April-May 2011 California Vine Times

J. Lohr’s Wine Fest Weekend Events Friday, May 20 – Sunday, May 22

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Amador County

27th Annual Fair Play Wine Festival

Story Winery & Blue Moon Cafe Winemaker Dinner

Saturday-Sunday, June 4-5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

At the Wineries of Fair Play

Thursday, May 19, 5 p.m.

Blue Moon Cafe & Catering Co., 19885 State Highway 88, Pine Grove

Join the family winemakers of Fair Play for the 27th Annual Fair Play Wine Festival. This long-standing tradition involves outstanding Fair Play wines paired with wonderful food, live music, educational experiences and the opportunity to meet and talk with the owners and winemakers.

Tickets are $20 online, $15 at participating tasting rooms, and $20 at the door.

For tickets and information visit fairplaywine.com.

The Blue Moon Cafe invites you to a Winemakers Dinner featuring Story Winery. For complete information or to make reservations, call (209) 296-3800.

TheBlueMoonCafe.net.

The 2011 Barbera Festival June 11, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Cooper Ranch, 21365 Shenandoah School Rd., Plymouth More than 70 wineries will be pouring their Barbera wines among the vines and orchards of Cooper Ranch. Come taste Barbera’s from all over California.

Barbera’s food pairings are legendary and the outdoor festival will highlight the culinary skills of area chefs and caterers. Live music along with artesian crafts adds to the festivities at this “green� event.

Tickets start at $30 and include admittance, wine tasting, and commemorative wine glass. Food sold separately. For more information visit www.barberafestival.com.

El Dorado County Lava Cap Winery’s 25th Silver Anniversary Celebration Sunday, May 1, 1-5 p.m.

At the Lava Cap Winery, 2221 Fruitridge Rd, Placerville Join Lava Cap Winery for an afternoon of wine, live music and anniversary cake and ice cream. Sierra Smokehouse will be on site selling BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and BBQ rib plates. Bring your friends and family.

For more information visit lavacap.com or call toll free (800) 475-0175 or (530) 6210175.

Fair Play Poker Run Saturday, May 14, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Join Perry Creek, Too good and three other Fair Play wineries for this fabulous adventure. Sample delicious wines, take home a bottle of your favorite wine from each, and a playing card to assemble a poker hand. At the end of the day, relax and enjoy dinner and an awards ceremony hosted by one of the participating wineries.

Prizes are awarded for the best, worst and a few not so hot poker hands. $89.50 (plus tax) per person. For information and to purchase tickets call: (530) 620-5175. For more information visit fairplaywine.com.

Lodi Lodi ZinFest Wine Festival Friday-Sunday, May 13 – 15, various events Main Festival Event, Saturday, May 14, Noon-6 p.m.

Lodi Lake Park, 1101-1301 W.Turner Rd. in Lodi This three day celebration kicks off on Friday evening with the Vintner’s Grille at the Lake – a casual dinner under the stars with Lodi vintners and growers. Enjoy ZinFest Wine Festival on Saturday, sample Lodi wines, immerse in ZinFest Wine or Cooking schools, enjoy local food purveyors and browse from a selection of regional vendors. The weekend concludes on Sunday, with the ZinFest Winery Tours & Open Houses at winery locations throughout the region.

Saturday’s event tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the gate. For complete information and tickets visit zinfest.com or call (209) 365-0621.

Madera County Madera Meet the Winemaker Weekend May 14 - 15, 10 to 5 p.m.

Along the Madera Wine Trail, Madera Sample a wide variety of local awardwinning wines, from aperitif to dessert, old-world styles to the latest in winemaking technology, all from the winemakers themselves. On “Meet the Winemaker Weekend,� these talented winemakers can be found around the Trail discussing their hand-crafted wine techniques, hosting barrel tastings, winery tours and more. Plus, you will find indulgent food pairings, local art and live music.

Passport Glasses are available for $25 from any participating winery both days of the event. Pre-sale tickets can also be purchased for $20 at select locations. Visit www.MaderaWineTrail.com or call (800) 6130709 for more event and ticket information.

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c o n t e n t s t h e

f i v e

D ’ s

PUBLISHER

Victoria Buonocore

DO:

3

MANAGING EDITOR

What’s Doin’ in Wine Country

Toni Sieling STAFF WRITER

Tiffany Melanis

DESTINATION:

9

California

EVENTS EDITOR

Mendocino

Sally Gersbach

13 DELIGHTS:

SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR

BY

denise@vinetimesmagazine.com

Goodies & Gadgets

Denise Kouzoujian

T I F FA N Y M E L A N I S

29 DISCOVER:

PRODUCTION

Los Gatos: Gateway to the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Country

COVER ART

The Last Syrah by Ben Davis, Jr. Original Oil, 30” x 24”

B Y L I N DA K I S S A M

38 DEVOUR:

c o l u m n i s t s

Chow Bella COMPILED BY VICTORIA BUONOCORE

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Eat This With...

11 12

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BY MICHELLE SIELING

Livermore’s La Rochelle and Steven Kent Wineries

27

Where to Store Your Growing Wine Collection

22

Fair Play Wineries

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The Wine Chixs B Y L I N DA K I S S A M & G I N G E R G I O R DA N O

The City Cellar

BY MICHELLE SIELING

Her VineNess on Wine

BY LAURA NESS

Her VineNess picks five wines sure to please.

Young and Stellar in Paso Robles

More great California Vine Times articles coming to:

BY LISA J. PRETTY

23

BY CYNTHIA BOURNELLIS

The Punchdown, a natural wine bar in Oakland, features a selection of unique and carefully crafted wines.

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B Y L I N DA J . B OT T J E R

From Behind the Tasting Bar

The Wine Chix make a visit to San Diego County’s Milaro Farms Vineyards and Winery.

B Y K I M B E R LY H O R G - W E B B

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B Y D E N I S E KO U Z O U J I A N

Tartrate Crystals: Uncovering the mystery of “wine diamnonds.”

Weekend in a Wine Barrel

BY LAURA NESS

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Culinary Road Trip A culinary adventure in Paso Robles.

BY LISA J. PRETTY

f e a t u r e s

Anne Dobbins Toni Sieling

Monte de Oro Winery

www.vinetimesoline.com

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BY PHILLIP STEGNER

P H OTO C R E D I T S : M I C H A E L TA F F E T, M A RY L I N D S AY, L I S A J . P R E T T Y, M I C H A E L TA F F E T, K I M B E R LY H O R G W E B B , L I S A J . P R E T T Y, J A N E T S T E G N E R

w i n e r y

Have your wine event included in our June / July 2011 issue.

Please submit your June and July events for inclusion in our next issue by May 6.

Email to editor@vinetimesmagazine.com or submit online at www. vinetimesonline.com.

g u i d e s

Only wineries with tasting rooms are listed.

Guides can be downloaded from our website at www.vinetimesonline.com.

Amador County ..................................16 Calaveras County ................................28 El Dorado County North/South ......14 Gilroy ......................................................32 Glenn County ......................................33 Humboldt County ..................................8 Lake County ............................................8

Livermore Valley....................................11 Lodi..........................................................37 Madera County ....................................33 Mariposa County ................................ 28 Mendocino County ................................8 Merced County ....................................33 Monterey................................................30

4 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

Napa County ..................................24, 25 Nevada County ......................................7 Paso Robles ..........................................20 Placer County..........................................7 San Francisco Bay Area.......................32 San Francisco East Bay ..........................* San Luis Obispo ......................................6

Santa Barbara ........................................18 Santa Clara Valley ................................32 Santa Cruz ............................................32 San Benito ................................................* Solano County ......................................25 Sonoma County ............................34, 35 Temecula/San Diego County ............31

Tuolume County ..................................28 Yolo County ..........................................33 Yuba County ............................................7

* These guides are downloadable at www.vinetimesonline.com

What’s Doin’ in Wine Country...

Continued from Page 3

Mariposa County Mariposa Rotary Seventh Annual Fine-Art & Wine Festival Saturday, June 11, 12-6 p.m.

Mariposa County Courthouse 5088 Bullion St., Mariposa A blending of Fine Art and Wine will bring together two of Mariposa County’s special traditions. Experience more than 10 wineries with a connection to the Sierra Foothills and recognize the talent of more than 30 local area artists. The Historic Courthouse and grounds is a beautiful setting for this event and a delightful place to enjoy art, talk to the artists, taste a variety of wine, talk to the winemakers and listen to lively music while indulging in great food.

Admission is free. You can purchase a commemorative wine glass, along with a number of tasting tickets, to share in the tasting event. The proceeds benefit the community through the Mariposa Rotary Club. For questions contact Susie Stonum, (209) 6050121 daytime or email her, sastonum@sti.net.

Visit www.MariposaRotary.org for more details and photos of last year’s event.

visit for Oregon’s award-winning Duo, after last year’s sold out show.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling (800) 838-3006 (24 hour ticket line) or visit www.brownpapertickets.com.

For more information visit scheidvineyards.com or gypsysoul.com.

Napa Rutherford Passport Weekend Saturday-Sunday,May 7-8,11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Experience the wineries of the Rutherford Appellation as never before.

Passport Weekend allows Passport holders exclusivity to special pourings, barrel and tank tastings, paired food and wines, and conversations with the winemakers - all of which will make for a memorable time in beautiful Napa Valley. Proceeds from the passport events benefit a local Napa Valley Charity.

For tickets and a complete list of participating wineries visit rutherford-appellation-wineries.com or call (707) 332-5585.

Auction Napa Valley June 2 – 5

Mendocino Hopland Passport Weekend Saturday-Sunday,April 30-May 1 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

At the Milano Family Winery 14594 South Highway 101, Hopland Hopland area wineries assemble and “roll out the barrel,” showing their finest in Rhone, Italian, Burgundian, and Bordeaux varietals ranging from Arneis to Zinfandel.

Experience 16 Local Mendocino County Wineries where each winery will entertain you in their own special way. This could include live music, bocce ball, barrel tasting, barbeques, book signings, reserve and future tastings and much more.

Tickets include two full days of fun.

Receive a Passport logo glass, entry to all wine tastings, food pairings and entertainment.. Enter to win the Passport Prize Giveaway where more than 30 fabulous prizes will be given away. Tickets are $35 online, $45 at the event, plus an optional $15 for a Shuttle Pass.

For more information contact the Hopland Passport Association toll free at (800) 564-2582 or visit milanowinery.com.

Monterey An Evening with Gypsy Soul and Scheid Wines Saturday, April 23, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Scheid Vineyards Wine Lounge 751 Cannery Row, Monterey Scheid Vineyards is proud to present an Evening with Gypsy Soul, Saturday, April 23 at the Monterey Tasting Room at 751 Cannery Row. This will be the second

Photo ©2010 Jason Tinacci / TinacciPhoto.com Four glorious days of incredible wine and food. Insider’s access to the cool cellars and warm hospitality of renowned Napa Valley vintners. Your choice of dozens of parties, each hosted by the people behind some of the world’s most recognized wines, the rousing Barrel Auction and Marketplace to be held this year at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone; and the centerpiece Live Auction at Meadowood Napa Valley that will include more than 250 auction lots. Proceeds from this weekend supports health, youth and affordable housing non-profit programs.

For a complete list of events and to purchase tickets, visit napavintners.com or call (707) 963-3388.

Napa/Sonoma April in Carneros April 16-17, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

At Participating Wineries This exciting multi-winery open house will feature more than 20 wineries in the Carneros region of both the Napa and

Sonoma Valleys. Each winery will open its doors to visitors to join in on a variety of activities, including food and wine pairings, live music, art and craft shows, special tastings including barrel reserve, library and new releases. Proceeds help to fund scholarships at Santa Rosa Junior College and Napa Valley College.

Tickets are $35 per person in advance and $40 per person the day of the event and include $5 “Carneros Cash” to apply to purchase at participating wineries. For a list of participating wineries and to purchase tickets visit carneroswineries.org or call (800) 909-4352.

8th Annual Paso Pinot & Paella Festival Sunday, June 5, 2-5 p.m.

Templeton Community Park 6th St. & Crocker,Templeton Join the Pinot Noir Producers of Paso Robles and 20 great chefs for an afternoon of great wine, creative Paella dishes, and dance to the live Latin guitar world fusion beats of Incendio. All occurs under the shade of the giant oak trees. Blankets and/or lawn chairs are welcome.

Your ticket includes a souvenier, burgundy-style fine wineglass. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at PinotandPaella.com.

Santa Barbara

Paso Robles Third Annual Wine 4 Paws Saturday-Sunday,April 9-10 San Luis Obispo County Wide Pet loving wine drinkers – support your four legged friends and the Central Coast Wine Region. The Third Annual Wine 4 Paws, a fundraising event for Woods Humane Society, will be held at more than 50 participating wineries throughout the Central Coast on April 9 and 10. During this weekend, the Wine 4 Paws wineries will share their proceeds with Woods Humane Society.

The event includes a free passport, available to print from the Wine 4 Paws website or at any participating winery during the event.

For complete information including a full list of participating wineries and to get the free printable passport and map, go to www.wine4paws.com. For more information contact Sarah Tomasetti, Director of Wine 4 Paws at info@wine4paws.com

29th Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival Friday - Sunday, May 20-22,Various Times More than 140 area wineries will host special activities throughout the weekend, including winemaker dinners, food pairings, cooking classes, and winery and vineyard tours to complete the Paso Robles Wine Festival Weekend experience.

Events and times vary.

The marquee event happens on Saturday, May 21 when more than 90 wineries will be on hand to pour their wines during the Grand Tasting in the charming Paso Robles Downtown City Park, from 2 to 6 p.m. The weekend’s other events include: Friday RESERVE Tasting at the Downtown City Park (3:30 -6 p.m.), Saturday Winemaker Seminar (1-2 p.m.) and Wine Country Auction & Dinner (6 10:30 p.m.).

Tickets are on sale at www.paso wine.com. All ticket packages include unlimited wine tasting and a commemorative wine glass. Visit the website for complete information or to request an event brochure.

29th Annual Vintners’ Festival Weekend Friday - Monday,April 15-18 Various Locations and Times Saturday, April 16,VIP/ Early Entry: 12-1 p.m., General Admission: 1-4 p.m.

River Park, Lompoc CA One winegrowing county, four AVAs, 65 varietals, 110 vintners – all together for one day in one place. The annual Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival Weekend attracts wine lovers from near and far for an opportunity to meet member vintners, taste their wines, and enjoy great food and music over a long spring weekend.

The main event is the Vintners’ Festival – a festive outdoor environment on Saturday, April 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Festival features the wines of the more than 110 members of the Association, live music, a silent auction and wine country cuisine by the area’s finest chefs. The wineries also host events throughout the weekend - special tastings, barbecues, winemaker dinners, and wine & food pairings. Purchase a Vintners’ Visa for $35 your passport to twelve participating wineries over the four-day weekend.

Tickets for the Saturday Vintners’ Festival are $75, $85 at the gate, $100 for VIP/early entry. To purchase advanced tickets and get complete information visit http://sbcountywines.com/events/festival.html

Santa Cruz Mountains April Passport to the Wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Located at Participating Wineries Visit the Santa Cruz Mountains when more than 50 wineries will open their doors to Passport participants on Saturday, April 16. The Passport Program offers a unique opportunity for visitors to visit wineries not typically open to the public at other times. Passport holders will be invited to tour the facilities, meet the winemakers, and sample the fruits of their labors including special wines poured only for Continued on Page 6

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What’s Doin’ in Wine Country...

Continued from Page 5 participants in the Passport Program.

Passports are $40 per person and they never expire, they are valid until all 50 wineries have been visited.

The Passport Program will be repeated on the third Saturday of January, April, July and November each year.

For more information, and to order your passport, call (831) 685-VINE (8463) or visit www.scmwa.com. You can also purchase a Passport at any participating winery on Saturday, April 16 or stop by the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association office at 7605-A Old Dominion Court in Aptos.

First Annual “Arte Vino” Saturday–Sunday, April 16-17 Starting at noon each day Located at the Oak Tree Ristorante at The Guild, 5447 Highway 9, Felton Enjoy a Spring day under the redwoods in beautiful Felton for fabulous food prepared by chef Sebastian Nobile of the Oak Tree Ristorante; wine tasting from local wineries and flights from the Oak Tree wine list; an outdoor barbecue and arts and crafts displayed by more than 20 local artists. Entry is free. Buy a raffle ticket for $5 that benefits The Mountain Community Resource Center for a chance to win items donated by the artists and more. The restaurante will be open at 8:30 am for breakfast – the outdoor event begins at noon.

Oak Tree Ristorante is located in Felton, adjacent to Henry Cowell State Park.

The location on Highway 9 is a few minutes drive under the Redwoods from Santa Cruz and is on the way to or from any points of interest in the Santa Cruz Mountains. For more information call (831) 335-5551 or visit oaktreeristorante.com.

Organic Wine Trail of the Santa Cruz Mountains: Earth Day Tour Saturday, April 23, 11-5 p.m.

In recognition of Earth Day, four Santa Cruz Mountains wineries will showcase their certified organic vineyards and practices with a wine trail. Learn more about growing organic winegrapes, and taste their wines. The wine trail extends from Alfaro Family Vineyards in Corralitos; to Vine Hill Winery in Santa Cruz; to Silver Mountain Vineyards along Summit Road between Los Gatos and Soquel; to Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards in Saratoga. The route makes a nice day’s excursion, with excellent restaurants, picnicking, and fabulous views along the way. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the extra steps vineyards and wineries take to adhere to organic standards.

The cost for the self-guided tour is only the tasting fee/policy set by each winery.

Total tasting fees for all four wineries is $35.

Visit organicwinetrail.org for more information, including maps and directions.

Los Gatos Wine Walk: From Downtown to Old Town Saturday, April 30, 2-6 p.m.

Sip, savor and shop your way through Los Gatos. Local wineries from the Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley will pour wine for your tasting pleasure at various shops and locations throughout downtown. Start in the downtown locations, open from 2 to 5 p.m.; and finish your Wine Walk in the Old Town amphitheater, open from 3 to 6 p.m., where you will find more wineries, food samples, live music, models showing fashions from local shops; a raffle; and complimentary bottled water.

Tickets are $35 in advance; $40 at the door (if still available). Must be at least 21 for the Wine Walk. Check in at Purrsnickety, 100 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos. For more information and tickets, see the Chamber of Commerce website at losgatoschamber.com.

includes one souvenir wine glass. Buy your tickets early - the price goes up to $50 after June 4 at 5 p.m. and they sell out every year. For tickets and information visit bonnydoonartandwinefestival.com.

22nd Annual Vintners’ Festival 2011 Saturday-Sunday, June 4-5, Western Side of the Santa Cruz Mountains Saturday-Sunday, June 11-12, Eastern Side of the Santa Cruz Mountains 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(Restaurant locations close at 4 p.m.)

Located at Wineries and Restaurants in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties This year’s Vintners’ Festival will be held on two consecutive weekends. On June

4 and 5, the festival will be hosted at wineries and restaurants in Santa Cruz County.

And, on June 11 and 12, the festival will be hosted at wineries and restaurants in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. This is an opportunity for restaurants and wineries to pair together for the ultimate experience.

Many wineries will be pouring their wines at local restaurants for the festival as well as at their own winery locations. Take part in barrel tastings, meet winemakers and enjoy music, art, and good food.

Tickets ($35) and the official brochure, listing participating wineries along with a map, can be obtained by calling (831) 685-VINE (8463) or visit their website at scmwa.com. You may also purchase your wine glass, which serves as your tickContinued on Page 7

Winery Guide

The 15th Annual Rivers of Chocolate Festival Sunday, May 1, 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Mountain Winery 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga Come and delight in the rich chocolate creations, savory delights and awardwinning wines, prepared and donated by leading chocolatiers, chefs and vintners.

It’s an opportunity for some of the best Bay Area restaurateurs, chocolatiers, wineries and other participants to show off their talent. The festival enables you to taste some amazing chocolate, pastries, hors d’oeuvres, ice cream, gelato, wine, beer, and spirits - all while supporting a good cause.

There will also be live music and a live and silent auction benefiting the programs of EHC LifeBuilders–the leading provider of housing, hope, and opportunity for homeless adults, families and youth in Santa Clara County.

Tickets include a wine glass and may be purchased online at riversofchocolate.com or by calling (408) 539–2103. Tickets are $125.

The Ninth Annual Bonny Doon Art & Wine Festival Saturday, June 4, 12 - 6 p.m.

At the Bonny Doon Airport Come out to the beautiful Bonny Doon Airport and enjoy wine tasting and food pairing, gourmet foods and desserts, live jazz, classic cars and vintage airplanes, fine art, fabulous live and silent auctions featuring exquisite art, fun events, gift certificates, vacations, and more. This event is presented by the Bonny Doon Community School Foundation. $40 admits one adult. Admission

6 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

1 ALAPAY CELLARS 415 First St., Avila Beach 805-595-2632, alapaycellars.com Tasting Sat-Thu10:30-6, Fri 10:30-8 BAILEYANA 3 5828 Orcutt Rd, SLO 805-269-8200, baileyana.com Tasting Daily10-5 5 CERRO CALIENTE CELLARS 831-A Via Esteban, SLO 805-544-2842,cerrocalientecellars.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 CHAMISAL WINERY 8 7525 Orcutt Rd, SLO 805-541-9463, domainealfred.com Tasting Daily 10-5 CLAIBORNE & CHURCHILL 6 2649 Carpenter Canyon, SLO 805-544-4066, claibornechurchill.com Tasting Daily11-5 EDNA VALLEY VINEYARDS 10 2585 Biddle Ranch Rd, SLO 805-544-5855, ednavalley.com Tasting 10-5/Tours 15 KELSEY SEE CANYON VINEYARDS 1947 See Canyon Rd, SLO 805-595-9700, kelseywine.com Tasting Daily11-5:30 KYNSI WINERY 16 2212 Corbett Canyon Rd,

Arroyo Grande, 805-544-8461, kynsi.com, Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 LAETITIA VINEYARD & WINERY 18 453 Laetitia Vineyard Dr, Arroyo Grande, 805-481-1772 laetitiawine.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 PERBACCO CELLARS 23 1850 Calle Joaquin, SLO 805-787-0485, perbaccocellars.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 24 PIEDRA CREEK WINERY 6425 Mira Cielo Drive, SLO 805-541-1281, Tasting by Appt.

REFUGIO VINEYARD 26 COMPANY 1691 See Canyon Rd, SLO 805-801-1919, Tasting by Appt.

28 SALISBURY VINEYARDS 6985 Ontario Rd., SLO 805-595-9463,salisburyvineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-6 SAUCELITO CANYON VINEYARD 29 3080 Biddle Ranch Rd, SLO 805-543-2111,saucelitocanyon.com Tasting Daily 10-5 SEXTANT WINES 30 3536 S. Higuera, Ste 250, SLO 805-542-0133, sextantwines.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 or by Appt.

STEVEN ROSS WINE CELLARS 32 3031 Lopez Dr.,Arroyo Grande 805-489-0446, talleyvineyards.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 TALLEY VINEYARDS 33 3031 Lopez Dr.,Arroyo Grande 805-489-0446, talleyvineyards.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 31 TANGENT 5828 Orcutt Rd, SLO 805-597-8250, tangentwines.com Tasting Daily 10-5 TOLOSA WINERY 35 4910 Edna Rd., SLO 805-782-0500, tolosawinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 WINDEMERE/CATHY MACGREGOR WINES 39 3536 S. Higuera, Ste. 240B, SLO 805-542-0133 Tasting Daily 11:30-4 WOLFF VINEYARDS 40 6238 Orcott Rd, SLO 805-781-0448, wolffvineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-5 41 WOOD WINERY 136 Bridge St., Arroyo Grande 805-489-9663, wildwoodwine.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5

What’s Doin’ in Wine Country...

Continued on Page 6 et to taste, at one of the festival locations during the festival.

TAPAS Grand Wine Tasting Sunday, June 5, 2-5 p.m.

Fort Mason Festival Pavilion San Francisco Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society (TAPAS) is hosting the most extensive annual tasting of domestically produced Spanish and Portuguese varietal wines in North America, for the fourth year, in San Francisco. Grapes native to the Iberian Peninsula produce some of the hottest-selling wines on th market right

San Francisco now, but not many people know that there are excellent and unique domestic versions being grown too. Consumers will have the unique opportunity to sample wines from more than 30 participating wineries and learn about varieties like Tempranillo, Albariño, Garnacha, Graciano, Mourvedre, Touriga, Verdelho, Bastardo and more. Many TAPAS members are limited-production, familyowned wineries and will be pouring small lot wines that are not widely available.

Tickets are $60 at the door, or $40 in advance at tapas4.eventbrite.com. For more information visit tapasociety.org.

Winery Guide PLACER COUNTY

Map is not to scale

NEVADA COUNTY N AGGIAR WINERY AVANGUARDIA WINES 1 Winery: 13028 Jones Bar Rd., Nevada City, 530-274-9482, avanguardiawines.com Tasting Sat 12-4 Apr-Dec or by Appt.

Tasting Room: 209 W. Main St, Grass Valley, Tasting Daily 12-5 B URCH H ALL/ COYOTEVILLE WINERIES 2 108 Mill Street, Grass Valley 530.272.7000, BurchWines.com Tasting Mon,Wed, Fri-Sun; 12-5 COUFOSCELLARS 5 10065 Rough & Ready Rd. Rough&Ready, 530.274.2923 Tasting Sat 12-5 or by Appt.

DOUBLE OA K V INEYARDS 6 & WINERY 14510 Blind Shady Road, Nevada City, 530-292-3235 doubleoakwinery.com Tasting Sat 11-5 or by Appt.

I NDIAN SPRINGS V INEYARD 8 303 Broad St., Nevada City 530-478-1068/ 800-375-9311 indianspringswines.com Tasting Sun-Thu 11-5, Fri-Sat 11:30-6 LUCCHESI V INEYARDS & 11 WINERY 167 Mill Street, Grass Valley 530-274-2164, lucchesivineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-6 M ON TOLIVA V INEYARD & WINERY 12 15629 Mt. Olive Rd., Chicago Park, 530-346-6577 montoliva.com, Tasting Sat-Sun 12-4

13 18125 Rosemary Ln., Grass Valley, 530-268-9059 naggiarvineyards.com Tasting by Appt./Tours by Appt.

N EVADA CITY WINERY 14 321 Spring St., Nevada City 530-265-9463, ncwinery.com Tasting Daily 12-6, Sun 12-5 P ILOT P EAK V INEYARD & WINERY 16 12888 Spenceville Rd., Penn Valley, 530-432-3321, pilotpeak.com, Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 SIERRA K NOLLS V INEYARD & WINERY 18 19635 Kingwood Ct., Grass Valley, 530-268-9225 sierraknollswinery.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 or by Appt.

SIERRA STA R R V INEYARD & WINERY 19 11179 Gibson Drive, Grass Valley, 530-477-8277, sierrastarrwine.com Tasting by Appt.

SMITH VINEYARDS & WINERY 20 13719 Dog Bar Road, Grass Valley, 530-273-7032, smith-vineyard.com, Tasting by Appt.

SOLUNE WINEGROWERS 21 16303 Jewett Ln., Grass Valley 530-271-0990, solunewinery.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 or by Appt./Tours by Appt.

T RUCKEE R IVER WINERY 22 10061 So. River St.,Truckee 530-587-4626, truckeeriverwinery.com Tasting by Appt.

B AUMBACH WINES 23 291 Auburn Folsom Rd., Auburn 530-305-0048, baumbachwines.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 & by Appt.

24 CIOTTI CELLARS 10555 Harris Rd., Auburn 916-534-8780, ciotticellars.com Sat-Sun 12-6 CRISTALDI V INEYARDS 24 10555 Harris Rd., Auburn 916-759-1291, cristaldivineyards.com Sat-Sun 12-6 DONO DAL CIELO ESTATE 25 6100 Wise Rd., Newcastle 530-888-0101, donodalcielo.com Fri-Sun 12-5 26 FAWNRIDGE WINERY 5560 Fawnridge Rd., Auburn 530-887-9522, fawnridgewine.com Fri-Sun 10-5 or Tues-Thurs by Appt.

FORTEZZA WINERY 24 10555 Harris Rd., Auburn 530-889-2824, fortezzawinery.com Sat-Sun 12-6 GREEN FAMILY WINERY 27 3420 Pine Ridge Ln., Auburn 530-888-8866,greenfamilywinery.com Sat-Sun 12-4:30 LONE B UFFALO V INEYARDS 28 2682 Burgard Ln., Auburn 916-663-4486, lonebuffalovineyards.com, Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 M T. VERNON WINERY 29 10850 Mt.Vernon Rd., Auburn, 530-823-1111, mtvernonwinery.com Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5 PESCATORE VINEYARD & WINERY 30 7055 Ridge Rd., Newcastle 916-663-1422, pesctorewines.com, Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 & by Appt.

P OPIE B Y DUA RTE FAMILY V INEYARDS 24 10555 Harris Rd., Auburn 916-768-7643, popiewines.com Sat-Sun 12-6 R ANCHO R OBLE V INEYARDS32 340 Fleming Rd., Lincoln 916-645-2075, ranchoroble.com Tasting by Appt.

SECRET R AVINE V INEYARD & WINERY 33 4390 God Trail Way, Loomis 916-652-6015, secretravine.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 & by Appt.

V I NA CASTELANO 34 4590 Bell Rd., Auburn 530-889-2855, vinacastellano.com Thu-Sun 12-5 35 WISE V ILLA WINERY 4226 Wisel Rd., Lincoln 916-752-6635, wisevillawinery.com Tasting by Appt.

YUBA COUNTY R ENAISSANCE 36 12585 Rices Crossing Rd., Oregon House, 530-575-1254 renaissancewinery.com Tasting Mon-Sat 11-3 by Appt.

Submit your winery or changes to be included in our June/July issue’s guides. Please submit by May 6, 2011 to editor@vinetimesmagazine.com

Sonoma Valley

Temecula

22nd Annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley

Cafe Champagne’s Easter Sunday Buffet

Saturday-Sunday,April 30-May 1 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

April 24, 12 - 5 p.m.

Thornton Winery 32575 Rancho California Rd,Temecula

More than 45 Dry Creek Valley wineries will be rolling out the red carpet for an exclusive weekend of new wine releases paired with a bounty of food from top Sonoma County chefs. Meet the winemakers and owners, often the same people, and learn more about winemaking in bucolic Dry Creek Valley. Many wineries offer either live music or entertainment.

Plan on attending one of the vineyard tours on Saturday or Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Tickets for the two days are $120, Sunday only $70 and can be purchased at wdcv.com or call (877) 545-3198 for ticket sales, (707) 433-3031 for questions about event information.

Head out to Temecula Wine Country for a special Easter treat. Thornton Winery is offering a delicious Easter Buffet. Steve Thornton, President of Thornton Winery sees it this way, “The beauty of Temecula Wine Country this time of year highlights our specially crafted menu undoubtedly making Easter Sunday the perfect occasion to bring family and friends together. We really look forward to this day every year.”

The buffet is $49.95 Adults, $19.95 Children (under 5 free). By Reservation only, call (951) 699-0099 or visit thorntonwine.com/café.

Farm to Feast

Easter Brunch – South Coast Style

Saturday, May 14, 4 p.m.

Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm, Santa Rosa

April 24,All Day South Coast Winery 34843 Rancho California Rd.,Temecula

Farm to Feast features world-class chefs crafting a meal that is only matched by the ambiance of dining under a majestic 100-year-old walnut tree on Summerfield’s 38-acre working biodynamic farm in rural Santa Rosa. The event includes pre-dinner wine tasting, a multi-course dinner, and critically acclaimed wines.

Chef/co-owner Traci Des Jardins of San Francisco’s Jardinière will be joined

by Sonoma County chefs/restaurateurs John Stewart and Duskie Estes of Zazu and Bovolo. Pastry Chef Patricia Taan of the Michelin-Star Farmhouse Inn in Forestville will prepare desserts while Nick Peyton, owner and maître’d of Healdsburg’s two-Michelin-Star Cyrus, is orchestrating dinner service. Ted Lemon of Littorai Winery, who has been nominated for a James Beard Award as an Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional, will be pouring along with: Small Vines, Davis Family Vineyards, Claypool Cellars, Littorai Wines, Martinelli Winery, PorterBass and Kings Hill Cellars.

Farm to Feast is an annual scholarship benefit for Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm. Tickets are $250 and may be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets (www.brownpapertickets.com) while more information is available at www.farmtofeast.org or (707) 575-7194 ext 105.

Visit South Coast Winery on Easter Sunday for a magically delicious Easter Celebration. They’re pulling all the stops to serve up a brunch designed to dazzle the entire family and mark this extra special day. Two South Coast Winery locations to serve you, one in Temecula, the other in Orange County. Reserve early for best seating.

For information and reservations call (951) 587-9463 in Temecula, (714) 9571857 in Orange County. For more information visit WineResort.com.

The 7th Annual Temecula Wine and Music Festival Saturday, April 30th, Doors Open at 11 a.m.

Music from 12-6 p.m.

Vail Lake Resort 38000 Hwy 79 South,Temecula Enjoy World Class Music and a unique wine tasting experience from Temecula’s award winning wineries all at the Temecula Wine and Music Festival.

With two dozen musical acts and more than ten wineries offering a unique wine tasting experience, this is one of California’s largest wine and music events.

The venue location is within an hour drive from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego and San Bernadino counties. With it’s mix of Pop, Jazz and R & B artists coupled with the atmosphere of Temecula’s venue Vail Lake Resort, this will be an event you don’t want to miss. Along with this great experience, you will also be benefiting The Southern California All From The Heart - Supporting Military Families in need of assistance.

Continued on Page 8

www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

7

What’s Doin’ in Wine Country...

Continued from Page 7 Tickets are $45 to $115 and can be purchased at the website, temeculawineandmusicfestival.com or by calling (951) 696-0184.

Reservation only, call (951) 699-0099 or visit thorntonwine.com/café.

Mother’s Day Cafe Champagne

Saturday, May 21, 3-8 p.m.

Lorimar Winery 2031 Main Street, Suite C,Temecula

May 8, 12 - 5 p.m.

