DOCSLIB.ORG

DECEMBER 2011 Whathat’S’S New Thithiss Mmonth?Onth? Ere We Go

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
DECEMBER 2011 Whathat’S’S New Thithiss Mmonth?Onth? Ere We Go Wines evaluated last month: 316 • Rejected: 254 • Approved: 62 • Selected: 12 DECEMBER 2011 Whathat’s’s New ThiThiss MMonth?onth? ere we go. This is great. We have worked hard all year to bring some really fun wines and wine baskets to this year’s catalog. H Actually, I think this year has produced some of the best values we have had in some time. Of course, we only choose wines that we drink at our homes; in this recession, some wineries have had to step up and lower their expectations to bring us their wines in our price range. Here are some of the great gifts ideas from this year’s gift catalog… PK THE CONNOISSEUR Beautifully handcrafted in wood and leather, this six-bottle chest makes an impressive gift. Use it afterwards for stylish storage or to decorate your home or office. 1 trust that this newsletter 1 #TAFB $99.95 FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING 0 finds you and yours in good 2 spirits and health. Our (my) ** NEW FOR 2011 ** R I new family movie tradition E during the Christmas season is 6-BOTTLE “CELLAR SERIES” WINE CLUB B Bill Murray’s “Scrooged.” Though (Sent Every Other Month) M Our newest Wine of the Month Club offering E emotionally it is hard to turn on C “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Scrooged comes from our membership demand, “We E want more wine!” And we are here to please. D offers a more contemporary look at Send our 6-bottle club to the wine drinker on the same life perspective. And my your list who really loves the grape. Every other favorite quote is, "It's Christmas month, 6 bottles of our Classic Series wines will Eve. It's the one night of the year arrive at their door in perfect condition with our 4-color newsletter, “The we all act a little nicer, we smile a Tasting Room,” filled with wine facts, descriptions, serving suggestions little easier, we cheer a little more. and recipes. Choose from the standard selection of 4 red wines and 2 For a couple hours out of the white wines, red wine only or white wine only. whole year, we are the people that #2CGP 2 Shipments $178.50 #2CGP6 6 Shipments $504.50 we always hoped we would be. #2CGP3 3 Shipments $259.50 #2CGP12 12 Shipments $994.50 It's a miracle! It's really a sort of #2CGP4 4 Shipments $341.50 miracle! Because it happens every Christmas Eve. And if you waste SINFULLY SINFUL that miracle, you're gonna burn for If you haven’t tried this new chocolate wine, it! I know what I'm talking about..." don’t turn up your nose quite yet. This stuff is Have a wonderful season. incredible, and I have tasted all the brands on the market. We put together our favorite chocolate and dessert items—this thing should come with a warning sign it is so good. Paul Kalemkiarian #SINB $99.95 FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING INSIDE THE TASTING ROOM THIS MONTH What’s New? 2 Facebook 14 Classic Series: OMG Merlot 3 Limited Series: Lockwood Cabernet/Malbec 15 Classic Series: 2G2BT Sauvignon Blanc 4 Limited Series: Lockwood Pinot Noir 16 Classic Series: Lockwood Merlot 5 Limited Series: eco.love Sauvignon Blanc 17 Classic Series: Triada Chardonnay 6 Limited Series: eco.love Riesling 18 Classic Series Earlier Selections 7 Limited Series Earlier Selections 19 Cellar Notes 8 For Members Only 20 Vintners Series: Journée de Mistral Ventoux 9 Gifts & More 21 Vintners Series: Man O’ War Pinot Gris 10 Recipe: NY Strip Steak w/Caramelized Shallots 22 Vintners Series: Praxis Lagrein 11 Recipe: Pan-Fried Steak w/Mustard Cream Sauce 22 Vintners Series: Botalcura Sauvignon Blanc 12 Tasting Notes 23 Vintners Series Earlier Selections 13 The Corkboard 24 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 2 D E CLASSIC C E Featured in the M CALIFORNIA WINE SERIES B E R 2 0 he inbred world and cool evening breezes 1 of California wine (marine influences) create 1 T personifies the old a uniquely Mediterranean adage, “It’s not about what climate perfectly suited to you know, it’s about who cultivating California's you know.” With more than top varietals: Cabernet a decade of