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UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

BOOK REVIEW: A Wine Journey Along The Russian River

May 30, 2020 by Deborah Mines

Calling all Oenophiles….

One of my favorite wine books about the history of Northern Sonoma Wine Country, A Wine Journey Along The Russian River, takes readers on a slow and easy trek through Mendocino County, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek and finally through the storied Russian River Valley.  Author Steve Heimoff, previous West Coast Editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine artfully details the beginning of the region’s viticulture experimentation and influential pioneer wine makers of the day.  Filled with first hand encounters and a bird’s eye view from the riverbanks to the vineyards above, this historical read will captivate the best of the wine geeks.

Having spent a lot of time in this wine region, I found the book to be well-researched and have read it cover-to-cover a few times, each time gleaming a deeper insight.   Interestingly, there are a few geological theories about the actual rock formation of the Russian River itself, but overall the story line focuses on the key players in the burgeoning wine industry in the 1970’s.

The Russian River, named after the Fort Ross Russian settlers in the early 19th century, flows south, originating east of Willits in Mendocino County, before making a sharp turn to the west near Healdsburg, then continues through Guerneville before meeting the Pacific Ocean.

While the Russian River plays an important role in moderating temperatures for grape growing in the valley, it is also an important ecological habitat for warm and cold water fish migration and spawning and is well known to locals for its sandy beaches.

Heimoff delights readers with stories and interviews from the area’s first growers and vintners in this superb read!

Cheers!

Filed Under: Wine A Bit Tagged With: Dry Creek, Mendocino, Russian River, Russian River Valley, vineyards, wine

Whimsical & Historical Sites Dot North Sonoma County’s Wine Trail

November 21, 2017 by Deborah Mines

Besides the stellar wines, whimsical statues and historical landmarks can be found all along the winding North Sonoma wine country roads.  Whether it’s a towering coyote howling at the moon at Wilson Winery in Dry Creek, or a step back in time at the old Dry Creek General store, built circa 1881, the valleys are steeped in history.

Continue further south on Westside Road, south of Healdsburg where the old Hop Kiln California Historical Landmark No. 893 jets toward the sky.  Once an old hops operation, the site is now home to Landmark’s Hop Kiln Estate where Pinot Noir rules.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Dry Creek, Healdsburg, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Windsor, wine, Wine Tasting, wineries

Ode to VML Winery’s Russian River Tasting Room

December 11, 2016 by Deborah Mines

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VML Winery on the Russian River’s Westside Road has been a familiar sight, and a favorite haunt for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay lovers for the past five years.  Grapes are  primarily sourced from Freestone’s Ivywood vineyard and the Swicegood Vineyard high atop the ridge in Green Valley.  Both vineyards produce the 115 and 667 Pinot Noir clones.  Chardonnay clones include the Calera clone and the Old Wente clone.

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I had the pleasure of meeting artisan winemaker, Virginia Marie Lambrix, earlier in the year for a private wine tasting.  Virginia’s engaging personality shone brightly as we tasted through the flight of the 2012 Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine, 2014 RRV Gewurtztraminer, 2013 RRV Chardonnay, the 2013 Walker Station Chardonnay, the 2013 RRV Pinot Noir and the 2013 Stars “Barrel Selection” Pinot Noir. [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: artisan wine, Chardonnay, Dry Creek, Old Wente Clone, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir clones, Russian River Valley, Wine Tasting

If Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs’ Old Vines Could Talk

June 4, 2015 by Deborah Mines

IMG_0330Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs in the Dry Creek Valley AVA in Northern Sonoma County boasts a treasure trove of history and many noteworthy red varietals.

IMG_8431The expansive views are breathtaking in every direction, looking out toward the Alexander Valley.  Cool, foggy mornings, hot afternoon sun and breezy evenings are ideal growing conditions for Zinfandel.

Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs’ current flagship wine is the 2012 Lytton Springs, a spicy field blend of 113 year-old vines of Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, Carignane and Mataro.  Having survived Prohibition, climate change and years of neglect, these grapes are hand-selected from the five to seven center rows of the vineyard for the iconic field blend.

IMG_8434Historically, Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs vineyard was once part of land owned by Captain William Litton, who developed the springs and built a hotel just east of the vineyard during the last half of the 19th century.   The resort was built for wealthy San Franciscans who would travel to the area by train to “take the waters.”  [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: 1971 Ridge Monte Bello, Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Dry Creek, field blend, Judgement of Paris, Mataro, Merlot, Petit Sirah, Wine Road, Wine Tasting, Winter Wineland, Zinfandel

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    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

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    Deb Mines is a wine enthusiast with a passion for travel! Seeking the stories behind the vines... . WSET Level 3, FWS, CSW,AWE

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    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    21 Nov

    Master Sommelier Program Out of Time | Wine-Searcher News & Features https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2021/11/master-sommelier-program-out-of-time #GoodOldBoysClub #EnoughIsEnough

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    3 Oct

    A shout out to Ryan Kunde ⁦@DRNKwines⁩ Wildwood Vineyards 2018 Cab Sauvignon ~ perfectly integrated lusciousness🍷🍷🙌🙌#wine #SonomaStrong

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    16 Sep

    The @WineSpectator Scholarship Foundation is giving $10M to @NVCollege's Viticulture, Wine and Technology program. The Wine Spectator Wine Education Complex will offer affordable training for aspiring #wine industry workers young and old: https://winesp.ec/39nW5r7

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    13 Sep

    Top 3 Wineries in Temecula WIne Country
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    #winelovers #wine #winetasting

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    15 Aug

    Discover Scout & Cellar's Clean-Crafted Wines - Be ready to be wowed! Interested in starting your own wine business? DM for details or visit http://www.scoutandcellar.com/UncorkedWineTravels

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    9 Aug

    Freeman Vineyard & WInery's Cave Tasting is a "10"
    https://uncorkedwinetravels.com/freeman-vineyard-winerys-cave-tasting-is-a-10/

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    14 Jul

    Hot time Summer in the city 🎵🎶. Fire up the BBQ and pair grilled goodies with Scout and Cellar’s clean-crafted wines 🍷🍷DM me for info or visit my bio link. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRUti0CLHoh/?utm_medium=twitter

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    2 Jul

    Beautiful warm breezy day @PalumboWinery #temeculawinecountry #winetasting #July4th

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    2 Jul

    Breezy warm day in #temeculawinecountry @palumbowinery Where Will your travels take you this holiday weekend? @ Palumbo Family Winery https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ1p0hVrv_Q/?utm_medium=twitter

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    1 Jul

    Just posted a photo https://www.instagram.com/p/CQyXbPwLFdd/?utm_medium=twitter

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    26 Jun

    Getting in the groove! Studying for Spanish @winescholarguil exam https://el9nou.cat/osona-ripolles/actualitat/santi-carcasona-torna-a-donar-so-al-vi/

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    25 May 2021

    Stellar @WineRRV cave #winetasting at DRNK with Ryan Kunde to celebrate #NationalWineDay

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