Rick Boyer
USA
Champion of the Californian central coast
- We’ve been looking for an experienced winemaker familiar with the central Coast and Monterey area in particular – we knew Rick fit the bill. He's farmed the gorgeous, cool South Cali vineyards for over 25 years!
- He had been making wine his whole life, but got out of the biz (to start a bonsai business) because the risk and middlemen got in the way of his passion. He's back in, thanks to you!
- What makes Rick's wines special? "I take a different perspective compared to a lot of other wines out there - like Euro style; delicate - like focused generous reds, focused complex whites; plenty of persistence, fruit, and flavor."
Rick Boyer's Story
Ricks's Story
I have farmed for over 25 years in Monterey County and was involved in installing the first vertical trellis systems in California in the early 80s before Napa made it cool. We had many trials and tribulations developing the trellis systems to hold the grapes vertical and protect them from the strong winds down in Monterey County, which is a very unique wine growing area.
I worked as General Manager, Director and Winemaker for huge, publically traded companies such as Constellation and Brown Forman (on brands such as Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Blackstone, Black Box, Hidden Crush, Vintage Ink, etc.). On the private side I have worked for Gallo, EOS and Ventana Vineyards. I like creating a product that changes each year, deals with nature and I get to be outside much of the time. I have the opportunity to create something from the earth that gives people pleasure.
I take a different perspective compared to a lot of other California Winemakers out there. I try to make wines that are feminine; delicate, layered, pretty. Focused wines that are complex; plenty of persistence, fruit, and flavor. Interesting wines. Riesling. It can have so many styles and flavors. From dry to super sweet. Very sophisticated to just quaff it. It also can age very well. Joy, having my young kids at the winery on Saturday during the harvest and helping with the tour. Tasting with them out of barrel as they got older and they enjoyed the wines.
Drinking multiple full thieves of Le Montrachet out of barrel in the cellar at Domaine Ramonet in Chassagne, France with a few friends. That is my “Holy Grail place”. Funds will allow me to produce a wine that is 100% my vision/totally my vision. I can capture my own gems instead of blending them into huge tanks – I always disliked blending away killer wines while working at larger wineries. It is fun to create wines that you think others will enjoy when they consume them.
The Angels allow us to play in the “sand box”. It removes one of the biggest hurdles to the wine production process. How do I continually finance my habit? I hope to create wines that the Angel’s continually enjoy. Wines that they do not get from their local shop."
Rick's Activity
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Definitely buy again
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(latest reply 3 years ago)
Happy Saturday!
I hope it is a good one for all of you. I was out looking at grapes today. All through Santa Barbara County and up through
San Luis Obispo. We are going to start picking Pinot Noir from the Shokrian vineyard this coming Tuesday. Chardonnay from Edna Valley
will start the first week of October (like the old days). It has been a very cool growing season on the Central Coast this year. About three
weeks later that the past couple of years. This usually brings on greater fruit intensity and fatter texture to the wines. Really looking
forward to getting harvest going again.
Cheers!
Rick
Not for me, ended up discarding after one glass.
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(latest reply 4 years ago)
An interesting blend. Was v. Closed when first opened, accentuating bitterness and spice a little too much. On the second day after opening, it really mellowed and the more ripe tropical notes came through really well to balance out the bitter, spicy flavours, giving a wonderful vibrant yet complex wine. This is a wine that requires patience for it to be enjoyed to the full.
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(latest reply 4 years ago)
Light and smooth wine with wonderful subtle fruity taste.
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(latest reply 4 years ago)
Cards on table, this isn't a wine I'd usually go for, but spirit of adventure and a couple of good reviews, saw me dive in.
Straight out of the fridge, nothing, nada, zip. Definitely one of those whites that needs warmth, only a few degrees, but I'd guess I drank most of this between 9-12 degrees. I also aerated, which is not something I usually do with whites, but in this case seemed to take the edge of.
Early on peaches and a little pear to the fore, then oranges really pushed through. A hint of grass as well. Stood up well to the spices in my dinner.
Afterwards, drank well, but I did find as the bottle went on it really felt all of its 14.8%.
On the whole, an enjoyable wine. Punchy price wise, but then I guess that's the cost of getting it over here. A few quid cheaper and I'd go again.
5.12.2020 - 68/100
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(latest reply 4 years ago)
Much too strong - just tastes of alcohol.
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(latest reply 4 years ago)
Tasty extravaganza!
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(latest reply 4 years ago)
Best of this kind of white for a long while, love it, different flavours, scents, everything - please make and sell more of this or wine very like this. Please.
