I've been thinking about last April's post I did, "Things are a Changing Here in Fair Play..." Then I mentioned several changes among the wineries, new to the Fair Play family. We have become good friends with all the new ones I mentioned and their wines are all fantastic. Now I want to explain what I meant at the end of that post.
My last line then was "Life is always changing and some of it for the good." Lets start with that, Palissandro Winery has been bought and the name changed to Mediterranean. They are part of a corporate structure named GoldLine Brands. When GoldLine came to Fair Play they also bought vineyards: Palissandro, Peter's Gate & his neighbor, Sierra Oaks, Latcham, a vineyard on Bucks Bar. There may be more I don't know about. GoldLine has four other brands: 1850 (Tasting room in Sutter Creek), Myka Cellars (started in Santa Cruz-just recently moved into El Dorado County & named after winemaker Mica Raas), GoldLine and Coast (an entry wine for those just learning about wines or those who like inexpensive wines from online) Mediterranean will look a lot different when they complete the patio and deck. It will be a first class place to enjoy wine and nibbles.
Single Leaf Winery is now closed. Scot Miller, winemaker & owner with his wife Pam, recently passed away from brain cancer. Pam is selling the property and has returned to live in Nevada, close to family. Speaking of changes, dkcellars has been bought by the Bumgarner family, renamed the winery to Bumgartner Winery, and has their tasting room open for business, Fri., Sat. & Sun. 11-5. The winery on Mt. Aukum Rd. has been bought and plans to be reopened under a new name sometime late spring or summer of this year. We wish them luck to open as planned. We know just a little about what is in store at the hilltop; new owners have been staying with us for years.
Gold Vine Grill is still making great burgers and calamari dishes. Though Greg lost his beloved Mary not long ago, he is staying true to their dream of being restaurateurs. Mary's warmth and leadership in many things around Fair Play, Future Chefs Cooking Competition, and the ROP will be remembered forever. She will be forever loved by all of us. Another loss, we just heard about our good friend and friend of many Fair Play folks, Rod Avery passed away last night (1/20/19). Many of you knew Rod from tasting rooms like Granite Springs, dkcellars and Iverson. His leadership of the Pleasant Valley Grange/Community Center will forever stand as a testament to his giving of himself. His good humor and smiling face will be sorely missed.
I find myself in not a very good mood right now, so this post is short.
'Til Next Time.....
Daryl
