The Sarah
Jane English Newsletter: 91st Edition
August 17, 2008
TOP PICKS OF THE MONTH (store prices vary; if suggested vintage is unavailable, look for current release) $Best Buy
WINERY OF THE MONTH: Mayacamas Vineyards: "Wine estate Mayacamas Vineyards is located in the Mayacamas Mountains that divide the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. The old stone winery is perched on the edge of a dormant volcano crater, near the top of Mt. Veeder. Fifty two acres of vineyards are planted on mountain sides ranging from 1,800 to 2,400 feet above sea level. Deer, eagles, coyotes and an occasional bear still inhabit this rugged terrain. ¶ For many centuries, the land at Mayacamas was inhabited by the Wappo Indians, stone age hunters and gatherers. Spear points and stone implements from their civilization are still occasionally recovered from the vineyards. ¶ The first white settlers came to Mayacamas in the 1860’s. They were sheepherders who built the still existing barn. Little is known of their rugged existence. ¶ The winery was built in 1889 by John Henry Fisher, a German immigrant, who first worked as a sword engraver in Philadelphia and then became a pickle merchant in San Francisco. The winery was also used by his family as a summer home and as a ranch to raise and care for the horses he used to deliver pickles to his clients in San Francisco. He sold his wine by the barrel. The barrels were loaded onto horse drawn wagons, driven fifteen miles to the Napa River, and then transferred to ferry boats which took the wine to San Francisco where it was bottled and sold. ¶ Soon after the turn of the century, the Fishers declared bankruptcy. The winery officially fell into disuse, although bootleggers are said to have made wine in the old stone cellar. During the late 1920s and 1930’s the Henry Brandlin family, some of whom still live in the area, owned the property. Then in 1941 Jack and Mary Taylor bought the land. They restored the winery, turned the old stone distillery into their home, and chose to name the restored estate Mayacamas Vineyards. ¶ In 1968, the winery was purchased by its present owners, Robert and Elinor Travers. Under their direction, aging facilities have been enlarged, neighboring land has been purchased, and clearing, planting and replanting the vineyard are an ongoing process. In addition to Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, small blocks of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are grown. ¶ The steep rocky slopes of the vineyards at Mayacamas yield small crops of tiny grapes. This small fruit is intensely flavored and results in very full character development in the wines. Winemaker Robert Travers designs winemaking procedures to preserve this intensity. ¶ Average annual wine production at Mayacamas Vineyards is now approximately 5,000 cases, the majority of which are Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, with smaller quantities of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir also produced. ¶ About 2,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon are made each year. Small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot (generally 10% to 15% of the final wine) are blended into the Cabernet Sauvignon. Seven to fourteen days of fermentation on the grape skins are preceded by crushing and destemming. The grapes are then pressed and racked several times in the next few weeks. Two years of large American oak cask aging is followed by a year in 60 gallon French oak barrels. After bottling, these wines are given an additional two years of aging in the bottle before being released for sale at about five years of age. Full development requires many more years. We recommend that Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon be consumed at twelve to twenty five years of age although some vintages will be at or near their best for even longer. ¶ Annual production of Chardonnay also averages nearly 2,000 cases. It is made entirely from Chardonnay grapes. Pressing is accomplished immediately after crushing and destemming. Cool fermentation follows and lasts about three weeks. The secondary malolactic fermentation is not induced. Then Mayacamas Chardonnay is given several rackings and a light fining during the next six months of aging in 600 to 1,200 gallon American oak casks. A year of aging in 60 gallon French oak barrels precedes bottling. These wines usually reach maturity at five to eight years of age but some hold near their peak for many more years. ¶ Pinot Noir takes only about five days to ferment and just Pinot Noir grapes are used here. After pressing, the wine is racked several times while aging for its first half year in our American oak casks. Then the wine spends a year in French oak barrels. Bottled at 18 to 20 months of age, Mayacamas Pinot Noir is released for sale when four years old and is usually at its best between its seventh and twelfth years. Just a few hundred cases are made each year. ¶ Mayacamas produces about 600 cases a year of Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is made entirely from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Crushing, destemming and pressing are followed by three weeks of cool fermentation. Several rackings and a fining during the eight to ten months of cask aging precede bottling. Released when a year and a half old, Mayacamas Sauvignon Blanc is usually at its best when three to five years of age, but some vintages age well for several more years. ¶ Mayacamas is very small and we intend to keep it that way. Our objective is to make wine with as much flavor, complexity and character as grapes can deliver. Given proper care and enough time, we believe these make the most interesting and enjoyable wines of all." Bob Travers is a no nonsense, straight talking, dedicated winemaker who is easy to admire. He makes you comfortable because he's easy to believe; no flashy fluffy stuff or noisy distractions aimed to inveigle. In a world omnipresent with pretension and rampant disregard for others, it's nice to know Bob Travers is on the mountain if you happen that way.
SPLURGE WINES OF THE MONTH: B.R. COHN 2005 Olive Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley $64 was awarded Gold at The Dallas Morning News 2008 Wine Competition. When you enjoy a bottle, you'll understand why! The family owned winery offers an array of products to complement its wines: extra virgin olive oils, vinegars, and gourmet foods. For information, visit www.brcohn.com. Tasting room is open daily (10am to 5 pm) and until 6pm Friday through Sunday. Winery tours are by appointment (please telephone 800/ 330-4064 ext. 124). B.R. Cohn Winery, 15000 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen, CA 95442.
