• Blog
  • About Me
    • Press Release
  • Back Road Wineries
    • California Wine Trail
    • Tuscany Wine Trail
    • Baja California Wine Trail
  • Wine A Bit ~ Editorial & Reviews
  • Contact Me

UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

MacRostie Winery & Vineyards’ Elevated Tasting Takes Center Stage

October 25, 2017 by Deborah Mines

Discovering hidden gems along the Russian River Valley wine trail is always a high point in my wine travels.  With a little last-minute networking, I quickly found myself on the outdoor deck at MacRostie Winery & Vineyards for an unforgettable seated wine tasting.  The tranquil vistas from the newly harvested vineyards stretched toward the magnificent Macayamas Mountains and were breathtaking from every vantage point.

Perched high atop the hill is the lodge inspired tasting room with each table poised to take in the expansive views of the estate vineyards. The sole focus at MacRostie Winery and Vineyards centers around the small lot production of single vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Each vintage, Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen utilizes over 130 fermentations to craft the MacRostie flagship wines.  Bridenhagen has explored wine regions worldwide and also worked at New Zealand’s Oyster Bay to gain a greater perspective on international wine styles.

Plain and simple, world-class vineyard access is key.

“This remarkable level of diversity allows us to explore the entirety of the Sonoma Coast, from the vibrant purity of Wildcat Mountain Vineyard to the lushness of the Russian River Valley to the nerve and ethereal aromatics of the extreme Sonoma Coast.”  www.macrostiewinery.com


[Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: artisan wine, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Russian River, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Tasting

Ode to VML Winery’s Russian River Tasting Room

December 11, 2016 by Deborah Mines

img_6178

VML Winery on the Russian River’s Westside Road has been a familiar sight, and a favorite haunt for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay lovers for the past five years.  Grapes are  primarily sourced from Freestone’s Ivywood vineyard and the Swicegood Vineyard high atop the ridge in Green Valley.  Both vineyards produce the 115 and 667 Pinot Noir clones.  Chardonnay clones include the Calera clone and the Old Wente clone.

img_0100-1

I had the pleasure of meeting artisan winemaker, Virginia Marie Lambrix, earlier in the year for a private wine tasting.  Virginia’s engaging personality shone brightly as we tasted through the flight of the 2012 Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine, 2014 RRV Gewurtztraminer, 2013 RRV Chardonnay, the 2013 Walker Station Chardonnay, the 2013 RRV Pinot Noir and the 2013 Stars “Barrel Selection” Pinot Noir. [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: artisan wine, Chardonnay, Dry Creek, Old Wente Clone, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir clones, Russian River Valley, Wine Tasting

Wine Trail Search

Follow My Wine Blog

    Your Name

    Your Email

    A Little About Me

    To many, I’m simply known as a wanderlust ~ a free-spirited adventuress with a passion for travel and a lover of great wines!Read more...

    Vintage Posts

    • Jordan Winery’s Chateau Block Vineyard Tasting Is Unforgettable November 26, 2021
    • Trending Now ~ Top 3 Wineries in Temecula September 12, 2021
    • Freeman Vineyard & Winery’s Cave Tasting Is A “10” August 8, 2021
    • 2021’s Top 10 Winery Picks off Russian River Valley’s Iconic Westside Road July 5, 2021
    • Kickstart The Weekend In DRNK’s Wine Cave June 6, 2021
    • Cannabis in Wine Country? NIMBY. May 29, 2021
    • Ojai’s Spiritual Vortex (And Great Wine) Soothes The Soul April 4, 2021
    • Book Review: The Billionaire’s Vinegar January 3, 2021
    • Book Review: Sonoma Wine And The Story Of Buena Vista November 29, 2020
    • California Wineries Are Now “Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop…” November 15, 2020
    • Russian River Valley Welcomes Visitors in Uncertain Times… September 20, 2020
    • BOOK REVIEW: A Wine Journey Along The Russian River May 30, 2020
    • US Wine Market Update: A Regional Perspective Webinar Unites Top Industry Leaders April 17, 2020
    • The Lifecycle of a Grape Vine ~ From Vine To Wine March 26, 2020
    • 2019’s “Top 10” Eclectic RRV Wineries December 29, 2019
    • Russian River Valley’s Arista Wines Earn Top Accolades From Wine Spectator September 24, 2019
    • Littorai Wines ~ A Tale of Two Coasts & Three Pinot Noir Styles September 13, 2019
    • After Much Ado, “House of Flowers” Debuts In Russian River Valley August 29, 2019
    • Best Backroads For Cycling In RRV-Healdsburg Wine Country August 16, 2019
    • Experience Cave-Aged Wines At DRNK Winery in Russian River Valley July 3, 2019
    • Best Kept Secret in Sta. Rita Hills ~ Spear Vineyards & Winery May 17, 2019
    • Spring Is An Ideal, And Uncrowded, Time To Visit Wine Country April 19, 2019
    • NEW BOOK RELEASE: Root Cause, A Novel by Steven Laine February 19, 2019
    • Discover the Hidden Wine Caves in Sonoma Wine Country December 17, 2018
    • Vin Santo Reigns In Chianti’s Medieval Hamlet of Castello di Volpaia November 16, 2018

    Uncorked Wine SD

    Uncorked Wine Travels

    Follow on Instagram

    Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in