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8/8/2019 Sonoma County Fall/Winter 2010
1/56
Eastside Bunchw.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Fall/Winter 2010
7 Wine Tasting Trips plus37 Tasting Room Reviews
DAY TRIPS
PREFERREDSonoma Wine Country
off Highway 101
A publication of
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MARKWESTSPRING
SRD
.
W.DRY
CREEKRD
.
DUTCHER
CREEK
101
101
LakeSonoma
FERRARI-CARANO
116
116
KENDALL-JACKSONWINECENTER
RODNEYSTRONG
FULT
ONRD
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LAGUNARD
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RIVERRD.
VALLEYFO
RDCU
TOFF
BODEGA HIGHWAY
OCCIDENTAL RD
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OCCIDENTAL RD
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GRATON RD.
BOHEM
IAN
HI
GHWAY
ROBLARRD.
DRY
CREEK
RD
.
RUSS
IANRIVER
OLIVET
BENNETTVALLEYRD.
ARMIDA
SonomaCoast
SonomaValley
Knights
Valley
Chalk
Hill
RussianRiver
GreenValley
NorthernSonoma
AlexanderValley
MARTINRAY
DUTCHERCROSSING
DRYCREEKVNYD128
TWOMEY
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SAUSAL
LYTTONSPGS
ALEXANDERVALLEY
WES
TSIDERD
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CHRISTOPHERCREEK
DryCreek
STEWARTS POINTRD
GUERNEVILLE
DUTTON ESTATE
HOOK & LADDERSUNC
MERRIAM
FOPPIANO
SIMI
TRUETTHURST
FORCHINI
FERRARI-CARANOSSEASONSOFTHEVINEYARDKENDALL-JACKSONPROHIBITION
STEPHEN&WALKERTOPEL
BALLETTO
DUTTON-GOLDFIELD
FREESTONEVINEYARDS
SLUSSER
DELOACH
MILLCREEKDELAMONTANYA
JOHNTYLERbyBacigalupiVineyard
FIELDSTONE
VINTNERSSIGNATURES
SILVEROAK
MEEKER
SBRAGIAFAMILY
ACORN
WESTSID
ERD
.
RIVE
R RD.
PINER
GRANGE
PETA
LUMAHILLROAD
RUSSIANHILL ESTATE
SONOMACUTRER
Travelling around Sonoma CountyTravelTime
miles ag) (Pk)
Godn Gt Bdg to sbtopo 49 60 80
sbtopo to snt ro 7 12 20
Downtown s nt r o to H dbug 16 20 30
Hdbug to Gy 8 15 15
DryCreekPages7-13
DowntownHealdsburgPages14-19
WestsideRoad
Pages20-25
EastsideBunch
Pages33-38
Russian River/Olivet
Pages39-46
Sebastopol/FreestonePages47-51
Gateway to
AlexanderValley
Pages26-32
8/8/2019 Sonoma County Fall/Winter 2010
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3www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
669 Broadway, Suite B Sonoma, CA 95476
P.O. Box 92 El Verano, CA 95433
707-938-3494 Fax707-938-3674
PUBLISHER Mike Giangreco
Direct (707) [email protected]
SALES REPRESENTATIVE Margaret Villarreal, [email protected]
MANAGING EDITOR Chandra GrantPhone 707-938-1783 Fax [email protected]
OFFICE MANAGER Cathy GorePhone 707-938-3494 Fax 707-938-3674Email [email protected]
EDITORIAL Introductions by Abigail ZimmermanCONTRIBUTORS Michelle Baker
Charles NeaveNan ReileySue Straight, Wine Wench
www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
On the cover: Armida Winery, Healdsburg
A Publication of
Acorn Winery 34Armida Winery 21Balletto Vineyard 48Christopher Creek Winery 35
De La Montanya Vineyards & Winery 24DeLoach Vineyards 45Dry Creek Vineyards 8Dutcher Crossing Winery 11Dutton Estate Winery 49Dutton-Goldfield Winery 50Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery 9Field Stone Winery & Vineyard 32Foppiano Vineyards 36Forchini Vineyards & Winery 12
Freestone Vineyards 51Hook & Ladder Winery 43John Tyler by Bacigalupi Vineyard 22Kendall-Jackson Healdsburg 16Kendall-Jackson Wine Center 40Martin Ray Winery 46Meeker 29Merriam Vineyards 37Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery 23Prohibition The Speakeasy Wine Club 17
Rodney Strong Vineyards 38Russian Hill Estate 41Sausal Winery 31Sbragia Family Vineyards 10Silver Oak 28Simi Winery 27Sonoma-Cutrer 42Stephen & Walker Trust Winery 19Sunc Winery 44Topel Tasting Room 18Truett Hurst Winery 13Twomey Cellars 25Vintners Signatures 30
Dry Creek 7-13Downtown Healdsburg 14-19Westside Road 20-25
Alexander Valley 26-32Eastside Bunch 33-38Russian River/Olivet 39-46Sebastopol/Freestone 47-51
Index & Contact Information 52-53
37 Tasting RoomReviews7Wine Tasting TripsDAY TRIPS
PREFERREDSonoma Wine Country
off Highway 101
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4 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Its a good idea to plan to visit several wineries as every
wine-tasting experience offered is different. With so many
distinctive viticultural areas, one can easily taste many of
the worlds best varietials and winemaking styles without
learning the region. Listed below are five basic types of
tasting experiences. The experience will vary in style fromwinery to winery.
Wine Bar TastingThe most common tasting experience is a Wine Bar
Tasting. You step up to the bar where typically a list of
wines being poured is displayed. Expect to pay a tasting
fee between $10-$40. Some tasting bars will offer you the
option to taste a library or reserve wine. Exercising this
option increases the fee, but will allow you to taste very
unique, old or rare wines.
Sit Down TastingA Sit Down Tasting usually requires an appointment
and there may be a slightly higher fee than a wine bar fee.
Seated in an elegant room, you are poured several wines
by your winery host. Expect your host to describe the
unique characteristics of each wine and how it was made.
Table Service TastingA Table Service Tasting, popular at sparkling wine fa-
cilities, is a tasting experience where you are seated at a
table and the tastings are brought to you.
Walk Around TastingA Walk Around Tasting is a combination of a tour and
a tasting. Your host brings along several bottles of wine on
your tour, and may take you to a garden area of the win-
ery to pour the first round. Then you move to another
place within the winery to sample the next wine. This ex-
perience continues until all the wines are tasted.
Barrel TastingAnother popular tasting experience that can be part
of a tour or a Walk Around is a Barrel Tasting. Your guide
takes a wine thief, a special siphon placed into a hole in
the top of a barrel to extract tasting samples of a matur-
ing wine. The sample allows you to taste what the wine
is like in the middle of developing its full potential.
Why make an appointment?Some wineries are so small that they need to know
when you are coming so someone will be there to greet
you. Other wineries have permit restrictions that limit
the number of guests that can visit each day. Others have
sit-down tastings that start and end at specific times. Its
always a good idea to schedule your appointments well in
advance of your visit because some of the more popular
wineries fill up their appointments weeks in advance.WWW.LEGENDARYNAPAVALLEY.COM
Notes on Wine Tasting
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6
Do not be intimidated for any
reason. That is rule number one
(and there are very few real rules
after that). For the most part,
going wine tasting is about theeasiest thing in the world, espe-
cially here in Northern California
where wineries and tasting
rooms abound. You can find
wineries specializing in red
wines of all types, those that are
famous for their white wines and
others who pour sparkling wine. It is a matter of doing a
little research and planning your day.
Most tasting rooms open around 10 a.m. and close be-tween 4:30 and 6 p.m. As a rule sparkling wine houses are
opened the latest. Before you start off pack a few essen-
tials:Water (plenty of water) and something to snack on
crackers or a baguette. Many wineries have picnic areas
and there are plenty of delis and bakeries that can make up
a lunch for you, or make your own. Which brings us to
eating and drinking, the kind that doesnt directly involve
wine.
Be sure to nibble during the day and make sure you
make time for lunch. Two tips: drink at least twice as muchwater as you do wine, and remember that you dont have
to drink everything poured into your glass. There is a rea-
son tasting bars have dump buckets and a pitcher of water
to wash out your glass.
That said, here are some tips that have proven to be
helpful and are designed to help make the sensory adven-
ture of wine tasting all the more enjoyable.
Dont be afraid to ask questions. Time and time again
I have heard knowledgeable winery workers say that there
is no such thing as a stupid question, and they mean that.You can drink what you want, in the order you want.
If you only like reds, say so; if you dont like sweet wines,
speak up. But the idea of starting with whites, then going
on to reds and then sweet wines is a good guide.
Zinfandel is red. I am sure you know that but it never
hurts to remind everyone.
If there is a particular wine you want to try and it is
not on the list, ask. There might be a bottle around that
was opened for a trade tasting or by the winemaker. Most
tasting rooms are happy to pour a little if you show en-
thusiasm.
If you plan to take wine home with you, either in the
car or on a plane, buy a card-
board box with Styrofoam wine
inserts. Fill it during the day and
this keeps wine from rolling
around in the trunk.Check out the smaller winer-
ies. It is a revelation.
Take notes on the wines you
most enjoyed.
