I lack all of those artistic skills and always had a need of self-expression. I learned while making wine at home that I did have artistic capabilities of some kind. You have to get the science right or it won't be any good, but to make wines you have to understand them on an intuitive level. You have to have something beyond the science. Oakstone is a welcome addition to the Fairplay wine tour.
Visitors can taste some of the wines that have been winning awards statewide.
Fairplay, and El Dorado wineries in general, are referred to as friendly and where the owner or winemaker is of then the one pouring out the wine in the tasting room. In addition to being free, the wine for tasting is frequently accompanied by freshly made hors d'ouvers, brownies made by the owner, or an invitation to taste aging wines straight from the barrel in the cellar room. The tight-knit group of vintners in Fairplay are determined to create an area that resonates for its friendliness as well as for its wines. We served the brownies and the whole tasting room stayed all afternoon. Now I make them and serve them every day along with bread and cheese and other goodies.