UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

For The Love Of Grapes ~ Harvest Time In Sonoma County

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IMG_9681An exhilarating time to experience Sonoma County Wine Country is during the harvest, which for the second year in a row, began as one of the earliest on record.

karissa“Growers have kept a fast pace since the start of harvest here in Sonoma County,” said Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. “For some, picking schedules that usually occur over the course of a month have been condensed into a one or two week time frame this season.”

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By Labor Day, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir had already been picked in the Russian River Valley and the vines were starting to yellow.  The vineyard activity was quiet, however, the cellar workers were in high gear!

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Littorai Wines, Sebastopol  ~ Sorting Table 

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Dutton Estate, Russian River Valley ~ Field Bins [Read more…]

Chateau St. Jean Vineyard & Winery Exudes Old World Charm

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Magnificent gardens, ornate statuary, grand water features and an incredible backdrop of Sugarloaf Ridge greet guests at Chateau St. Jean Vineyard & Winery.  Just outside of Kenwood in Sonoma County, this heavenly estate is reminiscent of a turn of the century French manor, surrounded by 90+ acres of vineyards.

IMG_8338Chateau St. Jean was constructed in 1920 as a summer home for the Goff family, who were iron magnates from Michigan.  Today, the home has been listed in the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is open to the public.  Parlor-style tasting rooms on the upper level are available for private tastings and events.

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Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren has handcrafted over 30 vintages for Chateau St. Jean.   An early pioneer of single vineyard grape sourcing, it is Margo’s belief that “great wines are grown”. [Read more…]

If Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs’ Old Vines Could Talk

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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…]

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…]

Russian River Valley’s Upscale Lynmar Estate Is Trendy & Chic

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Russian River Valley is pretty laid-back and casual as far as wine regions go.  That’s what I like best about visiting this enclave in Northern Sonoma County.  No pretentious know-it-alls, not a lot of flash and show… winemakers are approachable and very down-to-earth and the locals are friendly and quick to start conversations with strangers.

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By happenstance, I discovered  Lynmar Estate and now it’s one of my all-time favorite tasting room stops in the northern Sonoma wine country.  Contemporary and chic, Lynmar Estate has an ethereal draw the minute you pass through the front gates.

IMG_6624Lynmar Estate is comprised of 70 rolling acres of 15 clones of Pinot Noir, four clones of Chardonnay, and a block of Syrah,  The original vines are more than 40 years old, and provided early grape stock to noted Russian River Valley Pinot Noir wine makers Merry Edwards and Tony Soter. [Read more…]