Southern Sonoma Country Life

Wine Country's Inaugural First Blush Tasting - 89 Shades of Pink - June 8th, 2013

The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa invited all California wineries to participate in its inaugural First Blush California Rosé Wine Competition and now it's time to taste the winning wines. 

With judging complete the public is invited to taste many of the award winning wines, while enjoying live music and small bites on Saturday, June 8th, 2013, at the First Blush Tasting, being held in Napa at The Meritage Resort and Spa from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Eighty nine shades of California rosé were entered into two categories: “Dry” and “On the Sweeter Side.” Professional judges blindly evaluated and judged all submitted wines based upon factors including: wine clarity, aroma, color and overall appearance, balance, acidity, structure, fruitiness and varietal typicity. Plus whether or not the entered wines would be well received by consumers.

Competition director was Bob Ecker, noted wine/travel journalist and wine judge, and each wine was judged by five judges with extensive experience in the wine industry. Judges included Petaluma local Christopher Sawyer - an internationally-renowned sommelier, wine journalist, consultant, and public speaker. Chris travels the world following trends in wine and participating as a judge in international wine competitions.

Top winner in the Dry Rosé category was Jelly Jar Wines, while the top award for “On the Sweeter Side” was given to Ménage à Trois by Trinchero Family Estates. Many of the award winning California rosé wines, including all that were awarded Double Gold and Gold will be served at the June 8, 2013 public tasting.

 Tickets are available from Cellar Pass for $25, a portion of each ticket sale will be donated to Napa’s Cope Family Center, a nonprofit that provides a full range of parent education and family support services, giving parents get the skills necessary to nurture a healthy and happy family.

Each ticket includes wine tasting from approximately 30 wineries, small bites from the chefs at The Meritage Resort and Spa, Fish Story, Silverado Cooking School and more, plus live music. Special rates are available for event attendees the night of June 8 at The Meritage Resort and Spa. Reservations can be made by calling (866) 370-NAPA. For complete information and tickets please visit http://themeritageresort.com/napa-valley-restaurants/june-wine-tasting-event.

Inaugural First Blush Award Winners:

WINNER – "DRY" ROSE CATEGORY - Jelly Jar Wines

DOUBLE GOLD AWARD - Curtis Winery

DOUBLE GOLD AWARD - Handley Cellars

DOUBLE GOLD AWARD - Jelly Jar Wines

GOLD MEDAL - Epiphany Cellars

GOLD MEDAL - Lucia Vineyards

GOLD MEDAL - Peterson Winery

GOLD MEDAL - Soban Estate

GOLD MEDAL - Proulx "Willow Creek Farm"

GOLD MEDAL - Pomar Junction

 

WINNER - "ON THE SWEETER SIDE" ROSE CATEGORY - Ménage à Trois

 DOUBLE GOLD AWARD - Ménage à Trois

 

West of West Wine Festival - Discover the Best of Sonoma Coast August 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2013

Journey to the edge of the world - without having to leave the county! West Sonoma Coast Vintners like to say that the end is their beginning. It certainly is a spectacular region within which to get lost in the cool climate wonders of Sonoma coastal wines for a few days. Especially if you are a wine connoisseur.

The 3rd annual West of West Wine Festival is certainly one to put on your summer to-do calendar. Centered in Sebastopol, the Festival kicks off with Welcome Dinners at wineries and homes around the county, hosted by member wineries on Friday night, August 2nd.

These dinners, ranging in price from $140 to $200 per person offer a rare and exclusive opportunity to dine with winemakers in their home or winery.

Saturday offers morning seminars, interviews and flight tastings, following by the first of two Grand Tastings on Saturday afternoon and the Whole Hog Feast Celebration in the evening.

After vineyards tours, the Grand Tasting tent reprises on Sunday afternoon for a second opportunity to taste through more than 40 outstanding coastal wines. 

Guests are able to select from the Welcome Dinners line-up: 

BANSHEE: An intimate dinner in the winery's new tasting room in downtown Healdsburg featuring one of area’s top restaurants and an array of Pinots and Chardonnay from its collection.

FAILLA: Join the Failla team for an “Al Fresco” Dinner located in the middle of its Olivet Road vineyard. Sit amongst the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines with friends while enjoying current releases and library wines of Failla, paired with a feast prepared by Chef Gary Penir.

FREEMAN: A global exploration of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. For the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay aficionado, enjoy with an intimate dinner for 16 guests at the beautiful and architecturally acclaimed vineyard home of Ken and Akiko Freeman. This special dinner catered by Chef Christopher Greenwald will be paired with wines from the Freeman portfolio as well as a special sampling of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from world’s best known producers and famed regions.

