UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Bottle Shock Movie Set ~ Chateau Montelena Winery

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Tucked ever so gently in the deeply wooded hillside in the fertile Napa Valley, lies the  stately Chateau Montelena Winery.  The 254 acre estate was established in 1882 by San Franciscan entrepreneur Alfred Tubbs.  Tubbs was convinced that the loose, stoney soil at the base of Mount Saint Helena near Calistoga was ideal for growing grapes.

IMG_6235A French wine maker was brought to the estate and Tubbs’ dream soon became a reality.  The château was built soon thereafter and was aptly named Chateau Montelena, which is actually a contraction of the name “Mount Saint Helena”, the nearby noble peak.

Chateau Montelena Winery prospered until the Prohibition Days.  In post-Prohibition days, Tubbs continued to grow and sell grapes to local family winemakers.  However, the vineyards  fell into disrepair over the following years and the property was sold in 1958.

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Chateau Montelena’s new owners were Yort and Jeanie Frank, who were merely seeking a quiet place to retire.  As a tribute to Frank’s homeland of China and to his wife Jeanie,  the beautiful Jade Lake was created.  Today, Chateau Montelena‘s Jade Lake is known as one of Napa Valley’s prettiest lakes, a wildlife refuge which is also available for private winery events.

In the early 1970’s,  the estate was purchased by Jim Barrett, who replanted the vineyards  and started the California wine industry as we know it today, showcasing California wines,  specifically Napa Valley wines. [Read more…]

Field Stone Winery’s Underground Cellar

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Majestic Alexander Valley’s Field Stone Winery was my desired destination en route from Calistoga to Healdsburg off Highway 128 in northern Sonoma County. Barely visible from the road the partial subterranean cellars of Field Stone Winery rose slightly under the towering oak trees.

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Winemaker Pat Murray greeted me in the tasting room, instantly making me feel at ease.  We had a San Diego-Sonoma connection – one of my local haunts, the La Costa Wine Company in Carlsbad, frequently hosts Field Stone Winery wine tastings so I just had to experience Field Stone Winery firsthand.

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Alexander Valley is home to some heady red varietals — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Sirah and Syrah, to name a few.  For me,  Field Stone Winery’s 2010 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was the epitome of a great Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon!  Rich, fruit forward, aromatic, bursting with Bing Cherry, ripe plum and blackberry with a slight hint of vanilla and french oak.   Ahhhhh….it doesn’t get much better than this! [Read more…]

Pop A Cork At Temecula Wine Country’s Wilson Creek Winery

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Content_BalloonWithVineyards_200910Attention Bubbleheads… Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards is the perfect place to kickstart your weekend wine warrior tasting!  Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards features  five sparkling wines (you know we can’t call them Champagne!), with the Almond Sparkling Wine topping the wine list.  Personally, I prefer the Peach Bellini Sparkling Wine, with hints of peach, which is not as sweet or the Orange Mimosa Sparkling Wine, which combines the Almond Sparkling Wine with the essence of orange.  There’s even a Sparking Sangria Wine, naturally fermented in the Southern Mediterranean style, tasting of red berry, pomegranate, lemon and blood orange.  Refreshing and delightful! [Read more…]

Temecula’s Monte de Oro Shines Like Gold

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IMG_5914One of the most architecturally impressive and trendy new wineries in Temecula is Monte de Oro.  Fashioned with a contemporary Tuscan theme, the soaring floor-to-ceiling windows are absolutely magnificent!  Opulence surrounds you in the center tasting room, in every direction.

ToursandTastingFPOOne of the most unique features at Monte de Oro is the glass-floored tasting room, which looks into the Barrel Cellar below.  I have to admit, it’s a little unnerving to walk across the glass floor.  You might be surprised to look down and see someone looking up!

Founded in 2002, Monte de Oro has 68 family owners from the Americas, South Africa and the United Kingdom who call themselves the OGB Parnters (One Great Blend).

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[Read more…]

All Ramona Wine Trails Lead to Salerno Winery

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photo 2 copy 4Ramona Valley is on the verge of becoming the next Foxen Canyon of wine trails…   Windy roads lead to Salerno Winery, tucked off Highway 67 behind the stately cypress trees and majestic oaks.  Rising 1,500 feet above sea level, Ramona Valley, with its own micro climate has been recognized with its own AVA appellation.

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Salerno Winery is definitely eclectic ~ lacking the hype of Temecula Wine Country glitz and busloads of unruly drunken 21 year-olds.   Rounds of somewhat bizarre, romanesque/greek/modern marble and bronze artworks are haphazardly placed around the walking paths in Salerno’s vineyard.  There’s even a bocce ball court on the lower level.

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Owners Herman and Rose Salerno personally greet guests, mostly fellow neighbors, on the spacious shaded patio.  Using old-world, handcrafted wine making methods, Herman has earned 75 national and international awards since the first vintage in 2002. [Read more…]