Chardonnay – Page 15

Green Valley Is Russian River Valley’s Sweetest Spot

March 27, 2014 by Deborah Mines

Mention Green Valley-Russian River Valley to any Pinot-lover or Chardonnay enthusiast and watch their eyes light up! Green Valley is the smallest appellation in Sonoma County, located in the southwestern corner of the Russian River Valley.

Bordered by the tiny towns of Sebastopol, Occidental and Forestville, Green Valley is home to over 100 growers and eight key wineries: DeLoach Vineyards, Dutton Estate, Dutton-Goldfield, Emeritus Vineyards, Hartford Family Winery, Iron Horse Vineyards, Marimar Estate and Orogeny.

The trademark rolling fog and the Goldridge soil, (the most sought after soil in Sonoma County), makes the Green Valley a very special place for growing the delicate Pinot Noir grapes and the coveted Chardonnay.

Green Valley‘s unique weather is considerably colder than the rest of the Russian River Valley. With the Russian River to the north and the Petaluma Wind Gap to the south, cold air streams across the Green Valley. The coastal hills lying along its western border help to moderate the strong winds from the ocean. All things combined, the cool nights and early morning fog, followed by warm days, give the right balance of ripeness, good sugar levels, ripe tannins and high acid. [Read more…]

Sunce Winery Exudes True Old World Charm

March 14, 2014 by Deborah Mines

Winter Wineland 2014 was the perfect venue to visit over 36 wineries in the Russian River Valley in January, plus another 100 or so wineries in Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Healdsburg, Geyserville and Santa Rosa. My wine trek started along Olivet Road, my favorite stretch of vineyards in the heart of the Russian River Valley, which led me to Sunce Winery.

Third generation Croatian-born winemaker, Frane Franicevic, has certainly perfected his love of winemaking over the years. Frane released his first wines in 1990, created in a barn off Piner Road, later moving his winemaking operation to the current Sunce Winery site in the late 1990s.

Sunce is a Serb-Croatian word for “sunshine”. And, plenty of sun shines in the Russian River Valley in the peak growing season. Sunce Winery is named after one of Frane’s daughters, Sunce, with another vineyard and a varietal wine blend named after his other two daughters, Zora and Zemlja. [Read more…]

Bottle Shock Movie Set ~ Chateau Montelena Winery

February 28, 2014 by Deborah Mines

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.

A 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.

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…]

Shine On Harvest Moon

February 13, 2014 by Deborah Mines

The picturesque meandering country Olivet Road in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley was my starting point for the Winter Wine Land festival last month. Five fantastic vineyards in a row! Harvest Moon Estate & Winery turned out to be one of my most treasured finds.

Stoic dormant vines line the driveway of the Harvest Moon Estate & Winery, emulating a comfortable, familiar feeling of coming to visit an “old friend”. I was warmly welcomed into the cozy tasting room and invited to sample any of the five featured wines. [Read more…]

De-Lovely De Loach Vineyards Is Simply Di-Vine

January 29, 2014 by Deborah Mines

With over 130 wineries to choose from in the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek, Healdsburg and the Alexander Valley, I decided that De Loach Vineyards was the perfect starting point for the Sonoma County Winter Wineland two-day event. Every January, scores of wineries in Sonoma County open their bottles and barrels for the Winter Wineland festival.

I was warmly greeted by De Loach Vineyards staff and a rather hairy, but very friendly, snow creature at the event check-in. Banded with a blue wristband and armed with an official Wine Road glass, I was ready to hit the wine trail! First stop — De Loach Vineyards.

The De Loach Vineyards tasting room was festively decorated, and the staff was bracing for the weekend crowds. Tastings were set up in three different areas in the winery, with an opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the wine makers. The smell of fresh fococcia bread with carmelized onions filled the room.

Five amazing wines were offered for tasting. Two Chardonnays shone brightly — the 2010 OFS Chardonnay and the 2012 Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Both well-balanced with stone-fruit flavors, aged gently in oak. [Read more…]