All-New Wine Trolley Rolls Into the Santa Maria Valley

June 14, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

(Santa Maria, Calif.) – An exciting new development has made its way into the Santa Maria Valley. The Santa Maria Valley wine trolley will bring a whole new way of experiencing the wine region.

Santa Maria’s new Downtown Trolley will transport consumers between shopping center serving a holiday shuttle this year. The vehicle is equipped with a classic trolley bell.

The wine trolley will run Saturdays and Sundays, and run every 75 minutes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting at Town Center West. The wine trolley will also run one additional route from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., but will exclude Cottonwood Canyon and Presqu’ile wineries. Stops will include:

Town Center West near the pedestrian bridge (downtown Santa Maria on S. Broadway)
Costa de Oro Winery
Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard & Winery
Presqu’ile Winery
Old Town Orcutt – Old Town Market
Old Town Orcutt – Rooney’s Irish Pub

The wine trolley runs from May – September (subject to change).

The cost is $10 per person in advance, and $15 per person at the Trolley (transportation only), and is step on, step off, at your convenience. Tickets can be purchased at Ca’ Del Grevino Wine & Café Bar, Core Winery, Costa de Oro Winery, Cottonwood Canyon Winery, Nagy Wine Tasting Room, Old Town Market and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce Visitor & Convention Bureau. Check the Santa Maria Valley website for pick-up times and locations.

“We are absolutely thrilled about providing our visitors a new way to experience the gorgeous scenery of the Santa Maria Valley while allowing them to stop at many different locations and attractions,” said Glenn Morris, president and chief executive officer of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor and Convention Bureau. “It is another fantastic reason to explore this hidden gem of an area and enjoy what we locals get to experience every day.”

The Central Coast’s most historic wine lives in the Santa Maria Valley. The area has the oldest appellation in the area and nearly two centuries of experience in growing grapes. The Santa Maria Valley is one of the most agriculturally diverse regions in the U.S. with a wealth of fruits and vegetables grown on the valley floor and vineyards hugging the hillsides. It’s a place where flavor runs rampant and taste buds can indulge because what they serve is grown, cooked and corked right here. The Santa Maria Valley has one of California’s longest growing seasons and a truly rare transverse geography resulting in the development of complex, flavorful and balanced grapes. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah are our specialties. These are composed of well-drained soils that also contribute to exceptional fruit intensity and flavor concentration.

The Santa Maria Valley is a recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA) within Santa Barbara County; the AVA encompasses one of the top wine regions in the world. The Travel Channel named the Santa Maria Valley The New Top 10 Cities for Wine Snobs.

For more information, please visit santamariavalley.com.

About Santa Maria Valley:

Serving the greater Santa Maria Valley in the heart of California’s Central Coast, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau is a nonprofit association that facilitates local tourism and provides information on the region’s many attractions and visitor services. Famed for its fine wines, natural wonders, agricultural heritage and flavorful barbecue, the Santa Maria Valley offers a broad range of cultural, sporting and historical experiences. For details on Santa Maria Valley lodging, wine tasting, travel deals and e-newsletter alerts, visit santamariavalley.com or call (800) 331-3779.

Tasting with Emilien Boutillat, Winemaker of Champagne Armand de Brignac and the “Best Blanc de Noirs in the World”

May 5, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

What a rare treat it was for me to sample the current releases from Champagne Armand de Brignac, aka “Ace of Spades”, that I had to admit I have never sampled before. This is how it went:

The Stage

The boardroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel was the perfect size for a small group of wine writers, wine store buyers, restauranteurs and sommeliers. The table was set with five engraved tasting glasses, courtesy Armand de Brignac. Winemaker Emilien Boutillat sat in the center. Five metallic bottles, each its own unique glistening color, sat icing in a golden bowl. The lighting was brought up so that we could examine our samples. French bottled water was poured to cleanse our palates. A brunch was set up on the side bar to enjoy after the tasting. Sparkling silver wine buckets would soon be – only slightly – filled with leftovers. But there weren’t many leftovers…

Tasting With Emilien Boutillat

Winemaker Emilien Boutillat grew up in Champagne and worked with some very prestigious wineries in Bordeaux, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, South Africa, New Zealand, Chile and California before settling back down in France. He works now with the lead winemaking team: Jean-Jacques and Alexandre Cattier.

Boutillat said that Armand de Brignac produces “just a drop” of Champagne compared to others; only producing about 100,000 cases of all of their cuvees combined per year. Everything, including the riddling, is done by hand. What matters most is the soil, climate, the right time for harvest, blending and – only using the first press of juice. They have purchased from the same growers – who are now friends – every year for many years. “There are no tricks,” Boutillat commented, “we let the fruit talk.” All of the cuvees are multi-vintages and blends.

Brut Gold

40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier

Multi-vintage: 2009, 2010 and 2012

The color of pale hay with aromas of green apple, pineapple, cheddar cheese and wet pebbles. On the mouth I got the same flavors, very bright fruit, with the additions of lemon and toast. 99 Eve pts.

Rosé

50% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay

Multi-vintage: 2009, 2010 and 2012

A beautiful color or rose gold with notes of strawberry, Luxardo cherry and a hint of licorice on the nose followed by flavors of strawberry, limeade, orange zest and a nice long finish. (This was made as a blend, not in the saignée method.) 99 Eve pts.

