Tasting Room – Photo courtesy of Tercero Wines.
When I was in high school, science and math were not my strong suits – so much so that I put off taking biology class until senior year. Which, in retrospect, was a good thing. (I got to be the cool senior in a room full of sophomores). On my recent wine tasting excursion in Los Olivos, I was instantly transported back to Mr. O’geene’s bio class when I entered the Tercero Wines Tasting Room., which has a distinctive scientific vibe.
My friends and I actually stumbled upon Tercero by accident – we were looking for a place to access wi-fi in Los Olivos, and the coffeehouse we’d been directed to was closed. The friendly proprietor of Tercero, Larry Schaffer, invited us over to use his wi-fi and take in another tasting. After a day of hopping from one vineyard to another, Tercero was the last stop, and the wines offered were delicious. Larry and his wife, Christie, founded Tercero about 5 years ago, and their labs have been creating some amazing libations. Here are some of my favorites:
- 2010 Grenache Blanc – A crisp white wine with hints of pear. Although I am more of a red fan, this was pretty tasty.
- 2007 Watch Hill Grenache – A rich and bold red with deep berry flavors. Unlike most grenaches, which are a blend of grenache and other grape varieties, this is %100 grenache grape. For the discerning connoisseur of wine.
- 2007 Thompson Vyd Syrah – A savory Rhone red. The only word I can come up with is Superb.
- 2007 Cuvee Christie – An enticing blend of grenache, syrah and mourvedre grapes. Very flavorful. I wonder if he named this after his wife?
- 2007 The Climb – Without a doubt my favorite of all the wines here. A sophisticated blend of syrah and petite syrah. I could drink this ambrosial wine all day! I restrained myself and only brought one bottle home.
Tercero is tucked away in a gray vintage-inspired building shared with a few other businesses. Although the address is Alamo Pintado, the entrance is actually around the corner on San Marcos (there’s a sign, and it’s easy to spot) Chrome metal stools, chalkboard walls (pictured above) ,chrome shelving and beakers filled with colorful concoctions help to achieve the laboratory feeling. The swanky metal shelving is the Grundtal Towel Shelf from Ikea.
Numbers also play a major part in Feng Shui. The word Tercero in Spanish means Third. This number is highly significant to Larry and Christie. Growing up, they were each the third child in their families. They were married on the third, and they have three children together. The address of the tasting room is also connected to the number 3. 815 times 3 is 2445. Also 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 = 15, divided by 5 makes 3. The number three in Feng Shui signifies family, health and community cultivation – all of which can be connected easily to the production of wine, and the creation of this establishment itself by a husband and wife team. The continued use of this number can add up to nothing but further success for Tercero.
Landscapes are an excellent feng shui choice for artwork, especially when there is an amount of depth to the picture. Try to choose a landscape that is serene and peaceful, such as sunset, forest path, or winery setting. Avoid landscapes that are dark and destructive. The photography of Tom Ives is an excellent choice for almost any environment. His calming art captures all of the elements with his color choices and subject selection. Three of this paintings for sale hang in the tasting room, and you can see more of his incredible work at http://ivesphotography.zenfolio.com.
I liked Tercero so much that I joined their wine club, and plan on visiting them in Los Olivos a few times a year. I think I may have to open my bottle of The Climb tonight…
Tercero Wines
2445 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Suite 104 (the entrance is off of San Marcos)
Los Olivos, CA 93441
805 245-9584
Hours: Friday – Monday Afternoons, 12:00 to 5:00. Other days and times are available by appointment.
The Feng Shui Foodie 