Have Wine Will Travel Radio

Recently Don Wallace and I met at agave In Healdsburg for some great food to pair with his wines. This is a feature with one of the great wines from Dry Creek vineyard! we will also feature the amazing family behind this great Mexican restaurant In healdsburg. Our wine? 2021 Heritage Vines Zinfandel. Winemaker Notes: To preserve the tradition and “heritage” of old Zinfandel vineyards, cuttings from a pre-Prohibition era vineyard were grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock. Then, for several years we worked diligently to screen and propagate virus-free vines that would ultimately produce a crop. The 2021 Heritage Vines Zinfandel is delicious and wonderfully balanced. This vintage presents alluring aromatics of black cherry, boysenberry and plum with nuances of warm spices, mocha and white pepper. On the palate, brambly flavors of dark berries come forward. The wine is complex, with bright acidity complimented by deeper notes of cedar, fine leather and dark brown sugar. From start to finish, this remarkable wine offers refreshing acidity paired with excellent structure. At Agave Healdsburg, they draw from the artisanal customs and deepest cultures of Oaxaca. It's more than just food and drinks; it's a family tradition passed down through generations. Our Mole Negro, an exotic and incredibly fragrant creation made from over 20 secret ingredients, is a testament to this heritage. Executive Chef Octavio Diaz has mastered this recipe with the guidance and culinary expertise of his parents, ensuring the authenticity and depth of flavor in every bite. Mezcal, the smoky spirit of Oaxaca, is another thread woven into the fabric of our family history. Here at Agave Healdsburg, we craft a diverse range of premium cocktails that celebrate this ancestral beverage. Agriculture is a natural way of life for Don Wallace, the product of four generations of a hard-working California farming family. Don's interest in machinery took him away from the farm for fifteen years while he pursued a career in international construction. While he was on a project in Sonoma County in 1980, Don met Dry Creek Vineyard founder David Stare's daughter, Kim Stare, whom he married in 1982. With his father-in-law and wife in the wine business, Don's next move was a stint among the vines at Murphy-Goode Estate Winery to “test drive” his new family's industry. After one year, Don accepted his father-in-law's offer to manage ranch operations at Dry Creek Vineyard in 1990. Don's sphere of influence gradually grew to encompass every aspect of the business, including winery operations and sales, as well as vineyard development and acquisitions. Don took on the role of General Manager in 1999 and in April 2006, he was appointed President of Dry Creek Vineyard. In 2012, Don decided to take a well deserved sabbatical to pursue some outside interests as well as an extended list of honey do's at home! We have two great features first with Don Wallace and I discussing our feature wine.Then on to our food and wine feature!Please Click on the 2 links below to listen to our audio features1 Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Wehave another great audio feature for you all today!daryl Groom Will join me as we open his great Zinfandel.First we look at his website and fill you in on his great career in the winemaking industry. Daryl Groom has been involved in the wine industry in both the USA and Australia for more than 30 years. Currently he is engaged in a number of wine- related projects in both countries. He is the Owner/ Winemaker for Groom Wines in Australia, a very successful ultra premium brand focusing on Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc. His other great joy is his newest brand Colby Red Wine, a wine initiated and inspired by his son Colby Groom who underwent back to back open heart surgeries. Proceeds from this wine go to charities across the USA that promote heart health (www.colbyred.com). The Groom Family has raised over $900,000 for heart charities including the American Heart Association and The Children's Heart Foundation. Prior to his current ventures, Daryl was Senior Winemaker for Penfolds in Australia where he oversaw the making of Penfolds famed red wine, Grange. He was the Executive Winemaker for Peak Wines International that owned both Geyser Peak and Wildhorse Wineries (1990-2005) and then Senior VP of Operations and Winemaking for Beam Wine Estates (2006/2007). Daryl's passion for wine sees him judging at 8 international wine shows annually. He has also been a repeat guest on E television and also appeared on the NBC Today Show. He also partners and is Chief Judge at the North Coast Wine Challenge Wine Competetion and is partner with well known Chef Charlie Palmer in the prestigious and highly successful Charlie Palmers Pigs and Pinot. Pigs and Pinot is an annual 2 day event that raises over $150,000 for local and national charities. Zinfandel is a grape variety whose origins are believed to be from Europe, possibly Croatia, where it was traded to Italy and referred to as Primativo. Zinfandel's success is primarily related to California where it has been grown for 150 years. It is produced by many wineries and receives cult status among wine lovers. Many believe this variety is to California what shiraz is to Australia. Zinfandel is a hearty variety. It produces its best wines in areas where the grapevine needs to work hard. Our Kalimna shiraz vineyard has just the micro-climate to experiment with this variety to endeavour to produce wines that match California's best. It is no secret that the best California Zinfandels are from old vines, grown head-trained (aka bush vines). With this principle in mind we decided to plant and train our vines to this method. More time consuming, less yield but hopefully high quality. Our 8 acres of bush vines have been designated the “Bush Block”. This first release is a solid wine displaying very typical zinfandel hallmarks. Brick red in colour, a very spicy, raisiny aroma and a rich medium weighted palate with some apparent sweetness, although the wine is dry. This sweetness in taste comes from the higher alcohol and raisining of some of the grapes. This wine can be very much enjoyed with pasta or red meat, and will be fantastic with cheese to end a meal. Please join us by clicking on the link below,and enjoy our great audio feature with Daryl Groom1 Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great wines and food.

We have a treat for you! I recently sat down with Daryl Groom,and opened three of his wines.Truly a Pleasure to talk with this world class winemaker. First we will look at his recent press and a little from his website)(groomwines.com) and on the wines to be featured. Prior to his current ventures, Daryl was Senior Winemaker for Penfolds in Australia where he oversaw the making of Penfolds famed red wine, Grange. He was the Executive Winemaker for Peak Wines International that owned both Geyser Peak and Wildhorse Wineries (1990-2005) and then Senior VP of Operations and Winemaking for Beam Wine Estates (2006/2007). Daryl's passion for wine sees him judging at 8 international wine shows annually. He has also been a repeat guest on E television and also appeared on the NBC Today Show. He also partners and is Chief Judge at the North Coast Wine Challenge Wine Competetion and is partner with well known Chef Charlie Palmer in the prestigious and highly successful Charlie Palmers Pigs and Pinot. Pigs and Pinot is an annual 2 day event that raises over $150,000 for local and national charities. We have three amazing wines starting with a beautiful Sav Blanc. Lenswood, in the Adelaide Hills appellation of South Australia, is where our Sauvignon Blanc is grown. It is a very cool climate with relatively high winter rainfall. Our Lenswood vineyard is dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc and is producing stunning Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Daryl says that the vineyard conditions are so perfect that all he has to do is harvest at the right moment and then get out of the way and not muck things up! What emerges from this clean, uncomplicated winemaking approach is a wine with brilliant acidity and flavors that balance citrus with floral. Brighter than California Sauvignon Blanc, and a little less pungent than New Zealand, this wine exemplifies the Adelaide Hills appellation as a world class Sauvignon Blanc producing region. Our wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc fruit, 100% stainless steel fermented with no oak contact and 0% malolactic fermentation. Daryl's aim is to get the incredible, intense fruit flavors from the vine into the glass. This wine showcases pure Sauvignon fruit at its very best. Links to vintage specific technical information for each vintage. This wine is all a Sav Blanc wants to be,purely perfect and in fact a food and wine pairing in your very near future. Our next wine has become an instant favorite of mine! The Barossa Valley is the source of our Shiraz. With it's hot, dry conditions and fairly level valley floor and undulating hills, this appellation is generally recognized as the best red wine district in Australia. Our Kalimna property is located next door to the traditional Penfolds Grange “mother source” vineyard. The unforgiving soils of this area are well known to produce very low yields, loose clusters and extremely small berries. Classic, ultra premium Shiraz territory! Daryl looks for a little less wood in his Shiraz than is typical of Australian Shiraz. He wants a wine that is rich, but not overly jammy, tannic, or oaky in flavor so that it can show off the spicy, anise, berry flavors - true varietal characters in the grape. He is looking for a firm, fleshy structure and a fine texture. Daryl achieves his results by traditional and gentle winemaking methods: fermentation is small batches, punched down in open-top vessels; a skin maceration of only 6 days; minimal handling throughout and aging in American oak (half new, half 1 year old). Careful barrel selection increases the quality and consistency of our Shiraz. In the very near future we will discuss and feature his Zinfandel. for now please click on the links be low,and join me as we introduce you to one of the great winemakers of our current times... Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great wines and food. Click here and join us as we enjoy great wines and food.