Blanc de Blancs

100% Chardonnay

Multi-vintage: 2009, 2010 and 2012

A very pale yellow in color, then a nose of ripe red delicious apple, roasted nuts, lemon-lime and white pepper. On the mouth I got pineapple, white peach, white tea and roasted nuts again. 100 Eve pts.

Blanc De Noirs Assemblage Two

100% Pinot Noir

Multi-vintage: 2008, 2009 and 2010

Pale gold in color and aromas of apricots, cream and yes…what everyone noted: peppermint. On the palate that same peppermint was apparent as well as apricot and peach. Also another incredibly long finish. Welcome to the U.S. my pretty friend! 100 Eve pts. (How could I disagree with Fine Champagne Magazine, and TastingBook.com, that named this the best Blanc De Noirs of the year in 2016?)

Demi Sec

40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier

Multi-vintage: 2009, 2010 and 2012

Straw in color, and a nose of fruit cocktail, cheese corn and Jasmine! In the mouth I was reminded of candied apple and cinnamon toast, and the fruit lingers for another long finish. 98 Eve pts.

About Armand de Brignac

“10th and 11th generation champagne growers, Jean-Jacques Cattier and his son, Alexandre, craft the prestige cuvées of Armand de Brignac. Their dream was to create a champagne of the most exceptional quality, that would represent the best of the best from the region, where their family have grown vines for more than 250 years. A group of just 14 highly skilled people touch a bottle of Champagne Armand de Brignac, from pressing the fruit, to the moment the bottles leave the cellars. Each step of the process is led by the human touch, from handpicking the grapes to polishing each bottle and hand-applying French pewter labels. Without the pressures of volume, the team behind Champagne Armand de Brignac focuses on each small detail, to ensure ultimate quality at every step.”

http://armanddebrignac.com/home

https://twitter.com/armanddebrignac

https://www.instagram.com/armanddebrignac/

https://www.facebook.com/ArmanddeBrignac/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

CASA DE UCO LAUNCHES SALES OF FULLY MANAGED VINEYARD PARCELS IN MENDOZA

March 25, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

The boutique vineyard and resort in one of the top wine capitals of the world now offers wine enthusiasts the opportunity to become winemakers in Mendoza, Argentina

Mendoza, Argentina—Casa de Uco, a family-owned vineyard and boutique resort spanning 800-acres in the Uco Valley, launched sales of its organic, fully managed vineyard parcels for wine enthusiasts from all over the world to fulfil their dreams of growing, producing and indulging in their own wine. In what is known as one of the world’s most prosperous terroir for growing Malbec grapes, Casa de Uco offers the opportunity to work side by side with its team of experts without the steep upfront costs of building a winery.

home-1 At the vineyard estate, part of the unsung wine region of Uco Valley and typically referred to as Argentina’s Napa Valley of 30 years ago, inspiring vintners can purchase one or more of Casa de Uco’s 80 plots of land, from half an acre and up starting at $45,000.

Parcel owners have a flexible level of desired involvement and can choose to engage at any and/or every stage of the process, which involves selecting the type of soil, grape picking and crushing, ageing the wine in a customized oak barrel and creating tailored names and labels. Meanwhile, Casa de Uco’s team of world-class expert agronomists and enologists take care of the maintenance, harvest, fermentation process, bottling and labeling as well as logistics of exporting the final product. The expert team is led by world-renowned Alberto Antonini, head winemaker and consultant, well-known known for pioneering Argentine Malbec wines’ international recognition and appreciation.

“Based on my 16 years of experience winemaking in Uco Valley, I can say some of Mendoza’s best wines come from Uco Valley, which is celebrated for its exceptional terroir for organic, premium wine crafting,” said Alberto Antonini.

The experience grants vineyard owners the option to take the wine home, sell it for revenue and/or include their personalized wines in Casa de Uco’s restaurant wine list.

They also receive an annual vineyard planning consultation with Casa de Uco specialists, a complimentary resort membership, complimentary stays, discounted hotel and dining rates and access to the resort’s cultural and outdoor amenities and activities.

The property, tucked away in the foothills of the snow-capped Andes Mountains, receives 300 days of sun and is organically managed under near-perfect desert-like climate, which is ideal for grape growing. There are eight grape varieties vineyard owners can choose from, including four reds and four whites.

“Eight years ago, my father and I wanted to build private residences in what was then untouched land in the Uco Valley until we realized that, like for us, winemaking is a passion for many, so we created a setting where we could share the winemaking passion with wine lovers from all over the world without the hassles that managing a vineyard entail, “said Casa de Uco’s owner and founder, Juan Tonconogy.

The property also launched sales of its 10 virgin plots among the vineyard for owners to purchase their own two-to-three-bedroom residential villa. The sustainable, turnkey villas boast unparalleled seclusion and panoramic views of the mountains and surrounding vineyards with modern yet relaxed furnishings. The villas are designed by renowned architectural firm Alberto Tonconogy & Associates, owned and founded by Juan Tonconogy’s father.