NEWS
BONNY DOON VINEYARD talented writer Burke Owens reported on some California area fires in July. I've had questions from readers that will welcome his comments. "The summer winds bring flame, smoke and destruction to too much of the Golden State these days (July report). Spring was rather dry ad teasingly brief for us here in Northern California; it brought unseasonable winds from April on as well as more conflagrations in the last 30 days than have occurred in living memory. We ourselves are incredibly grateful for our local firefighters who saved our beloved tasting room and original winery site in Bonny Doon from a fiery death in June. No worse than ashes and smoke descended on us whereas the devastation was not insignificant for a few of our fellow neighbors who lost homes and even a vineyard or two to this fire which started out innocently enough in a small patch of woods yet to grow to a raging 500 acres in the course of a few scant hours. Situated as we were only one-fourth mile away from the flames in was a tense three days at the winery. Three weeks later and still more fires are scattered all over the north; reports of massive fires consuming tens of thousands of acres reach our ears along with the news that too few firefighters exist to fight all the infernos. Even now in early July smoke filled skies cast a grey pallor to the mid-day causing us to think that we have mysteriously teleported to Los Angeles. But on to more congenial topics--the release of two new BONNY DOON wines (please see below).
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JIM CAUDILL of Brown-Forman answers inquiries about North Coast Fires Affecting This Years Harvest? "The question is:
will these fires hurt the grapes in any way, maybe imparting a smoky flavor to the
upcoming vintage?" Jim says that "there were more than 100 fires burning on the North Coast on the last Friday in June.
The equivalent of 33 square miles have been burned so far in Mendocino alone.
Smoke is predicted to hang around for another month, and even then, that depends on
whether or not they get control of fires in the most rugged and remote regions.
Serious? Oh yeah." Jim has been asking winemakers and viticulturists, and has received a wide array of fascinating perspectives.
"A smoky bacon fat flavor may be interesting in some wines, but will this
really do it? Most say no, unless things really get worse and
hang around for a long time. But after the coldest frost we’ve had in nearly 30
years, a near drought, and now this, you’ll appreciate that many here on the North
Coast are awaiting only the arrival of locusts. At the end of June, at Bonterra’s McNab Ranch, standing on the valley floor,
you couldn’t see the hillsides that frame this vineyard. But the senses were
working just fine, including not just the smell of fire (was it fear?) in the air, but the
heavy thumping of helicopters swooping low, heading north and west to fight inland fires.
The most interesting comment I heard was this: 'the ash and soot in
the air will inevitably land on the grapes, and winemakers, at least, might like to turn
on the frost protection overhead sprinklers, or fill up the spray wagons with water to
mist and clean the grapes before harvesting and bringing them into the winery for
processing.' But many likely can’t or won’t, because the heavy draw of the
frosts combined with our near drought means there’s not a lot of water to spare.
So stay tuned. This might really be a vintage to remember.
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MARGARET DUCKHORN New Wine Institute Chairman: Margaret Duckhorn is new Wine Institute board chairman for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. She is Co-founder and Executive Vice President of Industry Relations at Duckhorn Wine Company, which includes Duckhorn Vineyards in St. Helena, Paraduxx in Napa Valley and Goldeneye in Anderson Valley. Also elected were Raymond Chadwick of Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, first vice chairman; Tom Klein of Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg, second vice chairman; David Kent of the Wine Group, treasurer; and Kathleen Heitz Myers of Heitz Wine Cellars in St. Helena, secretary. ¶ Margaret Duckhorn established Duckhorn Vineyards with Dan Duckhorn in 1976 and has spent over 30 years building Duckhorn Vineyards' reputation for quality and excellence. As Wine Institute Chairman, Duckhorn will work on the Institute's historical core values in "respecting the land, workers, consumers and the communities we serve" by building upon the success of the California wine industry's Sustainable Winegrowing Program to promote responsible wine production practices that are sensitive to the environment and communities and continued support on regulatory and political challenges, including fair trade and tax matters, and the industry's competitiveness here and abroad. ¶ The Wine Institute, a public policy advocacy group for California wineries and affiliated businesses, accounting for 95 percent of California and 85 percent of U.S. wine production, is guided by 80 vintners on an active board of directors. The board elects the chairman and officers annually.
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MOIRA FITZPATRICK tells me she
has an exciting new addition to her portfolio of luxury clients - Scenic Tours and
its Ultimate European River Cruises (www.scenictours.com).
Scenic has teamed up with Europe's leading naval architects and ship designers to
create the highest standard river cruise ships ever built in Europe. Sailing Europe's
waterways with Scenic Tours, guests will enjoy:
7 Exclusive private balcony suites - 24% larger than
standard;
7 20% more space in public areas;
7 Non-smoking cabins & balconies;
7 Fully inclusive - no optionals;
7 All tipping included;
7 Free airport transfers;
7 Quality wine with lunch and dinner;
7 Complimentary butler service*
Guests will also enjoy a choice of included excursion options, best
available docking locations with easy access to town centers, bicycles for shore
exploration, five-star hotels for pre/post-cruise stays, luxury land-tour itineraries and
city extension packages, and more. Scenic's
Ultimate European River Cruises for 2009 offer twelve itineraries, ranging from 11to 29
days, including different combinations of Western and Eastern European cities and
waterways. A choice of four-day extensions to Paris, Prague & London are also
available. Fares range from $3,720 to $11,550. Generous airfare discounts and
early-bird savings are available for 2009 cruises. Scenic Tours, one of the largest
and most successful tour operators in Australia, has offices in England and Canada.
Founded more than 20 years ago, the company continues to expand each year with a total of
128 itineraries in 49 countries. Last year, over 30,000 discerning travelers from around
the world chose a Scenic Tour. For further
information, to receive a brochure, VIP your clients and for group bookings contact
Moira Fitzpatrick at 604-602-1282 or mfcons@bismail.com
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GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER
PROCLAIMS SEPTEMBER CALIFORNIA WINE MONTH: Governor Arnold Schwarzengger declared
September 2008 California Wine Month. In the proclamation, he lauds the state's wine
community as one of the largest and most successful wine regions in the world--producing
$19 billion in retail sales in the U.S. and attracting national and international tourists
while preserving natural resources.
