Wine-tasting heaven
The Madera Wine Trail showcases local wines, hosts seasonal events for
wine lovers
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Staff member Jacob Keller, senior linguistics major Amy Hall-McLaughlin
and alumnus Kim Allison drink a variety of wines at Quady Winery
on Saturday at the “Spirit of the Holidays” event at
the Madera Wine Trail. Photos by Wendy Alexander |
By RORY VAN LOON
Love wine? Hidden just outside Fresno is the Madera Wine Trail, made
up of 12 local wineries that offer tours, wine tasting and food.
The Madera Wine Trail was created in 2000 by the Madera Vintner’s
Association (MVA) in an effort to promote the quality of wine grapes grown
in the Central Valley, more specifically in Madera.
The MVA consists of twelve wineries within the association, but, only
10 wineries participate in the wine tasting.
The wineries are all located in or around Madera.
Agajanian Vineyards, Chateau Lasgoity, Ficklin Vineyards, Golden Valley,
Madera Vine Company (Maison Basque), Prospero Winery, Pacific Crest Winery,
Papagni Vineyards, Quady Winery, Quinta Madera Wines, Simpson Meadow Winery
and Westbrook Wine Farm make up the MVA.
The idea was first conceived by the owners of Quady Winery and Ficklin
Vineyards and was tossed around among the local wineries.
The interest in starting the trail was shared among the many wine families.
“Many of the families have gone to Lodi and Paso Robles to participate
in the wine trail and it looked like a lot of fun,” says Mike Blaylock,
MVA Board member.
Many of the grapes used in the Lodi wines are grown in Madera said Blaylock.
The MVA consist of small, family owned wineries. These wineries are open
to the public by appointment on weekdays. Weekends have open hours.
“We have three exciting annual events that take place during spring,
summer and fall,” Blaylock said
The spring festivities take place in February and Valentine’s Day
is the central theme. The wineries welcome visitors with decadent desserts
as well as wine.
The fall festivities are centered around a harvest theme. Each winery
is responsible for its own presentation of that theme.
“We invite local producers of vegetables, cheeses and bread to come
in and set up tables so a person can enjoy all that Madera has to offer,”
Blaylock said.
The cost for this wine extravaganza is minimal compared to the amount
of entertainment a person can have. For $10.00, a visitor can purchase
a passport wine glass.
With this glass, visitors are able to go to each winery and experience
the different variations of Madera wine.
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