The self-sufficient villas boast green rooftops, solar and photovoltaic panels, geothermal energy in floorings and walls for heating and air-conditioning, and self-contained water and heating systems. Each site is separated by natural flora that provides maximum intimacy and most importantly, preserves the biodiversity and natural environment of the estate.

Villa and vineyard owners can take advantage of an array of activities at the resort, including parcel wine paring tastings through the vineyards, vineyard bike and horseback rides, vinotherapy spa treatments, yoga, net fishing, water rafting, vineyard star gazing, cooking classes, blending sessions and vineyard and/or mountainside “asados”, which is an Argentine BBQ cooked over open flames.

Contact info:

http://www.casadeuco.com/

+54 261 476 9831

info@casadeuco.com

Appalachian High Country is Now an Official “Wine Country”

December 31, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Eight counties in the mountains of Appalachia now have their own official “wine country.”

A 2,400-square mile area in the Appalachian mountains, encompassing parts of Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina, has been designated the “Appalachian High Country American Viticultural Area,” according to the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau.

That means that the soils and climate are similar in these eight counties, producing a similar effect on the grapes grown there, according to Wayne Gay, owner of Watauga Lake Winery and Ville Nove Vineyards, in Butler, Tennessee.

“The AVA designation means that we are allowed to label the grapes we grow and the wines we make as being from the Appalachian High Country. The designation is important in the wine industry, where place matters so much,” Gay said.

Most Americans have heard of Sonoma County and Napa Valley, both AVAs.

“We are very pleased that the TTB has recognized the Appalachian High Country as a specific region for growing grapes,” said Gay.

“The destination is not only good news for people involved in viticulture, but also for the region’s tourism industry,” Gay said. “The potential for tourism is phenomenal as this could mean a great increase in people visiting our area, eating at our restaurants, staying in our lodging and taking advantage of all the natural beauty of our mountain and lake region.”

The eight counties in the AVA include Carter and Johnson Counties in Tennessee, Grayson County in Virginia, and Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell and Watauga Counties in North Carolina.

There are currently 21 commercially producing vineyards on 71 acres and 10 wineries within the Appalachian High Country AVA. An additional eight vineyards are planned, which would occupy another 37 acres.

Gay and his wife, Linda Gay, have been growing grapes at Villa Nove Vineyards in Butler, TN, for 12 years. They produce approximately 75,000 lbs. of wine grapes. Five years ago, they opened Watauga Lake Winery in Butler, TN, Johnson County. They have been instrumental in establishing the AVA, which requires soil and climate tests, and a lengthy application process.

Watauga Lake Winery and Ville Nove Vineyards are part of Great Valley Wine Trail.

The American Viticultural Area (AVA) went into effect on Nov. 28, 2016.

Tasting and Lesson: ALSACE WINE + SWINE

May 27, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

A recent grand tasting of Alsatian wines was paired with pork dishes created by Chef Kris Morningstar of LA’s Terrine restaurant and Chef Chris Oh of Hanjip. Organized by lawinetasting.com and produced by Teuwen Communications NY for Wines of Alsace USA, the #DrinkAlsace #AlsaceinLA event was full of appreciative wine and food lovers.

A traditional staple on Alsace tables, pork finds its perfect pairing in the wines of the region. With one of the most varied terroirs in France and mineral-driven, aromatic varieties, Alsace’s wines have the versatility to match the equally adaptable pork….(Taste) over 60 wines—representing Alsace’s five main varieties and sparkling Crémant d’Alsace wines…

Friends Guy Lelarge and Karen Bennett

Tasting

Impressive. With 60 wines to taste (I didn’t have them all) and wonderful pork dishes to pair them with (I think I missed one) it sure was a pleasant way to while away an afternoon educating my palate. If you think white wine (Alsace is known for Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris) has to be paired with white food (fish, chicken, salad) you need to think outside the box a bit.

Every dish I tried I liked. Same with the wine. You can see a slice of the event in a one-minute slideshow here. Some of the wines that impressed me were ALL of the Cremants: Joseph Cattin Brut NV, Pfister Brut Blanc de Blancs NV, Dirler-Cade Brut 2012, Vignoble Des 2 Lunes Brut Blanc de Blancs Comete 2011, Allimant-Laugner Brut Rose NV, Lucien Albrecht Brut Rose NV, Jean-Baptiste Adam Brut Rose NV and Pierre Sparr Brut Rose NV.

After these came some tasty Pinot Blancs including Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbes 2014, Josmeyer Mise Du Printemps 2014, Charles Sparr 2013 and Dopff & Irion 2013. Of the Rieslings I enjoyed the Weinbach Cuvee Theo 2014 and Hubert Meyer 2014, though I admit that I was unable to taste all that was available, and the same for the busy Pinot Gris table. I, did, however, make up for it with some lovely Gewürztraminer: Boeckel 2014, Famille Hugel 2013, Eugene Meyer 2012, Pierre Sparr Grand Cru Mambourg 2014, Albert Mann Grand Cru Steingrubler 2012 and Marcel Deiss Grand Cru De Bergheim 2009. A few Pinot Noirs that I got into my glass included the Andre Scherer 2013,Emile Beyer De L’Hostellerie 2012, Florian Beck-Hartweg “F” 2012 and Albert Mann Clos De La Faille 2011.

