Wine Outlook

Wineries in the East Bay, you ask? But of course! And more than you probably think. Of course, there’s Rosenblum Cellars, JC Cellars and Dashe Cellars. And maybe you’ve heard of Lost Canyon Winery as well. However, it doesn’t stop there. Throughout Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville, there are over a dozen wineries scattered about. Some are quite small with no tasting room and some have limited hours that they are open.

That’s why you need to jump on the Urban Wine Trail—with a passport to the East Bay. The East Bay Vintner’s Alliance has put together an event for a little over two weeks from now that should be a load of fun.

The details— (more…)

Wineries in the East Bay, Urban Wine Trail, passport to the East Bay, East Bay Vintner’s Alliance

After my visit to Acorn Winery, I was really interested in trying the Rosenblum Cellars Alegria Vineyard Zinfandel. (Acorn Winery owns the Alegria Vineyards and makes their own wines in addition to selling the grapes.) My curiosity was piqued even more when a customer came in looking to buy another bottle of the 2002 vintage she had drunk and loved the night before. No longer available, but Kenny G mentioned he had a few bottles at home, and with enough hinting, he brought in a bottle for us to share: the 2003 Rosenblum Alegria Zinfandel.

How was it? If I had to write the tasting notes for it, (more…)

Acorn Winery, Alegria Vineyards, 2003 Rosenblum Alegria Zinfandel

Recently there was an article in the San Francisco Chronicle about the trend in some wineries being friendly towards children and dogs. Rosenblum Cellars has always been happy to let dogs roam the tasting room. With an owner who started his wine career while moonlighting as a veterinarian, it would seem silly if we didn’t. With a water bowl on the floor and treats behind the bar, it’s a veritable doggy playground. And of course, our Chateau la Paws label with the two Rhone style wines donates to Paws with a Cause.

Recently, we made the move to help find entertainement for children. With coloring books, cards, an Etch-a-Sketch, and other games…the kids can keep busy while their parents taste good wine. Juice boxes are scheduled to arrive soon.

The article focused mainly on Napa and Sonoma, so we didn’t get mentioned…. but our tasting room in Healdsburg did get the spotlight. Here’s what they said: (more…)

When my best wine friend was in town, I knew I had to take her to Domaine Carneros. Not only do they make great sparkling wine (and KB and I love sparkling wine as much as the Rosenblum staff), but she would get to meet Kenny G. Now, you may know or may have read that Kenny G works four days at Rosenblum and the other three at Domaine Carneros. We went with two other friends, Trisha and Kelly, who also works with me. Of course, Kenny G treated us in style in the section he calls “Prime Time,” as it’s in the front of the beautiful Chateau on the terrace.

Wines can be purchased by the taste, flight, glass, or bottle. We did the sampler, which included the brut, the brut rose’, and the ever-delicious Le Reve. They serve food, and as it’s not good to drink on an empty stomach, we shared a cheese plate and the smoked salmon plate (ok, if you insist….). Sitting in the sun, sipping bubbly, snacking on dried fruit and cheese. I could get used to that pretty easily.

Good thing I enjoyed it, since Kenny G finally did talk me into joining their wine club.

Read more Kenny G adventures here.

Domaine Carneros, Kenny G

I bet you didn’t know there even was an East Bay Vintner’s Alliance. Well, if not, I’ll cut you some slack because I didn’t either until just a couple months ago. It was founded last year to bring attention to the wineries doing their thing in the urban setting of the East Bay. No sprawling vineyards and countryside landscapes here. But that’s what makes us different: shipyards, a naval base, apartment complexes, Chinatown, etc. right down the road. I also bet you didn’t know there are 15 (and counting) wineries sprinkled throughout Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville. Some are quite small and therefore not normally open to the public.

That’s why this Saturday’s event is such a great idea. For the second year in a row, the Alliance will bring together all these wineries in one place for tasting, food, and music. The place just so happens to be where I work, so I’m hoping I can slip away for some sampling. But if you’re off, mark your calendar and get yourself a ticket.

