I had a chance to taste from the barrel and found this to be a delightful, almost medium-bodied wine with just enough sweetness to satisfy the palate on a warm spring day. When John and Debbie purchased the winery in December 2016, they had already harvested and processed three barrels of Vidal Blanc which was bottled into 60 cases of a white wine they named Casa Blanca. With about eight acres under vine, they harvested forty tons in their first year. A new house for them is being built on the top of the hill next to the event center, but the original house will remain in use by family members. He has become their wine mentor and they were delighted to take up residence in a little house on the property. He wanted to be certain that it was the love of the land and the love of wine that drove someone, not just the dollar signs of the property. Smith that whoever purchased the property also live on site. But, if we all knew in advance how hard something might end up being, we’d probably never get off our couches! Debbie Wilson laughingly said that had she known how much effort, time, and money would be required to run electric and plumbing to that side of the property, they probably wouldn’t have started that phase of the project just yet. The lower portion of the property has been converted into a motor court of sorts with seven beautifully decorated one to three bedroom houses clustered around a large green space nestled next to the vineyard. The new 8,000 square foot event center and tasting room will be able to host events for up to 240 people seated, complete with a bell tower with an 1870s era bell from an old church, and a barrel room holding 40-50 barrels of wine. Smith had long envisioned utilizing the winery for large group events. The family is rounded out by Robert and Heather’s baby girl, Emma, winery dogs Zoe and Pepper, Dorper sheep, guard dogs Chip and Claire, and recently, two donkeys named Lucy and Desi.ĭr. Debbie’s brother, Robert Ray, is the production manager, and his wife Heather assists with cabin rentals, events, and activities. John’s son Alex (known as Gio) assists with winemaking. Bobby Smith’s vision for having a large event center and getting La Buena Vida back into production is a family affair.
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