HALLECK VINEYARD: Sip wines on the deck while gazing across Sonoma County to Mt. St. Helena in distant Napa County. The five-course gourmet dinner will be paired with a selection of Halleck Vineyard wines. The menu will be lovingly prepared and served by the Halleck sons.

JOSEPH PHELPS: Enjoy an intimate celebration of Joseph Phelps 40th Anniversary and the winery's second decade of Sonoma Coast winegrowing at its charming Guest Center in Freestone. Join host Bill Phelps for a multi-course dinner paired with a selection of Phelps finest bottlings.

LITTORAI: An intimate, elegant yet casual dinner and tasting at the Littorai estate winery property with proprietors Heidi and Ted Lemon.

Saturday evening's Whole Hog Feast Dinner at the Barlow Events Center in Sebastopol starts with a pre-dinner reception featuring white and rose wines from the West Sonoma Coast and oysters from Hog Island Oyster Company. 

Afterwards, seating for dinner highlights the best of Sonoma bounty prepared by James Beard finalist Steven Satterfield from Miller Union in Atlanta. Dinner wines will consist of magnums of Pinot noir and Chardonnay supplied by each of the members of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners. Feel free to bring something from your cellar to share if you're attending this memorable dinner. Tickets for this lavish dinner - $275 per person. 

Mix and match which events you'd like to attend at various ticket price costs or treat yourself to an all access Saturday/Sunday pass for $450 (excluding cost of Friday night dinner choice).  Grand Tasting only attendees pay $125 for Saturday's event and $100 on Sunday. 

So You Think You Want to Be a Master Sommelier?

Are you completely obsessed with wine? Madly gifted with the ability to remember every single vintage made in every nook and cranny of the world's most remote of vineyards? Ready to drive yourself and everyone in your life absolutely crazy with your lengthy quest for obtaining the rock star Master Sommelier's Diploma? 

Apparently you are not alone For this is the subject of the most popular film trailer currently airing on iTunes. 

Mark your calendar for June 21st and sit yourself down for a screening, either at a cinema in the area (to be announced) or on itunes of what looks to be an incredibly revealing and fascinating new film, shot over the period of two years, in six countries, following four would-be Master Sommeliers intent on joining the rarified ranks of less than 200 diploma holders, worldwide.

Petaluma resident and Chief operating officer of the Guild of Sommeliers, Geoff Kruth (of the Farmhouse Inn, Forestville), found himself in the role as advisor to the team behind the documentary movie, SOMM. Though mostly behind the scenes, Kruth, whose students were the four main characters filmed, is featured on camera on the subject of blind tasting - his area of expertise.  In setting up interviews with sommeliers and wine producers in Europe, Kruth traveled with the film to shoot scenic b-roll in some of the world's most beautiful wine regions. 

Jason Wise, a young, Los Angeles based  film director was inspired to embark on this ambitious film project by one of the main characters, a friend of his who had been preparing for what is widely considered one of the most challenging exams in the world. 

Mary Orlin of the Huffington Post writes: "SOMM tells the story of four master somm candidates, Brian, Ian, Dustin and D'Lynn.  We see them studying with each other and also with mentors who are Master Sommeliers.  You might think it would be fun to get together with friends and taste lots of wine every night, but it becomes a chore that the guys have to be up for.  Having a camera around doesn't help.  We see how little sleep they get and how relationships with their significant others come second to wine.  As Ian put it in after the movie, "You have to become a little obsessed and if you're not, you're probably not going to pass."

In a film review from last year's Napa Valley Film Festival, Decanter.com reported: "Sommeliers are a misunderstood species, derided by winemakers and critics who do not share their sensibilities and heralded as ‘gatekeepers’ by those that do. In America, the ‘somm’ may be poised as the next celebrity du jour of the restaurant world—although one cannot imagine the sommelier’s lasting fame (or pride) will ever rival that of the chef’s—and SOMM could plunge headlong into that puffery. But it doesn’t: Wise lets the players’ ambitions (and failures) speak, and crafts a satisfying, personal story about cracked, flawed, interesting people who happen to sell wine in Italian cut suits, and minus the tastevin."

Meet the star sommeliers from SOMM (Sabato Sagaria and Ian Cauble)  and test your own palate to match the wine sensory evaluation notes from winemakers and somms—at a screening party and open house to celebrate the first Cinema in the Vineyard event at The Madrones in Anderson Valley, on Sunday, June 2nd, 2013. 