Today we will try three new wines from Ra Ra Wine Co. Healdsburg California is trulu a wine hub now,offering great wines from many different wine regions surounding this great little town. I met this amazing lady at Valette Healdsburg,and now will enjoy this great story and adventure with her great wines. We will look at the webiste,and tasting notes,but first,a little back ground. Kara Marie Wines began in 2018 with a passion for great wine made in a lively, fruit forward style. 100 cases of rosé later, and so began an unexpectedly epic journey! Trained and mentored (not to mention raised!) by a winemaker whose philosophy is to let the fruit do the talking, I've done exactly that…with my own spin of course! Fast forward to 2023, and I am proud to offer a full line up of wines I am passionate about making and drinking! Kara Marie Wines has now evolved into two brands, Ra Ra Wine Co. and Little Ra Ra Ferments. Both platforms allow me to craft limited production wines of excellent quality­ and top-notch drinkability. Kara Groom Six harvests across three continents and it was time to come home to Sonoma County. Now following my passion for food & wine (aka eating and drinking), I'm crafting beautiful wines and delicious dishes to accompany them." We have two great audio features and three wines. 1. 2023 DRY RIESLING 2.2023 MELON DE BOURGOGNE 3. 2023 ROSÉ OF GRENACHE Please go to Karamariewines.com to learn more! We will also get together with Kara and pair some great dishes from local chefs...in the very near future. So please clickon the links below,and join us as we discuss these great wines. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great wines and food.

Today we will try three new wines from Ra Ra Wine Co. Healdsburg California is trulu a wine hub now,offering great wines from many different wine regions surounding this great little town. I met this amazing lady at Valette Healdsburg,and now will enjoy this great story and adventure with her great wines. We will look at the webiste,and tasting notes,but first,a little back ground. Kara Marie Wines began in 2018 with a passion for great wine made in a lively, fruit forward style. 100 cases of rosé later, and so began an unexpectedly epic journey! Trained and mentored (not to mention raised!) by a winemaker whose philosophy is to let the fruit do the talking, I've done exactly that…with my own spin of course! Fast forward to 2023, and I am proud to offer a full line up of wines I am passionate about making and drinking! Kara Marie Wines has now evolved into two brands, Ra Ra Wine Co. and Little Ra Ra Ferments. Both platforms allow me to craft limited production wines of excellent quality­ and top-notch drinkability. Kara Groom Six harvests across three continents and it was time to come home to Sonoma County. Now following my passion for food & wine (aka eating and drinking), I'm crafting beautiful wines and delicious dishes to accompany them." We have two great audio features and three wines. 1. 2023 DRY RIESLING 2.2023 MELON DE BOURGOGNE 3. 2023 ROSÉ OF GRENACHE Please go to Karamariewines.com to learn more! We will also get together with Kara and pair some great dishes from local chefs...in the very near future. So please clickon the links below,and join us as we discuss these great wines. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Yes it's that time of year!I love it! Today we have a great new feature with Don Wallace and plenty of single vineyard Zinfandels really and opened.First let's look at their website,and the tasting notes on our featured Zinfandels from Dry Creek Vineyard. 2020 Wallace Ranch Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: Our Wallace Ranch Zinfandel is a shining example of the preservation of iconic old vine Zinfandel. This incredible vineyard is on the home property of Proprietors Kim and Don Wallace, and it was the first to be planted using the Heritage Clone in 1994. To develop this clone, we grafted budwood from a pre-Prohibition vineyard onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock in our estate Wallace Ranch vineyard, forever preserving the heritage of the old vines and crafting a "young vine" wine with "old vine" characteristics. Initially, the aromas express fruit-forward tones of black cherry, blackberry and raspberry. In the background, subtle notes of coriander, white pepper and cumin emerge after several minutes of airing. On the palate, flavors of cranberry and boysenberry pie mix with soft undertones of cardamom, nutmeg and mocha. The wine is supple with tremendous complexity and symmetry between fruit, alcohol, tannin and acid. yes I did say three.....our second wine today is 2020 Vogensen Ranch Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: Rising more than 800 feet off the valley floor, Vogensen Ranch is located on the back of Bradford Mountain and is one of the more extreme growing sites in all of Dry Creek Valley. We have isolated a steeply sloped, well-draining area of the vineyard called “Barn Block” to create this bottling for our single vineyard series. The undulating nature of the terrain and east-facing sun exposure provide grapes that are beautifully ripened and lead to a wine that is silky, textured and well-balanced. Aromas of blueberry, blackberry and black cherry jump from the glass and intermix with spicy nuances of nutmeg, cinnamon and white pepper. Juicy, rich dark flavors of brambleberries and plum come forward, combined with deeper notes of black pepper and marzipan. The silky, seamless tannins flesh out the vibrant finish of black and white pepper, all framed by refreshing acidity and superb roundness. Tasting these wines reminds me ...I like to eat!!... Our third wine today is 2020 Farmhouse Vineyard Zinfandel Russian River Valley Winemaker Notes: This delicious bottling is the sixth vintage of Zinfandel produced from our Farmhouse Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. The vines in our Farmhouse Vineyard were among the first to be planted using the Heritage budwood concept to preserve the heritage of iconic old vine Zinfandel vineyards! Cuttings from a pre-Prohibition era vineyard were grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock to create a “young vine” wine with “old vine” Zinfandel characteristics. Initially, the aromas show fruit-forward tones of black and red cherries, cranberry and blackberry. Subtle notes of mocha, rose and earthy nuances come forward after several minutes of airing. On the palate, flavors of plum and strawberry mix with soft undertones of coriander, toffee, toasty cedar and roasted almonds. The wine is supple with tremendous complexity and silky tannins. The finish is pure with a slight spiciness and refined elegance. The stage is set! Please click on the link,at the bottom of this feature.please enjoy this great new audio feature with Don Wallace.all music is my original music...performed by...Yours truly.Enjoy.Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have two perfect wines for your holiday feast!Are you ready. First the 2020 Spencer's Hill Petite Sirah Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: The Petite Sirah varietal has traditionally played an important role in producing our world-class Zinfandel wines. In certain vintages, we decide to bottle a small amount of Petite Sirah to more fully express this incredible variety. From the first moments of airing, this Petite Sirah exudes aromas of blackberry and ripe plum with nuances of nutmeg, coriander and fine leather. The palate is defined by flavors of black cherry, white pepper. cinnamon and mocha. The tannins are firm, but well integrated with a long and lingering finish. Notes of pie crust and dried herbs emerge along a deep and rich mouthfeel filled with supple tannins and a smooth texture. This wine is a huge and beautiful wine,and moved straight to the top of my favorite wines! Until we opened the 2020 Historic Blocks Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: Our Historic Blocks Zinfandel is a tribute to the legacy vineyards of Dry Creek Valley and our family winery's enduring commitment to preserve the extraordinary heritage of Zinfandel. Located primarily along the eastern bench of the valley, specific blocks of old vine Zinfandel were selected as the backbone of this robust and luxurious wine. These century-old, gnarled vines are still tended to by hand, preserving this beloved tradition and living testament to the remarkable history of our home appellation. This vintage presents inviting aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry and plum with notes of orange peel, baking spice and toasty cedar. On the palate, layers of black cherry, cranberry and raspberry come forward with nuances of coriander, whit pepper, mocha and rose petal. The wine is full-bodied, with deep richness and impeccable balance. Its tannins are slightly firm and lend a plush mouthfeel. Both wines will be on the table for my next birthday the day after Christmas! Don wallace will tell us more about these wines,and we have agreat audio feature which you can access by clicking on the link below. Please join us!AND Happy holidays! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

I recently traveled into the Dry Creek Valley and sat down with Don Wallace,at Dry Creek Vineyard. We did new features on some of the amazing red wines. Today we have three wines .We will start with the Pinot Noir. Winemaker Notes: The Russian River Valley is perhaps the finest region for growing world-class Pinot Noir in all of California. The coastal climate is ideal with daily heating and cooling cycles that create the perfect conditions to cultivate this delicate grape. We produce just a small amount of Pinot Noir, hand selecting the most optimal fruit from our vineyard. Aged in small French oak barrels, this beautiful wine displays pure varietal characteristics and earthy nuances, true to the terroir of the Russian River Valley appellation. This 2021 vintage displays wonderful aromatics of black cherry, blueberry and rhubarb. Several more minutes of airing reveal notes of black tea, rose and cocoa. On the palate, flavors of raspberry and cranberry integrate with hints of baking spices, orange peel and toasty cedar. The tannins are fine with a delicate mouthfeel and beautiful complexity. This delicious Pinot Noir is flavorful and balanced with naturally high acidity and a long lingering finish. We also opened the beautiful Merlot. Winemaker Notes: We have crafted this classic Bordeaux varietal since 1974. Our first vintage of Merlot was released in 1974, and we have produced this classic Bordeaux varietal ever since. In fact, the Dry Creek Vineyard 1991 Reserve Merlot won the prestigious “Grand Prix d'Honneur” at the 1995 Challenge International Du Vin in Bordeaux, France — much to the surprise of the French! This delicious varietal adds bright aromatics and a velvety mouthfeel as a blending component for our Bordeaux program, but it is outstanding as the dominant varietal as well. In our 2019 vintage, aromas of black cherry, plum and black currant immediately fill the senses. A few more moments reveal notes of nutmeg, cocoa and black and white pepper. The palate is full of wonderful complexity, combining flavors of blackberry and boysenberry. This wine features deep undertones of coriander, bay leaf and mocha with a bright finish and silky tannins. This beautiful wine has excellent structure and balance with a lush, round quality that lingers. these are the tasting notes from their great website. today we will feature a third wine. 