Thursday, September 24, 2009

Harvest Time in Manton

I picked merlot and cab grapes at Indian Peak Vineyards on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend with about 49 other volunteers who enjoyed this year's cooler weather, comraderie and lunch. Friendly banter rang out from amateur pickers in neighboring rows with such comments as "I thought that was you... I recognized the butt." A wonderful tradition at Indian Peak, this year's pick was far more bounteous than last year's when a severe late frost in April greatly reduced the yield. Fred Boots, Indian Peak owner, further rewarded the work crew this year by serving up his excellent homemade meatball and spaghetti dinner that evening, with plenty of wine and beer to go around. This event has become so popular that reservations must be made in advance to work! Go figure. No pay, but excellent fringe benefits do apply. Fred and Donna Boots have turned a backyard hobby into a career and shown us all how to "follow your dreams."

Most of Manton's other small family owned and operated vineyards are currently picking, and when not picking they are serving the ever-increasing number of visitors at local tasting rooms. I was quite surprised to turn in Rob Carrillo's driveway last Tuesday with the intention of picking up a couple more bottles of his tasty gewurztraminer (my wife's favorite after work summer wine), but a huge tour bus was disgorging passengers at 11 in the morning. "What is Manton coming to," I thought. Later, I made the rounds to the four tasting rooms open every Saturday and Sunday: Indian Peak Vineyards, Alger Vineyards, Ringtail Vineyards and Shasta Daisy Vineyard, all on Forward Road. I left my business cards at each for those visitors who decide after a couple glasses of wine they would like to move to Manton (Tom Knight-Manton Realty). Little by little, wine lovers are discovering Manton's award-winning wines, wine competing successfully against the "big boys" in the prestigious Chronicle Wine Competition.

One giant boost to Manton's recognition as a wine-producing region is the just-published brochure available from Rolling Hills Casino (on I-5 in Corning) called Tehama Trail, An agricultural journey through Northern California's Tehama County, also available online at www.tehamatrail.com. The map and info included is an excellent guide to what is now being called "Manton Volcanic Wine Country." For those who have never been to Manton, one look to the east tells the story: a splendid view of Lassen Peak, over 10,000 feet in elevation, the southern-most Cascade volcano, complete with bubbling mudpots, sulphur works, boiling lakes and even a geyser. With significant eruptions from 1914 through 1917, Lassen may well some day again provide more excellent volcanic soil for grapes. But for the moment, it is dormant.

The grape harvest in Manton is likely to continue well into October, particularly for late harvest varietals which may end up as dessert wines quite similar to Spanish ports. Donna's Dessert Wine at Indian Peak Vineyards is one of the most popular, but others are getting into the act, such as Ringtail Vineyards Sweet Petite. Be sure to ask for a taste of these delicious after-dinner treats when you visit. For those planning to explore the Manton Volcanic Vineyards, you may wish to visit a convenient website for more info on lodging, fishing, and of course, the wineries: www.visitMANTONca.com. Excellent tours are available by a highly knowledgeable local at www.northstatewinetours.org. And if, after a visit and sampling of the excellent local vintages you wish to relocate to Manton and start your own small family winery, please check out local listings at www.mantonproperty.com. Tom Knight, at your service.

The crush is taking place now, but the fall colors have yet to begin. November, particularly around the time of Thanksgiving, is perhaps the best time to visit Manton for color in the vineyards and black oaks. No need to wait that long for a visit. The biggest annual event of the year in Manton is about to occur: The Manton Apple Festival takes place on Saturday, October 3rd. If you like fresh foothill-grown apples or anything you might imagine made from apples (especially outrageously good homemade apple pies), this is the place to be. Follow the signs to the Manton School for a day of great food, live music and everything apples. It's a free community event not to be missed. The wineries will be hosting special tastings on this day as well. You won't soon forget a visit to Manton, home of Manton Volcanic Wineries and the annual Manton Apple Festival!