Can winegrapes find happiness in a country where the climate is tropical all year long?
Kerry Damskey intends to find out. The man behind Terroirs Incorporated—a consulting firm for wineries—has vast experience growing grapes and making wine from California to China, and from Washington to India and Bulgaria.
And now, according to Decanter, Damskey has planted a vineyard in Costa Rica. He selected Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Grenache for the vineyard, with the first commercial release targeted for 2015.
It didn’t take long for the naysayers to chime in. “Too wet,” opined one person on Decanter’s message board. Indeed, Costa Rica doesn’t have a “rainy season.” Every season is rainy; only the amounts of rain differ.
But Damskey believes he has found a site that’s high enough for grape growing to succeed. If he’s right, he will be a true pioneer. According to Decanter, there never has been a commercial winery in Costa Rica.
Here’s wishing Damskey success. A nice Grenache rosé would match beautifully with a Costa Rican casado lunch.
