Scott Brooks took over as tasting room manager at Mt. Konocti Winery in June of last year. But that doesn’t mean he is new to the wine industry. Not at all — his sister is an owner of a Napa label and Brooks spent the last seven years at wineries south of Lake County. Before that, he earned his stripes through 30 years in food service, pairing meals with reds and whites. Although Brooks grew up in Marin, he and his family call the Kelseyville area home.
1. This place is huge. Ever try to get your voice to echo in here?
I sing in here. The accoustics are incredible. In fact, we’re planing to bring bands in here starting at the end of March.
2. What do you sing?
I’ll sing along with the radio, so nothing in particular. But when no one is around, I crank that sucker up.
3. In a tasting room you can’t really plan your day, can you?
No, especially here. We have to be fluid. We just did the Wine and Chocolate event and the Wine Adventure is coming up. The only thing we can plan are the events. The rest of the time — it’s not an easy place to find, but once you do you’ll be back.
4. Say the big game is on. Do you hurry people along with short pours?
No. I couldn’t. I automatically give an ounce and a quarter pour. I’ve been doing it so long it’s automatic.
5. How long does it take to learn the wine?
Not very long, if you’re already a wine person. You know the profile of Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet. Each one [gestures toward bottles] has its nuances, so you pick those up.
6. Why the tasting room?
I love people, I love to talk, I love wine — it all fits into place.
7. How much of this job is educating and how much entertaining?
Educating people is 90 percent of it. Entertaining — that’s just being personable.
8. Do you take wine tours on your days off?
On my off days I’m always working. I go to tasting rooms to see what they’re doing. I want to learn everything about wine.
9. When you’re not drinking wine, you’re drinking …
Vitamin Water [laughs].
10. What is the state of Lake County wines?
They’re definitely getting a lot better. The winemakers here are very good. The microclimates and the soils are different than in Napa or Sonoma. The hardest thing is to get people thinking of Lake County as a destination. We have to get people to come here in the first place and they’ll be back.
