I knew I was in for a good night when I walked in and Incubus was playing on the sound system. A playlist of 90's alternative rock always sets a good tone.
I am happy to report that the wine here was every bit as enjoyable as the playlist. My Mother-In-Law and I both ordered their tasting, which provided generous pours of three of their wines for $10. The sommelier and co-owner working that night, Taylor, took note of our individual preferences (she likes whites, I like reds) and gave each of us a personalized tasting experience. While I really enjoyed all the wines that night, two were standouts: Okneski and I Prefer Charles Help. We both enjoyed them so much that we picked up bottles to have later.
While we were drinking our wine, Taylor shared his extensive knowledge of the winemaking process and the stories behind each of the wines. Each wine comes from a small local vineyard, some located right in Redlands or nearby Yucaipa. The owners are the workers and they harvest, crush, ferment, and bottle every wine by hand-- there's nothing automated here. It is clear that Hermann York is a labor of love, and that love of wine comes through every glass. I'm already looking forward to my next visit! read more