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It is worth a trip to the newly opened Gabilan Ridge Winery if only for the view from the hill above the tasting room. Riding up in co-owner Don Douglas’ trusty Kubota, a spectacular 270-degree view of the surrounding valleys opens as he comes through the trees at the top, where picnic tables await.
“We’re planning on hosting weddings up here in the future,” Don said. “I’m going to fix it up a bit and get it flattened out. Then we’ll pour some concrete, because dirt and wedding dresses don’t mix.”
It is the perfect spot to bring any of the winery’s inaugural releases, a selection from the list of California and imported wines, one of the craft beers from their curated collection, or a colorful and imaginative drink from the cocktail menu.
It’s not the first foray for Don and his wife Rani into the wine business: 20 years ago, they owned Douglas Ranch Road and, under the tutelage of De Rose Winery’s Pat De Rose, planted Cabernet Franc.
But it was a very circuitous path getting to Gabilan Ridge, which began in 1985, with Rani, a country girl at heart, wanting to escape the Bay Area.
“I called Coldwell Banker,” she said, “and I asked the agent, ‘Do you have any little places out in the country?’ She said she did, so I said, ‘I’ll be right there.’ She drove me out to this little tiny farmhouse out here, really close to the road. I said, ‘Okay, I’ll take it.’”
Besides finding her Shangri-La away from the city, she also met her husband, horse trainer Don, in Hollister. She now pursues real estate as a business and painting as a creative outlet.
Though the couple long since abandoned their own winery because of the difficulty of growing grapes on their ranch, six years ago, Rani was intrigued by a listing for Troy Van Dam’s former Epicentrum Winery and felt she had to check it out.
“I didn’t look inside the building,” she said, “but I walked the property. It was in April, so it was really green. I walked up to the top, and you can see both valleys and all the way over to the other side. I just fell in love with the land.”
It took another five years to pull things together to create Gablian Ridge, Rani said. The city, she said, had no information about the building, forcing her to hire an engineer and an architect and to undertake projects such as a $20,000 public water system to accommodate her one sink and one toilet.
“If I had realized how much trouble it was going to be,” she said, I probably never would have done it.”
Still, she transformed the space into a comfortable tasting room, decorated with her own paintings, a pew discarded by a Catholic church and a centuries-old Egyptian door.
Don made the tables from redwood wine tanks formerly used by Almaden Vineyards, and the room is dominated by a 19th-century wooden bar, crafted in England and sent around Cape Horn by sailing ship to the gold fields of California, which they discovered at the Truckee Hotel.
The winery has debuted with four offerings detailed below—sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, Sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon—each blended by winemaker Al De Rose, with a chenin blanc and Viognier on their way.
“Al and I discussed what would be good to put here,” Rani said. “I don’t want to be just like him or just like somebody down the road. It had to have something a little bit unique. The wineries in this valley have great reputations, and so I have a lot to live up to.”
Industry professional Ken Tuffnell stopped by Gabilan Ridge on the recommendation of one of the local wineries and said he found the winery to be a “wonderful addition” to the local wine scene.
“I was warmly greeted and ordered a tasting flight,” he said. “I enjoyed all four, with the Sangiovese being my favorite of the day. The tasting room is comfortable, and between the beautiful views, excellent wines, and friendly staff, this winery is truly a hidden gem.”
Besides the Gabilan Range bottles, Rani hand-selected a list of wines from Napa, Paso Robles, Sonoma and Oregon, as well as Argentina, Italy, Spain and France.
Two of her favorites are the Robert Hall Sauvignon Blanc, which she describes as a delicious medium-bodied wine with cherries and berries, along with spice and vanilla notes, and Jam Jar Sweet Red Blend, a happy combination of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Shiraz, harvested in the early morning to retain their natural sweetness.
For those who might want something lighter, Rani has designed a menu of refreshing coolers, including her Raspberry Framboise, Sparkling Pink Grapefruit Paloma and White Wine Margarita. There is also a Tropical Prosecco cocktail, available in pomegranate, orange-mango, or pineapple.
“I post the pictures of those cocktails,” she said, “and people come in and say, ‘I came here just because I saw that picture and I want to try one.’”
So far, the reception of the new winery, according to the couple, has been overwhelmingly positive and gratifying. But, according to Don, the pleasure of the winery comes from the social life he gets outside of the ranch—not to mention it being easier than breaking horses, the occupation he had for many years: “Making wine is not as dangerous as that.”
Rani said she also enjoys meeting and interacting with customers, particularly the growing group of regulars who have been coming in steadily over the past few weeks the tasting room has been open.
“It’s kind of a privilege to be here,” she said. “I’m pretty happy that we had this opportunity. People come in and say, ‘This is beautiful. We love it here.’ There’s a patio with flowers and birds singing away. One lady told me, ‘This is the best wine tasting experience I’ve ever had.’”
The wines of Gabilan Ridge
2023 Cienega Valley Sauvignon Blanc: The aroma is delightful, and you could get lost in the fruity notes of pineapple and grapefruit. It’s a very smooth and refreshing wine, very light but gaining just a hint of acid in the finish that falls off quickly, rounding things out. Rani suggested pairing it with shellfish or a creamy pasta, but it works perfectly on its own as a very easy wine to sip and enjoy.
2023 Cienega Valley Chardonnay: A mellow wine that offers enough of the classic Chardonnay characteristics without any of them intruding on the overall harmony. There is a subtle aroma of green apples and melon, which manifests in the wine as lemony acidity on the first sip, with just a hint of buttery-ness and a finish that lingers with round, tart fruitiness. Rani suggests lasagna or salmon, some cheese, some prosciutto, some crackers, and a trip to that picnic table on the hill with a bottle of this wine would make for a perfect afternoon.
2023 Cienega Valley Sangiovese: Rani says this wine seems to be the customers’ favorite, with a cherry aroma that leaps from the glass and rich notes of spice and berries on the palate. There is a touch of tannin and a mild acid, but it melts into the wine’s distinct smoothness, resolving into a satisfying dry finish. Rani suggests hearty Italian fare, but I want a nice medium-rare steak with this one, along with fresh French bread and some scalloped potatoes.
2023 Santa Clara Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: “If you like Cabernet,” Rani said, “you probably really like this one, too.” It is a modest understatement for this medium-bodied wine. The aroma is dark and complex, with the strong scent of dried currants. The tannins are strong but not mouth-drying, with a flavor that just rolls off the tongue. It’s a beautiful, perfectly balanced wine that easily competes with other local cabs. Rani favors this one for grilled meats and heavy sauces.
Gabilan Ridge Winery will be hosting the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting event on June 18 from 5–7:30 p.m.
Gabilan Ridge Winery
11736 Cienega Road, Hollister
Hours:
Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Gablian Ridge is on Facebook and Instagram and can be contacted by phone at 831-265-4254 or 831-801-3323.
Recommendations for future Eat, Drink, Savor articles can be emailed to roberteliason@benitolink.com.
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