THE LÉAL LIFE

One you must try!

“Wine should be about having a good time,” the 34-year-old says. “When we describe our wines, we say they’re ‘phat’ or ‘sexy,’ not ‘robust’ or ‘piquant.’”The owner of Léal Vineyards in Hollister displays what might be called a refined irreverence. It’s his goal to pop the stuffy cork from California winemaking, without ceding any of its rigorous craftsmanship. Léal does not come from a winemaking family. He never studied under a European master, nor learned chemistry or horticulture. He started his winery in 1998, at the age of 28, after working in construction, and chose as his partner, Dave “Griff” Griffith, a 28-year-old 4x4 mechanic. Seven years later, Léal Vineyards is emerging as a surprise contender in the rarified world of winemaking.

Just an hour’s drive from the hectic pace of Silicon Valley, San Benito County and its largest city, Hollister, have a decidedly older, more rural California feel. As you exit 101 just south of Gilroy and drive toward Hollister on Highway 25, and a couple of miles into the Hollister foothills, Léal Vineyards rests on some of this fertile, gently rolling land. Rows of cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot, and other red varietals are neatly aligned on 40 acres at the end of Marantha Drive. The 10,000-square-foot winery/tasting room sits in a small swale to the left, and the Vineyard house (where Léal lives) overlooks the property and serves as a prime vantage point for watching the spectacular sunsets that occur regularly beyond the Gavilan Range.

Léal’s wines captured numerous gold medals right out of the gate. In 2004, prestigious Food and Wine magazine rated the label one of the Top 20 New Wineries in the world.


You must take some time out of your busy schedule and visit the LÉAL VINEYARDS.
LÉAL VINEYARDS
300 Maranatha Dr.,
Hollister (831) 636-1023
www.lealvineyards.com

Also, as a part of our Bay Area Concierge Services we offer expert real estate services to you, your friends and family. Visit us online at www.mmgproperties.com or call us at 408.399.1495.