Dry Creek Vineyard Begins Historic 50th Harvest

September 20, 2021 by evebushman

HEALDSBURG, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — Dry Creek Vineyard announced the beginning of its 50^th harvest just one day after the winery’s anniversary of 49 years of family winemaking in Sonoma County, California. This historic vintage was marked with the arrival of 10.35 tons of Sauvignon Blanc from one of the family’s estate vineyards.

The love of the Loire Valley led Founder David S. Stare to produce his inaugural 1972 Fumé Blanc, and the winery has continued to craft the varietal every harvest since. The 81-year-old Stare was in attendance at the crushpad of his family winery to sprinkle the original 1972 Fumé Blanc into the hopper for good luck for the 50^th harvest.

Stare is widely known as the first to plant Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley, against the advice of vineyard specialists. 50 years later, Sauvignon Blanc is the most planted white grape in Dry Creek Valley. Dry Creek Vineyard has proudly produced Sauvignon Blanc each year of its history and currently features four distinct Sauvignon Blanc bottlings in its portfolio.

Stare’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, is currently the President of Dry Creek Vineyard and continues to lead with a “no compromises” philosophy producing appellation-focused, terroir-driven, varietal-defining wines.

“Competition is at an all time high in our industry, so being true to our wines, our vineyards and the terroir of our region is more important than ever before,” said Stare Wallace. “Instead of getting sucked into the increasing corporatization of the industry, our family winery is bucking the trends and is an increasingly rare breed.”

“We are proud to be looking towards celebrating our 50^th anniversary in 2022,” continued Stare Wallace. “Our goal is to continue forward into the future as an iconic, family-owned, heritage brand – reflecting the true essence of Sonoma County.”

Established in 1972 by David S. Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard is Dry Creek Valley’s flagship winery located in the heart of Sonoma County, California. This premier, family-owned winery is celebrating 49 years of winemaking and is led by the second generation. Dave’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, serves as President overseeing a successful family winemaking and grape growing business that includes 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards. Named one of the Top 100 wineries of 2015 by Wine & Spirits Magazine and a Top 10 Tasting Room by USA TODAY, the winery is also 100% Certified Sustainable. Dry Creek Vineyard proudly produces delicious Dry Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Meritage blends as well as a portfolio of single vineyard selections.

To learn more, visit www.drycreekvineyard.com. Connect with Dry Creek Vineyard on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Vintage Eve Circa 8/15: Tasting “Cairdean Whites in Flight”

October 9, 2018 by evebushman

Cairdean is breaking from convention with an alternative summer “Whites in Flight” tasting, featuring five unique wines produced from an array of international grape varieties.

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Drawing inspiration from the grapes’ ancestral homes, these whites display an old world flair that will have you booking your next flight, before tasting your second sip.

Conceived by Edwin and Stacia Williams, Cairdean, meaning ‘friends’ in Scottish-Gaelic, reflects a vision for the way wine should be shared and enjoyed. This philosophy extends beyond simply producing quality wine, to a consideration of the experience of enjoying it. In other words, this flight does offer free Wi-Fi.

This “Whites in Flight” tasting passes over California wine country, with Napa Valley as its final destination.

The wines include:

Cairdean Estate co-owner and winemaker Stacia Williams (Photo credit: Napa Valley Register.)

Here is where we, well just Eve at the moment, must interrupt. My taste buds were definitely whetted but to get through five whites at one time – and do tasting notes – I thought I better call in some bigger guns.

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Joining me for “collective tasting notes” are Simon and Shannon Mee (Owners of Newhall Refinery and Egg Plantation), Bruce and Liz Pack (“Chef Liz” has penned a few recipes for our website) and Claudia Sheridan (Owner Small Business Breakthrough, and like myself, a Level 2 Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust).

Collective Tasting

2014 Cairdean Estate Solano County Riesling (SRP $19.00)

13.1% alcohol, 100% stainless steel

Aroma

Brie, vanilla bean, jasmine and banana.

Flavor

Viscous, low acid, lemon; very opposite of the aroma which made it interesting. 89 Eve pts.

