Locally labeled

Winemaker Tass to join Blended

Tass Vineyards and Winery owner Ron Mosely shares a toast with his wife Lynn.

Since the Gilroy co-op Blended, A Winemaker’s Studio opened its doors in October of 2015, Ron Mosley, owner/winemaker of Tass Vineyards and Winery has been working hard to bring in his own wine label. Much to everyone’s delight, Mosley’s winery has finally joined the other two wineries on premise: La Vie Dansante and Medeiros Family Vineyards.

“In 1982, after I received my degree from U.C. Davis in viticulture and enology, I began planting vines, excavating caves and making wine at Cinnabar Winery,” Ron explains. Over the years, Ron became winemaker to more than 40 private customers. It was a natural decision to start making and selling his own wine.

Ron carefully selects fruit from 80 vineyards between Santa Cruz and the Santa Clara Valley. “Ninety percent of how a bottle of wine turns out is due to the quality of the grapes,” he says.

Ron’s newly released 2015 Pinot Noir ($40) has an intoxicating aroma of fresh strawberries and a silky smooth finish.

The 2015 Cabernet ($35) is a Bordeaux blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. A beauty to enjoy—this wine has a deep, purple-velvet color and a cherry bouquet. Stone fruit, such as ripe plum, abounds amid sturdy tannins while a smoky hint of tobacco lingers on the palate.

Although delicious now, both wines will reward those patient enough to delay opening them for another two years.

Bev Stenehjem
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About Bev Stenehjem
Bev Stenehjem is a wine columnist for South Valley Magazine and is the author of the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley, Arcadia Publishing. Bev also promotes the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley association on Facebook and Twitter. Reach her at [email protected].