UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Follow the Olivet Road… Top 3 Artisan Winery Picks!

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When in Russian River Valley wine country, I like to start my wine tasting adventures along sleepy Olivet Road.  Only a few minutes from the Santa Rosa airport, Olivet Road meanders between River Road and Guerneville Road, and is, somewhat dare I say, “undiscovered”.  A small collection of artisan wineries serendipitously line Olivet Road, producing everything from Sparkling Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

First stop is Harvest Moon Estate, where the good times definitely roll!  Winemaker and Owner Randy Pitts is frequently on hand to zealously greet guests and pour his award-winning cool climate Zinfandel.  Less conventional but more approachable than some winemakers,  Randy is known to “sabrage” a bottle of bubbly now and then, much to the amusement and surprise of the assembled wine devotees. 

The atmosphere at Harvest Moon is always fun and relaxed and the tasting menu is quite diverse and literally “over the moon”.

Wet your whistle on the bubbly 2013 Estate Dry Sparkling Gerwurztraminer, a peppery 2011 Pitts Home Ranch Zinfandel or if you’re feeling “a little Randy,” try the 2014 Randy Zin, a zippy blend of Zinfandel and Sangiovese.

Next, look for Hook & Ladder‘s  bright red fire engine parked on Olivet Road.  [Read more…]

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

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

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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…]

A Rainy Day In Napa Suits Me Wine…

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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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MacRostie Winery & Vineyards’ Elevated Tasting Takes Center Stage

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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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