EBVA Festival Details

Where: Rosenblum Cellars—2900 Main St. Alameda

When: Saturday, August 18 from 3-6pm

What: 50 wines being poured…. local restaurants will prepare tasty pairings, including those in the SLOW FOOD movement……live music

Who:
Aubin Cellars
Andrew Lane Wines
Blacksmith Cellars
Dashe Cellars
A Donkey and Goat
Edmunds St.john
Eno Wines
Harrington Wines
JC Cellars
Lost Canyon Winery
Periscope Cellars
Prospect 772
Rosenblum Cellars
Tayerle Wines
Urbano Cellars

How much: $45 at the door or $35 in advance by purchasing tickets right here.

Don’t wait too long cause it might sell out!

East Bay Vintner’s Alliance, winetasting in the Bay Area, wine festival near San Francisco

Or maybe it was me…

On the way home from Healdsburg, we made a stop at Martinelli Winery in Windsor. A friend from back home had raved about their Zinfandels when I was doing some research for my JFP column. Martinelli is another fairly small operation with 12,000 cases annually. All the vineyards are estate-owned and all wines are 100% varietals. The family has been making wine for over 100 years, and the story is a great one….two young Italians eloping across the ocean to settle in California and scrimp up enough money to purchase land for a farm and vineyards. Five generations have worked the land and built up the winery, with Helen Turley coming into the picture in 1993.
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Healdsburg update is finally here. (I had written my notes in a random, misplaced notebook and just now found it)

When I asked for suggestions for winery stops, Megan came through with Mauritson. This is a fairly small winery (6,000 cases annually) with a young winemaker. Clay’s family had been growing grapes for years, but when he returned from college, he decided to take his prior winemaking experience and brand it with the Mauritson name. And a good idea it was: I enjoyed everything I tasted. The Sauvignon Blanc, the Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, which was so easy to drink, the mellow Cab. It was especially interesting to try the two Zinfandels from Rockpile Road, as Rosenblum helped to put this new AVA along the upper shore of Lake Sonoma on the map. I found the Zin from Westphall Ridge to be more complex than Jack’s Cabin and therefore had to take a bottle home.

Next, Tim recommended Unti Vineyards, and that was another great choice. (more…)

Healdsburg, Mauritson, Unti Vineyards

Last night’s member appreciation party seemed to go quite well, though I don’t have much to compare it to. At the Fogarty club events, I always had to work in the tasting room, far from the action (and the cookies). However, this time I ran a register, while kind souls brought me little tastes of library wines. I even got to slip outside once, where there was live music and more pouring stations. And at the end of the night, I had the chance to buy some of the older vintages, coming home with two of my favorites: the 2002 Rosenblum Monte Rosso Zinfandel and the 2002 Rosenblum England Shaw Syrah. Spending that paycheck before I even get it!

On another happy note, this was the first Saturday morning I’ve had free since I moved to California. The few that I wasn’t working were taken off for specific purposes, such as the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Today, however, I walked over to the Redwood City Farmer’s Market and took my time browsing through produce, flowers, and other fun items. My trip home was much tougher, loaded down with goodies such as tomatoes, squash, an olive boulot, and peaches that might make it into a cobbler later, maybe with some dessert wine.

2002 Rosenblum Monte Rosso Zinfandel, 2002 Rosenblum England Shaw Syrah, Redwood City Farmer’s Market

Last night I was planning to catch up on my blog reading and writing. Honestly I was. But after work we had a going-away soirée for the girl whose position I am taking. I’ve only known her a little while but can easily see why everyone loves her so much. Hard shoes to fill. Damn hard.

I made a sign on bright yellow paper: Good bye and good luck, Shalini…You will be missed. When some others found out I made the sign, they called out P.S. Thanks for leaving and Thanks for the job!