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KENDALL-JACKSON Hosts Tomato-themed Dinner at James Beard House. Thursday, September 18 Kendall-Jackson’s Executive Chef Justin Wangler and his Culinary Team will create a tomato-themed dinner at New York’s famed James Beard House. The dinner will be based entirely on tomatoes harvested from Kendall-Jackson’s Sonoma County showcase gardens. Heirloom tomatoes with names such as "Hawaiian Pineapple," "Pink Ping Pong," and "Cherokee Purple," will be the foundation of the culinary creations. Each course will be paired with a Kendall-Jackson Highland Estates wine, providing a virtual tour of some of the top Coastal California estate vineyards owned by founder Jess Jackson and his family. ¶ Kendall-Jackson’s Highland Estates wine collection features eight limited estate-grown wines made from its mountain, ridge, hillside, and benchland vineyards located along the cool California coastline. Two of the wines are from Sonoma County: Hawkeye Mountain, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, and Taylor Peak, a Merlot from the Bennett Valley. ¶ Headquartered in Sonoma County, a region hailed by food and wine experts as "America’s Provence," Kendall-Jackson hosts its Heirloom Tomato Festival each September in celebration of the hundreds of varieties of this popular fruit. ¶ Kendall-Jackson has two tasting rooms: one is located on the Square in Healdsburg, the other is Kendall-Jackson’s Wine Center & Gardens located in Santa Rosa. The Wine Center & Gardens features a 2½ -acre organic sensory garden that is home to the annual Heirloom Tomato Festival. Both tasting rooms are open daily. The James Beard House dinner is $200 per person ($150 for members) and is expected to sell out quickly. For reservations, or James Beard Foundation member information, please call (212) 627-2308 or go to www.jamesbeard.org.
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MEDAL COUNT REFLECTS HIGH
QUALITY TEMECULA WINES: Temecula Valley wines have won
hundreds of awards in competitions this year and the type is striking. Along with
gold, silver and bronze medals, Temecula wines received a disproportionate number of
coveted Double Gold and Best of Class awards as well.
¶ Wines from Temecula so far this year received 35 Double Gold
and Best of Class awards in about 10 competitions. Double Gold requires unanimous
approval from a panel of four judges and Best of Class reflects superiority, typically in
a price category. ¶ Double Gold/Best of Class
winners came from 10 Temecula wineries: Baily, Falkner, Keyways, La Cereza, Maurice
Car'rie, Mount Palomar, South Coast, Stuart Cellars, Thornton and Wilson Creek.
Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Syrah were among several award-winning wine varietals from
the Temecula region that caught the attention of judges. ¶ For
South Coast Winery owner Jim Carter, whose wines received 18 Double Gold/Best of Class
awards in 2008, the results are testament to the quality wines consistently coming from
the Temecula Valley. ¶ For more information,
call Temecula Valley Winegrowers Assn. 801-800-WINE or www.temeculawines.org
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ALASKA VISIT, DENALI LEEDs the way: Closed for renovations since 2004, Denali National Park's Eielson Visitor Center has reopened. The center's new design had one priority: a 'platinum' rating from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. In an effort to achieve the highest sustainable rating, architects and engineers introduced key design elements into the low-profile, earth-bermed building. Tundra was salvaged during construction to camouflage the roof deck; renewable energy sources and energy-efficient heating, ventilation and plumbing systems were used; and portions of the original center were recycled into the new structure. If the building is awarded the platinum rating, as anticipated, it will be the first in the National Park Service. The $9.2 million building features more than 7,400 square feet and includes large indoor and outdoor viewing areas, an indoor dining area and space for ranger presentations and exhibits. An interactive topographical map of Mount McKinley and a handcrafted fabric art piece by local Denali artist Ree Nancarrow are currently on display. The center's official dedication will be August 12, 2008, and the building is open to the public through Sept. 15. The visitor center is located 66 miles from the park entrance, in the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve. For more information about visiting the park and Eielson Visitor Center, go to www.nps.gov/dena.
ZIPPING through KETCHIKAN: With the two-year success of its zipline tours in Ketchikan and Juneau, Alaska Canopy Adventures decided to take visitors to new heights in 2008. The company introduced the Bear Creek Zipline Adventure near Ketchikan with seven dual-cable ziplines, 10 tree platforms, a giant suspension bridge, a rainforest swing and a 250-foot mountain slide. Guests have aerial views of the ocean, mountains and Herring Cove, and frequently see bears and eagles as well. The entire rainforest adventure lasts three hours, ending with hot chocolate, snacks and a award. The adventure course is appropriate for first time zipliners, and offers new features for those who have ziplined previously. For information: www.alaskacanopy.com.
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JIM CAUDILL of Brown-Forman answers inquiries about North Coast Fires Affecting This Years Harvest? "The question is:
will these fires hurt the grapes in any way, maybe imparting a smoky flavor to the
upcoming vintage?" Jim says that "there were more than 100 fires burning on the North Coast on the last Friday in June.
The equivalent of 33 square miles have been burned so far in Mendocino alone.
Smoke is predicted to hang around for another month, and even then, that depends on
whether or not they get control of fires in the most rugged and remote regions.
Serious? Oh yeah." Jim has been asking winemakers and viticulturists, and has received a wide array of fascinating perspectives.
"A smoky bacon fat flavor may be interesting in some wines, but will this
really do it? Most say no, unless things really get worse and
hang around for a long time. But after the coldest frost we’ve had in nearly 30
years, a near drought, and now this, you’ll appreciate that many here on the North
Coast are awaiting only the arrival of locusts. At the end of June, at Bonterra’s McNab Ranch, standing on the valley floor,
you couldn’t see the hillsides that frame this vineyard. But the senses were
working just fine, including not just the smell of fire (was it fear?) in the air, but the
heavy thumping of helicopters swooping low, heading north and west to fight inland fires.
The most interesting comment I heard was this: 'the ash and soot in
the air will inevitably land on the grapes, and winemakers, at least, might like to turn
on the frost protection overhead sprinklers, or fill up the spray wagons with water to
mist and clean the grapes before harvesting and bringing them into the winery for
processing.' But many likely can’t or won’t, because the heavy draw of the
frosts combined with our near drought means there’s not a lot of water to spare.
So stay tuned. This might really be a vintage to remember.
