UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Especial Wine Stops in Historic Alexander Valley ~ Sonoma Wine Country

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It’s mind-boggling to imagine what the ex-fur trapper Cyrus Alexander might have seen when he managed a stock cattle ranch operation on Rancho Sotoyome in the 1840’s.  The pristine 48,000 acres, part of a Mexican Land Grant, spanned as far as the eye could see, extending to the Russian River and through the present day town of Healdsburg.  Years later, the valley would later be named in honor of Alexander  who reportedly said, “it was the best and brightest spot in the world.”   Cyrus Alexander Bio

To the casual wine day-tripper, time appears to have stood still in the sleepy remote valley.  The winding country roads meander aimlessly, dotted with small farms and vineyards at every turn.

A great way to experience the back roads of Alexander Valley is from The Wine Carriage, a half day guided horse carriage ride through the vineyards.  The Wine Carriage  provides an up close and personal view literally between the vines starting at Alexander Valley Winery and ending with the estate’s wine caves.   Owner and tour guide extraordinaire, Bret LeRolland, is an animated story-teller, bringing the colorful history of Alexander Valley alive.  [Read more…]

Top Picks To Wine Down In Dry Creek Valley

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Dry Creek Valley AVA is at the northernmost tip of the North Sonoma County Wine Country, just outside the  trendy town of Healdsburg.  A mere 16 miles long and 2 miles wide, Dry Creek Valley is flanked by Dry Creek, a tributary of the Russian River and the Sonoma Dam.  In the distance beyond the Sonoma Dam is the coveted Rockpile AVA, perched 800 feet above sea level, home to only 180 acres of  Zinfandel, albeit no tasting rooms.

Panoramic views can be enjoyed from the expansive decks at Sbragia Family Winery.  Guests are welcome to bring a picnic lunch, or to sample savory cheese plates and light fare prepared by the resident chef designed to pair with the estate Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Or, treat yourself to the guided comparison tasting inside the library room, vetting the Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard holdings from Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain and Yountville.                                                               

Sbragia Family Vineyards     

Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs is not to be missed.   The old vine Zinfandel vineyard dates back 115 years and is inter-planted with Petite Sirah, Carignane, a small amount of Mataro (Mourvèdre), and Grenache.  The “field blend” varietals are fermented separately to preserve the individual character of the grapes, then artfully joined for the finished blend.

The views from Ridge Vineyards are some of the best in the valley.  Experience the Chardonnay, Merlot, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and of course, the Old Vine Zinfandel.

The original Ridge Vineyards Montebello (Santa Cruz Mountains) founded in 1885, is most famous today for their 1971 Ridge Vineyards Montebello Cabernet Sauvignon, which outscored the French wines at the highly touted 1976 Judgment of Paris Wine Tasting competition.

Ridge Vineyards ~ Lytton Springs

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Russian River Valley’s Martinelli Winery Dates Back To 1890’s

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Martinelli Winery is impossible to miss on River Road in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley wine country.  The massive brick-red hop barn facade is legendary in these parts.  Tuscan transplants Giuseppe and Luisa Martinelli cultivated grapes in 1898 on a steep 60 degree slope, now known as Jackass Hill.  The non-terraced steep slope was originally planted to Zinfandel and Muscat Alexandria and surrounding fields were planted to Gravenstein and Golden Delicious apples, cherries, pears, prunes, hops, berries, walnuts, potatoes and green beans.  The centurion vineyard, Jackass Hill, took its name when family told Martinelli that “only a jackass would farm a hill that steep”.  Today, that very vineyard produces some of the finest old vine Zinfandel in the valley.

Descendants of the Martinelli family, Lee Sr. and his sons now farm the vineyards and his daughters manage the office and marketing for the winery.   The turn of the century tasting room also serves as a mini museum with many artifacts, an old wine press and sepia wall photos of the Martinelli family.

Martinelli‘s vineyards are strategically positioned in the Russian River Valley and along the Sonoma Coast in the Fort Ross/Seaview area.  While the best grapes are retained for the estate wines, over 90% of the grapes are sold to other Sonoma County wineries.

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BOOK REVIEW: A Glass Full of Miracles

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A Glass Full of Miracles is an inspiring autobiography written by Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, Vintner and Co-Owner of Napa Valley’s Grgich Hills Estate Winery.

Fleeing his native homeland of war-torn Communist Croatia in 1958, with only a stack of viticulture books, a wooden suitcase and his life savings of $32.00 sewed into the soles of his shoes, Grgich set off to America in search of a better life. His dream was to become a winemaker in the rugged Napa Valley.

While his journey was riddled with setbacks, Grgich always saw his “glass as half full” and would be showered with much good fortune and “miracles” along the way.

The book reads like a Hollywood script, with all the major Napa Valley players of the day ~ Noted 1960’s Winemakers Robert Mondavi, Andre Tchelistcheff, Lee Stewart, August Sebastiani, Joe Heitz, Lee Paschich and Jim Barrett were a few of the early working friendships formed.

Fast forward to 1972, where Grgich was now at the helm as the new winemaker for Chateau Montelena in Calistoga, at the north end of the Napa Valley.  Another “miracle” in Grgich’s life.  With the financial backing of Paschich and Barrett, Grgich outfitted the ghost winery with the necessary presses, crushers, hoppers, tanks, pumps and oak barrels and replanted the abandoned vineyards with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.

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A Toast To The Emerging Wines Of Valle de Guadalupe (Baja California, Mexico)

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On a recent trek to Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe with foodie group Wine Pairs Events of San Diego, it was soon evident that Baja itself had not changed much in the past 30 years.  Sure, seeing the 1920’s Hollywood  resort aka, the classic Rosarita Beach Motel, now towering umpteen stories high with over 500 rooms, was a little bit of a shock, but the charm of the La Fonda Motel and little mercado storefronts along the way looked pretty much the same.  An hour later, we arrived at our destination.

Our group of 26 eager wine tasters were warmly welcomed at Vinedos Malagon, gently nestled in the crux of the valley floor.   Winemaker Alberto Rubio holds a degree in Enology and  has been at the helm since 2011 turning out small lots of handcrafted wines.  Rubio is ultra-passionate about  winemaking and also produces organic, dry-farmed wine from old vines for his private label, Fluxes.

Vinedos Malagon‘s field blend, 2014 Tinta Mexicana, beautifully marries Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Grenache and Petit Sirah together for an aromatic  immersion of dark berry fruit laced with black peppercorn.  Aged in 10% new French oak, this blend is one of the most popular value-driven wines in the lineup.

For purists, the 100% 2015 Grenache plays on the senses with the intoxicating aromas of  raspberry, tart cherry and sun-kissed strawberry, touched with hints of vanilla and cinnamon.  Very feminine and delicate, this wine is aged in 20% new French oak and will age well due to the higher acidity.

Another Grenache crowd-pleaser was the 2015 Grenache Rosé, a delicate salmon-colored dry rosé produced using the saignee method. www.vinedosmalagon.com

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