Seriously, though, it was last night that I suddenly felt completely confident I was going to do just fine. Reason 1) My co-workers love to drink bubbly. We started with a delicious bottle of Champagne: the Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose, went into some sparklers from Alsace and the Loire Valley, a magnum of Domaine Carneros, and some 10-year-old bottles of Gloria Ferrer Brut Reserve. Reason 2) Right after they toasted Shalini on her departure, they toasted me on my arrival. Reason 3) I can’t tell you how many times someone told me “You’re in the right place” or said of me “She’s gonna fit right in.” Reason 4) Shalini turned to me at one point and told me she was glad I’m her replacement and that I was her favorite out of all the candidates. I couldn’t get a better seal of approval than that….

Then again, tonight is my first member appreciation party. Rosenblum is famous for its Open Houses and other events. Hundreds of people come to drink and buy wine. I’ll be on the registers with only minimal practice so far. We’ll see how confident I’ll feel then…

new job, Rosenblum

Farley Walker

The other night I opened the bottle of NV Gruet Blanc de Noirs I bought a few weeks ago (at Beltramo’s for $11 or $12). Now, I admit I’ve been a bit in the dark as to what Gruet signified for this New Mexico sparkling wine…grape? producer? style? Turns out, the family responsible for Gruet et Fils in Champagne decided to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in New Mexico in 1984, after stumbling upon other Europeans who’d found wine luck in the state. These years later, Gruet makes seven sparkling wines and two each Chardonnay and Pinot.

And though New Mexico might not be your first stop for wine, this one was pretty good. It was dry, very light, and slightly bready. The fruits were pretty muted but they hinted at raspberry and lemon. I served this particular bottle with an old favorite, but changed up the preparation. This time the smoked salmon went along with citrus-vinaigrette-dressed greens, and was highlighted with a mascarpone-dill spread, finished with capers and red onions.

Happily, I’ve found a new favorite salad and a new go-to in sparkling wine.

NV Gruet Blanc de Noirs, New Mexico sparkling wine, smoked salmon salad

Farley Walker

Though I didn’t get around to talking about it in my last post about Monday’s adventures in wine tasting, we also spent some time at Ferrari-Carano in Healdsburg. There are actually two locations for winemaking; the other sits above Geyserville and focuses only on reds. The owners decided that with so many vineyards (surpassing 1400 acres), it would be best to give more concentrated attention to the wines to better ensure their quality. And while the wines are good, the gardens may be just as effective at drawing customers in. Rhonda Carano and her gardeners truly outdid themselves…five acres of footpaths, gazebos, waterfalls, statues, and bridges. One section included row upon row of roses in full bloom, and we even spotted a cork tree.

Right before going into the winery, a rather large boar almost blocked our way. If I recall, this fellow was modelled after a creature who ruined some of Rhonda’s flowerbeds…only to meet his demise. But the signpost indicated you’d have good luck if you rub his nose. Hence the discolored snout.

As for the wine, we tasted downstairs in the Enoteca Lounge, where some of the more exclusive wines are poured. I believe the fee was $15 for four wines, which they will return with a purchase of at least $80, or if you’re in the business (yay, job perks). While I skipped most of the Chardonnays, I couldn’t pass up trying the interesting 05 Dominique with its crazy bursts of maple and honey, the jammy 04 Zinfandel from the back yard, and my favorite of the group: the 04 Sangiovese–dry farmed in Alexander Valley and full of smoke and dried red fruit. The 2002 Trésor, a Bordeaux-style blend, had a little too much green–bell pepper and oregeno–for me to really dive into it. PreVail is the new line of wines, featuring Cabernet and Syrah fruit grown on two different mountain estates. From that brand, I tasted the West Face and the Back Forty side by side, and while I can understand why more people prefer the West Face, I really enjoyed the nose on what Teri in the tasting room called their “John Wayne.”

Ferrari-Carano, Enoteca, PreVail

Monday my Irish friend, her family, and a few of us non-Irish had a grand time tasting up in Healdsburg. The first stop was J Vineyards, where the tax man among us had arranged for an introduction to The Bubble Room and an amazing line-up of food and wine. Let me just start by saying that I wish I had one of those in my house! A table was ready for us, and Genny began bringing out wine glasses as we looked over the menu. While we waited, she let us sample J’s first ever still rose’ from free run Pinot Noir. I was impressed with its flavors of watermelon, lemon, and slight reminder of the cotton fields back home.

