Hoyt Family Vineyards
Get the Dirt from Carol Hoyt
“We fell in love with the industry when we lived in San Francisco when my husband and I were first married. We’d go up to Napa and stay at working vineyards. We knew this was something we wanted to do. We then moved to southern CA, and when we found our house in Malibu, there was a vineyard across the way and we knew we could plant there. We planted our first crop in 2001 and harvested from there in 2004.”
My husband and I started growing in Malibu in around 2001. This property grows our estate grown, award wining, Chardonnay still today. In 2011 we aquired a ranch & vineyard in Paso Robles as well. To date our wines are bottled at Terravant in Buellton. We currently pour: Chadonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, White Wine Blend, Tempranillo, Pinot Grigio and a Red Wine Blend, sourced from Malibu, Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and Santa Barbara.
What was your first vintage year?
Our first year to make wine was 2003 in my Kitchen.
How many cases do you make per vintage?
We make any where from 75-300 per varietal, totaling about 750 cases a year.
Do you have a Tasting Room?
No tasting room but people can make an appointment with us by contacting: carolhoyt@mac.com 310-963-2345
If not you, who is your winemaker?
Me. Carol Hoyt.
How did you get your start in the winemaking business?
We fell in love with the industry when we lived in San Francisco when my husband and I were first married. We'd go up to Napa and stay at working vineyards. We knew this was something we wanted to do. We then moved to southern CA, and when we found our house in Malibu, there was a vineyard across the way and we knew we could plant there. We planted our first crop in 2001 and harvested from there in 2004.
What wine made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery?
Our first wine ever made was Cabernet. We grow Chardonnay in Malibu and Cab, Tempranillo, Viognier, Grenache and Petit Verdot in Paso – we make what we like to drink!
What varietals do you work with? Which varietal/wine is your favorite to make? Why?
We make a Cab, Tempranillo, and a red blend – we love to blend. This year we are adding a Petite Sirah, Also we have a Pinot Grigio and a white blend as well as our always a hit Chardonnay.
What vineyards do you source from? Why? If estate, why did you choose the spot you're in?
We were sourcing fruit from Paso Robles and fell in love with the fruit and the teroir, so it was natural for us to buy property and plant here. We love the west side.
What type of oak treatment do you use? Why?
We use new and used French oak – most often medium toast. Depending on the grape it can stay on oak for two years.
What do you love about your winemaking region? What makes it different special?
We love making wine in Paso and Malibu – there is still the feeling of comradery and hominess of the people and the winemakers and growers. The area is just beautiful!
We're curious…do you even get tired of drinking your own wine?
You should love to drink your own wine – if you don’t love it how can you can expect to have others like it. That way if it doesn’t sell you can always enjoy it! Make what you like to drink – it is like cooking what you like to eat!
Do you still have a day job?
Yes – that is how we can afford this!!
For more information about Hoyt Family Vineyards, please visit their website or follow them on FACEBOOK.