April 28, 2010

Post date: May 7, 2010 9:00:18 PM

We recently visited Eberle Winery in Paso Robles, California (east of Big Sur). It is the single most awarded winery in the country. We enjoyed touring the scenic vineyards and caves. Eberle means "wild boar" in German. A bronze boar greets visitors at the entrance to the Tasting Room. It is considered good luck to rub the boar's shiny nose.

Grapes are picked by hand in the Fall and placed into giant hoppers for crushing. The juice is then pumped into fermentation vats before transfer to barrels for storage. Aging time varies from months to years. Finally the wine is tested and filtered before bottling for sale. Eberle is one of the highest award-winning wineries in the United States.

Eberle Vineyards

Bronze Boar at entrance to Tasting Room

Boar's shiny nose (rub for good luck!)

Giant hopper for grape crushing

Fermentation Vats

Barrels stored in caves

Eberle stained glass mural