Rick's Wine Country Journal

Too Much Wine to Taste in Carneros

2009-07-07T15:40:00.002-07:00

The Mondavi family is no longer involved in the Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville. However, Robert's son, Michael, is still in the wine business through his company, Folio Wine Partners. The company imports a number of wines and produces wine at its Folio Winemakers Studio in the Napa portion of Carneros

Folio also lets other winemakers use the Studio's facilities to produce their own wines. As a result, the list of wines available for tasting is quite extensive. At Folio you can taste Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and other wines.

When you arrive you'll be greeted by the friendly staff and given two lists of wines available for tasting. Decide which tasting you'd like to do, check off the wines you want to taste, and the staff will begin to walk you through your tasting. Take your wine to the deck overlooking the vineyard and you may never leave.

Folio is open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. If you would like to take a private wine country tour that includes a visit to Folio, contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or at Rick@BlueHeronTours.com.

One Day in the Anderson Valley

2009-06-27T08:25:00.003-07:00

The Anderson Valley in Mendocino County is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the Napa Valley. Tasting rooms tend to be small, friendly, and less pretentious. If you like PinotNoir, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and other Alsatian varietals, you'll enjoy a day of winetasting in the Anderson Valley.

Seventeen wineries that are members of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers have tasting rooms that are open to the public for drop-in tasting. Over the past few years I have visited all of these tasting rooms except for Brutacao. Here's my list of tasting rooms to visit if I had but one day in the Anderson Valley and did not want to make any appointments.

Navarro Vineyards is one of the oldest wineries in the Anderson Valley. The wines are terrific and the tasting room is friendly. Navarro produces a wide variety of wines with grapes from the Anderson Valley and other regions in Mendocino County. It's a great spot for a picnic lunch.

Roederer Estate consistently produces some of the best sparkling wine in California. When Champagne Louis Roederer planted its first vineyards in the Anderson Valley in 1982 and released its first wine in 1988, the world noticed.

Toulouse Vineyards is nothing fancy. You just taste some great wines among the tanks and barrels. Plus I'm a sucker for silly mottoes like "Too tense, Toulouse."

Claudia Springs Winery's tasting room makes Toulouse's look pretentious. The tasting room is in an old building with "warehouse ambiance" on the side of route 128. When we visited, Claudia walked us through an array of Claudia Springs and Harmonique wines.

I like folk art as does Milla Handley, winemaker and owner of Handley Cellars. When you visit the tasting rooms, you get to taste some pretty good wine and see part of Milla's folk art collection. Like Navarro, Handley Cellars makes a wide array of wines.

Since five wineries is the most I can visit in one day, I'm going to stop here. I've limited this posting to wineries that do not require appointments. If you want to make an appointment or two, you might check out Esterlina, Londer, or Foursight. If you would like to take a private tour of the Anderson Valley and the Mendocino Coast that includes visits to some of these wineries, contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or Rick@BlueHeronTours.com.

Too Tense? Toulouse

2009-06-17T10:04:00.002-07:00

Toulouse Vineyards, a small, family-owned winery, made its first wine in 2002. Today Toulouse makes well regarded Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rosé. The wines had been commended to me so I thought I would check out the winery on my recent visit to the Anderson Valley.

I knew I would like Toulouse as I soon as I saw the sign with the large duck and the winery's motto, "Too Tense? Toulouse." The tasting room is inside the winery and has no pretensions. The staff is friendly and guides you through a leisurely tasting of Toulouse's current releases. When we tasted the rose, we were given a small creme brulee to pair with the wine. I've never been a Rosé fan, but I loved the creme brulee.

If you're winetasting in the Anderson Valley, you'll taste a lot of Pinot Noir and Alsatian varietals. I would definitely include Toulouse as a stop during your visit. The tasting room is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. If you would like to take a private tour of the Anderson Valley and the Mendocino County Coast, please contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or Rick@BlueHeronTours.com.

Northern California: An Explorer's Guide

2009-06-08T08:57:00.005-07:00

This new guidebook, written by San Francisco resident, Michele Bigley, was just released on June 1. It's a great resource for travel in San Francisco, the Bay Area, and all of Northern California - from Big Sur to the Oregon border.

