UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Jordan Winery’s Chateau Block Vineyard Tasting Is Unforgettable

by

Looking for a memorable Sonoma wine country tasting experience?  Check out Jordan Winery & Vineyard’s Chateau Block vineyard tasting for a one-of-a-kind seated tasting high atop a noted Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard.  Overlooking the majestic peaks of the Mayacamas and Alexander Valley, you’re sure to be wowed by the wines and the food pairing.

Hosted by a knowledgeable sommelier with a dizzying array of the local Journeyman Meat Co. salumi, cheese and complimentary estate olive oil and artisan bread, this custom tasting features a Chardonnay and three French-inspired Cabernet Sauvignon vintages.  The intimate picnic-style tasting venue overlooking the famed Chateau Block vineyards is a pleasant 10 minute uphill hike to a very special place under the giant oaks.

The 1,200 acre Jordan estate is Certified Sonoma Sustainable and is also a Certified California Sustainable Vineyard & Winery.  In addition, Jordan is accredited for Fish Friendly Farming, Ranch Friendly Farming and Bee Friendly Farming.

Interesting to note, only 120 acres are planted to grapes.  The vast majority of the property is a natural habit for wildlife, fish and birds.  The paved entry leading to the main reception area and winery is a scenic one-mile drive winding through the oaks and vineyards, traversing creeks along the way.

Definitely worth a visit, Jordan Winery features many unique tasting experiences, spectacular tours and culinary events.

2021’s Top 10 Winery Picks off Russian River Valley’s Iconic Westside Road

by

Thought I’d share my favorite Top 10, most fun, top notch wineries along Russian River’s highly touted Westside Road.  If you’re new to Russian River Valley and love artisanal Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon, I highly recommend planning a few days wine tasting on Westside Road.  Starting from the far west end of Westside Road, moving toward Healdsburg, here are my top 10 picks for 2021 ~ Cheers!

1.  Moshin Vineyards – One of my all-time favorite wineries at the far west end of Westside Road!  Look for the giant metal hummingbird hovering over the treetops to guide the way to the tasting room.  Moshin is always fun and funky, with unique local art displayed in the tasting room.  There’s a wide range of of small production wines available for tasting, including sparkling wine and a great line up of Pinot Noir.  Friendly wine hosts engage with the guests and are eager to share their stories.

 2.  Porter Creek Vineyards – No trip is complete without a visit to Porter Creek.  The dollhouse-like tasting room holds about six people comfortably but long-time wine host Jonathan will always make room for more.  The Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines are meticulously crafted by winemaker Alex Davis, who studied viticulture at the Université de Bourgogne before taking the reins at the family winery.  Other varietals produced include Viognier, Syrah, Zinfandel and Carignane.

3.  Thomas George Estates – Plan ahead and reserve a cave wine tasting or take a wine safari aboard a vintage Pinzgauer to the top of Baker Ridge vineyard to revel at the panoramic view.  Enjoy an estate four course picnic lunch, complete with a select bottle of estate Pinot Noir.  Thomas George was originally a hop kiln in the 1920s, later owned by the late wine pioneer Davis Bynum who planted some of the first Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Grenache Noir in Russian River Valley.  Truly a spectacular property with gorgeous lush gardens and towering trees, and of course, a wine cave.

4.  Landmark Vineyards at Hop Kiln Estate – Heading toward Healdsburg at a hairpin turn, you’ll find the historic Walters Hop Kiln.   Built in 1905 by a crew of Italian stonemasons, it represents the finest existing example of its type, consisting of three stone kilns for drying hops, a wooden cooler, and a two-story press for bailing hops.  In the late 1890’s, the property was a stagecoach stop.  Here you’ll find mostly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Grenache and Pinot Gris.  Now corporate-owned by Landmark, the ambience is still rustic and worthy of a quick stop to grab a glass and marvel at the restored hop kilns.

5.  MacRostie Winery & Vineyards – Hands down, some of the best views along Westside Road, looking out to Mount Saint Helena and the Mayacamas.  One of the newer wineries, MacRostie, is always packed to capacity, so reserve days ahead.  The tastings are seated and not rushed, with great individual interaction with entertaining and knowledgeable wine hosts.  Guests are greeted with a cold glass of Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc, depending on the season, and escorted to a view table. Side by side tastings are common with the many single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.  Can’t say enough about MacRostie ~ it’s top of the list for me! [Read more…]

Kickstart The Weekend In DRNK’s Wine Cave

by

No better way to kick off your Russian River Valley Wine tasting trek than at DRNK off Frei Road in Sebastopol.  Ryan Kunde is one of my favorite, and most talented, winemakers in Sonoma County and is known to showcase the most diverse wine tasting flights.  Ryan is in a league of his own as a fifth generation winegrower from the notable Sonoma 1880s pioneer wine family of Kunde.

