Ken Volk retiring

WINE TALK
1

Spotted this news today:
Ken Volk Puts Historic Santa Maria Valley Winery Up for Sale

After four decades of winegrowing on the Central Coast, industry legend Ken Volk announced he will be retiring, and plans to offer his eponymously named winery and wine brand up for sale.

I always enjoyed the oddball varietal bottlings he made, often as much as or more than his wines from more “conventional” grape varieties.

2

Yep, great down to earth guy who has been influential both up in SLO as well as SB Counties. Note that you are seeing a lot of interest in the Enz Vineyard for Mourvedre these days - he took over farming of that site a number of years ago and only relinquished it a few years back after suffering a pretty major stroke.

One of my favorite ‘Ken-isms’ is how he likes to pronounce ‘Mourvedre’ so that folks can understand it - Move - Over - Dear :slight_smile:

Cheers.

3

Besides SLO and SB counties, I think Ken has done more than anyone - except perhaps for Josh Jensen at Calera - in putting San Benito County on the map as a quality growing region too. I tasted a barrel sample of 2016 Enz Vineyard Mourvèdre with Hardy Wallace a couple of weeks ago and it was one of my favorites.

4

Nope, Ken…it was Almaden, many yrs ago, that put SanBenitoCnty on the map!! [snort.gif]
Actually, some of the Almaden wines made under the Charles LeFranc label, were actually pretty good.
KennyVolk really deserves credit for putting Negrette on the map…a variety they should be planting all
up&down the coast of Calif!!
And did I mention that I followed Kenny… [snort.gif]

Last time I saw Kenny was at a RR tasting at FtMason. His son was there pouring w/ him, very engaging, and he looked to me as the heir-apparent.
Tom

5

Thanks for the post Ken. I’m happy for Ken on his retirement and always enjoyed his “unusual” varieties.

River Run winery also does/had a Negrette that was very good from the Enz vineyard. I don’t see it on their website now.

6

Hmmmmm…there’s a name I’ve not heard from in quite awhile. Wonder how their wines are these days?
Tom

7

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to an SCM trade tasting, but their lineup has always been solid with 1-3 exceptional wines. Only see the name about once a year. Last was a private winemaker dinner a few months back. Should get my butt down to the tasting room. He’s always made interesting stuff from old vines and forgotten varieties in the southern Santa Clara Country and Sen Benito Country.

8

It’s a bit strange that Ken Volk is closing shop/retiring now, as we are finally seeing a little more light being cast on the Enz Vineyard (Sandlands and Dirty & Rowdy, as well as who knows who else…?). I hope that he has a joyful retirement.

In response to Sean, Wes, and TomHill’s posts:
I wish River Run shipped here to Louisiana, as their Carignan wines were suppose to be great!