Here's what Michele had to say about Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel, "A wealth of knowledge, Rick takes folks on customized tours of the Bay Area, Wine Country, Central Coast, Mendocino, and even the Sierra Foothills. You tell him what you want and he'll create the ideal trip. He knows more about wine and food than most."

Many thanks to Michelle for the nice review. If you're planning a trip to San Francisco, you can pick up "Northern California: An Explorer's Guide" at most good bookstores.

If you'd like to take a tour with a guide who "knows more about wine and food than most," please phone me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me at Rick@BlueHeronTours.com.

Great Breakfast on the Mendocino Coast

2009-06-01T08:37:00.009-07:00

As I've written in the past, the small village of Elk is one of my favorite places on the Mendocino coast. There are at least 5 bed and breakfasts sitting on the bluff overlooking the coast.

On our recent trip, we stayed in a vacation rental so had to cook our own breakfast or eat out. We, of course, headed to Queenie's Roadhouse Cafe. This unpretentious restaurant shares an old building with an auto mechanic. When you walk into the cafe, you are likely to see locals and tourists enjoying Queenie's egg dishes, waffles, pancakes, and other breakfast specialties. You'll also notice the fresh made pie sitting on the counter and the many signs on the walls extolling the virtues of being a Queen.

Come with an appetite as the portions are huge. But don't come if you're in a hurry. Each dish is individually prepared by Queenie herself so your breakfast may take some time to come to the table. Just remember that you're on vacation and good food is the top priority. Also, people watching on the Mendocino coast can be interesting. To paraphrase Dorothy, you'll know that you're not in Kansas anymore. When the food arrives at your table, you won't be disappointed.

Queenie's is open for breakfast and lunch from Thursday through Monday. Elk is located on California Route 1 about 20 minutes south of the town of Mendocino. Queenie's has a street address but it won't do you much good. Just look for the sign on the inland side of the road near the southern end of Elk. If you're coming from the Anderson Valley, take the Philo-Greenwood Road and turn right on Route 1.

If you would like to take a private tour of the Anderson Valley wine country and the Mendocino County coast that includes one of Queenie's meals, please contact contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 or Rick@BlueHeronTours.com.

Enter the Zip Code for Nome, Alaska

2009-05-07T09:34:00.003-07:00

This is the greeting you get when you call Frog's Leap Winery and get their answering service. It's just one example of Frog's Leap's efforts to not take itself too seriously.

Frog's Leap produces an array of excellent reds and whites, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes the winery a great place to visit when you have some folks in your group who prefer whites and others who prefer reds.

Visiting Frog's Leap is a very casual experience, no over-the-top Napa Valley ego here. You'll get a hint of Frog's Leap's style when you see the sign on the driveway that points to the left for "Work" and to the right for "Play." You'll want to head to right and enter what looks like an old farmhouse. The building is actually just a few years old and is built with many recyclable materials. If it's cold outside, you'll want to sit in the main "living room" by the fireplace. If it's warm and sunny, the deck is a nice place to relax for a few minutes.

The tour and tasting at Frog's Leap lasts about 90 minutes and includes a walk through the gardens and winery. You'll sample some of Frog's Leap's current releases along the way and learn about the winery's history and philosophy. There is no charge for the tour and tasting but a prior appointment is required. During the busy summer and fall months, tours can fill up so try to make an appointment well in advance. The winery is open Monday through Saturday.

If you would like to take a private Napa Valley tour that includes a visit to Frog's Leap Winery, please contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4137 or Rick@BlueHeronTours.com.

More Than Wine In Sonoma Wine Country

2009-05-06T10:44:00.004-07:00

I haven't had a chance to post recently. However, the May edition of "Rick's Tips" is about Sonoma County's wine country. To see the newsletter, click here.

If you would like to subscribe to "Rick's Tips," please follow the link in the newsletter. If you would like to take a private, custom tour of Sonoma's wine country, please call Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Wineries with Gardens

2009-03-26T09:13:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, a guest inquired about visiting wineries with beautiful gardens. I hadn't really thought about this but, after a little thought, my top three recommendations were Matanzas Creek, Ferrari Carano, and Kendall Jackson's Wine Center; all in Sonoma County.