Take advantage of tours
when the winery offers them, but
keep in mind that they take any-
where from 20 minutes to well over an hour, so one a day
is plenty.
Buy wines that you can only find at the winery. Theseoften include smaller (375 ml) bottles of limited produc-
tion Ports or dessert wines. Dont buy a wine you can get
at a supermarket back home. Youll pay more, and besides,
whats the point?Look for tasting rooms in towns. Many of these are co-
operative tasting rooms, where in one place you might find
wines from a dozen or more small-to-medium premium
producers. They are scattered throughout the area and
more are opening all the time.
Dont give too much thought to ratings and vintages.Its like art: if you like it, its a good wine. It is as simple as
that.
Remember that you dont have to do the driving. It
takes no more than a phone call to rent anything from a
Town Car or restored Packard convertible to stretch limos
and a 20-passenger bus. All have drivers that will stow
your wine for you and the local companies know the area.
As to taking that wine home, ten people sharing one of
those impossibly long limousines is fine and fun, but if you
all plan to buy a couple of cases the trunk which is nobigger than a normal luxury cars is going to fill up fast
and youre going to find yourself filling the interior floor
with boxes and using cases of Cabernet as footrest.
Tell the transportation company what you have in
mind and listen to their advice. They know the territory
and the people and personalities.
Know your limits. If you get close to it let others taste
and you can listen. It beats ending the day in a blur, and if
need be calling a taxi is cheaper than the alternative.And if at a seated tasting, dont be afraid to leave a gra-
tuity. Its more than worth the five or ten dollars to get
wisdom and wine and a great time. BY CHARLES NEAVE
www.WineCountryThisWeek.co
Heading to the Tasting Room
Twomey Cellars
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7Dry Creek Valleywww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Dry Creek Valley
101
TO
MENDOCINO
COAST
TO
EUREKA
Cloverdale
128
LakeSonoma
FERRARI-CARANO
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CREEKRD.
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EEK
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ILLE
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TEWARTS POINT
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DRY CREEKVINEYARD
Y
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Dry CreekOlive Oil
CHIANTIR
D
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ALLING
YOAKIM
BRIDGE
SOUV
ERAIN
LYT
TONSPRINGS
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GE
W.DRYCREEK
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LakeSonoma
Hatchery
Hope Merrill/Hope Bosworth
House
Dry CreekGeneralStore
DUTCHER CROSSING
SBRAGIA
FAMILY
VINEYARDS
Dry Creek wine country is one of the smallest enclosed Amer-
ican Viticultural Areas in the nation, only 16 miles long and
twomiles wide. With 9,300acres of vineyardalong this
beautiful valleys floor, Dry Creek is a must see for first-timeand veteran wine lovers. Dry Creek boasts 63 wineries pro-
ducing a diverse range of wines from the famed Zinfandel to
Bordeaux and even Mediterranean varietals. Dont let its
small size fool you
Dry Creek winemakers have been growing grapes and mak-
ing great wines for morethan135 years!
THINGS TO DOLake Sonoma Hatchery3333 skgg spng rod, Gy(707) 433-9483, www.pk.ono.nt
Located in the beautiful coastal foothills of Northern Cali-fornia, Lake Sonoma is surrounded by vineyards andland rich in history. Here, visitors can observe the operationof the hatchery and see displays which describe the lifecycle of the coho salmon, steelhead and chinook. Open yearround.
Dry Creek Olive Oil, 4791 Dy Ck rod, Hdbug(707) 431-7200, www.DyCkOCopny.coRooted in traditions as rich as the Dry Creek Soil, DryCreek Olive Oil Company is your destination for artisan,
very fine, extra-virgin olive oils.
PICNIC FARE
Oakville Grocery, 124 mthon stt, Hdbug
(707) 433-3200, www.OkGocy.coLittle Country Store with overflowing shelves and adeli chock full of handmade, gourmet picnic items,
the Oakville Grocery is an absolute MUST.
Dry Creek General Store, (707) 433-4171
3495 Dy Ck rod, HdbugSo much more than just a corner store, established in 1881,this is also a full-service deli and beer garden with livemusic occassionally, spectacular views and a wealth of in-
formation on wine tasting, tours and even fishing!
LODGING
Grape Leaf Inn, 539 Johnon stt, Hdbug
(707) 433-8140, www.gpfnn.co
A picturesque Queen Anne Victorian bed and breakfast,the Grape Leaf Inn seamlessly blends modern decor withtimeless antiques. Gracious staff provide the best hospital-ity in this relaxing, romantic environment.
Hope Merrill & Hope Bosworth B&B21253 Gy anu, Gy
(707) 857-3356, www.hop-nn.coOnce an early stage-coach stop, these now two strikinglyrestored Queen Anne Craftsman homes welcome you with
Not to scale
Driving Time:16 minutes
FosbgFyto F-Cno 1 to D utch C ong 2 to Tutt Hut 2.5 to Fochn >0.5 to Dy Ck 2
Total8 miles
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8 Dry Creek Valley www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
When you drive through beautiful Dry Creek Valley in
northern Sonoma County, you will see that the entire valley
floor is covered with vineyards. Its quite obvious what the
economy here is all about! But if you were passing through in
1972, youd have found a few prune orchards and not much
else in the way of agriculture. One man changed all that
well, at least he started the wave of
change in the valley to wine-grape
growing.
Dave Stare, founder of Dry
Creek Vineyard, can be character-
ized as a man of tenacity and
vision, unafraid to experiment to
create a new future. A lover of
Loire Valley French wines, Daves
vision was to make excellent Fum
Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc) and
Chenin Blanc in Loire Valley stylein California. His new winery, Dry Creek Vineyard, was the
first to be built in the valley since the era of Prohibition. He
had no one elses expertise or experience to draw on, and
many predicted that he would fail, but failure was not in Dave
Stares makeup. His young daughter Kim was with him to
help turn over the first shovel of dirt for the winerys foun-
dation, and she is still side-by-side with her father as she and
husband Don Wallace have become the second generation of
the family to carry on the tradition of fine wines made from
Sonoma County grapes.Although the winerys flagship wines are still the out-
standing Fum Blanc and Chenin Blanc (the only wine whose
grapes come from outside Sonoma County), Dry Creek now
makes many other varieties, including excellent Chardonnay,
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel as well as a few
single-vineyard-designated wines. Many of these wines are
available only at the tasting room, so treat yourself to a visit
to the pioneer winery of Dry
Creek Valley.
The path to the winerys tast-
ing room meanders through
shady lawns dotted with picnic
tables. After 35 years, the winerys
stone walls are covered with soft
moss and clinging vines, stately
and serene. Inside the tasting
room, youll see many photos and
illustrations of sailing boats, and
sailing boats are the primaryillustration on the winerys labels, reflecting a life-long passion
for sailing shared now by three generations of Stares and Wal-
laces. You might also notice glamorous photos of Kim Wallace
in the company of blockbuster movie stars, because for the
past 10 years, Dry Creek Vineyard has been the official wine
poured at the annual red-carpet Screen Actors Guild award
ceremonies.
Do-not-miss wines include the highly acclaimed 2008
Fum Blanc and the delicious 2006 Somers Ranch Zinfan-
del. Chilled wines are available for your after-tasting picnic onthe lawn. BY NAN REILEY
Dry Creek VineyardOpn10:30..to4:30p..dy
3770LambertBridgeRoad,Healdsburg(707) 433-1000 www.drycreekvineyard.com
Chenin Blanc, Fum Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc,
Chardonnay, Petite Zin Ros, Zinfandel,
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
FUN Mention Day Trips off the 101 and receiveFACT one complimentary bar tasting. (value: $5)
Dry Creek Vineyard
Dave Stare, Don & Kim Wallace
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9Dry Creek Valleywww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Now you have two choices when tasting Ferrari-Carano
wines visit Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Dry
Creek Valley, or taste the wines in Healdsburg at Ferrari-
Caranos new Seasons of the VineyardTasting Bar & Boutique!
Visit the beautiful home of Ferrari-Carano wines, the spec-
tacular Italianate hospitality wine center, Villa Fiore, set in
the midst of the 70-acre Dry Creek
Valley estate vineyard. Here you
may taste the critically-acclaimedClassic Wines at the Tasting Bar in
the Villa Fiore Wine Shop, or head
downstairs to sample Limited Re-
lease and Reserve Wines in the
Enoteca located in the under-
ground cellar. Stroll five acres of
beautiful gardens at your leisure,
and be sure to browse the Wine
Shop where youll find wine coun-
trys most distinctive gift selections,gourmet gift and wine packs, and
of course, the entire portfolio of Ferrari-Carano wines.
If youd like an in-depth look at Ferrari-Carano, reserve
your spot for the free winery tour. You will stroll through
renownedgardens, see vineyards up close, perhaps catch one
of the winemaking team or cellar crew hard at work, view
Don and Rhonda Caranos personal wine cellar, and visit the
Enoteca Lounge and Villa Fiore tasting rooms. After the tour,
you are invited to taste Ferrari-Carano wines at the Tasting
Bar or in the Enoteca Lounge. Winery tours are by appoint-
ment, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. To schedule your
tour, email [email protected], or call the
Hospitality Department at (707) 433-6700.
