Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have a rare treat coming up Wednesday, June 10th from 6:30-8pm at the New Spec’s Oak Ridge North location.  I will have not one, but TWO California winemakers in house to sample and talk about their prospective wines. The last tasting was booked in less than an hour, so please RSVP as soon as possible to 281-362-9131.  Only 30 seats available for this FREE event.  See you soon!

Directions

27490 I-45 North

Oak Ridge North

Montgomery, TX 77385

(Right beside the Office Depot on I-45 Northbound side)

Winemakers of Murphy Goode & Edmeades

David Ready Jr., Winemaker of Murphy Goode

David Ready, Jr. grew up appreciating wine, tutored by his father, one of the founders of Murphy-Goode. As a teenager playing in local Minneapolis bands,

David aspired to be a musician (more specifically, a rock star). This dream drew him to California, where wine captured his interest once and for all.

David worked the crush at Murphy-Goode, where he realized that he had a winemaker’s palate. Working in the cellar also taught him the impact that winemaking techniques have on wine. Looking to broaden his horizons, he joined the harvest in Australia, where he was exposed to new and innovative winemaking methods. Upon his return to Murphy-Goode, he put them to good use as the winery’s Cellarmaster.

By 1997 David was named Assistant Winemaker and in 1998 he set the style for Liar’s Dice and the subsequent Murphy-Goode zinfandels. In 2001, David became Winemaker. “As Murphy-Goode’s winemaker, I have a fortunate advantage: our winery’s history. I know the taste of the grapes; my direct experience tells me when the vineyard is at optimal ripeness.”

At home in Healdsburg with his wife and young son, David still carries with him a love for his native Minnesota – a love that inspired the Minnesota Viking purple on all of the Murphy-Goode labels.  And it’s not uncommon to catch him roaming the vineyards in his Viking helmet, especially during football season.

David also continues his quest for rock stardom by playing the drums and writing music. In fact, he likens winemaking to composing lyrics. Finding the words that best fit the tune is like designing a balanced blend or discovering the type of oak barrel that harmonizes with the wine. A barbeque enthusiast, David claims there is no finer food and wine match than Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon with a grilled beef filet topped with crumbled blue cheese (unless, of course, it is oysters with The Fumé).

“You need to let the wine show what it has in its soul.” -David Ready. Jr.

BEN SALAZAR

About the Winemaker of Edmeades Winery, Ben Salazar

Though Ben Salazar grew up in Napa Valley, where his schoolmates included the Mondavis, he didn’t think of wine as a career until he began serving it from behind the bar of the famed Napa institution, Rutherford Grill.

After a real world education in wine through the restaurant industry, Ben enrolled at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he eventually graduated with a degree in viticulture and enology. Immediately following graduation, Ben was offered a position as an entry-level winemaker at Carmel Road Winery. He worked at the Monterey based winery for a few years before his true calling found him – Zinfandel.

In 2012, Ben was made the lead winemaker for Edmeades Winery, and it is at Edmeades where his love for wine is most evident. As Ben walks the vineyards in rugged Mendocino County, you can hear the passion in his voice as he talks about the wines he makes and the growers he sources from. “The grape growing community up here consists of farmers – incredibly down-to-earth, wonderful people. These folks pay their mortgage and send their kids to school by farming. They’re an absolute treat to get to know and work alongside.”

Wines that will be poured

Murphy Goode Cabernet Sauvignon

Murphy Goode Chardonnay

Murphy Goode Homefront Red Blend

Murphy Goode Liar’s Dice Zinfandel

Murphy Goode Sauvignon Blanc

Edmeades Zinfandel

Thank You,

James C. Barlow

Certified Wine Educator

Certified Sommelier