UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Top 6 Eclectic Russian River Valley Wineries (Sonoma County)

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In no particular order, I’ve made a list of the top six most eclectic Russian River Valley wineries, which is no easy feat. With over 100 wineries in the Russian River Valley AVA, there are a lot of choices.  These are off the beaten path wineries with stellar wines, avant-garde winemakers, friendly down-to-earth folk and inviting and fun tasting rooms.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are highly revered here, and comprise over 70% of the vineyard plantings.  Cool climate varietals such as Syrah and Zinfandel make a good showing, along with Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurtztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Sirah.

#1 Moshin Winery – Tucked off River Road, it’s easy to miss the entrance.  Look for the giant iron butterfly hovering above the road.  Moshin pours several amazing Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay, a Sparkling Blanc de Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah and a late harvest Zinfandel dessert wine.  The tasting room is adorned with local artwork and features a small gift shop.  Super fun way to spend an afternoon!   www.moshinvineyards.com

#2 Porter Creek Vineyards – Stay on Westside Road a mile or so and you’ll arrive at Porter Creek.  The long dirt driveway leads to a vintage outbuilding-style tasting room next to the exotic chicken house.  Large enough for about 10 people, the view from the tasting room rivals the best view in the valley.  The tasting lineup is sure to please every palate.  Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Old Vine Carignane and Old Vine Zinfandel.  Plus, super friendly hosts!  www.portercreekvineyards.com [Read more…]

Hooray to Korbel Champagne Cellars For The Red, White & Sparkling!

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The birth of Korbel Champagne Cellars dates back to the early 1880’s when the three Czechoslovakian Korbel brothers from the province of Bohemia, started off making cigar boxes in San Francisco, which later transitioned into a sawmill and dairy farm in the storied Russian River Valley near Guerneville.

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Trying their hand at winemaking and being somewhat successful, the Korbel’s produced 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of wine and experimenting with various grape varietals such as Pinot Noir.  By 1892, the Korbel brothers were officially in the burgeoning wine business.

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It was during this time that the Korbel’s sent for winemaker Frank Hasek in Prague to come to the United States to be their champagne master. It was Hasek who employed the time-honored French method of producing champagne, aka méthode champenoise, which catapulted Korbel Champagne Cellars to great success in the wine business.

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Prohibition took its toll on many wineries in the 1920’s with forced closures.  Korbel Champagne Cellars was able to survive due to the brothers’ other business ventures.  In 1954 the winery was purchased by family friend, Adolph Heck, who was credited for patenting an automatic riddling process which was vital to the business, enabling the champagne bottles to be turned at precise moments during the fermentation process.   [Read more…]

Riding High In The Rhone Zone ~ Andrew Murray Vineyards

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Foxen Canyon’s Andrew Murray Vineyards is fresh and alive with small lot Syrahs and enticing Rhône blends.  Formerly Curtiss Winery, Andrew Murray has leased the vineyards  from long-time family friends, the Firestone family, and has tastefully remodeled the tasting room, making it a must-stop along the wine trail.

14770070654_9655c336c1_mAndrew Murray Vineyards‘ focus will remain on Rhône varieties, with an emphasis on Syrah, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne.DSC_2990-240x159

“Come see what we can do in this new home with expanded winemaking capacity, and access to additional Estate Grown vineyards.”

Andrew Murray, Winemaker

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Russian River’s Bacigalupi Vineyards Has Deep Family Roots

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Having experienced an over-the-top luscious and peppery Pinot Noir several years ago, whose grapes were sourced from Bacigalupi Vineyards, I set out on a mission to find the mother lode.  Winding scenic country roads on the upper westside of the Russian River Valley led me to the homestead-like tasting room.

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Nicole Bacigalupi welcomed me into the cozy tasting room and filled my head with family stories that would make a fabulous Lifetime movie.  Bacigalupi Vineyards was founded by her grandparents, Charles and Helen Bacigalupi in 1956. Planted primarily in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the original rootstock was obtained from Russian River Pinot Pioneer, Karl Wente.

ChateauMontelena_weighbill1973Charles Bacigalupi’s earliest claim to fame was selling his Chardonnay grapes to Jim Barrett at Chateau Montelena, who produced the top award-winning 1973 Chardonnay at the historic Paris Tasting in 1976.  While the American win put Napa Valley on the map,  40% of those Chardonnay grapes were actually sourced from Bacigalupi Vineyards in Sonoma County.

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Pinots Rule At Iconic Alma Rosa

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No frills, Alma Rosa Winery is one of the top producers of Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills, near Buelton
No frills… Alma Rosa Winery is one of the top producers of Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills, near Buellton

You’ll almost miss the gravel road that leads to Alma Rosa if you’re looking the other way!  Five miles down the twisty Santa Rosa Road, near Buellton, lies Alma Rosa.  Tucked in the oaks, down a dusty gravel road lies a real treasure.  It doesn’t have the flashy curb appeal of the larger production wineries in Foxen Canyon because there are NO curbs!

No pretense...just fabulous wines!
No pretense…just fabulous wines!

Alma Rosa is the lovechild of the 1970’s wine pioneers Richard and Thekla Sanford ~ artfully recreated in the Sideways movie, it remains, unchanged.  Much to my dismay, this time around, Chris, the bearded Willie Nelson look-a-like, was not working there.  I was told he was “taking a break”.  Chris, does however, continue to write the lofty wine descriptions which are as fun as the wines are good! [Read more…]