Thornton Winery 32575 Rancho California Rd,Temecula Award-winning Executive Chef Steve Pickell invites locals and visitors to enjoy an elegant and relaxing Mother’s Day at Café Champagne at Thornton Winery. He plans to pamper guests with featured wines and a creative spring-time inspired menu.

Café Champagne’s Mother’s Day Vineyard Buffet includes a glass of Thornton NV Brut Champagne. $49.95 Adults, $19.95 Children (under 5 free). By

Kansas City BBQ Wine & Blues

Lorimar Vineyards & Winery celebrates their second Live at Lorimar event schedule with a Kansas City BBQ, Wine & Blues event in the Temecula Wine Country.

The aroma of smokin’good tri-tip, ribs and chicken will fill the air, as will the sounds of great live blues music. Ticket price includes a bottle of wine per couple (or two glasses per guests) and a full-on Kansas City style buffet including traditional salads and side dishes plus a tasty fresh fruit cobbler for dessert. The Lorimar wine bar

Winery Guide

MENDOCINO COUNTY ANDERSON VALLEY WINE 1 EXPERIENCE (Claudia Springs, Philo Ridge, Raye’s Hill)

Hwy. 128, Downtown Boonville 707-895-3993, Tasting Daily 11-5 BARRA OF MENDOCINO 2 7051 North State St., Redwood Valley, 707-485-0322, barraofmendocino.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 BREGGO CELLARS 3 11001 Hwy. 128, Boonville 707-895-9589, breggo.com Tasting Daily 11-5 BRUTOCAO CELLARS 4 13500 S. Hwy. 101, Hopland 707-744-1664,brutocaocellars.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 7000 Hwy. 128, Philo 5 800-661-2103, Tasting Daily 10-5 CHIARITO VINEYARD 7 2651 Mill Creek Rd., Ukiah chiaritovineyard.com 707-462-7146, Tasting by Appt.

CLAUDIA SPRINGS WINERY 8 1810 Hwy. 128, Navarro 707-895-3993, claudiasprings.com Tasting Fri-Mon 11-5 COLE BAILEY VINEYARDS 9 12482 Inez Way, Redwood Valley, 707-485-9507, colebailey.com, Tasting by Appt.

DEMUTH WINERY 11 16125 Deer Meadows Rd., Boonville, 707-895-3729 demuthwinery.com, Tasting by Appt.

DOMAINE SAINT GREGORY 13 13251 S. Hwy. 101, Ste. 3, Hopland, 707-744-8466 Tasting Daily 10-5 DUNCAN PEAK VINEYARDS 14 14500 Mountain House Rd., Hopland, 707-283-3632, duncanpeak.com, Tasting by Appt.

DUNNEWOOD VINEYARDS 15 2399 North State St., Ukiah 707-467-4843, Tasting Mon-Thu 8-4 ELIZABETH VINEYARDS 17 8591 Colony Dr., Redwood Valley, 707-485-9009, Tasting by Appt.

ESTERLINA 19 1200 Holmes Ranch Road, Philo 707-895-2920, esterlinavineyards.com Tasting by Appt.

FIFE VINEYARDS 21 3620 Road B, Redwood Valley 707-485-0323, fifevineyards.com Tasting Daily 10-5 FREY VINEYARDS 22 14000 Tomki Rd., Redwood Valley, 707-485-5177/800-760-3739, freywine.com, Tasting by Appt.

GIRASOLE VINEYARDS 24 7051 N. State Rd., Redwood Valley, 707-485-0322, girasolevineyards.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 GOLDENEYE 25 9200 Hwy. 128, Philo 707-895-3202, Tasting Daily 11-4 GRAZIANO FAMILY OF WINES 26 13251 S. Hwy. 101, Ste. 3, Hopland, 707-744-8466 grazianofamilyofwines.com Tasting Daily 10-5 GREENWOOD RIDGE VINEYARDS 27 5501 Hwy. 128, Philo 707-895-2002, greenwoodridge.com Tasting Daily 10-5 HANDLEY CELLARS 30 3151 Hwy. 128, Philo 707-895-3876/ 800-733-3151 handleycellars.com, Tasting Daily 10-6 HUSCH VINEYARDS 32 4400 Hwy. 128, Philo 707-895-3216/ 800-55-HUSCH huschvineyards.com, Tasting Daily 10-6

8 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

JEPSON VINEYARDS 34 10400 S. Hwy. 101, Ukiah, 707-4688936/ 800-516-7342, jepsonwine.com, Tasting 10-5/Tours by Appt.

JERIKO ESTATE WINERY 35 12141 Hewlitt & Sturdtevant Rd., Hopland, 707-744-1140 jerikoestate.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 LAZY CREEK VINEYARDS 37 4601 Hwy. 128, Philo 707-895-3623, Tasting by Appt.

LE VIN WINERY 38 33151 Hwy. 128,Yorkville 707-894-2304, levinwinery.com Tasting by Appt.

LOLONIS WINERY 39 1905 Road D, Redwood Valley 707-485-8207, lolonis.com Tasting by Appt.

LONDER VINEYARDS 40 4780 Monte Bloyd Rd., Philo 707-895-3900, Tasting by Appt.

MAPLE CREEK WINERY 41 20799 Hwy. 128,Yorkville 707-895-300, maplecreekwine.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-5 MCDOWELL VALLEY VINEYARDS TASTING ROOM 43 13380 S. Hwy. 101, Hopland 707-744-8911, mcdowellsyrah.com, Tasting Sat-Sun 10-5, Mon-Fri 11-5 MCNAB RIDGE TASTING ROOM, LAWSON STATION 44 13441 S. Hwy. 101, Hopland 707-744-1986, Tasting Daily 10-5 MENDOCINO WINE CO. 46 45070 Main St., Mendocino 707-937-6193, mendocinowineco.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 MEYER FAMILY CELLARS 48 19750 Hwy. 128,Yorkville 707-895-2341, mfcellars.com Tasting 10-5 ex. Sun MILANO FAMILY WINERY 49 14594 S. Hwy. 101, Hopland 707-744-1396/ 800-564-2582 milanowinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 NAVARRO VINEYARDS 50 5601 Hwy. 128, Philo 707-895-3686/ 800-537-9463 navarrowine.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 NELSON FAMILY VINEYARDS 51 550 Nelson Ranch Rd., Ukiah 707-462-3755,nelsonfamily-vineyards.com, Tasting Daily 11:30-5 OSTER WINE CELLARS 53 13501 Tomki Rd., Redwood Valley, 707-485-5257, osterwine.com, Tasting by Appt.

PACIFIC ECHO CELLARS 54 8501 Hwy. 128, Philo 707-895-2065/ 800-824-7754 Tasting 11-5/Tours by Appt.

PACIFIC STAR WINERY 56 33000 N. Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg 707-964-1155, pacificstarwinery.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 PARDUCCI WINE CELLARS 57 501 Parducci Rd., Ukiah 707-463-5350, parducci.com Tasting Daily 10-5 PHILO RIDGE VINEYARDS 59 27700 Nash Mill Rd., Philo 707-489-2303, philoridge.com Tasting by Appt.

ROEDERER ESTATE 60 4501 Hwy. 128, Philo roedererestate.com, 707-8952288, Tasting Daily 11-5

will be in full swing, giving guests a great opportunity to try the new wines currently available at the Old Town Temecula tasting room.

Tickets are $73, $65 for Wine Club, $32 for children under 12 and are available by calling the winery at (951) 240-5177.

For complete information visit Lorimar’s website at lorimarwinery.com.

Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival June 3-5 Lake Skinner Recreation Area,Temecula California’s popular Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival is June 3 to 5 (Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday at dawn and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday at dawn and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), at Lake Skinner Recreation Area.

Like the adjacent Wine Country, the venue is SCHARFFENBERGER CELLARS 62 8501 Hwy. 128, Philo scharffenbergercellars.com 707-895-2288, Tasting Daily 11-5 63 SILVERSMITH VINEYARDS 3700-A Rd. J, Redwood Valley, 707485-1196, atasteofredwoodvalley.com, Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

STANDISH WINE COMPANY 65 5101 Hwy. 101, Philo, 707-8959213, Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 THREE FAMILIES WINERY 66 13500 Hwy.101, Ste. H, Hopland, 707-473-0301, threefamilieswinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 TOULOUSE VINEYARDS 68 8001 Hwy. 128, Philo 707-895-2828, toulousevineyards.com, Tasting by Appt.

VIN DE TEVIS 70 51161 Covelo Rd., Dos Rios 707-983-9433, vindetevis.com Tasting by Appt.

WEIBEL VINEYARDS 71 13300 Buckman Dr., Hopland 707-744-2200, weibel.com Tasting by Appt.

WHALER VINEYARDS 72 6200 Eastside Rd., Ukiah 707-462-6355, Tasting by Appt.

YORKVILLE CELLARS 73 25701 Hwy. 128,Yorkville 707-894-9177, yorkvillecellars.com Tasting Daily 11-6 ZINA HYDE CUNNINGHAM 75 WINERY 14077 Hwy. 128, Boonville 707-895-9462, zinawinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 LAKE COUNTY BRASSFIELD ESTATE WINERY 2 10915 High Valley Rd., Clearlake Oaks, 707-998-1895 brassfieldestate.com, Tasting by Appt.

scenic, big-sky country, affording panoramic views of the festival’s hot air balloons.

Among many crowd-pleasers will be Balloon Glows, Friday and Saturday evenings. While pilots synchronize the balloons’igniting burners to a musical beat, the tethered balloons boldly flicker and shine dramatically against the hues of nightfall.

Saturday and Sunday mornings, mass Balloon Lift-Offs fill the pastel, dawn skies with the awe-inspiring sight of dozens of hot air balloons taking flight. More than 20 of the valley’s premium, award-winning wineries will be pouring for the Festival’s wine tastings. National-headline entertainment will perform on the Lake Skinner Amphitheater stage; live jazz, pop, and R & B on the Wine Garden Stage.

To learn more, visit VisitTemecula.org or call (888) 363-2852.

CEAGO DEL LAGO 3 5115 E. Hwy. 20, Nice, 707-2741462, ceago.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 COUGAR’S LEAP WINERY 4 9300 N. Seigler Springs Rd., Kelseyville, 707-279-0651 cougarsleap.com, Tasting May-Oct Fri-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

DUSINBERRE CELLARS 6 5627 Gaddy Ln., Kelseyville 707-279-2995, Tasting by Appt.

EDEN CREST VINEYARDS & 8 WINERY 2550 Big Valley Rd., Kelseyville 707-279-2987, edencrestwine.com, Tasting by Appt.

GREGORY GRAHAM WINES 9 13633 Point Lakeview Rd., Lower Lake, 707-995-3500 ggwines.com, Tasting Sat-Sun 10-5 THE LAKE COUNTY WINE 12 STUDIO 9505 Main St., Upper Lake 707-275-8030, Tasting Thu-Sun 1-7 LANGTRY ESTATE VINEYARDS 13 & WINERY 21000 Butts Canyon Rd., Middletown, 707-987-9127 langtryestate.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 MOORE FAMILY WINERY 15 11990 Bottle Rock Rd., Kelseyville, 707-279-9279, moorefamilywinery.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 MT. KONOCTI GROWERS 16 WINERY 2550 Big Valley Rd., Kelseyville 707-279-4213, pearbubbles.com Tasting by Appt.

NOGGLE VINEYARDS & 18 WINERY 700 Old Long Valley Rd., Clearlake Oaks, 707-998-0319 nogglevineyardsandwinery.com Tasting Sat-Sun 10-5 or by Appt.

PLOYEZ WINERY 19 11171 Hwy. 29, Lower Lake 707-994-2106, ployezwines.com Tasting Daily 11-5 RED LAVA WINE TASTING 21 8040 Hwy. 29, Kelseyville 707-278-0224, redlavavineyards.com, Tasting Daily 11-6 ROSA D'ORO VINEYARDS 22 3915 Main St., Kelseyville 707-279-0483 rosadorowine.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 SHANNON RIDGE WINERY 24 12599 E. Hwy 20, Clearlake Oaks, 707-998-9656, shannonridge.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-5 SIX SIGMA WINERY & 25 VINEYARDS 13372 Spruce Grove Rd., Lower Lake, 707-994-2086 sixsigmaranch.com, Tasting by Appt.

STEELE WINES 27 4350 Thomas Dr., Kelseyville 707-279-9475, steelewines.com Tasting Mon-Sat 11-5 TERRILL CELLARS AND 29 TUSCAN VILLAGE 16175 Main St., Lower Lake 707-252-8444, terrillcellars.com Tasting Daily 10-4 TULIP HILL WINERY & 30 VINEYARDS 4900 Bartlett Springs Rd, Nice, 707-274-9373, tuliphillwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-6 WILDHURST VINEYARDS 31 3855 Main St., Kelseyville 800-595-WINE, wildhurst.com Tasting Daily 10-5 HUMBOLDT COUNTY (not shown on map) BRICELAND VINEYARDS WINERY 5959 Briceland Rd., Redway 707-923-2429, Tasting by Appt.

CURTIS AND DAVID 1800 Q St., Arcata, 707-499-0920, curtisanddavid.com, Tasting by Appt.

FIELDBROOK WINERY 4241 Fieldbrook Rd., McKinleyville 707-839-4140, fieldbrookwinery.com, Tasting by Appt.

HEIDRUN MEADERY WINERY 55 Ericson Crt., Ste. 4, Arcata 707-825-8748,heidrunmeadery.com, Tasting by Appt.

ROBERT GOODMAN WINERY 937 10th St., Arcata, 707-825-7406, robertgoodmanwines.com, Tasting by Appt.

TRINITY VALLEY VINEYARDS 11000 West End Rd., Arcata 707-822-7094, trinityvalleyvineyards.com Tasting by Appt.

WOODENHEAD VINTNERS 5700 River Rd., Santa Rosa 707-887-2703, woodenheadwine.com Tasting Thu-Sun 10:30-4:30

Submit your winery or changes to be included in our June / July issue’s guides. Please submit by May 6, 2011 to editor@ vinetimesmagazine.com

Mendocino County Has Something for Everyone!

One of California’s most dramatic seaside drives, Highway 1 saunters through expansive dairy, heather and pea farms, winds up and down rocky coves and through small villages.

(Michael Taffet) rom ancient forests and wine country to spectacular coasts and romantic inns, hotels, and B & Bs, Mendocino County is one of Northern California’s best-kept secrets. Whether you are interested in an outdoor adventure with kayaking, hiking or horseback riding or if you want to visit a lush, primarily organic wine country, filled with family-owned wineries, or if you are a collector of art or a fan of fine dining, this is the destination for you.

Mendocino County can be separated into five major areas: the Anderson Valley and Russian River Valley on the inland southern border; South Mendocino Coast and North Mendocino Coast; and the northern inland region known as North Mendocino County. Each area offers visitors a range of activities and accommodations well suited to those who lead active lifestyles, those seeking a romantic getaway, or the gourmand in quest of regionally sourced food and wine experiences.

F

way at tasting rooms for award-winning wines and refreshing grape juices, or sample some traditionally brewed beer from the local brewing company.

For the outdoor enthusiast, Anderson Valley offers a variety of activities such as hiking, fishing, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking. A visit to the Pacific Ocean is just a beautiful 30-minute drive west through 15 miles of majestic redwood trees. In Anderson Valley visitors can step into the easy way of life this area has known for generations.

North Mendocino County: Rustic and Wild Redwood Experiences As the county’s least populated area, North Mendocino County offers a slower pace and definite peace and calm from the rigors of the modern world. Here, California’s most authentic old-time com-

munities let visitors step back in time to the “wild” west and mingle with real-life cowboys or visit the remote Lost Coast, one of the last untamed regions left to explore in Northern California.

Centrally located, Willits, the “Gateway to the Redwoods,” is a town rich in history with beautiful scenery from rolling hills to picturesque ranches dotting the landscape. Willits is also home to the Mendocino County Museum, a favorite of train buffs and fans of Pomo and Yuki basket weaving, as well as the eastern terminus for the world famous Skunk Train, which takes visitors for a ride through the redwoods to the coast. A drive north toward Leggett offers the rare opportunity to actually drive through a redwood tree.

Organic farms and orchards abound in this rustic area. North Mendocino County is Mendocino’s least populated and wildest region. Everywhere one turns are examples of California’s most authentic oldtime communities.

North Mendocino Coast: Flora, Fauna and Victorian Architecture along the Craggy Coastline The temperate climate of the North Mendocino Coast allows for year-round flowers in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, the only coastal garden of its kind in the Continental US, located just south of Fort Bragg. Ferny trails in the area’s five state parks encompass abalone coves and tide pools, redwoods and conifers, waterfalls and the Pygmy Forest. The largest towns are Mendocino Village, a historical preservation district where most every building is a Victorian gem, and Fort Continued on Page 10

Anderson Valley: Leisurely Pace Rooted in Wine and Agriculture Anderson Valley lies on the southern border of Mendocino County. This inland valley is dotted with small communities such as Boonville, Navarro, Philo and Yorkville. The scenic 25-mile drive from Yorkville to Navarro winds past grazing sheep, apple orchards, olive groves, roadside stands selling fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, and vineyards and wineries surrounded by wooded hillsides.

Anderson Valley is home to wineries recognized throughout the world for pinot noir, chardonnay, sparkling wine and zinfandel. Visitors to Anderson Valley can take a leisurely drive, stopping along the

While at the Alsace Festival in February, Mendocino locals and fans shared their favorite ways to spend the days and nights in Mendocino.

Milano Winery, Contributed by Deanna Starr - Owner/Winemaker and Tedi Spain - Tasting Room Manager both from Milano Family Winery 1. Vist the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddahs at City of Ten Thousand Buddahs and have lunch at their incredible vegetarian restaurant 2. Hiking at Van Damn State Park & Pygmy Forest in Little River near Mendocino 3. Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah for incredible collection of Pomo Indian Baskets 4. Picnic and hike at Lake Mendocino in Ukiah 5. Ukiah Speedway (Racing) 6. Visiting the beaches along the Mendocino coastline 7. Rodeos and Fairs (around the county) Francois de Melogue - Chef from Claudia Springs Winery 1. Enjoy Mushroom and Wine Festival in November 2. Enjoy Crab and Wine Fest in January 3. Go To Alsace Festival in February 4. Go To Pinot Noir Fest in May Kristy Charles, tasting room manager at Foursight Wines 1. Grab a coffee at Mosswood and peruse the Saturday morning farmers’ market in Boonville 2. Hike under old-growth redwood trees at Hendy Woods State Park in Philo 3. Park in downtown Boonville and taste wine at the three tasting rooms in town, then shop and have lunch at the Boonville General Store 4. Grab a book or sketch pad and pull up a driftwood seat at Manchester State Beach. Enjoy the pounding surf on this gorgeous beach 5. Kayak up Big River, letting the tide pull you in or out while you gawk at wildlife Jari Sowell, Local Resident 1. Glendever Inn 2. Toulouse Winery 3. Phillips Hill Estates Winery 4. Little River Inn 5. Hendy Woods Campground

Picture postcard views can be found all through Mendocino County. For the outdoor enthusiast, Mendocino offers a huge variety of activities such as hiking, fishing, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking.

(Michael Taffet)

Coralie Morse of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association and her daughter Alison Morse 1 Ride Horses at Highland Ranch 2. Eat at Oco Time Sushi Restaurant in Ukiah 3. Kayaking up the Albion River 4. Watching the sunset in Mendocino Continued on Page 10

www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

9

Destination: Mendocino County

Mendocino vines.

(Denise Kouzoujian)

Continued from Page 9 Bragg, a turn-of-the-century town with a working port where you can catch a fishing or whale watching boat. Both towns bustle with antique stores, art galleries, boutiques and fantastic restaurants featuring fresh, local produce. For a more active getaway, the area boasts biking, horseback riding, kayaking, hiking and golfing.

Russian River Valley:Winefriendly Climate and a Small Town Feeling

MENDOCINO

In the southeastern part of Mendocino County, the headwaters of the Russian River Valley carve a fertile and rugged landscape. With warm summers, cool springs, crisp autumns and wet winters this area is ideal for growing wine grapes and pears. About an hour from the Men-

docino Coast, Mendocino’s county seat, Ukiah, boasts cozy bakeries, farmer’s markets, tree-lined streets, a variety of shops, and the first certified organic brewpub in the US, the Ukiah Brewing Company. To the north lie the premium organic vineyards and five miles northeast is the recreational playground, Lake Mendocino – the area’s centerpiece for outdoor recreation.

The town of Hopland is in the south of the region – with a brewery, wine-tasting rooms, and bocce courts. Hopland is also the home of The Solar Living Institute, which leads the nation in workshops on renewable energy, ecological design, sustainable living practices and alternative construction techniques. Visitors and students come from all over the United States and from abroad to attend classes taught by professionals in the field.

South Coastal Adventures include Whales and African Animals Salty air, lingering sunsets and the Point Arena Lighthouse, a landmark lighthouse that marks the western-most point in the lower 48 United States, are just some of the rewards awaiting visitors to the South Mendocino Coast. Surrounded by water on three sides, the Point offers the most incredible views of the California coast,

coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

As one of California’s most dramatic seaside drives, Highway 1 saunters through expansive dairy, heather and pea farms, winds up and down rocky coves and slips comfortably through small villages.

The South Coast is also home to the B. Bryan Preserve, a private preserve committed to the breeding and preservation of some wonderful, rare African Hoof Stock such as Grevy’s Zebras. In another tale of the sea, lucky guests can actually spot a whale from the terrace of their inn; while the more adventurous can board one of the whale-watching tours that run between December and March.

From the inland valley regions to the coastal areas, activities and accommodations abound for visitors to Mendocino County.

Editor’s Note: Mendocino County, part of California’s famous North Coast wine region, begins about 90 miles north of San Francisco and is located directly north of Sonoma County. The county offers visitors a range of activities and accommodations for active lifestyles, romantic getaways, or regionally sourced food and wine experiences.

For more information on Mendocino County, call 866-782-9636 (866-STAYMENDO), or visit www.gomendo.com.

Up on maple creek

“Enter as strangers, leave as friends”

Bring a picnic lunch & taste our award winning wines in beautiful Mendocino Wine Country.

The Tasting Room is Open Daily from 10:30-5 MAPLE CREEK WINERY 20799 Highway 128 Yorkville CA 95494 707-895-3001

www.maplecreekwine.com

Continued from Page 9 Todd Charles & Robert Scheid, Regular Visitors of Mendocino 1.Thanksgiving Dinner at McCallum House 2. Staying at Brewery Gulch Inn – breakfast is awesome 3. Watching the waves at Pacific Star Winery – listening to the staff talk about the fault line that the winery sits on 4. Wine tasting at ALL the wineries.

5. Staying in the Boonville Hotel 6. Sampling Beers at the Anderson Valley Brewery – Boot Amber Ale is a favorite Ryan McAllister, Vineyard Manager at Knez Winery 1. Casper Inn in Casper – oldest live music house on the North Coast Gregory Graziano Graziano Family of Wines, proprietor and winemaker 1. Dick’s Place on Main in Mendocino Friday and Saturday nights – traditional BBQ and fun

TOULOUSE VINEYARDS We are a Family Owned Winery Specializing in Pinot Noir & Alsace Varietals.

5000 cases produced yearly Visit our dog friendly tasting room.

Open daily 11:00-5:00 8001 Hwy. 128 Philo CA 707-895-2828

www.toulousevineyards.com

Graziano Family of Wines

Visit our tasting room, located on U.S. Hwy. 101 in the beautiful village of Hopland in southern Mendocino County.

Our third generation Graziano winemaker makes up to 25 different wines from classic Italian to unique old world varietals, all handcrafted with history, heritage and care.

Open Daily 10-5 13251 South Highway 101, Ste. 3 • Hopland 707.744.8466 grazianofamilyofwines.com

THE ANDERSON VALLEY WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS

THE 14TH ANNUAL ANDERSON VALLEY PINOT NOIR FESTIVAL MAY 20-22, 2011

FOR MORE INFORMATION & TICKETS VISIT WWW.AVWINES.COM • 707.895.WINE

14TH ANNUAL PINOT NOIR FESTIVAL• MAY 20-22

10 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

Weekend in a Wine Barrel

Winery Guide

A wine barrel for two.

(Michael Taffet)

By Michelle Sieling 1 BATTAION CELLARS 21 S. Livermore Ave., #109, Livermore (@Blacksmith Sq.), 925-245-9242, battaioncellars.com Tasting Fri 4-7, Sat-Sun 12-5 BENT CREEK WINERY 2 5455 Greenville Rd., Livermore, 925-455-6320, bentcreekwinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-4:30 or by Appt.

BIG WHITE HOUSE WINERY 3 6800 Greenville Rd., Livermore, 925-449-1976, bigwhitehouse.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-4:30 or by Appt.

BOAVENTURA DE CAIRES WINERY 5 9309 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-606-9672, boaventuravineyard.com Tasting 1st weekend each month & by Appt.

BODEGAS AGUIRRE WINERY 6 8580 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-606-0554, bodegasaguirre.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-4:30 or by Appt.

CEDAR MOUNTAIN WINERY 8 7000 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-373-6636, cedarmountain winery.com, Tasting Sat-Sun 12-4 CHARLES R VINEYARDS 9 8195 Crane Ridge Rd., Livermore, 925-454-3040 charlesrvineyards.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-4:30 or by Appt.

CHOUINARD VINEYARDS 10 33853 Palomares Rd., Castro Valley 510-582-9900, chouinard.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 & by Appt.

CONCANNON VINEYARD 11 4590 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-456-2508, concannonvineyard.com, Tasting Daily 11-4:30 12 CROOKED VINE WINERY 4948 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-449-0458, crookedvine.com Tasting Mon-Thu 12-4, Fri-Sun 12-5 CUDA RIDGE WINES 15 5385 East Avenue, Livermore 510-304-0914 CudaRidgeWines.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-4:30 16 DEER RIDGE VINEYARDS 1828 Wetmore, Livermore 925-447-4328, deerridgevineyards.com, Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 EAGLE RIDGE VINEYARD 18 10017 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-743-9427, Tasting Sat-Sun 12-4:30 or by Appt.

ECKERT ESTATE WINERY 19 2400 Arroyo Rd., Livermore 925-371-8606, eckertestate.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 or by Appt.

EL SOL VINEYARD 20 8626 Lupin Way, Livermore 925-606-1827, elsolwine.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 ELLISTON VINEYARDS 21 463 Kilkare Road, Sunol 925-663-8219, elliston.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 FENESTRA WINERY 24 83 Vallecitos Road, Livermore 925-447-5246,fenestrawinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 GARRÉ VINEYARD & WINERY 25 7986 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-371-8200, garrewinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11:30-5 27 HIDDEN CREEK WINE 21 S. Livermore Ave., #101 Livermore (@Blacksmith Sq.), 925-989-1163, thecrushwinemaking.com, Tasting Fri-Sun 1-6

JOHN CHRISTOPHER CELLARS29 25 S. Livermore Ave., #103, Livermore (@Blacksmith Sq.), 925-456-9463, johnchristophercellars.com, Tasting Thu-Sun 12-6 LA ROCHELLE WINERY & STEVEN KENT WINERY 30 5443 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-243-6440, larochellewinery.com, stevenkent.com Tasting Daily 12-4:30 LES CHENES ESTATE VINEYARDS 31 5562 Victoria Ln., Livermore 925-373-1662,lechenesvine.com, Tasting Sat-Sun 12-4:30 or by Appt.

LITTLE VALLEY WINERY 32 5700 Greenville Rd., Livermore 925-862-9006, Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 LONGEVITY WINES 34 35 Rickenbacker Circle South Livermore, 925-454-9463, lvcwines.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5, or by Appt.

MCGRAIL VINEYARDS 35 5600 Greeville Rd.,Livermore 925-373-6214, mcgrailvineyards.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-4:30 or by Appt.

MITCHELL KATZ WINERY AT RUBY HILL 36 1188 Vineyard Ave., Pleasanton, 925-931-0744, mitchellkatzwinery.com, Tasting Thu-Sun 12-5 MURRIETA'S WELL 37 3005 Mines Rd., Livermore 925-456-2390, muriettaswell.com Tasting Daily 11-4:30 38 NOTTINGHAM CELLARS 2245 S.Vasco Rd., Livermore, 925-294-8647 nottinghamcellars.com Tasting Fri 2-6, Sat-Sun 12-4:30 OCCASIO 39 2245 So.Vasco Rd., Livermore, 925-371-1987, occasiowinery.com Fri-Sun 12-5 or by Appt.

PAGE MILL WINERY 40 1960 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore, 925-456-7676 pagemillwinery.com Tasting Thu-Sun 12-4:30 or by Appt.

RED FEATHER WINERY & 41 VINEYARD 5700 Greenville Rd., Livermore, 510-861-2722, redfeatherwinery.com Tasting Mon-Thu 1-5, Fri 12-6 Sat 12-8, Sun 1-5 or by Appt.

42 RED SKYE WINERY 21 S. Livermore Rd. #101, Livermore, 510-795-7725 redskyewine.com, Tasting Fri 3-6, Sat 1-6, Sun 1-5 or by Appt.

RETZLAFF ESTATE WINERY 43 1356 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore, 925-447-8941 retzlaffwinery.com, Tasting TueFri 12-2, Sat-Sun 12-4:30 RHYAN ESTATE VINEYARDS 44 5385 East Ave., Livermore 408-712-1984, rhyanestatevineyards.com, Tasting Wed-Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 11:30-5 or by Appt.

RIOS-LOVELL ESTATE WINERY 46 6500 Tesla Road, Livermore 925-443-0434, rios-lovellwinery.com Tasting Wed-Fri 12-3, Sat-Sun 11-5 RODRIGUE-MOLYNEAUX WINERY 47 3053 Marina Ave., Livermore 925-447-4280, rodriguemolyneaux.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12:30-5

RUBY HILL WINERY 48 400 Vineyard Ave., Pleasanton 925-931-9463, rubyhillwinery.net Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5:30 STONY RIDGE WINERY 51 4948 Tesla Road, Livermore 925-449-0458,stonyridgewinery.com Tasting Mon-Wed 12-3,Thu-Sun 11-4:30 TAMAS ESTATE WINERY 52 5489 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-456-2380, tamasestates.com Tasting Daily 11-4:30 53 TENUTA VINEYARDS 633 Kalthoff Commons, Livermore, 925-960-1006 tenutawinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 or by Appt.

THE SINGING WINEMAKER 55 5443 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-606-9463, teslavintners.com, Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 THOMAS COYNE WINERY 56 51 E.Vallecitos Rd., Livermore 925-373-6541, thomascoynewinery.com, Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 WENTE VINEYARDS ESTATE WINERY 59 5565 Tesla Rd., Livermore 925-456-2305, wentevineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-4:30 WENTE VINEYARDS VISITORS CENTER 60 5050 Arroyo Rd,. Livermore 925-456-2405, wentevineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-6:30 WESTOVER VINEYARDS/ PALOMARES WINERY 61 34329 Palomares Canyon Rd., Castro Valley, 510-537-3932 westoverwinery.com, Tasting Mon-Fri 1-5, Sat-Sun 12-5 or by Appt.

WHITE CRANE WINERY 63 5405 Greenville Rd., Livermore 925-455-8085, whitecranewinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-4:30 or by Appt.

WOOD FAMILY VINEYARDS 64 7702 Cedar Mountain Dr., Livermore, 925-606-7411 woodfamilyvineyards.com Tasting by Appt. & Scheduled Events

Submit your winery or changes to be included in our June / July issue’s guides. Please submit by May 6, 2011 to editor@ vinetimesmagazine.com

love wine so much that I slept in a wine barrel, and you can do it, too. No joke–it’s a cottage for two that was constructed out of a wine barrel from the 1950s and perched high on a ridge above the Navarro River in the town of Albion in Mendocino County.

How did I become so lucky? Well, it was a rare three-day weekend, no work to catch up on or articles to write–a perfect storm. My companion and I packed food for at least one night’s meal, some clothes, and my dog Lucy into the car, and off we go up 101 to Mendocino.

Once we made it out of the tummychurning part of 128, and onto the flat land, we popped into Navarro Winery. In the tasting room, hip young professionals mingled with families from Humboldt County.

A sweeping view of the valley was right outside the patio door. A staff member slipped Lucy a treat even though she’d already been vacuuming up the cracker crumbs from the floor. We made our way through the tasting, starting with something a little different, a dry Muscat.

Overall there wasn’t a loser in the bunch.

What a treat! Even the kids got to choose from two types of grape juice–fancy!

We stopped at Husch Vineyards just down the road. Two years ago in the fall we had the tasting room to ourselves, but this time it was busy, even with just five couples crowded into the small cottage-like room.

We ran through the tasting flight of reds and bolted. I really just couldn’t wait to get out of the car and into the wine barrel.

The wine barrel was redunkulous!

Maybe I’m spoiling it for later visits, but the views are just unfair. Windows line the back wall of the cottage, overlooking the mouth of the Navarro River. You could even see the ocean from the bed. If only we were facing due west we could watch the sunset from the barrel, but alas, we only had to walk out to the meadow in back and look right. Not bad.

Upstairs the wood stove was already set with all the makings for a fire. They made it too easy–all I needed to do was light it. There’s a full kitchen, and a barbeque which we make use of on the first night. It even had internet, DIRECTV and

I

a stereo system should we have wanted it, but we barely turned on the TV as we spent most of the time exploring outside. We even had the option to indulge in a private hot tub underneath the redwoods.

The wine barrel feels far away from the rest of the weekenders, but is actually less than 20 minutes from the town of Mendocino, making it an ideal jumping off point to explore the Mendocino coast, as well as wineries.

Our weekend was spent exploring the beaches, as well as a visit to Mendocino to dine a couple of times. In particular, we lunched on a leek and goat cheese tart and duck confit 2-ways at Moosse’s Café.

Bonus was that it was warm enough for the dog sit with us on the back porch of the restaurant. Moosse’s does offer a menu for dogs, but even I wouldn’t indulge her to that extent. A few table scraps instead.

On our last day, to ease our transition back to the big bad city, we stopped at Goldeneye Winery. I figured if it’s good enough to be served to our President, it’s good enough for me. Plus, the tasting is quite civilized–no standing at a bar, elbowing your fellow patrons for position. You can seat yourself on comfy couches and armchairs, make friends at a long table indoors, or picnic outside on the patio while you enjoy your wine, which they accompany with dried fruit and nuts to nibble.

