Vino Vargas for the wine, the view, and the conversation
Vino Vargas offers a collection of award winnings wines that are well-balanced and food friendly.
Pedro and Vicky Vargas enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for wine making and food pairings
–Wine, wine making and wine and food pairings are the topics of conversation during a visit to Vino Vargas in the foothills of San Miguel. Visitors are personally attended by both Pedro and Vicky Vargas. Pedro, the winemaker, and Vicky, Certified Sommelier, share their enthusiasm about wine and how they came to produce their award winning wines.
Most recently, four more Vino Vargas wines joined the winner’s circle with Gold and Bronze medals from the 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Gold medals were awarded to the 2014 El Taxi Cabernet Sauvignon and 2014 Toro Tinto. The 2014 Tres Bien GSM and the 2014 Rio Ruso Pinot Noir earned Bronze medals.
“Our wines spend at least 18 months in the barrel,” said Pedro. “We start tasting at about a year.” Also a musician who enjoys playing for visitors, winemaker Vargas compares his wine making to tuning a musical instrument. “It is an intricate process from selecting the grapes all the way through to bottling.” Vargas makes single vineyard wines and all the grapes, personally selected from California vineyards, are handpicked. “I get to know the people who are growing and working with the grapes,” said Vargas. “To really know the wine, I have to know the people and the land.”
Pedro Vargas got his start in 2008, helping a friend make wine on weekends. Vargas’s curiosity about wine making led him to completing a Certificate of Winemaking from the School of Oenology at UC Davis in 2011 and producing the first Vino Vargas vintage that same year.
Inspired by wines the couple experienced during their world travels, Vicky Vargas achieved her sommelier certification from the French Culinary Institute. Vicky encourages visitors to bring a picnic and enjoy the scenery along with Vino Vargas wines that she pairs to their food. “We can also arrange for catered lunches,” said Vicky. “Sometimes, depending on how busy our hens have been, we even have fresh eggs.”
Vicky and Pedro Vargas combine their love for fine wine and good food.
The Vargases purchased the San Miguel property in 2012. The winery has been open for visitors for a little over a year. “We are starting to think about what we want to grow,” said Pedro. “We have 18 acres and will plant at least 10 in vines.” Vino Vargas produces up to 1500 cases annually, available exclusively from the winery.
A visit to Vino Vargas travels along rustic country roads to the west of the California mission town of San Miguel. The route wanders past vineyards, grazing horses, and through rising foothills finally arriving at the winery perched atop a hill. Sightings of deer, hawks, eagles, coyotes and foxes add adventure to the drive.
The tasting room is open by reservation and for all area wine events. For reservations call: (805) 369-1440. Vino Vargas is located at 950 Indian Dune Road, San Miguel. Visit the Vino Vargas website at www.vinovargas.com and follow the winery on Facebook.
-Jackie Iddings
