Alfaro Family - scmwine/Wineries GitHub Wiki

Alfaro Family Vineyards

AlfaroFamily.gif

Field Details
Owners Richard Alfaro and Mary Kay Alfaro
Winemaker Richard Alfaro
Address 420 Hames Road, Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone (831) 728-5172
Web Site http://www.alfarowine.com
Email [email protected]
First Vintage 1998
Current Production 60 acres under vine
Tasting Hours Saturday 12-5pm (reservations required)
AVA Santa Cruz Mountains

History

Richard Alfaro and Mary Kay Alfaro founded Alfaro's Micro Bakery and a restaurant before shifting to winemaking. In 1997, they acquired a 75-acre aging apple farm in Corralitos and transformed it into Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery. Currently 60 acres under vine.

Estate grown and bottled wines. Tasting room onsite with indoor/outdoor tasting bars, picnic areas overlooking vineyards. Child and dog friendly.

Richard Alfaro and Joe Martin are also partners in Martin Alfaro Wines.

Varietals

  • Pinot Noir
  • Chardonnay
  • Merlot
  • Syrah
  • Gruner Veltliner

Vineyards

Alfaro Family Vineyard (1999)

14+ acres, south-facing hillside, 500-650' elevation. Pinot Noir planted in 9 blocks with different clone/rootstock combinations. Clones: 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, 828. Density: 1,361 vines/acre.

Ryan Spencer Vineyard (2001)

7 acres, steep hill, 450-800' elevation. Named after the Alfaro's son. Multiple blocks:

  • Grandma & Grampa's blocks: 4 Dijon clones Chardonnay, Pommard clones 4 & 5 Pinot Noir
  • Billy K block: 1 acre Merlot (clones 343, 347, 181)
  • La Escalera: Terraced hillside, Hermitage clones Syrah
  • Mrs. K's block: Syrah clones 470, 877, 174; heirloom clones Swan, Mt. Eden, Martini, Pommard
  • Density: 2,300+ vines/acre, sandy loam soil

La Playita Vineyard (2008)

3 acres, south-facing, ~500' elevation. Sandy loam soil next to seasonal stream (coolest spot on property). Gruner Veltliner (one of first in California - only 10 acres in CA when planted in 2008, now ~170 acres statewide).

Mary Katherine Vineyard (2008)

Summit vineyard, 850' elevation, steep terrace with ocean view. Named after Richard's wife. Split between:

  • Pinot Noir: own-rooted vines from Grand Cru Vosne Romanee Monopole vineyard
  • Chardonnay: Robert Young clone

Lindsay Paige Vineyard (1998)

7+ acres, northwest-facing hillside, 550-650' elevation. Named after the Alfaro's daughter.

  • Lower portion: 2.5 acres own-rooted Wente clone Chardonnay, 1 acre "Muscat" clone Chardonnay (CH 809)
  • Upper portion: Pinot Noir, high density (2,000 vines/acre), clones 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, 828, 359, 475, Pommard 4, Pommard 5

Trout Gulch Vineyard (1980)

16 acres, dry-farmed, 750-800' elevation near Aptos (less than 4 miles from coast). Sandy loam soil.

  • 12 acres: Robert Young clone Chardonnay
  • 4 acres: Mt. Eden, Pommard, Martini clones Pinot Noir

Wines

  • "A" Estate Pinot Noir
  • Rose of Pinot Noir
  • Lindsay Paige Vineyard Pinot Noir
  • Estate Chardonnay
  • Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot Noir
  • Ryan Spencer Vineyard Syrah
  • Billy K Merlot
  • Gruner Veltliner
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