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FALL CREEK VINEYARDS Toasts 19th Annual Grape Stomp: Tradition is
that guests come to FALL CREEK for a fine time and take a turn at stomping grapes on
August 16 and August 23 to celebrate the harvest--11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. both Saturdays.
For added comfort, stomping occurs under the shade of a tent with a fine mist from
misters going full blast with cooling water. Music, food, cooking demonstrations,
courses and more. For information and reservations, (325) 379-5361 FALL CREEK
VINEYARDS is
on the northwest shore of
THE 4th ANNUAL TEXAS SOMMELIER CONFERENCE and Texas’ Best Sommelier
Competition return to Four Seasons Hotel in Austin on Sunday, August 17 and Monday, August
18. The only one of its kind in the United States, this prestigious event draws top
wine industry professionals from across the country. World-renowned sommeliers and
wine educators lead Texas' top wine professionals and wine enthusiasts through two days of
seminars covering a broad spectrum of wine-related topics. The event’s
highlight is a competition featuring 25 of Texas' top sommeliers vying to be named
Texas’ Best Sommelier for 2008. The conference culminates in a grand tasting
and awards ceremony on Monday night at which Texas' Best Sommelier will be named and more
than 25 wineries will showcase their wines. The non profit organizations The Texas
Sommelier Association and The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas sponsor the two-day
event. For up-to-date information on the speakers, topics or reservations, visit www.texsom.com.
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KORBEL STRIKES GOLD – AND SILVER –AT THE CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR WINE COMPETITION: Korbel Champagne Cellars hit the mother lode at the 2008 California State Fair Wine Competition. In results just announced, Korbel California Champagnes won a rare Double Gold, four Gold Medals and one Silver Medal. ¶ Korbel Blanc de Noirs Champagne won the Double Gold and was named “Best of California State White.” Korbel 2005 Russian River Valley Natural Champagne won a Gold Medal and was named “Best of Sonoma White.” Korbel Brut Rosé Champagne, Korbel Brut Champagne and Korbel Chardonnay Champagne also won Gold Medals. Korbel Extra Dry Champagne captured a Silver Medal. ¶ The oldest wine competition in North America, the California State Fair Wine Competition is among the largest and most competitive. The 2008 California State Fair Wine Competition received more than 2,900 entries, of which less than 300 won Double Gold or Gold Medals. “Best of Region” recognition is particularly noteworthy, as only 24 wines garnered this honor in 2008. ¶ The 2008 California State Fair runs from August 15th to September 1st at the State Fairgrounds in Sacramento. Many of the award-winning wines will be available for tasting during the Fair at the State Fair Wine Garden. ¶ Established in 1882 in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, Korbel Champagne Cellars produces the United States’ most popular méthode champenoise champagne. Owned and managed by the Heck family since 1954, Korbel currently makes seven champagnes and a limited amount of still wine. In a separate facility, Korbel also produces one of the country’s most respected brandies.
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PESSAGNO WINERY OPENS: Pessagno Winery (2004
opening) certainly has location, location, location (Santa Lucia Highlands), but the
winemaker also is fueled by a passion for excellence. The Pessagno name was rooted
in vines before wines: its vineyards were planted in 1991 with three low-yielding clones
of Pinot Noir, one of the best-suited grapes for the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA.
“Planted to the Burgundian ‘La Tache’ and Dijon clones, these vineyards
rival the best,” says Pessagno. The eponymous vineyard and winery owner Steve
Pessagno began winemaking in 1982 at a nearby winery while working as a full-time
mechanical engineer. He earned a degree in enology from California State
University at Fresno in 1986 and then became winemaker for Jekel Vineyards before
accepting the same position at Lockwood Vineyards in 1991, where he remained until opening
Pessagno Winery in 2004.
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2008 CENTRAL COAST WINE CLASSIC, 24th Annual event Tops $800,000 at RARE & FINE WINE & LIFESTYLE AUCTION held under tents adjacent to the Pacific Ocean at the Avila Beach Resort Golf Course to continue the annual food and wine extravaganza's placement among the nation's top auctions. The comprehensive food, wine and lifestyle event featured a broad spectrum of activities. If you can only attend one event of this kind next year, mark your calendar and save the date for the July 2009 CENTRAL COAST WINE CLASSIC. Contact Wine Classic Chairman Archie McLaren (805) 544-1285 or archie@slonet.org, www.centralcoastwineclassic.org
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ALCALDE, University of Texas Alumni Magazine reports Petawatt
Project, the most
powerful light beam in the world: “UT physicists at the Texas Center
for High-Intensity Laser Science announced that the Texas Petawatt laser reached enough
power on March 31, 2008 to become the most powerful light beam in the world. True to its name, the laser can now emit one
petawatt—that’s equivalent to 1,000-million-million watts of energy or one
quadrillion watts—of stored energy, which is more than 2,000 times the combined
output of all the power plants in the United States and brighter than the surface of the
sun. The light lasts for less than one
trillionth of a second, though, just long enough for physicists to study matter under some
of the universe’s most extreme conditions. ¶ Petawatt Project director Todd Ditmire says the
short but intense burst of laser light will help researchers study massive astronomical
phenomena on a miniature scale. With so much
energy, researchers can construct mini-supernovas, brown dwarfs, and ‘tabletop
stars’ with the same properties as massive celestial objects, but are a much more
manageable size. The laser can even be used
to study advanced concepts for nuclear fusion, Ditmire added—an alluring prospect in
an age when finding new ways to produce cheap, clean energy is in more demand that ever. Accordingly, partial funding came from the
Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration."
