Sauvignon Blanc

Syrah is King at Rusack Vineyards

May 14, 2016 by Deborah Mines

Ballard Canyon AVA is no longer a well-kept secret. As a matter of fact, my recent travels took me along the winding backcountry roads to Rusack Vineyards. The oak-studded rolling hills and dramatic backdrop was ideal for my quest for the perfect Ballard Canyon Syrah and a dose of much-needed serenity.

Unpretentious and inviting, Rusack Vineyards‘ tasting room was a welcome sight, as it is one of the few tasting rooms in the pristine Ballard Canyon.

In the mid-1990’s, Geof and Alison Rusack purchased the legendary 48 acre property, previously known as Ballard Canyon Winery.

Seventeen acres were planted primarily with Syrah. Alongside the Syrah are smaller blocks of Bordeaux varietals ~ Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Petit Sirah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are planted on the couples’ Santa Catalina Island vineyard, El Rancho Escondido.

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Joseph Phelps Vineyards’ Insignia Burgundian Style Pinots Amaze

August 13, 2015 by Deborah Mines

Joseph Phelps, founder of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, professes a life-long love affair with Burgundian varietals. Years of searching for the ideal soil and climate conditions to pursue his dream of crafting Burgundian-style wines, brought Phelps to Freestone, located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, only six miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Originally the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes were sourced from St. Helena, Yountville and Carneros in the Napa Valley, near the original Joseph Phelps Vineyards. By 1999, Phelps planted over 100 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Freestone area and constructed the Joseph Phelps, Freestone Vineyards Guest Center to showcase both the Sonoma Coast and the Napa Valley varietals.

Almost impossible to miss, the fire engine red building points the way to the Joseph Phelps, Freestone Vineyards Guest Center, situated on two and a half acres at the intersection of Bodega Highway and Bohemian Highway. [Read more…]

San Pasqual’s Hungry Hawk Vineyards Soars High

July 3, 2015 by Deborah Mines

Hungry Hawk Vineyards, is one of the newest, and most promising, boutique wineries to join forces with the San Diego Vintners Association in the San Pasqual Valley AVA.

Nested in the rural outskirts of Escondido, Hungry Hawk Vineyards officially opened its doors in the summer of 2014 after several years of vineyard installation, tasting room construction and endless county and state ordinance permits.

Through the hard work of Ed and Jeanine Embly, Hungry Hawk Vineyards has morphed into a top-notch production facility and upscale tasting room.

Hungry Hawk Vineyards has already earned Silver Medals at the 2014 Florida State Fair and the 2014 San Diego County Fair.

Hungry Hawk Vineyards, a former avocado estate, has been planted to 17 grape varietals. White varietals include Albarino, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Pinot Gris. Bordeaux varietals include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. Grenache, Mouvedre, Petit Sirah, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and the little known Syrah Noir round out the list. [Read more…]

Iconic Merry Edwards Winery Embraces Pinot Noir Lovers

May 25, 2015 by Deborah Mines

Sooner, rather than later, Pinot Noir aficionados seek out Merry Edwards Winery near Sebastopol in the picturesque Russian River Valley AVA. Considered a perfectionist and a wine muse by all who meet her, Merry Edwards is now in her 40th year of wine making.

Merry and husband/partner Ken Coopersmith manage five estate Pinot Noir vineyards: Coopersmith, Cresta d’Oro, Flax, Georganne and Meredith. The Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes are sourced from other vineyards in the Russian RIver Valley.

Private tastings are hosted by appointment in the state of the art facility’s elegant tasting rooms. Guests are educated about the diurnal temperatures, climate micro zones and soils of the Russian River Valley and the diversity between the estate vineyards. [Read more…]

Dry Creek Vineyard Sparkles ~ 2015 Winter Wineland

March 1, 2015 by Deborah Mines

Smack dab in the middle of Dry Creek Valley, near Healdsburg, marks the spot of Dry Creek Vineyard. Founded in 1972 by David Stare, this family owned winery is often considered the flagship vineyard of the Dry Creek Valley AVA as it was the first winery constructed in the area after Prohibition.

Every January, the Wine Road showcases over 140 wineries in the Northern Sonoma wine country, each outfitted in a winter theme with stellar wine and food pairings. The 2015 Winter Wineland is just one of the many events hosted by Sonoma’s Wine Road throughout the year. www.wineroad.com

This year, Dry Creek Vineyard was one of the most festive wineries, naming each wine selection with ski run course jargon. Guests could start with the Bunny Hill, a 2013 Sauvignon Blanc or the MIlk Run, a 2012 DCV Estate Block 10 Chardonnay, selected from the best 30 rows of the family’s Russian River Valley vineyard.

For the more adventurous tasters, the Dry Creek Mogul, a 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel and the lusty Black Diamond, a 2012 Mariner, a meritage of the five Bordeaux grapes ~ Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc were gold medal winners on the slopes. [Read more…]