Of the pork dishes, I was smitten with the “Bossam” Korean style pork with kimchi, “Cochinita Pibil Tacos” with citrus onion, cilantro and cojita and the “Torta Cubana” smoked ham, capicola, gruyere, spicy pickle was my favorite.

ROCKS & RIESLING RETROSPECTIVE, led by Master Sommelier Brian McClintic

A focus on Riesling highlighting Alsace’s ability to produce world-class examples. Terroir’s effect on the grape and its ageability will be discussed, as well as specific Grand Cru sites. A comparative tasting between new and old vintages of wines from four different soil types will follow.

McClintic began the seminar by giving us a visual of the Alsace region. The vineyards are placed north to south to catch the morning sun and take full advantage of a long growing season. There are various soils, some of which are mentioned below in the tasting notes.

In our sampling we were to have roughly 4% of the Grand Cru produced – which represented the “best of the best.” (I was beginning to salivate as we were to taste decades old Riesling and newer vintages.) McClintic said that all are good paired with Thai or Indian food (as well as the pork dishes we had enjoyed earlier) as cool Riesling handles heat well.

Seminar Tasting (Eve’s tasting notes separate aroma and taste with ; and are preceded by McClintic’s)

Trimbach Riesling 2009 and 1997

McClintic quoted the winery for saying it’s the “soil, soil, soil” that makes this a unique wine with tension on palate and “raciness.” The first bottling was in 1919, very old vines, so there is undoubtedly a wealth of experience in winemaking at Trimbach. These wines mellow with age. In this tasting McClintic thought that the 2009 was too young. However a “subdued petrol” character and some of the minerality comes through in the 1997, due to magnesium in the soil and limestone elements.

2009: A bit flinty, pale fruit, sharp lemon, ash, dried flowers; Acidic, lemon, tart, rich and long finish. 91 Eve pts.

1997: Bruised yellow apple, peach, floral; Same bruised apple, lemon, nice mouthfeel, both tart and sweet elements. Interesting. 92 Eve pts.

Weinbach 2014 and 1998

Granite instead of limestone soil type. Weinbach makes sure botrytis in wine is clean. Iron character, and iodine, is palpable on the palate. The Schlossberg site is considered “demanding”, according to the winery, and translates to beautiful things in the glass.

2014: Grass, sweet Meyer lemon, cling peaches; Tingly, pear, viscous, white pepper, honeyed finish. 92 Eve pts.

1998: Apricot brandy, golden raisin, honey, bark; Caramel, browned butter, char. 94 Eve pts.

Schlumberger 2012 and 2001

Family has more Grand Cru land than anyone else in Alsace. Lots of limestone, sandy and silt mixture with clay. Saering vineyard includes 60+ acres of land. Had the Saering label since 1800s.

2012: Chalky lemon, pineapple, green apple; sharp, unsweetened ice tea with lemon, acidic. Want to age this. 88 Eve pts.

2001: Pale honey, overripe pineapple, sandy beach; balanced fruit and acidity, not the same mouthfeel, lighter, very pleasant juxtaposition of sweet and salty. 93 Eve pts.

Zind-Humbrecht 2013 and 1993

Heavily volcanic, steep terrain, worked by hand, biodynamic. Clos St. Urbain are the highest vineyards in Alsace, almost 1,500 feet, and has a high ash content.

2013: Lemon soda, white pepper, concrete; Grapefruit juice, lemon wedge, short finish. 89 Eve pts.

1993: Courvoisier, fig, caramel candy; Thick, bruised fruit, tart on back palate was a surprise. 91 Eve pts.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Balletto Vineyards, by Barbara Barrielle

May 2, 2016 by evebushman Leave a Comment

The Balletto Family story is a true wine country farming story. Even as they segued from vegetables to grapes, the Ballettos continued to be farmers and were named 2010 Sonoma County Farmers of the Year.

And, as you visit their stunning production facility and tasting room, you would never dream that this began as a young man learning to grow produce to support his mother after his father passed away. It was family then and Balletto remains family today.

John Balletto began farming in 1977 at the age of 17, having just graduated high school when the untimely death of his father meant he would give up what looked like a promising college football and track career to take care of his family. With $200 in the bank and five acres in Sebastopol, California, John began farming. His mother, Hazel, pitched in.

By 1981, John purchased his first ranch with the help of former high school counselor and friend, Pete Barbieri. He leased more land until John and his wife Terri decided to purchase a large piece of land in order to grow more vegetables and build a new produce packing facility. This land is now the winery and one of Balletto’s larger vineyards.

John would eventually become the largest vegetable farmer north of the Golden Gate Bridge growing more than 70 different vegetables on over 700 acres. More than two million cases of mixed vegetables moved through the premises during its heyday.

In 1998, although they were still going strong in the vegetable business, there were three El Nino storms during the spring that wiped out three of their successive planting, each worth a half million dollars. It was hard economically to stay in the vegetable business.

The Ballettos already had 35 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris vineyards on their home ranch in the western hills of Sebastopol and were thrilled with the grape quality. This vineyard is still important to the Ballettos winemaking today. In order to stay in the farming business they felt grapes were their future and, in 1999, replanted vegetables to grapes and concentrated on winemaking.

