Hmm,… the 2nd most popular in America? Gotta be in Napa Valley right? Maybe the Mondavi Winery or maybe V. Sattui with its deli and picnic grounds. Or maybe it’s Ferrari Carano in Sonoma with its sculpted gardens and expansive tasting room and gift shop. Well… if most popular equates to most visited, then the 2nd most popular winery doesn’t reside in Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley or even California. In fact, it’s not even in the continental United States but right in Hawaii’s own backyard. Right on the beautiful slopes of Haleakala on the Valley Isle of Maui.
The Tedeschi Vineyards
In the mid 1800s, Captain James Makee acquires ranch property on the slopes of Ulupalakua and renames it Rose Ranch after his wife’s favorite flower, the Maui rose or lokelani. Two decades later, the “Merrie Monarch” or King David Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani become frequent visitors to Rose Ranch so a cottage is constructed for the King.
Fast forward a century or so and C. Pardee Erdman acquires the property and names it Ulupalakua Ranch. Another decade or so passes and Erdman partners with Californian Emil Tedeschi and Tedeschi Vineyards is created.
The Wine History
Emil Tedeschi knew that he wanted to produce a sparkling wine at the new winery. However, the classic Champagne grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier weren’t ideally suited for propagation on these volcanic slopes. Tedeschi turned to a hybrid grape developed at the University of California called the Carnelian which could grow in hotter climates and produced higher acid levels, crucial in sparkling wine production. The Carnelian was an offspring of a Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignane which was further crossbred with Grenache. While the success of the Carnelian floundered in California, it did take root on the slopes of Haleakala.
While Tedeschi waited for his Carnelian vines to mature (it takes several years for grape vines to mature to produce palatable wine), he started producing wine from pineapple concentrate and named it Maui Blanc. It took me years to try Maui Blanc since pineapple wine locally goes by another name; pineapple swipe. Supposedly pineapple cannery workers would take fresh ripe pineapples, cleanly sever the crown then macerate the flesh within. After carefully placing the crown back on the top to create an airtight seal, the macerated pineapple flesh would ferment in a week or so to produce a crude pineapple wine or “swipe” for workers to enjoy illicitly on their breaks. Therefore Maui Blanc wasn’t something I initially rushed to the store to purchase.
A decade after Tedeschi Vineyards was created, they released their first grape based wine; Maui Brut Blanc de Noir. In fact, this sparkling wine was served at Ronald Reagan’s inauguration. Since then, Tedeschi Vineyards has released several other pineapple wine based products; Maui Splash which is Maui Blanc mixed with lilikoi or passion fruit juice for a sweeter version of Maui Blanc and Hula O Maui Sparkling Wine which is sparkling pineapple wine.
They also produce an off dry Rose called Maui Blush, a red table wine called Ulupalakua Red and have continued their sparkling line with Rose Ranch Cuvee. Along with the pineapple and Carnelian based wines, Tedeschi Vineyards also experiments with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah though I’m not sure how much of it gets blended with their current wines.
Visit the Winery
If you ever find yourself vacationing on the Valley Isle, I suggest paying a visit to the 2nd most popular winery in America. Depending on the source, the current tasting room was either the original cottage of King David Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani or a jail for unruly sailors docked at Lahaina. The tasting staff is very friendly, the Upcountry of Maui is very cool and reminiscent of autumn in the States and you can make a complete trip by purchasing beautiful Maui proteas and fragrant Kula Alii lavender. You can also sample their complete collection of pineapple and grape wines then decide if you want to purchase it back in the States at Calistoga Wine Stop (complete line of wines) or Cost Plus (pineapple wines). They do ship to California but as you can guess, wine going from California to Hawaii (or vice versa) carries a heavy shipping toll ($45 for 6 bottles, $60 for 12 bottles).
Tasting Review
Maui Blanc: A very perfumy pineapple aroma with a very light mouth feel and short finish. Great with Chinese sweet and sour dishes as well as lighter seafood.
The Tedeschi Vineyards
In the mid 1800s, Captain James Makee acquires ranch property on the slopes of Ulupalakua and renames it Rose Ranch after his wife’s favorite flower, the Maui rose or lokelani. Two decades later, the “Merrie Monarch” or King David Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani become frequent visitors to Rose Ranch so a cottage is constructed for the King.
Fast forward a century or so and C. Pardee Erdman acquires the property and names it Ulupalakua Ranch. Another decade or so passes and Erdman partners with Californian Emil Tedeschi and Tedeschi Vineyards is created.
The Wine History
Emil Tedeschi knew that he wanted to produce a sparkling wine at the new winery. However, the classic Champagne grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier weren’t ideally suited for propagation on these volcanic slopes. Tedeschi turned to a hybrid grape developed at the University of California called the Carnelian which could grow in hotter climates and produced higher acid levels, crucial in sparkling wine production. The Carnelian was an offspring of a Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignane which was further crossbred with Grenache. While the success of the Carnelian floundered in California, it did take root on the slopes of Haleakala.
While Tedeschi waited for his Carnelian vines to mature (it takes several years for grape vines to mature to produce palatable wine), he started producing wine from pineapple concentrate and named it Maui Blanc. It took me years to try Maui Blanc since pineapple wine locally goes by another name; pineapple swipe. Supposedly pineapple cannery workers would take fresh ripe pineapples, cleanly sever the crown then macerate the flesh within. After carefully placing the crown back on the top to create an airtight seal, the macerated pineapple flesh would ferment in a week or so to produce a crude pineapple wine or “swipe” for workers to enjoy illicitly on their breaks. Therefore Maui Blanc wasn’t something I initially rushed to the store to purchase.
A decade after Tedeschi Vineyards was created, they released their first grape based wine; Maui Brut Blanc de Noir. In fact, this sparkling wine was served at Ronald Reagan’s inauguration. Since then, Tedeschi Vineyards has released several other pineapple wine based products; Maui Splash which is Maui Blanc mixed with lilikoi or passion fruit juice for a sweeter version of Maui Blanc and Hula O Maui Sparkling Wine which is sparkling pineapple wine.
They also produce an off dry Rose called Maui Blush, a red table wine called Ulupalakua Red and have continued their sparkling line with Rose Ranch Cuvee. Along with the pineapple and Carnelian based wines, Tedeschi Vineyards also experiments with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah though I’m not sure how much of it gets blended with their current wines.
Visit the Winery
If you ever find yourself vacationing on the Valley Isle, I suggest paying a visit to the 2nd most popular winery in America. Depending on the source, the current tasting room was either the original cottage of King David Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani or a jail for unruly sailors docked at Lahaina. The tasting staff is very friendly, the Upcountry of Maui is very cool and reminiscent of autumn in the States and you can make a complete trip by purchasing beautiful Maui proteas and fragrant Kula Alii lavender. You can also sample their complete collection of pineapple and grape wines then decide if you want to purchase it back in the States at Calistoga Wine Stop (complete line of wines) or Cost Plus (pineapple wines). They do ship to California but as you can guess, wine going from California to Hawaii (or vice versa) carries a heavy shipping toll ($45 for 6 bottles, $60 for 12 bottles).
Tasting Review
Maui Blanc: A very perfumy pineapple aroma with a very light mouth feel and short finish. Great with Chinese sweet and sour dishes as well as lighter seafood. 
Maui Blush: An earthier nose with dried fruit but also with a light mouth feel and short finish. Also would pair with lighter Asian cuisine.
Ulupalakua Red: With a nose of green beans, herbs and dried red fruit and a substantial mouth feel, this would be good with hearty stews.info@mauiwine.com
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