We just got back from the Winemakers Magazine wine making conference.

Four wonderful days in Napa – and lots of great information on viticulture and wine making. Plus lots of tasting-not just Napa wines but wines from all over. 4,474 entries in this year’s competition.

The highlight is the Friday night wine swap where all of us Winemakers bring our wines and share them with the other 500 attendees. Tons of great amateur wine out there from all over the place. Habanera wine? It was there. Ice wine? Ditto.

Great people and great wines made for a great time. If you are an amateur wine maker this is the conference to be at. Next year it will be in the Columbia gorge area.

We got a gold medal for our Castaic “Scorched Earth” 2007 Syrah and another gold for our Red Mountain Cabernet. Our Pinot Grigio and Gruner got a Silver and Bronze respectively.

We met some local wine maker/growers from Castaic and Antelope Valley there too. (If you happen to be in the Sonoma Coast area and want a wonderful dining experience try Nick’s Cove-Great food, service and location.)

Tonight we sampled our 08 Castaic Colombard and it is a remarkably powerful white wine. Pale gold in color with grass and melon on the nose. Great balance with citrus (orange blossoms?) and tropical nuances, incredible mouth feel and a fruity, crisp, lingering finish. WOW! I am calling the nursery and ordering more of these vines tomorrow.

Also sampled the 08 Malvasia Bianca-golden color, light apricot on the nose with grapefruit, pineapple, honey and coconut in the mouth. Nice balance of fruit and acid, good mouth feel, silky. Santa Clarita is showing the potential to be a great wine making area! Give us a jingle some time and we can try the Syrah and Cab and whatever. Hope all is well,