I arrived about 10 am. I had not arranged a visit ahead of time because I wasn't sure of my time availability, but was warmly greeted by Naseem Momtazi (one of the three Momtazi daughters involved in the winery) who graciously allowed me to wander the property and take photos. The first impression I had while walking the property (which is over 500 acres, about 260 acres planted in vines I believe) is that there is an enormous amount of water on the property. Water was running in streams in a number of areas.
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[/URL]Other impressions were of just how big the vineyard is - and I only went to part of it. It is also very steep in spots. I put my treadmill at incline training to good use and climbed up about halfway to the top. I had to hang on to the guide wires on the way down in spots. It reminded me of Germany.URL=http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/biglagoon/?action=view¤t=P1060161.jpg]
[/URL]Each of the rows was labeled with info on vines and planting dates. (Clickable photos for expansion)
A new winery is being constructed on the property. Anne, one of the pleasant winery employees, mentioned to me that the construction materials were being created from the property itself. It is quite an undertaking. Old wine barrel staves are being used in the interior. Here are a few pictures.
I met the owner of the winery, Mr. Moe Momtazi as he was talking with a contractor about the building, and later in the office of the original winery. He was quite welcoming to me, and rather self-effacing, as well as being a person of enormous energy and vision. Here is his picture.
I enjoyed the visit and the land. I will follow this vineyard and winery with interest in the future.