Wellington Vineyards. Owned by John and Peter Wellington. Father and son, working together.

Of course, back in 1986, when John purchased the winery, it was twenty acres of old vines and some forgotten fruit and nut trees. We like to think that John took Peter to the top of a hill and said “One day, all this will be yours, my son!” And then we like to think Peter hit his dad with a banana cream pie and sprayed seltzer down his pants. But maybe we’ve watched too much slapstick.

What we do know for sure is that the two of them joined together to clean up those twenty acres, and that first wine was ready for the 1989 crush. Some might say “The Crush” came out in 1993 and starred Alicia Silverstone. But that’s what Wellington Vineyards has always been about. Surprising people.

So take a look at these three 2008 Roussannes, because they might surprise you as well. Roussanne is a variety that has been grown for centuries, in Northern Rhone locations like Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, St. Joseph and St. Peray. These specific grapes carried the aroma of apricot and tropical fruit, ending in a big, fat wine, like honey, which goes well with the floral fruity flavors and the texture.

These days, John and Peter are probably a little more equal. Maybe Peter puts a roller skate near a banana peel. Maybe John ties a piano to the roof and drapes the rope over an open flame. Maybe we’re just planning on watching Looney Toons on our lunch break. But whatever the true story, we think you’ll be happily surprised by the wine.

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