Private wine tastings in the PreVail Room are also avail-
able by appointment. Each tasting is designed to highlight
the many nuances of wine in a fun and informative style,
and include The Matchmaker wine and food pairing,
Chardonnay Lovers, The King of Reds, The PreVail Tasting
and Scentiments, to name a few.
Private tastings are $20 to $35.
To schedule a private tasting,call (707) 433-6700 or email
Ferrari-Caranos Seasons of
the Vineyard Tasting Bar & Bou-
tique, located on the Healdsburg
Plaza, offers visitors hand-picked
wine flights from the Ferrari-
Carano and Lazy Creek Vineyards
portfolio of wines. Here, cus-
tomers may enjoy the easy,relaxed atmosphere of tasting
wines as well as shopping for unique home dcor gifts from
Californias wine country. Featuring exclusive collections in-
cluding Sandra Jordan Soft Peruvian Prima Alpaca and
whimsical ceramics by Carlo Marchiori, as well as classic Ital-
ian ceramics from Vietri, Fortunata and Modigliani,
decorative table runners and pillows, and other home ac-
cessories, visitors will certainly find something to remind
them of their time spent in wine country. If youre looking
for a venue for a private group tasting, the beautiful Back
Room is perfect for up to 30 people. Your tasting may be
customized to include chocolates, cheeses or small bites.
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & WineryOpn10..to5p..dy
8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, (707) 433-6700
SeasonsoftheVineyardTastingBar&BoutiqueTudy-sundy 11 .. to 6 p.., cod mondy
113Plaza Street, Healdsburg, (707) 431-2222
www.ferrari-carano.com
FUN Plan extra time for this stop theres too
FACT much to see, taste and explore to be rushed!
Ferrari-CaranoVineyards
& Winery
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10 Dry Creek Valley www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
If you are planning a visit to Sonoma County and
Healdsburg in particular, do not miss a visit to Sbragia
Family Vineyards! Its less than 10 miles out on Dry
Creek Road from downtown Healdsburg. This is a very
special place; well worth the
trip!
The wines are wonderful! In
fact, Owner/Founder Ed Sbra-gia is the only winemaker in the
world to have won awards for
crafting both the best red wine
and the best white wine!
The cellar is downstairs,
with large windows providing
a view into the inner workings
of the winery. The tasting room
is upstairs, with a large covered patio that wrapsaround the back, providing a breathtaking view of the
Dry Creek Valleys vineyards and redwood studded
hills.
The tasting room is bright with windows looking out
onto the valley. There is a vast assortment of tastefully
displayed wine-related merchandise. Freshly cut flow-
ers from the familys garden are artfully arranged around
the tasting room. As well as growing beautiful flowers
they also have a wonderful produce garden, too!Visitors are encouraged to purchase wine by the glass
(or by the bottle), pick out some snacks from the deli
case and relax at one of the many outside picnic tables.
There is a $5 tasting fee to taste four wines and a
$10 tasting fee to taste four of the reserve Cabernet
Sauvignons. Tasting fees are re-
fundable with your purchase.
Private tours and tastings
are available by appointment.Sbragia Family Vineyards
has a lovely private tasting
room, The Ark, which is
named after their historic fam-
ily bar/restaurant on the
Russian River in Healdsburg,
where visitors can enjoy wine
and food pairings, vertical
flights and other memorable experiences.If you or someone you know is planning a wedding
or special event, this is a great place to consider they
can accommodate 150 seated guests or 350 standing
(cocktail style). There is a full commercial kitchen that
is a caterers dream, not to mention the fabulous views
and world-class wines which will make it an event no
one will forget!
The saying here at Sbragia is, The only thing better
than the view is the wine! Come see for yourself!BY SUE STRAIGHT, THE WINE WENCH
Sbragia Family VineyardsOpnfo11..to5p..dy
9990DryCreekRoad,Geyserville
(707)473-2992www.sbragia.com
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot,ZinfandelandCabernetSauvignon
FUN Mention this story for complimentary tasting.FACT Tell em the Wine Wench sent you!
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Ed and Adam Sbragia
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11Dry Creek Valleywww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Dutcher Crossing Winery has everything a wine-loving
visitor could hope for delicious, reasonably priced wines,
a beautiful tasting room staffed with friendly and knowl-
edgeable employees, a gorgeous picnic area with stunning
views of Dry Creek Valley and a
winery dog eager to welcome
you.
Lets start outside you pullinto the parking lot and notice
the beautiful landscaping sur-
rounding the brown, barn-like
building that is the winery and
tasting room. A flagstone path
leads you through a riot of color-
ful flowers to a breezeway that
separates the winery from the
tasting room.Glass doors provide a view into the barrel room and
winery. Most likely, youll be greeted by Dutchess, the
sweet, tail-wagging yellow Lab owned by Dutcher Crossing
Winerys Proprietor, Debra Mathy.
The picnic area is lovely and its views of the Dry Creek
Valley are breathtaking. There are six picnic tables under a
wisteria-covered arbor. The colorful, fragrant landscaping
and manicured lawns will make you want kick off your
shoes and stay a while.The tasting room is large, bright and airy, with high ceil-
ings, glossy wood floors and tasteful dcor. A vintage high-
wheel bicycle (the original antique was given to Debra by
her late father) sits against a wall, beckoning to be ridden
(well, I was tempted to try to ride it, but I restrained
myself). A good selection of
non-wine items are available for
browsing as you sip and stroll
around the room.During the week, there is a
$5 tasting fee (waived for wine
club members) to sample a va-
riety of six wines, and on
weekends a $10 reserve tasting
is available as well. Winemaker
Kerry Damskey does a wonder-
ful job with these wines!
I really enjoyed all the wines I tasted, but the followingtwo wines were my favorites:
2009 Sauvignon Blanc, $22: Wow! This is one aro-
matic, tasty white wine! Aromas of peach, pear, apple,
melon and white flowers continue as flavors in the crisp,
clean mouth and linger through the finish.
2007 Proprietors Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $29:
This is a $60 Cabernet Sauvignon in a $29 dress! Its a clas-
sic! Aromas and flavors of black cherry, mocha, vanilla,
cedar and spice abound, all wrapped up in a plush mouth-feel. BY SUE STRAIGHT, THE WINE WENCH
Dutcher Crossing WineryOpn11..to5p..dy
8533DryCreekRoad,Healdsburg
(707) 431-2700 www.dutchercrossingwinery.com
Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon,Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
FUN Indulgent dark chocolates are offered with theFACT Cab-SyrahPortandit'satrulydivineduo:Yum!
Dutcher Crossing Winery
Debra Mathy
and Dutchess
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14 Downtown Healdsburg www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Downtown HealdsburgHealdsburg is charming. Every brick, every flower box, every elegant shop andeclectic gallery, every five-star restaurant and cozy cafe on
every single corner speak to this town's genuine individuality anddown-to-earth-treasures. DowntownHealdsburg maybe surrounded by
bucolic rolling hills andpicturesque vineyards, but around this age-oldsquare, its hard to imagine being anywhere elsemore delightful.
No matter what time of year, Healdsburg is a town forevery season.
GROVE
ST
HEA
LDSBURG
AVE
. CENTER
ST
JOHNSON
PRINCE
FITCH
ST
PIPER ST
PLAZA ST
FITCHST
MILL
101
KENDALL JACKSON
LINCOLN
GRANT ST
NORTH ST
MATHESON
TOPEL
Ferrari-Caranos
SEASONS OFTHE VINEYARD
Plaza
PROHIBITION
MATHESON
PLAZA ST
OAKVILLE GROCERY
Options Gallery
Healdsburg Innon the Plaza
EASTST
CENTER
Historic HomesWalking Tours
Hand Fan Museum
POWELLS SWEET SHOPPE
Cyrus
Hotel Healdsburg
Raven Theater
GRAPE LEAF INN
Sonoma CountyWine Library
Dry CreekKitchen
Bear Republic Brewing Co.
EricksonFine Art Gallery
Zin Restaurant
Shoffeittsoff the Square
STEPHEN& WALKER
Seghesio
PLAZA ST
ATHEON
nlle
Not to scale
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15Downtown Healdsburgwww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Segway Tours, (707) 953-3477
www.gwyofhdbug.coTake a fun tour of Healdsburg on a rentedSegway helmets included, $69 per person.
Getaway Adventures
snt ro, (707) 568-3040
www.gtwydntu.co
Healdsburg Sip 'n Cycle: Visit the sites andlearn local wine facts throughout downtownHealdsburg and into the vineyardson this in-novative, healthy tour! Tours include a picnicandbocce.
Options
126 mthon stt, Hdbug
(707) 431-8861, www.optongy.co
Beautiful unique, creations of art for youtowear, use or admire in your home.
LODGING
Healdsburg Innon the Plaza
112 mthon stt, Hdbug
(707) 433-6991, www.hbugnn.co
Built in 1901, this classic California inn is locatedright on the Healdsburg Plaza. From summercon-certs to holidaytree lightings, the town's best events
takeplacerighthere.Guestsarealsosurroundedbyshops, galleries, tasting rooms and restaurants.
Hotel Healdsburg
25 mthon stt, Hdbug
1-800-889-7188, www.hothdbug.co
Chic, beautifully appointed Hotel Healdsburg is lo-catedonthehistoricsquareandisoneofthepremier
WineCountryluxurylodgingsinallSonomaCounty.
