Russian River Valley Winegrowers' 18th annual Grape to Glass event at Richard's Grove and Saralee's Vineyard was as balmy, beautiful and bountiful a summer's evening as we could ask for, here in SoCo wine country, this past Saturday (Aug 17th).
One of my favorite wine highights of the summer season's wine gatherings, the Russian River Valley Winegrowers put on a warm and welcoming, delightfully casual party for enthusiasts of some of the world's best Pinot, Chardonnay and other cool climate varietals. Though I spoke to several guests visiting from the East Coast and Mid West, many Grape to Glass goers were wine road neighbors and industry insiders.
I think that's part of the appeal of this particular event, in which you really do feel like you are a part of wine country, comfortably rubbing shoulders at tasting barrel tables with many of the Russian River region's leading growers and celebrated winemakers.
This year's Grape to Glass, dubbed Back to Our Roots, celebrated the 30 year anniversary of the Russian River AVA with tastings, silent and live auctions, a farmers market, barbecue dinner, giant apple pie and live entertainment by Sonoma County band, Urban Oasis.
Rich and Saralee Kunde recently downsized their operation, having sold their namesakes' 260 acre property, located at the northwest corner of the junction of River and Slusser roads, with its 50 varietal clones and a large rootstock test block, to Jackson Family Wines, late last year.
The couple, who are celebrating their 24th harvest this year, still owns three other vineyards, totaling over 80 acres and continues to grow fruit for 15 vintners. Russian River Valley Winegrowers President Randy Luginbill honored founding members: Kristin Thigpen; Anne Giere; Rod Berglund; Don Brown; Warren Dutton; Lou Foppiano; Kirk Lokka; Paul Novak and then president Saralee (nee McClelland). Randy Luginbill said that it was Saralee who had carried the board in its early days and in forming the AVA.
Talk at one of the wine tasting barrel stations hinted at a possible next move for Saralee being in the direction of reconnecting with her dairy heritage background - with a focus on artisan cheese.
Windsor High School's Vineyard Academy, Culinary Department concocted this homemade Dutton Ranch Gravenstein Apple Pie, served with Petaluma Creamery ice cream. And yes, it was as delicious as it looks.
Farmers Market appetizer tables featured summer squash quesadilla's with Fiscalini Cheddar and Corn Salsa by John Ash & CO and Vintners Inn, fresh slides of bread and butter by McClelland's Dairy, a variety of Spring Hill Jersey Cheese by Petaluma Creamery, goat cheeses from Redwood Hill Farm and Creamery, handmade pizza with assorted mushrooms from Gourmet Mushrooms, Inc and Spring Hill Cheese by Village Bakery. Angelo's meats served barbecued Martinelli sausages with mustards by Kozlowski Farms and a house smoked chicken tinga with local peach salsa and crema top was served by Russian River Vineyards and Cork's Restaurant.
More of the county's flavors rounded out generous bbq dinner portions, including Russian River Chardonnay marinated Willie Bird turkey breasts, trip tip with Kozloski bbq sauce, Andy's Produce mixed greens, Casual Catering's tomato basil pasta and grilled seasonal veggies, La Tortilla Factory tortillas and Village Bakery breads with Petaluma creamery butter chips.
Out of the 45 wineries pouring for Grape to Glass, picking favorites is no easy task. From Acorn and Arista Wineries leading in alphabetical order, to Joseph Swan in the J's and the superb Williams Selyem at the other end of the A-Z's of Russian River wines, this was one yearly task that no one minded taking on one bit!
I hope that Jackson Family Wines continues the tradition of hosting Grape to Glass on this gorgeous property in years to come. In the meantime, pencil in mid-August on your 2014 wine lover's calendar. For Pinot and Chard afficianados, its as good as it gets.
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