Wednesday, November 16, 2011

"Balls-to-the-Wall Wine" Flows at Herman Story Wines

Hedonistic.  Voluptuous.  Masculine.  Age worthy.  These are words most often used to describe winemaker Russell P. From, but they also best describe the opulent and robust Rhône varietal wines bottled under his Herman Story wine label.  Have you ever met Russell?  Doesn't he look like Grizzly Adams?  Come on, maybe just a little?

Earlier this year, From opened a new tasting room in a commercial area on the eastside of the 101 Freeway only a few blocks from Downtown Paso Robles.  Prior to opening the tasting room, his wines were available at various wine shops, restaurants and the Barrel 27 Wine Co. tasting room in Paso Robles.  One of the great things about the Herman Story tasting room is its location.  You can get your car repaired, pick up building materials for a new shed and taste Rhône varietal wines from one of the region's notable winemakers - all on one block!  Russell may even through in an oil change or tire rotation with a case purchase.

Right now you are probably wondering who in the world is Herman Story?  If you look at the blown up photos in the tasting room and winery, you get the sense that Russell's grandfather was a renaissance man from an era were tales and figures loomed large as did the man himself.  As Russell describes him, "Herman Story was a rancher, logger, swapper, banker, philanthropist, a teller of tales, and my grandfather."

Herman Story

Herman Story Wines sources grapes from vineyards in Santa Barbara County, Arroyo Grande and Paso Robles, such as the Larner Vineyard, White Hawk Vineyard, Luna Matta Vineyard, Santa Barbara Highlands and Laetitia Vineyard.  Over the years, Herman Story Wines has received wide acclaim for its wines, which often sell out before the scores are released.  For several years, I have been collecting the Nuts & Bolts Syrah.  It'll knock your socks off and I can't wait to pour a vertical of the '06-'08 vintage in the near future.  So make it a point to drop into the tasting room on your next trip to Paso Robles Wine Country.

Wine Selections
-- Larner Vineyard Grenache
-- On the Road Grenache
-- Larner Vineyard Syrah
-- White Hawk Vineyard Syrah
-- Nuts & Bolts Syrah
-- 239 Days Syrah
-- Casual Encounters Red Rhône-style blend
-- Tomboy White Wine

Herman Story Wines
1227 Paso Robles Street, Paso Robles
(805) 237-2400
Open Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Email: thirsty@hermanstorywines.com
Facebook: Herman Story Wines

Herman Story Wines Tasting Room & Winery

Old Glory looms large over the Herman Story Tasting Room