FOOD
Bear Republic Brewing Co.345 Hdbug anu, Hdbug
(707) 433-2337, www.bpubc.co
Sonoma County's premier brewpub, brewery,and restaurant! Real beer, microbrewedandreal cold! Perfect after a day of tasting wine.
Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen
Hot Hdbug, 317 Hdbug anu
(707) 431-0330, www.chp.co
Celebrating Sonoma's pioneering wines and spirits,celebratedChefCharliePalmertakesthebestofour
farm-freshproduceandculinarycradleandinfusesitwithhispassionandtrademarkstyle.
Zin Restaurant & Wine Bar, 344 Cnt stt
rton condd, (707) 473-0946
Dnn d dy, unch mondy-Fdy
Zinfeatures delicious seasonal cuisine withproduce grown especially for them. Wine indus-try locals often gather here for a littlenourishment andshop talk.
Cyrus Restaurant
29 Noth stt, Hdbug
(707) 433-3311, www.cyutunt.coConsistently reviewed as one of THE best restau-rants in all of wine country by Wine Spectator,Gourmet, Food & Wine, Esquire, Wine Enthusiast,and Wall Street Journal. Splurge on the TastingMenu or the Vegetarian Tasting Menu.
Oakville Grocery
124 mthon stt, Hdbug
(707) 433-3200, www.OkGocy.co
Little CountryStore withoverflowing shelvesand a deli chockfull of handmade, gourmet pic-
nic items, the Oakville Grocery is an absoluteMUST.
THINGSTO DO
Erickson Gallery324 Hdbug anu, Hdbug(707) 431-7073 www.ckonfntgy.coLocal and international artists are featured in the gallery.Works for sale include contemporary paintings, sculpture andworks on paper.
Sonoma County Wine Library139 Pp stt, Hdbug(707) 433-3772, www.onoby.og/wn/A free visit with a wealth of information!The library has more than 5,000 books dealing with all aspectsof making wine, some of themdate even back to 1512!Knowledgeable librarians are on hand to help guide you.
Raven Theater
115 Noth stt, Hdbug(707) 433-6335, www.ntht.ogWhere would we be without performing arts?A big, dark nowhere, that's where. Its thanks to culturaltheaters like the Raven, that publics can experienceentertainment that is beyond a moment's blip of distraction.Enjoy wonderful performancesandexpand your world.
Healdsburg Museum & Historic HomesWalking Tour221 mthon stt, Hdbug(707) 431-3325, www.hdbuguu.ogDont miss FromCabins to Craftsmans: 100Years of Healds-
burgs Architecture on nowthrough June 13, 2010. Sign upfor a guided tour of the town'sunique, architecture and history!
Hand Fan Museum327a Hdbug anu, Hdbug(707) 431-2500, www.hndfnuu.coExplore geography, art and history in this unusualmuseum of actual hand fans from around the world.
Shoffeitts off the Square208 Hdbug anu, Hdbug(707) 433-5556 www.hoffttoffthqu.coThis is a shopping mecca of antiques,
collectibles, local arts and gifts, as well as fine & custom jew-elry. Dont judge a bookby itscover ... the building goes on forever!
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16 Downtown Healdsburg www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
The wines of Kendall-Jackson are known to virtually
every wine lover anywhere in this country and far beyond.
And the historic Sonoma County town of Healdsburg is
rapidly becoming a destination in itself, with a constantly
growing collection of shops, boutiques, some first-class
hotels and restaurants, bars and grills, bed and breakfasts
and small inns, bistros, galleries
and more.
Very near the northwest cornerof the Healdsburg Plaza, the rich
and varied world of Kendall-
Jackson wines seems to shrink
down to an intimate, unhurried
scale that wraps every visitor in
a unique welcome. You are not
intimidated in the least, simply
encouraged to enjoy the wines, the
tasting room, the surroundings.
Guests from all over the world,greeted by the veteran Kendall-
Jackson tasting room staff, soon find themselves discovering
an unexpected dimension of this renowned winery. The
design of the tasting room invokes browsing among wines
and gifts chosen personally by the manager ceramics,
books, glassware, olive oil and more.
Many, if not most, visitors to the tasting room admit that
they have never seen this side of Kendall-Jackson, or K-J as
it is called. Will Alexander, the Tasting Room Manager, loves
what he calls that Eureka look on the faces of guests just
getting acquainted with the more exclusive Kendall-Jackson
wines they will find there.
Sure were Kendall-Jackson, and you can find our
great Vintners Reserve that you know from home, Will
noted. But what thrills me is meeting people who come
here and discover a whole new world of hand-crafted,
limited-production wines.
Visitors can approach wine tasting in two ways: a
selection of four wines, or a
tasting focusing on Stature and
Highland Estates. Employeesare happy to serve the needs of
every guest, whether a wine
aficionado or a complete new-
comer.
Grand Reserve is their super-
lative blend of terroir from key
vineyards, the harmony of ap-
pellation and winemaking skill.
Then there are the bottlings from
Highland Estates which arethe wines that best showcase
Kendall-Jacksons estate properties on mountains and ridges
in Californias cool coastal regions.
Stature, the highest level of Kendall-Jackson winemak-
ing, is produced in very small lots from the finest estate
vineyards.
With its unmatched blend of a welcoming staff, hand-
crafted wines, and its exceptional and easily accessible
location makes the Kendall-Jackson Healdsburg Tasting
Room one of the must-see attractions in this part of the
beautiful Sonoma Wine Country.BY CHARLES NEAVE
Kendall-Jackson Healdsburg Tasting RoomOpn10..to5p..dy
337 HealdsburgAvenue, Healdsburg(707)433-7102www.kj.com
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris,
Riesling, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Noir, Malbec,
Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
FUN Taste small-production, vineyard-designatedFACT wines available only in the tasting room.
Kendall-Jackson Healdsburg
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17Downtown Healdsburgwww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Of all the wine bars in all the towns in all the world, I
had to walk into his. Richard Rosenberg looked up at me
from behind the black, semi-circular bar as I settled myself
on one of the padded black leather bar stools.
Richard asked me, Whats on your mind beside your
hat, doll-face? I told him, I havent lived a good life Ive
drank bad wines, worse than you
can imagine. He replied, Well,
sweetheart, youve come the rightjoint here at Prohibition, youll
never have to drink another bad
wine.
I cased the speakeasy, taking
in the brick walls, polished wood
and tables scattered around the
spacious interior. A large flat
screen TV showed Jimmy Cagney
getting tough with some G-man
as twenties music filled the air.The gat sitting front and center on the back bar didnt scare
me I took it as a warning
My Grandfather owned and operated a real speakeasy
during Prohibition and I was always intrigued by his sto-
ries of the fake facades, bootleggers and revelry of the time,
said co-owner Richard Rosenberg when I asked him about
how this came about. We wanted to recreate the incognito
speakeasies of the 1920s and the camaraderie people felt
during the Prohibition era, yet incorporate an authentic
wine country atmosphere. Designed by Kae Rosenberg,
Richards wife and Prohibition co-owner, this snazzy
speakeasy is sure to be a Healdsburg hot spot. The location
cant be beat it sits right in the middle of downtown
Healdsburg, on the corner of Healdsburg Avenue and North
Street. You enter through the wine shop in the front (which
looks like its right out of the 1920s) barn siding and cor-
rugated tin are the backdrop to tasteful wine-related items
and some carefully chosen wine selections. Theres a phone
booth in the corner of the shop
that opens into the back, then
ring-a-ding-ding! you find your-self in an authentic looking,
1920s era speakeasy. This place
has such an authentic 1920s-
1930s feel that you almost
expect to see a group of flappers
and their guys doing the
Charleston in the corner.
A generous selection of hard-
to-find wines and Prohibition
style beers are available by theglass, by the bottle and by the case. Wine cocktails are also
available. If you are a wine-loving dame like me, or a Joe
who likes his wines and beers, this is the joint for you.
There is also a Prohibition Wine Club in the works, where
lucky Joes and dames can get a choice selection of wines
shipped conveniently to their offices or homes.
Take a trip back in time and check out Prohibition in
downtown Healdsburg. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Knock on the phone booth and tell em The Wine Wench
sent me.
I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendshipBY SUE STRAIGHT, THE WINE WENCH
Prohibition The Speakeasy Wine Club
11..to9p..dy
340HealdsburgAvenueatNorthStreetinHealdsburg
(707)473-WINE(9463)www.speakeasywineclub.com
FUN Youll need to sneak in The SpeakeasyFACT through the phone booth!
Prohibition The speakeayWine Club
Photos
by
Barbara
Bourne
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18 Downtown Healdsburg www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Known as the hidden jewel of Mendocinos Duncan
Peak, Topel Winery is a far cry from the well-trodden
highways and byways of Californias most visited wine
country.
A haven of spiritual sustenance for owners Mark and
Donnis Topel, the former sheep ranch and craggy 14-acre
mountain Hidden Vineyard
that produces many of the win-
erys most sought-after wines is aworld away from the chic down-
town address of Topels trendy
and attainable Healdsburg tast-
ing room.