Located in the Anderson Valley, The Madrones is the vision of designer and lifestyle entrepreneur Jim Roberts. The Mediterranean compound serves as a community outpost for local artisans; home to four vintners (Bink Wines, Drew Family Cellars, Knez Winery, and Signal Ridge), a rural lifestyle shop, a wood fired Pizzeria (Stone & Embers) opening in July 2013, several estate guest quarters, a culinary kitchen garden for local produce, serene courtyards and carefully manicured English gardens. The Madrones are partnering with Mendocino Film Festival to screen the film during open house from 11.30 am to 4.30 pm. Mingle with the filmmakers during a post-screening party at the Madrones from 5.00pm. 

Tickets will be $25 for the post-screening party or bundle it with the Open House for $40. Call 707-895-2955 for more info.

 

 

 

Grape to Glass - Russian River Valley Winegrowers Invite You to Join Them in a "Back to Our Roots" Celebration, August 17th, 2013

In recognition of the 30th anniversary of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley appellation, the 18th annual Grape to Glass: Back to Our Roots celebration on August 17th honors the founding members of the Russian River Valley Winegrowers association.

Bringing together wine enthusiasts, winemakers, grape growers, chefs, hoteliers and artists for a summertime celebration of all things wine, guests will taste boutique wines grown in the Russian River Valley appellation as well as some of the latest releases before they are made available to the public.

This is one of my favorite wine country annual events and, when compared to the cost of many events of its kind in the region, its individual ticket cost of $85 for wine tasting, bbq and entertainment is nowhere near as steep as some such seasonal shindigs.

Consisting of a walk-around wine tasting, a silent and live auction benefiting Russian River Valley Winegrowers, a BBQ feast featuring Willie Bird Turkey and dinner by Casual Catering, live music by Urban Oasis and a Farmer’s Market, Grape to Glass features more than 75 wineries, restaurants, artists and vendors. 

New this year, the Vineyard Academy Culinary Arts Department at Windsor High School will be baking one Gravenstein Apple Pie large enough to feed everyone in attendance with assistance from Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg and delivered to Grape to Glass by local fire departments. Participants this year include Balletto Vineyards & Winery, Benovia Winery, Davis Family, Dutton Estate Winery, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, Hook & Ladder Winery, Interiors By Lynn, John Ash & Co., Kozlowski Farms, La Crema Winery, La Tortilla Factory, Martinelli Farms, Napkins by Sue, Russian Hill Winery, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, Wine Barrel Creations and many more to be announced.

When:

Saturday, August 17, 2013

4 - 9 p.m.

Where:

Richard’s Grove & Saralee’s Vineyard

3575 Slusser Rd.

Windsor, CA 94592

Cost:

Tickets are on sale now and range from $85 for an individual ticket to $1,000 for a party of 10, the latter including two bottles of Russian River Valley wine and two VIP parking passes.

For More Information:

To reserve a table, seat, or for more information, visit http://rrvw.org/event-grape-to-glass/ or call 707-521-2534.

 

Spend Mother's Day With Sofia!

Francis Ford Coppola Winery is one of my top pick's for a memorable Mother's Day outing. This year's Mother's Day marks a special event celebrating the release of the winery's  newest Sofia wine.

There are  lots of surprises in store for the all-day celebration, including complimentary pours of the new wine. Best of all, no reservations are needed. If you're family tends towards the impromptu as opposed to overly orchestrated, keep this one in mind! 

Rock Star Red! 2010 Que Syra Wins Gold Medal Best of Class in 2013 Sonoma Marin Wine Competition

Back in the fall of 2010 we worked tirelessly to salvage that season's harvest of late hanging Syrah. To call it cool climate was an understatement that particular year. Funky weather throughout Spring and Summer led to record late ripening of our 550 backyard grapevines and fruit hung on the vine until November 6th. 

Early season rains only added to our worries once we'd given up on the chance of a last blast of hot weather for a final infusion of sunshine necessary for the fruit to reach its peak sugar levels.

Harvesting the fruit was a frustrating affair as mold had begun to infiltrate the purple clusters, calling for intense hand-sorting of each bunch before putting the fruit through the crusher in our garage. 

Truly a hand-crafted vintage in every way, our 2010 Que Syra vintage was a small lot. Timo coaxed it along at every stage, lovingly bringing out its best characteristics. Like a problem child, there were several indicators of potential greatness if only we could keep it on track! 

Timo held it in the barrel six months longer than the usual 18-months, in large part due to the fact that our 2011 crop was wiped out completely by yellow jackets.

We've been drinking unlabeled bottles of this small resulting stash as our house wine with everyday dinners, delighting in its complex, fruity, flowery, good-mouth feel, its clarity and color, especially considering the degree of its early challenges. 