Matanzas Creek lies east of the city of Santa Rosa in Bennett Valley. The winery is surrounded by a spectacular lavender garden. If you visit in June, when the flowers are usually at their peak, you will see hillsides covered in purple flowers surrounded by native grasses and olive trees. Matanzas Creek is located a fair distance from other wineries, so you have to make it a destination. If you enjoy beautiful lavender, you will not be disappointed. The winery is open for tasting daily from 10:00 to 4:30. Tours are available by prior appointment at 10:30 and 2:30 from Monday through Friday and at 10:30 on Saturday.

Ferrari Carano is located at the northern end of Dry Creek Valley. Formal French/Italian gardens surround Villa Fiore, the winery's visitor center. When you arrive at the winery, you can stroll along the paths and bridges among the more than 2,000 species of plants in this very sculptured garden. The garden includes over 10,000 tulips and daffodils. If you phone (707) 433-5349 in the late winter/early spring, you can find out if the flowers are at their peak. Ferrari Carano is open daily from 10:00 to 5:00 for tasting. Tours are offered by prior appointment at 10:00 from Monday through Saturday. Appointments may also be made for private tastings for groups of six or fewer from Monday through Saturday.

Kendall Jackson's Wine Center is located in Fulton, between Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. The tasting room is surrounded by culinary and sensory gardens. The sensory gardens are divided into sections containing flavors found in the various wines produced by Kendall Jackson. The Red Wine Sensory Garden has sections devoted to Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Cabernet, and other red varietals. The White Wine Sensory Garden includes sections featuring Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and other wines. The Culinary Gardens include a variety of vegetables and hers. Complimentary tours of the gardens are offered daily at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00, weather permitting. There's not much to see during the winter months, so try to visit between March and October. The tasting room is open daily from 10:00 to 5:00.

Other wineries have pretty gardens, but these three are at the top of my list. If you would like to take a private wine country tour that includes visits to these wineries, please contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Casual Lunch in the Russian River Valley

2009-03-09T10:34:00.002-07:00

Graton is a small town in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Its business district is one block long but houses two nice, casual restaurants for lunch: Willow Wood Market and Underwood Bar and Bistro. The similar names are no coincidence; the restaurants have the same owner.

Both are good, but I prefer Willow Wood. I like both the atmosphere and food a little better at Willow Wood. I also like the option of dining outside. Willow Wood's lunch menu features a number of excellent salads, sandwiches, and dishes featuring polenta. My favorites are the smoked trout salad and roast pork tenderloin sandwich. On Sundays, Willow Wood also serves brunch, with a menu that includes many egg dishes. Willowwood Market serves lunch from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. On Sundays, brunch is served from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Underwood's menu is a little more substantial than Willow Wood's. The lunch menu includes a selection of oysters, salads, sandwiches, fish and pasta selections, and other hearty dishes. Underwood is open for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Nearby wineries include Lynmar, Iron Horse, and Dutton Estate Sebastopol Vineyards.

If you would like to take a private tour of the Russian River Valley that includes lunch at Willow Wood Mark or Underwood Bar and Bistro, please contact Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel by calling (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or by clicking here.

Bocce, Fresh-Baked Bread, Olive Oil, and Even Some Wine

2009-02-25T08:36:00.003-08:00

Preston of Dry Creek is a family-run, organic farm and winery in the Dry Creek Valley region of Sonoma County. Lou and Susan Preston bought their first land in the Dry Creek Valley in 1973. At that time, there were more prunes on the land than grapes. They produced their first wine in 1975 - Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then the winery has grown and downsized. Today the winery focuses on Rhone varietals such as Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignane, Cinsault, Viognier, and Rousanne, as well as Zinfandel.

Preston is a fun, casual place to visit. For five dollars, you can taste four wines from the menu. Some freshly baked bread is usually for sale, so bring some cheese and other food and stay for a picnic. The tasting room also sells olive oil, olives, and organic produce from the garden.

Want to have a little fun after you taste Preston's wine and enjoy your picnic lunch? Try your hand at a game of bocce - the Italian bowling game.

Preston is at the northern end of the Dry Creek Valley at 9282 Dry Creek Road. The tasting room is open daily from 11:00 - 4:30 p.m. If you would like to take a private tour of the Dry Creek Valley that includes a stop at Preston, please phone me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Bubbly in Mendocino County

2009-02-16T10:32:00.003-08:00

I'm cheating a bit on this post. Since my last two posts were on bubbly in Napa and Sonoma, I thought it would be good to do a third on bubbly in Mendocino County. However, I wrote about sparkling wine in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County 9 months ago. Therefore, I'll just include a link to the old post: http://winecountry.blueherontours.com/2008/05/sparkling-wine-in-anderson-valley.html.

