The Inspired Intermedia digital book collection
Issue link: https://inspired.uberflip.com/i/1174560
187 Blair Estate Wines CARMEL-BY-THE SEA If you're lucky, you come across a woman like Delfina once in your lifetime. And if you're Jeffrey Blair, you're fortunate enough to have her as a grandmother. Jeffrey was an unruly child in a family of seven kids and was often sent to stay under the loving eye of his grandmother, who lived just down the road. Encouraging, patient, and always ready to teach Jeffrey something new, Delfina spent most of her time in the kitchen—nothing was more important than food, wine, and family. She never met a stranger and was unanimously loved by the local ranch hands, who were regularly treated to her delicious homemade meals. Iginio, his grandfather, made wine in the cellar while Jeffrey observed with intense interest. It's here that he learned to appreciate all things culinary and began to fall in love with what would become his future: winemaking. Swiss-Italian immigrants, his grandparents came to California in the 1920s and operated a dairy farm with a lush garden and plenty of rabbits, pigs, and other animals that Jeffrey enjoyed as a child. Today that same land is part of Blair Vineyards' "Delfina's Vineyard", sitting among the nearly 10 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. With Delfina's inspiration in every vintage, Blair Estate produces Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Rosé of Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Jeffrey subscribes to the philosophy that the vineyards indicate when the grapes are ready, and because of this, the wine has beautiful, unforced flavors. This often means that the fruit takes longer to reach its peak, but the end results are premium flavors, mouthfeel, and composition. The vineyards are set in the northeast corner of the Arroyo Seco AVA—the coldest, windiest place in Monterrey County—and yield dynamic flavors. Cool air from the pristine waters of Monterey Bay blow down the Salinas Valley every afternoon and give the grapes Burgudnian qualities and make for FACING PAGE: Sunrise brings a new day at Delfina's Vineyard, with mounting excitement as another harvest is approaching. Photograph by Jeffrey Blair ABOVE: Father-daughter, Jeffrey and Mallory Blair, tasting the award-winning wines from Delfina's Vineyard. Terroir expressive Pinot Noirs are the specialty at Blair Estate. Photograph by Denim & Velvet Marketing + Design MONTEREY COUNTY