experience in Sauvignon, Merlot, the wine industry, and an Chardonnay, Sauvignon enviable record of business Blanc and Zinfandel. While training, Reed Renaudin has all these grapes thrive built a pioneering winery (X here, Zinfandel is a singular C L Winery) on an interwoven phenomenon. Old vines, A Merlot S series of strategic partner - some over 120 years old, (Mare low) S I ships and relationships. gnarled and sculpted by C He specifically contracts time, yield small amounts of 2008 S E with the best, fruit to create R OMG I most suitable a wine that is E Lodi, California S vineyards in the ultimate Color: California. expression of Deep red the soil in Reed sourced which the Nose: this Merlot grapes are Spice, cranberry and from Lodi grown. chocolate where the Palate: varietal seems Soft and Firm, ripe berry with to prosper. The hot summers approachable, the 2008 hints of vanilla produce high yields and fruit OMG Merlot opens with Finish: of exceptional intensity and traditional aromas of Full and fresh with flavor. Lodi is still off most blackberry, cherries and lingering cranberry people’s radar, but that’s cassis on the nose. Note the beginning to change as we flavors of bacon and truffle see more and more great that add complexity to the wines coming from this area. palate and the velvety Drink now Of course, that could be a body and texture of the through 2013 problem, as we’re already wine. Round tannins and a seeing the prices start to lingering finish leave just skirt upwards, but even the enough to be desired. We’re WOMC RATING wine business can’t escape sure you’ll enjoy every 92 Points the laws of supply and aspect of this Merlot, demand. especially when matched ITEM #: 1211R1 with a beef tenderloin Retail Price: $18.99/each Lodi is ideally situated served on garlic mashed Member Price: $10.98/each between the Sierra Nevada potatoes with a gorgonzola Reorder Price: $7.99/each foothills and the San sauce. Francisco Bay. Warm days 58% Discount 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 3 1 1 CLASSIC 0 2 R E B M E eed Renaudin has production in 1920. Many of C E been involved in the the vineyards were removed D R wine industry since and replaced with walnut 1996. He founded Amicus & and pear orchards. The X Winery in 2001 and has comeback of the wine helped guide this start up industry began in the company’s rapid growth. 1960s when a few growers Reed has an MBA from Cal rediscovered the area’s Poly San Luis Obispo and a grape-growing potential and BS from UC Davis. He has once again began planting also completed extensive S vineyards. Lake County now E graduate research in Enology I has close to 10,000 acres of R Sauvignon Blanc at UC Davis, and has present - E planted vineyards, and is (Soe ving yahn Blonk) S ed his works at the American among the fastest-growing C Society of Enology and I 2009 regions in California. S Viticulture’s S 2G2BT A annual The 2009 L (2 Good 2 Be True) C meeting. His vintage was Lake County, California resume is one of the Color: highlighted best there. The Very pale with viticulture long, slow and experience Nose: relatively cool White peach and citrus working for growing season Gallo of allowed perfect Palate: Sonoma, and maturation of Fresh herbs and lime enology experience working the grapes, and thus the for Napa Valley wineries Finish: resulting wine. Bursting with including Heitz and Cuvaison. Tart and herbal bright citrus aromas, this Reed also has winemaking Sauvignon Blanc is clean and experience with Cape refreshing. Notes of lemon, Clairault Wines in Australia. grapefruit and guava hit the nose and infuse well with In 1861 Lake County was the tropical flavors of kiwi created from parts of Napa and melon on the palate. Drink now and Mendocino counties and The finish is long and tangy through 2012 has since been well-known and the acidity is well- as a farming community. In the 1870s vineyards were balanced. Pair this wine WOMC RATING with a great cheese plate or 91 Points planted, and by the early 1900s the area was already challenging seafood dishes like Shrimp Diablo or fish ITEM #: 1211W1 earning its reputation for producing “the world’s and chips. Retail Price: $14.99/each greatest wines.” Member Price: $10.98/each