Since I'm talking about the Anderson Valley, this coming weekend, February 21 and 22, is their International Alsace Varietals Festival. For more information, visit www.avwines.com.

If you would like to take a private tour of the Anderson Valley, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Bubbly in Sonoma County

2009-02-11T11:14:00.003-08:00

The Russian River Valley is the place for sparkling wine in Sonoma County. This wine region produces world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, two of the three grapes used in Champagne. (The other is Pinot Meunier.)

The three principal producers of sparkling wine in the Russian River Valley are Iron Horse Vineyards, J Vineyards and Winery, and Korbel. All three are well worth visiting.

Iron Horse has a simple, outdoor tasting area atop a hill covered with vineyards. Tasting bubbly on a sunny day while gazing out over the rolling hills of vineyards is an only-in-California experience. Don't expect any fancy dump buckets here. Just throw whatever you don't want to drink onto the grass. The winery offers flights of still or sparkling wines at various prices from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Tours are offered by prior appointments on weekdays. Iron Horse can get crowded on weekends, so try to visit on a weekday when you will get more personal attention.

J Winery provides a nice contrast to Iron Horse. The tasting is much more upscale looking. A flight of four still and sparkling wines is offered daily. In addition, J recently started a tasting of their small-production wines in their main tasting room. For a special experience, visit the Bubble Room on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. With a prior appointment, you can taste J's white, red, and/or sparkling wine paired with delicious foods.

Korbel is the westernmost tasting room in the Russian River Valley. It's not near other wineries, so make sure you want to invest the driving time to get to Korbel. When you arrive, you'll find beautiful brick buildings, a nice cafe with indoor and outside dining, a large gift shop, and more types of sparkling wine than any other producer in Sonoma or Napa County. Korbel also offers regularly scheduled tours.

Carneros, which lies in both Napa and Sonoma Counties, also produces excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Gloria Ferrer, the American outpost of the Catalan cava house - Freixenet, produces high quality bubbly in the Sonoma side of Carneros. The tasting is pretty simple at Gloria Ferrer. Walk up to the counter, order a glass of bubbly, and take it to a table in the tasting room or on the terrace overlooking the vineyards. Gloria Ferrer offers tours, but call first to make sure they will be offered on the day you plan to visit.

If you would like to take a private tour of Sonoma County's sparkling wine producers, please feel free to call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Bubbly in the Napa Valley

2009-02-04T12:56:00.004-08:00

While the Napa Valley is best known for Cabernet, some world-class sparkling wine is produced there. Three of the French Champagne producers have long had outposts in Napa. The first was Domaine Chandon, part of the Moet Chandon empire. This was followed by Mumm Napa, a sister winery to GH Mumm and Perrier Jouet in Champagne and part of the Pernod Ricard group, and Domaine Carneros, which was founded by Champagne Taittinger in 1987.

Of the three, my favorite to visit is Domaine Carneros in the Carneros Region of Napa County. Table service is provided on the terrace in front of the Chateau, a wonderful spot to enjoy bubbly on a sunny day. You can also pair cheese, caviar, and other foods with your wine.

Mumm Napa also offers table service on a sunny terrace overlooking the vineyards. They also have a photography gallery with rotating exhibits and photos by Ansel Adams. Mumm does not offer food pairings, but does have a free tour of the winery. Domaine Chandon tends to get crowded. While you can enjoy your wine at a table, you need to take your glass back to the bar when you are ready to move on to the next wine.

Two wineries best known for Cabernet also offer bubbly. Frank Family in St. Helena is one of the last wineries in Napa not to charge a tasting fee. However, that does not mean the wine is not good. Your visit to Frank Family will start with a tasting of their current release sparkling wines, followed by a tasting of their still wines. Frank Family has one of the friendliest tasting rooms in the Valley. Try to avoid Saturdays as they do get crowded. When Cliff Lede bought S. Anderson to open his eponymous winery, he inherited about 10 years' supply of S. Anderson's bubbly. If you visit Cliff Lede within the next year or two, they should still have some S. Anderson sparkling wine available for tasting.

