UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Discover the Hidden Wine Caves in Sonoma Wine Country

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Looking for something different on your next wine trip to Sonoma County?  Start at the far end of Sonoma Valley at Buena Vista Winery, California’s first commercial winery established in 1857 by Count Agoston Haraszthy.

Steeped in history, legend has it that migrant Chinese workers were trapped alive while digging the caves for the Count.  Hence, ghost sightings have been reported in the tasting room and in the cave after hours.

Tucked away in the Chalk Hill AVA, east of Windsor, Roth Estates Winery features a more modern cave setting.  Specializing in Bordeaux varietals, Roth offers a unique property tour ending with a reserve tasting in the cave itself.

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Wine Tasting Along The Chianti Wine Trail

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Chianti Classico is an area steeped in rich history, dating back to the Etruscan times. Over the years, the Romans laid claim, followed by the ferocious medieval battles between Siena and Florence. Today, Chianti Classico is tranquil and undisturbed, yet vibrant, and is home to artisans and winemakers alike.

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In a region where vineyards are plentiful and cellars are centuries old, one needs a strategy before blazing the wine trail.   Unlike wine tasting in California, which is both casual and unpretentious for the most part, wine tasting in Chianti Classico is a bit more structured.

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The key to fun and eventful wine tasting is simple – take the time to plan your itinerary in advance. Care in planning ahead will save time in the long run and will enhance your wine tasting experience overall.

Keep in mind that the most memorable cellar tours encompass wine tasting along with food pairings.

A wine guide or sommelier will often guide the group tasting in the cellar and will offer sumptuous local food pairings such as bread and olive oil, prosciutto or salami and Pecorino Toscana cheese to compliment the featured wines.

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In Chianti, wine tastings are never rushed. The pours are more than generous and the conversation with the wine staff flows easily. Wine tasting fees are nominal and a purchase of a bottle of wine is certainly appreciated, but not expected.

To get the most out of your wine tasting experience, if possible, arm yourself before your wine trek with The Black Rooster Map, (Le Strade del Gallo Nero), the official wine road map. [Read more…]

Europa Village’s Annual Grape Stomp Gala ~ Bon Vin, Tres Fun

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photo 4 There’s a little slice of Europe in the Temecula Wine Country ~ Europa Village is an Old World Euro-themed winery that offers wines handcrafted from French, Spanish and Italian grape varietals.  Love the French wines of the Rhone Valley?  Non probleme ~ the C’est la Vie Chateau Wines will soothe your soul. Feeling a little sassy?  Si, Si  ~  try the Bolero Cellars for a Spanish flare.  Looking for the perfect food and wine pairing?  Bene, Bon Appetito!   ~ Vienza will be a salute to all things Italian.

photo 2 Beautifully appointed, Europa Village is situated on 30 rolling acres, with vineyard views in all directions.  There is an ample outdoor seating area with water misters to curb the summer heat and even a wine cave that doubles as a tasting bar and an event room for large parties and wedding receptions. [Read more…]

La Ciarliana ~ A Sparkling Gem In Montepulciano

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In the rolling Tuscan countryside, only a few miles down La Strada di Vino Nobile,  you will find one of  Montepulciano’s crown jewels, La Ciarliana winery.

The glorious San Biago stands at the base of Montepulciano
The glorious Chiesa di San Biagio stands at the base of Montepulciano
La Ciarlian's logo features the bellower of La Chiesa di San Michele c. 1615
La Ciarliana’s logo features the bell tower of La Chiesa di San Michele

La Ciarliana is a small, family run boutique winery, gently positioned on approximately 22 acres, that produces some very, very notable Vino Nobile wines.  

The founder of La Ciarliana was Santo Pellegrino Frangiosa, who was born and raised on the podere (farm), just a stone’s throw from centro Montepulciano.   Santo Pellegrino was one of the first wine pioneers in the valley to plant the famed Prugnolo gentile, otherwise known as Sangiovese, in the early 1960’s.  Thirty-five years later, grandson Luigi Frangiosa inherited the family wine estate.  Under Luigi’s careful guise, intensive soil studies were done and the vineyards were replanted with Sangiovese clones, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and other local red varietals.  

Winemaker and Owner of La Ciarlian ~ Luigi Frangiosa
Winemaker and Owner of La Ciarliana ~ Luigi Frangiosa

I had the pleasure of meeting Luigi and his lovely sister Gessica for a private wine tasting and cellar tour in March.  Luigi was delightful –he was easy going, kind and humble, speaking slowly in Italian, with a twinkle in his eyes.

The tour was very unique in that it was conducted mostly in Italian by Luigi himself, with translation by Gessica. At one point in the tour, we were at a loss for words for a specific wine making method, so Luigi pulled out his Italian-English Wine Dictionary!  It was a most memorable afternoon filled with laughs and good stories. 

What could be better than drinking wine and playing Italian charades? [Read more…]

Villa S. Anna’s “Softer” Touch

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Villa Sant Anna ~ Abbadia di Montepulciano
Villa S. Anna ~ Exceptionally Feminine
Abbadia di Montepulciano

Good ol’ Francesca, also known as my faithful GPS, was in prime working condition.  She guided me directly to Villa S. Anna Winery in Abbadia di Montepulciano upon my arrival at Amerigo Vespucci Airport in Firenze (Florence) that bright sunny Saturday afternoon.

Waiting for me was Simona Fabroni Ruggeri, the owner of Villa S. Anna. I had contacted Simona a month before my trip to Tuscany to arrange a meeting.  I was fascinated with the idea of meeting Simona,  and touring the lovely “feminine” winery that she fondly calls Villa S. Anna.

Barrel Room - Villa S. Anna
Barrel Room – Villa S. Anna

The vineyards have been a part of the Contini-Ruggeri family for over 200 years and had a stellar reputation for producing very fine Tuscan wines.   The family estate  was bequeathed to Simona from her grandfather, “Poldo”, whose name is honored on the estate’s best Vino Nobile wine to this day. [Read more…]