Oakland East Bay Wine-An evening with Mahoney Vineyards Spanish & Italian Varietals!

“What is an old Irishman doing making Italian and Spanish varietals?” Francis Mahoney chuckles at his own rhetorical question. The same impulse is at work that drove him to specialize in producing Burgundian varietals in Carneros – a passion for the wines.

He might have remained dedicated solely to French varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah – had he and Kathleen Salverazza Mahoney not traveled to Italy in 2000 to visit her family. Charmed by the people, the land and the wine of Liguria, Francis promised on the flight back home to honor his wife’s heritage by planting Italian varieties.

The place he chose to grow them was the Las Brisas Vineyard. He planted famous varieties like Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, and he also included Tempranillo after falling in love with Riojas while visiting his daughter, Shannon, who was studying in Madrid.

Vermentino, a principal white wine grape of Liguria, Sardinia and Corsica, was an immediate success with its refreshing acidity and charming aromatics. Montepulciano, principal grape of the Abruzzo, Marche and Molise regions, also made a “serious” red wine statement in Carneros. And Tempranillo also offers great promise. For now the plantings, and wine quantities, are limited, so the wines sell out quickly.