Reorder Price: $6.99/each Prohibition forced an end 53% Discount to the Lake County wine 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 4 D E CLASSIC C E M B E R 2 0 he partners of Merlot is still a hot grape 1 Lockwood Vineyard, here, honored for its bright 1 T Paul Toeppen, Phil fruit flavors and soft tannins. Johnson and Butch Lindley, It can easily go with fuller have a cumulative vineyard dishes like red meat and management experience of game as well as poultry and over 90 years. They first even fish. planted the large 1,850 acre After a cool morning pick, estate vineyard in 1981 after the fruit was crushed and concluding that the parcel cold-soaked for 48 hours. C was perfect for growing The must was then inoculat - L A premium grapes.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2019 California Wine Month Go to for Event Details
    Winery Events - 2019 California Wine Month Go to https://discovercaliforniawines.com/california-wine-month/ for event details. Look for updates as events are being added continuously. Last updated 8/14/19 NORTH COAST 2019 Taste of Sonoma Aug. 31, 2019. Green Music Center, Sonoma State University. Cost: $150-$200 The one-day immersive lineup will include a walk-around wine tasting with 100+ wineries, tasty bites from 30+ local chefs, guided wine seminars and themed lounges. 30 Years of Alegría Sept. 1-30, 2019. ACORN Winery/Alegría Vineyards, Sonoma. Cost: Free Free tasting of ACORN's estate-grown, sustainably-farmed, field-blend wines during the month of September to celebrate California Wine Month, the beginning of harvest, and our 30th vintage! Cave Tour and Barrel Tasting at Alexander Valley Vineyards Sept. 1-30, 2019. Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma County. Cost: Free Tour and taste inside our 25,000 square foot underground wine cave. Learn about our barrel aging program while tasting young wine from the barrels. Explore California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay with Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery Sept. 1-30. Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg. Cost: $55 Experience California Grand Cru when you book an experience during California Wine Month. Single Vineyard Tasting Sept. 1-30, 2019, Chimney Rock Winery, Napa. Cost: $55-$65 Discover our exclusive and limited-production single vineyard wines through a tasting of a curated selection of our vineyard designate Stags Leap District AVA Cabernet Sauvignons. Vineyard Hike at Alexander Valley Vineyards Sept. 1-30, 2019. Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma County. Cost: $50 Explore The Wetzel Family Estate vineyards, while tasting our iconic wines where they grow.
    [Show full text]
  • 2015 Crop Report
    COUNTY OF LAKE STEVEN HAJIK Department of Agriculture Agricultural Commissioner Department of Weights & Measures Sealer of Weights & Measures 883 Lakeport Blvd. Lakeport CA 95453 Phone: (707) 263-0217 FAX: (707) 263-1052 June 2, 2016 Karen Ross, Secretary California Department of Food and Agriculture The Honorable Board of Supervisors of Lake County It is my pleasure to present the Lake County Agricultural Report for the year 2015 in accordance with sections 2272 and 2279 of the California Agriculture Code. The gross value of Lake County Agriculture production for 2015 was $101,135,648. This is an increase of 9%. The increase can be attributed to an increase in the value of the wine grape and and pear industries. Agri- cultural production value for 2014 was lowered after reviewing the pear data. This report represents gross agricultural re- ceipts and does not reflect production costs or net income to the producers. The gross value of wine grapes was $63,390,181 an increase of 7% from 2014. The total tonnage was 38,786 and the total grape acreage was 9,455, an increase of 673 acres. The tons per acre increased slightly and the average price per ton in- creased by 7%. The wine grape return (price per ton) was the highest on record. In 2015 the gross value of pears was $26,098,171, an increase of 21% from 2014. The total production increased by 9,002 tons, and the price per ton increased by 2%. The pear price per ton on all Bartlett pears was the highest on record.