DRNK is a moniker for the first initials of inlaws Dale and Nancy Dougherty and wife Katy.  Founded in 2012, DRNK is one of only four wine caves in the RRV AVA and features one of the most diverse and fun wine tasting experiences.  An avid drone pilot, Ryan uses the technology to scout new vineyards and to source fruit from premium vineyard sites throughout Sonoma County.

DRNK‘s vibrant 2020 Sauvignon Blanc and the five Bordeaux varietals found in the 2018 Red Blend are grown on the Kunde Estate’s Wildwood Vineyards in Sonoma Valley.  Looking for something different?  Try the 2020 Pinot Gris ‘Orange Wine’ from Bennet Valley.  A perfect Summer wine, as is the very limited 2020 Rose of Pinot Noir from the Russian Valley. For the traditionalists, the stellar lineup of Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast’s 2017 Pinot Hill Vineyards or 2018 Russian River Green Valley vineyards is always guaranteed to please. [Read more…]

California Wineries Are Now “Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop…”

by

So what does “waiting for the other shoe to drop” really mean?  Here’s a little backstory to the ominous phrase.  In the tenements of New York City in the late 19th and early 20th century, apartments were built with bedrooms stacking another. It was common to hear your upstairs neighbor take off a shoe, drop it, and then repeat the action.  Hence, “waiting for the other shoe to drop,” literally means waiting for something to happen that you feel is inevitable.  Much like all of 2020, California wineries are now “waiting for the other shoe to drop” and will be keeping a close eye on neighboring Oregon’s Willamette Valley during the next month.

Last week, Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown announced that a two-week statewide lockdown will begin November 18th, shuttering all restaurants, bars and tasting rooms for on-site consumption, both indoor and outdoor, to help slow the spread of Covid-19.  Many wine industry experts fear the same will happen in California in the coming months.  For now, wineries statewide are struggling to keep the outdoor patio areas open for tasting and bottle sales during the cooler fall temperatures.  It is no surprise that the big winners are the party rental companies who supply the canvas tents, tables, chairs and portable propane heaters.  Several wineries in Russian River Valley are being proactive and constructing permanent covered outdoor seating areas, hoping to attract visitors in the off-months, weather permitting.

In the meantime, as we all wait for the return to “normalcy”, check out the myriad of virtual wine tastings and events offered online.  High-end wineries offer personalized virtual group tastings  which bring family and friends together in a fun, festive way.  So raise your glass high and support your favorite local wineries and order holiday wines online!  Cheers ~

Russian River Valley Welcomes Visitors in Uncertain Times…

by

I had the pleasure to take a quick jaunt to Russian River Valley in North Sonoma County over the long Labor Day weekend with my lovely daughter Tara.   Perhaps, not the most ideal time to visit due to the smoldering wildfires, extreme heat and the pandemic.  But, it felt really good to travel again and to visit my favorite wineries and see familiar faces.  We were well-received all weekend and experienced some of the grandest tastings with super personal service.

Our first tasting adventure started at Dutton Estate for a Dusk Wine Tasting.  We were greeted by friendly faces with Dutton’s estate Hard Cider in hand and led to our table amidst the summer blooms surrounded by the vineyards and towering pines. Dutton’s Estate Sauvignon Blanc and gourmet charcuterie plate was most fitting for the glorious sundowner.

Our wine trip itinerary was focused primarily on Westside Road, where days before, all of the residents and wineries had been evacuated from the raging Wallbridge Fire, still semi-active over the crest of the hill.   A major arterial roadway, Westside Road had been closed in both directions for several weeks and was used by the fire crews to travel from Jenner to Dry Creek during the initial fire outbreak.

What was on everyone’s mind, but rarely spoken, was the topic of possible smoke taint in the vineyards.  Harvest was already mid-way in RRV with fruit still on the vines in many vineyards

Smoke taint would be the bane of many large and small growers and winemakers alike.  There was great uncertainty hanging in the smoky air with many wondering if there would be an actual 2020 wine production.

Our top reservation tastings included MacRostie Vineyards, Arista Vineyards and Flowers Vineyards, all off Westside Road.  As is elsewhere in California wine country, wine tastings are permitted outside only,  by appointment, with social distancing and face masks required when not seated.  Other than that, it was business as usual, albeit, without the crowds.  Winery staff were very gracious everywhere we went and happy to have visitors once again. [Read more…]