Just off the Plaza and across
the street from the Oakville Gro-
cery, Topel Tasting Room opened
to wine aficionados in September
2008, offering winter discounts
Sunday through Thursday, and
tastings of the winerys Biody-
namic handcrafted wines for a
minimal fee of $5 for a choice of four wines, $8 for a
choice of six and $11 for all nine wines $5 is refundable
with purchase.
Topel wines are gently crafted to reveal a unique evo-
lution of each varietal, as minimalist techniques have
transformed the grapes into world-class, soulful wines that
reflect the steep, rocky soil and foggy climate of their ori-
gin.
Topel Cabernet Sauvignon, Hidden Vineyard is theflagship wine poured alongside a limited-edition Cabernet
Sauvignon from Howell Mountain in Napa, two Pinot Noirs;
two Chardonnays, a Sauvignon Blanc, a white wine blend
called Birdsong, Marks Blend, a Meritage, a Gamay, a Zin-
fandel and a lovely Orange Muscato.
Compact and cozy, the Topel Tasting Room was art-
fully designed with comfort and style as commanding
elements in the details of its
copper countertops, sleek black
fixtures and cherry wood libraryseating area with digital
slideshow of the compelling
vineyard cycle.
A snug and attractive estate
room tasting area off the main
room is a regular hot spot for
blending parties with the Topels
frequently hosting special
events. Estate room tastings are
available for private groups of
four to 12 people by appoint-
ment only, and a fee of $20 per
person is refundable with a minimum purchase of a (six
bottle) half case per person. Private tasting includes all
Topel Flight wines, plus at least two library wines and a se-
lection of cheeses, breads and light appetizers.
As owner/winemakers, Mark and Donnis Topel infuse
a wealth of aesthetic senses and experiences into their
wines. Leading a dual life, Mark Topel is a prominent
criminal defense attorney handling some of this countrys
most complex criminal and civil litigation.BY FRANCES RIVETTI
Topel Tasting Room
Opn11..to7p..dy
125 Matheson Street, Healdsburg
(707)433-4116www.topelwines.comwww.facebook.com/topelwinery
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Meritage,
SuperTuscan Blend, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc,
Chardonnay,White Wine Blend and Orange Muscato
FUNTopelpublishesacalendareveryyearTopel Wine TailsFACT a benefit for the Healdsburg Animal Shelter.
Topel Tasting Room
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19Downtown Healdsburgwww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
The tasting room at Stephen & Walker Trust Winery is
home to Nancy Walkers celebrated, limited production
wines. Some of the most awarded and praised wines in
Sonoma, her familys tasting room is just a couple of hun-
dred feet from Healdsburgs historic plaza. Its also midway
between two first-class hotels, surrounded by restaurants
and, being open daily, offers both
the locals and visitors an oppor-
tunity to get up close andpersonal with these lovely wines.
Situated on Healdsburg Av-
enue, the tasting room offers a
wonderful flight of wines, from
Dry Creek Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
and Sauvignon Blanc to Howell
Mountain Cabernet and more.
Nancys elegant, signature style
abounds in her 90+ point wines,
and her new Muscat Canelli is just delicious, as is the finale
of Portentous, their late harvest Port, which is a won-
derful surprise! Also, expect to sample a small bite with
your flight a nice touch as well.
Their charming tasting room, with its big street-facing
window, long bar, polished floors and high ceiling is a great
complement to the good crystal and fine people behind
the bar pouring.
We are a small, artisanal family-owned winery located
in the heart of the California wine country in Healdsburg.
We started our own label in 2004 and are proud and pas-
sionate to bring you wines made from the remarkablevineyards we tend with our growers in Sonoma, Napa,
Mendocino and Monterey counties, said talented veteran
winemaker Nancy Walker, a graduate of the winemaking
program at the University of California at Davis, and who,
with her husband and partner, Tony Stephen, combined
their names for this adventure.
We craft our wines to showcase the grapes and their
vineyard provenance that, we
trust, also allows for the subtle
nuances of the appellation toshine through. And, with most
less than 650 cases, we can re-
ally control the wines for the
most optimum result.
This philosophy allows us
to create wines that are truly an
expression of our style. Every
bottle of wine we produce has
our commitment and unique
perspective, and that is to bring you the true flavors real-
ized from the terroir. Based on our experience, we believe
each wine is a specific, individual expression of the fruit
from our vineyards and the craft of the winemaker.
No doubt about it, these are rare wines you will seldom
find elsewhere. Which means they are perfect to enjoy on
your visit to Healdsburg, and to take home and share this
discovery with family and friends. Which, after all, is what
savoring wine is all about.
Oh yes, they also stay open until 7 p.m., which means
you can drop by for a guided tasting and then head to din-
ner, most likely with a bottle in hand!BY CHARLES NEAVE
Stephen & Walker Trust Winery
Opn 11 .. to 7 p.. dy243 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg
(707) 431-8749 www.trustwine.com
Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon,Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Port
FUN Six Double Golds, 12 Golds, two Best of Class,FACT and two, 90+ wines and thats just this year!
Stephen & Walker Trust Winery
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20 Westside Road www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Westside Road
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Dragonfly
FarmhouseInn
Shoffeitts Off the Square
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THINGS TO DO
Shoffeitts off the Square
208 Hdbug anu, Hdbug
(707) 433-5556 www.hoffttoffthqu.co
This is a shopping mecca of antiques, collectibles, local artsand gifts, as well as fine & custom jewelry. Dont judge abook by its cover ... the building goes on forever!
Dragonfly, 425 Wtd rod, Hdbug
(707) 433-3739, www.dgonfyfo.co
By appointment only, this is a unique botany and flower-lover's destination. They can custom pick and arrangeflowers.
Wohler Bridge, 9765 Woh rod, Fot
A true Sonoma County landmark, Wohler Bridge is one of thefew old-old-OLD bridges left in California. This steel truss
bridge crosses the Russian River at quite a beautiful spot, too.
LODGING
Madrona Manor, 1001 Wtd rod, Hdbug
1-800-258-4003, www.mdonmno.co
A world-class destination for guests seeking gracious serviceand luxurious accommodations in the heart of wine country.Oh yes... "Rated #1 in Napa & Sonoma"by Travel & Leisure... Need we say more?
Farmhouse Inn, 7871 r rod, Fot
(707) 887-3300, www. Fhouinn.coRepresenting the finest level of Sonoma inns, restaurantsand Spas, sublime guestrooms, farm-fresh food, and seasonalbody treatments come together for one unforgettable experi-ence.
DINING
Farmhouse Inn Restaurant, 7871 r rod, Fot
(707) 887-3300, www.fhounn.co
Tucked into one of the smallest, lovely towns in wine country,the Farmhouse Inn boasts an exquisite restaurant. Each plate
by Chef Litke tells the story of Sonoma's diverse agricultureand artisan producers.
Not to scale
Driving Time: 9 minutes
Fo m Ckto D l montny 1.5 to ad .75 to Twoy >1 to John Ty >1.5
Total 4.75 miles
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21Westside Roadwww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Wines to remember in a place youll never forget
Thats how the folks at Armida Winery describe what theyre
all about. I must agree Ive been a fan for years. Armida
Winery is definitely an unforgettable place!
Located not far from Healdsburg on Westside Road,
Armida Winery sits atop a vineyard-striped knoll. Wind your
way up the driveway and you are
in for a real treat! To start with, the
views from the oak-shadeddeck/picnic area and bocce court
are unforgettable the Russian
River Valley unfolds before your
eyes in a glorious patchwork of
vineyards, trees and hills. The win-
ery itself is a geodesic dome, the
practical reason, according to
Buckminster Fuller, would be that
The sphere uses the doing more
with less principle in that it en-
closes the largest volume of
interior space with the least amount of surface area, thus sav-
ing on materials and cost. The Armida reason is cause it
looks cool.
The tasting room is light, bright and airy feeling, with an
octagonal shaped wooden bar that is staffed by friendly and
knowledgeable servers. PoiZin (Armidas signature Zinfandel)
is everywhere in the artfully merchandised tasting room
casket-shaped cases and numerous displays offer a wide arrayof PoiZin T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and other non-wine good-
ies. A full-sized wooden Indian gazes solemnly at visitors as
they sip, swirl and shop. Against the back wall, a glass-fronted
refrigerator is well stocked with cheeses, hummus and other
picnic fare. This is a really great place to have a picnic!
Armida Winery is a popular stop along the wine road, be-
cause the tasting room is unique, the views are stunning,
these folks really know how to
show visitors a good time and the
wines ROCK! Lets talk about thewines I just had to taste the
2008 PoiZin The wine to die
for. It is a classic Zinfandel,
loaded with aromas and flavors of
ripe blackberry, plum, caramel
and peppery spice, with a big,
rich mouthfeel and long, juicy
finish. The bottle is really cool,
too its black, with a red skull-
and-crossbones label. I also tasted
their 2006 Durrell Vineyard Pinot
Noir, which was another delicious, varietally correct wine.
The nose drew me in, with hints of rose, violet, cherry and
baking spices. These aromas continued as flavors in the oh-
so-silky mouth and on through the finish. Yum!
Be sure to visit this unforgettable place and tell them The
Wine Wench sent you!
