California vintners dig Auburn engineer's caves
By Wine Atlas, Friday 25 January 2008 :: Wine - United-States :: #150 :: rss
Napa Valley vintners are turning to Auburn's Don Magorian to build often-elaborate underground caves to store their wine.
Magorian parlayed his experience in mine engineering, drilling and mechanics into a niche market that has taken off in recent years as vintners move underground to store wine in caves that maintain a constant temperature in the 55-to-60-degree range.
That temperature means reduced evaporation from barrels -- typically saving one liter a month. As an offshoot, the cool, quiet caves are popular for everything from tastings, parties, concerts and tours. The New York Times magazine recently featured a cave dug by Magorian Mine Services that serves as a private art gallery underneath an 1887 farmhouse.
Magorian, 54, worked in the foothills area for several years as an engineer digging gold mines. He found his way to the Napa Valley wine country in 1998 after being called in by a contractor to do blasting work in a cave that was too difficult to cut.
Continue reading: auburnjournal.com