Schramsberg is one of the premier producers of California sparkling wine. The winery is at the far northern end of the Napa Valley, near Calistoga. Your tasting comes with a tour of the winery that includes a visit to caves built by Chinese laborers in the 19th century. Schramsberg is very popular and tastings, which require advance appointments, tend to fill up early on summer weekends. So plan ahead if you want to see this historic property.

If you'd like to take a private Napa tour that focuses on sparkling wine, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Dining at a Winery

2009-01-21T08:49:00.003-08:00

Most visitors to wine country are surprised to learn that it is nearly impossible to dine at a winery. To protect the agricultural nature of Sonoma and Napa Counties, the areas outside of the towns and cities are zoned agricultural. As a result, restaurants are prohibited in the agricultural parts of the counties.

Some wineries do wine and cheese pairings. V.Sattui, in the Napa Valley, has a delicatessen where you can pick up food to take to the winery's picnic area. However, in Napa County, only one winery has a full restaurant.

Domaine Chandon has had a restaurant since its visitor center opened in 1977. Its restaurant was allowed to continue when the zoning restrictions where enacted. Etoile serves upscale California/French cuisine in a refined dining room. On a nice day, enjoy the garden view while lunching on their terrace. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Thursday - Monday, except in November in December when it is open from Thursday - Sunday and in January when the restaurant is closed.

Only two wineries have restaurant permits in Sonoma County. Francis Ford Coppola bought the old Chateau Souverain winery a few years ago. Along with the winery came a restaurant permit. The winery is now Rosso and Bianco, where Coppola produces his mid-priced wines. When Coppola took over ownership, he started serving very good Italian food in the winery's restaurant. Unfortunately, the restaurant, still unnamed, is closed for remodeling. Hopefully, when the restaurant reopens, the food still will be good and diners will once again be able to enjoy a meal on the terrace overlooking the vineyards.

In the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, the old Topolos winery had a restaurant. The winery, along with the restaurant, closed a few years ago. The property was sold and is now called Russian River Vineyards. The tasting room is open, but the restaurant has not yet reopened.

Many wineries have permits for private events. If you are coming to wine country with a large group, you can arrange a private meal at many wineries, some of which have spectacular settings.

If you want recommendations for wineries to host your private meal or wish to take a private tour of wine country, please feel free to call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Cozy Winery in the Russian River Valley

2008-12-29T12:04:00.003-08:00

It was cold outside. When my group walked into the tasting room at C. Donatiello Winery they immediately gravitated to the leather chairs in front of the fire place. They would have been content to just stare at the fire, but Pinot Noir and Chardonnay awaited them.

C. Donatiello is a lovely new winery on Westside Road, southwest of Healdsburg, in the Russian River Valley. The winery focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the grapes that made the Russian River Valley famous. Not only can you taste an array of wines in the cozy tasting room, but you can also stroll through the surrounding organic aroma gardens. Plants in the garden represent the flavors and aromas associated with Pinot and Chardonnay.

During the summer, C. Donatiello hosts a number of events, including concerts by well-known musicians. You can here the likes of Booker T. Jones while picnicking on the terrace next to the aroma garden. Space is extremely limited, so check the winery's website for a list of upcoming events.

The tasting room is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

If you would like to take a private tour of the Russian River that includes a visit to C. Donatiello, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Winetasting During the Holidays

2008-12-18T13:07:00.003-08:00

Many tasting rooms operate on different schedules during the weeks of Christmas and New Year's. If you are planning on doing some winetasting in Northern California during the holidays, you might want to call your favorite wineries in advance to make sure their tasting rooms will be open. If that's too much work, here's some general guidance.

Most wineries will open and close at their regular times each day from December 21 through January 3, except on December 24, 25, and 31 and on January 1. A few of the small wineries will close for a few days during this period.

Most wineries will close early on Christmas Eve and a few will be closed entirely. After 2:00 p.m., there are very few tasting rooms open on December 24. Wineries also may decide to close earlier than planned if business is slow.

All tasting rooms are closed on Christmas Day.

Most wineries will close early on New Year's Eve; although some will stay open until their regular closing times. After 2:00 p.m., definitely call prior to visiting a tasting room to see if it is open.

