Amista Vineyards - Our First Out of Town Wine Tasting!
What Do Barrel Samples, A Wine Thief and Friends Have in Common?
Memorable Moments - A Journey Down Memory Lane
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, I'm excited to share a series of short weekly posts that take you behind the scenes, revealing memorable moments that have shaped our journey at Amista Vineyards.
Twenty years ago this week, we hosted our first out of town wine tasting. This memorable event took place in our home state of Colorado, making it an extra special milestone. Our first harvest was in 2003, so we didn't have finished wine to taste yet. We shipped barrel samples to our friends who were hosting a wine tasting dinner at their home. After sending off the wine, Mike and I hopped on a plane to Denver.
What is a Barrel Sample?
A barrel sample is wine drawn directly from the barrel where it is being aged. This young wine, extracted using an instrument called a wine thief, tastes different than it will once bottled. Typically, tannins and acid are more pronounced in younger wines. In our case, the wines had been in the barrel for just under a year and wouldn't be bottled for another year.
What is a Wine Thief?
A wine thief is a long glass, plastic, or steel tube used to draw a small amount of wine from the barrel for sampling or testing. It has two openings: one at the top and one at the bottom. By dipping it into the barrel through the bung hole, wine flows into the tube through the bottom opening. Once filled, placing a finger on the top opening creates a vacuum that keeps the wine in the thief. When the finger is removed, the wine can be released into a glass or bottle.
Celebrating with Friends
Our dear friends Meg and Dale hosted the party at their home in Louisville, Colorado. They had been with us when Mike made his first garage wine at our home in Saratoga, California, and again when he made his first "Garage Syrah" (pictured above) in our home in Healdsburg. They cheered us on through many major milestones in Amista's early days. Their ongoing support and encouragement inspired us to name our brand Amista, which means “it makes friends” in Spanish. We were thrilled when they decided to have a wine tasting dinner during our visit.
The most treasured occasions in our wine journey have always been when we gather with friends and family, sharing beautiful food and wine. These moments, filled with stories and laughter, create precious memories that we cherish forever.
Still Thirsty?
If you want to learn more, here is a curated list of resources.