    [Show full text]
  • Looking at Mount Konocti a Hundred Ways
    http://www.record-bee.com/fdcp?1228925928000 Zoom was the featured winery for the event on Looking at Mount Konocti a Friday, with winemaker Matt Hughes pouring the hundred ways 2006 "Top of Konocti" Zinfandel. Grapes for the wine are from Fowler's vineyard on top of Mount Konocti. By Mandy Feder-- News editor During the show Saturday, Sol Rouge was the featured winery with winemaker Bryan Kane Updated: 12/09/2008 10:36:05 PM PST releasing his new 2007 Gypsy Blanc, a blend of LAKE COUNTY -- Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS) in Marsanne, Roussane and Viognier. The 2006 Sol Upper Lake hosted a benefit weekend, Friday and Rouge Lake County Syrah which debuted during the Saturday, to assist with the gathering of needed event is a "Wine Club Only" release but, was shared funds for the purchase of Mount Konocti. along with the other Lake County Sol Rouge wines for tasting. This Syrah recently received a 90 point Artist Renee Geare's work was featured. Geare is rating from the International Wine Review and creating a series of paintings called "100 Views of 93+ point rating from Andrew McNees of West Mount Konocti," inspired by "100 Views of Mount Coast Wines - the highest rating of Kane's 90+ Fuji" by Japanese artist Hokusai. She has completed point Syrah wines. 30 of the 100 views to date. The Wine Studio features 41 Lake County wines, Geare moved to Lake County in February with her representing 19 wineries and winemakers, selling by husband Joe, physicians assistant at the Lucerne the taste, glass and bottle.
    [Show full text]
  • Cypress Lane Estate: Human Or Mechanical Harvesting?1
    Vol. 3, No. 1 CYPRESS LANE ESTATE: HUMAN OR MECHANICAL HARVESTING?1 Emilio Tedeschi, Sonoma State University, United States We had been primed to be the next world-class wine growing American Viticultural Area (AVA). We had seen Walla Walla, Willamette Valley, and Paso Robles all come into their fame over the last decade. Lake County’s history of winemaking predated Prohibition. The soil was volcanic. The entire AVA was elevated above 1000 ft, giving us higher quality wine grapes than you would expect. Cypress Lane [Estate] was here to make our smaller Clear Lake AVA number one, and we were going to take the Lake County AVA to the top. The highest production grape varieties coming out of Lake County were Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Over the last several years, significant plantings had been established throughout the county. Investors and growers were seizing an opportunity made available by skyrocketing grape prices from neighboring Napa, Sonoma, and other AVA’s across California. Labor for these vineyards was already an issue five years ago, and it remained an even more urgent issue today. The future of grape growing here was going to require serious innovation to maintain a competitive edge. —Anthony Decker, director of farming, Cypress Lane Estate, 2018.1 he morning was surprisingly warm for late December as Cypress Lane Estate’s Director of Farming, Anthony Decker, began his vineyard rounds. His responsibilities covered T 256 acres of vineyard nestled in various blocks across sprawling hillsides and valley floor. He checked in with his vineyard staff at their stations along the way, asking how they were and whether they were supplied for the day’s jobs.
