Central Coast Uncorked: Welcome to the Neighborhood, Municipal Winemakers

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Welcome to the Neighborhood, Municipal Winemakers

Ladies and gentlemen, help me welcome the newest tasting room to the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, Municipal Winemakers. Tucked behind the Kunin/Westerly tasting room on Anacapa Street a block away from the beach, you wouldn't know a new winery set up shop except for the signs out front. You can easily second guess whether you are walking down the right path to the tasting room, but stay on the gravel driveway for a few yards, and step inside the modest tasting room to enjoy some creative wine blends. As soon as you enter, you'll be greeted by the tasting room staff or Owner/Winemaker, Dave Potter. While not tending to his own wine label, Dave makes up the dynamic winemaking team at Fess Parker Winery (Blair Fox and Larry Schaffer). Can I join the team? It seems that everyone at Fess Parker has their own successful label. I want in!

Municipal Winemakers produces approximately 500 cases of wine and sources its fruit from a variety of vineyards in Santa Barbara County, including Tierra Alta, Camp Four, and Dierberg. The collection of wines offer youthful, fruit-forward expressions, but there are not overly complex. You buy these wines to enjoy; not to store in the cellar for many years wondering to yourself, "is it time to open?" MWs winemaking philosophy (authentic, creative and independent) demonstrates these qualities, and future vintages will undoubtedly evolve into wines with these pure aromatic and tasteful characteristics. I was impressed with the 2009 Pale Pink Rose (unique blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Counoise) and the 2008 Syrah (smoky, black fruit, smooth texture, and fine tannins; well-rounded in the mid-palate).

Wine Tasting List

2009 Bright White Riesling ($18)

2009 Pale Pink Rose ($18)

2008 Bright Red ($22)

2008 Syrah ($25)

2007 Dark Red ($25)

You might also be interested in these wines, which are available for purchase in the tasting room: 2007 Fizz Sparkling Shiraz ($34), 2008 Grenache ($25), 2007 Cinsault ($25), 2007 Best Barrel Cab ($40) and Thread ($45) - best barrels from winemakers Dave Potter, Blair Fox, Larry Schaffer and Mikael Sigouin.