2014 Cairdean Estate Russian River Valley Gewürztraminer (SRP $24.00)

13.8% alcohol, 100% stainless steel

Aroma

Hard candy, lemon drops, elderflower and orange zest.

Flavor

Not as sweet as indicated by the nose, orange Pellegrino water and elderflower. 90 Eve pts.

2014 Cairdean Estate Napa Valley Picpoul Blanc (SRP $25.00)

13.4% alcohol, 100% stainless steel

Aroma

Buttered popcorn, cream, coconut, mango, honey and pear.

Flavor

Viscous, medium acid, Sauvignon Blanc-like, lemon-lime, pear and cream. 89 Eve pts.

2012 Cairdean Estate Napa Valley Roussanne (SRP $25.00)

14.1% alcohol, 30% new French oak

Aroma

Honeydew melon, hint of pineapple, lemon Starburst candy, sweet fried dough.

Flavor

Tropical fruit, tinny on the back palate, low acid, long finish, slight floral quality. 88 Eve pts.

2012 Cairdean Estate Napa Valley Fumé Blanc (SRP $32.00)

14.4% alcohol, 33% new French oak

Aroma

Marzipan, white peach, white pepper, lime, pear.

Flavor

Viscous, oak, lemon zest on the back palate, medium acid, crisp, herbal, lime. A favorite of Shannon’s. 89 Eve pts.

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 (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. 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

ENJOY THE BEST OF NEW ZEALAND FOOD AND WINE WITH A NEW CURATED ITINERARY FROM NEW ZEALAND IN DEPTH

August 6, 2017 by evebushman

Auckland, New Zealand – New Zealand travel experts New Zealand In Depth announce a wine-centric travel program which recognizes winners of the Air New Zealand 2016 Wine Awards with a “pairing” of gourmet, local food experiences. The personalized 13-day New Zealand Food and Wine Tour visits New Zealand’s three main wine regions, Hawkes Bay on the North Island with its award-winning Chardonnay and full-bodied Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot; Marlborough on the top of the South Island, acclaimed for Sauvignon Blanc and aromatic whites; and the Central Otago, the world’s most southerly wine-growing region and home to some of the world’s best Pinot Noir.

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Photo: New Zealand in depth Facebook page

Accommodations include lodges and inns, selected for their personalized service, outstanding location, and gourmet offerings. Travel is by ferry, plane and car, starting in Auckland on the North Island and ending in Queenstown on the South Island. Additional activities such as hiking, cycling, and gourmet sailing excursions are available. The program is fully customizable to reflect travelers’ activity, wine and dining preferences. To help you decide, New Zealand In Depth offers a quick overview of the country’s wines here. Travel can be arranged from September 2017 to June 2018.

Among the wines to be sampled are many of New Zealand In Depth’s “insider” favorites: Bordeaux-style Stonyridge Vineyard Larose on Waiheke Island; Endeavour Chardonnay at Clearview Estate Winery in Hawke’s Bay; barrel-aged Sur Lie Sauvignon Blanc from Hans Herzog and Alsace-style Gewurztraminer at Johanneshof Cellars in Marlborough. In Central Otago, oaked Fume Blanc at Amisfield Winery in Arrowtown and single-vineyard Cornish Point Pinot Noir are showcased. Paul Carberry, founder of New Zealand In Depth and a passionate wine lover notes, “There is nothing better than hopping from one winery to another across New Zealand to sample some of the best award-winning vintages. Whether you are an expert, or a passionate enthusiast of good food and wine like me, this new itinerary is a celebration of the best New Zealand has to offer.”

The itinerary visits Auckland, Waiheke Island, Napier and Hawke’s Bay on the North Island with opportunities for beach activities and city sightseeing; and South Island’s Blenheim, Marlborough region, and Queenstown with possibilities for hiking along the Queen Charlotte Track, cycling to the vineyards, adventure sports and boat trips. http://www.newzealand-indepth.co.uk/experiences/food-and-wine-itinerary/

For more information, program detail, and advice on travel to New Zealand in general, visit http://www.newzealand-indepth.co.uk, call +44 1298 74040 or email explore@newzealand-indepth.co.uk.