Only a handful of wineries are open on New Year's Day. I know that Nicholson Ranch near Carneros and V. Sattui in Napa are open, but I am sure there are a few more. Phone ahead of your visit to confirm if the tasting room will be open.

If you would like to take a private wine country during the holidays or in 2009, please feel free to phone me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here. Blue Heron will be closed on both Christmas and New Year's Day.

2 for 1 in the Russian River Valley

2008-12-12T13:12:00.002-08:00

One tasting room, two wineries. That's what you'll find when you visit Balletto Winery and Dutton-Goldfield Winery.

John Balletto has been farming for over 30 years; first vegetables and now grapes. In 2001, the family began making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from grapes they grew. Since then, they have expanded their vineyards to approximately 400 acres and added Zinfandel, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Syrah to their portfolio of wines. The family continues to sell most of their grapes to some of the area's top wineries.

Dutton-Goldfield Winery makes wine at Balletto Winery and pours their wines in the same tasting room. The winery was founded in 1998 by Steve Dutton and Dan Goldfield. Steve and his family manage over 1,000 acres of vineyard. Dan's passion is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which he first made at La Crema and then at Hartford Court, before moving on to Dutton-Goldfield.

When you visit the Balletto and Dutton-Goldfield Tasting Room, you will be able to sample current releases from both of these small producers. Friendly staff will guide you through one or both winery's wines. The tasting room is located at 5700 Occidental Road, just west of Santa Rosa and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

If you would like to take a private tour of the Russian River Valley that includes a visit to the Balletto and Dutton-Goldfield Tasting Room, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Winetasting in Nevada County

2008-11-18T13:57:00.002-08:00

Nevada County is not the first place that comes to mind when one thinks about California wine. It is also gets lost among the Sierra Foothills wine regions. However, there are 16 wineries located within short drives of Nevada City and Grass Valley that are ready to welcome you to their tasting rooms.

Two wineries have tasting rooms in Nevada City -- Indian Springs Vineyards and Nevada City Winery -- and three in Grass Valley -- Burch Hall & Coyoteville Wineries, Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery, and Sierra Starr Vineyards. All of these tasting rooms are open daily, from between 11:00 a.m. and noon to around 5:00 p.m.

The balance have tasting rooms at their wineries. The wineries are far apart from each other and not on main roads. A tasting room map will help you plan your visit. You can download one from Northen Sierra Wine Country's website. Many of these wineries are open to the public on Saturday afternoons and some are also open on Sunday afternoons. Appointments are needed to visit these wineries on weekdays. Some wineries always require an appointment to visit.

These wineries are mostly small, family affairs. Ten thousand cases is a lot of production in Nevada County. We visited five tasting rooms on a recent visit and found friendly staff everywhere. Usually there is no charge to taste.

Most of the wine is very reasonably priced, with most wines costing between $10 and $25 per bottle. Unfortunately, at these prices, many of the wineries cannot afford to buy the best in winemaking equipment. New French oak barrels are out of the question. Staves and used barrels are sometimes used. My favorite wines were at Sierra Star in Grass Valley.

In my last post, I highly recommended a visit to the charming town of Nevada City. If you find yourself in the area, you might want to visit a couple of the tasting rooms. However, I wouldn't recommend heading to the area solely to winetaste. The wineries are too far apart and the wine not of sufficient quality to make the Nevada County wine region a destination unto itself.

If you would like to have a private tour to Nevada City and/or Grass Valley, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Charming Nevada City

2008-11-11T10:15:00.002-08:00

Nevada County is at the northern end of California's Gold Country, about one hour northeast of Sacramento and about 2 1/2 - 3 hours from San Francisco. The county is home to at least 15 wineries, which I'll talk about in my next post. First I want to highlight the charming town of Nevada City.

The first gold miners settled along Deer Creek in 1849. The town quickly grew with 30,000 people calling Nevada City home at one time. Today Nevada City is much smaller with just 3,000 people living in town. The central business district is on the registry of National Historic Landmarks. City law requires that the downtown area keep its 19th century appearance. Walk down any street and you will see many Victorian homes and buildings.

Fall is a nice time to visit Nevada City. The summer's heat has dissipated and the winter rains have yet to come. Many streets are lined with maple trees and, as a result, this is one of the few places in Northern California where you can see fall foliage. Broad, Main, and Commercial Streets are home to many antique stores, boutiques, galleries, and interesting shops.

