Visit with Greg and Linda Pearl of Pearlessence Vineyard Inn

We are in California to attend the Unified Grape and Wine Symposium in Sacramento and came a little earlier, seizing the opportunity to go to a few places that may help us lower the steep learning curve that we find ourselves on, for growing grapes and making wine. My husband did some research on line and arranged for us to stay at the Pearlessence Vineyard Inn in Sebastopol. When he made the arrangements, he mentioned that Greg and Linda sell their grapes and he recalled having a Mueller wine made with grapes from Pearlessence. I keep a folder called "Wine Country" (yes, I am a pack rat), and when I looked through it, hoping to find some maps of Sonoma and Napa, I found a Mueller Wine Club selection sheet from 1999 that offered Pinot Noir Pearlessence Vineyards. Small world.
When we arrived on Thursday, Linda greeted us with an umbrella and apologized for the rain, but it turned out that the area had not seen any rain since October, so it was a much needed event. Linda invited us to join them for a wine tasting the next night at 5:30, tasting the Pinot Blanc that they made and Pinot Noir made from Pearessence grapes by Ehren Jordan of Failla Wines. To accompany the wine, Linda had created a plate for each of us with dried fruit, cheese, nuts, honey and a bread stick, arranged in such a way that it looked like edible art. As a testament to the deliciousness of the wines and the convivial conversation, when we got up from the table, Greg asked us if we were going to dinner. We told Greg that we were wonderfully satiated. When we returned to our room, I was shocked that it was 10:45!
The following day, Greg showed us around his vineyard, giving us a short lesson in pruning techniques. It is clear that the vineyard is being well taken care of. The vines are now twenty years old but they look healthy and happy.
If you ever find yourself in Sebastopol and need a place to stay, we highly recommend Pearlessence Vineyard Inn for a unique experience.