ABOUT NEW ZEALAND IN DEPTH

Now entering its 14^th year, New Zealand In Depth is a team of travel experts who are passionate about creating personalized luxury experiences for clients looking for a distinctive and exclusive vacation in the land of the Kiwis. With nearly 50 years of collective experience, the New Zealand IN Depth team develops programs that reflect a commitment to understanding client needs on a one-on-one basis. The company are advocates of responsible tourism in New Zealand and work with people on the ground who genuinely care for their local environment and actively take steps to protect local habitats and native flora and fauna. Personalized programs reflect the long-term relationships held with local providers of activities, superior and unusual accommodations, and off-the-beaten-track experiences, allowing New Zealand In Depth to create itineraries with experiences that are often not available through other tour operators while being mindful of their impact on the environment. http://www.newzealand-indepth.co.uk/, +44 1298 74040 Twitter: @NZInDepth Facebook: NewZealandInDepth.

Perlis Picks: Family Winemakers of California – Again!

May 14, 2016 by evebushman

There are a few events that I try to go to every year. The annual Family Winemakers of California event is one of those. I’ve written extensively in the past about the important work this organization does for the wine industry as an advocate for wineries and ultimately benefiting the consumer. The organization has been a major player in obtaining rights for wineries to ship direct to consumer in the various states. Based in Sacramento [where the legal action takes place] FWC typically holds annual events in San Francisco and in Southern California.

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On March 20^th, 2016, nearly 90 wineries gathered in the Wyland Center at Del Mar Fairgrounds to pour for appreciative members of the trade, media and public their latest releases and promote not only themselves but the work done by the organization.

As usual, it was impossible to make a huge dent in the number of wines being poured. My wife Karen and I did our best to sample as many wines as possible. Here were some of our favorites…

Cantara Cellars – based in Camarillo, I enjoyed Mike and Chris Brown’s Franknvine blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Malbec.

Cass Vineyard & Winery – a Paso Robles favorite. And the ever entertaining co-owner Ted Plemons now has a wine named just for him.

Chacewater Wine & Olive Mill – rich powerful wines from Kelseyville in Lake County. My favorite was the Petite Sirah.

Collier Falls – owner Barry Collier was pouring a selection of his wines from Dry Creek Valley. Loved the Petite Sirah and the Primitivo [don’t call it Zinfandel!].

Field Stone Winery & Vineyard – excellent Fume Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from this Healdsburg winery. But the Petite Sirah was my favorite, from a vineyard planted in 1894!

Rickards Winery – from Cloverdale in the Alexander Valley. Favorites were Fume Blanc and Petite Sirah. We felt the Fume was the best white wine we had that day.

Manzoni Estate Vineyard – really liked the Syrah from this Soledad winery.

PasoPort Wine Company – not sure why I had never tasted wines from this Templeton winery. They make a great selection of wines and ports. Liked everything I tasted. Tied for find of the day for me with…

Pech Merle Winery – from Healdsburg, great Zinfandel.

Prizm Winery – same owners as D’Anbino Vineyard in Paso, creating “special, small-run wines.” Cabernet Sauvignon showed great fruit.

Before closing, here’s a suggestion for anyone attending an event at the Del Mar Fairgrounds…

Right across the street is the Hilton San Diego / Del Mar. Very nice, well maintained hotel, and they offer a free shuttle not only to events at the fairground but to anywhere within a five-mile radius. The hotel restaurant, coastalKitchen, serves great seasonal dishes from local farms – don’t let the casual appearance fool you, the food is world-class. And, if you happen to be hanging out there after the FWC event, chances are good you’ll run into a winemaker or two, such as Jon Larsen who shared his delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Angwin Estate Vineyards with us.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.

