We are very happy to introduce a new local winery, Hawk Watch, owned and operated in Warner Springs by Mike and Lisa Schnell.
One notes that San Diego wine can have a spotty reputation, sometimes the grapes themselves could (should) be better. In order to make the best wine possible, the Schnells are growing their own grapes and paying a lot of attention to their quality. To make things more interesting, these grapes are at fairly high elevation — over 3,000 feet.
We had Mike and Lisa over to taste some of their wine with Linkery food (I have a tough job) and I was really impressed with the quality of wine, and found the Schnells a joy to spend time with as well. They are friends with their neighbors Bruce and Lynne of Wingshadows Hacienda, so it’s safe to assume some sort of wine/farm dinner is in the offing at the Linkery!
Right now we have two of Hawk Watch’s offerings by the glass:
- Syrah, which is full bodied with some spice character
- White Grenache — actually bright pink — which has a little residual sugar but enough acid to balance it so it doesn’t taste particularly sweet. This is a great wine with salads and with spicy sausages.
This weekend we’ll also be featuring Erik Humphrey’s San Pasqual wines, so we’ll have a bunch of local stuff available…come on in and check it out!
I was at your winery in July and bought some White Grenache. It is so good. I will be around your neighborhood end of October and wondered if you are opened on Friday. Could you tell me your hours for Saturday also.
I know you both have other jobs so not sure of your hours.
Thank you, Carol
Carol –
Thanks so much for the kind words! My wife Lisa and I took an inventory last night, and we are down to our last 10 cases of White Grenache! Our new 2008 will most likely be ready toward the end of October or early November. Unfortunately Carol, our winery is only open on weekends as my wife and I both work full time jobs elsewhere. Our new website however is up and running now if you’d like to purchase wine online. Thanks again for visiting us and hopefully we’ll see you in the Fall.
Mike