How to Celebrate International Tempranillo Day?

In Spanish, the word temprano means early.

Tempranillo grapes are quick to ripen, and so they are dubbed accordingly.

“We’ve already picked our first fresh red variety,” said Mike Anderson, winemaker at Berryessa Gap. “That’s our Tempranillo.”

Mostly celebrated as a Spanish grape variety, Tempranillo has proven to be a great success for Berryessa Gap, with the Chronicle naming the 2008 Rocky Ridge Tempranillo a Top 100 wine.

“We didn’t originally expect that it would be a really great wine for us,” Anderson said. “But it was.”

Thursday is the first International Tempranillo Day, and it will be celebrated in style in downtown Winters from 5-8 pm. Touring live music will take place, and Tempranillo wines and refreshments will be served up at the following locations:

• Berryessa Gap
• Turkovich Family Wines
• RootStock Specialty Gifts
• Main Street Cellars
• Ficelle
• Preserve
• Putah Creek Cafe

We’d like you to be educated before your quiet drive to Winters, so here are some Tempranillo facts to round out your education:

Tempranillo, in Spain, is typically called Rioja. That’s because in Europe most wines are named by location, rather than by grape variety. “If you were to buy a red wine labeled as a Rioja, it would be a Tempranillo,” Anderson said.

As for the region itself, “Rioja is an arid region not unlike what we are here in Yolo County. Hot, dry summers are common in Rioja, just like they are here.”

“Tempranillo has been described as similar to Pinot Noir in that it’s on the lighter side,” Anderson said. “It’s not a Cabernet.”

It’s more red-fruit in character than it is black fruit. If that excites you, drive west to Winters tomorrow evening.

For more information, email info@berryessagap.com. Specials involving Tempranillo wines will be available all through the weekend.