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon "Iron Slopes" Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: This high-elevation Cabernet Sauvignon was inspired by our decades of working with Bordeaux varietals planted in the different districts and vineyards within Dry Creek Valley. This exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon showcases some of the more extreme growing sites that lie on the western hillsides of Dry Creek Valley. The undulating nature of the terrain provides grapes that are beautifully ripened and lead to a wine that is silky, textured and complex. Juicy aromas of plum and blueberry come forward initially. Additional airing reveals notes of cedar, cinnamon, thyme and coriander. The palate is bold and luxurious with luscious yet earthy flavors of black cherry, fine leather, mocha and white truffle. The finish lingers with notes of white pepper, caramel and oregano. Chewy tannins frame this full-bodied and rich expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. We have two new audio features.Please click on the link at the bottom of this feature,and join Don Wallace and i as we discuss these incredible wines. In the up coming weeks we will have many new audio features with this world class winery and Don Wallace. Cheers!! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

recently Don Wallace and I enjoyed four courses at the Matheson in Healdsburg. It's always a great time when Don Wallace and I get together. We have 4 wines and 4 courses to share with you today. First let's look at the tasting notes and the great websites of Dry Creek Vineyard and The Matheson. Open Tuesday through Sunday at 5:00 PM. Bar Open at 4pm. A Love Letter to Sonoma County Our menu is a modern ode to Healdsburg's micro-seasonal ingredients, exploring the possibilities of a locally foraged fungi from a secret stand on the slopes of rolling forest, or the range of a Purple Heart tomato cultivated from a farm within walking distance to the restaurant. For Chef Nate Davis and team, finding the limitlessness in the specific moment is a play of craft and passion. The downstairs bar menu is a culmination of both classic cocktails and their modern twists. The back bar is made of suspended cold steel and is stocked with sought-after brown spirits and other rarities. The Matheson's sake cellar, includes a range of the major styles of sake, listed on our digital wine list. The Wine Wall features 88 wines on tap, allowing curious drinkers splashes of multiple selections without over-commitment, or those who know what they like a half or full glass. “We are able to share pours of the most extraordinary wines, often hard to find and when found, only by the bottle,” said Beverage Director Jon McCarthy. Design your own flight of fancy, exploring a region, a varietal, a vintage, or a hunch. No reservations necessary, stop by before or after your dining experience - or on your exploration of the Healdsburg Square. We have opened four great wines from Dry Creek Vineyard . Winemaker Notes: For over 50 years, Dry Creek Vineyard has been a leader in Sauvignon Blanc in California. Winery founder David S. Stare was the first person to plant the Sauvignon Blanc varietal in the Dry Creek Valley in our DCV3 Vineyard, against the advice of many viticultural experts. Many years later, Sauvignon Blanc is now the most widely planted white variety in the Dry Creek Valley! With 16 acres under vine, our DCV3 Vineyard is the backbone of our Sauvignon Blanc program. Our 2022 vintage of DCV3 Sauvignon Blanc displays intense aromas of lemon, lime, grapefruit and passion fruit. After a few more minutes of airing, softer herbal nuances of jasmine, thyme and chamomile come forward. The palate is bursting with vibrant flavors of Meyer lemon and nectarine with striking hints of cucumber, jalapeño and white pepper. The bright acidity of this crisp and refreshing wine is preserved by stainless steel fermentation. Enjoy this lively wine now in its youth, or age for a few years if desired. 2020 Farmhouse Vineyard Zinfandel Russian River Valley Winemaker Notes: This delicious bottling is the sixth vintage of Zinfandel produced from our Farmhouse Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. The vines in our Farmhouse Vineyard were among the first to be planted using the Heritage budwood concept to preserve the heritage of iconic old vine Zinfandel vineyards! Cuttings from a pre-Prohibition era vineyard were grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock to create a “young vine” wine with “old vine” Zinfandel characteristics. Initially, the aromas show fruit-forward tones of black and red cherries, cranberry and blackberry. Subtle notes of mocha, rose and earthy nuances come forward after several minutes of airing. On the palate, flavors of plum and strawberry mix with soft undertones of coriander, toffee, toasty cedar and roasted almonds. The wine is supple with tremendous complexity and silky tannins. The finish is pure with a slight spiciness and refined elegance. 2019 Merlot Dry Creek Valley 90 Points – Wine & Spirits 92 Points – Wine & Spirits Winemaker Notes: We have crafted this classic Bordeaux varietal since 1974. Our first vintage of Merlot was released in 1974, and we have produced this classic Bordeaux varietal ever since. In fact, the Dry Creek Vineyard 1991 Reserve Merlot won the prestigious “Grand Prix d'Honneur” at the 1995 Challenge International Du Vin in Bordeaux, France — much to the surprise of the French! This delicious varietal adds bright aromatics and a velvety mouthfeel as a blending component for our Bordeaux program, but it is outstanding as the dominant varietal as well. In our 2019 vintage, aromas of black cherry, plum and black currant immediately fill the senses. A few more moments reveal notes of nutmeg, cocoa and black and white pepper. The palate is full of wonderful complexity, combining flavors of blackberry and boysenberry. This wine features deep undertones of coriander, bay leaf and mocha with a bright finish and silky tannins. This beautiful wine has excellent structure and balance with a lush, round quality that lingers. 2018 Meritage "Alluvial Gap" Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: This exquisite Meritage was inspired by almost five decades of working with Bordeaux varietals planted in the different districts and vineyards of Dry Creek Valley. This experience provided us with knowledge of which properties grow the best fruit our region can offer. This delicious blend features fruit from specific vineyard sites within the Lytton Springs district of Dry Creek Valley, including our iconic Endeavour Vineyard. The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon, with three additional Bordeaux varietals for complexity and depth. At first swirl, the wine displays powerful aromas of black currant, plum sauce and cranberry. Several more minutes reveal hints of clove, sage and chai. The palate is full and rich with flavors of black cherry, black currant and blueberry pie, with notes of fine leather, dried herbs de Provence and toasty oak. The tannins are firm yet supple, with a round, plush texture and a rich, lingering finish. We have four features to share. Please click on the links below and joinus as we play the audio for these great features. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Now onto our second feature. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . please click on the next link and join us. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . We are still hungry,join us! cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Recently Don Wallace and I got together and recorded many great feature on the wines of Dry Creek Vineyard. We have decided to meet at the great local restaurant and pair up some of these incredible wines with the world class menu from Valette Healdsburg. Valette was born from two brothers' lifelong dream of creating a unique dining experience in our hometown of Healdsburg. Our goal is to provide a canvas for local farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their crafts. The dream of Valette began nearly two decades ago between two brothers. While enjoying a glass of wine on their father's porch overlooking the beautiful Alexander Valley vineyards of Sonoma County, Dustin Valette and Aaron Garzini envisioned opening a restaurant together which would provide a canvas for Sonoma County farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their craft. The restaurant would be located in Healdsburg, the heart of Sonoma County – and the location where their great-grandfather operated bakeries. They would serve high quality, yet honest food; offer warm and impeccable service; and house a collection of boutique, small production wines. At the time, Aaron was establishing himself as a dynamic server and sommelier in Sonoma County and Dustin was in New York learning the culinary craft that would be his lifelong passion. They never lost sight of their dream. In 2015, Valette Restaurant opened its doors to the public, showcasing the brothers' combined forty-seven years of restaurant experience and a deep dedication to Sonoma County, its food, and its wine community. Please click on the three links below,and join us for all the amazing courses we enjoyed. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have another amazing feature with Don Wallace and Dry Creek Vineyard! This wine is even older than I am...well, the vines are... A beautiful vineyard and indeed a world class Zinfandel. We always look at the tasting notes and other information from their great website. drycreekvineyard.com Winemaker Notes: Planted in the late 1800s, Beeson Ranch is one of Dry Creek Valley's oldest and most prized vineyards. The old gnarled vines, first planted by Italian immigrants, provide us with some of our most intriguing Zinfandel grapes. The initial aromatics of the wine are refined and elegant with underlying elements of raspberry, plum and black cherry. After several minutes of airing, hints of cinnamon and cedar waft from the glass. The full palate is supple and rich with notes of boysenberry, blackberry, black tea and wild sage. The wine's earthy complexity and fine tannins help support a smooth and silky texture. BLEND: 91% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah FERMENTATION: 12–16 days in fermenters at 82–88˚F; pumped over twice daily BARREL AGING: 17 months in French, Hungarian and American oak; 25% new oak HARVEST DATE: September 24–30, 2019 SOIL: Iron-rich, reddish soils VINE AGE: 100+ years The story of Dry Creek Vineyard and the Stare Wallace family isn't one of fairy tales. There is no corporate mogul writing checks every month, or a day job in a lucrative industry to fund the winery. Our story is this: one dedicated family working day and night for five decades to turn what many considered an idealistic pipedream, into a reality that revolutionized the California wine industry. Founder David S. Stare always had a dream to live overseas, so after he completed his degree in Civil Engineering at MIT and his MBA at Northwestern, he moved to Germany. While living there, he visited many of the wineries and started to develop an interest in wine. He returned to Boston in the spring of 1969 firmly bitten by the wine bug and enrolled in a wine appreciation class. In June of 1970, Dave and his family spent two weeks in France, where he fell in love with French wines, specifically the wines of the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. Shortly after returning from the trip, he read an article in the Wall Street Journal about what a great future California had for making world-class wines. After a trip to California, he packed up his wife and kids in a mint green station wagon to carve out his path in the wine industry. Dave's daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, was literally raised among the vines in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley. Throughout her childhood she watched as her father established the first new winery to be built in the region following Prohibition and champion Dry Creek Valley as a world-class winegrowing appellation. As a teen, Kim worked in the office, cellar and on the bottling line, as well as accompanying her parents on countless sales trips, business dinners and wine tastings. From the very beginning, she grew up with a passion and understanding of the wine industry. Despite her upbringing, Kim always swore that she would never work for the winery and began a career in the fashion industry after college. Ultimately, the pull of the family business was too great and her father convinced her to come back to the winery as Director of Marketing in 1987. Kim's husband, Don Wallace, joined the winery managing ranch operations in 1990. In the mid-nineties, Kim and Don took on increased responsibilities, becoming involved in all decisions affecting the quality of the Dry Creek Vineyard experience and winery operations . Please clcik on the link and join us for this great feature on this amazing Zinfandel. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Dry Creek Valley has been one of my favorite grape growing regions since my arrival in California. The wines are world class,and Dry Creek Vineyard has led the way over the course of many decades.Our feature today is the 2019 Benchland Meritage from Dry Creek Vineyard. We will look at the winemaker's tasting notes,and other great information on their website. drycreekvineyard.com Winemaker Notes: This exquisite Meritage was inspired by our decades of working with Bordeaux varietals planted in the different districts and vineyards within Dry Creek Valley. This delicious blend features fruit from specific vineyard sites in Dry Creek Valley that highlight the unique soils, microclimate and terroir of our home appellation. This 2019 vintage is a full and complex wine that's an absolute pleasure to drink. Aromas of black currant, black cherry and plum waft from the glass. As the wine opens up, it reveals aromas of toasty cedar, fennel and nutmeg. On the palate, the wine is plush with fine tannins and full of luxuriant flavors of blueberry, mocha, fine leather and thyme. The finish is seamless and well-integrated. This wine will age beautifully and develop in the bottle for years to come. BLEND: 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec FERMENTATION: 10–17 days in fermenters at 82–88˚F; pumped over twice daily BARREL AGING: 20 months in Hungarian and French oak; 35% new oak HARVEST DATE: October 9–22, 2019 SOIL: Sandy and clay loam VINE AGE: 1–2 tons per acre Explore Our Vineyards Our family has been growing grapes in Dry Creek Valley for nearly five decades, driven by the desire to produce appellation-focused, terroir-driven, varietal-defining wines. We believe in crafting our wines in the vineyard, with healthy soil and flourishing vines, so there is minimal intervention when the fruit is brought to the winery. Primarily known for Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, our home appellation has become an undiscovered gem for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals. We are proud that our 185 acres of estate vineyards are 100% certified sustainable. We walk the land, replenish the soil naturally, and make multiple pruning passes throughout the growing season to ensure that our grapes are balanced and delicious when they reach their peak ripeness. Using the sun as our guide and Mother Nature as our partner, we carefully manage our vineyards to ensure the highest standards of quality for each vintage. We have a great audio feature with Don Wallace! Please click on the link at the bottom of this page and join us. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have reached for the stars with this wine! The 2019 Endeavour is our feature today,and how lucky we are! We will look at the tasting notes and other pieces of the puzzle to give you a great insight into the making of this incredible wine.please go to their website....drycreekvineyard.com Winemaker Notes: Located in the Lytton Springs district of Dry Creek Valley, our estate Endeavour Vineyard is the vision of the second generation to grow Cabernet Sauvignon that equals the finest of any in California. Strategically planted to take advantage of the diverse soil conditions on property, it contains its own sustainable ecosystem, complete with a natural pond to collect rainwater. This vineyard is a labor of love and continues to drive our family winery forward in producing world-class wines. At first swirl, notes of black currant, black cherry and cranberry come forward, followed by deeper aromatics of clove and orange zest. Additional airing reveals nuances of cardamom and mocha. On the palate, elegant flavors of boysenberry and plum mingle with complex notes of cinnamon, toasty cedar and bay leaf. The refined tannins are well-integrated, providing a rich and luxurious mouthfeel with a long, lingering finish. Tim Bell Winemaker Tim Bell, winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyard, has worked with a wide range of grape varieties and wine styles in Napa Valley, Sonoma, and the Central Coast: still wine, sparkling, dessert, even Kosher. Tim's creativity in blending and extensive experience shaping wine quality in the vineyard made him a great choice for the winemaking team at Dry Creek Vineyard starting in 2011. He graduated with honors in winemaking at UC Davis, learning the intricacies of wine chemistry and microbiology that inform his stylistic choices in creating delicious blends. With this education, and formative experiences in a previous career selling wine, Tim arrived at a balanced, complex winemaking style shaped by his precise palate and preference for wines that define their varietal character. Early in his career, Tim worked at Freemark Abbey, helping to shape the wine style and vineyard program. Later, he became the Director of Winemaking at Kunde, gaining critical acclaim for his Sauvignon Blancs, Zinfandels and Cabernet Sauvignons. All of this experience has prepared Tim for what he has called “his best winemaking job.” Away from the winery, Tim spends time outdoors with his family as much as he can, usually somewhere involving bodies of water. His other interests include music of all kinds and good food (and wine!). Weekends often find him grilling the tastiest burgers on the west coast. A greatdeal fo work went into this beautiful wine,and we will be featuring this wine with local chefs in the very near future. Please click on the link at the bottom of this page ,and join us as Don wallace and I discuss this incredible wine! Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

This is a very interesting feature with Don Wallace. We have covered many of the incredible wines from Dry Creek vineyard,and now movew into The Mariner 2019 from Dry Creek Valley. As we always do we will check out the tasting notes and idems of interst from the website of this world class winery. drycreekvineyard.com. Winemaker Notes: The Mariner is a powerful, yet elegant Meritage made in the tradition of some of the world's greatest Bordeaux blends. We call this proprietary blend “The Mariner” because just as a mariner navigates his ship, so too must our winemaker navigate his way through a vintage. The grapes for this delicious Bordeaux-inspired blend come from several of our most prized estate and hillside vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley. At first swirl, the wine displays aromas of black currant, black cherry and blackberry. Several more minutes reveal hints of cardamom, white pepper, cumin and dried herbs. The palate has dark berry flavors along with earthy complexity and savory tones. It finishes with notes of mocha, marzipan, fine leather and black tea. Good acidity will help this wine to age beautifully for years to come. BLEND: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc FERMENTATION: 12–17 days in fermenters at 82–88˚F; pumped over twice daily BARREL AGING: 20 months in French and Hungarian oak; 46% new oak HARVEST DATE: September 27–October 24, 2019 SOIL: Hillside vineyard with gravelly soil, iron-rich VINE AGE: 20+ years Each and every grape is grown on one of our estate vineyards or by one of our longtime growing partners. In our 100% certified-sustainable estate vineyards, we walk the land, replenish the soil naturally, and make multiple pruning passes throughout the growing season to ensure that our grapes are balanced and delicious when they reach their peak ripeness. We have cultivated relationships over the past five decades with small, local family farms and worked with them extensively for the best results possible. It is not an exaggeration to say that we know every hand that touches the grapes. Please visit their website,and also make plans to visit the great town of Healdsburg in the very near future,and plan to spend some time at this amazing winery in the heart of the Dry Creek Vineyard! please click on the link below,and you can listen to this great audio feature with Don Wallace and myself. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Today we will enjoy a wine from the 2019 vintage. We are opening the Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley 92 Points, Best Buy – Wine & Spirits 92 Points, Best Buy – Wine & Spirits Winemaker Notes: The Dry Creek Valley is an undiscovered gem, producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in California. Primarily known for Zinfandel, the valley has almost as muchfrom Dry Creek Vineyard. Don Wallace and I opened this win,following the Cabernet franc,and I really enjoy the blending done here. The winemaking team has done a great job on these blends,and took the time to really make each wine the best it can be.We will check out the tasting notes on their amazing website...drycreekvineyard.com and this wine will be a great match for many dishes as we later will pair these wines with local chefs. 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: The Dry Creek Valley is an undiscovered gem, producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in California. Primarily known for Zinfandel, the valley has almost as much Cabernet Sauvignon planted. This lush and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon initially displays aromas of plum, cranberry, and black truffle, followed by nutmeg, black pepper and thyme. A first taste of the full-bodied wine reveals flavors of black cherry, black currant and espresso. Hints of florals and fine leather bolster its richness, while firm tannins provide structure. The broad palate and soft edges make this Cabernet approachable in its youth while also perfect for aging. Each and every grape is grown on one of our estate vineyards or by one of our longtime growing partners. In our 100% certified-sustainable estate vineyards, we walk the land, replenish the soil naturally, and make multiple pruning passes throughout the growing season to ensure that our grapes are balanced and delicious when they reach their peak ripeness. We have cultivated relationships over the past five decades with small, local family farms and worked with them extensively for the best results possible. It is not an exaggeration to say that we know every hand that touches the grapes. Are you ready? All right,please click on the link below and join Don Wallace and myself as we explore this great wine, in an audio feature. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Recently I met with Don Wallace and we enjoyed a great tasting of many of Dry Creek Vineyard's best wines. Today we are opening and discussing a great favorite of mine...the 2019 Cabernet Franc Dry Crrek Valley. We will include first the tasting notes from their amazing website...drycreekvineyard.com. 2019 Cabernet Franc Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: Cabernet Franc may have origins entrenched in Bordeaux, but it has a home here in California's Dry Creek Valley as well. We find that this delicious varietal adds a layer of finesse and a peppery perfume as a blending component for our Bordeaux–inspired red wines, but is also outstanding all on its own. The Cabernet Franc we grow on our estate Bullock House vineyard stands out vintage after vintage, so we set aside a few barrels as a special wine available exclusively at our family winery. This voluptuous estate Cabernet Franc displays intriguing aromatics of plum, black cherry and raspberry. Additional airing reveals nuances of mocha, coriander and fine leather. The palate is medium-bodied and rich with luscious flavors of black currant and cranberry complimented by savory notes of black olive, cumin, cinnamon and white pepper. A finish of fine tannins rounds out each indulgent sip. Our family has been growing grapes in Dry Creek Valley for nearly five decades, driven by the desire to produce appellation-focused, terroir-driven, varietal-defining wines. We believe in crafting our wines in the vineyard, with healthy soil and flourishing vines, so there is minimal intervention when the fruit is brought to the winery. Primarily known for Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, our home appellation has become an undiscovered gem for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals. We are proud that our 185 acres of estate vineyards are 100% certified sustainable. We walk the land, replenish the soil naturally, and make multiple pruning passes throughout the growing season to ensure that our grapes are balanced and delicious when they reach their peak ripeness. Using the sun as our guide and Mother Nature as our partner, we carefully manage our vineyards to ensure the highest standards of quality for each vintage. This is one of the best wines I have had recently,and I look forward to pairing this wine with many local chefs.Please click on the link below,and enjoy our audio feature with Don Wallace.it doesn't get any better than this!! Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Today we have opened two of my favorite wines from Dry Creek Vineyard. I'm very excited to share these new features with you! We will also explore the tasting notes on these wines, from drycreekvineyard.com. we will start with the 2019 Historic Blocks Zinfandel. This wine is a small lot, world class wine and truly is one of the best I have ever tasted. The Historic Blocks Zinfandel is a tribute to the legacy vineyards of Dry Creek Valley and our family winery's enduring commitment to preserve the extraordinary heritage of Zinfandel. Located primarily along the eastern bench of the valley, specific blocks of old vine Zinfandel were selected as the backbone of this robust and luxurious wine. These century-old, gnarled vines are still tended to by hand, preserving this beloved tradition and living testament to the remarkable history of our home appellation. This inaugural vintage presents inviting aromatics of boysenberry and cranberry with notes of juniper, toasted oak and baking spice. On the palate, brambly layers of blackberry and raspberry come forward with nuances of black pepper, coriander and mocha. The wine is full-bodied, with deep richness and impeccable balance. Its tannins are slightly firm and lend a plush mouthfeel. 2020 Old Vine Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: First coined by Dry Creek Vineyard in 1987, the term “Old Vine” has special meaning to our family winery. Its vineyards remain the most prized and historic of all plantings in the Dry Creek Valley. Although there is no legal definition, we define an old vine vineyard as having vines that average more than 50 years in age. For this bottling of our Old Vine Zinfandel, the vines average more than 100 years in age! This vintage presents alluring aromatics of blackberry, boysenberry and fresh raspberry with notes of cocoa powder, cardamom, toasty cedar and nutmeg. On the palate, layers of black cherry and plum come forward with nuances of coriander, mocha, allspice and violet. The wine is complex, with vibrancy and impeccable balance. The tannins are fine, lending to an elegant texture and mouthfeel. please join us as we discover great wines ,and discuss local chefs to share these wines with. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Recently I traveled into the Dry Creek Valley,and visited with Mr.Don Wallace. We opened and tasted many great wines from Dry Creek Vineyard.In this feature we will explore drycreekvineyard.com,and share the tasting notes of our two featured wines. The first wine is the 2022 Petite Zin Rosa/Dry Creek Valley. This delicious wine was crafted, first and foremost, from our love of Zinfandel, and is perfect for warm summer days. We allow the juice just enough time with the skins to gather some complexity and a healthy splash of color before fermenting it in stainless steel at cool temperatures. A small addition of Petite Sirah lends complexity and freshness to this limited-production Rosé. Our 2022 vintage of Petite Zin Rosé presents initial aromas of raspberry, cranberry and pomegranate. After a few minutes in the glass, notes of vanilla cream, orange and sweet basil are revealed. The palate is refreshing with flavors of strawberry, cherry and kiwi, with hints of watermelon, citrus and floral nuances of hibiscus, rose and lemon blossom. The addition of Petite Sirah lends a beautiful crimson color and layers of fresh fruit. This luxurious Rosé features a round and inviting mouthfeel combined with lively acidity. This wine is delicious and light with lovely intensity and a crisp finish. We have opened the 2021 Heritage Vines Zinfandel/ Sonoma County. To preserve the tradition and “heritage” of old Zinfandel vineyards, cuttings from a pre-Prohibition era vineyard were grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock. Then, for several years we worked diligently to screen and propagate virus-free vines that would ultimately produce a crop. The 2020 Heritage Vines Zinfandel is delicious and wonderfully balanced. This vintage presents alluring aromatics of boysenberry, black raspberry and plum with nuances of toasty cedar, warm spices and white pepper. On the palate, brambly flavors of dark berries come forward. The wine is complex, with bright acidity complimented by deeper notes of nutmeg, cardamom and mocha. From start to finish, this remarkable wine offers refreshing acidity paired with excellent structure.We have great audio features of each wine. Today Dry Creek Vineyard is one of the last truly private, family-owned, iconic wineries consistently producing 90+ point wines. The second generation is firmly committed to a “no compromises” philosophy producing world class, appellation-focused, varietal-defining wines. They have shifted their winemaking practices and vineyard management to maximize flavors and reflect their home region. To sum it all up, in a world where things are getting bigger and faster, this legacy wine family is taking a smaller and slower approach. With a loyal following of wine club members and customers, the future of Dry Creek Vineyard has never been brighter! please clcik on each link below,and an audio feature with Don Wallace will pop up.Don and I will tell you more about these two great wines from Dry Creek vineyard. