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A Winemaker For All
Seasons 
As summer becomes autumn, legions
of California winemakers
descend on their vineyards filled with the excitement and hope
that months of toil will deliver a vintage worthy of their
aspirations. The yearly "crush" is an adrenaline-filled
episode--a winemaker's yearly shot at greatness.
Guy Davis
also excitedly anticipates the harvest. But, he enjoys twice the
adrenaline of his peers because of his stake in the southern
hemisphere, working the vineyards and wineries of Argentina and
New Zealand for what has personally become his year-round
growing season.
"People think
I'm a travel junky, but what really drives me is a desire to
express my artistry more frequently and in ideal circumstances,"
says Davis. "I'm obsessed with certain grapes and how they
express themselves in ideal climates and growing conditions."
What started
as an opportunity to work 2 harvests each year (the southern
hemisphere harvests grapes in March and April) has become on a
personal crusade to create wines inextricably tied to regions
that express their unique personalities. Davis's winemaking
palette now includes tending Malbec in Argentina, Sauvignon
Blanc in New Zealand, Pinot Noir in Russian River and Cabernet
Sauvignon in Napa Valley.
Davis first visited Argentina in
1998 for Passport Wine Club. He soon met Pedro Marchevsky,
vineyard director at Catena Winery and his wife, winemaker
Susana Balbo. Over dinner, they talked excitedly about the
wines of Argentina. "They were proud of Argentina viticulture
and wines--it was infectious," recalls Davis. "And they were
passionate about Malbec--a grape that would become one a love of
my life."
The next day, they visited high
elevation vineyards in the Andes. He was struck by the contrast
of huge, vertical snow-packed mountains against the surrounding
arid terrain. " I felt the temperature drop, and it was obvious
that these unique conditions were responsible for the complex,
juicy flavors of Argentinean Malbec. At that moment I committed
to return for the spring harvest and Gusto was born."
************
In 1999, Guy couldn't wait to get
his hands around another project. This time, his long-time love
of distinctive Sauvignon Blanc and his interest in the exciting
wines beginning to come out of New Zealand prompted him to sign
up to work the 1999 crush in Marlborough to learn first hand
about New Zealand wine country and meet grape growers.
The New Zealand wine industry is
a predominately small, young industry. But it is growing and
realizing it's potential. "New Zealand winemakers have
discovered that their microclimate delivers a style of Sauvignon
Blanc that has intensely concentrated and complex flavors and a
bright refreshing acidity." says Davis. "New Zealand Sauvignon
Blanc is as distinctive and interesting as antwhere I have
tasted it in the world."
When he first arrived, the thing
that immediately struck him was the topographic similarity
between New Zealand and Sonoma County. Soon, under the same
lucky star that him together with Pedro and Susana in Argentina,
he formed a relationship with a farmer of some of the oldest
Sauvignon Blanc vines in New Zealand, adding a second wine to
the Gusto label.
Does Davis tire of globetrotting
in search of the perfect growing conditions? "Nothing that the
harvest adrenaline won't take care of. For now, I'm excited to
express the magic of special grapes grown in special places.
It's almost intangible, but anyone who loves wine knows what
this means. That's why I bother flying to Argentina and New
Zealand may times a year--to express the unique personality of
these places. That's what the Gusto label is all about."
(END)
Davis Family Vineyards:
52 Front Street, Healdsburg CA 95448
Phone: 707-569-0171 Fax: 707-569-0181 Toll Free
1-866-338-9463
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