Attracted by the Petit Verdot sign, we stretched out our trip with one last stop at Yorkville Cellars. They grow all eight of the main Bordeaux grapes and produce each as a varietal wine at this organic vineyard. It was a fun way to cap off our weekend with something a little different.

For Wine Barrel reservations call 1800-3590-4649 or visit www.mendocinovacationhomes.com.

Wineries visited: Navarro Vineyards: www.navarrowine.com, Husch Vineyards: www.huschvineyards.com, GoldenEye Winery: www.goldeneyewinery.com, Yorkville Cellars: www.yorkvillecellars.com

www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

11

Livermore’s La Rochelle and Steven Kent Winery Create New Tasting Experiences

By Laura Ness et ready to experience some changes at La Rochelle and Steven Kent wineries: inspired changes designed to provide guests and club members even more value every time they visit. Instead of clearly delineating the two brands, as had been past practice, they are creating new experiences that allow both brands to be enjoyed in one setting.

These experiences provide guests greater flexibility, offer more choices and give

LIVERMORE VALLEY

G

people the opportunity to taste a wider range of selections from the rich and deep portfolios of both brands.

As part of the shift from brand-specific to experience-based tasting, the Barrel Room is offering tasting options from the wine collections of both Steven Kent and La Rochelle. The atmosphere will remain casual and relaxed, and you will still taste your choice of flight at your own barrel.

Tasting is available daily from 12 to 4:30 p.m. Steven Kent and La Rochelle club members will enjoy complimentary tasting

in The Barrel Room as part of their club member benefits.

The La Rochelle Tasting Room has been transformed into the Reserve Room, where seated pairings are offered with small-lot and Library wines from both Steven Kent and La Rochelle. This is a first-come, first-served experience that is offered Thursday through Sunday from 12 to 4:30 p.m.

The Reserve Room is an excellent venue for focusing on the nuances and inner workings of the carefully and

thoughtfully crafted small lot and reserve wines. Extra attention was put into the making of these beauties, and extra attention should be paid them, as you would savor a fine multi-course meal, paying heed to all the ingredients that make each dish sing.

Club members will enjoy half-price tasting in this venue, with a full refund of the tasting fee upon a reserve wine purchase.

For Premier members, tasting is complimentary for up to two people per visit.

Continued on Page 16

Rediscover Pinot Noir with La Rochelle Winery

Hand-crafting wines from vineyards throughout California and Oregon

Open Daily for Tasting 12:00 to 4:30p.m.

Visit our Reserve Room, Thursday - Sunday 12:00 to 4:30p.m. for an Elegant Seated Wine Pairing with Cheese

2010 Pinot Noir Rosé Release Party April 16, 2011 12:00 to 4:00p.m.

5443 Tesla Road | Livermore, CA 94550 925.243.6440 | www.LRwine.com

Bring this Ad in for a Complimentary Tasting in our Barrel Room. ________________________ Buy On-Line and Save 20% on Wine Purchases by entering the code: VINE

Wines for Those Who Know Barrel Room Open Daily for Tasting 12:00 to 4:30p.m.

Visit our Reserve Room Thursday-Sunday 12:00 to 4:30pm for an Elegant Seated Wine Pairing with Cheese

5443 Tesla Road | Livermore, CA 94550 925.243.6440 | www.stevenkent.com

Mitchell Katz Winery crafts single vineyard designate wines in a wide range of varietals.

Sunset Loves Us! ( January 2011 Issue)

Open for Tasting Thu-Sun, Noon-5 p.m.

Music to sip wine by . . .

on the 1st Sunday and 2nd Saturday of each month. Picnickers Welcome!

33853 Palomares Road (5.9 milemark) Castro Valley, CA 94552 510.582.9900 • www.chouinard.com

joins ur fo

Mitchell Katz Winery 1188 Vineyard Ave. Pleasanton, CA 94566 925.931.0744 mitchellkatzwinery.com

Bring this ad in for 10% OFF wine purchases!

AL WINE AUCTION • MA Y7 17th ANNU ANNUAL MAY

12 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

. . .Goodies and Gadgets Wine Wars

By Tiffany Melanis

Pour yourself a glass and let the games begin! Wine Wars by Chronicle Books is a great way for expert sommeliers, passionate wine lovers and eager wannabes alike to come together. Your knowledge of the fruit of the vine will be challenged as you are asked to swirl, smell and sip your way to success on the game board. Players will be challenged with questions ranging from grape selection and preservation, to wine tasting and its people. The questions are featured across the trivia game’s 150 cards, six game boards, 90 game pieces and illustrated map.

With this game, one thing is for certain: you’ll gain knowledge that will have you feeling like a vino pro in no time. So, the next time you’re at a wine tasting and someone comments on your “full body” and “great legs” you’ll think twice before calling security, and may even be able to return the compliment with proper vino vernacular.

Get in the game at www.chroniclebooks.com. $19.95.

Deep Dish Chicken Cooker This tumbleweed pottery dish is something no kitchen should have to go without.

Cooking with wine, whether the vino is in your glass or in the recipe, makes for delicious food, but Tumbleweed Pottery has found a way to make it just a bit easier.

This ceramic dish has a reservoir designed to hold wine that marinates and cooks into your chicken as you bake it. Not only does the chicken come out filled with robust flavor, but the design of the cooker allows for the fat to melt away making for a healthier meal. It gets better. There’s plenty of room to throw in veggies and potatoes so you can cook your meal all in one easy to clean dish. When the meal is finished, simply take the dish as is to the table for serving. Its two-tone blue design is sure to make for a beautiful presentation whether it be a casual dinner for two or friendly get-together. Have a few too many mouths to feed? Try the double chicken cook that allows for two birds and plenty or room for sides.

Get your dish at www.tumbleweedpottery.com, $29.95.

See us and taste our wines at: - Vino Locale in Palo Alto for Passport Day, April 16 - The Los Gatos Wine Walk, April 30

Purple Mustard Straight out of the heart of France, this savory treat is sure to delight your appetite. This historic recipe was first formed in 1839 in the House of Denoix in France’s wine country. Priding themselves on using only the finest of ingredients, they produce this authentic, earthy-tang condiment.

Once you try it, you’ll find yourself topping everything from roast beef, pork loin and duck with this spread. You may even try it whisked into your vinaigrette and poured over a favorite salad. Made of grape must (the freshly pressed juice that initially contains the skins, seeds, and stems of the fruit), mustard seeds, wine, vinegar, salt and spices, it is an obvious pairing for your favorite Merlot or Pinot Noir. It also makes for a great gourmet gift. A bottle of vino, an appetizer and jar of purple mustard is sure to be hit at any party. We say oui! to this French spread.

Get your jar at simplygourmand.com, $10.50.

Try our high mountain Pinot Noir and Syrah from our Loma Prieta ridge top above Monterey Bay – at 2600' elevation, the highest Pinot Noir vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

408-234-2079 • info@munsvineyard.com munsvineyard.com • facebook.com/munsvineyard PO Box 1877, Los Gatos, CA 95031 www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

13

Where To Store Your Growing Wine Collection One Couples Story of Building a Wine Cellar By: Kimberly Horg-Webb lk Grove residents Marie Monte Fiore and Frank Glasbrenner decided to buy a home together and like a lot of couples, the new, shared living space was a combination of collectables from both parties. In their new combined household they had to decide where to store the fledgling wine collections they both had acquired over the years.

“We had cases of wine with no place to store them; a tiny wine fridge full of wine, wine stacked in the office, several cases tucked under the television armoire, a couple in the pantry, refrigerator, and wherever else we could find room to put it,” Fiore said.

“So, when we started looking to buy a larger home, wine storage was on our wish list.”

E

Elk Grove residents Marie Monte Fiore and her boyfriend Frank Glasbrenner in their new custom-made wine cellar.

(Kimberly Horg-Webb) STOVER OAKS 28 5241 Nashville Tr., Placerville 530-626-WINE Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 THOMPSON MINING CAMP WINERY 29 4801 Rock Barn, Shingle Springs 530-677-6510 Tasting Thu-Sun 10-5 VENEZIO VINEYARDS & WINERY 31 5821 Hwy. 49, Pilot Hill 530-885-WINE, venezio.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 WOFFORD ACRES VINEYARDS 32 1900 Hidden Valley Ln., Camino 530-626-6858, wavwines.com Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

Winery Guide

EL DORADO NORTH BOA VISTA ORCHARDS/ VINEYARDS 2 2952 Carson Rd., Placerville 530-622-5522, boavista.com Tasting Daily 11-5 BOEGER WINERY 3 1709 Carson Rd., Placerville 530-622-8094 boegerwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 CHATEAU RODIN WINERY 4 4771 Green Hills Rd. , Placerville 530-622-6839 chateaurodin.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 CHEVALIER WINERY 5 5720 French Creek Rd., Shingle Springs, 530-677-1676 chevalierwinery.com Tasting Sat 12-5 CRYSTAL BASIN CELLARS 7 3550 Carson Rd., Camino 530-647-1767 crystalbasin.com Tasting Daily 11-5 COULSON ELDORADO WINERY 8 3600 Carson Rd., Camino 530-644-2854 www.coulsonwinery.com Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5 DAVID GIRARD VINEYARDS 9 741 Cold Springs Rd., Placerville 530-295-1833 davidgirardvineyards.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5

FENTON HERRIOTT VINEYARDS 11 120 Jacquier Ct., Placerville fentonherriott.com 530-642-2021 Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5/Tours by Appt.

FINDLETON ESTATE & VINEYARD 12 3500 Carson Rd., Camino 530-644-4018 finzinwines.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 GOLD HILL WINERY 13 5660 Vineyard Ln., Placerville 530-626-6522 goldhillvineyard.com Tasting Thu-Sun 10-5 HOLLY’S HILL VINEYARDS & WINERY 14 3680 Leisure Ln., Placerville 530-344-0227 hollyshill.com Tasting Daily 10-5 ILLUMINARE ESTATE 16 3500 Carson Rd., Camino 530-647-1884 illuminarewinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 JODAR VINEYARDS & WINERY 17 3405 Carson Court, Camino 530-644-3474, jodarwinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 LAVA CAP WINERY 18 2221 Fruitridge Rd, Placerville 530-621-0175/ 800-475-0175 lavacap.com Tasting Daily 11-5

14 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

MADROÑA VINEYARDS 19 2560 High Hill Rd., Camino 530-644-5948 madronavineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-5 MIRAFLORES WINERY 21 2120 Four Springs Trail, Placerville, 530-647-8505 mirafloreswinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 NARROW GATE VINEYARDS 22 4282 Pleasant Valley Rd., Placerville, 530-644-6201 narrowgatevineyards.com Tasting Fri-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5 PARAVI VINEYARDS 23 2875 Larsen Dr., Camino 530-647-9463 primusvineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-5 SIERRA VISTA WINERY & VINEYARD 25 4560 Cabernet Wy., Placerville 530-622-7221/ 800-WINE-916 sierravistawinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 SOGNO WINERY 26 3046 Ponderosa Rd., Shingle Springs, 530-672-6968 sognowinery.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 STONE’S THROW WINERY 27 3541 N. Canyon Rd., Camino 530-622-5100, stonesthrowwines.com Tasting Fri-Sun May-Dec, by Appt.

EL DORADO SOUTH AURIGA WINE CELLARS 1 4520 Pleasant Valley Rd., Placerville, 530-647-8078 aurigawines.com Tasting Fri-Sun, 11-5 2 BUSBY CELLARS 6375 Grizzly Flat Rd, Somerset, 530-344-9119 busbycellars.com Tasting Fri-Sun11-5:30 CANTIGA WINEWORKS 3 5980 Meyers Ln, Somerset 530-621-1696 cantigawine.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 and by Appt.

CEDARVILLE VINEYARD 4 6320 Marestail Rd, Fair Play 530-620-9463 cedarvillevineyard.com Tasting by Appt.

5 CHALET FLEUR DE LYS 7696 Perry Creek Rd, Somerset, 530.620.2246 fleurdelyswinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

CHATEAU ROUTON 6 2800 Omo Ranch Rd, Fair Play, 530-620-5818 chateaurouton.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 COLIBRI RIDGE WINERY 7 & VINEYARDS 6100 Grey Rock Rd, Fair Play, 530-620-7255 colibriridge.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 CHARLES B. MITCHELL WINERY 8 8221 Stoney Creek Rd, Fair Play, 530-620-3467 charlesbmitchell.com, Tasting Mon-Fri 11-5, Sat-Sun 10:30-5 DK CELLARS 9 7380 Vineyard View Dr., Fair Play, 530-620-1132 dkcellars.com

When Fiore and Glasbrenner were looking for a house, they did see homes that had cellars but decided on having one built that was personal to them. The couple thought the small room just off to the side of the dining area would make a perfect wine cellar when the house was purchased.

“The house we bought last year came with the perfect interior walled room to convert to a wine room,” she said. “It’s just off the dining room, receives no direct light, stays consistently cool (insulated walls, ceiling and marble floors), and offers convenient access.”

Fiore says she was thrilled when she read an article in Sacramento Magazine about a local builder, Mark Sweeden, who specializes in building cellars. After conContinued on Page 15

Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 10 FITZPATRICK WINERY 7740 Fairplay Rd., Fair Play 530-620-3248/ 800-245-9166 fitzpatrickwinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 ex.Tue GRANITE SPRINGS WINERY 12 5050 Granite Springs Winery Rd., Fair Play, 530-620-6395/ 800-638-6041, latcham.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 14 IVERSON WINERY 8061 Perry Creek Rd., Fair Play 530-620-7474 iversonwinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

LATCHAM VINEYARDS 15 2860 Omo Ranch, Mt. Aukum 530-620-6642/ 800-750-5591 latcham.com Tasting Thur-Mon 11-5 MOUNT AUKUM WINERY 17 6781 Tower Rd., Mount Aukum 800-591-9463, mountaukum.com Tasting Daily 11-5 OAKSTONE WINERY 18 6440 Slug Gulch Rd., Fair Play 530-620-5303 oakstone-winery.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 PERRY CREEK VINEYARDS 19 7400 Perry Creek Rd. Fair Play 530-620-5175 perrycreek.com

Tasting Daily 11-5 SIERRA OAKS ESTATES 21 8171 Mt.Aukum Rd., Mt.Aukum 530-620-7079 sierraoaksestates.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 SINGLE LEAF VINEYARD 22 & WINERY 7480 Fairplay Rd., Fairplay 530-620-3545/ 888-ONE-LEAF singleleaf.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 TOOGOOD ESTATE WINE 23 CAVES 7280 Fair Play Rd, FairPlay 530-620-1910 toogoodwinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5:30 or by Appt.

URSA VINEYARDS 24 5951 Mt.Aukum Rd, Somerset 530-647-2646 ursavineyards.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 25 VAN DER VIJVER ESTATE 7451 Fairplay Rd., Fair Play 530.620.3210 Tasting 11-5 Wed-Sun & by Appt.

WINDWALKER VINEYARDS 26 7360 Perry Creek Rd., Fair Play 530-620-4054 windwalkervineyard.com Tasting Daily 11-5 or by Appt.

WINERY BY THE CREEK 27 8085 Perry Creek Rd., Fair Play 530-620-2402 winerybythecreek.com

Where To Store Your Growing Wine Collection Continued from Page 14 tacting him he immediately came up with different options for them to choose from.

The couple wanted a wine cellar capable of storing 750 bottles of wine and with a modern feel.

The couple selected a huge slab of granite for the counter tops but Sweeden built everything from scratch including all the angled shelves and racks. Once everything was built, it only took him three days to install it. For room conversions, it can take four to six weeks from start to finish.

“Once I have their thoughts, ideas, storage requirements, and ultimate vision of the cellar, I can begin the steps to generate their plan and design,” Sweeden said.

“My personal goal is to take the information and create a cellar that is beyond what the client could have imagined.”

Sweeden has been a licensed general contractor since 1976. He started out remodeling and then 16 years ago he happened to read a couple articles about wine cellars.

“Their beauty and craftsmanship immediately grabbed my attention, he said. “I thought building cellars could be a great way to expand my interest in wine and encompass my building abilities.”

Sweeden spent many months reading information and talking to people in the wine cellar industry. He began introducing

Marie Fiore and her friends (left to right), Lysssa Roberts, Andrea Anderson and Alma Munoz, who came to celebrate her birthday as well as her new wine cellar. himself to the local boutique wine merchants where he then found out there was a need for more local wine cellar builders.

Sweeden says during the building boom several years back everyone put in a wine cellar. He built several cellars in new homes for people who did not even drink wine but just liked to entertain. It was also somewhat expected to see a cellar in a new home in the million-dollar range. Now cellars are mostly for the serious wine person.

During the last few years there was a slowdown in the custom wine cellar industry due to the lack of new homes being built

OVERLOOKS TROPHY WINERY

POLSON RD. - 131 ACRES

SHENANDOAH VALLEY WINERY

FAIRPLAY AVA

NAPA VALLEY AVA • 131 Acres- 2 separate parcels • Breathtaking views- San Pablo Bay, Napa River, Mt Tamalpais & valley vineyards • 1 Acre Syrah Noir • 34-60+/- Plantable acreage • Plentiful potable & AG water • Multiple building sites • Close to Napa airport & Napa marina • Easy access from Hwy 12 in Napa County • Unbelievably priced at $20K an acre!

• Possible Seller financing w/acceptable terms

and a lack of spendable income. Based on recent activity with Sweeden’s company, it appears the market is moving forward again.

“Having a wine cellar anywhere is ideal,” he said. “It’s great to have the place to properly store wine.”

Sweeden has built cellars in restaurants, wine shops, wine bars, wine storage facilities as well as wine cellars in most every location in and around a house including small areas such as closets, areas under staircases, and pantries to building room additions for wine cellars. The most

• • • • • • • • • •

43+/- Acres 13+/- Acres of vineyard 3 Bedroom/2 bath home Barn/ equipment building Local views of vineyards & winery Additional plantable acreage Fenced pasture 2 Car garage Additional hilltop building site for main residence Williamson Act

$2,690,000 Fairplay Wine Area 800-622-1323

$1,295,000

important aspect of each room is expert evaluation of the location so it is properly constructed.

He offers all types of wood options including walnut, cherry, mahogany, and exotic hardwoods, but most of his wine racks are built with redwood. It is up to the customer to decide but he does advise not to use incense cedar because the odor from the wood can permeate the wine corks and cause damage to the wine.

Most of his work is within a 100 mile radius of Sacramento but says he is willing to travel farther if a client needs him to.

Even though he is an expert at building cellars and can build them very upscale, all are beautiful no matter the size. He believes the most important approach to building a great wine cellar is listening to the client.

“Having a place to properly store wine is a great feeling,” Sweeden said. “It is enjoyable and a beautiful space to care for your wine.”

Not all locations for a cellar are as ideal as Fiore and Glasbrenner’s cellar so Sweeden installs cooling units in the wine cellars he builds. The industry standard is 55 degrees but Sweeden prefers 58 to 60 degrees because it is closer to what people will find in winery caves.

According to Sweeden, both red and Continued on Page 23

SHENANDOAH AVA • • • • • •

9800 Sq. ft. on 65 acres Tasting room Capable of 12K-14K cases a year Label very recognized in Shenandoah AVA 2 winery buildings – 9800 sq ft total Price includes license, label, equipment, wine club and real property • Big well - plenty of water • 1500 sq. ft. office • Owner financing w/sufficient down payment (Inventory not included in price)

$1,995,000

Shenandoah Valley Wine Area 800-748-5931 www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

15

Livermore’s La Rochelle

“Somewhere Under the Rainbow” • Oil on Canvas • 4’ x 6’ • by Ben Davis, Jr.

The entire works of cover artist

Ben Davis Jr.

Continued from Page 12 The goal here is to create memorable, educational and delicious experiences every time you visit, regardless of how you choose to taste – standing up or sitting down.

The fact that selections from both brands will be offered in single flight options greatly increases the adventure factor, as tasters can now explore different varietals than they might have in the past, and find new wines to love and enjoy.

There is always something new to learn and appreciate regardless of how well you think you might know a brand or even a varietal. You will no longer have to choose between Pinot Noir and Cabernet: it’s good to have both on the same day, in the same

hour even. Guaranteed, you will become more skilled at wine tasting and will discover nuances you might have missed before simply because your palate will be working different muscles – so too will your brain.

That’s a good thing. We all need to exercise that big cranial muscle matter more often.

We knew wine tasting was good for our hearts: now we can rest assured it is also highly beneficial to our heads.

For more information and a complete list of flights served, visit Steven Kent Winery’s websiste at www.stevenkent.com or call (925) 243-6440. Or visit La Rochelle Winery’s website at www.LRwine.com or call (925) 243-6442. Both are located at 5443 Tesla Road in the Livermore Valley.

California

are on display at Sones Cellars Winery in Santa Cruz, Ca. 334-B Ingalls St. Santa Cruz

831.420.1552 sonescellars.com Fri-Sun Noon-5 p.m.

www.vinetimesonline.com

12 DOBRA ZEMLJA 12505 Steiner Road, Shenandoah Valley, 209-245-3183, dobraz.com Tasting Daily 10-5 31 BELLA PIAZZA DOMAINE DE LA TERRE13 19900 Shenandoah School Rd., ROUGE/EASTON WINES Plymouth, 209-245-4600 10801 Dickson Rd, Plymouth Tasting Daily 10-5 209-245-3117, terrerougewines.com BRAY VINEYARDS 5 eastonwines.com 10590 Shenandoah, Plymouth Tasting Fri-Mon 11-4 209-245-6023, brayvineyards.com DRYTOWN CELLARS 14 Tasting Fri-Mon 10-5 16030 Hwy. 49, Drytown C. G. DI ARIE 6 209-245-3500, drytowncellars.com VINEYARD & WINERY Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 11919 Shenandoah School Rd, FRENZ VINEYARD & 33 Plymouth, 209-245-4700 WINERY Tasting Thu-Mon 10-4:30 21390 Ostrom Road, Fiddletown CHARLES SPINETTA 7 209-245-4800 WINERY Tasting Sat-Sun 10:30-4:30 12557 Steiner Road, Plymouth IL GIOIELLO/MORSE 209-245-3384,charlesspinettawinery.com 15 WINES Tasting Thu-Mon 9-4 22355 Lawrence Road, Fiddletown CLOS DU LAC CELLARS/ 32 209-245-3395, ilgioiellowinery.com GREENSTONE WINERY Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 3151 Hwy. 88, Ione, 209-274-2238 JEFF RUNQUIST WINES 16 Tasting Wed-Sun 10-4 10776 Shenandoah Rd., Plymouth CONVERGENCE 8 209-245-3143, jeffrunquistwines.com VINEYARDS Tasting Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 11-5 14650 HIGHWAY 124, PLYMOUTH KARLY 17 209-245-3600 11076 Bell Road, Plymouth Tasting Fri-Sun 10-5 209-245-3922, karlywines.com COOPER VINEYARDS 9 Tasting Daily 12-4 21365 Shenandoah School, KARMERE VINEYARDS 18 Plymouth, 209-245-6181 11970 Shenandoah, Plymouth cooperwines.com 209-245-5000, karmere.com 3 Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 AVIO VINEYARDS & Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

WINERY DEAVER VINEYARDS 10 NINE GABLES 20 14520 Ridge Rd., Sutter Creek 12455 Steiner Road, Plymouth 209-267-1515, aviowine.com.com 209-245-4099, deavervineyard.com 10778 Shenandoah, Plymouth 209-245-3949, 9gables.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

Tasting Daily 10:30-5 Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5 4 DILLIAN WINES BANTAM CELLARS 11 NUA DAIR VINEYARDS 21 10851 Shenandoah Rd., 12138 Steiner Road, Plymouth 13825 Willow Creek, Ione Plymouth, 209-245-6677 209-245-3444, dillianwines.com 209-245-5567, nuadair.com bantamcellars.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11- 4:30 Tasting Sat -Sun 10:30-5:30 or by Appt.

Tasting Daily 11-4

Winery Guide

AMADOR CELLARS 1 11093 Shenandoah Rd, Plymouth, 209-245-6150 amadorcellars.com Tasting Wed-Sun, 12-5 AMADOR FOOTHILL 2 WINERY 12500 Steiner Rd., Plymouth 209-245-6307, amadorfoothill.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5

Visit California Vine Times Online for up to the minute Wine News,Winery Profiles, Events, Shopping, Winery Maps and Guides and more...

16 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

22 RENWOOD WINERY 12225 Steiner Road, Plymouth 209-245-6979/ 800-348-8466 renwood.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5:30 SERENIDAD 34 21339 Dickson Road, Plymouth 209-245-5304 Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5 SHENANDOAH 23 VINEYARDS 12300 Steiner Rd, Plymouth 209-245-4455, sobonwine.com Tasting Daily 10-5 SOBON ESTATE 24 14430 Shenandoah Rd, Plymouth, 209-245-6554 sobonwine.com Tasting Daily 9:30-5 STONEHOUSE WINERY 25 10861 Shenandoah, Plymouth 209-245-6888 stonehousewines.com Tasting Fri-Sun 10-5 STORY WINERY 26 10525 Bell Road, Plymouth 209-245-6208, zin.com Tasting Daily 11-5 SUTTER CREEK 35 WINETASTING (Crystal Basin Cellars, Gold Hill & Le Mulet Rouge)

85 Main St., Sutter Creek 209-267-5838 suttercreekwinetasting.com Tasting Daily 11-6 SIERRA RIDGE 27 VINEYARD & WINERY 14110 Ridge Rd., Sutter Creek, 209-267-1316 sutterridgewine.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-4

TANIS VINEYARDS 36 13120 Willow Creek Road, Ione, 209-274-4807 tanisvineyards.com Tasting Sat-Sun 10-5:30 TERRA D’ORO 19 20680 Shenandoah School Rd, Plymouth, 209-245-6942 montevina.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30 TKC VINEYARDS 28 11001 Valley Drive, Plymouth 209-245-6428 tkcvineyards.com Tasting Sat 11-5; Sun 1-5 or by Appt.

VILLA TOSCANO WINERY37 10600 Shenandoah, Plymouth 209-245-3800 villatoscano.com Tasting Daily 10-5 VINO NOCETO 29 11011 Shenandoah, Plymouth 209-245-6556, noceto.com Tasting Fri, 12-4; Sat-Sun, 11-4 or by Appt.

YOUNG’S VINEYARD 38 10120 Shenandoah, Plymouth 209-245-3005 youngsvineyard.com Tasting Mon-Fri 10-4, Sat-Sun 10:30-5 WILDEROTTER VINEYARD30 19890 Shenandoah School, Plymouth, 209-245-6016 wilderottervineyard.com Tasting Fri-Mon 10:30-5 Submit your winery or changes to be included in our June / July issue’s guides.

Please submit by May 6, 2011 to editor@ vinetimesmagazine.com

Culinary Road Trip

By Denise Kouzoujian

On a mission in Paso Robles

y Culinary Road Trip to Paso Robles began last month when my son, Jack, came home to tell me about his school’s Mission Project – every 4th grader in California does one. As I was planning our trip to Mission San Miguel, I decided to visit the nearby wine region of Paso Robles. I called my friend Doug Beckett, vintner of Peachy Canyon Winery, and was pleasantly surprised when he offered to set up a tour of “The Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia,” known to locals as the “lost mission.”

Doug’s friend, Doug Filippino, is the vintner of Ancient Winery and owner and operator of the cattle ranch where the “lost mission” is located. Our tour of the “lost mission” was awe-inspiring to say the least. My imagination took hold as I envisioned the Chumash Indians harvesting their food and wines – some of the first “perfect pairings.”

After the tour, we spent most of the afternoon tasting the various wines of Ancient Peaks. I was so moved by the “lost

M

mission” that I decided to find a wine that would pair perfectly with magnificent Spanish Tapas from one of my favorite restaurants back in Menlo Park – Iberia Restaurant. At the beginning of my culinary career, chef and proprietor, José Luis Relinque, was the first chef I had the pleasure of working with as I assisted him in a tapas class.

Going back to the vineyards of Ancient Peaks Winery, they sit upon five distinct soil zones that developed over millions of years. What they bring is a profound complexity to the wines. I fell in love with the 2007 Ancient Peaks Oyster Ridge, a blend of 46 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 24 percent Petite Syrah, 15 percent Merlot, and 15 percent Petite Verdot. I knew I’d look forward to finding some amazing Spanish Tapas to pair with it.

The 2007 Oyster Ridge opens with exotic high-tones, aromas of violets, cola, black cherry, and juniper berry. On the palate you’ll find black currant and blackberry with accents of mint, white pepper, and toasty oak.

After leaving Ancient Peaks we made

our way back to Peachy Canyon, which is one of my favorite wineries. Peachy Canyon is small and family-owned by Doug and Nancy Beckett. In 1982 they were school teachers who decided to move to Paso Robles to enjoy the country life.

They became early pioneers of winemaking in the area. With more than 200 wineries there now, Peachy Canyon was the 11th winery in the Region.

Here I found the 2007 Especial Zinfandel with big Zinfandel characteristics – full of spice, black pepper, raspberries and vanilla. On the palate are blueberries, blackberries and mild earth notes.

This would pair perfectly with José Luis’ recipe for lamb stew. My other favorite from José Luis’ kitchen is a poached fig recipe filled with pistachio, walnuts and chocolate. This will pair perfectly with Peachy Canyon’s Zinfandel Port VIII, which presents with elegant fruit and sweet cherry pie with a touch of new oak.

My trip to Paso Robles started with a grade-school Mission project and evolved into a blending of wonderful people, history, Spanish foods, and wine.

From top right to bottom: The Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia aka “the lost mission.” (Denise Kouzoujian) Two Doug’s and Jack, Doug Beckett and Doug Filipponi (Denise Kouzoujian), Peachy Canyon Vineyards and Winery (Denise Kouzoujian)

Veal Braised with Olives and Walnuts

Tapas Class, Brittney Walker, Jose Luis Relinque and Jessy Berg (Denise Kouzoujian)

Chorizo-Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon 1 small chorizo 12 pitted dates 6 slices bacon, cut in half Optional: oil for frying flour for dusting 1 egg lightly beaten with 1 t. water Cut chorizo into 12 thin batons that will each slip into a date. Wrap each date with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Sauté, seam side down to begin with, then turning to brown all over. Serve warm or room temperature.

Or, heat at least 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet (preferably deep-fry) to about 380°. Dredge the cooked dates in the flour, dip into the egg mixture and immediately into the hot oil. Fry until golden, tuning once. Drain and serve hot.

Serves 4 – 6 2 -3 Tbsp. olive oil 2 lb. veal leg meat, cleaned and cut into 1-inch pieces salt and pepper 2 onions, peeled and chopped 4 large Roma tomatoes, chopped (peeling and seeding optional) 2 bay leaves 1/2 cup pitted olives (Kalamata-type preferable) 1/2 cup walnuts 1/2 cup cream 1/2 cup veal stock Heat olive oil in a heavy sauté pan over medium-high heat. Season the meat liberally with salt and pepper, and brown on all sides in the oil. Remove veal from the pan and set aside.

In the same pan, start the onions on medium heat to soften. When the onions are soft, add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and cook over medium-high heat until the mixture loses some moisture. Add the veal and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

Cover tightly and finish on the lowest heat until the veal is completely tender, about 45 minutes.

Note: Instead of finishing the above dishes on the stovetop, they can be finished in a tightly-covered pan or Dutch oven in a 350° oven. Check occasionally to be sure that the liquid has not evaporated.

Higos Rellenos Dried figs poached in port wine & stuffed with a mixture of walnuts, pistachios & chocolate Serves 4 12 dried figs, whole Port, Peachy Canyon Zinfandel Port Water 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 lemon peel 1 cinnamon stick 3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate 1/2 cup pistachio nuts, peeled & salted + handful to garnish plate 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted + 12 halves to garnish plate 1/2 cup fresh whipped cream Place figs in a pot with the stems up and – with two hands – pour in half port & half water with the sugar, lemon peel and cinnamon stick until the figs are covered by one inch.

Bring liquid up to a simmer on medium heat, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Drain liquid and reduce on low to a syrup consistency.

Finely chop the nuts & chocolate and stuff figs.

Plate three warm figs on top of reduced port syrup then garnish with whipped cream, nuts & a drizzle of port reduced syrup. www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

17

Santa Barbara County Winery Guide

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY NORTH ADDAMO VINEYARDS 1 400 East Clark Ave, Santa Maria 805-937-6400, AddamoVineyards.com Tasting Tue-Sun 11-7 BEDFORD THOMPSON WINERY & VINEYARD 12 448 Bell St, Los Alamos bedfordthompsonwinery.com 805-244-2107, Tasting Daily 11-5 BYRON 20 5250 Tepusquet Rd, Santa Maria 805-344-2107, byronwines.com Tasting by Appt.

CAMBRIA WINERY & 21 VINEYARD 5475 Chardonnay Ln, Santa Maria, cambriawine.com 805-937-8091,Tasting Daily 10-5 COLD HEAVEN 27 448-B Bell St, Los Alamos 805-937-9801, coldheavencellars.com Tasting by Appt.

28 CORE WINERY 145 S. Geary St. #103, Old Orcutt 805-937-1600, corewine.com Tasting Wed-Sun COSTA DE ORO WINERY 30 1331 S. Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria 805-922-1468. cdowinery.com Tasting Sun-Thu 10-6, Fri-Sat 10-8 COTTONWOOD 31 CANYON 3940 Dominion Rd., Santa Maria 805-937-9063 cottonwoodcanyon.com Tasting Daily 10-5:30 32 CURTIS WINERY 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, 805-686-8999 curtiswinery.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5:30 FESS PARKER WINERY & VINEYARD 36 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria, 805-937-4251 fessparker.com,Tasting Daily 10-5 FIRESTONE VINEYARD 38 5000 Zaca Station Rd, Los Olivos, 805-688-3940, firestonewine.com Tasting Daily 10-5/Tours FOXEN VINEYARD 41 7200 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria, 805-937-4251 foxenvineyard.com,Tasting Daily 11-4 KENNETH VOLK 58 5230 Tepusquet Road, Santa Maria 805-938-7896, volkwines.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 59 KOEHLER 5360 Foxen Canyon Rd, Los Olivos 805-693-8384, koehlerwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 MCKEON-PHILLIPS 68 2115 S. Blosser Road, Unit 114 Santa Maria, 805-928-3025

mckeonphillipswinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-6 or by Appt.