The Balletto Family now has over 600 acres in the Russian River Valley and select only 10% from many different clones and soil types to make their wine. They sell the remaining 90% of their grapes to other wineries.

The Balletto wines are spectacular and excellent values. All of the fruit is Russian River Valley and all of it is estate grown. Imagine how good this wine is when you realize only 10% of the RRV production is chosen for Balletto wines.

A long-time Pinot Gris producer, this is a fabulous crisp, minerally yet adequately structured wine that is a downright bargain at $18. The Rose of Pinot Noir, at $18 is a strawberry-laced, yummy summer wine that is also well-made and could easily be an aperitif or pair with a number of fresh and bright cheeses.

One of my favorite Balletto wines is the Teresa’s Unoaked Chardonnay, named for John’s wife, with its true fruit-driven quality and excellent representation of the Russian River Valley…only $20.

I love finding great by-the-glass values in wine lists and Balletto’s competitive pricing makes this easy. Dining at Occidental’s hot restaurant, Hazel, two nights ago, I was delighted to find both a Balletto RRV Pinot Noir as well as the Rose for $10 a glass. These wines are well-made by a loving family with history, a quality that outstrips the dot.commers investing in a wine country dream. This family built one.

Balletto produces a Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir as well as many single vineyard Pinots. Not resting on their laurels, Balletto and winemaker Anthony Beckman keep pushing the envelope into new Pinot Noir territories with the latest plantings in the up-and-coming Petaluma Gap area (Hazel’s Vineyard, named for John’s mother.) Balletto’s entry-level Pinot Noir has won many awards over many vintages and, at $29, is enormous value for the smoky, earthy wine that maintains a balance of delicious red berry fruitiness.

Balletto’s single vineyard Pinot Noirs from their home ranch at Sexton Hill Vineyard to the acclaimed Sonoma Coast area and many areas in between don’t break the bank either. Solid and delicious with each vineyard representing a different palate of aromas and flavors, Balletto is a true standout in Russian River Valley production. They even make an RRV Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel…and a Pinot sparkler.

A touching fact that I did not hear about when I visited was the Balletto has their own “Field of Dreams” thanks to the request of John’s vineyard workers who asked to use a vacant four acres as a baseball field. John went above and beyond by building a true regulation baseball field hidden among vineyards.

The entire Balletto family is involved with the winery so, visiting this gorgeous place, may mean meeting up with the true stars of farming and winemaking in the Russian River Valley.

Balletto Vineyards and Winery: http://ballettovineyards.com/

2015 HARVEST: DRY CREEK VALLEY WINEGRAPE GROWERS ANTICIPATE SMALLER YIELDS, EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY

September 3, 2015 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley kick off this harvest season with a positive forecast amidst California’s ongoing drought.

HEALDSBURG, Calif. – AUGUST 18 – Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley (WDCV) expect the 2015 winegrape harvest to yield exceptional quality fruit in smaller quantities than the last three vintages, which were larger than normal throughout most of the state of California. Picking began earlier than usual this year, with David Coffaro Estate and Amista Vineyards harvesting grapes for their sparkling wines on July 29 and August 3, respectively. In 2014, Amista Vineyards harvested for their blanc de blanc two days later on August 5.

For still wines, many white grapes have already become ripe for picking. Preston Farm and Winery began harvesting sauvignon blanc on Tuesday, August 11. Pedroncelli Winery will harvest their sauvignon blanc this week. “This is within a few days of last year’s harvest,” says Montse Reece, winemaker at Pedroncelli Winery.

Cameron Mauritson, Manager of Mauritson Farms and President of the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley, anticipates starting to harvest in the middle of August, about 10-14 days ahead of last year. “We have been blessed with wonderful California weather that has sped things up. The crop looks beautiful with looser clusters than normal and small berries that should yield robust flavors. Winemakers should have the weather patterns to produce stylistic wines,” he says.

Ridge Vineyards reported their earliest zinfandel harvest on record in their East Bench Vineyard. “The dry, warm weather we had from February through April led to a very early bloom and thus the record start to the harvest,” says Will Thomas, Ridge Vineyards’ Sonoma County Viticulturist.

The harvest season will continue for the next two months, with the harvest of Bordeaux varieties including merlot and cabernet sauvignon in September and late-ripening grapes like mourvedre grapes and late-harvest zinfandel in October.

Several years of drought in California affected farmers all over the state, but Dry Creek Valley winegrowers seize the opportunity to learn from the challenges they face. Mauritson explains, “The drought has been an opportunity for many growers to look closely at their soil health and make sure they are maximizing the available water holding capacity of the vineyard site so vines can survive as long as possible by natural rainfall.”

Tim Bell, winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyard, says that last year at the winery’s Endeavour Vineyard, they cut back on the number of vine shoots and grape clusters to reduce water demand, but were pleased to find out that they could get by with even less water than they planned for.

Despite the resilience of the grapes and their growers, many expressed hope for some relief from the drought. “We’re praying that the El Niño predictions for a wet winter play out in the right way: plenty of rain spread out over time and cold enough storms to pack the Sierras with snow,” says Bell.

About Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley

The Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley® (WDCV) is an association of more than 60 wineries and 150 growers, of which more than 95 percent are small, family-owned operations. WDCV is dedicated to advancing the recognition, enhancement and preservation of Dry Creek Valley as a premium winegrowing region. Anchored by the charming town of Healdsburg, the Dry Creek Valley appellation was officially designated in 1983. Known as a premier zinfandel growing region, Dry Creek Valley is one of California’s oldest wine producing regions and is home to many heritage vineyards ranging in age from 50 to 120 years. To preserve this history and the valley’s pristine beauty, the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley supports sustainable viticulture and low-impact farming practices. www.drycreekvalley.org/

Twisted Roots Tasting Room Offers Meet The Winemaker Experience

August 27, 2015 by evebushman Leave a Comment

CARMEL VALLEY, CA (August 2015) – Josh Ruiz, Twisted Roots Winemaker, invites you to step into the beauty that is the Twisted Roots Wine Tasting Room in Carmel Valley to experience a wine journey like no other! By private appointment only, Twisted Roots offers a rare chance to indulge your senses and experience the Wine Maker’s passion and knowledge of their craft.

Sit on in our Mediterranean inspired courtyard, meet the winemaker while doing a personal wine tasting hand selected with the winemaker.

The details:

-$50 per attendee. The price includes wine tastings.

-Minimum of 10 people. Maximum of 30 people.

-Location 12 Del Fino Place Carmel Valley, Ca 93924

-To make a reservation call 831-594-8282

-For more information email info@twistedrootsvineyard.com

About the Winemaker:

Josh Ruiz never aspired to pretentious job titles. Quite simply and humbly, he is a farmer, a man who reaps what he sows. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Working the land is his passion, whether it’s vegetables in Salinas Valley’s world-renowned “Salad Bowl of the World” or wine grapes in Lodi for his fast-growing winery Twisted Roots.

The Salinas native and agribusiness graduate from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo chose farming because “I simply thought it was an honest way to make a living, and to feed people.”

Ruiz loves working the earth because it allows him to share the resulting bounty with others, and to him the wine business is no different. “I get to farm the grapes with my family, and then we get to share with others that which we produced with our hands.”

Ruiz’s background is one of persistence, and hard work. “I think that a person’s real story is not told with awards, or medals, but by the lines on their hands,” he said.

Ruiz graduated high school in three years, taking night classes at Hartnell College. Then he took 20-plus units each quarter in college, and in five years finished with three degrees.

Anxious to branch out into the crowded wine business, Ruiz asked his family in 2009 if he could take its Twisted Roots brand, created by his now business partner Ross Schmiedt, and start a winery (the Schmiedt family has been farming the same land for 3 generations, with the original vineyard planted in 1918). Later that year Twisted Roots formally incorporated as a company, and Ruiz released his first vintage, a Petite Sirah, now the flagship wine.

In 2010 Twisted Roots became a partner in Estate Crush, which then became its production facility and tasting room, and began producing Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and an Old Vine Zinfandel.

As a vintner, Ruiz believes in letting the grapes speak for themselves. “I feel that my families hard work in the vineyard is where our wines get their flavor and overall complexity,” Ruiz said.

As certified “green growers,” Twisted Roots employs practices that are sensitive to the environment and responsive to the needs and interests of the surrounding community.

The family takes a comprehensive approach to farming that goes beyond pest management. Their practices help enhance biodiversity, water and air quality, soil health, and employee and community wellbeing. From its attention to soil-nutrient balance in the vineyard, to barrel-fermentation and small production, Ruiz feels as though Twisted Roots can produce a product that showcases the grape and the Lodi Appellation.

In 2013, Ruiz brought his brand to Carmel Valley, setting up a tasting room at LyonsHead Gallery (12 Delfino Place). For every bottle sold, a portion of the proceeds goes to the ALS Foundation for research into Lou Gehrig’s disease, to honor one of Twisted Roots’ co-founders, Ross Schmiedt, who was afflicted with the disease. Plus, Ruiz donates money to MEarth and its Hilton Bialek Habitat at Carmel Middle School. “Our family wants to make good quality wine and give back to our communities,” he said.

For the last 10 years Ruiz has been the chairman of the Industry Advisory Board of the local Future Farmers of America chapter. As a former FFA member growing up, Ruiz quickly learned the value of hard work.

“I realized growing up, and while in the FFA, that even though you might not have access to the same things that others do, if you are willing to work toward your goals, there will be others there to help,” Ruiz said. “Now I try to be that other person there for the kids.”

Certified Green Growers:

At Twisted Roots, we believe in letting the grapes speak for themselves. Partner Josh Ruiz, representing partners Ross Schmiedt and Mike Hodge, stated that, “We feel that our work in the vineyard is the genesis for the flavor and overall complexity of our wines. As Lodi Certified Green Growers we follow sustainable farming practices throughout the entire winemaking process.”

The certification of Twisted Roots as a green grower includes two components: The Lodi Rules practice standards, and a Pesticide Environmental Assessment System that measures the impact of all organic and synthetic pesticides used during the year. The vineyard is audited annually by a third party to verify farming practices, and may not exceed a maximum number of points calculated using the system.

