Page 107 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SPRING 2021 REDISCOVERING CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST

The sun was getting low on the horizon, and we Sammy’s beautiful fruit, cheese and charcuterie
had one or more last tastings and said our goodbyes plate.
to our new friends from Salinas wine country. I We tasted at least six or seven wines, Puma Road
wasn’t sure what to make of the restored surplus is most affordable for tasting with six tastes for $20.
military Jeeps that greeted us at Puma Road Winery. We didn’t let Sammy down; we had a fun and memo-
Greeting us with unusual enthusiasm was owner Ray rable day in Monterey Wine Country. We settled
Franscioni and I believe his winemaking team of into the plush leather seats of our ride, ready to en-
Olivier Rousset and Rodney Whitlock. Neither one joy our big bed just over the crashing waves of Mon-
introduced themselves, so I didn’t really know which terey Bay.
was Whitlock or Rousset. Sammy had one last surprise for us. He asked if we
I’m sure they would have loved to stay and chat, liked music from the American SongBook. Indeed,
but they were late to watch the presidential debate we replied. He popped a disc in the player, and what
that evening. Too bad, the wine tasting room is quite sounded like a young Ella Fitzgerald began singing
comfortable and Susie, the Puma Road Tasting Room our favorite songs. She’s incredible Ron commented.
supervisor, treated us to some very quaffable wines. Thanks, she’s my wife Akina Miyata, she’s famous in
We especially enjoyed their tasty Pinot Noir, Pinot Japan and he began another fascinating story.
Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. They went perfectly with

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