Are you a fan of age-worthy, unapologetically INTENSE RED WINE? If so: Russell P. From—winemaker and founder of Herman Story Wines—is your man.
Herman Story is not your everyday wine brand. How so? For starters, they forgo the standard producer-varietal-proprietary label for striking photo art and swap bland tasting notes for artful vignettes. Turn to the back label of a bottle of Herman Story, and you'll find a tribute to Russel's Grandfather: "Rancher, Logger, Swapper, Banker, Philanthropist, a Teller Of Tales." The kind of man who once traded a herd of cattle for a 60's era Cadillac.
Russell strives to capture the bold spirit of his grandfather in every bottle. "Luscious, decadent, and long-lived wines give him a reputation for pushing the limits on how late he picks his fruit," says Jillian, the brand's ambassador, "particularly the Syrah." For Herman Story fans, opulent Rhone-style reds are the main attraction. It’s no wonder cult-California wine enthusiasts line up to join Herman Story's waitlisted wine club. Russell's sole white wine, "Tom Boy," is a no-nonsense Viognier aged twelve months in 100% new French oak with an ABV clocking in at a whopping 15.2%. To be sure, like all Herman Story wines, this bone-dry, "white wine for red wine drinkers" is not for the timid.
If you've browsed a wine rack recently and found an awkward teenager staring back at you, you've already "met" Herman Story's Late Bloomer series. Legend has it; after a shy lot of grenache spent two years in barrel, Russel kept it aging. A year later, Russell finally deemed it ready (the current release sees 48 months—a crazy long time for Grenache). The problem was: Herman Story had no idea how to brand it. Until, that is, a friend spied Russel's middle-school photo on his fridge at home. One look at that goofy grin spread under coke-bottle glasses, and serendipity took over.
"That became the first label," says Jillian. "And since then, we've summoned wine club members to submit their best "late bloomer" photo. We ask for a before and after picture to make sure everyone's feeling like they emerged from their awkward youth."
The fun doesn't stop there. Russell flies the winner out to the tasting room in Paso Robles and puts them up in the "Infinity Room," the winery's luxury guest suite. At the release party (when public safety allows), the staff treats the honorary guest like royalty. "Some Late Bloomers have gotten to wear a cape and crown," continues Jillian. "For another, we had a sticker made to hand out that said, "I've met the Late Bloomer." After a night to remember, Herman Story ships the honoree home, a case of their wine in tow.
The Late Bloomer series may vary with each vintage. But the essence of the Herman Story remains constant. By producing wines with such depth of character—both in and outside the bottle—Russell continues his grandfather's "jack-of-all-trades" legacy.