There are many unusual names for wineries around the world - and usually there is a story behind the name - so it is for Harvey & Harriet, some lovely wines out of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, California - which just happen to be two of my favourite parts of that state!
When Booker Wines founder Eric Jensen decided to put out a line of high quality but approachable wines out of the Paso Robles wine region, he named the new wines after his parents, Harvey & Harriet.
And when Jensen added a second wine line, he called it My Favorite Neighbor [U.S. spelling, eh?] - in honour of Stefan Asseo, of next door L'Aventure Winery, to show the respect winemakers and vineyard owners in the area have for each other.
Booker Wines will be attending the fabulous Vancouver International Wine Festival 2025 - running from February 22 to March 2 - and you still have a chance to buy tickets to the International Festival Tastings on Thursday February 27, Friday February 28 and Saturday March 1 from 7 till 10 p.m. or the matinee tasting Saturday March 1 from 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Harvey & Harriet wines can also be found in some British Columbia private liquor stores, including Marquis Wines, and in other wine stores across Canada. I had an opportunity to taste these wines last year and can testify that they meet the test of providing quality wines at all price points, as former winemaker Kyle Jury told me.
The standout for me was My Favorite Neighbor 2021 - a delicious blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Petit Syrah and 1% Syrah - with black cherry, cassis and spice leading to blackberry, plum and tobacco notes. The wine is from Paso Robles AVA, one of my favourite [Canadian spelling!] places for both wine and wine touring. It retails for about $82 plus tax. The 2020 vintage was also a knockout, with a 95 point score from the Wine Advocate!
There is also a My Favorite Neighbor Blanc 2022 - a 100% Chardonnay from San Luis Obispo - done in a Burgundian style, with 50% new oak, malolactic fermentation and barrel fermented and aged. It is also lovely, with citrus, apple and brioche and a long, crisp finish. It retails for about $75 plus tax.
Not to be outdone by its big brother, the Harvey & Harriet Red Blend 2021 from San Luis Obispo is extremely tasty - a blend with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 12% Syrah, 7% Petit Syrah, 7% Malbec, 2% Grenache and 2% Cabernet Franc. You will find blackberry, fig, currant as well as spice, leather and cocoa notes.
The Wine Enthusiast magazine agreed, awarding it 94 points. It retails for about $40 plus tax.
You will also enjoy the Harvey & Harriet White Blend 2022 from San Luis Obispo - with Chardonnay, Albarino, Viognier and Pinot Grigio joining together in a glass that gives you tangerine, pineapple and honeydew with freshness, nice acidity and some new oak as well!
So, don't miss the Vancouver International Wine Festival and be sure to visit the Booker Wines table at the big tastings - you will not be disappointed - nor with Booker's other excellent offerings!
