Left Bend tasting room to close
The Left Bend tasting room in downtown Los Gatos is set to close today. Co-owners Richard Hanke and Gary Robinson have decided to go in different directions: For Hanke, it’s west to Watsonville, and for Robinson, it’s east to Colorado Springs.
“COVID(-19) changed a lot of things,” says winegrower Hanke. “Basically, Gary and his wife, who works in high-tech, decided that if her job could be done from anywhere, why not move back to Boulder? They’d lived there before about 15 years ago and loved the outdoor life. It was time to make the move.”
So everything about Left Bend had to shift. Hanke says it will move wine production to Silver Mountain on San Jose Soquel Road, where custom crush is already done for several local labels. The grapes will be coming mainly from the newly planted estate vineyard Hanke bought last year called Redwood Grade. Left Bend previously had purchased grapes from local vineyards.
For Hanke, it won’t be very difficult a trek to bring grapes from his newly acquired vineyard in Watsonville, near Mount Madonna Park, to Silver Mountain. Hanke says the 20-acre parcel, which is at 1,500 feet and steeply sloped, is mostly unplantable, but the bits that are have a southwest exposure and a stunning view of the Monterey Bay, all the way to Santa Cruz.
“There’s a house on the property, which is great,” Hanke says. “It allows me to get an early start on this huge garden project. We decided to plant seven varietals to start and see what works. We may have to do some grafting. We have chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah, cab franc, merlot and tempranillo. I wonder if it will be warm enough for cab franc.
“I am so happy to be outside!” he adds. “I really love the farming part, and it’s good to be in the vineyard. I’m farming organically, and I’ve had no real problems so far. The tempranillo is going crazy!”
Named for the slight left bend of the San Andreas fault that formed the Santa Cruz Mountains, the winery began as a hobby vineyard when Robinson planted vines in his backyard in Los Gatos in 2008. In 2010, Left Bend Winery was founded, and Hanke became co-owner in 2013. Robinson was in charge of the cellar and winemaking, while Hanke handled the business and the tasting room.
Although it’s been a great run at the Los Gatos tasting room, Left Bend will live on at Redwood Grade Vineyard, where Hanke will host club members whenever new releases are rolled out. Club members will be informed of the upcoming releases, and will be able to schedule a time to visit.
Until today, Left Bend Tasting Room is located at 346 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408-502-9280.