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UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Thomas George Estates’ Wine Cave Is Truly A Hidden Treasure!

May 24, 2018 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

One of the more obscure, yet enchanting wineries on Russian River Valley’s Westside Road is Thomas George Estates. Tucked on an inside bend on the narrow winding road, the wooded entrance is easy to pass and most challenging to turn back around to find.  Hence, this was my first visit.  And what a visit it was!  I was literally in awe when I drove down the long gravel driveway, wondering why I hadn’t stopped here before.

Towering Redwoods stand at attention around the perimeter of the serene gardens, ablaze with roses and french lavender. Beyond the gardens you’ll find the infamous Thomas George Estates wine cave, dug deep under the hillside Baker Ridge Pinot Noir vineyard.

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Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Chardonnay, grenache noir, late harvest Viognier, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valle, wine cave, Wine Tasting, Zinfandel

Get Your Sips Off Route 116… Sonoma Co’s Crown Jewel Wine Road

March 9, 2018 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

Known as the Gravenstein Highway to the locals, California State Route 116 gently meanders along the Russian River from the shores of Jenner through Guerneville, past Forestville and Graton, ending in North Sebastopol.  Once a mecca for Gravenstein apples in the 1930’s, less than a square mile of orchards remain, outpaced and out priced by the value of the almighty grape crop.  For a mini wine tasting tour down the infamous Gravenstein Highway, read on…

In sleepy Forestville, Joseph Jewell Wines is sure to please the most discriminating Pinot Noir or Chardonnay palate.  Winemakers Micah Joseph Wirth and Adrian Jewell Manspeaker have it dialed in with their artisan Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from six designated single vineyards.  Specialized tours are offered, including a helicopter tour over the vineyards.

Take a slight right turn off Gravenstein Highway to Ross Road to find Ektimo Vineyards.  Not much tasting room ambience, but tasting room manager, Julius Orth and their variety of wines are sure to entertain ~  Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Chardonnay, Russian River Pinot, Zinfandel and a Cabernet plus a few other surprises, like a barrel tasting.  Ektimo Vineyards operates a custom crush pad and winemaking facility as well, so there’s plenty going on here.  [Read more…]

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Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: barrel tasting, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Russian River, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Tasting, Winter Wineland, Zinfandel

A Rainy Day In Napa Suits Me Wine…

December 20, 2017 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

Even the inclement weather doesn’t keep the wine aficionados at bay in the iconic Napa Valley!  Sometimes the rain can work in your favor with reduced crowds in some of the most popular wineries, with wine hosts eager to serve the weary and soaked traveler.

A must stop, rain or shine, is Hall Winery in St. Helena.  Look for the enormous animated Bunny Foo-Foo metal sculpture leaping over the historic Bergfeld vineyards on Highway 29.  Touted as one of the oldest vineyards in the valley, grapes were first planted here in 1859.  Hall Winery is definitely a main player in Napa, with a second tasting room in Rutherford.  Kathryn and Craig Hall have put their heart and soul into Hall Winery, making it a top wine destination spot.

Besides the mind-blowing Cabernet, Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Walt Pinot Noir, there are over 150 pieces of modern art to behold with wine glass in tow. The service is stellar, albeit somewhat corporate, but the wines speak volumes and will hold you captive.

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Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Tasting

MacRostie Winery & Vineyards’ Elevated Tasting Takes Center Stage

October 25, 2017 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

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


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

Kistler Vineyards Is A Wondrous Showcase For Chardonnay Lovers!

September 27, 2017 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

Kistler Vineyards‘ stately old farmhouse, aka the Trenton Roadhouse, sits high above the winding Trenton-Healdsburg Road in sleepy Forestville, just north of Sebastopol in Russian River Valley.  Unless you’re intently looking for the sign, it’s easy to miss the hidden gated entrance, thinking it is just another beautiful historic home nestled in the vineyards. With enough planning and a little good fortune, you may be able to reserve a seated wine tasting invitation and slip back in time as you gaze over the vineyards from a rocking chair on the old covered porch.

Founded in 1978 by Steve Kistler, winemaker and vineyard manager, the small family owned winery is now producing upwards of 35,000 cases of handcrafted Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  As is traditional in Burgundy, France, Kistler Vineyards produces all of the wines using native yeasts.  There are 10 single vineyard Chardonnays, derived from the Wente clone.   The Chardonnay is unfined and unfiltered and gracefully aged sur lie in French oak barrels for 11-18 months before bottling.  The Pinot Noir, too, is a single vineyard designate and is also unfined and unfiltered.  The unctuous free run juice is barrel aged in French oak from 14 to 18 months before bottling.

Kistler‘s Trenton Roadhouse property is absolutely stunning from any vantage point.  Hosted tastings are either held in the glass-walled sun porch room overlooking the vineyards in the off-season or held down below in the vintage barn and surrounding patios in the warmer months.  As luck would have it, in the middle of the fall harvest, right before a huge rain storm,  I had the entire wine tasting experience all to myself, thanks to my wine friend and hostess, Ashley Bender.   [Read more…]

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Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Burgundian-style, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Wente clone, Wine Tasting

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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

  • 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
  • Hidden Gem Alert ~ Dry Creek’s Unti Vineyards Is A “10” October 31, 2018
  • Windsor’s Notre Vue Estate’s Unabashed Views Are Worth The Drive October 20, 2018
  • Cheers To Russian River Valley’s “Uneventful” 2018 Harvest! September 21, 2018
  • Add Healdsburg’s Raford Inn To Your Wine Bucket List August 9, 2018
  • A Walk Between The Vines At Emeritus Vineyards… June 29, 2018
  • Follow the Olivet Road… Top 3 Artisan Winery Picks! June 8, 2018
  • Thomas George Estates’ Wine Cave Is Truly A Hidden Treasure! May 24, 2018
  • Get Your Sips Off Route 116… Sonoma Co’s Crown Jewel Wine Road March 9, 2018
  • A Rainy Day In Napa Suits Me Wine… December 20, 2017
  • Whimsical & Historical Sites Dot North Sonoma County’s Wine Trail November 21, 2017
  • MacRostie Winery & Vineyards’ Elevated Tasting Takes Center Stage October 25, 2017
  • Kistler Vineyards Is A Wondrous Showcase For Chardonnay Lovers! September 27, 2017
  • 2017 Russian River Valley Grape Harvest Is One For The Record Books September 13, 2017
  • Top Paso Robles Wine Trail Picks August 22, 2017
  • Especial Wine Stops in Historic Alexander Valley ~ Sonoma Wine Country August 2, 2017
  • Top Picks To Wine Down In Dry Creek Valley July 19, 2017
  • Russian River Valley’s Martinelli Winery Dates Back To 1890’s July 4, 2017
  • BOOK REVIEW: A Glass Full of Miracles June 17, 2017

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