End of Year Notations
December 28, 2022
A dose of gratitude, a bit of reflection, and some anticipation…
Practical joys like warm lighting, a lovely shade of green, and a friend’s “welcome in” offer comfort through the toils and triumphs of a year. As this one comes to a close and our team at Madson reflects on a year of change and growth, I give particular thanks for our new efficient steamy glass cleaner, the Cellar Door dishwasher!
Over the summer Madson moved the winery from a small barn in Corralitos to the west side of Santa Cruz, California. Tino and Cole got right to work organizing tanks and tools for the team’s first successful vintage in the new space. Grapes were ripe for harvest starting mid-August with Pinot Noir (early for the Santa Cruz mountains) and finishing mid-October with Syrah. Come November post-harvest relief, Madson could shift focus to the Cellar Door, or Tasting Room. Those of you who’ve come by for tastings or a glass of our fall-release wines have witnessed firsthand some of the progression, beginning with one picnic table and a dozen glasses tucked in the corner. Currently, the space is more verdant and spacious with a beautiful, concrete bar in collaboration with Oxford Design and Concrete Craftsman and newly sheet-rocked walls. There are sample shades of clay up for coloring our walls in earthy warmth and we anticipate these last touches before hosting a grand opening in the New Year.
Amongst weekly winery chores and changes, Madson participated in wonderful events including Santa Cruz Wine Walks, RAW Wine festivals, Big Sur Food and Wine, and UCSC Agro-ecology Department’s dinner with chef Alice Waters. In the new year, we plan to continue engaging with these collaborators for events and will invite you to join us along for the ride.
Along with our bravery and love of the process, it is you, willing to savor the aroma and taste of a thoughtfully made wine, who enable Madson to thrive. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Lastly, we are curious, did a friend splash their blind tasting of our chardonnay on themself just as they were about to describe its zesty crisp aroma to you? What memorable Madson moment brought levity or pause to your day this year? And, what collaboration, pop-up, or story of a team member would you like to see or hear from us in 2023?