HESTAN VINEYARDS releases Stephanie: Stanley Cheng, CEO of Meyer Corporation (manufacturers of cookware) launched "Stephanie," a new line of red Bordeaux varietal wines from his family's Hestan Vineyards in Napa Valley. (Please see story below) ______________________________
DRY CREEK VINEYARDS announced it will donate to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society $1 per bottle of each 2006 Fumé Blanc sold from August 15th through September 14th to support the Northern California Chapter’s largest annual fundraising event – Bike MS: Waves to Wine Ride 2008, held September 13th and 14th. Dry Creek Vineyard is the official wine sponsor of the ride. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Waves to Wine is estimated to raise $1.5 million for critical multiple sclerosis research and vital programs and services. Cyclists participating in the fully-supported, two-day event will come together to commemorate the anniversary and lend their support to more than 20,000 Northern Californians living with the disease.
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MENDOCINO COUNTY FAIR announced the results of its 32nd annual wine competition.
Fifty-four wineries entered 255 wines, 100% of them crafted exclusively from
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EDIBLE GARDENS FESTIVAL, August 23 and 24 ~ 11:00 - 5:00 pm: "Come eat, drink and take it all in at COPIA’s fifth annual Edible Gardens Festival - our biggest event of the year, with cooking demos, winetasting, fabulous food, garden presentations, an artists’ marketplace, live music and more. You'll want to spend the whole weekend! You can access our complete program schedule at www.copia.org. Tickets for COPIA programs may be purchased online for a small fee. If you prefer to order tickets via telephone, please call us during business hours at 707-259-1600 or 888-51-COPIA (888-512-6742).
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SULFITES MYTH DEBUNKED in article by Richard Olsen-Harbich, "The Urban Legend of Sulfites" Please see story below.
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NEW RELEASES
(quotes are winemakers' comments)
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DRY CREEK VINEYARDS Chenin Blanc is serious business. Since 1972, this crisp and refreshing white wine has played an important role at the winery. Each vintage brings about a renewed appeal for this delicious variety and 2007 is no different. "Our Signature Wines reflect balance and harmony by blending fruit from both the Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley appellations. These wines, established by winery founder David Stare, offer wonderful intensity of fruit, supple texture and rich mouth feel which make them easy to enjoy and extremely food friendly."
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CRU VIN DOGS has the charitable idea to help our canine friends with these delightful wines. "CruVin Dogs wine company combines friendship, wine, art, and our love of dogs and worthy causes into a wine brand with a purpose. Wine that gives back. Wine that makes a difference. Our carefully handcrafted wine portfolio contains the finest fruit from the world’s best wine growing regions. A minimum of 10% of our sales revenue on wines, art, and all merchandise is split equally between Canine Companions For Independence and the Morris Animal Foundation's Cure Canine Cancer Campaign. Our partnership of strongly bonded friends brings together people with a keen set of values and a wealth of wine experience. First and foremost, we're dedicated to producing premium wines of exceptional quality from outstanding worldwide vineyards. Offering wines directly to the public allows us approachable price points so that more people can enjoy the fruits of our labor. Our concept of a business social conscience commits us to donating a portion of our profits to charity. Because of our lifelong love of our canine friends, we support worthy causes that involve dogs. In addition to monetary support, we hope to raise public awareness and understanding of the causes these wines support, perhaps encouraging more people to become involved in their efforts. Finally, we celebrate our appreciation for art and its role in our lives. Our labels feature original, limited-edition illustrations by artist Jay P. Snellgrove. Each honors a real dog that has a special story–a reminder of how empty this world would be without the unconditional love and devotion of “man’s best friend.”
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KENWOOD Vineyards has released two enticing white wines for summertime or anytime, the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc and 2007 Pinot Gris "represent two grape varieties that show their best character when cold fermented. As a general rule, the more fresh fruit character in a grape variety, the more important cold fermentation becomes. Cold fermentation preserves these grape’s aromas and flavors, eliminates certain reactions that cause undesirable flavors, and helps the young wine retain subtle nuances that literally would be “boiled away” by powerful bursts of carbon dioxide generated by a warm fermentation. Kenwood Vineyards cold ferments Sauvignon Blanc and now Pinot Gris (Kenwood’s debut vintage of this variety) in temperature-controlled (around 55 degrees F.) stainless steel tanks, an effort of two to four weeks (some reds ferment at over 85 degrees F. and finish in a week). To preserve their fresh character, Kenwood “blankets” Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris with inert gas throughout the winemaking process to eliminate oxidation, keeps them in neutral storage until bottling to avoid wood character and bottles them at their youthful best."
KENWOOD Vineyards 2007 Sonoma County Chardonnay: In the world of wine, risk often produces reward, and this wine fits the axiom perfectly. To achieve its fruit-driven Chardonnay character, Kenwood sources grapes from Russian River Valley and southern Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County’s two coolest vineyard regions, where an unusually cool vintage can put the entire crop in jeopardy. 2007 was one of those uncommonly cool vintages, but good luck during harvest produced the 2007 Kenwood Vineyards Sonoma County Chardonnay, a delightful wine that makes the risk worthwhile. Fortunately, in 2007, a warm, dry autumn enabled the grapes to mature fully. The late-September, early-October harvest produced chardonnay with intense varietal character and superb natural acidity. To preserve the character of the grapes, Kenwood cold-fermented a significant percentage of the harvest in stainless steel and then allowed it to age sur-lies on the yeast after fermentation. The two components combined to create a Chardonnay of inviting fruit, complexity and balance.
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DANIEL GEHRS WINES is a small, family owned and operated winery featuring small lots of hand-crafted wines. With more than 30 years of experience, Daniel's wines are made in a classic old-world style that is exceptionally approachable. We are at home in a historical, circa 1904 cottage to welcome you.
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E.J. GALLO WINE COMPANY has released more delicious wines from its various properties. Jim Collins, director of winegrowing for FREI Brothers wines, says that he is a "site-ist." That means "I ensure that the grapes I grow exhibit an essence of place--finding the perfect marriage between site and variety." MacMURRAY Winemaker Susan Doyle says, "Our Russian River Valley Pinot Noir remains at the heart of our range, evolving in the bottle beautifully."