    [Show full text]
  • Supply & Demand for Lake County Cabernet & Sauvignon Blanc
    Supply & Demand for Lake County Cabernet & Sauvignon Blanc EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Commissioned by the Lake County Winegrape Commission FULL GLASS RESEARCH February 2015 Executive Summary Introduction The Lake County Winegrape Commission (LCWC) desires to increase the average sales price of Lake County grapes, as well as the proportion selling above the average market rate for California-appellated wines. In particular, the LCWC believes that there is significant untapped potential in wines selling over $15 for usage of Lake County grapes. To help set goals and strategies to achieve this, the LCWC engaged Full Glass Research to carry out market research to accomplish the following: Estimate the relative size and growth trends for the 3 main vectors of demand for Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon & Sauvignon Blanc grapes: high end Napa wines (as blender); California blends above $12; bottled Lake County AVA wines. Review price and volume trends and project supply for Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, including breakdown by price segment. Compare the anticipated supply to the potential demand for Lake County grapes. Measure and analyze perception and usage of Lake County grapes among winemakers and grape buyers who represent all three sources of demand. Measure and assess business practices in marketing and supplying Lake county grapes, as perceived by winemakers and grape buyers who represent all three sources of demand. The decision was made to focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc because these were the most important grapes in the county in terms of volume of production and total revenue. Where the word Cabernet is used in this report, it refers to Cabernet Sauvignon only, not Cabernet Franc.
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 Final Grape Crush Report
    CALIFORNIA GRAPE CRUSH REPORT FINAL 2017 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE March 9, 2018 MAP AND DEFINITIONS OF CALIFORNIA GRAPE PRICING DISTRICTS 1. Mendocino County Del 2. Lake County Norte Siskiyou 3. Sonoma and Marin Counties Modoc 4. Napa County 5. Solano County 6. Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz Counties 7. Monterey and San Benito Counties 8. San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties 9. Yolo County north of Interstate 80 to the junction of Interstate 80 Shasta Trinity Lassen and U.S. 50 and north of U.S. 50; Sacramento County north of U.S. 50; Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Humboldt Tehama, Plumas, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, and Sierra Counties. 10. Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Tehama Mariposa Counties 11. San Joaquin County north of State Highway 4; and Sacramento 9 Plumas County south of U.S. 50 and east of Interstate 5 Mendocino 12. San Joaquin County south of State Highway 4; Stanislaus and Butte Merced Counties Glenn Sierra 13. Madera, Fresno, Alpine, Mono, Inyo Counties; and Kings and Tulare Counties north of Nevada Avenue (Avenue 192) 1 Nevada 14. Kings and Tulare Counties south of Nevada Avenue (Avenue 192); Yuba 2 Colusa and Kern County Placer 15. Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties Lake 16. Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial Counties Sutter 17. Yolo County south of Interstate 80 from the Solano County line to Yolo El Dorado the Junction of Interstate 80 and U.S. 50 and south of U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Come Revel in Olof Cellars Wines in the Vineyard During This Year's 10Th
    elcome to the first W quarterly Olof Cellars Newsletter! Spring has sprung and so have the vines. The fruit has set and the wines have aged perfectly. The sum- mer will soon be on us, with the heat of the day and the cooler nights making the g ra pe s ri pe fo r the Come revel in Olof Cellars wines in the harvest. Come by and enjoy the journey with us. You can vineyard during this year’s also follow us on Face- 10th Annual Wine Adventure book,www.facebook.com/ Eric the Victorious has been making wine since 2002. It has become a hob- July 26th & 27th! OlofCellars f o r e v e n t by gone wild. announcements, and visit our 5615 Highland Springs Rd. website, www.stolof.com to purchase wine. Lakeport CA 95453 (707)262-0755 or We produce only about 500 cases/20 barrels per year. We (707) 391-7947 love our boutique size and will “Operating a continue making limited produc- vineyard and tions of our unusual varie- winery is so tals. Come taste the uncommon! rewarding – it’s like watching our The majority of our wines are children grow.” made from our estate grown grapes: Nebbiolo, Malbec, Bar- bera and Petite Verdot. Coming this year, our version of a white Nebbiolo will be released. And in the Scandinavian tradition, we now produce Mead, wine made from local organic honey. It’s a must try! Tickets for the Wine Adventure are $45 for the two-day Skål! passport. Designated drivers get in free.
