76 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM The distinctive growing conditions found in Santa Cruz Mountains communities like Woodside, where seismic activity along the San Andreas Fault has pushed an ancient seabed up to the earth’s surface. “Woodside has a history of growing wine that’s at least 130 years old,” Kevin observes enthusiastically. Encouraged by the fertile land, {food coloring} ily Farm, was the result of that search,” says Jeff Brinkman, a longtime Rhys winemaker. To create it, three families collaborated to convert an old Christmas tree farm into a prime place for pinot. “The quality of the Home Vineyard showed right away, and validated the hope that we could grow really great pinot noir in the Santa Cruz Mountains,” reflects Kevin. He didn’t stop there. As Kevin scouted more locations to plant vines and eventually build a winery, the Santa Cruz Mountains emerged as one of the best places in the state to grow the terroir-driven “old world” wines that he was most passionate about. “It was a gradual process as I became more and more obsessed with growing pinot noir,” explains Kevin. “The key concept you study, particularly in France, is that pinot noir quality is driven entirely by the site and the soil that it’s grown in.” Kevin planted a few rows of vines in his backyard in 1995 and made a barrel of pinot noir in his garage for fun. When he realized the potential of this small but promising plot, fondly called the Home Vineyard, he started searching for available land to plant more grapes. He found one close to home in 2002. “Our other Woodside vineyard, FamPHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF RHYS VINEYARDS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==