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KENDALL-JACKSON: "From the cool coastal vineyards of California, Vintner's Reserve represents our commitment to "Jackson Estates Grown" winemaking. The concept "Jackson Estates Grown" is the heart of our winemaking. Every grape for the Vintner's Reserve wines is grown in cool coastal vineyards that are managed by the Kendall-Jackson viticultural team. In the winery, this gives our Winemaster a broad palette of aromas and flavors to work with when layering together the final blend. We can taste this commitment to quality in every glass…and we know you can, too.
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GEYSER PEAK: Founded in Alexander Valley in 1880, GEYSER PEAK Winery owns 220 acres of estate vineyards in this region suited to producing world-class Cabernets. Prime hillside and benchland estate vineyards were planted to cabernet grapes in recent years and came into balance in recent vintages. They yield fruit that enhances the quality of GEYSER PEAK Cabernet Sauvignon. GEYSER PEAK Winery has been named WINERY OF THE YEAR a remarkable eight times by Wine & Spirits: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2006. It was the 13th Annual Bon Appetit Magazine WINERY OF THE YEAR at the 2004 San Francisco International Wine Competition. It was the BEST US WINE PRODUCER at the 2003 International Wine Competition and at the 1999 and 1998 International Wine Competition won WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR. GEYSER PEAK won the WALL STREET JOURNAL HONOR ROLL 2002 award for producing consistently outstanding wines, and the WINERY OF THE YEAR--GOLDEN BEAR TROPHY at the 2000 California State Fair--"Third Consecutive Win--Remarkable."
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CLOS DU BOIS: "Our Sonoma Reserve wines represent some of our proudest winemaking achievements, as we narrow our focus to specific appellations within Sonoma County, revealing the special characteristics that makes each unique. Sonoma Reserve wines are produced in smaller quantities and can be found on fine wine lists and at fine wine shops all around the US. The 2005 started early with bud break in late February. Warm temperatures prevailed through March, then wet weather settled in for April, May and June. Crop management and leaf thinning ensured fruit quality and ripeness. Summer temperatures were moderate, with foggy mornings and no major heat spikes. Fall saw ideally sunny days, moderate day-time temperatures and cool nights, yielding grapes at optimum ripeness. The 2005 vintage experienced the longest growing season of this decade, and the fruit received as much as twenty days additional hang time to develop exceptional flavors and character." This is a powerful wine from an outstanding vintage. Deep, inky red in color, this wine offers scents of cassis, licorice, ripe plum and blackberry with hints of toasty oak and nutmeg spice. Concentrated fruit envelops the palate, with deep, luscious flavors that echo the nose. This beautiful wine is the quintessential Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, with a rich, full-bodied structure, hints of sweet oak, and a long, pleasing finish."
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WHITEHALL LANE has released several delicious wines.
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SIMI 2007 Roseto, Sonoma County $15: "Sonoma County’s Simi Winery is one of California’s oldest wineries. It was founded in 1876 by Giuseppe and Pietro Simi. Giuseppe’s daughter Isabelle took over management of the winery at the age of 18 and ran it successfully until 1970 when she retired. Over the years, Isabelle planted her “Roseto,” Italian for rose garden, with a new rose planted in honor of each new U.S. President (except, of course, for President Herbert Hoover, who supported and enforced Prohibition during his two terms). To this day, Isabelle’s Roseto blooms fragrantly for visitors at the winery’s century-old cellars in Healdsburg. A tribute to Isabelle, its dry, delightfully fresh, crisp and juicy style honors her legacy. Cranberry with rose hues; Papaya, guava, peach and red raspberry accented with white flowers and licorice; Wild strawberry and pineapple, crisp, lush and refreshing with a dash of white pepper on the finish."
SIMI 2006
Zinfandel, Sonoma County $20: "Sonoma County is
home to some of the best Zinfandel vineyards in California. In the winery, traditional
winemaking techniques such as open-top fermentation and gentle extraction yield a deeply
colored Zinfandel. It is delicious with barbecued meats, pasta with red sauces, aged
cheese and spicy gumbo. Ruby red with slight purple cast;
Brambly raspberry, red cherry dusted with baking spices, black pepper and cocoa; Fresh
upfront berry fruit laced with vanilla; light toast on the finish."
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VAZA wines represents an expression of Rioja's future for the Ferrer family of Spain, whose winegrowing dates back to the 16th century. Their latest venture is into the Rioja--the most ancient winegrowing region of Spain. "VAZA is part of the Heredad Collection, a selection of top-tier wines that showcase the finest vineyards and leading DOs of Spain. The family began acquiring small, ultra-premium wineries in their country's most prestigious regions in the 1990s. ¶ VAZA comes from baza, which means 'new beginning' in Spanish. The wine's robust, fruit-imbued style blends the legacy of Spain's long-time traditions with the approachable modern sensibilities of the new Rioja. VAZA combines the best Rioja traditions with an innovative philosophy and signals the family's pivotal role in the renaissance of Rioja wines."
LAKE SONOMA WINERY released the 2007 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley and the 2007 Lake Sonoma Pinot Gris, RRV both $17. "These Russian River Valley white wines express differences, though equally fine, and are at opposite ends of the white wine spectrum - separated both by intrinsic character and winemaking. Someone said Chardonnay is white wine for red wine lovers. This Chardonnay’s powerful, complex character and rich texture are unusual for a white wine grape and give Lake Sonoma’s winemaker the freedom to ferment Chardonnay in small oak barrels, leave it on the yeast lees for months and allow it to undergo malolactic fermentation. All the aroma and flavor elements these techniques impart complement the concentrated fruit and structure of the finished wine. Pinot Gris – though by no means weak or ethereal – displays a fresh, light, subtle character. It is a character that oak, yeast lees and malolactic fermentation would quickly overwhelm. At Lake Sonoma, the key with Pinot Gris is to use free-run juice exclusively. Established in 1977, Lake Sonoma follows a “best of the best” philosophy to produce wines that express classic Sonoma County character. Visitors are invited to sample these wines at its award-winning tasting room in downtown Healdsburg. www.lakesonomawinery.net
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STERLING Vineyards 2004 Merlot, Napa Valley $21: "Merlot is a benchmark varietal for Sterling and we take great pride in this wine. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks. Keeping the lots separate, we put the wine to barrel, some prior to malolactic fermentation, some after. After 12 months of aging, the various lots were blended and bottled. A bright ruby color, the wine offers aromas of black cherry, spice, toasty oak, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Luscious flavors of ripe blackberries, cherries, cocoa, cedar and vanilla lead to a full, well-textured finish. Pair with steak, lamb chops and grilled Portobello mushrooms."