So when Timo opened the mail last night and read that it just won GOLD BEST OF CLASS in the 2013 Sonoma Marin Amateur Wine Competion, we were tickled a very dark, Syrah shade of pink.

"Rock Star finish! Beautiful wine!" wrote one judge in his tasting notes. Another described it as smooth, balanced, rich, fruit and round, berry red in coloring, complex and flowery in flavor.

"I'm so delighted to receive such great recognition for a wine that called for the careful and constant, loving application of every aspect of my winemaking skills," said Timo.

With such a limited amount of this wine in our lair, anyone who has already been gifted a bottle bearing the new Marley label (designed by graphic artist Damon Karr), enjoy, for the last few remaining bottles are is now under the winemaker's lock and key! 

Thank you to Lara, Steve and Cat, Gail and Michael, Jose, Jeff, Rob the muscle, the boys and all friends and neighbors who stopped by to help sort clusters back in November, 2010. It's just as much fun making wine with you as it is drinking it!

Here's a fun little post from that particular harvest. 

Planning a Day Out in the Heart of Sonoma Valley? Wine and Small Plate Food Pairings at St. Francis Winery a Top Pick for 2013

When thinking of heading out for an afternoon of wine tasting, which happens far less than you'd imagine for someone living at the gateway to so many tempting forays, I like to have a bit more of a plan than solely hitting up a bunch of wineries.

And what better planning than a seated wine and food pairing right there in one of the top of the pops of Sonoma County's most established and respected of grand wineries, St. Francis? 

I've always had a leaning towards this stately old (for California) winery's vintages, in part, at first, as we share the same name (minus the Saint part - and now a Pope, too) but mostly for its stand out, consistently classic wines.

The winery is on the cutting edge of providing wine country guests a visit to remember and these days, the hot ticket is on-site prepped, regional artisan foods. Executive Chef David Bush is now offering winery visitors two delicious and distinctively unique wine and food tasting experiences. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly during the busy summer and harvest seasons. Call ahead at 800 795 6674.

And if you're visiting the winery with kids in tow, though little ones are welcome in the tasting room, food pairing and private estate dinners are for grown ups only. 

SEATED WINE & FOOD PAIRING
$42, Wine Club $33.60
Friday-Sunday, Three Seatings (11:00, 1:00 & 3:00)
Monday & Thursday, Two Seatings (11:00 & 2:00)
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

Chef Bush creates an assortment of small dishes to pair with hand-selected artisan wines. Guests enjoy a casual atmosphere and fine dining presentation 
at a communal table. Each seating is hosted by one of the winery's wine experts, creating a relaxing, fun and educational wine country experience.

CHEESE & CHARCUTERIE
$25, Club $20
Offered Daily (11:00 am - 4:00 pm)
Walk-ins Welcome!

Relax on the winery's terrace overlooking the vineyards and sample a flight of limited-production wines, paired with either a trio of the Chef's favorite local cheeses and seasonal accompaniments, or an artisan charcuterie platter, featuring a selection of housemade and locally produced fare.

Meanwhile, back at the kitchen table: 

Care of the folks at St.Francis, the 20 winery's  2009 Cabernet Sauvignon displays complex varietal character and body, generous tannins and concentrated color, complimenting its all of the aromas you would expect from a premium Cab alongside suitably heavy hints of pleasing ripe black currant, cassis, dusty cocoa and saddle leather.

The grapes in this delightful Cab come from estate vineyards in Sonoma and Russian River valleys, as well as from growers in Sonoma County’s other top appellations, including  Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Rockpile. Each carefully selected vineyard contributes distinctive and individual qualities to the finished wine. 

I'm enjoying a silver medal winner in this year's SF Chronicle Wine Competition, the winery's medium bodied 2011 Sonoma County Chardonnay's - a great county wine for me to pour when dining with the locavore's. Not too pricey but definitely a quality drop. Fresh melon scent combines with a trace of citrus and hazlenut and a hint of pineapple and butterscotch Crisp and acidic, here's a Chardonnay with a long, lingering finish.

For those looking to up the ante on a group outing in wine country in 2013, how about one of St. Francis Winery's new Private Estate Dinners? Offered seven days a week by appointment only, visitors are invited to gather at the winery's table to enjoy a seven-course prix fixe dinner prepared by Chef Bush. An intimate, unique experience, Chef Bush creates multiple courses paired with the winery's iconic wines, starting with a wine reception on the Syrah Patio overlooking the lush Sonoma Mountains. Dinner is served in a private dining room with sweeping views of the Winery’s Estate Vineyards. Chef Bush and hospitality staff  guide guests on a 2½ hour culinary adventure, showcasing the bounty of Sonoma County in their custom approach to wine and food pairing. 