Armida Winery is located on Westside Road, just outside
of Healdsburg. Check them out on Facebook or Twitter.BY SUE STRAIGHT, THE WINE WENCH
Armida WineryOpn 11 .. to 5 p.. dy
2201 Westside Road, Healdsburg
(707) 433-2222www.armidawinery.com
Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Barbera,Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and PoiZin
FUN Take advantage of the bocce courts overlookingFACT rosebeds, ponds, vineyards and the valley below.
Bring a picnic and enjoy it with Armida wines.
Armida Winery
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22 Westside Road www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
John Tyler WinesJust over the border of the Dry Creek Appellation into theheartlands of the Russian River Valley a gem of a brand-new,custom built, family-run tasting room has been over 50 years
in the making.
Take an excursion along the spectacular twists and turns
of Westside Road and you will be amongst the first wine afi-
cionados to set foot through the
wide, double doors of a celebra-
tion in the making.For the Bacigalupi family,
farming these rolling, cool climate
estate vineyards for the past five
decades has been second nature.
Alongside a wealth of shared his-
tory with the closely related Heck
Family, a new and distinctive pre-
mium, small-lot wine label has
been created as a realization of a
long held dream. John Tyler Wines is a three-
generational collaboration of two world-class winemaking
families that is named after John Bacigalupi, who was raised
on the same ranch that he farms today and fourth-generation
winemaker, nephew Tyler Heck. A charming wine country
farm cottage-style tasting room now welcomes visitors to the
ranch to experience a sampling of the two familys out-
standing estate and vineyard designate Pinot Noir, Zinfandel
and Petite Sirah wines.
The Bacigalupi family first gained major recognition dur-
ing the famous 1976 Paris tasting when the 1973 Napa Valley
Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena with premium Baci-
galupi fruit triumphed over many renowned French wines
as undisputed winner, said Katey Bacigalupi. Katey and her
twin sister Nicole were raised within the wine industry and
together with their mother, Pam Bacigalupi, have been the
gentle, guiding force behind the creation of a cozy tasting
room, complete with custom, handcrafted wooden bar, fire-
place and patio seating.
After graduating studies in
enology, viticulture and ag busi-ness at both Fresno State
University and Cal Poly San Luis
Obispo, winemaker, Tyler Heck
traveled the globe to acquire an
extensive knowledge of diverse
wine industry practices and tech-
niques.
Moderate temperatures through
harvest in the Russian River ap-
pellation, bordering Dry Creekallow for the development of
deep, rich flavors and color in a typically lush, likeable Zin,
brimming with wild berry, leather, tobacco and pepper spice
flavors and firm, dry tannins. Soils with a rocky, volcanic,
sandy loam produce bright fruit for Pinot Noir balanced by
minerality and intriguing earth tones.
We plan to offer vineyard tours and wine club special
events, explained Bacigalupi, but the highlight of a visit to
this new kid on the block will undoubtedly be the unlocking
of the family secrets in tasting the meeting of minds of deep-
rooted tradition and the winemakers boutique mastery.BY FRANCES RIVETTI
John Tyler Winesby Bacigalupi VineyardOpn cunty by ppontnt ony, 10 .. to 5 p..
4353 Westside Road, Healdsburg
(707) 473-0123 johntylerwines.com
Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah
FUN Another John Tyler Jr. was the 10th PresidentFACT of the United States and the first president
to be born after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
Mention this story for a complimentary library wine tasting.
by Bacigalupi
Vineyard
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23Westside Roadwww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Mill CreekStroll up to the rustic tasting room at Mill Creek Vine-yards and Winery on a sunny day in Dry Creek Valley, andyoull be tempted to kick off your shoes and socks and dip
your toes into the refreshing blue waters of a millpond.
Although tempted, youd be rather satisfied grabbing a
bottle of the winerys stunning
double gold collection of award
winning wines and then finding
yourself a comfy seat next to theworking water wheel and pond.
Beyond and up into the hills
above the 36-year-old winerys red-
wood tasting room, an upper
terraced picnic area provides spa-
cious seating and superb views,
spanning the Kreck family-owned
vineyards for as far as the eye can
see.
In fact, What you see is what
you taste, said tasting room man-
ager Kim Collins, who frequently
pours according to the tastes and
preferences of her first customers
of the day. We dont believe in
opening the same offerings each
day, she explained. If you are a
big Zin fan, Ill likely pour in that particular direction.
No appointments are necessary to pop into Mill Creek.First time visitors often become wine club members, join-
ing in the creative winemaking process at custom blending
parties and memorable food and wine affairs. We get a lot
of first timers here, said Collins. We can be your first or
final stop along Westside Road, depending upon your di-
rection of approach.
A walking vineyard tour and
tasting with barrel samplings
takes place every Saturday at
11 a.m. Reservations are requiredfor this activity and should be
made by calling the tasting room
before 10 a.m on the Saturday of
choice. Space is limited.
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
gold medal and double gold
medal winning 2006 Cabernet
Sauvignon Kreck Family Vine-
yards bursts with blackberry jam
and leathery spice, captivating
fans of the valleys big, bold reds,
along with a 2006 Zinfandel Dry
Creek Valley, another multiple
medal winner at the Harvest Fair
as well as the San Francisco and
Pacific Rim International wine
competitions. Prefer a white? You
wont be disappointed at Mill Creek tasting best of class
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Gewrztraminer.BY FRANCES RIVETTI
Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery
Opn 10 .. to 5 p.. dy1-877-349-2121 www.millcreekwinery.com
1401 Westside Road, Healdsburg
Jut two to th nut d fo th cnt of town, fo th outh
tk Hwy 101 to th Cnt Hdbug xt. Tun ft t 2nd ght onto
m stt tht bco Wtd rod. T tt o on to
m Ck Wny on you ght. Fo th noth tk 101 to th Wtd
rod xt. Tun ght t th botto of th p onto Wtd rod. T
bout 1 to m Ck Wny on you ght.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel,
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewrztraminer,Merlot and Dessert Wine
FUN The working wheel and millpond of Mill CreekFACT Vineyards and Winery Tasting Room wasfashioned as a replica from vintage photographs of severallong lost mills along the Mill Creek Road area in whichowners, the Kreck family were raised.
Vineyards
& Winery
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24 Westside Road www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
How does the idea of a picnic and Pinot tickle your
fancy, shared in a private, peaceful setting outside of a beau-
tiful little redwood barn located in one of the most idyllic
spots of the inner Dry Creek Valley?
If its a taste of quiet caliber and casual luxury that youre
pining for in a truly outstanding day trip to the Dry Creek
appellation, search no further
than a well appointed stop at De
La Montanya Winerys TastingRoom in its Felta Creek Vine-
yard, some three miles and a
short, five minute drive south of
central Healdsburg on secluded
Foreman Lane.
If you are looking to taste
some of the most unique red
wine in Sonoma County, you are
in the right place, said Dennis
De La Montanya, whose 16 dif-
ferent wines have yielded an
impressive fleet of top notch, gold medal wins at Sonoma
Countys prestigious annual Harvest Fair.
Were small, quaint, hard to find and well worth the
effort for the dedicated day tripper, said De La Montanya,
one of Dry Creek Valleys most celebrated hosts and cham-
pion of understated winemaking mastery.
For each of De La Montanyas wines meticulously
crafted by sister-in-law Tami Collins is bottled from the pick
of the crop of the best of the winerys premium estate-
grown, hand selected grapes from some 15 varieties that
span five distinctive appellations of ideal soils and micro-
climates.
Visit the bucolic barn style tasting room set amidst the
winerys Felta Creek Vineyard in hidden Dry Creek Valley
and discover the secrets of De La Montanyas winemaking
success. Its the unmistakable spirit, charm and fine atten-
tion to simple detail apparent in
and around this tidy, tucked
away property. Some three acresof Zinfandel and one acre of
Primitivo surround a vintage
Golden Delicious apple orchard
that provides a leafy, shaded
canopy over inviting lawns and
patios, rose-tangled arbors, a
fire pit, outdoor pizza oven,
pathways and a bocce court.
Fine winemaking may be se-
rious business, not least whenproducing 4,500 cases that
range from offerings of just 25
to 250 cases per year, depending upon the varietal. Yet De
La Montanya and his tight-knit winery team take equal
pride in their shared dedication to the art of a laugh and
the craft of good living.
De La Montanya has one of the areas largest wine clubs
with nearly 2,000 members with only a limited number
of spots available. How can this not be fun? asked De La
Montanya, whose limited edition wines include a rather
cheeky range of pin-up wines for and featuring embold-
ened wine club members. BY FRANCES RIVETTI
De La Montanya Vineyards & Winery
Opn Fdy-sundy, 11 .. to 5:30 p..mondy-Thudy, by pponnt ony
(707) 433-3711 www.dlmwine.com
999 Foreman Lane, Healdsburg
Gewrztraminer, Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel,Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo, Tempranillo and unique blends!
FUNSeveral rock star special signature bottlingsFACT for bands like Journey and Whitesnake haveraised thousands of dollars for charities.
Mention this article and receive aspecial taste of Whitesnake Zinfandel
De La MontanyaVineyards
& Winery
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25Westside Roadwww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
When I visit Twomey in the town of Healdsburg,
thoughts of flight come to mind. Maybe its the almost or-
ganic design of the winery itself, with a wall of glass that
runs the length of the winery and looks down and across
the Russian River Valley with its hundreds of acres of per-
fect rows of grapes.
