SLO LIFE Magazine AprMay 2021

Timshel Vineyards // Vinho Verde // $20
Greg and Becca Thompson had always loved wine and
learned more as they traveled. Two of their children studied
viticulture and so they decided to combine their love of wine
with their children’s talent and start a winery. Their son, Nate
Thompson happily took the job as winemaker.
The quality of the wine shows his attentiveness. Nate worked
with many winemakers as well as growers. He has learned
that a combined close eye on the grapes in the field, as well
as a true winemaking approach in the cellar, works well. He
uses organic farming practices that are shown to produce high
quality wines. In the cellar of local favorite Filipponi Ranch
he tries to intervene as little as possible using low sulfur and
low pH for people sensitive to sulfites. With Taco Temple
nearby, a little taco and wine tasting is an easy pairing.
Though I loved his Syrah and Rose, the Vinho Verde
intrigued me. I enjoy trying different white wine varieties.
It’s noncommittal, you haven’t spent an arm and a leg on
the bottle, and you’re left with bright, great flavors and
fresh tastes. New flavors open up a world before your eyes.
My favorite are the flavors of green. This Portugese grape
says green right in its name. It’s the freshest version of
hiking in a forest, or maybe on the coast with a little unripe
peach, and perhaps pineapple. Very well balanced. As all
the wines are, it was a treat. Find their offerings at many
restaurants and from their winery. Reach out for a taste. I
think you’ll like your new neighbors.
RagTag Winery // Pinot Noir // $56
When you walk in the charming square in downtown Paso Robles you can try
many of the local wines and grab a bite to eat without having to spend time
driving around all day. Brother and sister team Jeff Huskey and Sarah Brewer
want to bring the same feel to downtown San Luis Obispo, hopefully opening
this spring.
Huskey has been working in wineries since he was a student at Cal Poly. His
sister, Brewer, a business brain, thought he was talented and put the idea out
there to start a winery together someday. Huskey wanted to be sure of his
abilities before embarking on his own, so he spent time working with Patrick
Muran at Niner Wine Estates and Chuck Mulligan at Harmony Cellars, before
finally deciding to go for it in 2017.
This is a rag tag bunch. They have collected a group of people with diverse
talents, ideas, and backgrounds to make this winery. Their goal is to produce the
best wine experience they can. It shows. If the same quality that goes into their
website and wine goes into their tasting room downtown, it should be fantastic.
I gravitated toward the Pinot Noir because the grapes from Greengate vineyard
they use consistently make great pinot noir. Rag Tag just hit it out of the park.
It may be a little steep in price but save your pennies, and you’ll be surprised
with tastes of raspberry and cherry with a finish as long as the waves out in
Pismo. Keep an eye out for the winery to open soon downtown across the street
from The Creeky Tiki. Check their website, or give them a call.
Our local community has a great way of connecting with each other. Extend
yourself to some new wineries and let’s bring these makers into our warm
sunny embrace. You’ll be happy you did. SLO LIFE
76 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | APR/MAY 2021