The town is home to a number of restaurants. We dined at New Moon Cafe and Citronee Bistro and Wine Bar. New Moon Cafe features California cuisine, while Cintronee is more American albeit with a French influence. New Moon Cafe has a very interesting wine list that includes wines from some lesser known wine regions. You're sure to find something tasty at either restaurant. If you want a taste of New Orleans at lunch or breakfast, stop by Ike's Quarter Cafe.

Nevada City is home to many bed and breakfasts. We stayed at Emma Nevada House. Innkeeper Andy Howard will give you an overview of the house's interesting history upon your arrival. In the morning, you'll wake up to Susan Howard's delicious breakfast. Rooms are pretty good size and quite comfortable. If you enjoy Victorian bed and breakfasts, you'll want to check out Emma Nevada House.

For something a little different, try the Outside Inn. This typical roadside motel was refurbished with each room featuring a different outdoor theme. Rooms are quirky, clean, and very reasonably priced.

Whether you are a Bay Area resident in need of a weekend away from the city or an international visitor seeking some old west character, head up to Nevada City for a couple of days. You'll not be disappointed.

If you would like to take a private tour of California's Gold Country that includes a visit to Nevada City or you have a group that would like to visit Nevada City for a couple of days, Blue Heron can take care of your travel arrangements. Just call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Wineries with Caves

2008-10-21T19:52:00.004-07:00

I frequently get asked to visit wineries that have caves. Most wineries do not have caves as they do not have access to hills in which to drill caves. When wineries do have hills, they often chose to excavate caves so they can store their wine in perfect climatic conditions with minimal expense for power. Fifty-eight degrees is the perfect temperature for storing wine. With a cave, the winery does not need to spend money on heating and air conditioning. In addition, wine should be aged in a humid environment to minimize evaporation. Caves, being naturally humid, save on power for humidification.

Below is a partial list of wineries with caves that can be visited:

Napa Valley

Del Dotto - Compare barrel samples while visiting their cave.
Hall-Rutherford - Taste wine under a chandelier in the shape of a vine's roots.
Jarvis - See beautiful crystals and a restroom with twinkling stars.
Palmaz - Enter a 180 foot tall cave while being guided by a family member.
Rombauer - Tour the cave and enjoy a picnic lunch on their beautiful grounds.
Rutherford Hill - Take a public tour that includes a visit to the winery's cave.
Schramsberg - Visit caves dug by Chinese laborers in the 19th century.

Sonoma Valley

Moon Mountain - Visit one of the few natural caves used for aging wine.
Nicholson Ranch - Walk through their no-frills cave on a private tour.

Dry Creek Valley

Bella - Enjoy beautiful views from the hillside and then taste in the cave.

This list is by no means complete. It includes caves I've personally visited or have been recommended to me. If you would like to take a private wine country tour that includes a tour of one of these winery's caves, please call me at (866) 326-42377 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Indoor and Outdoor Tasting at Lynmar

2008-10-16T08:51:00.003-07:00

If you enjoy Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay, I recommend visiting Lynmar Estate in the Russian River Valley. The winery had a tasting room in Graton for a number of years, but moved into a stunning new home on the estate a few years ago.

When you approach the tasting room, note the creek that seems to magically disappear. You'll then enter a modern salon with high ceilings and a tasting bar at the far end. You are welcome to stand at the bar while you taste, but outdoor, seated tastings are offered on nice days. Two tastings are available: an Estate Tasting for $10/person and a Reserve Tasting for $25/person. Both include tastes of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. On Thursdays - Sundays, with 48 hours advance notice, you can have food pairings with your wine. Sipping wine while gazing at the Quail Hill Vineyard on a sunny day is a pleasant way to spend an hour.

Lynmar is also a great venue for special events and private luncheons. I've tasted chef Sandra Simile's work a couple of times and enjoyed her meals immensely.

Lynmar is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. If you would like to take a private tour of the Russian River Valley that includes a stop at Lynmar, please phone me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

A Family Affair in the Dry Creek Valley

2008-10-01T08:44:00.002-07:00

Last week, I visited Mounts Family Winery for the first time. The Mounts family has been growing grapes in the Dry Creek Valley for over 50 years. They also farmed prunes when the valley was better known for fruit than wine. In 2007, the Mounts family decided to open its own winery.