Perhaps it begins with the
water feature across from the en-
trance as you walk down thewinding path to the front, possi-
bly the roof that reminds me of
the wing of a huge bird, a hawk
perhaps, made of light wood. Or
the indoor-outdoor effect inside
that takes you seamlessly from
the tasting room to the curves
and plantings of the patio. What
I do know for sure is that it all
comes together and makes visit-
ing a sensory experience on so
many levels, from design, to the vines, to the wines.
Twomey Cellars has two tasting rooms, you need to
know that right away. One is here in Sonoma County, the
other in Napa Valley just a few miles south of Calistoga. But
the wines are the same at each stylish (and completely dif-
ferent looking) facility. The other thing to note is that they
are part of the fabled Silver Oak family, known around the
world for their Cabernet Sauvignon. As they explain,
Twomey is an evolution of our creativity and innovation
with varietals other than Cabernet Sauvignon.To that end they have made a strong and continuing
commitment to making exceptional Merlot, Pinot Noir and
Sauvignon Blanc. They currently offer four Pinot Noirs,
from vineyards not just in the Russian River Valley, but also
in Anderson Valley to the north, Sonoma Coast to the west
and, to the south, Santa Barbara County. They also, for the
past two years, have been making one crisp, fresh white
wine, the Napa Valley Sauvi-
gnon Blanc, using grapes from
their 12 acre vineyard at theCalistoga winery.
For each wine, clones, cli-
mate, trellising, soil and many
other factors have all been cho-
sen to create the finest example
of the varietals possible, all
crafted by Winemaker, Ben
Cane and Director of Winemak-
ing Daniel Baron. Both of them
are seasoned industry veterans
whose philosophy and skill per-
fectly match that of the family.
Tasting these wines, from different areas, is a revelation,
and no where better to do it than at this beautiful site. As
Tasting Room Manager Romana Behrens said lately, The
views here truly are spectacular, the building and tasting
room decidedly modern, comfortable and friendly, the
wines world class. We hope youll visit us to taste, perhaps
picnic, while you look out over our beautiful valley.
One additional note is that the winery offers tours
Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday by ap-pointment. BY CHARLES NEAVE
Twomey Cellarssu: mondy-study, 10 .. to 5 p..
sundy, 11 .. to 5 p..Wnt: mondy-study, 10 .. to 4 p..
sundy, 11 . to 4 p..
3000 Westside Road, Healdsburg
1-800-505-4850 www.twomeycellars.com
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Merlot
FUN Twomey Cellars is owned by the
FACT Duncan family of Silver Oak Cellars.
Twomey Cellars
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Alexander Valley
THINGS TO DO
Bosworth & Son General Store
21060 Gy anu, Gy
(707) 857-3463, www.bowothndon.co
Once a mortuary and even a buggy store thebuggy paint still stains the floor Bosworth &
Son General Store is an old-fashioned storemeeting the Western-inspired needs of todayscustomer.
Healdsburg Ridge Hiking Trail
enty gt t abn Wy nd Bd Pth.
(soy, no pt owd).
One of Sonomas favorite nature preserves, takethe Ridge Hiking Trail to the Fox Pond Runand Fox Pond Overlook. A wonderful place toget some fresh air and exercise in wine country!
Veterans Memorial Beach,
13839 Hdbug anu, Hdbug, (707) 433-1625
Truly one of Healdsburgs most favorite river side beaches! Bring a
picnic, kick off your shoes, or even borrow an inner tube. Nothingto do here but relax, breathe deeply, and listen to the river roll on by.
FOOD
Jimtown Store, 6706 Hghwy 128, Hdbug
(707) 433-1212, www.jtown.co
Literally tucked into the vineyards in the Jimtown store. For morethan 100 years, Jimtown has provided Healdsburg with fresh bakedgoods, hot coffee, and local products. Linger over the eclectic Ameri-can antiques and old-fashioned toys.Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria
21021 Gy anu, Gy
(707) 814-0111, www.dopzz.co
Diavola is not only a great stop for picnic items such as house-curedsalumi and olives but also features traditional Italian cooking in-cluding gourmet pizzas from brick ovens and delicicious pastas.
Diavola uses the most locally available ingredients combined withcenturies old recipes.Hoffman House Restaurant
21712 Gy a, Gy
(707) 857-3264, www.hoffnhougy.co
Built more than 100 years ago by the Hoffman family, this cafeserves healthy breakfast and lunch with striking views of the ma-
jestic mountains nearby. Seasonal dinners, call first.
LODGING
Grape Leaf Inn, 539 Johnon stt, Hdbug
(707) 433-8140, www.gpfnn.co
A picturesque Queen Anne Victorian bed and breakfast, the GrapeLeaf Inn seamlessly blends modern decor with timeless antiques.Gracious staff provide the best hospitality in this relaxing, roman-
tic environment.Belle de Jour Inn, 16276 Hdbug anu, Hdbug
(707) 431-9777, www.bdujounn.co
A single-story Italiante built in the 1870s, Belle du Jour nestles onsix acres of hilltop overlooking rolling hilltops and valleys.Hope Merril & Hope Bosworth B&B
21253 Gy anu, Gy
(707) 857-3356, www.hop-nn.co
Once an early stage-coach stop, these now two strikingly restoredQueen Anne Craftsman homes welcome you with open arms.Truly where wine and romance intertwine!Geyserville Inn, 21714 Gy anu, Gy
(707) 857-4343, www.Gyinn.co
First class accomodations at more affordable pricesin the heart of wine country!
CHIANTIR
D.
101
ASTIRD.
DUTCHER
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GEYSERV
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.
CANYO
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SILVER
OAK
MEEKER VINEYARDS
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HEA L D SBURG
AVE
SIMIGRO V E
CHIQUITA
DRYCREEK
LYT
TONSPRINGS
Geyserville Inn\Hoffman House Restaurant
101
Hope Merrill/Hope Bosworth House
JimtownStore
Bosworth & Son General Store
Diavola Pizzeria
128
PARKLAN
DFARM
S
Healdsburg RidgeHiking Trail
SAUSAL
VINTNERS
SIGNATURES
FIELD
STONE
ALEXAN
DERVAL
.RD.
LYTTON
Only an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Alexander Valley is leaps and bounds away from
any hustle and bustle. Visitors looking for a more relaxed, authentic wine country experience, will
be happy here. Brimming with hospitality, this stunning corner of the world is home to 40 winer-
ies, each boasting distinctive, unassuming wines.
Gateway to
Not to scale
Driving Time: 36 minutes
Fo s Okto mk 4 to vntn sgntu 4 to su 4 to Fd ston 3 to s 8
Total 21 miles
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27Gateway to Alexander Valleywww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
It was more than 75 years ago when Isabelle Simi
Haigh announced to her work crew that she wanted them
to convert a huge, unused wine vat into a unique tasting
room. Since then, Simi Winery has built a reputation for
offering visitors not just tastes of superb wines but com-
fortable and unique settings in which to try the wines. In
the warm visiting days of sum-
mer, tours often begin in the
redwood grove that shelters thetasting room. The grove also
serves as the focal point for
events and for special food and
wine explorations.
This summer many Simi
guests may be seen, heads raised,
making gentle sniffing sounds
and remarking that they think
they smell pizzas. And they are
right. Each Friday 2 p.m. till 6p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.
till 4 p.m., the redwood grove is transformed into an ex-
otic sort of pizza cafe, offering a menu of exotic pizzas
created by Chef Eric Lee. The pizzas are made in the East
Coast thin-crust style, but the toppings are all strictly local,
with generous use of fresh-from-the-farm greens that Eric
selects for the pizza he calls Forage. Even the Italian
sausage (salsicce) is made by Eric in the winery kitchen.
As delicious as the pizzas are, the winery staff eagerly
points out that they taste even more tempting when con-
sumed in the setting of the redwood grove, and nearly
everyone involved with the winery loves to tell the story of
this historic family and the teenage girl who kept the win-
ery operating profitably when both her father and her
uncle died unexpectedly within a few weeks of each other
and left her to carry on. Even the stones used in con-
struction of the waterfall in the grove have a story to tell,
since all the materials that went into the creation of this
idyllic spot were recycled from
earlier structures or were natu-
ral stones found on the propertyas land was cleared for vine-
yards over the years. The long
communal tables where wine
fanciers from everywhere sit
down as perfect strangers and
rise as friends trading their own
recipes for special pizzas, were
crafted from staves of old fer-
mentation tanks.
Many pizza lovers swear thatthe only wine to consume with
their favorite pizzas, no matter which crust is made or
what toppings are sprinkled over the top, is Cabernet
Sauvignon, The hearty, beautifully balanced 2006 Alexan-
der Valley Cabernet and the 2005 Reserve Cabernet just
released by Simi Winery will only reinforce that belief, and
the more daring suggest that they have found a new com-
bination to savor, quaffing the gold medal winning 2009
Sauvignon Blanc with the Forage and Sausage pizzas. This
trio of wines are available in the tasting room, so while the
pizzas bake, visitors may want to sample these three ele-
gant newcomers.
