Spotlight: Local Winemakers
BLISS AT FIRST SIP
Greg and Etty Goetzmans’ Goetzman Cellars
W
ine is more than processed grape juice;” these are the words of local winemaker Greg Goetzman. Greg and his wife, Etty, have been seriously collecting and enjoying wine for over 20 years. The pair has traveled to several picture perfect, storybook wine regions, including Bordeaux, Burgundy and Tuscany. After building their own wine cellar, the Goetzmans started seriously contemplating making their own wine. When their neighbor started growing grapes with a similarly laid out backyard, the Goetzmans thought, “Why not us, too?” They planted their vines in 2010, and their first vintage was bottled in 2012. Their vineyard focuses predominately on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and Goetzman Cellars’ Red Wine blend seems to be a real crowd-pleaser. When asked about their favorite varietal, Greg reveals, “We enjoy all wines from Pinot to Zinfandel, as well as White Burgundy and Sauvignon Blanc. But if we were on a desert isle and had to choose, give us a nice Cabernet Sauvignon.” Their collection is a private production and quite limited at this time. How-
ever, their grapes are developing nicely, and they plan to expand production in the years to come. Greg’s advice to future winemakers: “Plant your vineyard now! You will have plenty of time to figure out the ‘how’ of wine making later.” For Greg, the best part of winemaking is sharing his creations with friends and family and watching the unmistakable expression of bliss at first sip. “It brings people together in a very social and sophisticated way. It’s fun that you can taste, study and enjoy, whether you are a producer or simply purchasing your first bottle.” As Greg sees it, it doesn’t matter whom you are or what your level of viticulture education because wine is something that brings people together and gets the conversation going. Wine can be enjoyed by all, even if you can’t taste the hints of tobacco and black pepper in your glass of Cabernet to save your life. n
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