Mounts Family Winery is a little off the beaten track, up Wine Creek Road on a hillside overlooking the Dry Creek Valley. It's best to make an appointment before you visit; although, the family is usually there on weekends. When you arrive you'll be rewarded with a beautiful view overlooking the family's hillside vineyards. One of the family members will greet you and invite you to taste their current release wines in the bare bones tasting room -- a picnic table outside of the wine cellar.

Mounts Family makes Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Viognier. You'll be able to taste as many wines as are available while gazing out over the hills and valley. Feel free to ask questions about the winery and the history of the Dry Creek Valley.

If you would like to take a private tour of the Dry Creek Valley that includes a visit to Mounts Family Winery, please phone me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Old Vine Zin in the Alexander Valley

2008-09-08T10:26:00.004-07:00

Sausal Vineyard in the Alexander Valley is a Zinfandel lovers' paradise. They make four different Zins: Cellar Cats, a non-vintage estate Zin named after the winery's two cats; Family Zinfandel, which is made from estate vines averaging 50 years in age; Private Reserve Zinfandel, another estate wine but made from vines over 90 years old; and, finally, Century Vines Zinfandel, made from vines planted on the estate in 1877.

Labeling a wine as "old vines" does not mean anything legally, but all of Sausal's Zins, except for the Cellar Cats , meet anyone's definition of old vine. If you have never tasted old vine Zin, I highly recommend doing so, regardless of whether you taste some at a visit to Sausal or by purchasing a bottle at your local wine shop.

Sausal's tasting room is small and the staff friendly. There's no guarantee that all of the Zins will be available when you visit. However, in addition to tasting some of the Zins, you are likely to be able to taste one or two of Sausal's other reds, which include a Cabernet, Sangiovese, and two blends.

If you are a fan of wine from old vines and would like to taste some on a private, wine country tour, please contact me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or by clicking here. Nearby Stryker and White Oak both have old vine Zin and Field Stone has old vine Petite Sirah.

Wine Country with Kids

2008-09-01T10:57:00.003-07:00

Touring wine country is not much fun for children. After all, watching one's parents drink is not a great spectator sport. A great compromise is to devote part of the day to a child-friendly activity and the balance to visiting wine country.

Blue Heron has long offered a tour called Red Trees and Red Wine, which combines a visit to Muir Woods with a tour of the town of Sonoma and the Carneros wine region. During this full-day tour, we start with a visit to Muir Woods, home to the coastal redwoods - the tallest trees in the world. Afterward, we head up to the Carneros wine region for an afternoon of winetasting. The charming town of Sonoma, with its Mexican-era plaza and old mission, is a great place to stop for lunch. A visit to Mission San Francisco de Solano, the last of the 21 missions built in California, can be included.

Another fun day for families is to start with a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory to learn how these delicious candies are made. Then its off to Carneros or the southern Napa Valley for lunch and an afternoon of winetasting. This tour allows every family member to come home with treats they will enjoy.

If you would like to take one of these tours, please call me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.

Pretty Tasting Room in Rutherford

2008-07-30T09:54:00.004-07:00

Last December, I wrote about olive oil tasting at Round Pond's olive mill in Rutherford. This past weekend I had the chance to visit Round Pond's winery, which is located across Rutherford Cross Road from the olive mill.

The tasting room sits on the second floor of the winery; thus, enabling you to gaze out over the vineyards while sampling Round Pond's wine. You can enjoy a sit-down tasting either inside the tasting room or outside on the lovely terrace. For $25/person you will taste four wines paired with small appetizers. Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable about the winery and the Napa Valley. Tastings are offered daily between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and are by appointment only.

If you would like to learn a little more about how wine is made, you can combine a tasting with a tour of the winery, which is offered at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00 by prior appointment. The tour and tasting costs $35/person.

Round Pond produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, which were available for tasting when I visited, plus small amounts of Petite Verdot and Nebbiolo.

To make an appointment at Round Pond, please call (888) 302-2575 or visit Round Pond's website: www.RoundPond.com. Better yet, let Blue Heron Custom Tours take you on a private tour of the Napa Valley that includes a visit to Round Pond. For more information or to book a tour, please phone me at (866) 326-4237 (toll free) or e-mail me by clicking here.