Simi WineryOpn 10 .. to 5 p.. dy
16275 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
(707) 473-3232www.simiwinery.com
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay,
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
FUN Simi Winery tasting room was originallyFACT made from a huge wine vat.
Simi Winery
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28 Gateway to Alexander Valley www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
The name is synonymous with some of the finest
Cabernet Sauvignon ever made. Since it was founded in
1972, bottles of Silver Oak Cellars extraordinary wines
have been coveted by wine lovers and collectors on every
continent, and with good reason. What they craft are
two wines and two wines only: an Alexander Valley
Cabernet, the other from Napa
Valley.
Both wines are aged for ex-tended periods in American
Oak barrels and then in the
bottle before release. But per-
haps the feature that has most
endeared them to consumers is
that, while they can be aged in
the cellar for years, they are also
ready to drink upon release. It
is deft juggling that goes back
to the beginning, when Ray
Duncan and Justin Meyer began
the journey that came to help
define Silver Oak Cellars.
As director of winemaking Daniel Baron says, For its
time, Ray and Justins idea particularly the length of time
in bottle was almost revolutionary for California. But he
also emphasizes that creating a drinkable upon release
wine begins in the vineyard. The fact that the wine is
blended before it goes in the barrel is a major component
as well.
You can visit the French chateau-like facility and tast-ing room in Geyserville to discover this bottled magic.
There are vineyards on three sides, the trademark white
water tower on the top of a hill, a manicured lawn and
a tall archway that leads into a traditional and spacious
courtyard. The winery is a welcome blend of sophisti-
cated and stylish, friendly and relaxed. Just sitting in the
courtyard near the fountain with a glass of their Caber-
net is a vacation in itself. Or go
into the tasting room, with its
view through glass doors intothe temperature-controlled cel-
lar where the library wines and
large format bottles are kept.
Many are available only at the
winery and its a treasure trove
for collectors looking for a rare
vintage or a 3.0 liter (or larger)
bottle for a special celebration.
Our Geyserville winery is
off the beaten track, but when
you arrive you feel like youve
found one of the areas hidden
gems. Guests often tell us they go out of their way to visit
the tasting room because they know theyll get the ulti-
mate Sonoma County experience when they arrive.
The light-filled tasting room where everyone gets
personal attention features a bar designed to resemble
the American Oak barrels that are the signature of Silver
Oak wines. Like the Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvi-
gnon itself, Geyserville is friendly and approachable and
we would love to have you experience it for yourself.BY CHARLES NEAVE
Silver Oaksu: mondy-study, 9 .. to 5 p..
sundy, 11 .. to 5 p..
Wnt: mondy-study, 9 .. to 4 p..sundy, 11 .. to 4 p..
24625 Chianti Road, Canyon Road Exit, Geyserville
1-800-273-8809 www.silveroak.com
Cabernet Sauvignon
FUN Silver Oak has been family owned since its
FACT establishment in 1972 and has been makingonly Cabernet Sauvignon since that time.
Silver Oak
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29Gateway to Alexander Valleywww.WineCountryThisWeek.com
If going to the bank gives you the blues these days, pre-
pare to have that mindset turned upside down. After a visit
to The Meeker Vineyard Tasting Room, you will never again
think about financial institutions in the same way.
Meekers tasting room is located in a historic Geyserville
bank building that was built in 1903. The original teller
windows, the tiled floor, even the
old vault are all a part of one of
Sonoma Countys most cele-brated and unique tasting rooms.
But dont expect to encounter a
stuffy bankers attitude here. This
also happens to be one of the
most unaffected and light-hearted
wine tasting experiences you will
ever encounter. The Meeker
family takes pride in their down-
to-earth approach to wine. With
the soulful sound of blues waft-
ing in the air, this tasting room just naturally emits a relaxed
vibe that other tasting rooms have to strive to achieve.
As Lucas Meeker relates, Weve been in this business
for over twenty years. These days so many wineries attempt
to portray themselves as unpretentious. We dont have to
try. Its just simply who we are. Given that their original
tasting room was located in a forty-six-foot-tall tepee, its
not surprising that this affable winemaking family has never
been accused of putting on airs.
In the late eighties nobody around here had a tasting
room. When people started showing up at our winerywanting to taste our wines, we were surprised. What was
going on here? Our winemaker at the time bought the tepee
and we decided to open up a tasting room. But when the
old bank building became available, we jumped on it. It
has so much character, a little quirky perhaps, but very
much who we are.
The Meeker family prescribes to the old adage, do one
thing and do it well. They make
red wine...big, lush, proud red
wines that are perfect examplesof what good fruit can produce
in the hands of great winemak-
ers. At the tasting room bar,
planed from a California Oak
branch that had fallen on their
property, guests are treated to the
red wines that have made this
winery famous Cabernet
Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Mer-
lot. (You can also try a Pinot
from Lucas own label, Lucas J. Cellars.) But dont expect
the big price tags that usually go hand in hand with these
varietals. Meeker wines are exceptionally approachable
cost-wise. It is no surprise that The Meeker Vineyard can
boast a wine club membership of more than sixteen hun-
dred loyal followers. We are really proud of our concept.
We pour big reds and play the blues. Those are the two
things we love and people seem to agree with us.
Expect to sample from five to six of their twenty differ-
ent red wines. If were having fun, we usually open even
more! says Lucas. And fun is something that is never inshort supply at Meeker Vineyard. BY RONDA GIANGRECO
The Meeker Vineyard10:30 .. to 6 p.. dy, xcpt jo hody
21035 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville
(707) 431-2148 www.meekerwine.com
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, Zin, Petite Sirah,
Syrah, Grenache and Chardonnay
FUN The tasting room is in the 100+ year oldFACT Bank of Geyserville, with the original vault!
The Meeker Vineyard
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30 Gateway to Alexander Valley www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Being a grape grower isnt as romantic as you may think
it is. Basically, a grape grower is a farmer, dancing to the
capricious tunes of Mother Nature and the economic cli-
mate as well. Many grape growers dont have wineries of
their own and rely on local wineries to buy their grapes.
Thats where Vintners Signatures comes in. They have
formed a unique partnership
with local grape growers. This
partnership showcases the
magic that happens when you
combine the right grape grower,
variety and location with an ex-
perienced winemaking team.
Located on Highway 128 in
the picturesque Alexander Val-
ley, Vintners Signatures is a very
special place. The tasting room
is expansive, airy and well lit,with a large window, inviting a
view of the cellar and inner
workings of the winery. The
long tasting bar spans the back
of the room, providing plenty of space for visitors to
relax and enjoy the delicious wines (more on the wines
in a minute). Dark wood display racks offer a taste-
ful array of non-wine items, such as glassware, clothing
and wine-related books. A large picnic area is in theworks for the back of the building and a smaller picnic
area is planned for just outside the front doors.
The staff at Vintners Signatures is friendly, enthusi-
astic and knowledgeable. In fact, winemakers Mike
Draxton and Randy Meyer are close at hand and happy
to chat with visitors about their wines, winemaking and
the grape growers that they partner with.
Lets talk about the wines
I had the pleasure of tasting a
few during my visit and they
were all fantastic! The follow-
ing were my favorites:
2009 El Roy Sauvignon
Blanc, Dry Creek Valley $15:
One sniff and you know youre
in for a treat! Mouthwatering
aromas of grapefruit, lemon-
grass, cut hay and green herbs
lure the taster into a crisp, juicy mouthful of consistent
flavors. Yum!
2006 El Roy Proprietors
Red Alexander Valley $18: El
Roys unique blend of classic Bordeaux varietals is com-
bined with traditional hillside-grown Rhone varieties to
form a dark, rich wine with flavors of black currant, straw-
berry and spice.
Vintners Signatures is all about great wines and partner-ship. Dont miss it! BY SUE STRAIGHT, THE WINE WENCH
Vintners Signatures
Vintners SignaturesOpn 10:30 .. to 5 p.. dy4001 Highway 128, Geyservillewww.vintnerssignatures.com
(707) 857-3300
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Malbec,
Proprietors Red (blend),
Old Vine Zinfandel,
Soon to be added Pinot Noir
and Cabernet SauvignonFUN Bring in a copy of this article and becomeFACT a Wine Club member for a day.
(Valid for one person in a group only.)
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Sausal Winery in Alexander Valley no world-famous
architect built it, no priceless art collection is housed in it,
and no sumptuous gardens with waterfalls and statuary are
to be found in it. What visitors will find at Sausal is the
Demostene family, who has lived and worked in the Alexan-
der Valley for generations and who make some of
Californias finest Zinfandel wines.
The family purchased the
Sausal Ranch (named for thecreek that flows through it into
the Russian River) in 1956. The
next generation of Demostenes
founded the winery in 1973, in
large part to take advantage of the
existence of Zinfandel grape vines
that had been producing high
quality grapes since 1877. Thats
not a typographical error, and youcan prove that for yourself when
you visit the winery to taste living
history Zinfandel wines that are made from vines that are
50, 90 and 130+ years old.
Follow Hwy. 128 along the eastern edge of the Alexan-
der Valley to the winery, then down the winerys driveway
to a rustic, barn-red wooden building with a trellised porch
that houses the tasting room. Simple, like the rest of the
winery, the tasting room is not a mini-mall teeming with