RANCHO SISQUOC 79 6600 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, 805-934-4332 ranshosisquoc.com,Tasting Daily 10-5 RIVERBENCH VINEYARD & WINERY 78 6020 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, 805-937-8340 riverbench.com,Tasting Daily 10-4 STEPHEN ROSS WINE CELLARS 80 2717 Aviation Way, Ste. F1, Santa Maria, 805-594-1318 stephenrosswine.com Tasting by Appt.

TRES HERMANAS VINEYARD 82 9660 Foxen Camp Rd., Santa Maria 805-937-8451 treshermanaswinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 ZACA MESA 98 6905 Foxen Canyon Rd, LosOlivos 850-688-9339, zacamesa.com Tasting Daily 10-4

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SOUTH ALEXANDER & WAYNE 2 2922 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos 800-824-8584 alexanderandwayne.com Tasting Daily 11-6 3 ALMA ROSA 7250 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton 805-688-9090, almarosawinery.com Tasting Daily 11-4 ANDREW MURRAY 5 2901-A Grand Avenue, Los Olivos 805-693-9644, andrewmurrayvineyards.com,Tasting Daily 11-6 ARTHUR EARL 6 2922 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos 800-646-EARL, arthurearl.com Tasting Daily 11-6 7 ARTISTE 3569 Sagunto Street, Santa Ynez, CA, 805-686-2626 Artiste.com,Tasting Daily 11-5 9 BABCOCK on Highway 246, west of Buellton 805-736-1455, babcockwinery.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4 BECKMEN 11 2670 Ontiveros Rd, Los Olivos 805-688-8664,Tasting Daily 11-5 14 BERNAT 2879 Grand Ave, Los Olivos 805-688-7265, santabarbarawine.com Tasting Daily 11-9 BLACKJACK RANCH 15 2205 Alamo Pintado Rd, Solvang 805-686-9922, blackjackranch.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 BRANDER 16 2401 Refugio Rd, Los Olivos

18 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

805-688-2455, brander.com Tasting Daily 10-5, 11-4 (winter) 17 BRIDLEWOOD 3555 Roblar Ave, Santa Ynez 805-688-9000, 800-467-4100 bridlewoodwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 BUTTONWOOD FARM19 1500 Alamo Pintado R, Solvang 805-688-3032, buttonwoodwinery.com,Tasting Daily 11-5 CARINA CELLARS 21 2900 Grand Ave, Ste A, Los Olivos 805-688-2459, carinacellars.com Tasting Daily 11-5 CARHARTT VINEYARD22 2990-A Grand Ave., Los Olivos 805-688-0685, carhattvineyard.com Tasting Wed-Mon 11-5 CARR VINEYARDS 24 414 N. Salsipuedes St, Santa Barbara, 805-965-7985 carrwinery.com,Tasting Daily 11-5 CASA CASSARA 25 291 Valley Station Rd, Buellton 805-688-8691, casaassarainery.com Tasting Wed-Mon 10-6 28 CONSILIENCE 2933 Grand Ave, Los Olivos 805-691-1020, consiliencewines.com Tasting Daily, 11-5 D’ALFONSO-CURRAN 29 1557 Mission, Solvang, 805-6883494, dalfonso-curranwines.com Tasting Fri-Mon 11-5 (winter hours) DANIEL GEHRS WINES 31 2939 Grand Ave, Los Olivos 800-275-8138, dgwines.com Tasting Daily 11-6

DIERBERG, STAR LANE & 32 THREE SAINTS 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave,Los Olivos, 805-693-0744,DierbergVineyard.com Tasting Daily 11-5 DRAGONETTE CELLARS 33 1633 West Central Ave., Lompoc 805-737-0200,dragonettecellars.com Tasting Sat 11-4,other days byAppt EAST VALLEY VINEYARD 34 4960 Baseline Ave.,Santa Ynez 805-455-1412,eastvalleywines.com Vineyard Visits by appt.

EPIPHANY CELLARS 35 2963 Grand Ave, Los Olivos 866-354-9463, epiphanycellars.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11:30-5:30 FIDDLEHEAD CELLARS 62 597 E Chestnut Ave, Lompoc 800-251-1225/ 805-742-0204 fiddleheadcellars.com Thu-Sat 11-4 and by Appt.

FLYING GOAT CELLARS 76 1520 E. Chestnut, Unit A, Lompoc 805-736-9032, flyinggoatcellars.com Tasting Thu-Sat 11-4 FOLEY ESTATES 40 6121 E Highway 246, Lompoc 805-737-6222, foleywines.com Tasting Daily 10-5 42 GAINEY 3950 East Highway 246 Santa Ynez, 805-688-0558 gaineyvineyard.com,Tasting Daily 10-5 HITCHING POST 46 406 East Highway 246, Buellton 805-688-0676,hitchingpostwines.com Tasting Daily 4-8

47 HUBER CELLARS 539 Mission Dr., #A, Solvang 805-686-9323, hubercellars.com Tasting Daily 10– 5 JAFFURS WINE CELLAR 51 819 East Montectio St, Santa Barbara 805-962-7003, jaffurswine.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-4 or by Appt.

JOHN KERR 53 At Los Olivos Tasting Room 2905 Grand Ave., Los Olivos 805-688-5337, jkerrwines.com Tasting Daily 11-6 KALYRA 55 343 North Refugio Rd Santa Ynez, 805-693-8864 kalyrawinery.com,Tasting Daily 11-5 KEN BROWN WINES 56 Terravant Wine Ctr. 70 Industrial Way, Buellton 805-448-3791, By Appt. only LAFOND 60 6855 Santa Rosa Rd, Buellton 805-688-7921,lafondwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 37 LA VIE 308-D North 9th St., Lompoc 805-291-2111, lavievineyards.com Tasting Fri-Sun, 11-5 LINCOURT VINEYARDS 63 1711 Alamo Pintado Rd, Solvang 805-688-8554, lincourtwines.com Tasting Daily 10-5 64 LONGORIA 2935 Grand Ave, Los Olivos 866-RLWINES, longoriawine.com Tasting Daily 11-4:30 LUCAS & LEWELLEN 65 1645 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang 805-686-9336, llwine.com Tasting Daily 11-5:30 66 MANDOLINA 1665 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang 805-686-5506,Tasting Daily 11-5:30 MELVILLE 69 5185 East Hwy. 246, Lompoc 805-735-7030, melvillevineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-4 MOSBY 72 9496 Santa Rosa Rd., Buellton 800-70-MOSBY/ 805-688-2415 mosbywines.com Tasting Sat-Sun 10-5, Mon-Fri 10-4 OREANA / CELLAR 205 73 205 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara 805-962-5857, cellar205.com Tasting Daily 11-5 PALMINA 76 1520 East Chestnut Ct, Lompoc 805-735-2030, palminawines.com Tasting Thu-Sat11- 4 or by Appt.

77 PRESIDIO 1603 Copenhagen Dr. #1, Solvang, 805-966-9463,presidowinery.com Tasting Daily 11-6 RIDEAU 80 1562 Alamo Pintado Rd, Solvang 805-688-0717, rideauvineyard.com Tasting Mon-Fri 10:30-5, Sat-Sun 10:30-5:30

81 ROBLAR WINERY 3010 Roblar Avenue, Santa Ynez 805-686-8540, roblarwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 82 ROYAL OAKS 1651 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang 805-693-1740, royaloakswinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5:30 RUSACK 83 1819 Ballard Canyon Rd, Solvang 805-688-1278, rusackvineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-5 84 SANFORD 5010 Santa Rosa Rd, Lompoc 805-688-3300 or 800-426-9463 sanfordwinery.com,Tasting Daily 11-5 SANTA BARBARA WINERY 85 202 Anacapa St, 805-963-3633/ 800-225-3633 sbwinery.com,Tasting Daily 10-5 SCOTT CELLARS 86 2933 San Marcos Ave, Los Olivos 805-570-0048, scottcellars.com Tasting Wed-Mon11-5 SHOESTRING WINERY 87 800 East Hwy. 246, Solvang 800-693-8612, shoestringwinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-4 or by Appt.

STOLPMAN 88 2434 Alamo Pintado, Los Olivos 805-688-0400 stolpmanvineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-5, ex. Fri 11-6 SUMMERLAND WINERY 89 2330 Lillie Ave, Summerland 805-565-9463, summerlandwine.com Tasting Tue-Thu 11-5, Fri- Sun11-7 SUNSTONE 90 125 Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez 800-313-9463, sunstonewinery.com Tasting Daily 10-4 TASTES OF THE VALLEYS 91 Au Bon Climat,Arcadian, Margerum & more...

1672 Mission, Solvang, 805-688-7111 tastesofthevalleys.com, Tasting Daily 12-8, Sat 12-9 TENSLEY/LEA WINES 92 2900 Grand Ave., Ste. B, Los Olivos 805-688-6761, tensleywines.com Tasting Fri-Sat 11-5 93 TRE ANELLI WINE 2923 Grand Ave., Los Olivos 805-686-3000, treanelliwine.com Tasting Daily 11-5 WINE COUNTRY 94 TASTING (Core, Great Oaks, Huber, J.Wilkes, Qupe,Silver, Taz,Verdad) 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, 805-686-9699 Tasting Daily 11-5 WHITCRAFT WINERY 95 36-A S. Calle Cesar Chavez, Santa Barbara, 805-965-0956 whitcraftwinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-4

Fair Play Wineries

By Linda J. Bottjer inding Fair Play wineries, on the southern edge of El Dorado County, is reminiscent of what adventurous miners of old experienced in locating traces of gold. Roads are often narrow and curve menacingly in places. They twist and rise then plunge under tree canopied hills and dales, over boulder strewn creeks or alongside acres of vineyards.

Chauffeuring one’s own car along this Sierra Nevada foothill appellation is always an option. Another is to rent a ride from Foothill Area Rapid Transit. Some choose to call it by its obvious acronym, to others the 1987 rebuilt, 12 foot, bright-yellow former school bus is the “Short Bus.�

With seating for 14 it is a sweet ride with a 32-inch flat-screen plasma television, microwave and a series of video games.

Whatever mode of transportation one travels in, every wine seeker is triumphant with various winery stops in Fair Play.

More than 20 boutique wineries can be found here.

F

(Perry Creek Winery)

Perry Creek Winery Home of the Zin Man, Perry Creek Winery sits at 2,401 feet elevation.

Motivated by their high vineyards, the wines reflect the Rhone Valley in taste.

Their 2007 Altitude 2,401 Dark Forest Syrah offers multi-hued rich colorings that match a zesty piquantness, notable tannins with dark chocolate and blackberry bits and a pleasant finish of the terroir’s earthy tastes.

Whatever the season, enjoying their ‘08 Estate Viognier is an expression of pure summertime pleasures. Sweet and tart apricot nicely juxtapositions with the flavorful flecks of citrus in this wine aged in both French oak and stainless steel tanks.

During summer evenings wine lovers are invited to seek out the illusive Zin Man in the moonlit vineyards. Known for his wild gestures of sheer joy it is understandable upon sampling Perry Creek’s signature Zinfandel wine. The stone cherry flavor dances delightfully to a snappy rhythm that pairs raspberry with aromatic sandalwood, and is warmed by pepper and chocolate tones.

Charles B. Mitchell Winery Desserts containing chocolate and deep oiled nuts hit ecstatic high notes when enjoyed with Charles B. Mitchell Winery’s

Ruby Port.

Harmonic tastes continue in the acclaimed 2007 Syrah. The alternating sweet and the sourness of black licorice cuts through the density of black cherry and ends in a fine finish. The ’07 Cabernet Franc spins its cherried taste through sugared black current flavors reminiscent of cassis and then a floral garden rich with rose aromas. A perfect accompaniment to the winery’s weekly Friday night oven baked pizza parties.

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The Short Bus in front of DK Cellars.

(Linda Bottjer)

DK Cellars DK Cellars is named for owners Dave and Kim Pratt. They boast that their wines are New World made with Old World traditions. In addition a good-sized dose of fun is found in each bottle.

Made from four El Dorado grapes, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah the 2007 Rattler Red possesses a bite that is a delight to receive at any time.

A bounty of stone fruit and berries is met by an undiminished acidity that is strong yet never overpowering.

The ‘05 Meritage possesses a masterful smoothness, which starts at the first sip and lingers long after the last. DK Cellars executes a connoisseur’s balancing act with their 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. They suggest extended cellaring for the wine with its gradation of deep dark fruits and chocolate.

Colibri Ridge Winery Just a few minutes away, Colibri Ridge Winery honors their enthusiastic tasting room greeter with a tail, by bottling four grape Portuguese varietals, Cab Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. 2006 Rufous Red’s label features the distinguished profile of the owner’s Black Labrador. The wine is a blissful outcome from a racking accident. Big flavored – the finish is a surprisingly soft contrast.

It is a bevy of berries that greets the nose from the 2005 Barbara. A potent alchemy of lush tastes, reminiscent of grandma’s homemade jams with a peppery kick makes this a perfect accompaniment to any richly flavored sauce or adds depth to char-grilled meat.

The winery’s 2005 Fair Play White Port, made with Chardonnay affords a disContinued on Page 30

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www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

19

Paso Robles Winery Guide

ADELAIDA WINERY 1 5805 Adelaida Road, PR 805-239-8980, adelaida.com Tasting Daily 10-5 3 ANGLIM WINERY 740 Pine Street, PR, 805-227-6813 anglimwinery.com, Tasting ThuSat 11-5:30, Sun 12-5:30 or by Appt.

ARROYO ROBLES 4 739 12th Street,PR,877-759-WINE arroyorobles.com, Tasting Daily 11-7 AUGUST RIDGE VINEYARDS 5 8790 E.Hwy.41,Creston 805-239-2455, augustridge.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

B & E VINEYARDS 6 10000 Creston Rd., PR 805-238-4815, bevineyard.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 BELLA LUNA 7 1850 Templeton Rd.,Templeton 805-434-5477, bellalunawine.com Tasting Fri-Sun 10-5 BERARDO VINEYARDS AND WINERY 8 3280 Township Road, PR 805-239-9432, ajbvineyards.com BerardoVineyardsandWinery.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 BIANCHI VINEYARDS 3380 Branch Road, PR 9 805-226-9922, bianchiwine.com Tasting Daily 10-5 BRIAN BENSON CELLARS 10 2985 Anderson Rd., PR 805-296-9463, brianbensoncellars.com, Tasting Fri-Sun 10:30-5 CALCAREOUS VINEYARD 11 3430 Peachy Canyon Rd., PR 805-239-0289, calcareous.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 or by Appt.

CAPARONE WINERY 12 2280 San Marcos Road, PR 805-467-3827, caparone.com Tasting Daily 11-5 CARMODY MCKNIGHT ESTATE WINES 13 11240 Chimney Rock Road, PR, 805-238-9392 carmodymcknight.com Tasting Daily 10-5 CASA DE CABALLOS 14 2225 Raymond Ave.,Templeton

805-434-1687, casadecaballos.com Tasting Daily 11-5 15 CASS VINEYARDS 7350 Linne Road, PR 805-239-1730, casswines.com Tasting Mon-Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 11-6 CASTORO CELLARS 16 1315 N. Bethel Rd.,Templeton 805-238-0725,castorocellars.com Tasting Daily 10-5:30 CHANGALA WINERY 17 3770 Willow Creek Rd., PR 805-226-9060 changalawinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 CHATEAU MARGENE 18 4385 LaPanza Road, Creston 805-238-2321 chateaumargene.com Tasting 12-5 Sat-Sun & by Appt.

CHUMEIA 19 8331 E. Hwy.46, PR 805-226-0102, chumeiavineyards.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 CLAUTIERE VINEYARD 1340 Penman Springs Rd., PR 805-237-3789, clautiere.com Tasting Daily 12-5 20 D’ANBINO VINEYARDS & CELLARS 22 710 Pine St., PR 805-227-6800, danbino.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-7 DARK STAR CELLARS 23 2985 Anderson Rd., PR 805-237-2389, darkstarcellars.com Tasting Fri-Sun 10:30-5 DENNER VINEYARDS 24 5414Vineyard Drive, PR 805-239-4287, dennervineyards.com, Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 DERBY WINE ESTATES 5620 E. Hwy. 46, PR 51 805-238-6300 derbywineestates.com Tasting Daily 10-5 25 DOCE ROBLES 2023 Twelve Oaks Drive, PR 805-227-4766, docerobles.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5:30 DONATI FAMILY VINEYARD 26 2720 Oak View Rd.,Templeton 805-238-0676 donatifamilyvineyard.com Tasting Daily 10-5

20 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

DOVER CANYON WINERY 27 4520 Vineyard Drive, PR 805-237-0101, dovercanyon.com Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5 DUNNING VINEYARDS ESTATE WINERY AND 28 GUEST VILLA 1953 Niderer Road, PR 805-238-4763 dunningvineyards.com Lodging Accommodations Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 EAGLE CASTLE WINERY 3090 Anderson Rd.,PR 29 805-227-1428, eaglecastlewinery.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5:30 EBERLE WINERY 30 3810 E. Hwy. 46, PR 805-238-9607, eberlewinery.com Tasting Daily 10-6, 10-5 (winter) EDWARD SELLERS VINEYARDS 31 1220 Park Street, PR 805-239-8915, edwardsellers.com Tasting Thu-Mon 12-7 EOS ESTATE WINERY 5625 E. Hwy.46, PR 32 800-249-9463, eosvintage.com Tasting Daily 10-5 34 FALCON NEST VINEYARD & WINERY 5185 Union Rd., PR 805-226-0227, falconnestwine.com, Tasting Daily 10-6 FIRESTONE VINEYARD 2300 Airport Road, PR 35 805-591-8050, firestonewine.com Tasting Daily 10-5 36 FOUR VINES 3750 W. Hwy 46, Templeton 805-237-0055, fourvines.com Tasting Daily 11-6, 11-5 (winter) FRATELLI PERATA 37 1595 Arbor Road, PR 805-238-2809 fratelliperata.com, Tasting by Appt.

GARRETSON WINE COMPANY 38 2323 Tuley Ct., Suite 110, PR 805-239-2074. garretsonwines.com, Tasting by Appt.

GREY WOLF CELLARS 2174 W. Hwy 46, PR 39 805-237-0771, greywolfcellars.com, Tasting Daily 11-5:30

40 HALTER RANCH VINEYARD 8910 Adelaida Road, PR 805-226-9455, halterranch.com Tasting Daily 11-5 HANSEN VINEYARD 41 5575 El Pomer Dr.,Templeton 805-239-8412, hansenwines.com Tasting Fri- Sun 11-5 HARMONY CELLARS 42 3255 Harmony Valley Rd., Harmony 805-927-1625/ 800-432-9239 harmonycellars.com Tasting Daily 10-5 43 HUG CELLARS 2323 Tuley Ct., Suite 120D, PR 805-226-8022, hugcellars.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11- 5 & by Appt.

HUNT CELLARS 44 2875 Oakdale Road, PR 805-237-1600 huntwinecellars.com Tasting Daily 10-6, 10:30-5:30 (winter) J. LOHR WINERY 46 6169 Airport Road, PR 805-239-8900, jlohr.com Tasting Daily 10-5 JADA VINEYARD 47 5620Vineyard Drive, PR 805-226-4200, jadavineyard.com Tasting Fri-Sun 10-5 or by Appt.

JANKRIS WINERY 48 1266 Bethel Road,Templeton 805-434-0319, jankriswinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 JUDD FAMILY WINES 49 2850 Ranchita Canyon Rd. San Miguel, 805-467-2891 juddfamilywines.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 JUSTIN VINEYARDS & WINERY 50 11680 Chimney Rock Rd., PR 805-238-6932, justinwine.com Tasting Daily 10-5/ Tours by Appt.

L’AVENTURE 51 2815 Live Oak Road, PR 805-227-1588,aventurewine.com Tasting Thu-Sun 11-4 LA VIGNE WINERY 90 5115 Buena Vista Dr., PR 805-227-4000 lavignewinery.com Tasting Daily 11-6, 11-5 (winter) LINNE CALODO 52 CELLARS 3030 Vineyard Drive, PR 805-227-0797, linnecalodo.com Tasting Daily 11-5 LOCATELLI VINEYARDS 8585 Cross Canyons Road San Miguel, 805-467-0067 locatelliwinery.com 53 Tasting Fri-Sun 11-4 or by Appt.

54 LONE MADRONE 2485 W. Hwy. 46, PR 805-238-0845,lonemadrone.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5 MALOY O’NEILL 55 VINEYARDS 5725 Union Road, PR 805-238-7320, maloyoneill.com Tasting Fri-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5 or by Appt.

MARTIN & WEYRICH 56 WINERY 2610 Buena Vista Drive, PR 805-238-2520, martinweyrich.com Tasting Daily 10-6 MERIDIAN VINEYARDS 7000 E. Hwy.46, PR 57 805-226-7133, meridianvineyards.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 MIDNIGHT CELLARS 59 2925 Anderson Rd., PR 805-237-9601, 805-239-8904 midnightcellars.com Tasting Daily 10-5:30 MINASSIAN YOUNG VINEYARDS 60 4045 Peachy Canyon Rd., PR 805-238-7571 minassianyoung.com, Tasting FriMon 11-5 MITCHELLA VINEYARD & WINERY 61 2525 Mitchel Ranch Way, PR 805-239-8555, mitchella.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5

62 MONDO CELLARS 3260 Nacimiento Lake Dr., PR 805-226-2925, mondocellars.com Tasting Daily 10-6 MOONSTONE CELLARS 801 Main St., Suite C, Cambria 805.927.9466/ 877-517-WINE 63 moonstonecellars.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 NADEAU FAMILY 65 VINTNERS 3860 Peachy Canyon Rd., PR 805-239-3574 nadeaufamilyvintners.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 NORMAN VINEYARDS 66 7450 Vineyard Dr., PR 805-237-0138, normanvineyards.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 OPOLO VINEYARD 67 7110 Vineyard Dr., PR 805-238-9593, opolo.com Tasting Daily 10-5 68 PASO PORT 6996 Peachy Canyon, PR 805-239-2229 pasoportwine.com, Tasting Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon 11-5 or by Appt.

PEACHY CANYON 69 WINERY 1480 N. Bethel Rd.,Templeton 805-239-1918, peachycanyon.com Tasting Daily 11-5 2020 Nacimiento Lake Dr., PR 805-237-7848 Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 PENMAN SPRING 70 VINEYARD 1985 Penman Springs Rd., PR 805-237-7959, penmansrings.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 PIPESTONE VINEYARDS 71 2040 Niderer Rd., PR 805-227-6385 pipestonevineyards.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 POALILLO VINEYARDS72 1888 Willow Creek Rd., PR 805-238-0600, Tasting by Appt.

PRETTY-SMITH 73 VINEYARDS & WINERY 13350 N.River Rd., San Miguel 805-467-3104, Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 RABBIT RIDGE WINERY & VINEYARDS 75 1172 San Marcos Road, PR 805-467-3331, rabbitridgewinery.com, Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 RIO SECO VINEYARD & 77 WINERY 4295 Union Road, PR 805-237-8884, riosecowine.com Tasting Daily 11-5 RIVERSTAR VINEYARD 78 7450 Estrella Road, San Miguel 805-467-0086, riverstarvineyards.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 ROBERT HALL WINERY 3443 Mill Road, PR 79 805-239-1616, roberthallwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-6, 10-5 (winter) ROCKY CREEK CELLARS 8687 Apple Rd.W. Hwy. 46, Templeton, 805-238-1919 rockycreekcellars.com 80 Tasting Daily 12-5 ROTTA WINERY 81 3750 W. Hwy. 46,Templeton 805-237-0510, rottawinery.com Tasting Mon-Fri 11-5, Sat-Sun 11-6 SAN MARCOS CREEK 83 7750 N. Highway 101, PR 805-467-9260 sanmarcoscreek.com Tasting Daily 11-5 SCULPTERRA WINERY 5015 Linne Road, PR 84 805-226-8881, sculpterra.com Tasting Fri-Sun 10-5 SILVER HORSE VINEYARDS 85 2995 Pleasant Road, San Miguel 805-467-9309, silverhorse.com Tasting Fri-Mon 11-5 STACKED STONE 86 CELLARS 1525 Peachy Canyon Rd., PR 805-238-7872, stackedstone.com Tasting Mon-Thu by Appt., Fri-Sun 11-5

STILL WATERS 87 VINEYARD 2750 Old Grove Lane, PR 805-237-9231, stillwatersvineyard.com, Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 STEPHEN’S CELLAR 88 7575 York Mountain Road, Templeton, 805-238-2412 stephenscellar.com Tasting by Appt.

SUMMERWOOD WINERY 2175 Arbor Road, PR 89 805-227-1365, summerwood.com Tasting Daily 10-6, 10-5 (winter) TABLAS CREEK VINEYARD 92 9339 Adelaida Rd, PR 805-237-1231, tablascreek.com Tasting Daily 10-5 TERRY HOAGE VINEYARDS 93 870 Arbor Road, PR 805-238-2083 terryhoagevineyards.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-4 by Appt.

THUNDERBOLT WINERY 2740 Hidden Mtn. Rd., PR 94 805-226-9907 thunderboltwinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 TOBIN JAMES CELLARS 8950 Union Rd., PR 95 805-239-2204, tobinjames.com Tasting Daily 10-6 TURLEY WINE CELLARS 2900 Vineyard Dr.,Templeton 805-434-1030, turleywinecellars.com, Tasting Daily 9-5 96 VENTEUX VINEYARDS97 1795 Las Tablas Rd.,Templeton 805-369-0127, venteuxvineyards.com Tasting Mon-Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 10-5 VIA VEGA WINERY 98 22378 Adobe Rd., PR 805-423-2190, viavega.com Tasting Fri-Sat 11-5, Sun by appt.

VICTOR HUGO WINERY 2850 El Pomar Dr.,Templeton 805-434-1128, victorhugowinery.om, Tasting by Appt.

99 VIHUELA WINERY 100 1307 Park Street Alley, PR 805-835-4304, vihuelawinery.com Tasting Sun-Mon 11-4,Thu-Sat 11-8 VILLICANA WINERY 101 2725 Adelaida Road, PR 805-239-9456, villicanawinery.com Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5 VINA ROBLES 102 3700 Mill Road, PR 805-227-4812,vinarobles.com Tasting Daily10-6,10-5 (winter) VISTA DEL REY VINEYARDS 103 7340 Drake Road, PR 805-467-2138 Tasting Sun 11-5 & by Appt.

WESTBERG CELLARS105 3180 Willow Creek Rd., PR 805-238-932, Tasting by Appt.

WILD COYOTE ESTATE 106 WINERY 3775 Adelaida Road, PR 805-610-1311, wildcoyote.biz Tasting Daily 11-5 WILD HORSE WINERY 1437 Wild Horse Winery Ct., Templeton, 805-434-2541 107 wildhorsewinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 WINDWARD VINEYARD 108 1380 Live Oak Rd., PR 805-239-2565, windwardvineyard.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-5 YORK MOUNTAIN WINERY 109 7505 York Mountain Rd., Templeton, 805-238-3925 yorkmountainwinery.com Tasting Daily 11-4 ZENAIDA CELLARS 1550 W. Hwy. 46, PR 110 805-227-0382, zenaidacellars.com Tasting Daily 11-5 ZIN ALLEY WINERY 111 3730 W. Hwy. 46, PR zinalley.com, 805-238-0959 Tasting by Appt.

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Young and Stellar in Paso Robles

By Lisa J. Pretty aso Robles has a reputation for great wine, beautiful vineyards, friendly people and fun tasting rooms. With the growing number of wineries it is not surprising that many young winemakers decide to make Paso Robles their home as they launch their career. When I started this article my intent was to cover the young winemakers of Paso – I considered under 35 young to have a winemaker title. What I found as I began researching the story is that there are a huge number of young winemakers and several are doing great things to make a name for themselves.

With so many young winemakers in the area I decided I couldn’t cover them all and instead decided to focus on the winemakers who launched their own brand. I found three extremely talented winemakers, all with a very different approach to how they got started and very different ideas about how they plan to grow their business.

P

Brian Benson, Brian Benson Cellars Of the three winemak(Lisa J. Pretty) ers, Brian made his

first wine at the youngest age. He was only 13 when he made his first five gallons of Cabernet Sauvignon. His father is the owner/winemaker of Dark Star winery and after working along with his father for just one year he decided he wanted to be a winemaker. His first vintage was 2001 and he released them to launch Brian Benson Cellars in 2003 the weekend after he turned 21.

That first vintage was just 147 cases and from there he continued to grow his production each year. When his father’s winery no longer had the space he required he moved his winemaking operations to Denner Winery. With a house in one location, a winery in another and his tasting room still located next door to Dark Star, Brian found 1,.500 cases a challenge since he spent so much of his time traveling between locations. Luckily the Dark Star winery was expanded and he was able to move back to the winery located beside his tasting room and once again make wine alongside his father. Due to an excellent relationship with his family, the location suits him: “My Dad and I have a great relationship and if there is any competition it is friendly.” I checked with his Mom and she indicated there was indeed a competition “to see who was going to take care of her in her old age.”

Brian’s current production is around 800-1,000 cases each vintage. His plan for the future is to keep production at this level and increase the quality of his wines. I was very impressed with the wines I tried in his tasting room and with a 92-point rating from Wine Spectator for his 07 Syrah and a 92-point rating from Robert Parker for his 07 S&M blend he is clearly already delivering a very high quality line of wines.

His current tasting list includes four different Syrahs, a Cabernet Sauvignon and the Kandy Red blend (Zinfadel/Grenache/ Mourvedre). Kandy Red his part of his custom label. “The idea is that every year I will build a custom car or hot rod, and then come up with a custom red blend to go along with the car or truck. Whoever pinstripes the vehicle, designs and pinstripes a limited edition bottle in which the wine will eventually call home.”

Brian Benson Cellar’s tasting room is located at 2985 Anderson Road in Paso Robles. The tasting room is open Fri-Sun 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. bensoncellars.com

Amy Butler, Ranchero Cellars Amy decided she wanted to be a winemaker when she was 18. She was a freshman in college and when she found out you could get a degree in Fermentation Science she knew immediately that was

what she wanted to do. After graduation she started working for wineries with a goal of making assistant winemaker by the time she was 23.

She did that at Schramsberg and later moved to Paso Robles where she took on the (Lisa J. Pretty) position of winemaker for Edward Sellers when she was just 29.

The inspiration for her own brand, known as Ranchero Cellars, was a Carignane from Mendocino County. “I realized all at once that if I wanted to do something really interesting and creative, I was on my own.” Amy continues to work with the Carignane and is loving every vintage. Ranchero Cellars is committed to making small batches of wine using unique varietals and time-honored methods. In addition to the Carignane, Amy produces Grenache Blanc, a white blend named “Chrome” and another white named “Brouhaha.”

Amy is having a great time making Continued on Page 28

For Sale $1,600,000

116 acres, planted vineyards, winery, tasting room, wedding pavilion, 3,500 sf custom 5-bedroom estate residence, located in El Dorado County.

Property Information: www.VenezioWinery.com For additional information: Ken Calhoon, Broker 530-885-9590 Ken@KenCalhoon.com DRE # 01054362 22 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

Monte de Oro Winery Temecula’s New Kid On The Block

By Tom Plant recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Ken Zignorski, managing partner at Monte de Oro Winery in Temecula. Monte de Oro is a relative newcomer to the Temecula wine scene, having opened their doors to the public at the end of 2009. With 14 months under their belt, I was anxious to learn about this beautiful winery and see how they are becoming a part of this growing wine community.

The idea for Monte de Oro was born in 2001 as a group of investors with a common love for wine decided they wanted to grow grapes in Southern California. Most of them were intrigued by wine and the romance of the wine business and “thought it would be cool.” By summer, 2005 the partnership had grown to 65 members.

Realizing their real estate dollar would go further in the Temecula Valley than it would in Napa or Paso Robles, they started buying vineyard land in 2002 and planted the 18acre Vista del Monte vineyard with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the spring of 2003, they planted the De Portola vineyard with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Viognier as well as the Galway vineyard with

I

Monte de Oro’s beautiful outdoor patio is the perfect setting for any event. (Tom Plant) Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Canelli. The Monte de Oro vineyards were planted in 2007 primarily with blending grapes; Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Grenache and Cinsault. They now have 72 acres planted with a goal of producing strictly 100 percent estate wines in the near future.

In 2004, they harvested their first grapes and sold them to Leonesse Cellars.

Winemaker Tim Kramer made a single vineyard Syrah with that fruit and got a 90 rating with it. Not bad for a first harvest.

Monte de Oro’s parent company is OGB (One Great Blend) Partners. “We want to make the best wine we possibly can in Southern California.” With the idea that Continued on Page 36

catered by Chef David Page 7:00 PM Friday, May 20th, 2011 First Course:

Golden Beet Carpaccio & Grilled Asparagus

§

Second Course:

Where to Store Continued from Page 15 white wines can be stored at the same temperatures. In order to keep the true essence the wine maker intended, most red wines are meant to be drunk around 60 to 68 degrees, some white wines are meant to be drunk between 48 and 52 degrees and others at 35 to 40 degrees.

Fiore and Glasbrenner collect wine for consumption and plan to drink everything in their cellar with their family and friends.

“I know I will be hanging out at Marie and Franks all the time now,” friend and Elk Grove resident Andrea Anderson said.

The wine lovers frequent the wineries in the Lodi and Amador County areas.

Both agree that their favorite wine is the red wine varieties including various Cabernets and Zinfandels from local California wineries.

“Now with our wine room we can really explore new wineries because we have a place to store the wine we buy,” Fiore said.

Both Fiore and Glasbrenner always wanted a cellar but never imagined it would turn out so nice.

“It turned out better than we imagined,” Glasbrenner said. “I can tell he is passionate about his work and it was so nice to work with him.”

