Bedrock Wine Company: Tasting on the Sonoma Square
Bedrock Wine Company is a relatively new winery (2007) yet with very deep roots in the business. Morgan Twain-Peterson is the owner/winemaker and began his journey being exposed to wine and wine tasting as a young boy. When he was five, he crafted his own Pinot Noir! He grew up with the wine business as his father is the founder of Ravenswood Winery. Morgan is distinct among winemakers in that he is a Master of Wine. This is an intense training program that requires several years of study. He is one of 45 MWs in the U.S. and is one of only two winemakers in California to carry that designation.
Bedrock is dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating old vineyards around California. This mission and vision contributes to the quality of the wine. Quality is what you will enjoy when you visit the tasting room located on the Sonoma Square. It is a peaceful, relaxing space to experience the well-made wines.
Leviathan: A $40 Red Blend Worth Twice as Much!
This evening I opened and decanted a young red blend named Leviathan. This is a 2016 wine that is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. This wine is made from grapes from some of the most coveted vineyards in Napa Valley by winemaker Andy Erickson. His is a name you should know and trust, as he is the winemaker behind some outstanding wines from Napa Valley. He and his wife, Annie, are the vintners for Favia; and he crafts Dalla Valle, Mayacamas, and Marciano — and I’m sure I’m missing others. He formerly made Screaming Eagle if you want more references. He is a masterful winemaker, and this bottle is wonderful.
ZD Wines: A New Perspective!
Just the other day I was doing some “heavy” lifting, picking up some orders I had placed on line for wine at properties in Napa Valley. It was a tough day, yes; but someone has to do it! I drove up Spring Mountain to Pride and to Spottswoode in St. Helena. With all that work, I knew I needed a tasting. It was that time of the day!
ZD Wines came into sight as I came northbound on the Silverado Trail. As my memory served me, it was a winery that did not require an appointment; so I pulled right on in. Upon walking into the tasting room, it was clear a lot had changed since my last visit. The front tasting area was now expansive with an open glass wall to the barrel room. The entire area was modern with a bar to the side. Real renovation had taken hold.
Through the Eyes of the Winemaker: Featuring Bob Bolan
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Bob Bolan, the winemaker for Bremer Family Winery. These are unique opportunities to learn and see wine through the lens of the winemaker. What do they see? What do they consider in making wine that is a joy to drink, share, and remember? It also allows for an appreciation and understanding of what brought them to this passion. It is a real moment to capture new insights and understandings.
Bremer is one of the fine wineries on Howell Mountain near Saint Helena within the Napa Valley. Rich, textured, deep flavored Cabernets are the hallmark of this AVA (American Viticultural Area). The Howell Mountain AVA is unique in that one of its defining characteristics is altitude. To be included in this AVA, your vineyards must be above 1400 feet. Most vines in this AVA are planted between 1400 and 2200 feet. This is real mountain fruit that provides great depth of flavor.
Arista: A Gem in Healdsburg
Arista is a winery built from the ground up. Prior to 2002, the property was a private residence without vines, and the McWilliams family has turned it into an outstanding producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This is a family owned winery that has grown to be a contender for luscious Chardonnay and earthy, fresh Pinot Noir with thirty-six acres on property; only 10 are planted to vines. Nine acres are Pinot Noir and one is Chardonnay. In addition, they have several contracts with vineyards such as Ritchie and Ferrington, which put them in a great position to attain their goal of world-class wine production.
The grounds have an Asian flair and are well manicured and relaxing. The previous property owner loved his time in Japan, so he brought that home with him. The McWilliams chose to keep the touch, and it provides a beautiful setting for visitors to relax, picnic, and enjoy the sweeping landscape of vines and mountains. The property now is by appointment only, and visitors have many options to choose from including a 2-½ hour tasting that includes a five-course lunch prepared on site by their full time chef.
OMG! $26 and 1¢ shipping!
I’m excited to share this with you! This wine, made by Amici Cellars’ sister winery Olema Wines has been named by Lisa Pierotti-Brown as one of the three best values out of the 2016 vintage. Ms. Brown is a Master of Wine, which carries with it a rich experience and a lot of credibility. I once said that I would not recommend a wine until I tasted it, yet I will make an exception in this case. I loved the wine at Amici and trust someone like Lisa Pierotti-Brown who is able to discern the balance of a wine — whether it is well crafted with alcohol, fruit, tannins, and acid in balance. For the small price of $26 for a bottle of Cabernet? What’s not worth a try with 1 cent shipping?
To Decant or Not to Decant
Hi, everyone, and happy holidays!
At this time of the year when we’re sharing good cheer with friends and family, it is a time to pull out that special bottle to share. The question, then, is how best to prepare the wine. Is it a bottle to decant or not? In this four-minute video, Sommelier Amanda McCrossin shares some excellent tips on whether to and how. These are basic guidelines yet she provides more than that. I highly recommend watching the clip.
Holiday Spirit!
As we find ourselves in the month of December, the holiday spirit is beginning to build. There are parties to look forward to, and we take time to express our appreciation and affection for others. It is a time of sharing and showing others that we care and wish them well. It is a time to celebrate with loved ones and, along with that, an opportunity to share in great meals with those we hold close in our lives.
Wine, of course, complements the season and the meals that we share with others. It lightens our spirits and brings that sense of celebration to the moment, the meal and the gathering. The question is then, what wine best suits the occasion?
Odette: Sophisticated and Relaxing
There are 550 wineries within the Napa Valley that are listed on the Napa Valley Vintners’ website. At 88 of those wineries, you can taste simply by walking into the winery’s tasting room. Another 292 are open by appointment only. Imagine how long it would take to personally visit all of these wineries! Don’t worry though; I am working on it for you.
Sophisticated and relaxing are two words that describe the setting at Odette Estate Winery. As I was driving by, on a whim, I stopped into the winery. They are open only by appointment. So I pulled out my phone, called the winery and asked to make an appointment. I let them know I was standing outside, and they said come on in.
Giving Thanks
Cheers to all of you on this Thanksgiving holiday. May your holiday season be spirited and sparkling. Thanks for your support and for following Diana’s Wine Blog!