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FRANCISCAN 2006 Cuvee Sauvage, Napa Valley $40: "Extravagant" is how Cuvée Sauvage is often described, since it is the culmination of so much care. 2006 was warm in July and moderate after with cool, persistent fog in August and early September. This created early flavor development yet slow ripening. Even at 21-22 Brix, the tropical, honey, and lychee flavors of Carneros were coming through already. We started harvesting Sept 19, 10 days to 2 weeks later than normal, and finished comfortably before the light rain of October 4-5. - Janet Myers, Winemaker______________________________
SPRING MOUNTAIN VINEYARD, 850-acre estate in Napa Valley, is on the eastern slopes of Spring Mountain. Over 225 acres are planted to vine, representing 135 distinct hillside vineyard blocks with many soil types, exposures, and microclimates. Because of the diverse and challenging terrain, a substantial portion of the vineyard is planted in densities of over 4,000 vines per acre and trained to the ancient vertical gobelet trellising method. Growing primarily Bordeaux grape varieties, the vineyard produces estate bottled Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Pinot Noir. The quintessential wine from the estate is Elivette. ¶ The 2004 vintage stands out as memorable, with fruit that bears the imprint of an early spring, and a slow and steady ripening period that ended several weeks ahead of traditional harvest timelines. Warm, consistent summer weather was bracketed by an early spring bud break and several late summer hot spells, creating growing conditions that allowed for one of the earliest harvest periods in almost a decade, and an unusual opportunity for making outstanding wine. Grapes from each of the four vineyard properties are considered as we select the lots to be used in our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. The multitude of top quality lots with distinctly different attributes allows us to be extremely selective in making the final blend. The result is a true Estate Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects the unique growing conditions of the Spring Mountain growing district. ¶ The 2006 vintage began with the wettest weather recording in St. Helena’s history! Our vineyards received a whopping 70 inches of rainfall in December and January. Budbreak occurred on the late side, near the third week of April. Warm springtime temperatures allowed rapid shoot growth and helped the vines catch up. Bloom and veraison were also on the late side and confirmed a later than normal harvest. Summer temperatures mimicked 2005 with an average June and a blistering July. August and September were extremely pleasant with below normal temperatures. Heat in October was just what we needed to finally ripen the crop and make this a stellar vintage. Harvest began on September 20th and finished on November 8th. SPRING MOUNTAIN Sauvignon Blanc was first produced in 1993, the grapes now come from two of our vineyards: La Perla and Miravalle, the property originally planted by Tiburcio Parrott in 1885. Miravalle is one of the warmest areas on the estate, which ensures fully ripened grapes. La Perla is planted meter by meter (high density) and gobelet trained. This wine expresses a richness along with a backbone that enables this wine to develop complexity for several years after its original release.
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HESTAN VINEYARDS releases STEPHANIE wines: Stanley Cheng, CEO of Meyer Corporation (manufacturers of cookware) announced the launch of "Stephanie," a new line of red Bordeaux varietal wines from his family's Hestan Vineyards in Napa Valley. The debut releases include STEPHANIE 2005 Red Bordeaux Blend $65 (940 cases), STEPHANIE 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon $50 (930 cases) and STEPHANIE 2005 Merlot $40 (475 cases). Named for Stanley and Helen Cheng's only daughter, whose concert harp is etched in gold on the bottle, STEPHANIE wines are made by consulting winemaker Jeff Gaffner. All five Bordeaux varietals are planted in Hestan Vineyards and used to make the wines. ¶ The Napa vineyards are on a picturesque, 127-acre ranch located on Napa Valley’s eastern slopes at the base of Okell Hill. Stanley and Helen Cheng purchased the property in 1996 and immediately prepared to plant grapes; adding blocks over the years to take advantage of the site’s myriad of exposures and well-drained soils. Today 41 acres of individually farmed blocks are planted to cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, cabernet franc and malbec, overlooking the property’s eleven-acre irrigation pond. ¶ In 2005, the Chengs released their first wines from the property--the Hestan Vineyards 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon and a second label, the Meyer 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, made by consulting winemaker Mark Herold. Considered a critical success; Cheng began work on his next project, a "line of wines that would explore the potential of all five of the varietals grown at Hestan Vineyards." By chance, Cheng tasted a Merlot made from a neighboring vineyard and was introduced to consulting winemaker Jeff Gaffner. "Jeff’s elegant style of winemaking and reputation with Bordeaux varietals made him a perfect choice to head up Hestan Vineyards’ newest project," Cheng says. “We feel very excited and privileged,” notes Stanley, “to have two winemakers of such accomplishment interpret our vineyards’ terroir in such wonderfully different and expressive styles of wine.” STEPHANIE, HESTAN and MEYER wines are sold directy to the public by web site www.hestan.com and at select restaurants and wine shops in CA, NY, FL, and GA.