Fiore agrees he did a great job. The

J. Lohr Summer Dinner #1

Shellfish Ravioli

§

Entrée:

Pan Roasted Niman Ranch Flat Iron Steak

Marie Monte Fiore and Frank Glasbrenner's new custom made wine cellar built

by Sacramento builder Mark Sweeden.

(Kimberly Horg-Webb) couple renovated different areas in the house but Sweeden was the easiest to get along with.

All the lights in the cellar are LEDs so it doesn’t emit ultraviolet rays. The tree branch light fixture the couple commissioned is from an artist named Wynne Hodges. She’s a professor at the Savannah College of Art who makes various works of art. For more information check out wynnehodges.com.

For more information about Mark Sweeden or to check out other cellars he has built, visit marksweeden.com.

“I think the cellar came out beautiful,” said friend and Sacramento resident Alma Munoz.

§

Dessert:

Honey Lavender Panna Cotta

JLOHR.COM www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

23

Napa Valley Winery Guide

MAP 1 ANGWIN CHATEAU WOLTNER 100 150 S.White Cottage Rd. 707-965-2445, AT LAMBORN FAMILY VINEYARDS 101 925-254-0511, lamborn.com, A SUMMIT LAKE VINEYARDS 102 2000 Summit Lake Dr.,707-965-2488 summitlakevineyards.com, A CALISTOGA AUGUST BRIGGS WINE 105 333 Silverado Tr.,707-942-4912 augustbriggswine.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 BENNETT LANE WINERY 106 3340 Hwy. 128, 707-942-6684 Tasting Daily 10-5:30, T CALISTOGA CELLARS 107 1371 Lincoln Ave., 707-942-7422, calistogacellars.com, A CASTELLO DI AMOROSA 108 4045 N. St. Helena Hwy, 707-967-6272 castellodiamorosa.com, Tasting Daily 9:30-6/Dec-Feb 15 ‘til 5, Tours by appt.

CHATEAU MONTELENA WINERY 109 1429 Tubbs Lane, 707-942-5105 montelena.com, Tasting Daily 9:30-4 CLOS PEGASE WINERY 110 1060 Dunaweal Ln., 707-942-4981, clospegase.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-5T CONSTANT-DIAMOND MOUNTAIN VINEYARD 111 2121 Diamond Mountain Rd., constantwine.com, 707-942-0707 CUVAISON WINERY 112 4550 Silverado Tr., 707-942-2468, cuvaison.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, 1221 Duhig,Napa 707-942-2455,A DUTCH HENRY WINERY 115 4310 Silverado Tr., 707-942-5771/ 800-224-5879, dutchhenry.com, AT GRAESER WINERY 116 255 Petrified Forest Rd., graeserwinery.com,707-942-4437,Tasting Daily 10-5 HELENA VIEW JOHNSTON 117 VINEYARDS 3500 Hwy. 128, 707-942-4956 helenaview.com, AT LARKMEAD VINEYARDS 118 1100 Larkmead Ln.,707-942-0167 larkmead.com, AT PAOLETTI VINEYARDS 120 4501 Silverado Tr., 707-942-0689, giannipaoletti.com, A REVERIE ON DIAMOND 121 MOUNTAIN 1520 Diamond Mountain Rd. 707-942-6800, reverie.com, AT ROBERT PECOTA WINERY 122 3299 Bennett Ln.,707-942-6625 robertpecotawinery.com, A SCHRAMSBERG VINEYARDS & 124 CELLARS 1400 Schramsberg Rd., 707-9424558, schramsberg.com, AT SILVER ROSE RESORT WINERY 125 351 Rosedale Rd., 707-942-9581, silverrose.com, A STERLING VINEYARDS 126 1111 Dunaweal Ln.,707-942-3300 / 800-726-6163,sterlingvineyards.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30, T STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN WINERY 127 3835 Hwy. 128, 707-942-5310 storybookwines.com, AT

SUMMERS WINES 128 1171 Tubbs Ln.,707-942-5508 summerswinery.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 TWOMEY CELLARS 130 1183 Dunaweal Ln., 707-942-2700/ 800-505-4850, twomeycellars.com Tasting Mon-Sat 9-4, T VINCENT ARROYO WINERY 131 2361 Greenwood Ave., 707-9426995, vincentarroyo.com, A VON STRASSER WINERY 132 1510 Diamond Mountain Rd., 707942-0930, vonstrasser.com, AT WERMUTH WINERY/ 133 RANCHO DE LAS FLORES 3942 Silverado Tr., 707-942-5924, A ZAHTILA VINEYARDS 134 2250 Lake County Hwy., 707-9429251, zahtilavineyards.com, AT DEER PARK DEER PARK WINERY 136 1000 Deer Park Rd.,707-963-5411 Tasting Fri-Sat 10-5 VIADER VINEYARDS 137 1120 Deer Park Rd. 707-963-3816, viader.com, AT POPE VALLEY AETNA SPRINGS CELLARS 138 7227 Pope Valley Rd., 707-965-2675, aetnaspringscellars.com, A CLEAVAGE CREEK WINERY 139 6307 Pope Valley Rd., cleavagecreek.com, 707-965-1246, A POPE VALLEY WINERY 140 6613 Pope Valley Rd., popevalleywinery.com, 888-295-1280, A MAP 2 ST. HELENA ANDERSON'S CONN VALLEY 200 VINEYARDS 680 Rossi Road,707-963-8600 connvalleyvineyards.com, A ARGER-MARTUCCI VINEYARDS 201 1455 Inglewood Ave.,707-963-4334, arger-martucci.com, A BALLENTINE VINEYARDS 203 2820 St.Helena Hwy.707-963-7919,ballentinevineyards.com, A BARNETT VINEYARDS 204 4070 Spring Mountain Rd,707-9637075, barnettvineyards.com, AT BENESSERE VINEYARDS 205 1010 Big Tree Rd.,707-963-5853, benesserevineyards.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T BERINGER VINEYARDS 206 2000 Main St., 707-967-4412 beringer.com,Tasting Daily 10-6,T BUEHLER VINEYARDS 207 820 Greenfield Rd.,707-963-2155, buehlervineyards.com,AT BURGESS CELLARS 208 1108 Deer Park Rd.,707-963-4766/ 800-752-9463,burgesscellars.com,A CAFARO CELLARS 210 1591 Dean York Lane 707-963-7181, AT CAIN VINEYARD & WINERY 211 3800 Langtry Rd. 707-963-1616, cainfive.com, AT CALAFIA CELLARS 212 629 Fulton Lane, 707-963-0114 calafiacellars.com. A

24 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

CASA NUESTRA WINERY 213 3451 Silverado Trail North, 707-9635783,casanuestra.com,AT CATACULA LAKE WINERY 214 4105 Chiles Pope Valley Road 707-965-1104 CHAPPELLET VINEYARD 215 1581 Sage Canyon Road, 800-494-6379, chappellet.com. AT CHARLES KRUG WINERY 216 2800 Main St.,707-967-2229 charleskrug.com,Tasting Daily 10:30-5 CHATEAU BOSWELL 217 3468 Silverado Tr., 707-963-5472 chateauboswellwinery.com, A CONN CREEK WINERY/ 219 VILLA MT. EDEN 8711 Silverado Tr., 707-963-9100, conncreek.com, Tasting Sun-Fri 11-4, Sat 10-4, T CORISON WINERY 220 987 S. St. Helena Hwy. 707-963-0826, corison.com, A DOMAINE CHARBAY WINERY 222 4001 Spring Mountain Rd.,707-9639327/ 800-634-7845,charbay.com,A A DOZEN VINTNERS 223 (Splenetic,Reverie,Von Strasser,Destino,Eagle and Rose,Adams Ridge,Howell Mountain,Fife, Lamborn Family,Koves-Newlan)

3000 Hwy.29 N.,707-967-0666 adozenvintners.com,Tasting Daily 10-5 DUCKHORN VINEYARDS 224 1000 Lodi Lane, 707-963-7108 duckhorn.com, AT EAGLE & ROSE ESTATE 223 3000 St. Helena Highway. 707967-0666, eagleandrose.com Tasting Daily 10-5, T EHLERS ESTATE WINERY 227 3222 Ehlers Lane, 707-963-5972 ehlersestate.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T

FLORA SPRINGS WINE CO. 228 677 S. St. Helena Hwy. 707-967-8032,florasprings.com Tasting Daily 10-5, T FORMAN WINERY & VINEYARDS 229 1501 Big Rock Rd., 707-963-0234, A FRANK FAMILY VINEYARDS 119 1091 Larkmead, 800-574-9463 frankfamilyvineyards.com Tasting Daily 10-5, T FREEMARK ABBEY WINERY 231 3022 N. St. Helena Hwy., 707-9639694, freemarkabbey.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T GUILLIAMS VINEYARDS 233 3851 Spring Mountain Rd., 707-963-9059, A HALL WINERY 234 401 S. St. Helena Hwy. 866-667-4255, hallwines.com, T HEITZ WINE CELLARS 235 436 S.St.Helena Hwy.,707-963-3542, heitzcellar.com,Tasting Daily 11-4:30, T JOSEPH PHELPS VINEYARDS 236 200 Taplin Road, 707-963-2745 jpvwines.com, A KELHAM VINEYARDS 238 360 Zinfandel Ln., 707-963-2000, kelhamvineyards.com, AT KULETO ESTATE WINERY 239 2470 Sage Canyon Rd.,707-9639750, kuletoestate.com, AT LORENZA-LAKE WINERY 240 1764 Scott Street,707-963-8593, A LOUIS M.MARTINI WINERY 242 254 S. St. Helena Hwy. 707-968-3361/ 800-321-WINE louismartini.com, Tasting Daily 10-6, T MARKHAM VINEYARDS 243 2812 N. St. Helena Hwy., markhamvineyards.com 707-963-5292, Tasting Daily 11-5 MERRYVALE VINEYARDS 244 1000 Main St., 707-963-2225/ 800-326-6069, merryvale.com Tasting Daily 10-6:30, T MILAT VINEYARDS 245 1091 S. St. Helena Hwy. milat.com, 707-963-0758/ 80054-MILAT, Tasting Daily 10-5:30 MOUNT VEEDER WINERY 391 1178 Galleron Rd., 707-967-3830 (Franciscan Oakville Estate) mtveeder.com, Tastng Daily 10-5, T NEWTON VINEYARDS 248 2555 Madrona Ave., 707-963-9000, newtonvineyard.com, AT NICHELINI WINERY 249 2950 Sage Canyon Rd, 707-9630717, nicheliniwinery.com Tasting Sat-Sun 10-5, or AT PRAGER WINERY & PORT WORKS 252 1281 Lewelling Lane, 707-963-7678/ 800-969-7678, pragerport.com Tasting Mon-Sat 10:30-4:30 PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS 253 4026 Spring Mountain Rd., 707-9634949, pridewines.com, AT

PROVENANCE VINEYARDS 319 1695 S. St. Helena Hwy., 707-9683633, provenancevineyards.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5:30, T RAYMOND VINEYARD & CELLAR 255 849 Zinfandel Ln., 707-963-3141/ 800-525-2659, raymondvineyards.com, Tasting Daily 10-4, T RITCHIE CREEK VINEYARD 256 4024 Spring Mountain Rd., ritchiecreek.com, 707-963-4661, A ROBERT KEENAN WINERY 257 3660 Spring Mountain Rd., keenanwinery.com, A 707-963-9177 ROMBAUER VINEYARDS 258 3522 Silverado Tr., 707-963-5170, rombauervineyards.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T RUSTRIDGE WINERY 260 2910 Lower Chiles Valley Rd. 707-965-9353, rustridge.com, A RUTHERFORD WINE CO. 261 1680 Silverado Tr., 707-968-3200 roundhillwines.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30 SCHWEIGER VINEYARDS 263 4015 Spring Mountain Rd., 707-9634882, schweigervineyards.com, AT SEAVEY VINEYARD 264 1310 Conn Valley, 707-963-8339 seaveyvineyard.com, AT SHERWIN FAMILY VINEYARDS 265 4060 Spring Mtn. Rd. 707-9631154, sherwinfamilyvineyards.com,AT SPRING MOUNTAIN 266 2805 Spring Mountain Rd., 707-9674188, springmountainvineyard.com, AT SMITH-MADRONE VINEYARDS 267 4022 Spring Mountain Road, 707963-2283, smithmadrone.com, A SPOTTSWOODE WINERY 268 1902 Madrona Ave.,707-963-0134 spottswoode.com, T ST. CLEMENT VINEYARDS 269 2867 N.St.Helena Hwy.,707-967-3033, stclement.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T STONY HILL VINEYARD 270 3331 N.St.Helena Hwy.,707-9632636, stonyhillvineyard.com, AT SUTTER HOME WINERY 272 277 S. St. Helena Hwy. 707-963-3104/ 800-967-4663 sutterhome.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 TASTING ON MAIN 273 1142 Main St., 707-967-1042 Tasting Daily 10:30-6 TERRA VALENTINE 274 3787 Spring Mountain Rd., 707967-8340, terravalentine.com, AT TRINCHERO NAPA VALLEY 275 3070 N.St.Helena Hwy.,707-9631160, trincherowinery.com Tasting Starting Summer ‘09 TUDAL WINERY 276 1015 Big Tree Rd., 707-963-3947 tudalwinery.com, AT

V. SATTUI WINERY 278 1111 White Lane, 707-963-7774, vsattui.com,Tasting Daily 9-6,9-5 (winter),T VOLKER EISELE FAMILY ESTATE 279 3080 Lower Chiles Valley Rd. 707-965-9485, volkereiselefamilyestate.com, AT WHITEHALL LANE WINERY 280 1563 S.St.Helena Hwy.,707-963-9454 800-963-9454,whitehalllane.com Tasting Daily 11-5:45 WILLIAM HARRISON VINEYARDS 281 1443 Silverado Tr., 707-963-8310, whwines.com. Tasting Thurs-Mon 11-5 MAP 3 RUTHERFORD 301 ALPHA OMEGA WINERY 1155 Mee Lane @ Hwy. 29, 707-963-9999, aowinery.com Tasting Daily 10-6 BEAULIEU VINEYARD 302 1960 S. St. Helena Hwy. 707-967-5200, bvwine.com Tasting Daily 10-5, T CAKEBREAD CELLARS 304 8300 St. Helena Hwy. 707-963-5221/ 800-588-0298, cakebread.com, Tasting Daily 10-4:30, T CAYMUS VINEYARDS 305 8700 Conn Creek Rd., 707-963-4204, caymus.com, A FLEURY FAMILY WINERY 307 950 Galleron Rd., 707-967-8333, AT FRANCISCAN OAKVILLE ESTATES 309 1178 Galleron Rd., 707-967-3993, franciscan.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T FROG'S LEAP WINERY 310 8815 Conn Creek Rd., 707-9634704/ 800-959-4704, frogsleap.com, T GRGICH HILLS CELLARS 312 1829 S.St.Helena Hwy., 800-532-3057, grgich.com,Tasting Daily 9:30-4:30,T HONIG VINEYARD & WINERY 314 850 Rutherford Rd., 707-963-5618, honigwine.com, AT MUMM CUVÉE NAPA 316 8445 Silverado Tr.,707-967-7700 mummnapa.com,Tasting Daily 10-5.T PEJU PROVINCE WINERY 318 8466 S.St.Helena Hwy.,707-963-3600, peju.com,Tasting Daily 10-6,T QUINTESSA 251 1601 Silverado Tr., 707-967-1601 quintessa.com, AT RUBICON ESTATE 321 1991 St.Helena Hwy.,800-782-4266, rubiconestate.com Tasting Daily 10-5,T RUTHERFORD GROVE WINERY 322 1673 St. Helena Hwy., 707-9630544,rutherfordgrovewinery- .com, Tasting Daily 10-4:30 RUTHERFORD HILL WINERY 262 200 Rutherford Hill Rd., 707-963-1871/ 800-637-5684

(24 boutique wineries)

7830-40 St. Helena Hwy., 707-944-1710, napawineco.com Tasting Daily 10-4 NICKEL & NICKEL 349 8164 St. Helena Hwy., 707-9679600, nickelandnickel.com, AT OAKFORD VINEYARDS 350 1575 Oakville Grade, 707-9450445, oakfordvineyards.com, A OPUS ONE WINERY 351 7900 St. Helena Hwy. 707-9449442, opusonewinery.com., AT PLUMPJACK WINERY 353 620 Oakville Cross Road, 707945-1220, plumpjackwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-4 ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY 355 7801 S.St.Helena Hwy.,707-226-1335 888-RMONDAVI,robertmondaviwinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-4, T RUDD WINERY 356 500 Oakville Cross Road 707-944-8577, ruddwines.com, AT SADDLEBACK CELLARS 357 7802 Money Road, 707-944-1305 saddlebackcellars.com, A SILVER OAK CELLARS 359 915 Oakville Cross Road 707-944-8808/ 800-273-8809 silveroak.com, Tasting Mon-Sat 9-4, T TURNBULL WINE CELLARS 361 8210 S. St. Helena Hwy. 707-963-5839/ 800-887-6285 turnbullwines.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30, T YOUNTVILLE BELL WINE CELLARS 364 6200 Washington St., 707-944-1673 bellwine.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-4 CHATEAU CHEVRE 365 2030 Hoffman Lane, 707-942-5105, A CLIFF LEDE VINEYARDS 367 1473 Yountville Crossroad, 707-944-8642, cliffledevineyards.com

Tasting Daily 10-5, T COSENTINO WINERY 378 7415 St. Helena Hwy., 707-9441220, cosentinowinery. com, Tasting Daily 10-5:30 DOMAINE CHANDON 380 1 California Dr., 707-944-8844 chandon.com, Tasting Daily 10-6, T FRANUS WINE COMPANY 381 2055 Hoffman Ln., 707-945-0542 peterfranus.com, A GIRARD WINERY 237 6795 Washington St., 707-968-9297 girardwinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-6, T GOOSECROSS CELLARS 383 1119 State Ln., 707-944-1986/ 800-276-9210, goosecross.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30 HAVENS WINE CELLARS 385 2055 Hoffman Ln., 707-261-2000, havenswine.com, Tasting Daily 10-4:30 HILL FAMILY ESTATE 386 6512 Washington St., 707-944-9580, hillfamilyestate.com,Tasting Daily 10-6, T HOPE & GRACE WINERY 387 6540 Washington St., 707-944-2500 hopeandgracewines.com, Tasting Mon-Sat 10-5:30 or A HOPPER CREEK WINERY 388 6204 Washington St. , 707-944-0675 hoppercreek.com, A JESSUP CELLARS 390 6740 Washington St., 707-944-8523 jessupcellars.com, Tasting Daily 10-6 MAP 4 NAPA ACACIA VINEYARD 401 2750 Las Amigas Rd., 707-226-9991 877-226-1700, acaciawinery.com Tasting Daily 10-4, Sun- A ALTAMURA WINERY 402 1700 Wooden Valley Rd., 707-253-2000, altamura.com, A ANDRETTI WINERY 403 4162 Big Ranch Rd., 707-261-1717, andrettiwinery.com,Tasting Daily 10-5,T BALDACCI FAMILY VINEYARDS 363 6236 Silverado Tr., 707-944-9261, baldaccivineyards.com, AT BLACK STALLION WINERY 405 4089 Silverado Tr., 707-253-1400 blackstallionwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 BOUCHAINE VINEYARDS 406 1075 Buchli Station Rd., 707-2529065/ 800-654-WINE, bouchaine.com Tasting Mon-Fri 10-4, Sat 10:30-5, T CEJA VINEYARDS 408 1248 First St., 707-226-6445 cejavineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-6 CHIMNEY ROCK WINERY 366 5350 Silverado Tr., 800-257-2641, chimneyrock.com,Tasting Daily 10-5, T CLOS DU VAL WINE CO. LTD.368 5330 Silverado Tr., 707-261-5225, closduval.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T DARIOUSH WINERY 412 4240 Silverado Tr., 707-257-2345, darioush.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-5, T DEL DOTTO CAVES 413 1055 Atlas Peak Rd., 707-256-3372, deldottovineyards.com, AT DOMAINE CARNEROS BY 414 TAITTINGER 1240 Duhig Rd., 800-716-2788 domaine.com, Tasting Daily 10-6 ELKE VINEYARDS 416 2222 Third Ave., 707-258-1822 elkevineyards.com, A ELKHORN PEAK CELLARS 417 200 Polson Rd.,707-255-0504 888-829-5082 elkhornpeakcellars.com, A ELYSE WINERIES 418 2100 Hoffman Lane, 707-9442900, elysewinery.com, A FARELLA-PARK VINEYARDS 420 2222 Third Ave., 707-254-9489 farella.com, AT FRAZIER 421 40 Lupine Hill Rd., 707-255-3444/ 707-255-1399, frazierwinery.com, AT HAGAFEN CELLARS 423 4160 Silverado Tr. 888-HAGAFEN, hagafen.com, A HARTWELL VINEYARDS 424

5795 Silverado Tr., 707-255-4269, hartwellvineyards.com. AT THE HESS COLLECTION 425 4411 Redwood Rd., 707-255-8584, hesscollection.com, Tasting Daily 10-4 JAEGER WINE CO. 427 4324 Big Ranch Rd.,707-255-4456, A JARVIS VINEYARDS 428 2970 Monticello Rd., 707-255-5280/ 800-255-5280, jarviswines.com, A JV WINE & SPIRITS 429 301 First St., 707-253-2624/ 877-469-9463, jvwineandspirits.com, Tasting Daily 1-6 JUDD’S HILL WINERY 430 2332 Silverado Trail 707-255-2332, juddshill.com, AT KIRKLAND RANCH WINERY 432 1 Kirkland Ranch Rd., 707-254-9100, kirklandwinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-4:30 LAIRD FAMILY ESTATE 433 5055 Solano Ave., 877-297-4902. lairdfamilyestate.com Tasting Daily 10-5 or by Appt., T LUNA VINEYARDS 435 2921 Silverado Tr., 707-255-2474, lunavineyards.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T MADONNA ESTATE 436 5400 Old Sonoma Rd., 707-255-8864/ 866-724-2993, madonnaestate.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T MAYACAMAS VINEYARDS 438 1155 Lokoya Rd., 707-224-4030, mayacamas.com, A MCKENZIE-MUELLER 439 VINEYARDS & WINERY 2530 Las Amigas Rd., 707-252-0186, mckenziemueller.com, A MONTICELLO VINEYARDS 440 4242 Big Ranch Rd., 707-253-2802/ 800-743-6668, Tasting Daily 10-4:30 MOSS CREEK WINERY 441 6015 Steele Canyon Rd., 707-2521295, mosscreekwinery.com, A NAPA WINE MERCHANTS 442 (Tasting for Astrale e Terra,Ceviche,Crichton Hall,Gustavo Thrace, Liparita,Rocca Family,St. Barthelemy,Waterstore,Young Ridge,Z-52)

1146 First St., 707-257-6796 napawinemerchant.com Tasting Mon-Sat 10-5 PARADUXX 444 7257 Silverado Tr.,707-945-0890 paraduxx.com, A PINE RIDGE WINERY 445 5901 Silverado Tr. , 707-252-9777/ 800-575-9777, pineridgewinery.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30, T REGUSCI WINERY 446 5584 Silverado Tr., 707-254-0403 regusciwinery.com, A REYNOLDS FAMILY WINERY 447 3266 Silverado Tr., 707-258-2558, reynoldsfamilywinery.com, AT ROBERT CRAIG WINE CELLARS 448 880 Vallejo St., 707.252.2250, ext 1, robertcraigwine.com, AT ROBERT SINSKEY VINEYARDS 449 6320 Silverado Tr., 707-944-9090/ 800-869-2030, robertsinskey.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30 SAINTSBURY 451 1500 Los Carneros Ave. 707-252-0592, saintsbury.com, T SHAFER VINEYARDS 452 6154 Silverado Tr., 707-944-2877, shafervineyards.com, A SIGNORELLO VINEYARDS 453 4500 Silverado Tr., 707-255-5990, signorellovineyards.com, AT SILENUS VINTNERS 454 5225 Solano Ave., 707-299-3930, silenusvintners.com, A SILVERADO HILL CELLARS 456 3103 Silverado Tr., 707-253-9306, A SILVERADO VINEYARDS 394 6121 Silverado Tr., 707-257-1770/ 800-997-1770, silveradovineyards.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30, T SKY VINEYARDS 458 1500 Lokoya Road, 707-9351391,skyvineyards.com, A STAG’S LEAP WINE CELLAR 395 5766 Silverado Tr., 707-261-6441, stagsleap.com, Tasting Daily 10-4:30, T STAR HILL WINERY 461 1075 Shadybrook Ln. 707-255-1957, A STELTZNER VINEYARDS 462

5998 Silverado Tr., 707-252-7272, steltzner.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 STONEHEDGE WINERY 463 1004 Clinton St., 707-256-4444 stonehedgewinery.com, Tasting Mon-Sat 10-6:30 or A TREFETHEN VINEYARDS 465 1160 Oak Knoll Ave. 707-255-7700/ 866-895-7696 trefethenfamilyvineyards.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30, T TRUCHARD VINEYARDS 466 3234 Old Sonoma Rd., 707-2537153, truchardvineyards.com, AT TULOCAY WINERY 467 1426 Coombsville Rd. 707-255-4064, tulocay.com, A VAN DER HEYDEN VINEYARDS 469 & WINERY 4057 Silverado Tr., 707-257-0130/ 800-948 9463 vanderheydenvineyards.com, AT VINE CLIFF WINERY 470 7400 Silverado Tr., 707-944-1364, vinecliff.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 VINTNER’S COLLECTIVE 471 TASTING ROOM (Ancien,Ahnfeldt,Buoncristiani,D Cubed, Destino,Gregory Graham,Longfellow,Melka, Mi Sueno,Richard Perry,Parallel,Phelan, Showket,Spelletich Cellars,& Vinoce)

1245 Main St., 707-255-7150

vintnerscollective.com,Tasting Daily 11-6 WHITFORD CELLARS 473 4047 E. 3rd Ave.,707-942-0840 whitfordcellars.com, A WILLIAM HILL ESTATE 474 1761 Atlas Peak Rd., 707-265-3024, williamhillwinery.com, AT CARNEROS ARTESA WINERY 476 1345 Henry Rd., 707-224-1668 artesawinery.com, Tasting Daily10-5 FOLIO WINEMAKERS’ STUDIO 478 1285 Dealy Ln., 707-256-2757 foliowine.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 AMERICAN CANYON GREENFIELD WINERY 479 205B Jim Oswald Rd. 707-552-0362, Tasting Daily 10-4 SOLANO COUNTY FAIRFIELD / SUISAN VALLEY GV CELLARS 481 1635 Mason Rd.,707-864-2089, Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 LEDGEWOOD CREEK WINERY 482 4589 Abernathy Road, Suisun Valley, 707-426-4424 ledgewoodcreek.com Tasting Daily 10-5 WOODEN VALLEY WINERY 483 4756 Suisun Valley Road, 707-864-0730, woodenvalley.com,

A = Tasting by Appointment T = Tours For ease of use, note that the color of the number next to each winery listing corresponds to the map with a border of the same color.

1 Angwin, Calistoga, 2

Deer Park, Pope Valley St. Helena

3 Yountville, 4

Rutherford, Oakville Napa, Carneros, American Canyon, Solano County: Fairfield, Suisan Valley

www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

25

Napa Valley Winery Guide

rutherfordhill.com,Tasting Daily 10-5,T SAWYER CELLARS 324 8350 St.Helena Hwy.,707-963-1980 800-818-.2252,sawyercellars.com Tasting Daily 10-5,T SEQUOIA GROVE VINEYARDS 325 8338 S. St. Helena Hwy.,707-9442945, sequoiagrove.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5, T STAGLIN FAMILY VINEYARDS 327 1570 Bella Oaks Ln., 707-963-4507, staglinfamily.com, AT ST.SUPÉRYVINEYARDS &WINERY 328 8440 S. St. Helena Hwy. 707-963-4507/ 800-942-0809 stsupery.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T SULLIVAN VINEYARDS 271 1090 Galleron Rd.,877-BIG-REDS, sullivanwine.com,Tasting Daily 10-5, T SWANSON WINERY 330 1271 Manley Lane, 707-967-3500 swansonvineyards.com, A ZD WINES 332 8383 Silverado Tr., 707-963-5188 800-487-7757, zdwines.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30,T OAKVILLE 334 BONDED WINERY #9 7830-40 St. Helena Hwy., 707-9451213, bondedwinery9.com, A CARDINALE ESTATE 335 7600 St. Helena Hwy., 707-948-2643/ 800-588-0279, cardinale.com, A FAR NIENTE 337 1350 Acacia Drive 707-944-2861, farniente.com, AT FOLIE À DEUX WINERY 225 7481 St. Helena Hwy., 707-944-2565, folieadeux.com, Tasting Daily 10-6 GARGIULO VINEYARDS 340 575 Oakville Cross Road,707-944-2770, gargiulovineyards.com,AT GROTH VINEYARDS & WINERY 342 750 Oakville Cross Road, 707754-4254, grothwines.com, AT MINER FAMILY VINEYARDS 344 7850 Silverado Tr.,707-944-9500/ 800-366-WINE, minerwines.com Tasting Daily 11-5, T NAPA CELLARS 345 7481 St. Helena Hwy., 707.944.2565, napacellars.com, Tasting Daily 10-6 NAPA WINE COMPANY 347

From Behind

SURF CITY

All Located in the

the

Tasting Bar

By Cynthia Bournellis

VINTNERS

Tartrate Crystals:

the City of Santa Cruz

Uncovering the Mystery of “Wine Diamonds”

www.surfcityvintners.com

ou are enjoying a nice day of wine tasting when the next thing you notice is a cluster of grainy deposits resting at the bottom of your glass or clinging to the inside of the bowl. Often referred to as “wine diamonds” (although they do not sparkle), these solids are actually called tartrates–crystal-like particles that often get the “Yuck! What’s that in my glass?” response when I pour wine, especially to novice wine tasters. If you are like me and have been around wine for some time, tartrate crystals register nary a blip on my “yuck” radar. I’d say sulfur dioxide or “smoke taint” is more likely to make my nose curl than are some harmless tartrate crystals.

Don’t worry: tartrate crystals won’t kill you or change the flavor of the wine. If anything, they may taste a bit bitter. Furthermore, they may be there because the winemaker chose to bottle the wine untreated. So, what are they? Tartrate crystals, often considered by consumers as a fault in wine, can be mistaken as sugary particles or even broken glass. They are neither. David Bird, in his book Understanding Wine Technology: The Science of Wine Explained, gives an easy-to-understand scientific description. “This deposit is not tartaric acid, as is commonly thought, but is either calcium tartrate or, more likely, potassium bitartrate (cream of tartar).” Cream of tartar originates in the grape, so it would make sense that tartrate crystals would be a natural substance in wine.

Neither friend nor foe, “tartrate crystals,” writes Bird, “are caused by a poorly conducted stabilization process or by the initial presence of protective colloids, which have prevented the deposition of the crystals during the stabilization process and which have subsequently denatured.”

Now you are probably asking, “What’s a colloid?” Colloids are molecular structures comprised of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Some colloids are stable and never change their properties; others are unstable. Unstable colloids slowly change their properties through the rearrangement of their molecules. This rearrangement is called “denaturing,” which causes deposits in finished wine.

Winemakers can perform a process called “cold stabilization” to prevent tartrate crystals. In this way, the wine is chilled to near freezing, causing the tartrates to precipitate out. The wine is then filtered to eliminate the crystals. Cold stabilization is costly in terms of capital for refrigeration units and insulation tanks, and results are not always guaranteed.

Preventing tartrate crystals can be a laborious, costly process for wineries. For consumers, it can be as simple as opening a bottle of wine. There are two things you can do to eliminate tartrates in white wine: 1. Set the bottle upright for a while to allow the crystals to fall to the bottom. Then slowly pour the wine, keeping an eye on the deposits so that they do not flow toward the neck of the bottle and ultimately into the glass.

2. If you do not have a steady arm and a keen eye for Step 1, you can decant the wine using a wine funnel that has a removable screen. You can either filter the wine into your glass or pour the entire bottle into a decanter using this system. I don’t see any reason, however, to filter a white wine except to remove tartrate crystals.

When it comes to red wine, most tartrate crystals are usually eliminated through decanting. Just as with white wine, set the bottle upright for some time prior to decanting. When you are ready to pour the wine into the decanter, shine a flashlight on the underside of the bottle’s neck while pouring to spot any crystals or other sediments. If you do not want to decant the entire bottle but just want a glass of red wine, you can still use the flashlight or funnel method. This seems like a lot of trouble to go through when drinking most “current” vintages–in my experience behind the tasting bar, rarely have I had to decant a red wine for tartrate crystals. Library wines are another story.

Tartrate crystals can also end up on the bottom side of the wine cork, in both red and white wines. No need to panic–just scrape them off with your finger. Then again, why bother? There are more important things in life to worry about.

Hopefully, this abbreviated discussion on tartrate crystals has helped uncover the mystery behind those sugar-like deposits in your wine and what you can do to eliminate or, better yet, embrace them. After all, they are merely a natural element in wine.

Y Odonata Wines

334-A Ingalls St., Santa Cruz, 831.566.5147 odonatawines.com Open First Sat. every month 12-5, event weekends and by appt.

Storrs Winery

At the Old Sash Mill 303 Potrero Street #35, Santa Cruz 831.458.5030 storrswine.com Open Daily 12-5

328-A Ingalls St., Santa Cruz 831.421.9380 mjavineyards.com Open Thu 12-5, Fri-Sun 12-6

Silver Mountain Vineyard 402 Ingalls St. #29, Santa Cruz www.silvermtn.com 831.466.0559 Open Thu-Sun 12-5

JOIN US FOR PASSPORT DAY April16 • 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrower's Association

COOPER • GARROD Estate Vineyards “A Destination Worth Knowing” Award Winning Wine • Historic Tasting Room • Guided Horseback Riding Horseback Riding Lessons • Summer Horse Camps • Pony Parties • Special Events

Savor hand-crafted, award-winning wines in the 1922 “Fruit House,”our historic tasting room.

Select your wines in person or online at www.cgv.com View San Francisco Bay from horseback at our 108-year old ranch.

