Winemaker celebrates milestone

Old Creek Ranch label John and Carmel Whitman went from buying grapes by the pound to selling them by the ton when they inherited a local winery 10 years ago.

The couple will host an open house to release their 2003 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon and 2005 Sauvignon Blanc at their Old Creek Ranch Winery in Oak View this weekend.

Whitman is the daughter of Mike and Carmel Maitland, who founded the award-winning winery in 1981. The elder Carmel bought the 320-acre ranch property while her husband was on a business trip in Europe in 1976.

The Whitmans manage the ranch they now own, and Camarillo resident Chuck Branham, a co-founder of the winery, is still in charge of the winemaking at Old Creek.

John and Carmel Whitman worked in television before they took over the agricultural venture. Although at first they weren't sure about follow the winemaking path, they're now glad they took on the venture.

Working with nature is unpredictable but it's rewarding, they said.

The ranch's location on Highway 33 between Ojai and Ventura features a unique microclimate that doesn't accommodate the standard Southern California crops of avocados, oranges and lemons.

"It was a perfect place to grow grapes until insects destroyed the entire crop," Carmel said. But the setback didn't discourage the business partners.

Instead of growing their own grapes, they now use grapes purchased in the Napa Valley to produce the tasty wines that are sold onsite at their ranch, at local restaurants and in stores.

"Each winemaker has his or her own way of making wine," John said. The quality of the wine is determined by the quality of the vineyard, but the style of the wine is determined by the winemaker. Even if they get the grapes from the same vineyards, winemakers will have different wines in the end, he said, because winemakers have an opportunity to put their own personality into the wine.

"But you can't make a silk purse out of a swine's ear," John said: a good crop is essential.

Old Creek Ranch wines are aged in oak barrels. "We cold press all the red wines before they're fermented," he said. The skins are soaked in the grape juices for a few days as well.

"Our wines are unique and they are changing," the winemaker said. He focuses on a French style that is generally dry, with nuances and flavors that are accessible to the palate.

One of the wines offered at the open house event this weekend will be labeled for Carmel Maitland, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of her passing and her accomplishments with the winery.

"She would be so proud of this piece of property and the successes we've made," John said.

The large property is also used to raise calves, and the owners recently planted 1,200 cherry trees, which will bear fruit in about five years.

The winery is located at 10024 Old Creek Road. It's open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A tasting room that looks over the ranch property adjoins the winery facility. Snacks will be offered to complement the wine tasting and locally produced food items are available for sale.

Visit http://oakcreekranch.com for more information.