    [Show full text]
  • Volcanic California
    Triumphant vines and elegant wines erupt from the extreme soils of California’s Lake County. VOLCANI C BY JIM GORDON CALIFORNIA PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HOUSEWRIGHT the heels of numerous destructive wildfires in recent years, it’s understand- cinder cones could erupt after 11,000 years may just be a boon for the image of Lake County wines. able that the specter of volcanic eruption might not top the list of concerns The imprint that the region’s rocky, gravelly, volcanic soils makes on the wines of Lake County is for California’s Lake County winemakers. impossible to ignore. While broad-stroke assertions that the wines taste like volcanic ash, iron or salt The region’s producers shrugged off a recent United States Geological don’t apply, the final bottlings do have unique characteristics due to the region’s difficult conditions OnSurvey assessment that they work in and around an active volcanic field rated as a “high threat” to the and high-elevation vineyards. local community. Called the Clear Lake Volcanic Field, the area was ranked by the agency as 33rd among Owners, winemakers and vineyard managers from four of the highest-rated estates in this 161 potentially dangerous volcanic sites in the country. Northern California region share how they tame the wild, unforgiving hills of Lake County and craft With the current buzz around “volcanic wines,” the possibility that Mount Konocti or any surrounding wonderful wines. 54 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MARCH 2019 WINEMAG.COM | 55 Brassfield Estate Winery Ageworthy Wines from Slopes of Sand and Gravel Brassfield Estate is one of the largest winery prop- erties in Lake County.
    [Show full text]
  • The Grand Hotel Wine List
    THE GRAND’S WINE LIST American Reds 101c Cabernet Sauvignon Hess Select 2010 A soft entry, with ripe plum and raspberry in the forefront, is supported by background flavors of tobacco and caramel. 28.00 102c Claret Newton 2010 This dark red cherry colored wine offers aromas of ripe red and black fruits and cinnamon layered with dark fruit flavors of cherry, plum and raspberry supported by vanilla and mocha spice. 30.00 103b Claret Francis Coppola 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine is layered with flavors of blackberry, cassis and roasted espresso. It is blended in the classic Bordeaux style. 25.50 104i Cabernet Sauvignon Waters 2009 Very classic markers of Cabernet: dark fruits of black cherry and currant, leather and muted cigar box spices. On the palate, a distinctive note of ground white pepper, dried sour cherries and a splash of soy, give way to a hint of sweetness recalling dark brown sugar and tart, red plums. 58.00 105i Cabernet Franc Walla Walla Vintners 2010 Soft texture with blueberry-laced currant at the core. The fruit with cedar and spice linger on a long finish. 38.00 106g Cabernet Sauvignon Eberle 2010 Paso Robles is rich and complex in blackberry and black currant flavors. Very dry, with lingering acidity. The tannins are thick but fine. The best Cabernet from Eberle in memory. 30.00 107g Cabernet Sauvignon Amavi 2010 This Walla Walla wine has gentle core of cherry and spice flavors with smooth textured tobacco. 41.00 108c Cabernet Sauvignon Stags’ Leap 2010 Smoky with currant and plum turning cedary on the finish.
    [Show full text]
  • Take a Mid-Winter Wine Break in California's Lake County
    1/28/2018 Take a Mid-Winter Wine Break in California's Lake County / Lifestyle / #Wanderlust JAN 25, 2018 @ 07:04 PM 490 Take a Mid-Winter Wine Break in California's Lake County Lauren Mowery, CONTRIBUTOR I cover drinks, travel and food, and the intersection of all three. FULL BIO Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Tallman Hotel The Tallman Hotel, a beautifully restored 19th century heritage property. Take a Mid-Winter Wine Break in California’s Lake County Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino -- and usually in that order -- are the spots everyone picks first for a wine country getaway. Yet not much further off and a whole lot less busy sits Lake County. This relatively unexplored wine region has several things going for it. Wine, of course, available at a great value compared to its neighbors. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lmowery/2018/01/25/take-a-mid-winter-wine-break-in-californias-lake-county/#479a24454177 1/8 1/28/2018 Take a Mid-Winter Wine Break in California's Lake County Classic California beauty, including a stunning lake that’s suitable for hiking and picnicking. And an anchor hotel that justifies the nearly 3-hour drive, if you find nothing else that does. But you will. Lake County Wine If you’re a cash-strapped Cabernet Sauvignon drinker (and who isn’t these days), Lake County should be your jam. Vineyards in the appellation of Red Hills boast high elevation and a rich red volcanic soil that contributes a unique profile to the wines. This northern section of the Mayacamas Range delivers perfect warm-day to cool-night temperature swings (known as diurnal shift to wine pros), allowing Cabernet to thrive while developing complexity.