Wine Rides Reservations required. $75 per person. For more information, call 408-867-9527.

Tasting Room Open Mon - Fri 12 - 5 • Sat - Sun 11 - 5

408.867.7116 Directions: Hwy 85 to De Anza Blvd. South towards Saratoga for 1.2 mi.

Right on Pierce Rd. for 1.8 mi. Right on Mt Eden Rd. for 1 mi. Right on Garrod Rd.

22645 Garrod Road, Saratoga, CA 95070 www.cgv.com 26 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

Cynthia Bournellis, a self-proclaimed wine wench, works in the Santa Cruz Mountains wine industry. She can be reached at roxybaccus@sbcglobal.net

The Wine Chixs

By Linda Kissam & Ginger Giordano

Milagro Farms Vineyards and Winery he Wine Chixs love to visit emerging and under reported wine regions. So we were delighted to get an invitation from Jim Hart, Executive Winemaker for Milagro Farms Vineyards & Winery in San Diego County. Milagro is located approximately 35 miles north-east of San Diego in the Ramona Valley American Viticultural Area.

Jim Hart and The Wine Chixs taste As background, the Ramona AVA was upcoming releases in the Milagro approved in January 2006 based on its Cellars.

(Ginger Giordano) unique microclimate, terroir, and history for grape production. The 89,000 acre area covers 139 square miles of primarily rural countryside. The area is home to more than 50 commercial vineyards covering more than 60 acres, and 20 bonded wineries. The Wine Chixs feel this is a place to watch, as new vineyards and wineries are being developed within the Ramona Valley each year. It’s The beautiful Milagro Farm Vineyards neither the model of Napa, San Luis Obispo, and Winery grounds. (Linda Kissam) or Temecula. It’s a special jewel all its own, with a story as unique as the winemakers and growers who hold its burgeoning future in their hands. As Jim explained to us, “We have a whole new vision of the type of wine that can be crated from here. We can do and be anything we want. Our slate is clean. We can develop an image that best suits this appellation’s strengths.”

Jim is an interesting guy. This is his third career path. He grew up in the wine business and has been involved with wine making most of his life, but also loves to teach. He began planting vines as a small boy with his father, the venerable Joe Hart of Hart Winery.

In the wine business, he’s been everything from a “cellar rat” to assistant winemaker at the family winery in Temecula. After a chance encounter with proprietor Kit Sickels in 2006 Jim jumped on board as the Milagro winemaker, but still finds time to spend quality time at Hart Winery in Temecula. “Everything I know, I credit to my Dad. Without his firm and directed guidance I wouldn’t be where I am now.” Jim also teaches wine making and grape growing at Mira Costa Community College. He’s one busy guy.

The Milagro property is 90 acres of pure magic. The term that comes to our minds is “enchanting.” Rolling green hills, picturesque lakes, 10,000 grape vines, a bunch of wild energetic turkeys, and an experienced, focused winemaker make this so much more than just a tasting experience. Planted on the property are varietals like Barbera, Sangiovese, Cab Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cab, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Aleatico. “We’re still trying to find that perfect match of terroir and grape varietal,” explains Jim. In the bottle and available for sale are the Milagro Farms 2007 Estate Chardonnay and the 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Jim likes his wines to speak about the place they came from while being food friendly, balanced, fruit forward. “I let the grapes speak to me…telling me what they want to be in that ultimate journey from grape to glass.” The Chardonnay presents with tropical fruit and green apple aromas with a bit of subtle oak. We liked the crisp apple, spicy pear and apricot notes balanced by crisp acidity .Jim suggested enjoying it slightly chilled by itself, with a gruyere and mild cheddar, or grilled shrimp. The Cab was more complex with black fruits mingling nicely with vanilla overtones. On the palate we got hints of black pepper nicely balanced with oak. We enjoyed this medium bodied Cabernet and its subtle tannins. Jim told us it is excellent with grilled steak, ribs or a juicy burger. Coming soon are the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2010 Chardonnay (all about $18 a bottle). We tasted both and can heartily recommend both.

Jim was kind enough to take us to the barrel room for a luscious tasting of great things to come: An Italian blend of Sangiovese and Barbera, an’08 Cab and ‘09 Cab and the stunner of the group a 2010 Aleatico. Can you say rock star in the making? We certainly are adopting that as our mantra for this winery.

Milagro Farms Vineyards and Winery’s tasting is by appointment only at this point.

But soon just a few hundred yards from the property, they are building a 5,000 square foot tasting and production facility on Little Page Road. They expect to be there for the 2011 harvest. Check out their website for more information at milagrowinery.com.

T

Miraflores Winery is located in a unique California viticulture area in the Sierra Foothills.

Producing excellent high mountain fruit, at elevations up to 2900 feet. The wines produced from these high mountain vineyards are rich in taste and beautifully balanced.

Come and experience the difference in our wines at Miraflores Winery.

Open Daily from 10 am - 5pm 2120 Four Springs Trail, Placerville, California 95667 530 647 8505 www.mirafloreswinery.com

www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

27

Beer Lover’s Paradise Found at the Winter Brews Festival

By Phillip Stegner ay Area residents probably think of Berkeley as the prototypical college town. But to a native Texan, Berkeley is something more, something iconic. It’s the home of conscientious objection and peaceful protest. The home of political activism.

That said, I’m not sure what my wife, parents and I expected when we made our trek to Berkeley for the Winter Brews Festival on a rainy afternoon this past January. But you better believe we were prepared to sit or stand or march or whatever else we may have been called to do for the greater good of brewers everywhere.

After parking our car in the tight confines of what we thought was a public

B

parking space, we made our way to a fenced-off square in Civic Center Park, a grassy anomaly nestled between the concrete facades of Berkeley’s Historical Society and Community Theatre. Near the entrance of the square stood a make-shift stage – “make-shift” in the sense that it was little more than a hard surface flanked by mounted speakers – and booths serving beer-drinking fare: sandwiches, sausages, sauerkraut and, for the handful of health conscious attendees, pretzels. Lining the edges of the square were dozens of folding tables, from which hung colorful banners displaying the names of brewers and their precious cargo: beer.

Such was the gist of the festival.

Brewers of all sizes brought their most creContinued on Page 37

Young and Stellar Continued from Page 22 her own wine, “I’m ridiculously happy, because unlike everything that came before, Ranchero Cellars is mine, my very own. It is my reward for 12 years of winemaking for every kind of company, from the venerable and classic houses of Napa to the enthusiastic Paso Robles upstart.” She does however realize she needs to increase her production beyond the 400 cases she is currently making since each vintage has sold out before the next vintage is bottled.

Since I had to beg her for some “Chrome” from her personal stash I can personally back her decision to ramp up production.

She has no plans to open a tasting room anytime soon and is happy making her wine at Denner. To learn more about the story behind Ranchero Cellars or to purchase her wine, visit rancherocellars.com.

Janell Dusi, J Dusi Wines Most people have heard of Dusi Zinfandel. Janell’s family has a more than 80-year-old Zinfandel vineyard in Paso Robles with head-pruned, dry-farmed vines. Several wineries use their fruit to make Paso Zinfandel and will typically proudly display the vineyard designation on the label. Janell grew up working in the vineyards along with her entire family.

Janell made her first wine in 1996 when she was 16 years old. “Just a couple hundred pounds (of grapes) to fill a new 15 gallon barrel, and I had to beg my grandfa(Lisa J. Pretty) ther to teach me

how!” After that first small barrel she continued to make around 60 gallons of Zinfandel each year to share with her family and friends. “As our vineyard gained popularity along with the want to use our name on the label as vineyard designation, I wanted more and more to show what we could do with this fruit that was such a part of our everyday life.” In 2006 she started up the J Dusi Wines label and her first release was 450 cases of Zinfandel.

Knowing that her grandfather only taught her the basics along with some important structural things about Zinfandel, she decided to take some classes through U.C. Davis by mail. Not finding the classes very interesting, she decided to take a hands-on approach to learning. “I worked at some local wineries, asked lots of questions and worked the 2008 vintage in South Australia at Two Hands Winery.”

Janell has continued to ramp up production each year and has added a few more wines, all made from grapes from her family’s vineyard. She has already bottled 1,400 cases this year with a few more barrels left to bottle. Making wine really is a family endeavor for Janell – not only does she source the grapes from her family, she also ages and bottles her wines at her brother’s warehouse. Some day she hopes to have her own production facility and tasting room but she is not in a rush. “I am in no hurry, taking one step at a time and learning a lot as I inch along.” Her wines are currently distributed in CA, MA, NY, GA and MT. Although she does not yet have a tasting room, people can join “Club 101” for special discounts and the opportunity to join her at events in the vineyard.

For more information, to purchase wine or join the club, visit jdusiwines.com.

28 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

Winery Guide (Map not to scale)

CALAVERAS COUNTY

(IN MURPHYS UNLESS NOTED) BEAUX CHEVAUX 2 466 B Main St., 209-728-1000 beauxchevaux.com Tasting Fri-Sat 11-5, Sun 11-4 BLACK SHEEP WINERY 3 221 Main St., 209-728-2157 blacksheepwinery.com Tasting Daily11-5 BODEGA DEL SUR WINERY 4 457 S. Algiers St., 209-728-9030 bodegadelsur.com Tasting Sun,Mon,Thu 11-4;Fri-Sat 11-5 BROLL MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS 6 106 Main St., 209-728-9750 brollmountainvineyards.com Tasting Sat-Sun 1-5 7 BRICE STATION 3353 E. Highway 4, 209-728-9893 bricestation.com Tasting Fri-Sat-Sun 12-6 10 CHATOM VINEYARDS 1969 Hwy. 4, Douglas Flat 209-736-6500 chatomvineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-5 CHIARELLA WINES 11 431 Main St., 209-728-8318 chiarellawines.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 DOMAINE BECQUET 13 415 Main St., 209-728-8487 becquetwinery.com Tasting Mon,Thu, Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 11-5 FRENCH HILL WINERY 14 8032 S. Main, Mokelumne Hill 209-286-1800 Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5

MARIPOSA COUNTY BUTTERFLY CREEK WINERY 2 4063 Triangle Road, Mariposa 209-966-2097, Tasting Fri-Sat 10-4 GIANELLI VINEYARDS 3 18263 Main St., Jamestown 209-984-1500 gianellivineyards.com Tasting Thu-Sun 12-5 MARIPOSA WINE COMPANY 4 20146 Road 21, Madera 559-673-6372 mariposawine.com Tasting Daily 11-4 MOUNT BULLION VINEYARD 5 6947 N. Highway 49, Mariposa 209-377-8450 mtbullionvineyard.com Tasting Fri-Sat 12-4, or By Appt.

SILVER FOX WINERY 9 4683 Morning Star Lane, Mariposa, 209-966-4800 silverfoxvineyards.com Tasting by Appt./Tours by Appt.

FROG’S TOOTH WINERY 15 380 Main St., Ste. 5, 209-728-2700, frogstooth.com Tasting Fri 1-5, Sat 11-6 18 LARAINE WINES 3675 Six Mile Rd.,Vallecito 209-736-4766, larainewinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

19 HATCHER WINERY 425 Main St, 209-605-7111 hatcherwinery.com Tasting Mon-Thu 12-5, Fri-Sun 11-5 INDIAN ROCK VINEYARDS 20 1154 Pennsylvania Gulch Rd, 209-728-8514,indianrockvineyards.com Tasting Fri- Sun 12-5 21 IRISH VINEYARDS 2849 Hwy. 4,Vallecito 209-736-1299, irishvineyard.com Tasting Mon,Tue, Fri 2-5, Sat-Sun 11-5 IRONSTONE VINEYARDS 22 1894 Six Mile Rd, 209-728-1251, ironstonevineyards.com Tasting Daily 10-5 LAVENDER RIDGE VINEYARDS 25 431 B Main St, 209-728-2441 lavendarridgevineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-5 MILLIAIRE 26 276 Main St., 209-728-1658 milliairewinery.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 MUIR’S LEGACY VINEYARDS 27 260 Jones St., 209-728-0500, muir-hanna.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 NEWSOME-HARLOW WINES 28 403 Main St., 209-728-9817 newsome-harlow.com Tasting Mon-Thu 12-5, Fri-Sun 11:30-5:30

RENNER WINERY 31 310 Town Square Rd., Copperopolis, 209-785-3649 rennerwinery.com Tasting Fri-Sat 12-6, Sun 12-5 32 SOLOMON WINE CO. 397-A Main St., 209-728-8290 solomonwine.com Tasting Mon-Fri 1-5, Sat 12-6, Sun 12-5 STEVENOT WINERY 33 458 Main St., 209-728-0148 stevenotwinery.com Tasting Daily11-5 TANNER VINEYARDS 34 202 Main St., 209-728-8229 tannervineyards.com Tasting Mon-Tue,Thu-Fri 1-5, Sat 12-5:30, Sun 12-5 37 TWISTED OAK WINERY 4280 Red Hill Rd.,Vallecito 209-736-9080, twistedoak.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5:30 Historic Murphy’s Location: 38 350 Main St, Murphys Tasting Mon-Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 10:30-5:30.Winter hours Fri-Sun & Holidays 12-5 VAL DU VINO WINERY 40 634 French Gulch Rd., 209-728-9911 valduvino.com, Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 41 VINA MODA WINERY 147 Main St., 209-728-1917 vinamoda.com, Tasting Sat 12-6 ZUCCA MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS 42 431 E. Main St., 209-728-1623 zuccawines.com, Tasting Daily12-5

M A RIPOSA TUOLOMNE

Map not to scale

TUOLOMNE COUNTY GOLD MINE WINERY 10 22265 Parret’s Ferry Road, Columbia, 209-532-3089 Tasting Wed-Sun 12-6 LA BELLA ROSA VINEYARDS 12 117990 Old Wards Ferry Rd., Sonora, 209-533- 8668 labellarosavineyards.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5

MT. BROW WINERY 13 10850 Mt. Brow Rd., Sonora 209-532- 8491 mtbrowwinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5

Submit your winery or changes to be included in our June / July issue’s guides. Please submit by May 6, 2011 to editor@ vinetimesmagazine.com

LOS GATOS: Gateway from the Silicon Valley to the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Country

The downtown tasting room of Fleming Jenkins Winery.

(Fleming Jenkins)

By Mary Lindsay estled at the foot of the mountains rising behind it, Los Gatos serves as a gateway from the hubbub of

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Left to Right: Regale Winery and Vineyards, as seen through the vineyard of neighboring Burrell School (Mary Lindsay), Friends toasting friends at Jazz on the Plazz (Mary Linday), The corner of Santa Cruz and Main Streets in downtown Los Gatos. (Mary Lindsay) owned artisan operations with intimate tunate indeed. So you really need to come Silicon Valley to the forested and scenic tasting rooms. From Los Gatos you can here to discover and experience the wines wine country of the Santa Cruz Mountains. visit a number of them, and enjoy a scenic of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Within 20 minutes of Los Gatos and its Los Gatos is a vibrant community drive in the mountains. charming European ambience you can where you can relax yet find plenty to do. enjoy wine tasting at nearly 20 boutique Stroll the streets, shop at boutique stores, wineries and wine bars - in town and close Where to Taste – view art and the displays at the art and hisby in the mountains. Who knew there were Downtown Los Gatos. tory museums, and enjoy wine tasting. so many wineries in Los Gatos?!

Start your wine tasting foray in town Spend a weekend here and relax with the The wine produced in the Santa Cruz at Fleming Jenkins on West Main St., a small-town feel of this friendly town.

Mountains today continues the tradition of family winery owned by winemaker Dr. Excellent restaurants (including Michelinpremium wine established over a century Greg Jenkins and his wife, Olympic Gold starred) will delight any discerning diner.

by Paul Masson, Martin Ray, and the legMedalist Peggy Fleming. Fleming Jenkins For outdoor recreation, you can bike or endary David Bruce. Regional wines are is known for its award-winning estate hike a number of trails in town or in the known for their balanced acidity, which Chardonnay, and Rosé, Syrah and mountains; or sail dinghies at Lake Vasona. complements food; and for a minerality Cabernet. The Victories wines (a Rosé and Take the kids for a train ride on the Billy rarely found elsewhere. The Santa Cruz now also a Chardonnay and a Meritage) Jones Railroad at Vasona Park. During the Mountains is known primarily for Pinot were created to raise funds for breast cansummer months, enjoy Jazz on the Plazz Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, cer research and awareness, of which on Wednesday evenings, and Music in the Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel; and you will Peggy is a survivor. More than $38,000 has Park Sunday afternoons. Stay overnight in find much more. With only about 1500 been raised since 2004. For information one of the small luxury hotels; and relax acres of vineyards in the mountains, very visit flemingjenkins.com. and be pampered at your choice of spas. little of the wine produced from these A couple of doors down is the Los The wineries of the Santa Cruz grapes gets very far out of the region – and Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, where Continued on Page 31 Mountains are largely small, familythose who live in the area feel mighty forEnjoy tastings from more than 70 of the finest local chocolatiers, restaurants, wineries & breweries, including: Billy Berk’s Blue Rock BBQ Bridge Brands Chocolate Burrell School Vineyards Chateau Marie Antoinette Wines Cinnabar Winery Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards Coterie Cellars Creekview Vineyards Crunch Catering Day Break Gourmet Restaurant & Catering Desperately Seeking Chocolate Dio Deka Dolce Bella Chocolates Dr. Swami & Bone Daddy’s Cocktail Mixes Emile’s Essential Spirits Fairmont Hotel Faultline Brewing Company Fortino Winery Foxy's Toffee Giagiari Bros. Fine Foods Guglielmo Winery Hemingway Cigars Her Coconess J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Kyoto Palace LB Steak Léal Vineyards Maggiano’s

Martin Ranch Winery Mia Sorella Morocco's Restaurant The Mountain Winery Not Just Cheesecakes Nothing Bundt Cakes Old Port Lobster Shack Piña The Picnic Guild Poetic Cellars Prager Winery & Port Works Pure Swiss Water Purple Onion Catering R & J Toffees Ramos Torres Wines Rock Bottom Brewery The Santa Clara Fish Market Sarah's Vineyard Saratoga Chocolates Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards Schurra’s Fine Confections Silver Mountain Vineyards Snake & Butterfly Chocolates St. Stans Brewing Company Sugar Clouds Cotton Candy Company Sweet Tooth Confections Tessora’s Barra di Vino Three Degrees Restaurant Uncorked!

Willet's Mini Creations

All proceeds benefit EHC LifeBuilders, providing vital shelter and services for homeless individuals and families in Silicon Valley.

www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

29

The City Cellar

By Michelle Sieling

The Punchdown n ideal wine bar for me is a nice quiet place where I can relax and let myself get pulled into the wine and conversation and forget about everything else for an hour or more. So when I visited The Punchdown, my companion and I tucked ourselves into a nook by the front door and settled in for a happy evening of wine tasting, talking and people watching.

The Punchdown is a natural wine bar located on Broadway near the corner of Grand Avenue in Oakland. But what does a “natural wine bar” even mean? Much like the term “organic,” there currently is some debate in the wine industry as to what is “natural wine.” And though the wines at The Punchdown may be “natural,” what really sticks out is that the wines all have an interesting story and/or taste. You won’t find mass produced or better-known brand names with a familiar flavor, but instead unique and carefully crafted wines that deserve at least a taste.

In order to be able to offer these one-of-a-kind natural wines, The Punchdown’s proprietors, Lisa Costa and D.C. Looney, stick to a set of guidelines for their selection process. The criteria includes that the wine is grown in a sustainable, organic, or biodynamic manner; low yields of hand harvested and sorted fruit; the least bit of intervention in the wine-making process; and minimal additions, handling, and processing.

Even if you are not the adventurous type, you should be able to find something to suit your palate as well as your budget because tastes run $3.50 to $9, glasses $6 to $17, and bottles $20 to $65. The wine menu carries a small selection of everything, including sparkling, white, red, rosé, sweet, and even orange wine.

If you are not already familiar with orange wine, it’s made with white wine grape varieties that have spent some maceration time in contact with the grape skins.

You could mistake it for a wheat beer because it can sometimes appear cloudy, but is in fact smooth and tastes like a white (because it is) with a stronger hint of honey.

It’s not common here, but you will find it in places like Slovenia, Croatia, and the Republic of Georgia. In fact, one of the wines, Pheasant’s Tears, is from Kakheti in Georgia, a region famous for its wine. These wines are fermented and stored underground in a beeswax-lined clay vessel called a qvevri, a practice that goes back as far as 6,000 B.C. If you want to try some, D.C. or Lisa would be happy to bring you a splash.

Besides trying the orange wine, which brought back a memory of a late afternoon meal on the harbor in Dubrovnik, we also went closer to home with a glass of Donkey & Goat Mendocino Mélange Syrah, which is actually bottled in Berkeley, bastion of the organic food movement.

If you’d like to experiment, prices for flights run from $12 to $20, and are offered by theme: sustainable local, adventurous orange, very nice and the blind flight. The blind flight changes daily and is made up of four mystery wines. If you can identify all four, you get the flight for free.

Because of its location near the Uptown neighborhood, The Punchdown would be a good spot to get a little pre-dinner or pre-show drink. Though, it has a small kitchen of its own that offers a small selection of nibbles, including a cheese board, charcuterie (both $12), a pate terrine ($8), a panini of goat cheese, honey and apple, or prosciutto ($8 each), and even chocolate cake ($5). Just watch out for the super hot mustard on the charcuterie plate. I loved it, but it’s not for those who don’t like the blazing tongue sensation.

For workers in downtown Oakland, it’s also a great post-work drink spot. Every weekday there’s a “happy hour” from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring a choice of a red or white wine for $5.

The Punchdown is located at 2212 Broadway in Oakland, CA. For more information give them a call at (415) FYI-WINE (394-9463) or visit their website at www.tiwines.com.

Hours of operation: Tuesday through Thursday: 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday: 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday: 5 to 10 p.m.; Sunday-Monday: Closed.

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www.vinetimesonline.com 30 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

Fair Play Wineries Continued from Page 19 criminating lighter style dessert wine perfect for pairing with crème brulee, melons and cheeses.

Mount Aukum Winery At times the winding road up to Mount Aukum Winery seems a direct route to the heavens. Enter the tasting room with an elevation of over 2,600 feet and the angels seem to sing as sips slip past the lips.

Renowned for their enthusiastic ventures in Rhone and Italian varietals, the 2006 Petite Sirah Reserve is made from El Dorado County Durif grapes. Aside from its name nothing is demure with this wine.

It is a bottled bright summer day, redolent with a mammoth mouthful of sweet blackberries, an acute shot of raspberry with a drizzle of vanilla.

It is the concentrated aroma of dried fruits, plums and cherries, accented with a

flush of toasted nuts which gives their 2007 Grenache a certain broodiness. Mixed with the caramelized charm of heated sugar tones, this medium-bodied wine is a delight with heavier meat dishes.

A quartet of aces can be found in the winery’s ‘08 Four of a Kind. Created from four Rhone varietals its crisp apple taste is mellowed by a honeyed flintiness with pert infusions of tropical finishes. If a wine could have been painted by both Monet and Gauguin this would be the one.

Less than 50 years have passed since the resurgence of Fair Play’s wine business. From the vast diversity of wines offered it is clear that wine lovers will make Fair Play a region to enjoy for decades to come.

For winery location, contact information, and tasting room hours, see our El Dorado South Winery Guide on page 14.

Winery Guide

BARGETTO WINERY 1 700 G Cannery Row, Monterey 831-373-4053, bargetto.com Tasting Daily 10:30-6 BAYWOOD CELLARS 3 381 Cannery Row,Ste.C,Monterey 831-645-9035 baywood-cellars.com Tasting Daily 12-6, Sun 1-5 BERNARDUS WINERY 12 5 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, 831-659-1900, bernardus.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 BLACKSTONE WINERY 20 800 South Alta St., Gonzales, 831-675-5341 blackstonewinery.com Tasting Daily 11-4 BOETÉ WINERY 8 7156A Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, 831-659-7563 boetewinery.com, Tasting Thu-Fri 2-5:45, Sat-Sun 12-5:45 CHALONE VINEYARDS 25 Stonewall Canyon Rd. & Hwy 146, Soledad, 831-678-1717 chalonevineyard.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11:30-5 or by Appt.

CHATEAU JULIEN WINE ESTATE 9 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, 831-624-2600 chateaujulienwine.com Tasting Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat-Sun 11-5/ Tours by Appt.

CHATEAU SINNET 14 13746 Center St., Carmel Valley 831-659-2244, chateausinnet.com Tasting Sun-Thu12-5, Fri-Sat 12-6 CIMA COLLINA 16 San Carlos, b/t Ocean & 7th, Carmel-By-The-Sea 831-620-0645, cimacollina.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-6 GALANTE VINEYARDS 4 Off Dolores b/t Ocean & 7th, Carmel-By-The-Sea 831-624-3800, galantevineyards.com Tasting Daily 12-6 GEORIS WINERY 15 4 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley 831-659-1050, georiswine.com Tasting Daily 11-5 HAHN ESTATES/SMITH & HOOK WINERY 23 37700 Foothill Road, Soledad 831-678-4555, hahnestates.com Tasting Mon-Fri 11-4, Sat-Sun 11-5 Tours by Appt.

HAMMOND VINEYARDS 18 655 River Rd., Salinas hammondvineyards.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 10 HELLER ESTATE ORGANIC VINEYARDS 69 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley, 831-659-6220 800-625-8466, hellerestate.com Tasting Mon-Thu 11-5:30, Fri-Sun 11-6

JOULLIAN VINEYARDS LTD. 2 Village Drive, Suite A, 13 Carmel Valley, 831-659-8100 joullian.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 MANZONI ESTATE 21 VINEYARD 30981 River Road, Soledad 831-675-3398 manzoniwines.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 MARILYN REMARK 17 WINERY 645 River Road, Salinas 831-455-9310, remarkwines.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 MEADOR ESTATE WINERY/ VENTANA VINEYARDS 5 2999 Hwy. 10, Monterey 831-372-7415, meadorestate.com Tasting Daily 11-6 MORGAN WINERY 7 204 The Crossroads, Carmel 831-626-3700, morganwinery.com Tasting Thu-Mon 10-6 PARAISO VINEYARDS 24 38060 Paraiso Springs Rd., Soledad, 831-678-0300 paraisovineyards.com Tasting Mon-Fri 12-4, Sat-Sun 11-5 PESSAGNO WINERY 19 1645 River Road, Salinas 831-675-9463, pessagnowines.com Tasting Fri 11-4, Sat-Sun 11-5 ROBERT TALBOTT VINEYARDS TASTING ROOM 53 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, 831-659-3500 talbottvneyards.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 SAN SABA VINEYARD 26 35801 Foothill Rd., Soledad 831-678-2292, sansaba.com Tasting Tue-Sun 11- 5 SCHEID VINEYARDS INC. 10 1972 Hobson Ave., Greenfield 831-386-0316, scheidvineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-5/Tours by Appt.

TALBOTT VINEYARDS 11 53 W. Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, 831-659-3500 talbottvineyards.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 TASTE OF MONTEREY 27 1. 700 Cannery Row, Monterey, 831-646-5446, tastemonterey.com Tasting Daily 11-6 2. 127 Main St., Salinas 28 831-751-1980 Tasting Mon-Thu 11-5, Fri-Sat 11-6, Sun 11-4

Discover: Los Gatos Continued from Page 29 on a nice day you will find locals congregating for a cup of java. You can get a gourmet sandwich next door at the Los Gatos Gourmet charcuterie where you can also sample select wines from their wine shop, and on Friday evenings enjoy a flight. Across the street from Fleming Jenkins are the sinfully delicious temptations of the Icing on the Cake bakery. And if you enjoy French wines, a few doors down is The French Cellar, with wine tastings weekend afternoons.

Testarossa Winery, the Bay Area’s oldest continuously operating winery, is a five-minute drive up the hill on College Avenue in the historic 19th century Novitiate winery building. Testarossa is recognized for outstanding Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Picnic tables are available outdoors on a beautiful hillside

patio. In the summer the winery hosts a popular ‘Music on the Patio’ series and other events, so check the website, testarossa.com.

If you are up for a stroll in town, explore all the little shops as you head towards Cin-Cin and Enoteca la Storia at the other end of town (near Hwy. 9).

Enoteca la Storia is an informal, inviting wine bar and shop. You can have lunch here with a glass of wine – delicious charcuteries, panini, salads, sandwiches – and pick up a bottle of wine to go. There is a good selection of local wines to choose from, as well as from Europe and South America. You will enjoy this labor of love and the personal touches of Michael Guerra and Joe Cannistraci. Check the website for special tasting events at enotecalastoria.com.

Tucked away on Village Lane, only a couple of blocks away, is Cin-Cin Wine Bar & Restaurant, open in the evenings.

Recommended by Michelin, Cin-Cin is a full-service restaurant, wine bar and cocktail lounge. Zagat says, “the best thing to happen to Los Gatos.” Owner, Lisa Rhorer has assembled a global wine list with a special focus on sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines. On the Happy Hour menu (4-6 p.m.) the crispy calamari, wild mushroom empanadas and truffled French fries are local favorites. For complete information visit their website, cincinwinebar.com

Where to Taste: In the Mountains You could spend all day exploring downtown Los Gatos and tour the moun-

tain wineries the second day. Or start your wine trail of local wineries in town with Fleming Jenkins and Testarossa and then drive up Hwy. 17 to Summit Road, where you will find six wineries to visit: Regale, Burrell School, Silver Mountain, MJA Winery, Loma Prieta, and Villa del Monte (open by appointment). In the summer you may want to get up to Summit Road early in the day to beat traffic heading to the beach.

The wineries along Summit Road are only 20 minutes from Los Gatos, and just a few minutes apart. They comprise the Summit sub-region, one of the six growing regions in the Santa Cruz Mountains that define the AVA’s different terroir. All of them give you extraordinary views looking out over the mountains, but each winery Continued on Page 33

Winery Guide

TEMECULA ALEX’S RED BARN WINERY 1 39820 Calle Contento 951-693-3201, redbarnwine.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-6 BAILY VINEYARD & WINERY 2 33440 La Serena 951-676- WINE, bailywinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5, ex. Sat 10-5 BELLA VISTA VINEYARD & WINERY 3 41220 Calle Contento 951-676-5250, bellavistawinery.com Tasting Daily 10-6 BRIAR ROSE WINERY 4 41720 Calle Cabrillo 951-308-1098, briarrosewinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 CALLAWAY VINEYARD & WINERY 5 32720 Rancho California Rd. 951-676-4001 or 800-472-2377 callawaywinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5/Tours by Appt.

CHURON WINERY 6 33233 Rancho California Rd. 951-694-9071, churonwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5

COUGAR VINEYARD & 7 WINERY 39870 De Portola Rd. 951-491-0825, cougarvineyards.com,Tasting Daily 11-6 DANZA DEL SOL WINERY 10 39050 De Portola Rd. 951-302-6363, danzadelsolwinery.com Tasting Fri-Mon 11-6 DOFFO WINERY 8 36083 Summitville St. 714-715-6610, doffowines.com Tasting Fri-Sun 10-5 FOOT PATH WINERY 32 36650 Glen Oaks, 951-265-9951 footpathwinery.com Tasting M-F 12-5, S-S 10-5 FALKNER WINERY 9 40620 Calle Contento 951-676-8231, falknerwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 11 HART WINERY 41300 Avenida Biona 951-676-6300 thehartfamilywinery.com Tasting Daily 9-4:30 KEYWAYS VINEYARD & WINERY 12 37338 DePortola Rd. 951-302-7888, keywayswine.com Tasting Daily 10-6

14 LEONESSE CELLARS 38311 DePortola Rd. 951-302-7601, leonessecellars.com Tasting Daily 10-5 or by Appt.

LONGSHADOW RANCH WINERY 15 39847 Calle Contento 951-587-6221 longshadowranchwinery.com Tasting Mon-Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 10-5 LORIMAR WINERY 19 Old Town Temecula Tasting Room 42031 Main St., 951-240-5177 lorimarwinery.com, Tasting Sun-Thu 12-6, Fri-Sat 11-9 M AURICE CAR’RIE VINEYARD & WINERY 16 34225 Rancho California Rd. 951-676-1711 mauricecarriewinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 MIRAMONTE WINERY 17 33410 Rancho California Rd. 951-506-5500/ 866-MIRAMONTE miramontewinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 MOUNT PALOMAR WINERY 18 33820 Rancho California Rd. 951-676-5047, mountpalomar.com Tasting Sun 11-6, Mon-Thu 10-5, Fri-Sat 10-6

OAK MOUNTAIN WINERY 20 36522 Via Verde, 951-699-9102 oakmountainwinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 21 PALUMBO FAMILY VINEYARDS & WINERY 40150 Barksdale Cir., 951-676-7900, palumbofamilyvineyards.com Tasting Sat-Sun 10-5, Fri 12-5or by Appt.

PONTE FAMILY ESTATE 22 35053 Rancho California Rd. 951-694-8855, pontewinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 23 ROBERT RENZONI VINEYARDS 37350 De Portola Rd., 951-302-VINO robertrenzonivineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-6 SOUTH COAST WINERY 24 34843 Rancho California Rd. 951-587-9463/ 866-9-WINERY wineresort.com, Tasting Daily 10-6 STUA RT CELLARS 25 33515 Rancho California Rd. 888-260-0870, stuartcellars.com Tasting Daily 10-5 TESORO WINERY Old Town Tasting Room 26 28475 Old Town Front Street 951-308-0000, tesorowines.com Tasting Mon-Thu 1-6, Fri 11-8, Sat 10-8, Sun 1-6 TEMECULA HILLS 27 WINERY 47200 De Portola Rd. 951-767-3450, temeculahillswinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5,Tours by Appt.

