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DK stands for Dave and Kim Pratt, the husband and wife team who left corporate America behind in a cloud of grape dust to begin what Dave calls his “third life,” that of a grape grower and winemaker.“The driver was I wanted to own my own business,” recalls the ex-software engineer from Rancho Cordova. “I wanted to be the guy that made all those decisions nobody understood.” The deciding factor in the couple’s career move came when they participated in one of El Dorado Wine Association’s popular Passport Weekends. The Pratts quickly fell under the wine spell of the picturesque Fair Play Appellation, and began volunteering at wineries, meeting local folks in the industry, and aligning themselves with nearby vintners who were establishing their names as well. By the end of 1997, they had purchased a 20 year-old vineyard with views from here to there. For the next six years, the new vineyard owners spent their time driving up on the weekends, choosing the most weather beaten days to go wine tasting. “It was relatively quiet and we could talk to everyone and do barrel tastings,” says Dave, which also proves the point that anytime is a good time to go wine tasting! Kim adds, “We were both still working full time, and wondering, ‘What did we just get ourselves into?’” That thought must have crossed Dave’s mind a million times over as he drove from Fair Play to Lockeford several times a day to where his former production facility was located. Also until recently, the Pratts were processing grapes through five gallon buckets at a time. “People don’t understand that when I got a bin dumper for my birthday last year, I was very excited!” says Kim, and admits she cried tears of joy the day wine barrels came rolling back up the hill to their sparkling new production facility. Surrounded by ripening varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Semillon, Cab Franc, Malbec and Sauvignon Blanc, Dave shares his winery’s motto: Old World traditions, New World wines. “We’re trying to make an age-worthy style of Bordeaux,”he explains. “Where is this wine going to be in 25 years?” Figured into the luscious mix is DK’s prime source for zinfandel-the celebrated Herbert Vineyard owned by prominent winemaker and consultant Marco Cappelli. Notably, in 2007 Pratt was honored with the prestigious Herbert Award, and it was the first time since 1998 that a winery had taken the honors that used Herbert Vineyard fruit. And now, the Pratts hope to keep the award within the vineyard, so to speak! “Dave knows Zinfandel far better than I do,” shares Cappelli, whose enological profession began after graduating from UC Davis, working in European wine houses, and perfecting his winemaking skills in the Napa Valley for 17 years. Dave and Marco have been working together since 2002, and they bounce ideas off one another with ease. “I’m happy to defer to someone with the knowledge that Dave has and the reputation he’s built for making quality wines. I’ve learned a lot from him,” says Marco. On the flip side, Pratt admits, “Marco’s told me a few times ‘I’d like to pick your brain about what you’re doing with Zinfandel’ and I tell him, ‘Marco, you’ve forgotten more than I will ever know! That would be a very short conversation.” The Pratts gained their own wine knowledge through a supportive wine community of local growers and vintners, with names like Rich Gilpin, winemaker at Lavender Ridge Winery and Cappelli, former winemaker and vice-president of Swansons Winery in Napa. In turn, they firmly believe in educating visitors on the different aspects of the wine industry. “We’re trying to educate people on Semillon,” says Kim, explaining that it’s not just a blending grape or dessert wine. For instance, it’s a versatile grape with lush roundness that loves oak and structure. Currently, Dave is perfecting a Loire style Sauvignon Blanc, which, in the regions of Northern France, are aging 10 years. Dave points out that Australia is currently producing Semillons that are built to age 20 years. “Semillon is our featured white wine, and we accept that as a challenge, but it’s working,” notes Pratt. Likewise, Kim and Dave are working on changing people’s perception of Merlot. The varietal has suffered a bit of hard times due to the Sideways backlash, and now winemakers like Pratt are working harder to make it the way it’s supposed to be made. According to Pratt, the age-worthy grape has structure and is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux. “It goes back to Old World traditions-making something the way it’s supposed to be made,” says Dave. “We’re making Merlots meant to age for 25 years.” In addition to wine tasting and wine knowledge, DK’s tasting room offers a pleasing array of wine themed giftware and gourmet items. But what really stands out is the attractive “dkanter” sitting on the counter – one of the perks new wine club members receive when they sign up for the dkanters wine club. Among others, special events for wine clubbers include an annual chef-prepared wine dinner and a “camp-out” barbecue for members with RVs. The contemporary tasting room sits atop a breezy hill measuring 2813 feet above sea level, featuring panoramic views of everything from the Sierras to the Bay, surrounded by rolling hillsides covered in vineyards just below. Kim Pratt designed the tasting room to be comfortable and inviting. “We want you to feel like you’ve come to our home,” she says with a quick smile, adding that the cool granite tops of the tasting counter are what she would have chosen for her own home. DK Cellars offers wine enthusiasts an elegant collection to sample, with several new releases on the way! Here are a just few highlights: 2004 Meritage (Fair Play, Pratt Vineyards)-A full bodied blend of merlot, cabernet and cab franc, this balanced selection offers smooth layers of cherries, plum and pepper, ending with a long luxurious finish. Winner Double Gold 2008 Calaveras County Fair and Best of Class 2008 Amador County Fair 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (Fair Play, Pratt Vineyards)-Bright cherry and anise flavors meld with a subtle earthy base transitioning 2005 Reserve Zinfandel (Fair Play, Herbert Vineyard)-Peppery with bright blackberry and plum flavors mingling over a long lasting finish. Winner Gold Medal 2008 Best of Appellation Awards–Sierra Foothills, Double Gold 2008 El Dorado County Fair, Frank Herbert Memorial Award-Best Zinfandel from El Dorado Country Grapes, Gold Medal & Best of Class of Region-Sierra Foothills-2008 California State Fair 2005 Rattler Red is a special blend of red wine offered by the winery. Produced by the Pratt’s son, Mitch, whose wine making career began at the ripe age of 10, when he first made hisown Cab/Merlot blend that went on to win regional home winemaking competitions. Currently a senior at Placerville’s Union Mine High School in Placerville, Mitch’s red table wine is named for his high school’s little league football program, the Jr. Rattlers,and the wine bears the logo of the school mascot, the Diamondbacks. For every bottle sold, the Pratts donate $1 to the school’s Athletic Booster Club for their sports programs. Rattler Red’s current release is a blend of six grapes and retails for $14 a bottle. Anytime is wine time, and this is the perfect time to visit DK Cellars and the other fine wineries of Fair Play. Join in on a Poker Run, Winemaker Dinner, or barrel tasting, and look forward to getting “lost” while you discover what lots of wine lovers call their “little undiscovered area.” DK Cellars is located at 7380 Vineyard View Drive in Fair Play, |
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On a clear day, you can see San Francisco in the far distance. Yet standing atop the windy knoll where DK Cellars sits in El Dorado wine country’s Fair Play a wine lover can feel worlds away from any form of city life.
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