• • Offered Tuesday - Sunday, 6:30pm-9pm
  • Groups of 8-16 only
  • By appointment only, with 72 hours’ notice
  • $135 per person (plus tax & gratuity)
  • Seasonal prix fixe menu. Substitutions are limited - call for details.

              Reservations Required by calling: (707) 833-0255  

St. Francis Visitors Center & Tasting Room is located at 100 Pythian Road at Highway 12, Santa Rosa, CA 95409

Nifty Erasable Ceramic Bottle Stoppers - A Stylish Way to Keep it Corked!

Now, here's a simple, sweet and stylish bottle stopper that I'm happy to give a home to. Some of the silly whimsies that people stuff in perfectly good bottles of wine do take the dignity out of the pour.  

These nifty little PlaceTile Erasable Ceramic Bottle Stoppers, with their erasable ceramic tops, make it easy to write and erase any message. Great for identifying dates for when wines were opened, flavors of wines, reminding oneself to put the bottle back in the fridge until Friday other such wine tasting/presentation notes.

They come in a variety of styles and designs. Retail for $13 per 3, they can be purchased online at www.placetile.com.

Perfect Pairings - Delectable Dishes Love Sonoma County's St. Francis Wines

  

Crab, Spinach and Brie Dip (10 servings) by St. Francis Winery Executive Chef Dave Bush

Pair with St. Francis Sonoma County Chardonnay 2010

(I've always had a soft spot for St. Francis wines!)

Ingredients:

1 medium leek (white part only)

1 medium Vidalia or other sweet onion

1 cup wilted baby spinach squeezed dry of all liquid, chopped      

1 pound Brie

2 tablespoons minced garlic  

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup dry white wine

2/3 cup heavy cream

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill leaves

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves

1 pound fresh jumbo lump crab meat, picked clean of all shells

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon Tabasco, or to taste

Salt and white pepper to taste

 

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 425°F and lightly oil an 11-inch gratin or other shallow baking         dish.

Trim and finely chop leek.

In a large bowl of water wash the leek well and lift from water into a mesh strainer         to drain.

Finely chop the onion.

Squeeze dry and finely chop the spinach.

Discard rind from Brie and cut into 1/4-inch pieces.

In a heavy skillet cook the leek, onion, and garlic in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until pale golden; stir in the spinach.

Add the wine and cook, stirring until almost dry.

Add the cream and simmer for 1 minute. Add the Brie stir constantly until it just begins to melt.

Remove the mixture from heat and stir the in the herbs.

In a large bowl stir together crab meat, mustard, Tabasco, and salt and pepper to         taste and stir in cheese mixture.

Spread mixture evenly in baking dish and bake in middle of oven 15 to 20 minutes,         or until golden. Serve with warm Crostini.

 

 

 

Fallen Chocolate Soufflés (6 soufflés) by St. Francis Winery Executive Chef Dave Bush

Pair with St. Francis Sonoma County Merlot 2007

 

Ingredients:

13 ounces bittersweet chocolate

6 ounces butter (1.5 sticks)

2.5 tablespoons cocoa powder, unsweetened

6 tablespoons sugar

6 egg whites

2 cups mixed berries (strawberry, blackberry, raspberry)

1 cup whipping cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F

Coat the inside of 6-3 inch (6 ounce) ramekins, then coat with sugar shaking out any excess.

In a double boiler melt the butter and chocolate together until smooth, remove from the heat.

Sift the cocoa powder and sugar together, stir the sifted ingredients into the melted chocolate and butter mixture.

Whip the egg whites until they form soft peaks; gently fold in to the chocolate.

Pour the batter into the prepared ramekins and bake until fully risen, about 25 minutes; remove and cool for at least 10 minutes before serving or cool completely and reheat before serving.

While soufflés are cooling whip the cream with the powdered sugar until medium peaks form.

Cut the strawberries in half or quarters depending on the size and mix with berries and a sprinkle of sugar.

Place the berries in the center of each soufflé, top with the whipped cream and serve immediately.

Que Syra 2010 Label Release

Super talented artist/designer and friend of the family, Damon Karr has followed suit in his wonderful depictions of the various furry friends who populate Rivetti Mountain for our latest homestead wine release of the 2010 vintage (above).

Here's (bobtailed) Marley, our 11-year-old part manx cat, king of the hill, chief patrol officer of the vineyard. 

It was with great sadness, but much love in our hearts that we said farewell to our personality-packed family dog, Kite the Corgi, this past week. Kite was just about 17 years old when he left us for romps in the big vineyard in the sky. We're so thankful that we have Damon's artwork to remind us of our loyal, old friend.