THORNTON WINERY 28 32575 Rancho California Rd. 951-699-0099, thorntonwine.com Tasting Daily 10-5,Tours Sat-Sun 11-4 VAN ROEKEL WINERY AND VINEYARDS 29 34567 Rancho California Rd. 951-699-6961/ 800-716-1711 Tasting Daily 10-5 VINDEMIA ESTATE WINERY 33133 Vista Del Monte 33 951-699-0601, californiadreamin.com Tasting Fri-Sun 10-5 WIENS FAMILY CELLARS 35055 Via Del Ponte 30 951-694-9892, wienscellars.com Tasting Daily 10-5 WILSON CREEK WINERY & VINEYARD 31 35960 Rancho California Rd. 951-699-9463, wilsoncreekwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5

ORFILA VINEYARDS • 13455 San Pasqual Rd., Escondido, 760-738-6500 (not shown on map) orfila.com, Tasting Daily 10-6 • 4470 Hwy. 78, Julian BELLE MARIE WINERY 760.765.0102, orfila.com 26312 Mesa Rock Rd., Tasting Fri-Tues, 10-5 Escondido, 760-796-7557 SAN CLEMENTE WINE CO. bellemarie.com 212-1/2 Avenida Del Mar, San Tasting Daily 11-5, Clemente, 949-429-7067 Tours Sat at 1:00 by Appt. scwinecompany.com BERNARDO WINERY 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte, Tasting Mon-Fri 2-7:30, Rancho Bernardo, 858-487-1866 Sat-Sun 2-8:30 SAN PASQUAL WINERY bernardowinery.com Tasting Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat-Sun 10-6 & GALLERY 8364 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa BONDED WINERY 619-462-1797 5151 Santa Fe St. San Diego sanpasqualwinery.com 858-270-7550 Tasting Mon-Thu 11-8, Tasting Sat 12-4 or by Appt.

Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11-5 COUNTRY CELLARS SHADOW MOUNTAIN 4456 Hwy. 78, Julian VINEYARDS & WINERY 760-765-0089, countrycellars.com 34680 Hwy. 79,Warner Springs Tasting of wine and beer: 760.782.0788 Wed-Sun 11-5, open holiday shadowmountainvineyards.com Mondays 11-4 Tasting Wed-Sun 10-5 FALLBROOK WINERY 2554 Via Rancheros, Fallbrook 760-728-0156 fallbrookwinery.com Tasting by Appt.

FERRARA WINERY 1120 West 15th Ave, Escondido 760-745-7632 ferrarawinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 H AWK WATCH WINERY 27054 Chihuahua Valley Rd. Warner Springs 951.326.4692 hawkwatchwinery.com Tasting Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 10-5 J. JENKINS WINERY 1255 Julian Orchards Drive Julian, 760-765-3267 jenkinswinery.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

LENORA WINERY 632 Main St., Ramona 760.788.1388 lenorawinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-6 MENGHINI WINERY 1150 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, 760-765-2072 menghiniwinery.com Tasting Mon-Fri 10-4, Submit your winery or Sat-Sun 10-5 changes to be included in our June / July issue’s guides.

Please submit by May 6, 2011 to editor@ vinetimesmagazine.com

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

31

Pleasant Valley Rd

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Santa Cruz Mountains • SF Peninsula • South Bay • Santa Clara Valley Winery Guide

Map Not to Scale

Map created by Artifact, Ink SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS & S.F. PENINSULA AHLGREN VINEYARD 1 20320 Hwy. 9, Boulder Creek 831-338-6071, ahlgrenvineyard.com Tasting Sat 12-4 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARD 2 420 Hames Rd., Corralitos 831-728-5172, alfarowine.com Tasting Sat 12-5 BARGETTO WINERY 3 3535 N. Main St., Soquel 831-475-2258, bargetto.com Tasting Daily 12-5 BEAUREGARD VINEYARDS 4 10 Pine Flat Rd., Bonny Doon 831-425-7777 beauregardvineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-5 BLACK RIDGE VINEYARDS 5 18550 Black Rd., Los Gatos 408-399-6396, blackridgevineyards.com Tasting Third Sat-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

BONNY DOON VINEYARD 6 328 Ingalls Street, Santa Cruz 831-425-4518, bonnydoonvineyard.com Tasting Daily 11:30-5:30 BURRELL SCHOOL VINEYARDS7 24060 Summit Rd, Los Gatos 408-353-6290, burrellschool.com Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5 BYINGTON WINERY & VINEYARD8 21850 Bear Creek Rd., Los Gatos, 408-354-1111 byington.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 CINNABAR WINERY TASTING ROOM 9 14612 Big Basin Way., Saratoga 408-741-5858, cinnabarwine.com Tasting Daily 11-5 COOPER-GARROD VINEYARDS11 22645 Garrod Road, Saratoga 408-867-7116, cgv.com Tasting Mon-Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 11-5 COPIOUS WINERY 12 427 Swift St., #A, Santa Cruz 813-425-WINE, copiouswinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 or by Appt.

DAVID BRUCE WINERY 13 21439 Bear Creek Rd, Los Gatos 408-354-4214, 800-397-9972 davidbrucewinery.com Tasting Mon-Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 11-5

14 DOMENICO WINES 1697 Industrial Rd., San Carlos, 650-593-2335 domenicowines.com Tasting Daily 12-5 or by appt.

DOWNHILL WINERY 15 16393 Bonnie Ln, Los Gatos, 408-358-8028, downhillwine.com Tasting by appt.

EQUINOX WINE CELLARS & VINOS BARTOLO WINERY 16 427 Swift St., Santa Cruz 831-423-3000, equinoxwine.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 FELLOM RANCH VINEYARDS18 17075 Montebello Road, Cupertino, 408-741-0206 fellom.com, Tasting by appt.

FLEMING JENKINS TASTING ROOM 19 45 W. Main Street, Los Gatos 408-358-4949, flemingjenkins.com Tasting Tue-Sun 12-6 GENEROSA WINERY 20 22630 Summit Rd., Los Gatos 408-353-3763 generosawinery.com Tasting by Appt.

GLENWOOD OAKS WINERY21 2364 Bean Creek Road, Scotts Valley, 831-438-4097 glenwoodoakswinery.com Tasting Sat 12-4:30 HEARTS FIRE WINERY 22 165 Cristich Lane, Unit K Campbell, 408-858-6029 Tasting 1st Sun. every month 1-4 or by appt.

HALLCREST VINEYARDS/ ORGANIC WINE WORKS 23 379 Felton Empire Road, Felton 831-335-4441 hallcrestvineyards.com organicwineworks.com Tasting Daily 12-5 HILLCREST TERRACE 24 429-B Ingalls St., Santa Cruz 831-419-0803 Sat-Sun 12-5, most Fri afternoons HUNTER HILL 25 7099 Glen Haven Road, Soquel 831-465-9294 hunterhillwine.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-4 or by Appt.

32 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

J. LOHR WINERY 26 1000 Lenzen Ave., San Jose 408-918-2160, jlohr.com Tasting Daily 10-5 LA HONDA WINERY 27 2645 Fair Oaks, Redwood City 650-366-4104 lahondawinery.com Tasting 3rd Sat Each Month 11-4 LA NEBBIA WINERY 28 12341 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay, 650-726-9463 lanebbiawinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 LOMA PRIETA WINERY 29 26985 Loma Prieta Wy, Los Gatos, 408-353-2950 lomaprietawinery.com Tasting Sat-Sun, 12-5 MICHAEL MARTELLA WINES 32 17287 Box 103 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, 650-851-6777 michaelmartella.com Tasting by Appt.

MJA VINEYARDS 30 328 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz 831-421-9380, mjavineyards.com Tasting Daily 12-5 THE MOUNTAIN WINERY 33 14831 PIERCE RD., SARATOGA, 408-741-2822 mountainwinery.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 NAUMANN VINEYARDS 1605 Monte Bello Rd., 31 Cupertino, 408-867-7871 naumannvineyards.com Tasting by Appt.

NICHOLSON VINEYARDS 34 2800 Pleasant Valley Rd., Aptos, 831-724-7071 nicholsonvineyards.com Tasting Sat 12-4 ODONATA 35 334-A Ingalls St., Santa Cruz 831-566-5147, odonatawines.com Tasting 1st Sat of each month OSOCALIS 36 5579 Old San Jose Road, Soquel 831-477-1718, Tasting by Appt.

P&M STAIGER 37 1300 Hopkins Gulch Road, Boulder Creek, 831-338-4346 pmstaiger.com, Tasting by Appt.

PELICAN RANCH WINERY 38 402 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz 831-426-6911, pelicanranch.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 PICCHETTI WINERY 39 13100 Montebello Road, Cupertino, 408-741-1310 picchetti.com Tasting Daily 11-5 PINDER WINERY 40 165 Cristich Lane, Campbell 877-684-2601. pinderwine.com Tasting Sat 10-3 PLEASANT VALLEY VINEYARD 44 600 Pleasant Valley Rd., Aptos 831-728-2826, pvvines.com Tasting Sat 12-4 POETIC CELLARS 41 5000 North Rodeo Gulch Rd., Soquel, 831-462-3478 poeticcellars.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 REGALE WINERY &VINEYARDS42 24040 Summit Rd., Los Gatos 408-867-3233, ridgewine.com Tasting Fri 4-8, Sat-Sun 11-5:30 RIDGE VINEYARDS 43 17100 Monte Bello Rd, Cupertino, 408-867-3233, ridgewine.com. Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 ROUDON-SMITH VINEYARDS45 2364 Bean Creek Road, Scotts Valley, 831-438-1244 roudonsmith.com Tasting Sat 12-4:30 SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN VINEYARD 47 334-A Ingalls St., Santa Cruz 831-426-6209 santacruzmountainvineyard.com Tasting Wed-Sun 12-5:30 SAVANNAH-CHANELLE VINEYARDS 48 23600 Big Basin Way, Saratoga 408-741-2934 savannahchanelle.com Tasting Daily 11-5 SILVER MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS 402 Ingalls St., Ste 29, 49 Santa Cruz, 831-466-0559 silvermtn.com Tasting Thu-Sun 12-5 SONES CELLARS 50 334-B Ingalls St., Santa Cruz 831-420-1552, SONESCELLARS.COM Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 SOQUEL VINEYARDS 51 8063 GLEN HAVEN ROAD, SOQUEL, 831-462-9045 soquelvineyards.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-4 STORRS WINERY 52 303 Potrero St., #35, Santa Cruz, 831-458-5030 storrswine.com Tasting Daily 12-5 TEAM ZIN 830 Jury Ct., San Jose 408-445-2508, Call for appt.

TESTAROSSA WINERY 53 300-A College Ave., Los Gatos 408-354-6150, testarossa.com Tasting Daily 11-5

THOMAS FOGARTY WINERY54 19501 Skyline Blvd.,Woodside 650-851-6777, 800-247-4163 fogartywinery.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 VINE HILL WINERY 57 2300 Jarvis Rd., Santa Cruz 831-427-0436, vinehillwinery.com Tasting every 3rd weekend each month 12-5 & special events WINDY OAKS ESTATE VINEYARDS & WINERY 46 380 Sweetwood Way, Corralitos, 831-786-9463 windyoaksestate.com Tasting by Appt.

WOODSIDE VINEYARDS 59 340 Kings Mountain Rd, Woodside, 650-851-3144 woodsidevineyards.com Tasting by Appt.

ZAYANTE VINEYARDS 60 420 Old Mountain Road, Felton, 831-335-7992 zayantevineyards.com Tasting by Appt.

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN WINE GROWERS ASSOCIATION 99

7605–A Old Dominion Ct. Aptos, 831-685-VINE (8463) scmwa.com

SANTA CLARA VALLEY South Santa Clara County & Gilroy CLOS LA CHANCE 3 1 Hummingbird Lane, San Martin, 408-686-1050 800-487-9463, clos.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 CREEKVIEW VINEYARDS 4 12467 Creekview Ct., San Martin, 408-686-0534 creekviewvineyards.com CASTILLO’S HILLSIDE SHIRE WINERY 5 2215 Liberata Dr., Morgan Hill, 408-776-8200 Open Sat. 1-7, Sun. 12-5 FERNWOOD CELLARS 6 7137 Redwood Retreat Rd. Gilroy, 408-848-0611 fernwoodcellars.com Tasting by Appt.

FORTINO WINERY 7 4525 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, 408-842-3305 fortinowinery.com Tasting Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5 GUGLIELMO WINERY 8 1480 E. Main Ave., Morgan Hill 408-779-2145,guglielmowinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 HECKER PASS WINERY 9 4605 Hecker Pass Rd., Gilroy 408-842-8755 heckerpasswinery.com Tasting Daily 9-5 JASON-STEPHENS WINERY 10 11775 Watsnville Rd, Gilroy, 408-846-VINE, Tasting Daily 12-6

KIRIGIN CELLARS 12 11550 Watsonville Rd., Gilroy 408-847-8827, kirigincellars.com Tasting Daily 10-5 MARTIN RANCH WINERY 6675 Redwood Retreat Rd., 13 Gilroy, 408-842-9197 martinranchwinery.com Tasting every 3rd weekend each month 12-5 MONTE VERDE VINEYARDS 14 13775 Sycamore Dr., Morgan Hill, 408-776-8938, monteverdevineyards.com Tasting the 3rd Sat and by Appt.

MORGAN HILL CELLARS 1645 San Pedro Ave., 15 Morgan Hill, 408-779-7389 pedrizzetti.com Tasting Tue-Sun 10-5 NATAL VINEYARDS 16 1310 Green Valley Rd Watsonville, 831-750-0271 Tasting by Appt.

RAPAZZINI WINERY 19 4350 Monterey Hwy., Gilroy, 408-842-5649 800-842-6262, rapazzini.com Tasting Daily 9-6/Tours RIVER RUN VINTNERS 20 65 Rogge Lane,Watsonville 831-726-3112, Tasting by Appt.

SARAH'S VINEYARD 21 4005 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy 408-847-1947, sarahsvineyard.com Tasting Daily 11-5 SATORI CELLARS 22 2100 Buena Vista Ave., Gilroy 408-848-5823, satoricellars.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 or by Appt.

SOLIS WINERY 23 3920 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy 408-847-6306, 888-411-6457 soliswinery.com Tasting Daily 12-5/Tours by Appt.

SYCAMORE CREEK VINEYARDS 24 12775 Uvas Road, Morgan Hill 408-779-4738 sycamorecreekvineyards.com Tasting Thu- Fri, Mon 12-5, Sat-Sun 11-5 THOMAS KRUSE 25 3200 Dryden Ave, Gilroy 408-842-7016,thomaskrusewinery.com Tasting Tue-Sun 12- 5 CASA DE FRUTA 27 10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister, 408-842-7282 casadefruta.com Tasting Mon-Thu 8-7:30, Fri-Sat 8-8:30

Submit your winery or changes to be included in our June / July issue’s guides.

Please submit by May 6, 2011 to editor@ vinetimesmagazine.com

Discover: Los Gatos Continued from Page 31 offers an unusual experience.

Regale is the first winery you will come to on Summit Road, 3.5 miles from the Hwy. 17 exit. A handsome Tuscan villa surrounded by vineyard and olive trees greets you.

Stroll the lovely garden, bring a picnic, and sip Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernets, Zinfandel, and Italian varieties while you soak in the view from the vineyards.

Next door is Burrell School, at a circa 1800s era historic red schoolhouse. Sip wine on the tasting room deck overlooking the vineyard. Dave and Ann Moulton’s personal attention to the vineyard, the wines and the tasting room are evident.

Burrell School is known for its estate wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Five minutes away is Silver Mountain, with its certified organic vineyard, beautiful views looking out to Monterey Bay, and a broad wine list that

includes it’s estate Chardonnay, Pinot Noirs, Bordeaux blend ‘Alloy’, and other wines. Jerold O’Brien has been a proponent of organic and sustainable winegrowing for many years, and has built the largest solar array in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

On the way you will pass the Summit Store, where you can pick up sandwiches, cheese, and all the makings of a picnic to take to the wineries.

Brand new to the Summit is MJA Vineyards, just a few minutes away on Highland Ave. Sit on the patio under the forest trees or by the fireplace in the tasting room and enjoy Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. You can also find some of the “best coffee in America,” according to Forbes Magazine in 2001, grown by owner Marin Artukovich on his Kona, Hawaii plantation and sold at the tasting room.

Then, further up the hill, you can be awestruck by the spectacular views at

Winery Guide GLENN COUNTY LAWLEY VINEYARD & WINERY 7503 Cutting Ave., Orland 530-865-2388 Tasting by Appt.

YOLO COUNTY BOGLE VINEYARD WINERY 37675 County Road 144, Clarksburg, 916-744-1139 boglewinery.com Tasting Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat-Sun 11-5 CARVALHO FAMILY WINES Old Sugar Mill 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg, 916-744-1625 carvalhowines.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 FRENCH HILL WINERY Old Sugar Mill 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg, 916-744-1710 frenchhill.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 HERINGER ESTATES Old Sugar Mill 35265 Willow Ave., Ste.203, Clarksburg 916-744-1094 heringerestates.com Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5

MADERA COUNTY BIRDSTONE WINERY 9400 Road 36, Madera 559-970-2060 Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 CHATEAU LASGOITY 11219 Road 26, Madera 559-674-8291 Tasting Sat-Sun 1-5 or by Appt.

FICKLIN VINEYARDS 30246 Ave. 7 1/2, Madera 559-674-4598, ficklin.com Tasting Daily 12-5/Tours by Appt.

IDLE HOUR WINERY 41139 Hwy 41, Oakhurst 559-760-9090 idlehourwinery.com Tasting Wed-Sat 4-10 or by Appt.

R.H.PHILLIPS VINEYARDS 26836 County Rd., 12A, Esparto, 530-662-3215 nightharvest.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5 RIVER GROVE WINERY 52183 Clarksburg Road, Clarksburg 916-744-9000 rivergrovewinery.com Tasting by Appt.

ROMINGER WEST WINERY 4602 2nd Street, Ste. 4, Davis, 530-747-2044 romingerwest.com Tasting Mon-Sat 12-5 or by Appt./Tours SOLOMON WINE CO. Old Sugar Mill 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg, 800-861-4185 solomonwines.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5

916-744-1300 threewinecompany.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5

PACIFIC CREST WINERY 33137 Avenue 9, Madera 559-674-4996, pcvino.com Tasting Daily by Appt.

QUADY WINERY 13181 Road 24, Madera 800-733-8068 quadywinery.com Tasting Mon-Fri 9-4:30, Sat-Sun 12-4:30

For much more on Los Gatos and the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains, including more wineries, the village of nearby Saratoga, dining and hotel options, upcoming event listings and more, visit vinetimesonline.com and read the complete story.

Her VineNess

on

Wine

By Laura Ness 2008 McIntyre Estate Pinot, Santa Lucia Highlands, $38 Lush loganberry pie, with dark hints of cedar and chocolate make this wine as rich and chewy as Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots have come to be known. There is no question that Pinot from here is as satisfying as chocolate brownie bars with double chocolate frosting. This wine, made from Dijon clones 777 and 115 and fermented with native yeasts, was voted number two out of 64 entries by the Men judges at the 2011 Pinot Summit held in February. Um, hey, women love it, too! Buy online or at Star Market in Salinas. www.mcintyrevineyards.com.

2008 Hug Cellars Pinot Noir, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco, $30

BLUE GUM WINERY 13637 Borden Rd., Herald 209-748-5669 Tasting Daily 11-5

What wine might best accompany veal rib chops topped with sautéed Enoki mushrooms, spring onions, Treviso radicchio, and parsley? Turns out the downright lovely 2008 Pinot from Hug Cellars, Cedar Lane Vineyard in Arroyo Seco was the cat’s meow. Medium-bodied and grippy on the palate, this wine is filled with hints of forest, mushrooms and cedar, and oozes racy cran-strawberry flavors. It’s what I dream of when I think of Pinot Noir. I wish there were more wines like this: well balanced, no over-oaking and graceful from start to finish. Order online at www.hugcellars.com or purchase at the tasting room at 2323 Tuley Ct. Suite 120, in Paso Robles.

FRASINETTI'S WINERY 7395 Frasinetti Road, Sacramento, 916-383-2444 frasinetti.com Tasting Tue-Sat 11-8 SCRIBNER BEND VINEYARDS 9051 River Road, Sacramento. 916-744-1803 scribnerbend.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-4:30 SIX HANDS WINERY 13783 Isleton Rd.,Walnut Grove, 916-776-2053 sixhandswinery.com Tasting by Appt.

2008 Loma Prieta Petite Sirah, Lodi $35 This is a dense, intense Petite Sirah. This wine is a muscular example of a Popeye spinach-eating, weightlifting Petite. You would address this one as Sir. It’s dense, fruit-laden boysenberry pie with a lifting note of cherry pie somewhere between the hefty mid-palate and the finish. It is a golfer using a nine iron on every smooth, but powerful stroke. Buy at the winery, 26985 Loma Prieta Way, Los Gatos.

(408) 353-2950. Open every weekend, noon to 5 p.m. www.lomaprietawinery.com

2007 Aver Family “Family Album,” Santa Clara Valley, $25

THREE WINE COMPANY Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Avenue, #204, Clarksburg

OAK HOLLOW WINERY 9805 Road 30, Madera 559-675-8826 Tasting by Appt.

getaway, visit losgatoschamber.com, discoverlosgatos.com, lgswinetrail.com, thesummitwineries.com, summittoseawinetrail.com, scmwa.com, and vascm.org.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY

CARVALHO FAMILY WINES Old Sugar Mill 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg, 916-744-1625 carvalhowines.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-5

MARIPOSA WINE COMPANY 20146 Rd. 21, Madera 559-673-6372 mariposawine.com Tasting Daily 11-4

Loma Prieta Winery, at 2,300 feet elevation looking out over Monterey Bay all the way to Monterey. Loma Prieta specializes in Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; as well as the rare Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault originating from South Africa. This is a rare opportunity to taste it!

Enjoy a couple of days in Los Gatos, soak up the charm of this small but vibrant town, and discover the world-class wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For complete information to plan your Los Gatos

WESTBROOK WINE FARM 49610 House Ranch Road, O’Neals, 559-868-3499 westbrookwinefarm.com Tasting by Appt.

MERCED COUNTY RED ROCK WINERY 7326 E. Hwy. 140, Merced 209-722-7625 redrockwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 Submit your winery or changes to be included in our June / July issue’s guides. Please submit by May 6, 2011 to editor@ vinetimesmagazine.com

Family is not only what makes us unique, it is what makes us – period. John and Caroline Aver make a “family album” wine each year to honor their families: this one has a photo of Caroline’s parents, her, and her brother taken in 1960 on the label. This wine is 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate vineyard in the Santa Clara Valley, and honors the simple pleasures of family life. It rewards with chewy raspberry candies and juicy apricot-raspberry bars, spicy Santa Rosa plums and hints of dusky chocolate truffles. This is a bright and friendly wine that welcomes you to the family table with ample acidity and a pleasing nod of toffee and coffee on the finish.

Buy online at averfamilyvineyards.com. Call the winery to arrange a private tasting at (408) 203-8575 or visit www.averfamilyvineyards.com.

2006 ScheidVineyards “Isabelle” SparklingWine,Monterey,$45 Isabelle is a dry, beautifully tiny bubbly sparkling wine from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown at the estate Mesa del Rio Vineyard. Made in the méthode champenoise by master Champagnester, Barry Jackson of Equinox Cellars in Santa Cruz, it is an elegant, complex wine with bright kisses of fruit, crisp acidity and toasty creaminess. This is a special wine for a special occasion. Like tonight, perhaps?

Scheid has two tasting rooms: one on Cannery Row in Monterey, the other just off Highway 101 in Greenfield. Call (831) 455-9990 for hours, or to order wine. Or visit Scheidvineyards.com. www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

33

Sonoma Valley Winery Guide

STRYKER SONOMA 24 5110 Hwy. 128, 707-433-1944 strykersonoma.com, Tasting Daily10:30-5 THE MEEKER VINEYARD 25 ANNAPOLIS 21035 Geyserville Ave. ANNAPOLIS WINERY 1 707-431-2148, meekerwine.com 26055 Soda Springs Rd., 707-886- Tasting Mon-Sat 10:30-6, Sun 12-5 5460, annapoliswinery.com TRENTADUE WINERY 26 Tasting Daily 12-5 19170 Geyserville Ave.707-433-3104 CLOVERDALE trentadue.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T CELLAR NO. 8 2 HEALDSBURG 26150 Asti Rd., 866-557-4970 A LEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 28 cellarno8.com, Tasting Thu-Mon 10-5 5110 Hwy. 128, 707-433-7209 FRITZ WINERY 3 avvwine.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 24691 Dutcher Creek Rd. A. RAFANELLI WINERY 29 707-894-3389/ 800-418-9463 4685 West Dry Creek Rd., 707fritzwinery.com 433-1385 arafanelliwinery.com, A Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30, T AMISTA VINEYARDS 30 ICARIA CREEK WINERY 4 3320 Dry Creek Rd., 707-43127750 Asti Rd., 707-486-9623 9200 amistavineyards.com icariawinery.com, A Tasting Thu-Mon 11-4:30 PASTORI WINERY 5 AMPHORA WINES 31 23189 Geyserville Ave. 4791 W. Dry Creek Rd., Bldg. 6, 707-857-3418, A 707-431-7767, amphorawines.com, WATTLE CREEK WINERY 6 Tasting Daily 11-4:30 25510 River Rd., 707-894-5166, ARMIDA WINERY 32 wattlecreek.com, A 2201 Westside Rd., 707-433-2222 GEYSERVILLE armida.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 CLOS DU BOIS WINES 11 CAMELLIA CELLARS 35 19410 Geyserville Ave., 57 Front St., 707-433-1290 707-857-3100/ 800-222-3189 cameliacellars. com, Tasting Daily 11-6 closdubois.com CHATEAU SOUVERAIN 36 Tasting Daily 10-4:30, T 308B Center St., 707-433-2822 DAVID COFFARO VINEYARD & chateausouverain.com WINERY 12 Tasting Daily 11-6 7485 Dry Creek Rd. DAVIS FAMILY VINEYARDS 38 707-433-9715, coffaro.com 52 Front St., Tasting Daily 11-4, T 707-433-3858, daviswines.com DE LORIMIER WINERY 13 Tasting Thu-Sun 11-4:30 2001 Hwy. 128, 707-857-2000 DE LA MONTANYA 39 delorimierwinery.com, A 999 Foreman Ln., 707-433-3711 dlmwine.com, Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA 300 Via Archimedes, 707-857-1980 DEUX AMIS WINES 40 franciscoppolawinery.com 1960 Dry Creek Rd., 707-431Tasting Daily 11-5 7945, deuxamiswines.com, A FRICK WINERY 15 DOMAINE DANICA 42 23072 Walling Rd., 1960 Dry Creek Rd. 707-857-1980, frickwinery.com 707-431-1902, A Tasting Sat-Sun 12-4:30 DRY CREEK VINEYARD 43 GEYSER PEAK WINERY 16 3770 Lambert Bridge Rd., 70722281 Chianti Rd. 707-857-2500/ 433-1000, drycreekvineyard.com 800-255-9463, geyserpeakwinery.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 Tasting Daily 10-5 DUTCHER CROSSING WINERY 44 LOCALS TASTING ROOM 17 8533 Dry Creek Rd., 866-431Geyserville Ave. @ Hwy. 128, 2711, dutchercrossingwinery.com 707-857-4900, tastelocalTasting Daily 11-5, T wines.com, Tasting Daily 11-6 EVERETT RIDGE VINEYARDS & PEDRONCELLI WINERY 20 WINERY 46 1220 Canyon Rd., 707-857-3531, 435 W. Dry Creek Rd., 707-433pedroncelli.com, Tasting Daily 10-4:30 1637, everettridge.com ROBERT YOUNG VINEYARDS 21 Tasting Daily 10-5 4950 Red Winery Rd., 707-431FERRARI-CARANO WINERY 47 4811, ryew.com, Tasting Daily 10-4:30 8761 Dry Creek Rd., 707-433SILVER OAK CELLARS 22 6700, ferrari-carano.com 24625 Chianti Rd., 707-857-3562, Tasting Daily 10-5, T silveroak.com Tasting Mon-Sat 9-4

SONOMA COUNTY NORTH

34 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

FORCHINI VINEYARDS & WINERY 49 5141 Dry Creek Rd., 707-4318886, forchini.com, A T GALLO OF SONOMA 50 320 Center St., 707-433-2458 galloofsonoma.com, Tasting Daily 10-6, T GROVE STREET WINERY 52 1451 Grove St., 707-836-5615, grovestreetwinery.com Tasting Daily 11-4:30, T HOLDREDGE WINERY 53 51 Front St., 707-431-1424 Tasting Sat-Sun 11-4:30 HUNTINGTON WINE CELLARS54 53 Front St., 707-433-5215 huntingtonwine.com, Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5 JORDAN VINEYARD & WINERY 57 1474 Alexander Valley Rd., 800654-1213, jordanwinery.com, A T KENDALL-JACKSON WINE ESTATES 58 337 Healdsburg Ave., 707-4337102 kj.com, Tasting Daily 10-5

59 LA CREMA WINERY 235 Healdsburg Ave. 707-431-9400, lacrema.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5:30 LAKE SONOMA WINERY 60 340 Healdsburg Ave., 800-7509463, lakesonomawinery.net Tasting Daily 10-5 LAMBERT BRIDGE WINERY 61 4085 W. Dry Creek Rd. 800-975-0555, lambertbridge.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 LONGBOARD VINEYARDS 63 5 Fitch St., 707-433-3473 longboardvine-yards.com, Tasting Thu-Sat 11-7, Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

MAURITSON FAMILY WINERY64 2859 Dry Creek Rd., 707-431-0804 mauritsonwines.com Tasting Daily 10-5 MAZZOCCO VINEYARDS 65 1400 Lytton Springs Rd., 707-4318159, mazzocco.com, Tasting Daily 11-5

MICHEL-SCHLUMBERGER FINE WINE ESTATE 66 4155 Wine Creek Rd., 707-433-7427 michelschlumberger.com, A T MILL CREEK VINEYARDS & WINERY 68 1401 Westside Rd., 707-433-5098 millcreekwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 MURPHY-GOODE WINERY 69 20 Matheson St., 707-431-7644 murphygoodewinery.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5:30 NALLE WINERY 70 2383 Dry Creek Rd., 707-433-1040 nallewinery.com, Tasting 12-5 Sat or A OPTIMA WINE CELLARS 73 498 Moore Ln., 707-431-8222 optimawinery.com, A PASSALACQUA WINERY 74 3805 Lambert Bridge Rd. 707-433-5550, passalacquawine ry.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 PETERSON WINERY 75 4791 Dry Creek Rd., Bldg. 7 707-431-7568, petersonwinery.com Tasting Daily 11-4:30 PRESTON VINEYARDS & WINERY77 9282 W. Dry Creek Rd., 707-4333372, prestonofdrycreek.com Tasting Daily 11-4:30 QUIVIRA VINEYARDS 78 4900 W. Dry Creek Rd., 707-431-8333 quivirawine.com, Tasting Daily 11-5, T RAYMOND BURR VINEYARDS 79 8339 W. Dry Creek Rd., 888-9000024, raymondburrvineyards.com, A RIDGE VINEYARDS 82 650 Lytton Springs Rd., 707-433-7721 ridgewine.com, Tasting Daily 11-4 ROSENBLUM WINE CELLARS 83 250 Center St., 707-431-1169 rosenblumcellars.com Tasting Daily 10-6 SAPPHIRE HILL WINERY 85 Front St., 707-431-1888 sapphirehill.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-4:30 SAUSAL WINERY 86 7370 Hwy. 128, 800-500-2285 sausalwinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-4 SBRAGIA FAMILY VINEYARDS 87 9990 Dry Creek Rd., 707-473-2992, sbragia.com, Tasting Daily 11-5, T SEGHESIO WINERY 88 14730 Grove, 707-433-3579 seghesio.com, Tasting Daily 10-5

SELBY WINERY 89 215 Center St., 707-431-1288 selbywinery.com, Tasting Daily 11-5:30 SIMI WINERY 92 16275 Healdsburg Ave., 707-4336981/ 800-746-4880, simiwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5, T STONESTREET VINEYARDS 93 7111 Hwy. 128, 800-355-8008 stonestreewines.com, A STUHLMULLER VINEYARDS 94 4951 W. Soda Rock Ln., 707-4317745, stuhlmullervineyards.com, A TALTY WINERY 96 7127 Dry Creek Rd.,707-4338438, taltyvineyards.com, A TELDESCHI WINERY 97 3555 Dry Creek Rd., 707-4336626, teldeschi.com, Tasting Daily 12-5 TOAD HOLLOW VINEYARDS100 409A Healdsburg Ave. 707-431-8667, toadhollow.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-5:30 UNTI VINEYARDS 101 4202 Dry Creek Rd., 707-4335590, untivineyards.com, A WILSON WINERY 103 1960 Dry Creek Rd. 707-433-4355, wilsonwinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 YOAKIM BRIDGE WINERY 104

SONOMA COUNTY CENTRAL 7209 Dry Creek Rd. 707-433-8511, yoakimbridge.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-4:30, A CAZADERO FLOWERS VINEYARD & WINERY 1 28500 Seaview Rd., 707-847-3661 flowerswinery.com, A FORESTVILLE HARTFORD FAMILY WINERY 2 8075 Martinelli Rd., 707-887-8010 hartfordwines.com, Tasting Daily 10-4:30 JOSEPH SWAN VINEYARDS 3 2916 Laguna Rd., 707-573-3747, swanwinery.com, Tasting Sat-Sun11-4:30 TOPOLOS AT RUSSIAN RIVER VINEYARDS 4 5700 Gravenstein Hwy. N. 707-887-3344, russianrivervineyards.com, Tasting Thu-Sun 11:30-4:30 WOODENHEAD 5 5700 River Rd., 707-887-2703 woodenheadwine.com Tasting Thu-Sun 10:30-4:30

