up! :slight_smile:

The Bevela wines are crazy good. Marisa has a touch for that varietal.

We’ll be visiting in August. Maybe we can meet for a tour and taste at both places!

#4

Hey Phil! Thanks for the Bevela article! Loved it. When I saw their teroldego at K&L last week I was like “Hey I read about them on WB!”

And their wine is very good!!

#5

Oh, man. That means the world to me!! THANK YOU!! So glad you enjoyed the wine!!

#6

Of course! Somehow I failed to put two and two together and realize that the Spear La Encantada Pinot in your photo from the dinner must be the one I’d tasted in barrel.

I’ll have to look for the Bevela Teroldego at K&L - looks like they carry it in their San Francisco shop.

Although it would be great to meet up with you in Santa Barbara County in August, that’s probably not in the cards for me. I’ll be busy with wine bottling commitments and very possibly with the beginning of crush at Harrington as well - though it’s looking like that may be a bit later than the past couple of years. I will be in SBC for a few days in early July so I may look into visiting those places then if I have time. If you get up to the Bay Area on one of your California trips, please let me know. Cheers!

#7

Ofer is a class act. I am looking forward to trying his Spear Pinot. [cheers.gif]

#8

Although it would be great to meet up with you in Santa Barbara County in August, that’s probably not in the cards for me. I’ll be busy with wine bottling commitments and very possibly with the beginning of crush at Harrington as well - though it’s looking like that may be a bit later than the past couple of years. I will be in SBC for a few days in early July so I may look into visiting those places then if I have time. If you get up to the Bay Area on one of your California trips, please let me know. Cheers!

Totally understand!! If we get up there earlier, I’ll let you know. Would be amazing to meet and taste.

#9

Totally agree, Mr. Pepe. And those wines are intriguing. The G.V. alone sounds amazing. Hope you are well, by the way!