Among the Certified Sustainable Practices are the following:

Integrated Pest Management: Twisted Roots limits crop protection to only essential measures, and creates and maintains a habitat for natural enemies of certain pests. For example, the family plants specific types of grasses in its “1918” Old Vine Zinfandel vineyard to help attract beneficial insects.

Air Quality Control: Twisted Roots plants cover crops of native grasses in and around its vineyards to minimize dust, and limits tractor usage to reduce air pollution and conserve energy.

Land Stewardship: The family integrates the management of the vineyards with the ecosystem by providing riparian zones, maintaining vernal pools, protecting wildlife habitat, and installing nesting boxes for birds and bats. To combat a growing problem of coyotes chewing up irrigation pipes, workers began leaving buckets of water for the coyotes. Now the coyotes eat the rodents, leaving the irrigation alone.

Water Management: Vineyard workers constantly monitor soil moisture and measure the vines’ water needs. They regulate waterusage through careful irrigation scheduling, and constantly maintain and service irrigation systems to ensure maximum efficiency.

Soil Health: Believing that healthy soil leads to great wines, Twisted Roots adds organic matter by planting cover crops and by utilizing compost. Experts control fertilizer and irrigation to maximize nutrition in the soil, which results in higher quality, more concentrated fruit. Each year analysts run soil and plant tissue tests to determine the needs of the vineyard.

Human Resources: People are the foundation of great sustainably grown wines. Twisted Roots workers receive comprehensive training and development that enables them to perform their jobs safely and maximize their ability for year-round employment.

The Twisted Roots family creates a sustainable vision for the farm that provides the foundation for sustainable winegrowing. This philosophy helps ensure the long-term health, biodiversity and productivity of the farm and the surrounding ecosystem. All of the Twisted Roots’ farming practices can be evaluated to determine whether they move the vineyard toward or away from this vision.

In the end, sustainability keeps the Twisted Roots’ family close to its land, and helps ensure that future generations will get to enjoy that land and all of its bounty.

Twisted Roots Philanthropy:

For every bottle sold, Twisted Roots donates a portion of the proceeds to the ALS Foundation for research into ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Our partner and creator of the Twisted Roots brand is afflicted with ALS. Additionally, Twisted Roots donates money to MEarth and its Hilton Bialek Habitat at Carmel Middle School. As Josh said, “Twisted Roots wants to make good quality wine and give back to their communities.”

Where to Purchase and Taste Wines:

Both Café Rustica, Mission Ranch and Tarpy’s Roadhouse serve Twisted Roots wines. And, of course, you can have a full tasting right in Carmel Valley (831-594-8282) or in Lodi by appointment (916-300-2416).

Twisted Roots Story:

Centered in the heart of the Lodi Appellation, Twisted Roots Vineyard is the work of three generations of family members dedicated to the practice of growing great wine grapes by following sustainable growing practices. While our vineyard was established in 1918, it wasn’t until recently that we began producing our own wines.

The Twisted Roots Vineyard label started with a Petite Sirah in 2005 by Ross, after experimenting in the basement of the original farmhouse. In 2009, we began commercial production and expanded our offerings to include other varietals grown on the estate. Winemaking was moved subsequently from the old farmhouse to our partners at Estate Crush. Petite Sirah continues to be our flagship wine; we also offer Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Old Vine Zinfandel. http://www.twistedrootsvineyard.com/

Wine 101ers Dream Part III: Visiting Bordeaux’s Château Leoville Poyferre

August 7, 2015 by evebushman Leave a Comment

An hour’s drive from Bordeaux’s center is St. Julien – where you will see Châteaux, some directly across the street or next door to one another with vines as far as the naked eye can see. We hit the mother load. We took photos where we could (see Facebook album here.) and even found a cafe tucked behind Château Lynch Bages where I had my first hamburger in two weeks (this trip also included over a week in Paris).

Château Leoville Poyferre

2^nd Grand Cru Classé, Saint-Julien. Léoville is situated in St Julien in the heart of the Médoc. The origin of the domain goes back to the French Revolution, when Léoville was the largest estate in the Médoc. (Appointment courtesy Planet Bordeaux)

Sunrise at Chateau Leoville Poyferre.

Our host, Morgan, explained that St. Julien is a small region of Bordeaux – there are a total of 8,000 Château in Bordeaux! The Medoc area has 200 acres with 23 Château in St. Julien with 19 owners.

They make three wines, the first has the “Château” name on the label, the second is called “Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre” and made with the youngest wines, and the third is named “Château Moulin Riche” from the area the grapes come from.

Notes

The winery makes wine from four grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

The soil is made up of sand, rock and clay. It is very deep and the rocks heat up during the day and “gives back (the heat) at night.”

No one waters the soil.

2009 was a very good vintage as it was good weather for Cabernet that does well in colder weather. (Warmer weather is needed for Merlot.) Robert Parker gave the vintage a 100. 2009 was also a good year, Parker gave it a 98. The 11s and 12s are “classic.”

Petit Verdot leaves have three parts to them while Merlot, Cabernet and Cabernet Franc have five distinct sections.

New meets the old as the visitor’s center is across the courtyard from the original Château.