Perlis Picks: THE OTHER WINE COUNTRY, PART V, Ferrari-Carano

March 12, 2016 by evebushman

When I think of Ferrari-Carano, I immediately think of Fumé Blanc. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Many years ago, I remember ordering a bottle of this delicious refreshing wine with the Ferrari-Carano label at a San Francisco restaurant. But this winery is about a lot more than that.

Photo courtesy Ferrari-Carano

The winery was founded in 1981 by Don and Rhonda Carano, The first wines were released in 1987 – the 1985 Chardonnay and the aforementioned 1986 Fumé Blanc. I’m pretty sure this was the same Fumé Blanc bottling I had enjoyed at that San Francisco restaurant; if not, then one from a vintage soon thereafter. Now, about 30 years later, this was my first visit to the winery.

Those who read my columns on any kind of regular or semi-regular basis will know that I tend to favor smaller wineries and am just as happy tasting in a barrel room as in a fancy tasting room. But, sometimes you have to “go big”. And in the Dry Creek Valley, one of the best places to do this is Ferrari-Carano.

When Karen and I drove through the gates of the Ferrari-Carano property, we were immediately impressed by the spectacular winery building and the immaculate grounds. But, would the wines do justice to the beauty of the scenery?

Well, the short answer is “yes”.

Here’s the longer answer…

The Caranos first visited Sonoma County in 1979. They initially purchased a vineyard in Alexander Valley, but kept acquiring vineyards as the winery expanded, currently owning 19 properties, not only in Sonoma but in Napa and Mendocino as well.

In Alexander Valley, they grow Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. [The Ferrari-Carano Mountain Winery is in this AVA as well, but more on this later.] In the cool climate of the Russian River Valley, they grow Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, while in the warmer Dry Creek Valley they also grow Sauvignon Blanc but, in addition, Malbec and Zinfandel. Chardonnay is grown in Napa Carneros and Pinot Noir on Mendocino Ridge and Anderson Valley.

With all those vineyards, they do make an abundance of wines, which they have conveniently divided into “families” for easy reference:

The Classics – Fumé Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay, Reserve Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir AV [Anderson Valley], Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trésor [Bordeaux Blend].

Vineyard Selects – four Chardonnays [Emelia’s Cuvée, Fiorella, Dominique and Tré Terre], also the Sky High Ranch Pinot Noir and the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Spirit of Italy – Pinot Grigio and Siena [a Sangiovese dominant red blend].

PreVail – West Face [a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend] and Back Forty [100% Cabernet Sauvignon].

So we tore ourselves away from the views and went downstairs to taste some of these wines.

First up was the 2014 Fumé Blanc from Sonoma County. Brought back great memories. Fresh, clean and refreshing. Excellent quaffing wine.

Then we moved onto the 2012 Reserve Chardonnay. The wine had gone through 100% malolactic fermentation and had spent 13 months in French oak. I was concerned that it might be overly buttery, but it was extremely well balanced.

The above two wines, along with Ferrari-Carano’s other white, are made at the winery we were visiting, the Estate Winery in the Dry Creek Valley. The reds are produced at the Mountain Winery on RockRise Mountain in Alexander Valley. That was where we were headed next – not literally, but figuratively, as the next wine up was the 2013 Zinfandel.

At 83% Zinfandel and the rest Petite Sirah with a little Carignane, this was another very well-balanced wine. Great fruit with a little pepper at the finish, I could drink a lot of this.

We finished up with the big boys, the two PreVails, both from the 2012 vintage. Both wines spent 21 months in oak and had the backbone to handle it. Great fruit and structure. Hard to pick a favorite but in this case I preferred the West Face slightly over the Back Forty due to its healthy percentage of Syrah in the blend.

I’d be remiss to not mention that Ferrari-Carano also owns Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa. A beautiful 42-room inn, it is on 92 acres of vineyards in the Russian River Valley, just a little south of Dry Creek. With the culinary delights of the onsite John Ash & Co. restaurant, this is definitely our favorite place to stay in the area. Service is impeccable, rooms are charming, and [wouldn’t you know it?] there’s a bottle of Vintners Inn Sauvignon Blanc waiting for you upon your arrival. Perfect!

TO BE CONTINUED…