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VALLEY OF THE MOON WHOLE CLUSTERS ENHANCE 2007 PINOT BLANC and CHARDONNAY: "The 2007 Valley of the Moon Sonoma County Pinot Blanc and 2007 Valley of the Moon Sonoma Coast Chardonnay are opposites – the former delightfully fruity and crisp – the latter impressively rich and opulent. Yet both of these delicious wines show the benefits of whole-cluster pressing, a white winemaking technique Valley of the Moon utilizes to enhance quality and character. ¶ Whole-cluster pressing is a relatively straightforward technique to extract juice from ripe grapes. Rather than sending grape clusters first through the stemmer/crusher, where stems are removed and berries are crushed, grape clusters go directly into the press. Pressing the whole clusters prevents oxidation by keeping juice exposure to oxygen to an absolute minimum, virtually eliminates extraction of bitter “green” tannins from stems (ironically, pressing the stems doesn’t damage them, but removing them does) and seeds, and produces juice with uncommonly pure varietal aromas and flavors. Whole-cluster pressing takes longer than the traditional “crush and press” process for white grapes because press cycles are significantly slower with whole clusters: juice yields also are slightly lower. However, for Valley of the Moon, the impressive quality of the juice makes the extra effort and expense worthwhile. ¶ While both the 2007 Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc and 2007 Valley of the Moon Chardonnay were whole-cluster pressed, each received individualized winemaking based on its intrinsic character. With the emphasis on fresh, forward fruit, the 2007 Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc was cold-fermented in stainless steel tanks. Ten percent of the young wine was aged in small French oak barrels for three months to enhance texture and complexity in the final blend. In contrast, nearly 90% of the 2007 Valley of the Moon Chardonnay was fermented in small French and Eastern European oak barrels, and then aged on the yeast lees in those same barrels for six months. ¶ Fresh aromas of kiwi fruit, lemon zest and pear, accented by a background note of apple, give the 2007 Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc uncommon allure. Tropical fruit and tangerine highlight the vibrant flavors. The lithe palate is matched by superb balance in the crisp, lingering finish. This easy-drinking Pinot Blanc invites second and third glasses, and pairs well with everything from chicken and shellfish to pastas and mild cheeses. The 2007 Valley of the Moon Sonoma County Pinot Blanc is available nationally at a suggested retail of $16. A total of 8,900 cases were produced. ¶ Brilliant straw in color, the 2007 Valley of the Moon Chardonnay brims with peach, citrus, butterscotch and vanilla aromas. Mouthfilling flavors of lemon, lime, peach and toasty oak integrate beautifully with the smooth, creamy texture, and stay focused through the long finish. Big yet elegant, this versatile white wine can accompany grilled seafood, shellfish and chicken, composed salads and gourmet pizza with equal ease. A generous 10,000 cases of the 2007 Valley of the Moon Sonoma Coast Chardonnay were produced and it is available nationally at a suggested retail of $16. ¶ Valley of the Moon Winery welcomes visitors daily to its historic wood and stone cellar in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. In addition to Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay, the winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Rosato di Sangiovese and Cuvée de la Luna, a proprietary Bordeaux-inspired red.
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ST. SUPERY makes rich, complex, yet approachable Napa Valley wines that feature the outstanding fruit from our estate vineyards first, and winemaking influences second. St. Supery’s trademark varietals are Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. We make several smaller lots of terrific wines, several of which are only available directly through the winery.
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NAPA RIDGE has two new, well-priced wines from Harlow Ridge.
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DIAGEO Chateau & Estate Wines has released some new wines from EDNA VALLEY VINEYARD and A by ACACIA. Acacia Vineyard (founded 1979) has been making "world-class Burgundian varietals on the Carneros estate for more than 25 years, playing a crucial role in establishing Carneros as a premier viticultural area, making it renowned for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir." ¶ Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are among the most elegant, sensual and food-friendly wines. Both grapes also have an uncanny ability to clearly reflect the unique flavors and aromas of the region in which they are grown. ¶ "Although our vineyards in Carneros are the heart of the Acacia Vineyard estate, other regions in California beckoned us to indulge our passion for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and drove us to create A by Acacia." ¶ "For A by Acacia Chardonnay, we were lured by the exotic tropical fruit flavors found in Monterey, Paso Robles, Santa Maria and ginger spice from Carneros. For Pinot Noir, the Monterey vineyards produce a perfume of flowers and underlying minerality, while Sonoma provides bright, cherry flavors and Carneros, a dollop of classic spiciness and velvet texture." ¶ "From this palate of flavors, A by Acacia has created the ultimate California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, that honor unique regional flavor characteristics and the Acacia signature of expressive fruit flavors and balance." ¶ EDNA VALLEY VINEYARDS is in San Luis Obispo, halfway between San Francisco an Los Angeles and four miles from the pacific ocean. "The vineyard sits in an east/west-oriented valley that is very unusual in California. This valley funnels cool marine air inland, creating what is typically the longest and coolest growing season in the state. Because of the extended hangtime on the vines, the grapes develop wonderfully ripe and complex flavors.
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BONNY DOON VINEYARD talented writer Burke Owens reported in July that "The summer winds brought flame, smoke and destruction to too much of the Golden State. Spring was rather dry ad teasingly brief for us here in Northern California; it brought unseasonable winds from April on as well as more conflagrations in living memory. We're incredibly grateful for our local firefighters who saved our tasting room and original winery site in from a fiery death. No worse than ashes and smoke descended on us whereas some fellow neighbors lost homes and even a vineyard or two. This fire began innocently in a small patch of woods only to grow to a raging 500 acres in the course of a few scant hours and three weeks later reports of massive fires consuming tens of thousands of acres. But on to more congenial topics--the release of two new BOONY DOON wines--our first single vineyard Syrah from Bien Nacido Vineyard and the second release of Le Vol ds Anges, a botrytis dessert wine.
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FOREST GLEN has released two wines that will suit Thai takeout or grilling at home, a simple dinner of pasta and salad or a huge backyard potluck party. FOREST GLEN 2007 Riesling and FOREST GLEN 2007 "Forest Fire" White Merlot, each $8 will what ever size crowd your entertain freshly satisfied in the thirst department.
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Sulfites: "The
Urban Legend of Sulfites," by Richard Olsen-Harbich
Debunks myths about wines and headaches. Please see parts of his story below.
Similar
stories abound about travelers who drink seemingly barrels of wine abroad without
headaches. Reporter Rich Olsen-Harbich explains this phenomenon. "Couples reminisce about how local European
winemakers told them “American wines all have sulfites and ours don’t.” Couples
report that back home in the
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