    [Show full text]
  • California Wine Month Kicks Off in September with Celebrations Across the State
    Aug. 20, 2019 California Wine Month Kicks Off in September with Celebrations Across the State Winesong features wine tasting while strolling the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, one of nearly 100 events held during California Wine Month in September. Photo: John Birchard. SAN FRANCISCO —September is California Wine Month, Wine Institute’s annual celebration of the harvest season. Throughout California, wineries, regional wine associations and other organizations will host special tastings, concerts, food and wine festivals, immersive harvest experiences, grape stomps and more. The 15th annual California Wine Month highlights the state’s storied winemaking history, dating back more than 250 years, and recognizes the innovative spirit of California vintners and growers. As the world’s fourth-largest wine producer and the source of 81 percent of wine made in the U.S., California is home to 3,900 wineries and 5,900 grapegrowers. It is also the nation’s most-visited state for wine and food experiences, attracting 24 million visits annually to its wine regions. Wine lovers can enjoy activities and special offers from California Wine Month partner retailers and restaurants. See partner listing below. Visit https://discovercaliforniawines.com/california-wine-month to view maps and descriptions of nearly 100 California Wine Month events, searchable by wine region, or download the complete list of winery events here. Some highlights of regional events with multiple wineries include: NORTH COAST Aug. 31: Taste of Sonoma, 100 wineries. Green Music Center, Sonoma State University Sept. 6-7: Winesong, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Fort Bragg Sept. 7: Calistoga Wine Experience, wine and food tasting, Pioneer Park, Calistoga Sept: 19-21: Sonoma County Wine Auction, La Crema Estate, Windsor Sept.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Wine Country Moves North Affordable Land and Unique Soils
    Chronicle / Eric Luse Wine country moves north Affordable land and unique soils lure vintners to Lake County - Kathleen Buckley, Special to The Chronicle Thursday, July 20, 2006 The reality of Lake County is not its Clear Lake trailer parks -- or even its bass fishing, country music or nude hot springs. Ask any geologist: Lake County is a playground for anyone who likes seriously unusual dirt. Geologists plan trips to Lake County just to look at the soil. The volcanic cones and diamonds in the landscape are a result of millions of years of environmental history. And now winemakers and viticulturists are beating a path through the rocky soil to plant vineyards and build wineries. Despite a long history of growing grapes, Lake County's modern wine industry is still in its infancy, with only 14 wineries -- 11 with tasting rooms. A mere five years ago, there were only four wineries. Industry giant Kendall-Jackson started its business here in 1982 with the persevering talent of Jed Steele, the winemaker who helped create Kendall-Jackson's successful style of Chardonnay. Steele left Kendall- Jackson to make his own wine in 1991 and opened his Kelseyville winery in 1996. Now, the iconoclastic Steele's winery is the unofficial first stop for new arrivals looking to make stellar wine in the county. Other major forces in the industry, such as Robert Mondavi Winery, Foster's Wine Estates and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars's Hawk Crest Wines, also buy Lake County grapes. There are many reasons for the viticultural region's sudden growth, not the least of which is the surprisingly successful adaptation of some varietals to mountain terrain.
    [Show full text]