Southern Sonoma Country Life

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. 

Petaluma Down Under

At 50 Australian dollars a bottle, this Petaluma 2010 Chardonnay from the Piccadilly Valley puts the price of a premium Petaluma Gap cool climate vintage in perspective.

 

Take a Wine Tour for Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers 7th Annual Gingerbread Contest

Bumper Harvest Creates Barrel Shortage

News amongst winemakers in Sonoma County is that there's a serious shortage of barrels on the market due to the whopping great harvest haul of vintage 2012.

We're ready to barrel following the post-pressing malolactic process and we're having a heck of a time trying to source 64 gallon barrels, re-cooped, as preferred, or brand spanking new for that matter.

Most small production winemakers in the area seem to be in the same boat, which has led to quite a scramble to source available barrels.

If you hear of a lead on two 64 gallon barrels that might be up for grabs somewhere in our region, please do let me know!

Pressing the 2012 World Series Vintage - North Bay Garagiste Winemaking & A Second Giants Win!

Thanks to the San Francisco Giants baseball fever for making the pressing of our  backyard Que Syra Syrah all the more exciting! Radio coverage of the Giants' second winning game in the 2012 World Series boosted momentum amongst all the volunteer muscle, pressing gallon after gallon of the purple wonder juice of what has been a very good year. Let's hope this good fortune continues for the Giants over the next few games.

2012 Harvest 80% Complete as Sonoma County Vintners Race Rains to Completion

With harvest nearing completion throughout Sonoma County following a growing season that was textbook perfect, Sonoma County Vintners and Sonoma County Winegrowers have begun issuing a series of harvest updates from the perspective of vintners and growers based in the region’s largest appellations, accompanied by comments from Nick Frey, President, Sonoma County Winegrowers.

Sonoma County Overview
“We will surpass 80% completion of harvest by Monday when rain chances increase,” said Nick Frey, President, Sonoma County Winegrowers. “Rain should not have much impact since the bulk of varieties left to harvest will be Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties that have thicker skins and can handle rains pretty well. Overall, the vintage has been near perfect for growers and winemakers alike.”

Alexander Valley
“The weather has cooperated beautifully so far this harvest. The ideal ripening weather has allowed us to all but finish up the white grapes this week. The yield has continued to beat our expectations in most varieties. For reds we have picked all of the Malbec and are just starting with some of the Merlot blocks. We are watching the weather forecast closely and expect to really get going later this week harvesting Merlot and some Cabernet Sauvignon.” — Jim Young, President/CEO, Robert Young Vineyards
 
Sonoma Valley
“Our white varietal harvest is now complete here at Kunde Family Estate, and we are knee deep in picking our red varietals. Our projected last pick looks to be around Halloween. This has been an exceptional year for not only quality, but quantity, with grapes seeing a wonderful long hang time and few spikes in temperature.  We are experiencing great color extraction in the reds and beautiful varietal expression coming through in all of the wines. Our tanks are pretty full, and we are feeling like squirrels stashing their acorns for the winter.” -- Zach Long, Winemaker, Kunde Family Estate
 
Russian River Valley
"We wrapped up the 2012 J Vineyards & Winery harvest Thursday, October 18, with 15 tons of Russian River Valley chardonnay.  Interestingly enough, we brought in 369 tons of extra grapes that were not counted in our early crop projections. This works out to 17% above initial projections.  Overall, I'd have to say that 2012 may have surpassed 2007 as the 'perfect vintage.' I think I speak for the entire winemaking team at J in saying, ‘I'm going to bed now!’"-—Melissa Stackhouse, Vice President of Winemaking, J Vineyards & Winery
 
“Quality is excellent, and we should be 95 percent done after Monday. The harvest will break many records -- the crop kept getting bigger at the usual time when it shrinks. You have got to love harvest time to be in this business, which is why I can't get enough!” – John Balletto, Balletto Winery and Vineyards
 
Dry Creek Valley
“At this point, we are nearly 80% done with harvest.  The quality of the Zinfandel and Bordeaux red varieties has been beautiful; I’m seeing particularly deep color and concentration in Cabernet, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. With the chance of some significant rain next week, everyone in Dry Creek Valley is scrambling to harvest as much as possible now. We are in a cycle of pressing off red tanks and refilling them as soon as we can. It’s just a matter of opening up tanks to receive the abundant harvest.”  —Tim Bell, Winemaker, Dry Creek Vineyard
 
“This has been one of the best harvests in years.  The growing season has been ideal up to this point. In all varietals, the fruit quality is exceptional and production levels very good for growers. In spite of a labor shortage all year, we have managed to stay on target with our work in the vineyards. We are now engaged in the last push to finish.  It’s as though someone has yelled “fire” and everyone has rushed for the exit.” – Duff Bevill, Bevill Vineyard Management
 

About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions, and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 175 wineries of all sizes throughout the county. Learn more about SCV at www.SonomaWine.com.
 
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, dba Sonoma County Winegrowers, was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world. For more information about SCW and its programs, visit www.sonomawinegrape.org.

Southern Sonoma County's Sublime Weber Ranch Dinner

"And Fall, with her yeller harvest moon and the hills growin' brown and golden under a sinkin' sun."Legend of the Old West, Judge Roy Bean

These images speak for themselves as to the visual beauty of a harvest season Weber Ranch Dinner in one of West Petaluma's most rustic, romantic family compounds.