The Leoville name is attached to three separate Châteaux that were once all the same family, and are now owned by three families since 1840: Le Cases, Barton and Poyferre. Each own between 150 to 200 acres. “An imaginary line separates the estates…and they are friends and not foes.”

The winery has unique temperature-regulated concave stainless steel vats that allow more color and extraction. The vats are different sizes allowing for different varietal yields, no blending is done with the vats.

After de-stemming and two hand sorts the grapes are sorted by a machine that pulls out green and too-small berries that “don’t suit them.” The state-of-the-art computer program photographs the grapes to determine which won’t make the cut. Similar machines are used to sort tomatoes so that only the perfect sized ones are sold in supermarkets.

Wines leave the vats to spend 6 months in oak barrels, then they are blended, and put back into 80% new oak barrels for 12 months. Barrels are only used 1-2 times. They cost 800 Euros new and are usually only worth 50 Euros when they are sold to others for use.

Egg whites, 5 to 6 of them per barrel, are used to clarify the wines and reduce impurities.

They are currently blending the 14s and bottling the 13s. The 13s will remain in bottle for 6 months before sold.

It is the law to allow 3 years from the time of harvest before selling finished bottles. It is also the law that no wine exceeds 15% alcohol.

We saw a kosher vat, the first we’ve ever seen, and most of the kosher wine is exported to New York.

Most wines are sold to English-speaking countries.

The vintages currently thought to be good years are from 2000, 03, 05, 09 and 10.

The Cuvelier family has owned the winery since 1920, their personal cellar collection goes back to 1920 as well.

We tasted:

2011 Pavillon that had bright red fruit, black peppery, young but can be drunk now. 91 Eve points. A 2009 Moulin Riche was considered “the best vintage here” and it was my fave of the three with lush black fruit, smoke, blackberry jam, raisins and good tannins. 94 Eve points. Finally the 08 Château Leoville Poyferre made me think, whoa, was there a fire near the vineyard? GREAT smoke followed by dark plum and even darker chocolate. I’d give it a little age…but you don’t have to! 95 Eve pts.

http://www.leoville-poyferre.fr/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/chateau.leoville.poyferre?fref=ts

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Wine 101ers Dream Visiting Bordeaux Part II: Château De Sales

July 31, 2015 by evebushman Leave a Comment

If you are lucky enough to visit Château De Sales in Pomerol, and have the owner Bruno De Lambert meet you for your tour, you must ask to see inside his Château. I can’t write very much about what I learned while in his home, but suffice it to say, his stories were very entertaining, even for my 20 year-old daughter that ISN’T a wine drinker!

My family and Mr. De Lambert behind the Chateau.

De Lambert explained that the story of the winery was really a story about the family. According to the website it is “the largest estate in the Pomerol appellation and has been owned by the same family for more than five hundred years.”

The home is all one level, completed in the 17th century. The short set of stairs we climbed to enter the home are the original stones and as you enter De Lambert may point out the indentation in the stone floor from the many years of foot traffic.

Worn tapestries (ask De Lambert to tell you a story about those) adorn several of the walls and an antique book of maps lays open to a page of the thirteen colonies…and past that, in French, the words for “we don’t know” what lands lay beyond.

De Lambert pointed out interesting architectural designs such as a repeated face over doors and chimneys, carvings placed vertically on one wall and horizontally on another.

Notes:

There are no vines visible to the eye from this remarkable Château. (See Facebook album link here.)

A train can be seen from the Château that has been there since 1850, bringing passengers, and De Lambert’s family every weekend, back and forth from Paris and beyond.

There are windows that are now filled with stone due to a window tax.

The smallest estate in Pomerol, 1/2 acre, used to just be a garden.

There are 22 Châteaux in Pomerol that have over 22 acres.

The trees on the property won’t be cut down to make room for vines, the idea would be an “impossible” one for De Lambert. There are stories of the De Sales trees being a common spot for romantic trysts.

The vineyard is only seen from the front of the Châteaux property.

De Lambert believes that “terroir is…soil and climate…(and it’s) through the vines (that) the winemaker gives the maximum of quality. (It’s not) a technical style of wine.” Instead, De Lambert says, you “respect what the terroir gives you.”

The grapes are all handpicked and about 40 people are needed for harvest.

No yeast is added to their wines.

Two wines are made, the primary and secondary labels. The remaining balance is sold in bulk.

All of the wines only spend “9 months in wood” to insure that the fruit doesn’t “disappear.”

The original cellar was built in 1893, the new cellar was added in 1970 and now 100% is bottled at the Château when the bottling truck rolls in.

For the last 40 years De Lambert has sold to the same 5 Bordeaux merchants.

We tasted both the primary and secondary labels, both priced under 23 Euros, both predominantly Merlot followed by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon: Château Chantalouette 2011 and Château De Sales 2011. Neither deserves less than 90 Eve points! An amazing price point that a wine 101er could easily appreciate. It’s important to try these wines when you can find them (60% are imported to the U.S. and Belgium, and we already found them at Wally’s). Not all Bordeaux are costly.

De Lambert commented, it’s all about “family, estate and architecture (as that’s what makes us) unique.”

http://www.Château-de-sales.com/welcome-eng.html

(Appointment courtesy Bordeaux Office of Tourism)