Vanumanutagi Vineyard

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA

Owners: Leo Ware and family Manager:Matt Oetinger Size: 9.2 acres Varietals:Chardonnay First Planted: 1981 Age of vines: 27 years Location: Redwood Retreat Road, Gilroy, CA 95020

History

This 10 acre ranch lies at the southern edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was once owned by Fannie Stevenson, widow of Robert Louis Stevenson. She named the ranch "Vanumanutagi" which means "valley of the singing birds" in Samoan (the couple had lived on the island of Samoa from 1890 until his death in 1894). The property remained in the Stevenson family until it was purchased by Leo Ware in 1969.

In 1981 Leo and his son planted a little over 9 acres of Chardonnayvines. In honour of the previous owners each block is named after one of Stevenson's novels, including Kidnapped, Jekyll & Hyde and Treasure Island.

Fruit from this vineyard is used by

Fernwood Cellars Storrs