Show 525, May 13, 2023: Larry Schaffer, Winemaker and Proprietor, tercero wines, Los Olivos, CA Part One

Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines

Larry Schaffer the founder and winemaker of tercero wines went back to school later in life to pursue his passion, taking classes at community colleges with kids who literally could have been his kids, and then received his MS in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. He moved to the Santa Barbara County wine region, and that is where he has remained since 2005, starting on the winemaking team at Fess Parker Winery and then eventually branching off to start and run tercero wines.”

“Larry is especially adept not only at winemaking but at explaining the process in a very user-friendly manner. He’s also a serious and accomplished home bread baker. Visit his tasting room in Los Olivos or follow him on social media to see for yourself.”

“tercero wines concentrates on small lot, hand crafted wines using grapes exclusively from leading Santa Barbara County vineyards and works with grapes from nearly every AVA within the county. Though his main concentration is working with Rhone varieties, Larry remains curious and therefore also works with Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, and a few other fun and interesting grapes. And therein lies the beauty (and diversity) of Santa Barbara County.”

“Larry’s winemaking philosophy is still evolving, and the more vintages under his belt, the more he understands the variables at play. He also understands that a pragmatic approach is necessary to work with the unique dynamics of each and every vintage.”

“When you become a member of the tercero wines wine club, you ‘join the journey’ that Larry has been undertaking for nearly two decades. He continues to be more curious than ever, and the variety of wines produced and offered is greater than ever as well! Larry values his wine club members and treats them as his ‘best’ customers – because they are!”

Winemaker Larry Schaffer joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is tercero wines.

Show 525, May 13, 2023: Larry Schaffer, Winemaker and Proprietor, tercero wines, Los Olivos, CA Part Two

Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines

Larry Schaffer the founder and winemaker of tercero wines went back to school later in life to pursue his passion, taking classes at community colleges with kids who literally could have been his kids, and then received his MS in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. He moved to the Santa Barbara County wine region, and that is where he has remained since 2005, starting on the winemaking team at Fess Parker Winery and then eventually branching off to start and run tercero wines.”

“Larry is especially adept not only at winemaking but at explaining the process in a very user-friendly manner. He’s also a serious and accomplished home bread baker. Visit his tasting room in Los Olivos or follow him on social media to see for yourself.”

“tercero wines concentrates on small lot, hand crafted wines using grapes exclusively from leading Santa Barbara County vineyards and works with grapes from nearly every AVA within the county. Though his main concentration is working with Rhone varieties, Larry remains curious and therefore also works with Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, and a few other fun and interesting grapes. And therein lies the beauty (and diversity) of Santa Barbara County.”

Winemaker Larry Schaffer continues with us to further gently pull the cork on all that is tercero wines.

Show 161, February 27, 2016: Tara Gomez, Winemaker, Kita Wines, Lompoc, CA

Tara GomezKita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita means “our valley oak” in the native language of the Chumash people.

It starts with where the grapes primarily come from – a vineyard situated at the gateway to Santa Barbara County’s renowned Happy Canyon wine region. It’s here that the soil and climate combine to produce some of the valley’s most sought-after grapes.

Owning both a vineyard and winery has meant the Santa Ynez Chumash are also making history. In fact, the California Legislature has recognized Chumash as the first tribe to have a vineyard and winemaking operation in the country run by tribal people.

At the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Kita was awarded two Double Golds. One was for the 2012 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Hilliard Bruce and the other for the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez Valley Camp 4 Vineyard.

Kita has just released their first Chardonnay. It’s a Chablis-style Chardonnay that pairs well with food. It’s a 2014 from the Hilliard Bruce Vineyard.

Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest. Her winemaking degree is from Fresno State. Tara interned at Fess Parker Winery and worked grape harvests in Europe before starting the Kita Wines venture in 2010. Joining her is Kita’s Assistant Winemaker, Tymari LoRe.

Show 112, February 28, 2015: Tara Gomez, Winemaker & General Manager, Kita Wines

Tara GomezKita Wines, a premium brand launched by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, has earned numerous distinctions in the handful of years since it became part of the Santa Ynez Valley wine scene. Kita means “our valley oak” in the native language of the Chumash people.

It starts with where the grapes primarily come from – a vineyard situated at the gateway to Santa Barbara County’s renowned Happy Canyon wine region. It’s here at Camp 4 that the soil and climate combine to produce some of the valley’s most sought-after grapes.

Owning both a vineyard and winery has meant the Santa Ynez Chumash are also making history. In fact, the California Legislature has recognized Chumash as the first tribe to have a vineyard and winemaking operation in the country run by tribal people.

At the recent 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Kita was awarded two prestigious Double Golds. One was for the 2012 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Hilliard Bruce and the other for the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez Valley Camp 4 Vineyard.

Kita’s winemaker and general manager, Tara Gomez, is our guest. Her winemaking degree is from Fresno State. Tara interned at Fess Parker Winery during her college years and worked grape harvests in Spain before starting the Kita Wines venture in 2010. Previously she was the Enologist at both Fess Parker and, later, J. Lohr Winery in Paso Robles. She also had her own wine label way before starting Kita.