Vezér Family Vineyard
Mankas Corner Tasting Room
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Vezér Family Vineyard located in Suisun City, California is within the Suisun Valley AVA. This is a winery that is all about family – immediate family, extended family and winery family. Together they are all working together to create a winery lifestyle and quality wines. Visitors will be delighted with the fine wines and friendliness in the tasting room.
History
Vezér Family Vineyards began growing grapes for other wineries. Frank and Liz Vezér, owners, work together with Liz having a discerning palate built upon her cooking skills. She can immediately note the quality wines. In 2003, they made the decision to begin making their own quality wines from their grapes. After a personal loss, Frank decided he wanted to work in a business that allowed him to be at home more. He believes that the wine business is a lifestyle. Currently the Vezérs have vineyards in Suisun Valley and a block of grapes in Lodi.
The tasting room at Mankas Corner Tasting Room is located in what previously had been the Suisun Valley General Mercantile and original “Pony Express” station. Frank purchased the buildings and property at a corner of Mankas Corner Road. He renovated the buildings and set up the tasting room.
While sitting in the deli that is adjacent to the tasting room we enjoyed tasting several wines with Frank. The deli, with several small tables, is comfortably informal. We discovered that in the winery all work on the red wines is done by hand. In the winery, Frank uses Missouri and French oak. He likes to put the wine in soft oak until malolactic fermentation. In 2008 the Vezér Family Vineyards produced 9,000 cases.
White Wine
Verdelho 2006 is a Portuguese varietal, an unusual grape to be discovered. The aroma was like a fruit salad and was very fruity. The taste reminded one of a fruit salad. The finish was crisp and fruity. Verdelho 2007 offered a smooth taste and a finish that was also sweet and fruity.
Red Wine
La Salette 2006, the flagship wine, was a blend of 65 percent Petite Sirah and 35 percent Zinfandel. The color was a dark opaque purple with an aroma of black fruits. The taste offered perfume and black fruit nuances. The finish was fruity with bold tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon Suisun Valley 2006 had an aroma and taste of black fruit with especially blackberry and plum notes. The color was a dark opaque purple with a ruby rim. The finish was crisp, with bold tannins and fruit. Zinfandel Suisun Valley 2006 offered a plum aroma and taste. The taste included nuances of light perfume. The finish had mild tannins. Petite Sirah 2006 was produced with 100 percent Petite Sirah. The wine was a dark opaque purple. The aroma may remind one of a forest floor while the taste was of black fruit. There were bold tannins on the finish.
In addition to the tasting room and deli, there is a beautiful garden area where one can enjoy a glass of wine. An outdoor event area can be used for weddings. A barrel room is located on the first floor of a chateau-like structure. The second floor is an apartment for rent.
Enjoy a visit to Vezér Family Vineyards at the Mankas Corner Tasting Room.
Vezér Family Vineyards
Mankas Corner Tasting Room
2522 Mankas Corner Road
Suisun City, California 94534
GPS: N38º 17.157’ W122º 06.419’
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