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On August 1, 2007 Foghat performed at the California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles California. At the show was winemaker (and Foghat Fan) Steve Rasmussen & his assistant wine maker Jose Cuevas. Steve not only loved the show and the music, but thought that the name 'Foghat' would be a great name for a wine brand. Central Coast is known for the fog rolling in and covering the grapes and the vision began.
Steve contacted Linda Earl, Foghat manager and the relationship between Roger & Linda Earl and Steve Rasmussen began. Rather than just lending a 'name' to a 'product', the Earls delved headfirst into learning all they could about making wine. They already knew how to drink it and enjoy it. So it seemed a natural progression and a great idea to have a Foghat brand. So the idea for FOGHAT CELLARS was born.
Roger & Linda wanted to be 'hands on' and learn every aspect of the business and get their hands dirty doing it. So they have spent quite a bit of time out in Central California meeting the farmers and learning the process. Steve Rasmussen is very well respected and spent 23 years as the winemaker for Tally vineyards. He currently owns Slo-Bottling (A mobile bottling company), Westgate Cellars, and is the winemaker for Sierra Madre Vineyards as well as Foghat Cellars. He also consults with several wineries who value his experience.
The partnership has proved to be very interesting and alot of fun. We bottled our first wine on May 5, 2008. A very limited amount of a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles! Only 90 cases were bottled so that we could see what people would think of our wines. Well...to say that everyone was pleasantly surprised is an understatement.
The wine is delicious and FOGHAT CELLARS is now an entity to be reckoned with! Roger and Linda have since been out helping pick the grapes, and have been working as 'hired hand's in the winery during the 'punching down' and pressing phases. (In between Foghat Concerts of course). It is hard work but very gratifying. It is important to know how it 'feels' to make the wine and taste the end result.
Very cool! We are rockin' now......NOW AVAILABLE - 2008 Chardonnay from Sierra Madre Vineyards and a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Santa Inez Valley!
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