San Luis Obispo wineries caught 'red-handed'

Arroyo Grande, California -- Sometimes getting caught red-handed is not such a bad thing. A group of San  Luis Obispo County wineries puts its first vintage of Mano Tinta ("red hand" in Spanish) Syrah up for sale May 6 at a special release party at Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Fund for Vineyard & Farm Workers will donate proceeds from the sale of the cooperatively-produced wine to an endowment fund that provides grants to nonprofit organizations benefiting farm workers in the Central Coast county.
 
Talley Vineyards, Wolff Vineyards, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, and Rancho Arroyo Grande Vineyards blended the 2004 vintage from Syrah, Tempranillo, and Petite Sirah using entirely donated grapes, goods, and services. Contributors also include Scott Laboratories, Shirley Howell Graphic Design, WS Packaging, Encore Glass, and SLO Bottling.
 
The name came from Jose Cuevas, production manager at Talley Vineyards. Says Cuevas: “While reading James Halliday’s Wine Atlas of California, I came upon a picture of an older vineyard worker holding a cluster of grapes. The hard day’s work was evident on his hands as the red juice from the grapes had stained them a dark crimson.”
 
Talley Vineyards owners Brian and Johnine Talley established The Fund for Vineyard and Farm Workers in December of 2004. Local businesses and individuals have contributed more than $100,000 since then. The fund's objective is to generate $50,000 from the sale of Mano Tinta, a significant step toward this year’s $100,000 fund-raising goal.

Mano Tinta will be an annual, ongoing undertaking. Production of the wine was 518 cases and the 2004 Mano Tinta will be available for sale for $18 per bottle at the event. The release party at the Talley Vineyards  tasting room will include complimentary wine tasting, food, activities, and dancing to a live mariachi band.


April 27, 2006