WHITE OAK VINEYARDS & WINERY 45 7505 Hwy. 128, 707-433-8429 whiteoakwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 SANTA ROSA FISHER VINEYARDS 47 6200 St. Helena Rd.,707-5397511, fishervineyards.com, A HANNA WINERY RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 48 5353 Occidental Rd., 707-575-3371, hannawinery.com Tasting Daily 10-4 HARVEST MOON ESTATE 49 2192 Olivet Rd., 707-573-8711 harvestmoonwinery.com Tasting Daily 10:30-5 BALLETTO VINEYARDS & DUTTONGOLDENFIELD TASTING ROOM 50 57 Occidental Rd., 707-568-2455, ballettovineyards.com, duttongoldfield.com, Tasting Daily 10-4 BATTAGLINI ESTATE WINERY 51 2948 Piner Rd., 707-578-4091, A MARTIN RAY WINERY 54 2191 Laguna Road, 707-823-2404, martinray-winery.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-4 MATANZAS CREEK WINERY 55 6097 Bennett Valley Rd. 707-528-6464/ 800-590-6464 matanzascreek.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30 PARADISE RIDGE WINERY 56 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Dr. 707-528-9463, paradiseridgewinery.com, Tasting Mon-Fri 11-5 PELLEGRINI FAMILY VINEYARDS 57 4055 West Olivet Rd. 800-8910244, pellegrinisonoma.com, A T SABLE RIDGE VINEYARDS 60 6320 Jamison Rd., 707-542-3138, sableridge.com, A T SIDURI 61 980 Airway Court, Ste. C, 707-578-3882, siduri.com, A ST. FRANCIS 62 100 Pythian Rd., 888-675-9463 stfranciswine.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T SUNCE WINERY & VINEYARD 63 1839 Olivet Rd.,707-526-9463 suncewinery.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-5 SEBASTOPOL IRON HORSE VINEYARDS 66 9786 Ross Station Rd. 707-887-1507, ironhorsevineyards.com, Tasting Daily 10-3:30, T LYNMAR WINERY TASTING ROOM67 3909 Frei Rd., 707-829-3374 lynmarwinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 MARIMAR TORRES ESTATE 68 11400 Graton Rd.,707-823-4365, marimarestate.com, Tasting Daily 11-4, T PETERS FAMILY WINERY 69 2064 N. Gravenstein Hwy., Ste. 102, 707-829-3111 peteresfamilywinery.com, A SEBASTOPOL VINEYARDS 71 8757 Green Valley Rd.,, 707-8299463, sebastopolvineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-5 TAFT STREET WINERY 72 2030 Barlow Ln., 707-823-2049, taftstreetwinery.com, Tasting MonFri 11-4, Sat-Sun 11-4:30

SONOMA COUNTY SOUTH KENWOOD BLACKSTONE WINERY 1 8450 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-1999 blackstonewinery.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30 CHATEAU ST. JEAN WINERY 2 8555 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-4134, chateaustjean.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T FAMILY WINERIES OF SONOMA VALLEY 5 9200 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-5504 familywineries.com, Tasting Daily 11-6 KAZ VINEYARD & WINERY 6 233 Adobe Canyon Rd. 707-833-2536,kazwinery.com Tasting Fri-Mon 11-5 KENWOOD VINEYARDS 7 9592 Sonoma Hwy.,707-833-5891 kenwoodvineyards.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30 KUNDE ESTATE WINERY 8 9825 Sonoma Hwy. 707-833-5501, kunde.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 LANDMARK VINEYARDS 11 101 Adobe Canyon Rd., 707-833-0218, landmarkwine.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 LEDSON WINERY & VINEYARDS 12 7335 Sonoma Hwy., 707-537-3810/ 800-539-2331 ledson.com,Tasting Daily 10-5 SL CELLARS 13 9380 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-5070 slcellars.com, Tasting Daily 10:30-5 THE WINE ROOM 15 9575 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-6131 the-wine-room.com Tasting Mon-Thu 11-4, Fri-Sun 11-5 VJB VINEYARDS & CELLARS 16 9077 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-2300, vjbcellars.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 GLEN ELLEN ARROWOOD VINEYARDS & WINERY 18 14347 Sonoma Hwy., 707-9352600, arrowoodvineyards.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30, T AUDELSSA ESTATE WINERY 19 13647 Arnold Dr. 707-933-8514, audelssa.com Tasting Fri-Mon11-5, T B. R. COHN WINERY 20 15000 Sonoma Hwy., 707-931-7924, brcohn.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T BENZIGER FAMILY WINERY 21 1883 London Ranch Rd. 707-935-3000, benziger.com Tasting Daily 10-5, T DEERFIELD RANCH WINERY 24 1310 Warm Springs Rd., 707-8335215, deerfieldranch.com, A ERIC ROSS WINERY 25 14300 Arnold Dr., 707-939-8525, ericross.com, Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 IMAGERY ESTATE WINERY 28 14335 Hwy. 12, 707-935-4515 imagerywinery.com Tasting Sun-Thu 10-4:30, Fri-Sat 10-5 LOXTON CELLARS 29 11466 Dunbar Rd., 707-935-7221, loxtonwines.com, A VALLEY OF THE MOON WINERY30 777 Madrone Rd., 707-939-4510, valleyofthemoonwinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-4:30 WELLINGTON VINEYARDS 31 11600 Dunbar Rd., 707-939-0708 800-816-9463, wellingtonvineyards.com Tasting Daily 11-4, T

WINDSOR INMAN FAMILY WINES 74 5793 Skylane Blvd., Ste. C 707-395-0689 inmanfamilywines.com,A MARTINELLI VINEYARDS & WINE TASTING 75 3360 River Rd.,707-525-0570 martinelliwinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 SONOMA RUSSIAN HILL ESTATE 76 4525 Slusser Rd., 707-575-9428 BARTHOLOMEW PARK WINERY 34 russianhillestate.com 1000 Vineyard Ln., 707-935-9511, Tasting Thu-Mon 10-4 store.bartpark.com, Tasting Daily 11-4:30 BUENA VISTA WINERY 35 18000 Old Winery Rd. 707-938-1266/ 800-926-1266 buenavistawinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5, T CASTLE VINEYARDS & WINERY 36 122 West Spain St., 707-996-1966, castlevineyards.com, Tasting Daily 10-5

CHARLES CREEK VINEYARD 37 483 W. First St., 707-935-3848 charlescreek.com, Tasting Daily 11-6 CLINE CELLARS 38 24737 Arnold Dr., 707-940-4000 clinecellars.com, Tasting Daily 10-6, T CORNERSTONE PLACE 39 (multiple winery tasting room) 23570 Hwy. 121, 707-933-3010 cornerstoneplace.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 FAVERO VINEYARDS 42 3939 Lovall Valley Rd., 707-9353939. faverovineyards.com, A T GLORIA FERRER CHAMPAGNE CAVES 43 23555 Hwy. 121,707-996-7256 gloriaferrer.com, Tasting Daily 10-5, T GUNDLACH-BUNDSCHU WINERY 44 2000 Denmark St., 707-938-5277 gunbun.com, Tasting Daily 11-4:30 HANZELL VINEYARDS 45 18596 Lomita Ave., 707-996-3860 800-393-4999, hanzell.com, A HOMEWOOD WINERY 46 23120 Burndale Rd., 707-996-6353 homewoodwinery.com Tasting Daily 10-4 LARSON FAMILY WINERY 49 23355 Millerick Rd., 707-938-3031 larsonfamilywinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 MACROSTIE WINERY 50 21481 E. 8th St., #25, 707-996-4480 macrostiewinery.com, A T MOON MOUNTAIN VINEYARD51 1700 Moon Mountain Dr. 707-996-5870, moonmountainvineyard.com, A T MUSCARDINI CELLARS 52 440A Fifth St.West, 707-833-0526 muscardinicellars.com Tasting Daily 11-6 NICHOLSON RANCH WINERY53 4200 Napa Rd., 707-938-8822 nicholsonranch.com Tasting Daily 10-6 54 PETRONI VINEYARDS 990 Cavedale Rd., 707-935-8311, petronivineyards.com,A RAVENSWOOD WINERY 55 18701 Gehricke Rd., 707-933-2332 ravenswood-wine.com, Tasting Daily10-4:30 ROBERT HUNTER WINERY 56 15655 Arnold Dr., 707-996-3056 roberthunterwinery.com,A T ROBLEDO FAMILY WINERY 57 21901 Bonness Rd., 707-939-6903 robledofamilywinery.com, A ROCHE WINERY 58 28700 Arnold Dr., 707-935-7115 800-825-9475, rochewinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 SCHUG CARNEROS ESTATE WINERY 60 602 Bonneau Rd. 707-939-9363/ 800-966-9365 schugwinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 SEBASTIANI VINEYARDS & WINERY 61 389 E. 4th St., 707-933-3230 sebastiani.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 SONOMA ENOTECA 62 (multiple winery tasting room) 35 E. Napa St.,707-935-1200 sonoma-enoteca.com Tasting Wed-Mon 11-6,Tue 3-6 THE CELLAR DOOR 65 (multiple winery tasting room) 1395 Broadway, 707-938-4466 sonomacellardoor.com, Tasting Mon,Thu-Sun 11-6,Tue-Wed 4-6 VIANSA WINERY 66 25200 Arnold Dr., 707-935-4700 800-995-4740, viansa.com, Tasting Daily10-5, T PETALUMA ADOBE ROAD WINERY 67 1995 S. McDowell Blvd., 707-9397967, adoberoadwines.com, A KELLER ESTATE 69 5875 Lakeville Hwy., 707-765-2117, kellerestate.com, A

NOT ON MAPS MARIN COUNTY PACHECO RANCH WINERY 235 Alameda del Prado, Novato, 415-883-5583 pachecoranchwinery.com, A POINT REYES VINEYARD INN 12700 Hwy. 1, Point Reyes Station 415-663-1011, ptreyesvineyardinn.com Tasting Sat-Sun 11-5 STEPHEN ZELLERBACH VINEYARD 159 Glen Park Ave., San Rafael 707-527-0172, A WINDSOR VINEYARDS 72 Main St.,Tiburon 800-2149463,windsorvineyards.com, Tasting Sun, Mon-Thu 10-6, Fri-Sat 10-7

A = Tasting by Appointment T = Tours For ease of use, note that the color of the number next to each winery listing corresponds to the map with a border of the same color.

NORTH Annapolis, Cloverdale, Geyserville, Healdsburg

CENTRAL Cazadero, Forestville, Guernville, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Windsor

SOUTH Kenwood, Glen Ellen, Sonoma, Petaluma Submit your winery or changes to be included in our June / July issue’s guides. Please submit by May 6, 2011 to editor@ vinetimesmagazine.com

www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

35

Sonoma Valley Winery Guide

GUERNEVILLE KORBEL CHAMPAGNE CELLARS 7 13250 River Rd. 707-824-7000, korbel.com Tasting Daily 9-4:30, T HEALDSBURG ACORN WINERY 8 12040 Old Redwood Highway 707-433-6440, acornwinery.com, A ALDERBROOK WINERY 9 2306 Magnolia Dr., 707-433-9154 alderbrook.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 ARISTA WINERY 10 7015 Westside Rd., 707-473-0606, aristawinery.com, Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 C. DONATIELLO WINERY 13 4035 Westside Rd. 707-431-4409, cdonatiello.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 CHALK HILL WINERY 14 10300 Chalk Hill Rd., 707-6574837, chalkhill.com, A T CHATEAU FELICE 15 223 Center St., 707-836-9010 chateaufelice.com, Tasting Fri-Sat 11-6, Sun-Thu 11-5 CHRISTOPHER CREEK WINERY16 641 Limerick Ln., 707-431-8243, christophercreek.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 DAVIS BYNUM WINERY 19 8075 Westside Rd., 707-433-2611, davisbynum.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 DENATALE VINEYARDS 20 11020 Eastside Rd., 707-431-8460, A DOMAINE ST. GEORGE WINERY & VINEYARD 21 1141 Grant Ave., 707-433-5508 domainesaintgeorge.com, A T FIELD STONE WINERY & VINEYARD 23 10075 Hwy. 128, 707-433-7266, fieldstonewinery.com Tasting Daily 10-5 FOPPIANO VINEYARDS 24 12707 Old Redwood Hwy. 707-433-7272, foppiano.com Tasting Daily 10-4:30 GARY FARRELL VINEYARDS & WINERY 25 10701 Westside Rd., 707-4732900 garyfarrellwines.com Tasting Daily 11-4, T HANNA WINERY ALEXANDER VALLEY 27 9280 Hwy. 128, 707-431-4310 hannawinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-4 HOP KILN WINERY 28 6050 Westside Rd., 707-433-6491 hopkilnwinery.com, Tasting Daily 10-5 J. ROCHIOLI VINEYARD & WINERY 30 6192 Westside Rd., 707-433-2305, rochioliwinery.com, Tasting Thu-Mon 11-4 J VINEYARDS & WINERY 31 11447 Old Redwood Hwy. 707-431-3646, jwine.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-4, T JOHNSON’S ALEXANDER VALLEY WINES 32 8333 S. Hwy. 128, 707-433-2319 johnsonavwines.com, Tasting Daily 11-4 KENDALL-JACKSON WINE CENTER 33 337 Healdsburg Ave., 707-4337102, kj.com, Tasting Daily 11-5 LANCASTER ESTATE 34 15001 Chalk Hill Rd., 707-4338178, lancaster-estate.com, A T LIMERICK LANE VINEYARDS 36 1023 Limerick Ln., 707-433-9211 limericklanewines.com Tasting Daily 10-5 MIETZ CELLARS 38 602 Limerick Ln., 707-431-7103, mietzcellars.com, A PORTER CREEK VINEYARDS 39 8735 Westside Rd., 707-433-6321 portercreekvineyards.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 ROCHIOLI VINEYARDS & WINERY 40 6192 Westside Rd., 707-433-2305 rochioliwinery.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-4 RODNEY STRONG VINEYARDS 41 11455 Old Redwood Hwy. 707-431-1533, rodneystrong.com Tasting Daily 10-5, T VERITE WINERY 44 4611 Thomas Rd., 707-433-9000, veritewines.com, A

Monte de Oro Winery Continued from Page 26 everything they do is focused on wine, they hired Tim Kramer as their principal winemaker and brought in Tom Eddy from Napa as a consultant. Shovels broke the dirt in October 2007 and the building was christened in November 2009 with a soft opening in December and a formal grand opening on Jan. 11, 2010.

The facility itself is a knockout. They hired DZN Partners, a two-person shop out of Encinitas to design it. The only guidance they were given was to incorporate the sweeping panoramic views. DZN returned with their preliminary design and the partners decided they didn’t need to look at anything else. They nailed it. The only change they made, after viewing the site from the air, was to expand the patio from a proposed 3,500 square feet to 10,500. It was indeed a wise move as the patio is an ideal setting for events of all types. Monte de Oro hosts monthly jam sessions on Sundays as well as other concerts and they hope to expand on that. They’ll do another 4th of July concert this year and hope to host Big Bad Voodoo Daddy this August or September. They showed Rocky Horror Picture Show last year with a costume party and this year they’d like to throw a toga party and screen Animal House.

I was impressed last year when the Temecula Winegrowers Association hosted the first Wine & Culinary Showcase at

The barrel room at Monte de Oro.

(Tom Plant)

Monte de Oro. More than 30 wineries participated, starting off with a roundtable discussion featuring several of the valley’s winemakers. The patio was used to good advantage as guests sampled food and wine and spent time visiting with winemakers, winery owners and chefs. The 2nd annual showcase is slated for this September at Monte de Oro. Nearly 500 people attended the inaugural event and a much larger crowd is expected this year. Ken told me one of the things that has appealed to the partners so much is the sense of community here. “We’re all here for the grapes.” It’s not uncommon to see winemakers helping each other out when the need arises.

I asked how they are giving back to the community and I learned they are doing so in several different ways. They donate a lot

of wine to charities. They recently hosted a breakfast for the upcoming Reality Rally, which will benefit Michelle’s Place, a breast cancer research center. He also believes the building adds to the value of the Temecula Valley. “We’re here to help contribute to the continuing evolution of the valley.” The 68 partners hail from 23 states including Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Zignorski says the partners are in essence ambassadors for Temecula wine, introducing Monte de Oro wines to places that otherwise wouldn’t know about Temecula. Their wines are now on the menu at Del Friscos in Denver and they were one of few Temecula wineries invited to pour at the upcoming Culinary Evening with California Wine Masters for Cystic Fibrosis at Warner Brothers Studios. Monte

de Oro has come a long way in a short time.

Ken believes the Temecula Valley needs to keep pushing the curve, striving to be better. Now that they’re well into phase one, the next goal is to make wine on site.

They want to build a crush pad and set up a gravity flow operation down the hill in back of the winery. He says the time they had while they were waiting for the grapes to develop and for the building to be completed allowed them the luxury of being able to give their wines a full two years in French oak barrels and adequate time in bottles before releasing them. All the reds with the exception of Zinfandel are aged in 100 percent French oak. The Zin ages in 60 percent American Oak and 40 percent French.

When you visit the winery, you’ll find all of the red wines are poured from decanters. He explains that not only does it make a nice impression, it allows the wines to open up.

Monte de Oro’s wines are garnering attention. The 2007 Syrah picked up double gold in the San Francisco International Wine Competition, and they have garnered several other awards.

Plan on spending some time when you visit. Make sure you ask if you can visit the barrel room. You can actually look down into it from the spacious tasting room.

Monte de Oro Winery is located at 35820 Rancho California Road in Temecula.

For more information call (951) 491-6551 or visit their website at montedeoro.com.

A Recipe for Temecula Wine Country wine country cookbook This cookbook features creative and inspiring recipes with accompanying color photos from more than 20 Temecula Valley wineries. Join co-authors Tom Plant and Linda Kissam as they introduce you to this delicious world and allow you to peek into the kitchens of the Temecula Valley, Southern California Wine Country.

Grilled Chicken and Sausage Cacciatore • Leonesse Cellars

Available at most Temecula Valley Wineries including: • Doffo Winery • Dudley's Wine & Gifts • Foot Path Winery • Ponte Winery • Thornton Winery Also available online at:

Strawberry & White Chocolate Mousse Napoleans • Thornton Winery 36 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

Barnes & Noble.com, Amazon.com, and Buy Books Online: www.buybooksontheweb.com /product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-6351-2

$19.95

CALENDAR Vine Times publishes an editorial calendar listing the subject of emphasis for each issue and regional stories planned for each issue.

Subject to change.

Beer Lover’s

Winery Guide

Continued from Page 28

June / July Destination: Santa Barbara/Ojai Discover: San Francisco

August / September Destination: Livermore Discover: Lodi

Submit your event for our next issue.

Email your press release or event information by May 6th for your June / July events to:

editor@vinetimesmagazine.com or submit via our website at: www.vinetimesonline.com

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Amador Vintners............................................39 Ancient Peaks..................................................21 Anderson Valley Pinot Festival..................10 B & E ..................................................................21 Ben Davis Jr. /Cover Art..............................16 Berardo..............................................................21 Bonnie Doon ................................................13 Burrell School..................................................39 Castoro Cellars..............................................21 Chouinard Vineyards ....................................12 Cooper Garrod..............................................26 Cronic Cellars ................................................21 Cronic Cellars ................................................21 Crooked Vine..................................................12 Graziano............................................................10 Grey Wolf ........................................................21 J. Lohr ............................................................2, 23 Ken Calhoon ..................................................22 La Rochelle ......................................................12 Livermore ........................................................12 Loma Prieta Winery ....................................39 Maple Creek....................................................10 Mendocino ......................................................10 Miraflores..........................................................27 Mitchell Katz....................................................12 MJA Vineyards ..........................................26, 39 Muns Winery ..................................................13 Odoata Wines ................................................26 Paso Robles......................................................21 Peachy Canyon ........................................21, 40 Poetic Cellars..................................................39 Realty World....................................................15 Rivers of Chocolate......................................29 Santa Barbara Vintners ................................19 Silver Mountain ..............................................26 Sones Cellars ..................................................16 Steven Kent......................................................12 Storrs Winery ................................................26 Summit to Sea ................................................39 Surf City Vintners ..........................................26 Temecula Cookbook....................................36 Thornton Winery..........................................27 Toulouse............................................................10

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LODI WINE & VISITOR 1 CENTER 2545 W.Turner Rd., Lodi 209-365-0621, lodiwine.com Tasting Daily 10-5 ABUNDANCE VINEYARDS 2 21482 N. Ray Rd., Lodi 209-334-0274 abundancevineyards.com Tasting by Appt.

BERGHOLD VINEYARDS 3 17343 N. Cherry Rd., Lodi 209-333-929 bergholdvineyards.com Tasting Thu-Sun 11-5, & by Appt.

4 BORRA VINEYARDS & WINERY 1301 E. Armstrong Rd., Lodi 209-368-2446, borrawinery.com Tasting Daily 12-5 5 CELLAR DOOR 21 N. School St., Lodi 209-339-4394 lodicellardoor.com Tasting Tue- Wed 12-6, Thu-Sat 12-9, Sun 12-5 COSENTINO WINERY 3750 East Woodbridge Rd., 6 Acampo, 209-333-8014 cosentinowinery.com/cvc Tasting Daily 10-5:30

d’Art Wines

7 13299 N. Curry Ave., Lodi 209-334-9946, dartwines.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 DELICATO VINEYARDS & CLAY STATION WINES 12001 S. Hwy. 99, Manteca 209-824-3501,claystationwine.com Tasting Daily 9-5:30 E2 FAMILY WINERY 9 9009 W. Highway 12, Lodi 209-334-5911, e2familywinery.com Tasting by Appt.

GNEKOW FAMILY WINERY 17347 East Gawne Rd. Collegeville, 209-463-0697, 888-446-3569, gnekowwinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 GRANDS AMIS WINERY 10 115 N. School St., Ste. 5, Lodi 209-369-6805, grandsamis.com Tasting Fri-Sun 1-5, or by Appt.

HARMONY WYNELANDS 11 9291 E. Harney Ln., Lodi 209-369-4184 harmonywynelands.com Tasting Mon-Sat 11-5:30 Sunday/Holidays 12:30-5 HERITAGE OAK WINERY 10112 E.Woodbridge Rd, 12 Acampo, 209-986-2763 heritageoakwinery.com Tasting Mon-Fri 2-5pm, Sat 12-6, Sun 1-4

HOUSLEY’S CENTURY 13 OAK WINERY 22211 N. Lower Sacramento Rd., Acampo, 209-334-3482 centuryoakwinery.com Tasting Sat 12-4, or by Appt.

JESSIE’S GROVE WINERY 1973 W.Turner Rd., Lodi 14 209-368-0880, jgwinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 LANGETWINS WINERY16 1525 E. Jahant Rd., Acampo 209-334-9780, langetwins.com Tasting by Appt.

THE LUCAS WINERY 17 18196 N. Davis Road, Lodi 209-368-2006, lucaswinery.com Tasting Thu-Sun 12-4:30/Tours by Appt.

18 M2 WINES 1376 East Turner Rd,. Ste. D, Lodi, 888-757-9463 m2wines.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 or by Appt.

MACCHIA 19 7099 E. Peltier Rd, Acampo 209-333-2600 macchiawines.com Tasting Thu-Mon 11-5 MCCONNELL ESTATE 20 10686 W. Stockton Blvd, Elk Grove, 916-685-5368 mcconnellestates.com Tasting Fri-Sun 11-5 MICHAEL DAVID WINERY 4580 W. Highway 12, Lodi 21 209-368-7384 lodivineyards.com Tasting Daily 10-5 OAK RIDGE WINERY 22 6100 E. Highway 12, Lodi 209-369-4758 oakridgewinery.com Gift Cottage Daily 10-5 or by Appt.

OMEGA CELLARS 23 13731 N. Highway 88, Lodi 209-367-1910 omega-cellars.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 PEIRANO ESTATE 24 VINEYARDS 21831 N. Highway 99, Acampo 209-369-9463, peirano.com Tasting Wed-Sun 11-4:30 RIPKEN VINEYARDS & 25 WINERY 2472 West Sargent Rd, Lodi 209-367-WINE (9463) ripkenwine.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-4/Tours SIQUEIRA WINE COMPANY 220 S. Cluff Ave., Lodi 26 209-403-9200 or 800-769-8491 siqueirawine.com Tasting by Appt.

SPENKER WINERY 27 17303 N. DeVries Rd., Lodi 209-367-0467 Tasting Sat-Sun 12-4

By Appt. January-April

28 ST. AMANT WINERY 1 Winemaster Way, Lodi 209-367-0646 stamantwine.com Tasting by Appt.

VAN RUITEN FAMILY 29 WINERY 340 W. Highway 12, Lodi 209-334-5722, vrwinery.com Tasting Daily 11-5 VINO CON BRIO 30 AT AMOROSA VINEYARDS 7889 East Harney Ln, Lodi 209-369-5392, 888-410-VINO vinoconbrio.com Tasting Thu-Mon 12-5 or by Appt.

VINO PIAZZA 32-38 12470 Locke Road, Lockeford (Wineries 32-38 are all in Vino Piazza)

BOITANO FAMILY WINES 209-727-3270 32 boitanofamilywines.com Tasting Sat-Sun 12-5 LA VIDA DULCE WINERY 209-727-3966 33 lavidadulce.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 MOKELUMNE OAK VINTNERS 34 209-339-3754 mokelumneoakvintners.com Tasting Fri-Sun 12-5 OLDE LOCKEFORD WINERY 209-727-9770 35 vinopiazza.com/oldelockeford Tasting Daily 11-5 PASOS VINEYARDS 36 559-978-0523 or 209-727-3153 pasoswinery.com Tasting Fri-Sat 11-6, Sun 11-5 STAMA WINERY 37 209-727-3314 or 408-464-6923 stamawinery.com Tasting Mon,Wed,Thu 11-5 Fri-Sun 11-6 WATTS WINERY 38 209-329-1569, wattswinery.com Tasting Fri-Mon 12-5 WOODBRIDGE BY ROBERT MONDAVI 5950 E.Woodbridge Rd, Acampo, 209-365-8139 woodbridgewines.com Tasting Daily 10:30-4:30 Tours Daily 9:30 & 1:30

31

Submit your winery or changes to be included in our June / July issue’s guides.

Please submit by May 6, 2011 to editor@ vinetimesmagazine.com

ative offerings straight to the beer-brained masses. And those masses, for a small entry fee, ate, drank and were merry, all while collectively celebrating the art of the brew.

The festival attracted some of the most famous and familiar names from the west coast. Bear Republic and Stone Brewing Company each brought an impressive selection, including (from the latter) a California-style IPA with a Belgian finish appropriately named “CaliBelgique.” Speakeasy Ales & Lagers–a trusted San Francisco staple–wowed my parents with the bitter strength of its Double Daddy Imperial India Pale Ale. And the folks from Drake’s Brewing in San Leandro rated high on our group’s taste scale with its Hopocalypse IIPA. But it was the unknown brewers – unknown to us, anyway – that won our hearts. Moonlight Brewing brought its Moonlight Special, a hopless, aged offering that I had to try twice before believing it was, in fact, beer. Black Diamond Brewing Company gave us the warm fuzzies with its Winter Grand Cru, a classic Belgian dubbel, aged in bourbon barrels that paired perfectly with the drizzly day. Locals from Bison Brewing Company created quite the buzz with their Gingerbread Ale, a spiced porter fitting of an outdoor winter gathering. And while the folks at Uncommon Brewers brought their ‘A’ game with a hearty porter, it was their Bacon Brown Ale (yes, “bacon”) that proved to be one of the event’s busiest taps.

And it didn’t stop there. Blue Frog Brewery’s Blue Frog Double IPA–despite its potentially unappealing name–packed an absolutely delicious floral punch. The folks at Jack’s Brewing Company poured a hoppy anniversary ale that brought us back for seconds and thirds. And Beach Chalet’s Fleishhacker Stout provided a welcome chocolate-y warmth when the sun began to set. The list went on and on.

Indeed, the only real tasting constraint proved to be time–and the ever-looming threat of a painful morning.

In short, the Winter Brews Festival–much like Berkeley itself–showcased exactly what folks are capable of when they are inspired and called to action (even when that action is as seemingly trivial as brewing beer). And while our afternoon may have been lacking in “political” activism, I was at least motivated to “protest” the parking ticket we had received by “peacefully” throwing it aside before we sped out of town.

[Of course, we made it no more than a block down the road before retreating to pick it up.]

Going Wine Tasting? Visit our website for all the latest wine country guides.vinetimesonline.com

www.vinetimesonline.com • April / May 2011

37

Chow Bella WINE COUNTRY RECIPIES & PAIRINGS

Eat This With...

By Lisa J. Pretty

Eat Game Hens with Barbera Barbera originated in the Piedmont region in Italy and is a grape varietal loaded with fruit flavors such as cherry, blackberry, black raspberry and plum. The grape has a high acidity allowing winemakers to keep all those fruit flavors in a vibrant wine. The soft tannins along with the bold fruit flavors tend to make this a wine that is best consumed young.

Italian immigrants brought the vines with them to California over a century ago and today Barbera can be found throughout the state. In fact, Barbera is the most widely planted Italian varietal in California with more than 9,000 acres. Surprisingly, other than Italy and California, the varietal has not been adopted by other wine regions.

While several Italians would consider Barbera an every day quaffing wine to have with a casual pasta dinner, in California the wine is often more elegant and pairs with a wide range of foods. Clearly cheese and tomato based pasta dishes are obvious pairings for this juicy wine. I personally enjoy a fruity wine with grilled poultry and my pairing choice is grilled game hens with a cherry sauce. The cherry flavors in the Barbera complement the cherry sauce and the sage adds that touch of savory that hens beg to have.

Grilled Game Hens with Cherry Sauce Serves 4 2 cornish game hens, cut in half lengthwise Marinade 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup Balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon dried thyme Sauce 1 cup dried cherries 2 cups of barbera 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 teaspoons dried sage 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar

After washing and cutting, place hens in plastic bag. Mix together marinade ingredients and pour over hens. Remove air from bag, seal and place in refrigerator to marinate for 1-2 hours.

Stir all sauce ingredients together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow the sauce to simmer until it reduces to half its volume.

While the sauce is simmering, grill hens over medium heat until cooked through -approximately 8 minutes per side. Allow hens to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from grill. Serve with a generous portion of cherry sauce poured on top.

Barbera Lisa’s Favorite: 2007 Tobin James “Bella Bella” Barbera “Rich, thick and luscious with bright cherry flavors, soft tannins, with a long, lingering finish.” Retail $32 tobinjames.com Paso Pick: 2009 Eberle Barbera “Rich fruit flavors of ripe raspberry, juicy black cherry, vanilla and hints of baking spices make this an easy drinking red wine that your palate will savor. Retail $26 eberlewinery.com Value Pick: J&J Cellars Autumn Flight Barbera “Elegant red fruit aromas, followed by juicy flavors of plum, raspberry and black cherry.” Retail $10 jjcellars.com Editors note: Here’s a great opportunity to taste a vast variety of Barberas. Check out the 2011 Barbera Festival on June 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cooper Ranch in Plymouth, Calif. -- barberafestival.com. Register to Win a pair of tickets to this event from California Vine Times at www.vinetimesonline.com.

38 April / May 2011 • www.vinetimesonline.com

Compiled By Victoria Buonocore

Spring is in the air… actually, at press time, rain is in the air and we’re quite tired of it so these recipes are wishful thinking to bring on Spring, at least in the kitchen. Enjoy these fresh approaches to lunch or dinner and don’t forget the wine (as if you could). Enjoy!

Pear and Blue Cheese Salad Milano Family Winery, 14594 S. Hwy. 101, Hopland, CA 95449, (707) 744-1396, www.milanowinery.com Ingredients: 2/3 cup nuts Freshly ground black pepper (walnuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews) 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 bunch watercress 1 Belgian endive 1 bunch arugula 2 ripe pears, such as Anjou, Bartlett, or 1 tablespoon cider vinegar Comice 2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard 2 ounces mild blue cheese (about 1/2 cup 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste loosely packed crumbles) Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the nuts on a sheet pan in a single layer.

Bake, shaking the pan occasionally, until the nuts are toasted and fragrant, about 7 to 10 minutes. Let the nuts cool, and then coarsely chop.

Trim the stems of the watercress and arugula. Wash and dry the leaves.

Meanwhile, whisk the vinegar and mustard together in a large salad bowl. Season with the 1/4 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream, to make a smooth, slightly thick dressing.

Halve the endive lengthwise, cut out core, then thinly slice crosswise and add all the lettuces to the bowl. Quarter and core the unpeeled pears and thinly slice; add to the salad.

Scatter the cheese and nuts over the salad, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss the salad gently to evenly dress all the greens. Divide among four plates and serve immediately.

Spring Lemon Risotto with 2009 Bedrock Chardonnay Riverbench Vineyard & Winery, 6020 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria, CA 93454 (805) 937-8340, www.riverbench.com Ingredients: 1 pint cherry tomatoes 1/2 cup 2007 Bedrock Chardonnay or 1 bunch asparagus, ends clipped other dry white wine 1 tablespoon olive oil (Foxen loves local 4 cups chicken broth, warmed producer Olive Hill’s creations, which 1 teaspoon lemon zest are for sale in their tasting room.)

1 tablespoon heavy cream 1 cup finely chopped onion 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 cloves garlic 1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese 11/2 cups Arborio rice 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley Method: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. On a foil lined baking sheet, spread tomatoes and asparagus in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil. Place in the oven and roast for 10-15 minutes until tomatoes pop.

In a heavy large saucepan, warm olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté 2 minutes until soft. Add the rice and toast, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add wine and simmer until liquid has evaporated. Add the stock, 1/2 cup at a time, and simmer until liquid evaporates each time. This will take approximately 20 minutes.

Once the rice is cooked, reduce the heat to low and add the lemon zest, cream, butter and cheese.

Stir until creamy. Top with roasted vegetables and garnish with the chopped parsley. Enjoy!

The Mountain Winery Lemon Bars

By Executive Chef David Sidoti, The Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga, CA 95070, (408) 741-2822; www.mountainwinery.com Yield 20 squares or 40 triangles.

Ingredients for the Crust: Ingredients for the filling: For the crust: 6 extra-large eggs at room temperature 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room 3 cups granulated sugar temperature 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 1/2 cup granulated sugar lemons) 2 cups flour 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup flour Confectioners' sugar, for dusting Method: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball.

Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9- by 13- by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack.

For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.

Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners' sugar.

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Stop by our Tasting Room during Paso Robles Wine Fest Weekend, May 20-22, and enjoy over a dozen current and future releases.

Join us for wine specials all weekend. Complimentary tasting Friday and Saturday. Sunday visit our Old School House tasting room and relax to live music, wine & a barbecue. Blankets and chairs are welcome.

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