UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

To Join Or Not To Join ~ The Myth Behind Wine Club Memberships

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On my last visit to Northern Sonoma Wine Country, I re-evaluated the value of my coveted collection of wine club memberships. In jest, I often call myself the “Wine Club Queen,” as I love to join wine clubs, but rarely stay in the club longer than the norm.   Industry statistics show members typically remain in a wine club for 25 months. So what gives? Why join a wine club? Or better yet, why do members leave a club?

For some weekend wine warriors, wine tasting is akin to a cult group activity with the primary goal of getting a buzz.  Take Southern California’s Temecula Wine Country for example. On any given weekend, there is a parade of party busses packed with pretty 20-something year old bachelorette party-ers adorned with sashes and glitzy tiaras who are seriously drinking their way through the valley.   I doubt few, if any, join a wine club, or even buy a bottle of wine.

Then, there’s the yearly Sonoma County’s Wine Road Barrel Tasting Weekend event.  The word on the wine trail is that the younger crowd seizes the challenge in drinking as much barely aged barrel wine as possible,  despite the inevitable dizzying aftermath.   I doubt few, if any, invest in the barrel futures or join a wine club.

So besides the thrill of the hunt for the perfect wine tasting event, the perfect wine or even the most beautiful winery setting, there are some benefits to joining a wine club such as meeting the winemaker, private tastings, tours and exclusive events.  For me, it’s always the story behind the vines that sparks my interest. [Read more…]

2016 Wine Road’s Wine & Food Affair Tops All Expectations

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Nothing could be finer than to be in Northern Sonoma County in the fall ~ especially for the annual Wine & Food Affair which was held November 5 & 6, 2016.  What an awesome event!  Sponsored by the Wine Road, this event spans the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley and features over 100 wineries with delectable wine and food pairings.  Recipes can be found on the Wine Road website www.wineroad.com

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The highlight for me was meeting Victoria Wilson, Super Star Winemaker at Matrix Winery on the westside of Russian River Valley.  Victoria’s exuberance and passion for handcrafted small lot Pinot Noir was abundantly clear as we tasted through three single clone (667, 777 and 828) estate Pinot Noir vineyards.   Matrix’s 2014 Estate Pinot Noir was artfully paired with a Crispy Mushroom Roll with Butternut Squash Ketchup.  www.matrixwinery.com

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Dutton Estate put on a fine show as always, highlighting a Chardonnay, Kyndall’s Reserve 2013, and a delightful Pinot Noir, Karmen Isabella 2013, which was paired with mouth-watering North African Meatballs with Spiced Tomato Sauce.  As a special treat, the 2014 Late Harvest Syrah was served with homemade chocolate chip cookies.   www.duttonestate.com

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Jordan Winery’s Wine & Food Pairing Is Alexander Valley’s Crown Jewel

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For one of the most memorable wine tasting experiences in Sonoma Wine Country, visit Jordan Winery in the stoic Alexander Valley.  Founded in 1972, Tom and Sally Jordan had a vision to produce great “approachable” Bordeaux-style California Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Inspired and fashioned after a French château, the Jordan Winery is at the top of the A-list for winery tours.  No detail is too small, nor overlooked. Guests meet in the stately lobby for a guided walking tour of the grounds and production area, followed by a first-class private seated wine and food pairing in the château.

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“Unique amongst Healdsburg wineries, more than three-quarters of the scenic estate has been preserved as natural habitat—an oasis where craggy oak trees pepper the landscape, geese and ducks swim the lakes, and rabbits and turkeys roam the hills. The property includes 112 acres of grapevines, 18 acres of olive trees, a one-acre garden, two lakes and several grazing pastures. The diversity of ecosystems on the estate encourages beneficial insects and other predators that support our sustainable farming practices”.                   

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Dry Creek’s Sbragia Family Vineyards Sono Molto Belle

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Driving through the scenic Dry Creek Valley AVA reminds me of Tuscany with very similar climate, topography and grape varietals.  As a matter of fact, there is a collective of Italian immigrants and wine growers that have settled in Dry Creek for that very reason.

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Soft rolling hills and long meandering roads lead to Sbragia Family Vineyards at the far end of Healdsburg’s Dry Creek Road.  Climbing up the steep driveway, the panoramic view spans from the Rockpile AVA and Sonoma Dam to the Alexander Valley.  Sbragia Family Vineyards is truly one of the prettiest views in all of Northern Sonoma County.

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The Sbragia family has deep roots, literally, in Dry Creek Valley, having farmed the area for over 100 years.  Grapes are sourced from the family vineyards located in Healdsburg, Alexander, Sonoma and Napa Valleys.   [Read more…]

Iconic Merry Edwards Winery Embraces Pinot Noir Lovers

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IMG_8521 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.

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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.

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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…]