By Jim Hansen

Have you ever had a desire to find a spot? Not just any spot. The spot! Consider this; most of us at sometime or another have searched for a setting that offers romance, atmosphere, and tranquility. Success in this endeavor can be elusive but the goal is attainable. With that said, may I suggest a visit to the tasting room of a winery known as MACCHIA. (MAH-Kia)

Macchia (Italian for Spot) is a winery where fun, frolic and romance abound. The spot I speak of is not just a refined piece of marketing (The spot is found on each of their bottles) but also a philosophy of owners Tim & Lani Holdener to discovery and choose only the best fruit required to produce fine wines. Tim has selected fruits from many of California’s “Best Spots” to create his wines of distinction and takes pride in this accomplishment.
Macchia sprang to life in 2001 with pure determination asserted by the couple to succeed. The Holdener’s worked day and night to carve out their dream and labored with construction, wine and harvest issues. Ascending to the pinnacle of achievement, they opened their doors to the public within the confines of Vino Piazza located in the town of Lockeford demonstrating that every mountain stands to be conquered.

This venture is truly family oriented as all members lend a hand in making it happen. “Lani is a great help mate,” says husband Tim, “and she does it all”. Lani handles bookkeeping, sales, distribution and is in charge of marketing. As Tim so eloquently remarked, “She is the face behind the product.”

In the Tasting Room you can find daughter, Tanya, pouring wine and greeting everyone with an enthusiastic smile. The oldest son, Jonathan, is busy learning the business and is quick to help his father. Last, but certainly not least, is the youngest member of the family, Tyler, who at the ripe old age of nine prefers his primary occupation of having fun!

Tim’s knowledge of winemaking is self-taught. He began his association with wine as a home-wine maker working with an Italian family in the backyard. After an association with some U.C.D. students, he went to work for two different wineries to gain additional experience. The common denominator that he discovered in his research of making great wine was a need to locate the best fruit to make the best wine. So began his pursuit of great fruit that has yielded great wine.

Now let’s visit the Tasting Room and experience the ambience of the cozy Italian styled room that offers an array of exceptional wines, gifts and friendly people.

They offer 14 wines for you to discover including five different Zins, a Petite Sirah, a Merlot, a Cab Franc, three Barberas, two Sangioveses and a Nebbiolo. You will find these wines to be consistent across the board and they will delight your senses.

If you are interested in Award Winners, they have them. At this year California State Fair, Macchia won Gold, Best of Class - Lodi Appellation with its 2001 Amarous Sangiovese with a score of 94 . A richly concentrated fruit forward wine, with just a hint of coffee mocha.

Another Gold was awarded to their 2001 Harmonious Sangiovese or (Clock Spring), Amador Appellation with a score of 94. “Sango is one of the Italian varieties that make Shenandoah Valley famous” The terroir of this mountain valley gives this fruit its own identity. This smooth drinking wine goes well with all food.

Their third award that they came home with was a Silver medal for their 2001 Gracious Barbera. Sierra Foothills Appellation- score of 89. This wine did extremely well amidst tough competition.

I would be amiss if I did not mention two more of their impressive awards that they captured this year. At the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, they took Gold, Best Of Class with their Zinfandel, Linsteadt Vineyard and at the Orange County Wine Competition; they walked away with a Four Star Gold with their Lodi Zinfandel.
Congratulations!

Macchia is located at Vino Piazza 12470 Locke Road, Lockeford CA. Tasting Room hours are: Saturday & Sunday 1- 5 or during the week by appointment. For more information on Macchia wines contact them at (209) 727-0577 or email macchia@lodinet.net.

On November 22 and 23, 2003 Macchia is staging an extravaganza of great proportion... it’s their largest release party ever! The party will offer you a chance to taste their award winners from the 2003 competition season, their new releases, and an opportunity to barrel taste. All of this is from noon to six both days plus live music, food, fun and would you believe admission is FREE!