What is it about the Tanner family?
Back in June my wife Katya and I were wandering the main street of the Sierra Foothills wine town of Murphys during their passport event and met a very sociable family – the Tanners. Dick Tanner informed us that they were in the process of opening a tasting room in town. During that weekend I noticed that just about everyone seemed to know the Tanners and stopped to chat with them. We kept bumping into them. Maybe they lived on the streets of Murphys.
The Tanners have been Calaveras County winegrape growers for years and supplied other wineries in the region. They recently began making wine for public sale and opened their tasting room.
This past weekend was the local holiday event in Murphys and the tasting rooms were open until 9 in the evening on Friday. Main Street was closed off and people were everywhere enjoying the parade, wines, and socializing. I dropped into the Tanner tasting room to see what was happening and it was crowded and lively. Locals kept coming in to say hi to the Tanners behind the tasting bar. I haven’t seen that at any other tasting bar anywhere.
Dick Tanner gave me a solid tour of their wines and I loved every one of them. I also loved the context; the friendliness and social life in their tasting room along with the tasty treats to munch on.
So drop in and say hi. Everyone else in town does.
Our map for the Murphys – Calaveras wine region.
I will mention that they have one white, very dry, called Vermentino. I found their 06 Syrah to be a classic full nose and flavor treat. A little softer where the Petite Verdot, their Melange de Mere blend, and Petite Sirah but still with full nose and flavor with finishes that stay with you a while.
- jim
Tags: Calaveras, Murphys, Tanner Vineyards