As for the food, the first sampling was Puget’s Sound Steamboat oysters on the halfshell with the 02 J Vintage Brut. The doughy lemon and pear went perfectly with the saltiness of the oysters, as always. The second pairing was rather unexpected, and I honestly didn’t think it would work. The 02 J Chardonnay was full of clove, pineapple, and mango. To go with it? A spring artichoke bisque, which I never would have paired due to its slight bitterness. However, the soup brought out the flavor of coconut in the wine and somehow complimented the tropical fruits. Round 3 was pan-seared lamb with parsley and mint pistou paired with a 97 J Pinot Noir, which truly showed its age, conjuring up dried cherry and dirt. Though a lovely pairing, it was my least favorite of the wines, as I don’t think it can hang on much longer. The final item was the yummiest: grilled Snake River Kobe beef and the 03 J Pinot Noir, Robert Thomas Vineyard. We also tried the 04 Nicole’s Vineyard, which had aromas of cola and roses and the 05 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: my favorite wine of the day with its beautiful nose and earth, cola, cherry, and vanilla.

Overall, it was a terrific experience. If you’re heading that way, it’s definitely worth the stop and the $45 ($35 for wine club members). Call 707-431-5430 to make a reservation.

….Farley Walker

J Vineyards, The Bubble Room

Finally made it over to Murphys and the Twisted Oak Winery. And even though it was a Monday and therefore not very busy, it was still the tasting room with the most personality I’ve ever been to. In fact, I came across the place where the twisted rubber chickens come from…or where they go to die…couldn’t really tell the difference. Just know that they’re everywhere. Even half disguised as frogs greeting you at the door.

El Jefe and his cracker-lovin’ companion, Nacha, (short for garnacha blanca and that dog really does know her wine) poured me the entire current release menu (which, by the way, is always complimentary). All were solid, but the ones that really did it for me were the crisp Verdelho, the “I already know I love it with French toast” Petite Sirah, and, of course, the Spaniard: a stand-out red blend that tasted more like a Cab at first and then moved into rich, red fruit. I admit, I didn’t spit that good %@#$! We also tasted from the outside tanks, including a Viognier with a deceptively fruity nose and then went into the cave for barrel samples. You won’t see it in stores, but the River of Skulls is quite the tasty Mourvedre.
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Twisted Oak Winery

The other day I was seeking advice for where to go for the day, and my teacher friend was on spring break, so I had a partner in crime. We decided that morning to drive down to Big Sur. I haven’t been along that stretch of Highway 1 before, and it was a glorious day to view it. The greens and blues in the water and in the sky were quite a sight under all that glorious sunshine.

The weather was ideal, as well. Just the right amount of breeze for going on a pleasant hike– no sign of mountain lions–and then a picnic lunch. I was quite pleased with the split of 2004 E.Guigal Côtes du Rhône blanc which was corked the last time I tried. This time it was lightly floral with tons of fruit, mostly apricots and pears. Very nice with the turkey sandwiches and salad.

Then we had to hit at a couple of tasting rooms. (more…)

Big Sur, E.Guigal Côtes du Rhône

With a couple of phone calls, I set up an appointment to visit Montana’s only commercial winery. Located in the outskirts of Missoula, on the way to one of my favorite hiking trails, it sits a bit off Rattlesnake Drive, and once bore the name Rattlesnake Creek Vineyards until the threat of one of those pesky lawsuits that plague wineries trying to put the wrong word on a label.

Now named Ten Spoon Winery, the owners–Andy and Connie– are in the process of building a house, since they’ve been residing in the winery for 7 1/2 years. Cases of wine are stacked in their ‘living room’ and we tasted at the kitchen counter, where Freddy and Buya chased each other and tried to sample the Fat Cat organic white. That one comes from St. Pepin grapes grown right outside the door. Those and the other grapes they planted (about 9 years ago) are such that they can weather the harsh MT cold. (more…)