Are you interested in earning points with your wine-loving friends? Visit Tank Garage Winery in Calistoga, the latest stop on my magical mystery tour of small-batch wineries. It’s a complete wet dream for small-batch wine lovers.
Wine Should Not Be Pretentious
What’s the reason? The wines are never the same twice. They specialize in uncommon varietals and creating unique blends. Unlike their neighbors in the region specializing in single vineyard Cabernets that cost between $80 and $200 a bottle, Tank Garage offers limited production wine retailing between $24 and $80.
Tank Garage does not take itself too seriously. Instead, it is geared toward enjoying the moment without regard to traditional wine culture rules. “We defy convention and achieve authenticity in an industry dominated by “good old boys”, states owner James Harder.
Visit Tank Garage Winery
The converted 1930s gas station and mechanics garage are landmarks for highway 29 travelers. The tasting room, appropriately named LUBRICATION, is an ode to Millenial and Gen Z’s boho style. Thirsty guests enjoy a glass of vino while discovering the quirky and relaxed artifacts surrounding them. Vintage cars, motorcycles, pinball machines, neon signs, and a backroom speakeasy- it’s all there.
The Art of Alchemy
Winemakers are often likened to alchemists, but Tank Garage Winery has taken it one step further and mastered a kind of sorcery with their tongue-in-cheek creations. Fans have developed a cult-like adoration for this irreverent approach, thanks to names like Middle Finger and Yacht Rock. However, rest assured, mixed with all the whimsy and fun, these are some seriously good wines.
Wine concierges here have a young, relaxed vibe, so even if they don’t know everything about life, they know a lot about wine. You’ll love this place if you’re a wine lover, rebel or a fan of sixties nostalgia!
Fun and Irreverent
The last time I visited the winery, I had a blast. A mix tape vibe accompanied the 2018 Skin Flick, a sassy white blend of Vermentino, Roussanne, Verdelho, Pinot Gris and Trousseau Gris.
Our wine concierge gave us a lesson on whole cluster fermentation. It was the perfect place to learn and taste without feeling like you were “wine-splained.”
Every Wine Is Unique
The wines at Tank garage are the best collection of “One and Done” wines I have ever tasted. Bad boy winemaker and South African native Bertus van Zyl over-delivers on his mission to create wines that celebrate the spirit of “misfits, bootleggers, and daredevils.”
Traditional wineries strive to make the same wine year after year. However, at Tank Garage, “We have the freedom to explore many different styles and winemaking techniques ….. and this artistic freedom is something that I love,” states winemaker Bertus van Zyle. It’s the intersection of art and science with the freedom to create and explore.
What’s In Your Toolbox
Winemakers typically have four to eight grape varietals at their disposal, but in 2019, the team at Tank Garage crushed 47 different grape varieties. Instead of investing in vineyards, this savvy bunch prefers to partner with great producers who provide the best of each varietal they use, thus reducing costs for the consumer.
It’s not to say they don’t produce a great Pinot Noir and Rose each year, but it is different. Some years the difference is a subtle nuance; others, it’s a whole new style or collection. But, like true artists, they don’t paint the same canvas twice. “We focus on raising the bar, not replicating the past,” they create a unique custom wine every time they sit at the blending table.