Kahn Winery, RIP

Since I mentioned Kahn Winery in my last post, a bit more about it.

The Kahn Winery was located in the "smallest tasting room in the state of California", a tiny building on the north end of Grand Avenue, the main drag through the arts and wine town of Los Olivos. It was a blast - with an outdoor patio, where vintage jazz was often heard and people would smoke fine cigars (although I hate the smell!) next to the turtle ponds outside, all tucked into a cozy location next to the John Cody Art Gallery. A typical upstart small winery, it began in 1996 as the dream of Andrew Kahn, who had been the assistant winemaker for the Fess Parker Winery (one of the "Sideways" wineries). He and his partner, Christian Garvin, made premium exemplars of varietals such as Cabernet Franc (which they dubbed "Cab Frank" and sent to the funeral of Mr. Sinatra, gaining them some needed notoriety), and their exquisitely delicious Syrah (sourced from the estimable Bien Nacido and Stolpman Vineyards) and Nebbiolo, as well as odd whites and roses like Grignolino and Viognier. My darling Michelle enjoyed using their postcards to send out news of our adventures. Unfortunately, like many small wineries, it appears to have gone out of business. A new winery, called Carhartt, has taken over the tiny tasting room... alas. But never fear - there are probably over 200 wineries within 70 miles north and south of SLO. A few more of them to come....