After several year's of gazing online at tantalizing pics and delicious descriptions of the folks from Della Fattoria's special series of seasonal home patch dinners, calendar magic finally worked its wonders for seats at one of the long, farm tables nestled under the oak trees in the heart of the Weber's Skillman Lane property.

It was the last of the 2012 line-up of Saturday late afternoon/early evening epicurean soiree's out on the ranch. It was sublime in every aspect and balmy weather until dusk made for the icing on the cake.

Diners snap up seating during this exclusive series as soon as summer supper dates at the Ranch are released, on the Della website, each Spring. I can see why. A sensory explosion of seasonal goodness awaits as diners wander onto the peaceful, low-key property for late afternoon mingling with fans from all over the Bay Area, most of whom make it a priority to return each summer for the earthy pleasures of platter after platter of freshly grilled figs, frittatas, cheeses, nuts and tapenades and of course, huge, round loaves of Della Fattoria ranch-baked breads filled with baked bries and other assorted wonders.

And that's just for starters. By the time the afternoon has wound down for table seating, diners have wandered the ranch, peeped in at the famous bread baking operation, said hello to the chickens, petted the family's numerous, friendly pooches...

Deep, family-style dishes of fall salad with butternut squash were passed around, followed by toppling platters of grilled chicken and steak.

The Weber's know better than most anyone in the region the art of the table. Given the endless hours of energy poured into every aspect of their business, this level of gracious hospitality, at home is testament to the family's remarkable ability to share a deep appreciation for and celebration of the very best of what fellow artisan growers and provider have to offer.

Coffee and desserts from the bakery were savored as the sun set and the shadows drew in like a closing curtain in flawless theatre. 

A Bountiful Harvest At Home - 2012

"Wine to me is passion. It’s family and friends. It’s warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. It’s culture. It’s the essence of civilization and the art of living."

Robert Mondavi

Harvest conditions on a misty, still October Sunday morning were simply spectacular. After 10 years of growing cool climate Syrah here on Rivetti mountain, the wine Gods were smiling down on an energetic and enthusiastic gathering of wonderful early bird friends and family who volunteered their weekend sleep-in time to trek the hillside's slippy stone stairs to bring in this year's bounty.

We're anticipating a two 64 gallon barrel vintage, such was the super haul of this season's beautiful fruit. All the more gratifying since last year's entire crop was lost to weird weather, yellow jackets and birds.

We've experienced all sorts of variables with our harvests over the years, mold loss following early rainfall, being one of the most problematic. But this year's bounty was picture perfect, ripe and balanced and ready to roll right into the crusher in our garage at the bottom of the hill.

Still smiling after several hours of fruitful labor!

Here's the post-crush haul in the fermenting bin - doing its thing for the next week or so until its ready for the press. We'll be calling in the volunteer troops for the heavy muscle work next weekend....

Tour Hidden Gems at 2012 Sonoma Valley Reserve, Oct 20 & 21st

Oh So-Noma County! Exploring the Best of Sonoma County's Wine, Food & Hospitality at the Russian River's Stunning MacMurray Ranch

What a treat to attend Sonoma Country Wine Country Weekend's 2012 Taste of Sonoma event at the sublimely beautiful MacMurray Ranch, tucked away amidst towering redwood groves in the depths of the Russian River Valley.

A homestead since the 1850s, the ranch's more recent history unfolded back in 1941, when Hollywood actor Fred MacMurray (My Three Sons) purchased the property to raise cattle.

Today, Fred's daughter, Kate MacMurray, maintains a vital role in the running of historic MacMurray Ranch. Pictured here, in a tasting barn on the property, MacMurray shares the history of the ranch and world class wines with visitors to a tasteful retrospective exhibit mounted for the event. The ranch is not normally open to visitors and there is no permanent tasting room on site.

It was wonderful to see so many South County folk participating in Taste of Sonoma. With over 170 wineries pouring and paired with 60 of the most talented artisan food producers of our region, this extraordinary annual gathering attracts around 3,000 visitors in one glorious, sun dappledafternoon.

Stalwart and lovely ladies of  the Petaluma Gap Winegrower's Alliance, Joan Griffin (of Griffin's Lair) and Gayle Crane (of Armagh Vineyard) represented our South County growers and wine makers, pouring a selection of premium Petaluma Gap grown wines.

How about this for a sophisticated, blind tasting spot under the eaves of an open porch off the historic ranch house? Gorgeous. When can I move in?!

Floral abundance. Many of the caterers and wineries at Taste of Sonoma arranged stunning flowers and grasses from their own estates further exemplifying a sense of terroir and place.

Petaluma Pie Company's sweet and savory little bite size pork and rhubarb pies were a big hit with the crowds.

Spoiled for choice with so many amazing wines to taste.

Honey, I'm home!



Named one of the 10 Best Wine and Food Events in the United States by Celebrated Living magazine, Taste of Sonoma 2012 was once again, a sell-out event with oenophiles and foodies from all over the world enjoying the very best of what our county has to offer, all in one stunningly bucolic locale. Mark you calendar for this one for the first weekend in September, 2013.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is expertly produced by the Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Foundation, and proceeds benefit local charities to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years. Beneficiaries for the events are local charities that benefit students, children, farm workers and people in need.