New winery will be open first Saturday of the month
Published in the May 27-June 9, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
Photo by Robert Airoldi
Karen Seeker at the outdoor wine tasting bar of Seeker Vineyards in San Martin.
Looking for a fun hobby producing wine, Randy and Karen Seeker bought a 2 ½-acre property in San Martin that included about 1 ½ acres of grape vines. That “hobby” turned into a job. On June 6, the couple will debut their first bottling of Seeker Vineyard wines.
The Seekers were living in Southern California and came to the Bay Area in 2009 when Randy, now 62, got a job with Calera Corporation in Moss Landing. They rented a home and acclimated to the South Valley area and soon fell in love with Northern California.
“This house came on the market and we bought it with the assumption this would be a hobby, but we fell in love with the wine-making process and our plans started to develop,” Karen, 58, said. “Eventually our retirement plan is to run the vineyard.”
And the couple has plans for production of more than wine. They have planted 42 Kalamata olive trees and the first olives will be harvested this year. And watch for their upcoming release of Seeker IPA Beer.
Nestled aside redwoods, the winery gives its visitors a place to walk among the olive trees, stroll through the rose garden, or join in a game of volleyball or horseshoes.The vineyard is located next door to Bright Ranch Riding Academy and the Seekers are looking into partnering in some form, said Karen, who leads the learning and development department for Moss Adams, an accounting firm based in Seattle.
The vines on the property were about a decade old when the Seekers purchased the property four years ago. This fall will be there fifth harvest and they’re getting better and better, she said.
“We took our time and learned the process before opening,” she said. They made a mistake one year keeping the wine in the oak barrels too long but blended it with another wine to make their elegant “Seeker Syrah.”
“Each year we learn more and more,” she said.
The Seekers have had a lot of help from local vintners including Sarah’s, Solis, Guglielmo, Lightheart and others who have generously shared their wine-making wisdom.
“They’ve been very helpful and willing to share,” Karen said.
Randy is into the science aspect of wine making and has largely taught himself the trade. He attended workshops, spoke with others and did a lot of reading and research, which is in his nature, Karen said.
The property includes tables shaded with canopies, an outdoor bar and a plan to host events such as weddings, anniversaries and retirement parties.
“I love putting on events,” she said. “I love that side of the business. “He does the wine-making part and so it makes a perfect partnership … a perfect marriage.”
Roses have a special meaning at Seeker Vineyard. A rose on every bottle of their wine is a reminder of her grandma’s rose bushes, her mother’s hand-painted china, their niece whose middle name is Rose, and the indelible rose tattoo on Karen’s ankle.
“Beyond the significance roses have to us, they represent the love and care we put into our wine,” Karen said. “Nothing compares to the aroma, richness, and joy that comes from receiving a bouquet of fragrant roses. We want to create that same blissful feeling when we share our wine with you.”
As far as the future for Seeker Vineyard, Karen said they want to keep their operation at a fun family-run scale.
“We don’t want to be one of the big guys,” she said. “We want to keep it small and special.”
