Maloy O'Neill Vineyards~Our Winery Journal

Love is in the Air!

Be sure to stop in and check out our Chocolate Tasting this weekend.  No reservations are required, it is an experience available on a first come first serve basis.  And let me share that Shannon, Katie Hunt, Katie O'Neill and I decided it was imperritive that we beta test this experience to make sure it is up to par.  Well, wow!  We were all blown away. We have brought in special handcrafted chocolates that will awaken your senses.  $20/person.

Also wanted to share some photos from our Storyteller's Winemaker Dinner. It was a fabulous evening.  The entertainment, food, wine, and the attendees just all melded together for an amazing evening. 

Here is Shannon with our feature Storyteller, Michael Katz.

Zack Engles and his buddy brought down the house with their incredible musical performances throughout the evening. 

We're working on the next Club Shipment and looking forward to the Zin Festival and beyond.  But will save some of the details for our newsletter.  Shannon did just manage to finish the bottling and labeling of the 2004 wines, so look forward to some new releases.  They are terrific wines, you'll love them.

Ok, better run, I hear Riley.

Cheers!

Maureen

Happy New Year!

The new year started out cold and foggy this morning.  Looking out over the vineyard from the warmth of our little house, we were reminded that new beginings, fresh starts, resolutions....it is all reflected in the activity taking place right here in the vineyard. 

Pruning is well underway as the vines are sleeping, dormant for the Winter, and the dead wood is pruned back making way for the new beginings...the work we put into the vineyard now will be reflected in the fruit we harvest next Fall.  Annual pruning is needed to produce and stimulate optimum performance in the vines. 

The weather this winter season has been very dry and fairly crisp in terms of temperature.  To date we are behind in rainfall and there is a chance for a storm to develop before the end of this week.  We continue to enjoy the foggy mornings and the sunny days--as long as we are able to, we can keep working outside.

And, likewise with all the barrel and bottling work Shannon has done the past 4 weeks we can be sure to look forward to more terrific wines to be release over the next couple of months.  We have made our resolutions, and we will be revealing them throughout the month, so stay tuned! Here's looking to you and a fabulous 2007!

Cheers!

Fa-la-la-la-la

December Update,

The month of December started out hectic.  Now peace once again is returning to the winery.  The wines are all pressed out, and in barrels.  And, Shannon is putting everything back in order-- bottling and focusing on buttoning it all up for the rest of the Winter.  We were able to get the wine club shipment out in November (OK, the last day of November!).  Three fab cabs went out, Cab Private Reserve, East Block and Hillside.  If you aren't a member already, consider joining.  We are getting closer to our capacity for membership.  Go to www.maloyoneill.com and click Wine Club.

We are enjoying all the activity around the holidays.  Last week our daughter Katie performed in her school's Christmas pageant.   At the tasting room, we had a terrific time at our Ho!Ho!Ho! Holiday Open house. Although it was raining most of the time, folks were able to get a jump start on their holiday shopping.  Aside from our wines, we have some neat new gift items in the tasting room, too.  Also, plein air artist, Susie Gross was there painting in the tasting room. She has a wonderful eye for color and composition in her oil paintings. I really like her work. Now, we're looking forward to the winemaker dinner at Andres this week.  See our events page for details, www.maloyoneill.com/events.html .  I'll try to take some pictures and post for you next week.

People are really enjoying the current line-up, including the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, the 2004 Syrah Private Reserve, and the 2004 Petite Syrah.  I love all of these myself.  I particularly like this Cabernet.  I have been sooo into Shannon's Syrahs the past couple of years (and this year is no exception), but this Cab is bringing me back.  It is really good with chewy leather tannins, toasted coffee and chocolate aromas, big berry flavors, and a creamy finish.

Now, we look forward to little Riley's third birthday party, and the holidays.  We will be open during our regular hours (Fri/Sat 10-5 & Sun 12-5), except we will be closed, Sunday, December 24th.    Take care, Maureen

Maloy O'Neill in the News...

Check it out http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/15918101.htm

Hello from Maureen

Hello from Maureen

Hello to everyone on our new Maloy O'Neill Winery Journal.  Shannon and I are not exactly sure how this works, but it seems like a fun way to communicate what is happening here to you in a timely way.  This type of communicating also is less formal and allows us more real estate than our website www.maloyoneill.com or our Cellar Club Newsletter.  So, as we experiment with this new technology (at least it is new to us!), please feel free to enlighten us as to what you might want to hear about and give us your feedback.  With that preamble aside, here is my first entry!

Last week we hosted a fundraiser event for the North County Women's Shelter, and featured the music of Gil and Tuey, check out their website to hear a sample of their music, http://www.gilandtuey.com/.  The event was blessed with terrific warm weather and everyone seemed to have a great time.  Thanks to our tasting room manager, Katie Hunt, and our back-up crew for pitching in, Julie, Bill and Donna, you're the best!

The weekend was full with Harvest Festival activities and was one our most exciting weekends since opening almost a year ago. 

Shannon

gave winery tours explaining the punch down processes as our pals, Ben and James donned lab coats and experienced what handcrafted quality really means, aching muscles and purple hands! 

Last night and tonight

Shannon

pulled all-nighters harvesting at O'Neill Vineyards.  He had crews picking cabernet, and true to harvest pressures, mechanical problems prevailed....needless to say he came home very exhausted this morning, only to go straight to the winery to continue the crush and then go to another harvest tonight at O'Neill Vineyards picking cab and syrah.  He did manage to make it home tonight as I was putting this entry together.  The sugars were perfect for

Shannon

at 26 and 27.  He's laughing at me right now saying, "Why all the questions?  Your blogging right now?"

Stay tuned to www.maloyoneill.com/events.html to see what is coming up. 

Shannon

will be at Vinoteca wine bar 10/25 pouring as the featured winery. And November 10-12, we are hosting our Anniversary Celebration Weekend-One Year at our Maloy O'Neill Tasting Room and Winery-there are a lot of surprises planned for this exciting weekend.

Fall 2006

Maloy O'Neill Vineyards

Experience Handcrafted Quality

Cheers from Shannon O’Neill!

Dear Friends,

Fall is engulfing us in her beautiful aromas from the winery, preparing us for the winter to come.  As we begin the harvesting here at the vineyard, it reminds us to ready ourselves for the holidays and time with family and friends. Here is a toast to you for the upcoming season, especially since Maureen and I will be celebrating our first year open on the Maloy O’Neill Estate. 

Because of your loyalty the year has been a complete success beyond our own expectations.  We are continuing to try and
enhance “Experience Handcrafted Quality” motto we stand by and are working on new projects that will afford you additional opportunities at the winery to enjoy and learn about wine.  Maureen has developed an entire Education Series that anyone can arrange with notice for themselves or a group.  From Grape Stomps, to Wine Blendings you can feel what it is like to be a winemaker.  Be sure to check out our events calendar as well.  We have some fun things coming up.

We also were excited to be named as Best of Paso in several categories of the new book, The Grape Escape.

Sincerely, your purple-handed winemaker,

Shannon O’Neill

Maloy O’Neill Vineyards

Questions or comments? E-mail us at winery@maloyoneill.com or call 805-238-7320