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We are now featuring a great wine from Balletto vineyards and Winery each week. This week we have opened the long awaited new vintage of their Sav Blanc. Recently Anthony Beckman and I enjoy some great dishes with these wines ,at valette Healdsburg. A dry, crisp and lovely expression of Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is underestimated and elegant with a driving acidity that's quenched by a generous and surprisingly lush mid-palate that brings a tense, perfect balance to this wine. The aromas are graceful with a combination of limy tropical fruit and a touch of classic Sauvignon Blanc earthiness. It's bright and savory, tart and lush all in the same package. The wine is completely dry with zero residual sugar to hide behind. It's a pure example of how good Sauvignon Blanc can be. Founder and owner John Balletto started the business after the untimely death of his father in 1977. At the age of 17, when the family needed him the most, he put their needs before his own and relinquished several college athletic scholarship offers so he could stay home and help his mother, Hazel, run the small five-acre farm. The Balletto family was determined to make the business a success, and throughout the 1980s and 1990s they purchased parcels of land to gradually increase vegetable production. One of those properties is where the Balletto Vineyards winery stands today. By 1994, the Balletto family had grown the business into the largest vegetable farm in Northern California, growing more than 70 different vegetables on 700-plus acres. More than two million cases of mixed vegetables moved through the premises per year during its peak. Please now click on the link below,and join us as we feature a great interview with Anthony Beckman. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Don Wallace and I recently got together and tasted these two great wines from Dry Creek Vineyard. In this feature we will tell you about these two wines,and explore the tasting notes from Drycreekvineyard.com. 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek ValleyWinemaker Notes: This delicious Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc reflects the vision of the second generation. Crafted from several distinct vineyard sites, this new blend incorporates Sauvignon Musqué and Sauvignon Gris clones for added complexity. The Sauvignon Musqué provides a vibrant and juicy weight to the palate. Just as some of the finest chateaux in Bordeaux use Sauvignon Gris, we also love the texture this varietal provides to the final blend. In expressing the Dry Creek Valley's unique terroir, this beautiful wine displays bright, fruit-forward aromas and a full-bodied mouthfeel. At first swirl, this Sauvignon Blanc presents tropical aromas of passionfruit, guava, pineapple, ginger and white pepper. On the palate, flavors of Meyer lemon, lime, nectarine and cucumber come through with a slightly creamy, but lively finish. Stainless steel fermentation was supplemented with small amounts of acacia, French oak and chestnut barrels, adding additional character and nuance to this delicious wine. We will also feature another amazing wine! 2021 The MarinessDry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: The Mariness represents our vision to produce the finest Meritage wine from the Dry Creek Valley using the traditional, noble white Bordeaux varietals. Founder David S. Stare advocated artful blending of the Bordeaux varietals and introduced the practice to the California wine industry in the 1970s. ​The 2021 vintage of The Mariness displays aromas of passionfruit, guava and cucumber. After a few minutes, softer nuances of lemongrass come forward, mixed with hints of pineapple, key lime and geranium for added complexity. The palate is fresh and sophisticated with vibrant flavors of mango, peach and melon with notes of fresh herbs. The bright acidity of this refreshing wine is balanced by the creamy mouthfeel contributed by aging in acacia, French oak and chestnut barrels. With Don Wallace Agriculture is a natural way of life for Don Wallace, the product of four generations of a hard-working California farming family. Don's interest in machinery took him away from the farm for fifteen years while he pursued a career in international construction. While he was on a project in Sonoma County in 1980, Don met Dry Creek Vineyard founder David Stare's daughter, Kim Stare, whom he married in 1982. Don Wallace and I will be pairing these wines with dishes from local chefs ,in the very near future. When Don wasn't frequenting the airways promoting Dry Creek Vineyard and regional sales programs around the country, he was an active industry advocate. Don was at the forefront of the sustainable farming movement in California. His work on sustainable issues has led him to take up a variety of important causes including salmon habitat restoration along the Dry Creek as well as water conservation issues in Sonoma County. He is a fellow of the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy. Please click on the link below and enjoy a great audio feature with Don Wallace and myself.Dry creek Vineyard at it's best! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Last week Don Wallace and I joined forces at Valette Healdsburg. We matched many of his wines with the world class cuisine of Valette Healdsburg! In this feature we will have two features. First we will tell you of the great wines of Dry Creek Vineyard and also ad a second feature of the food and wine pairing of our first course. Our first two wines are the 2021 Dry Chenin Blanc and the 2022 Fume Blanc. Dry Creek Vineyard has been producing the Dry Chenin Clarksburg since 1972,and we matched this wine with a great dish from the Valette menu. The 2022 Fume Blanc also has been produced since 1972 by Dry Creek Vineyard. Winemaker Tim Bell, winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyard, has worked with a wide range of grape varieties and wine styles in Napa Valley, Sonoma, and the Central Coast: still wine, sparkling, dessert, even Kosher. Tim's creativity in blending and extensive experience shaping wine quality in the vineyard made him a great choice for the winemaking team at Dry Creek Vineyard starting in 2011. He graduated with honors in winemaking at UC Davis, learning the intricacies of wine chemistry and microbiology that inform his stylistic choices in creating delicious blends. With this education, and formative experiences in a previous career selling wine, Tim arrived at a balanced, complex winemaking style shaped by his precise palate and preference for wines that define their varietal character. Chef Dustin Valette began his restaurant career at the age of thirteen washing dishes at Catelli's in his hometown of Geyserville, California. Two years later he took an apprenticeship at Chateau Souverain, a Francis Ford Coppola Estate, where he worked under Executive Chef Martin Courtman, – beginning the twenty-plus year culinary journey toward his dream of opening a restaurant dedicated to showcasing the rich bounty and beautiful ingredients of his Sonoma County roots. Valette was born from two brothers' lifelong dream of creating a unique dining experience in our hometown of Healdsburg. Our goal is to provide a canvas for local farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their crafts. Please click on the links below and enjoy a great audio feature at Valette with Mr. Don Wallace and myself. I have also included a second link with the full feature on the two wines featured here. So first you can enjoy Don Wallace telling ud about these great wines,and then please join us as we pair these wines with great dishes from Valette Healdsburg. This is only the beginning ,as we have a number of great features from this world class winery and follow up features with Valette Healdsburg. Clcik on the links below and then click on the link at the bottom of the feature page. Enjoy! Cheers! We did save you a seat! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

i traveled into the Dry Creek Valley recently,and visited with Mr. Don Wallace. Don and I talked about many of his great wines that are produced by Dry Creek Vineyard. In this feature we will check out the tasting notes and history from their great website,and have completed an audio feature which you can listen to with the link below. We will start with a look at the great history of this Dry Creek Valley winery. The story of Dry Creek Vineyard and the Stare Wallace family isn't one of fairy tales. There is no corporate mogul writing checks every month, or a day job in a lucrative industry to fund the winery. Our story is this: one dedicated family working day and night for five decades to turn what many considered an idealistic pipedream, into a reality that revolutionized the California wine industry. Agriculture is a natural way of life for Don Wallace, the product of four generations of a hard-working California farming family. Don's interest in machinery took him away from the farm for fifteen years while he pursued a career in international construction. While he was on a project in Sonoma County in 1980, Don met Dry Creek Vineyard founder David Stare's daughter, Kim Stare, whom he married in 1982. With his father-in-law and wife in the wine business, Don's next move was a stint among the vines at Murphy-Goode Estate Winery to “test drive” his new family's industry. After one year, Don accepted his father-in-law's offer to manage ranch operations at Dry Creek Vineyard in 1990. Don's sphere of influence gradually grew to encompass every aspect of the business, including winery operations and sales, as well as vineyard development and acquisitions. Don took on the role of General Manager in 1999 and in April 2006, he was appointed President of Dry Creek Vineyard. In 2012, Don decided to take a well deserved sabbatical to pursue some outside interests as well as an extended list of honey do's at home! more later but now our first wine feature!Tthe 2021 Dry Creek Chenin Blanc. We are proud to have produced Dry Chenin Blanc each and every year since our family winery was founded in 1972. Extremely versatile and food friendly, it is the perfect aperitif and one of our most beloved wines. Fermented in 100% stainless steel barrels, this beautiful wine is wonderfully bright and consistent vintage after vintage. At first swirl, aromatics of honeydew, watermelon and mango spring forward from the glass with floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom. On the palate, the wine has refreshing flavors of peach, Meyer lemon and cucumber with hints of geranium, white tea and white pepper. The mouthfeel is soft but inviting, with a voluptuous texture. This classic, Loire Valley-style wine is excellent when paired with fresh oysters, seafood, or just about anything! We have two wines in this great feature. The second wine is The 2022 Fume Blanc Sonoma County. Since 1972, we have produced Fumé Blanc — a wine at the heart and soul of our family winery. Modeled after the classic wines from the Loire Valley in France, our stainless steel fermented Fumé Blanc is crisp, balanced and immediately drinkable. Our Fumé Blanc emanates the classic Dry Creek Vineyard “house” style of Sauvignon Blanc. Aromatics of lemon, lime and grapefruit leap forward from the glass with both fruit and floral nuances of nectarine, peach, jasmine and orange blossom. On the palate, the wine is intense and bright with passionfruit, tangerine and cucumber. Underlying minerality and hints of lemongrass, parsley and mango contribute to this wine's refreshing, crisp finish. In the next few weeks we will be joined by local chefs and pair these wines with amazing dishes from great Sonoma County restaurants. Tonight Don Wallace and I will be meeting at Valette Healdsburg for the food and wine pairings of a lifetime, with chef Dustin Valette,and GM Harry Byran. We will add those features asap. now please join us by clicking on the link below,and we will pour you a glass of each of these great wines. WE saved you a seat! Cheers !! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have three great new features. We will look at the great website and click on the links at the bottom of this page,and join us with these great new features. We have our first feature with the wines of Davis Bynum. These wines are incredible and the fruit sourcing is amazing. The first to produce single vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir in 1973, Davis Bynum was instrumental in bringing the prestige to Russian River Valley vineyards, still acclaimed as one of California's finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir growing regions. Today, almost 50 years later, the heritage of Davis Bynum lives on through the hand-crafted creation of wines grown exclusively in Russian River Valley. We will also feature the wines of Rodney Strong Vineyards. Our story begins over 60 years ago, when a celebrated American dancer named Rod Strong settled in Sonoma County to pursue a second lifelong creative passion: winemaking. Rodney Strong Vineyards was the 13th winery bonded in the newly discovered Sonoma County wine industry. A trio of winemaking paths crossed when Rick Sayre joined the team as Winemaker in 1979, and again when the Klein Family, 4th generation California farmers, purchased the winery in 1989 and initiated a renewed commitment of modern artisan winemaking. Through the years, Rodney Strong Vineyards has earned the reputation for critically acclaimed Single Vineyard and Reserve wines, stand out Estate releases and best-in-class Sonoma County varietal wine. Our third feature is on the wines of Upshot and Rodney Strong Vineyards. These wines are blends and very good. The end result of our winemaker's passion for blending flavorful, deeply nuanced and unique wines. Exclusively from vineyards in California's best wine growing regions, our blends offer a sumptuous, almost magical outcome of the growing season and winemaking process. Greg Morthole and I will save you a seat and expect you very soon. Cheers ! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have enjoyed these amazing wines from Copper Cane and winemaker Joesph J. Wagner. We have two more features with these wines and the cuisine of Valette Healdsburg. We will check out their website and tasting notes and then pair the wines with great dishes from the menu of Valette Healdsburg. With a focus on innovation and genuine craftsmanship, Copper Cane Wines & Provisions houses a collection of brands that are crafted to offer a touch of luxury for everyday indulgence. The current portfolio includes: Elouan Pinot Noir from Oregon, Belle Glos Pinot Noirs from prime California coastal vineyards, Beran Zinfandels of California, Carne Humana Red and White Blends from Napa Valley, and Steorra, a Brut Sparkling wine made of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown in Sonoma County's prestigious Russian River Valley. Our first wine will be the Napa Valley Cabernet from Quilt. seamless blend of crème de cassis, hazelnut, cocoa, blackberry preserves, charred meat, and blackberry pie along with hints of dark licorice, stewed rhubarb, strawberry, spice and vanillin. Rich and satisfying flavors of dark chocolate, yogurt, molasses, brown sugar and rhubarb notes presented in perfect balance with higher-toned fruit emphasis. This wine is a perfect match with the menuy of Valette. "FOR NAPA VALLEY QUILT, I SOURCE FRUIT FROM A PATCHWORK OF PRIME NAPA VALLEY VINEYARDS TO CREATE A CLASSIC CABERNET SAUVIGNON MADE IN THE STYLE MY FAMILY HAS ALWAYS LOVED." We have a second feature. This blend really made the day with this great blend of fruit. Expressive aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate, and lightly toasted almonds with a hint of spices and vanilla. Complex flavors of ripe black cherry, cocoa, and hints of rosemary. Well balanced with a velvety mouthfeel, vibrant fruit, and soft tannins. The dream of Valette began nearly two decades ago between two brothers. While enjoying a glass of wine on their father's porch overlooking the beautiful Alexander Valley vineyards of Sonoma County, Dustin Valette and Aaron Garzini envisioned opening a restaurant together which would provide a canvas for Sonoma County farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their craft. The restaurant would be located in Healdsburg, the heart of Sonoma County – and the location where their great-grandfather operated bakeries. They would serve high quality, yet honest food; offer warm and impeccable service; and house a collection of boutique, small production wines. At the time, Aaron was establishing himself as a dynamic server and sommelier in Sonoma County and Dustin was in New York learning the culinary craft that would be his lifelong passion. They never lost sight of their dream. In 2015, Valette Restaurant opened its doors to the public, showcasing the brothers' combined forty-seven years of restaurant experience and a deep dedication to Sonoma County, its food, and its wine community. Chef Dustin Valette began his restaurant career at the age of thirteen washing dishes at Catelli's in his hometown of Geyserville, California. Two years later he took an apprenticeship at Chateau Souverain, a Francis Ford Coppola Estate, where he worked under Executive Chef Martin Courtman, – beginning the twenty-plus year culinary journey toward his dream of opening a restaurant dedicated to showcasing the rich bounty and beautiful ingredients of his Sonoma County roots. Please join us and click on the links below,and enjoy two great audio features with these great pairings. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Recently I was introduced to the wines of Copper Cane and Joesph J. Wagner. After visiting their warehouse, I have done features with Valette Healdsburg with these great California wines. In this feature we will open two of these wines and look at the websites to give you insight into the world class wines we have here. We have featured Valette Healdsburg, many times recently and feel this is a great match of world class wines and cuisine. first let's look at the tasting notes from the winemaker and then introduce our great friends at Valette. Our first wine is The Napa Valley Chardonnay from QuiltWines. Aromas of ripe pears, roasted almonds, buttered toast, honey, lychee, jasmine blossoms, freshly washed river gravel, lemon zest. Flavors of baked apple with vanilla drizzle, pineapple-mango cream, buttered toast, salty popcorn and lemon curd with notes of nectarine and cantaloupe. Joesph has his own approach to these wines. As you taste through our portfolio of wines, you will notice there is a common thread of character that each wine holds, while also showcasing the region and variety. When Joseph makes the decision to harvest, he looks at measures such as Brix, acidity and pH, but also takes in the physiology of the vines themselves. So though our wines exhibit differences due to growing region and grape variety, they all possess a shared character based on our method for determining the perfect moment to bring in the crop. This wine was a great pairing and we actaully got two dishes to go with this wine. We will have audio features and a link so that you can join us as we paired enjoyed the best of the best. today we will also feature a great Pinot Noir. BELLE GLOS 2020 LAS ALTURAS PINOT NOIR Ruby red in color with fragrant aromas of blueberry pie, dried fig, kola nut and hints of coffee grounds. Dark berry fruit on the palate with flavors of blackberry pie, black cherry, creamy milk chocolate and subtle notes of nutmeg. Rich and structured, this wine has beautiful acidity that lingers through to a long, mouthwatering finish. the bottle is waxed and a beautiful package that would impress anyone on your holiday lists ! While each vineyard location lies near the Pacific Ocean, the climate differences are significant, varying with the amount of fog, wind, sunlight, and soil type at each site. Each Vineyard Designate is crafted to distill the purest essence of the locale into elegant expressions of California Pinot Noir. Owner/winemaker, Joe Wagner chose the name Belle Glos (pronounced “BELL GLOSS”) to honor his grandmother, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner. Lorna was a co-founder of Caymus Vineyards, an inspirational figure to Joseph and an avid lover of Pinot Noir. As a fifth-generation Napa Valley winemaker, Joe learned his way around a vineyard long before he was able to drink wine. By the time he was 19 he knew that he would continue his family's winemaking legacy, working alongside his father at Caymus Vineyards. In 2001, he created Belle Glos, with a focus on vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs from throughout California's best coastal regions. More recently, he has launched a number of new brands under Copper Cane Wines & Provisions. Joe has a keen interest in contributing to the evolution of the wine industry, by discovering new wine growing locations and through experimentation in the cellar. Joe lives in Napa Valley, has six children, and maintains a healthy balance between his family life and a passionate dedication to his business. We have sat down with a great friend GENERAL MANAGER / HARRY BRYAN. Having an incredible passion for memorable food and beverage experiences, Harry Bryan is the perfect addition to work alongside executive chef, Nathan Davis and owners Aaron Garzini and Dustin Valette. Harry re-joins the Valette team as General Manager with over 20 years of professional experience in the hospitality industry. Harry comes to the property from award winning Timber Cove Resort on the Sonoma Coast where he was the Food & Beverage Director. His management experience also includes positions as Bar Manager with Heartland Brewery in New York City, Bar Manager and Floor Captain of the Versace House in Miami Beach, and General Manager of Mateo's Cocina Latina in Healdsburg. Valette was born from two brothers' lifelong dream of creating a unique dining experience in our hometown of Healdsburg. Our goal is to provide a canvas for local farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their crafts. We will have two audio links at the bottom of this feature. Click on the link and join us as we pair these great wines with many dishes from this great restaurant. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have arrived at The Matheson.A great new restaurant in Healdsburg,California. Chef Valette's kitchen is a place of creative collaboration. The menu is an ever-changing reflection of our micro-season's offerings. Prepared with finesse, each dish celebrates the land and the moment. Chef Matt Brimer's menu is a modern ode to Healdsburg's micro-seasonal ingredients, exploring the possibilities of a locally foraged fungi from a secret stand on the slopes of rolling forest, or the range of a Purple Heart tomato cultivated from a farm within walking distance to the restaurant. For Chef Brimer and team, finding the limitlessness in the specific moment is a play of craft and passion. This will be my first time at The Matheson and will be joined by Greg Morthale winemaker for Davis Bynum and Rodney Strong vineyards. Greg Morthole started working for Rodney Strong Vineyards in 2005, when he accepted a job as lab director. His acumen for winemaking became immediately clear and he quickly ascended to associate winemaker in late 2007. In the spring of 2010, Greg was promoted to Davis Bynum Winemaker, overseeing all aspects operations and winemaking. Morthole first met Davis Bynum in the fall of 2010 and their relationship became a real friendship with regular lunch dates where they talked about a wide range of topics. “Davis was always gentleman and we grew to have a great relationship.” We will have three great features for you today,and please click on the links at the bottom to enjoy the audio features. The first to produce single vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir in 1973, Davis Bynum was instrumental in bringing the prestige to Russian River Valley vineyards, still acclaimed as one of California's finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir growing regions. Today, almost 50 years later, the heritage of Davis Bynum lives on through the hand-crafted creation of wines grown exclusively in Russian River Valley. Please join us as we open a few great wines and enjoy the great dishes at The Matheson. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have enjoyed many great wines recently with Valette Healdsburg. Today we have two great red wines and Harry Byran will pour these wines for us. First let's check out the tasting notes on these great wines from Balletto Vineyards and Winery. Founder and owner John Balletto started the business after the untimely death of his father in 1977. At the age of 17, when the family needed him the most, he put their needs before his own and relinquished several college athletic scholarship offers so he could stay home and help his mother, Hazel, run the small five-acre farm. The Balletto family was determined to make the business a success, and throughout the 1980s and 1990s they purchased parcels of land to gradually increase vegetable production. One of those properties is where the Balletto Vineyards winery stands today. By 1994, the Balletto family had grown the business into the largest vegetable farm in Northern California, growing more than 70 different vegetables on 700-plus acres. More than two million cases of mixed vegetables moved through the premises per year during its peak. Determined to overcome the adversity John and Terri set their sights on the wine grape growing business. The family already owned 35 acres of vineyards on their home ranch in the western hills of Sebastopol. Subsequently, they converted all of their vegetable farming land to estate vineyards over a three-year period-planting primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-and started selling fruit to well-known wine producers in Sonoma County. First we will open the Teresa's Chardonnay. Teresa's Chardonnay continues to define California's Unoaked Chardonnay category. Crisp and vibrant, yet amazingly luscious. It showcases how Chardonnay does not need flashy oak to be distinct and delicious. The wine is focused with intensely bright and lifted citrus and melon aromas that are offset with savory tones that add complexity and pleasure to the aromatics. Then comes the texture, balance and persistence. It's mouthwatering with refreshing acidity that contrasts its surprisingly robust and weighted mid-palate. Slight tannins add subtle tension and pull the wine into a persistent, serious finish. We will also open the great single vineyard BCD Pinot Noir! Bright and dark simultaneously, with mocha and earth aromas playing off fresh cherries. It has a wide and silky palate, booming aromas and just enough acidity and tannins to pull the wine through to a long and lasting finish. It's quite a ride. Under the initial aromas is a distinct and interesting spice undertone that aromatically lifts the wine, but it's the mid- palate weight, texture and perfect touch of acidity that define it. It's full and coating, start to finish, wave upon wave of pinot pleasure. These wines are vewry special and extremely food friendly! We love enjoying the great menu of Valette Healdsburg,and love the staff and owners. Valette was born from two brothers' lifelong dream of creating a unique dining experience in our hometown of Healdsburg. Our goal is to provide a canvas for local farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their crafts. Chef Dustin Valette began his restaurant career at the age of thirteen washing dishes at Catelli's in his hometown of Geyserville, California. Two years later he took an apprenticeship at Chateau Souverain, a Francis Ford Coppola Estate, where he worked under Executive Chef Martin Courtman, – beginning the twenty-plus year culinary journey toward his dream of opening a restaurant dedicated to showcasing the rich bounty and beautiful ingredients of his Sonoma County roots. Please click on the link at thge bottom of this feature,and join us for this very special audio feature! Cheers! We will see you out on the town! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

we have two great wines today and have decided to drive down to Valette Healdsburg.Harry Bryan has joined us and we will enjoy a couple amazing pairings with the wines of Rodney Strong Vineyards. First we will check out the tasting notes on the wines and then please joinus by clicking on the links at the bottom of this feature. You will then join us for two great audio features! The 2017 ROWEN red blend is a lush and elegant wine consisting of wonderful high elevation, mountain fruit. Early winter showers were followed by a warm, dry beginning to the new growing season, setting the stage for an early bud break. Alternating overcast days and heat waves continued through spring and summer, with a particularly hot period in late June, and an unseasonal rain in July. We harvested the grapes at peak ripeness from September 28 through October 7 under ideal conditions. Bordeaux varietals thrive on steep terrain and volcanic soil and, our Cooley Ranch is precisely the kind of landscape they love, with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,040 feet. Cooley Ranch is blessed with a bright red, volcanic-based soil that is sought after for its high-quality grape-growing potential. Also, due to being above the fog line, Cooley warms up during harvest to allow for hotter growing temperatures and extra tannin development. All of this provides beautifully ripened fruit and balanced acidity. This wine is extremely special and the blend is one of the best I have recently tasted. Symmetry 2017 Red Blend The 2017 vintage will not be soon forgotten. The all-time precipitation record was set by mid-April as rain swept like waves over the North Coast, filling all the lakes, ponds and reservoirs. As the rain clouds subsided and the sun appeared, the vineyards in Sonoma County endured six different heat waves at or above 100F including a memorable 110F on Labor Day. We harvested the fruit from September 16th - October 13th to make this beautiful red wine. Symmetry is, at its heart, an artfully blended wine. It is also a wine from a specific region, the Alexander Valley, and part of our goal when making Symmetry is to capture the essence of this AVA. The precise blend will vary each vintage, but with over 40 years of experience growing classic French grape varieties in Alexander Valley, only the best is selected for the final blend. The name "Symmetry" means balance, and our winemakers' ultimate goal is to craft a blend that is harmonious, intensely flavored and elegant. Having an incredible passion for memorable food and beverage experiences, Harry Bryan is the perfect addition to work alongside executive chef, Nathan Davis and owners Aaron Garzini and Dustin Valette. Harry re-joins the Valette team as General Manager with over 20 years of professional experience in the hospitality industry. Harry comes to the property from award winning Timber Cove Resort on the Sonoma Coast where he was the Food & Beverage Director. His management experience also includes positions as Bar Manager with Heartland Brewery in New York City, Bar Manager and Floor Captain of the Versace House in Miami Beach, and General Manager of Mateo's Cocina Latina in Healdsburg. We have 2 audio features.Please click on the links at the bottom of this feature,and join us! Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Today we will enjoy the cuisine of Chef carlos at Guiso latin Fusion! Let's check out the tasting notes on our two feature wines and then enjoy Chef Carlos's Pairing off his great menu! Our first wine is the Old Vine Zinfandel from Rodney strong Vineyards! Fresh, bright berry fruit form our heritage Russian River vineyard, combined with the ripe, peppery jam from our Alexander Valley and Dry Creek vineyards, make for a wonderful diversity of flavor, showcasing the best that Zinfandel can offer. This wine boasts notes of blackberry, plum and boysenberry with a touch of red fruit jam and creamy vanilla. Enjoy this Zinfandel now with spiced short ribs, pulled pork sandwiches or a barbeque chicken pizza. I love this wine and it is a perfect food wine for this amazing cuisine. When Rod Strong first acquired benchland acreage on Westside Road just behind the winery, he wisely chose to leave untouched, the 15 acres of old, gnarled Zinfandel vines that had been thriving since 1904. Today, we still harvest Zinfandel from those same old vines, along with a handful of vineyards we farm to the north in Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. Next we will open the great Syrah from Balletto Vineyards and Winery. This is a single vineyard wine and really aperfect wine for Chef carlos's dishes. the BCD Syrah is a work of art! This Syrah opens with classic-cool climate aromatics. The first impression is lightly smoked bacon, earth and savory spices. A core of dark fruit follows and holds the wine together without overstepping. it's complex and elegant. Then there's a tart blackberry foundation that runs from start to finish and is a reminder that this wine is grown in a cool site. It has medium viscosity and finishes with notable, just-strong-enough tannins that lengthen the finish and pull for the next sip. With just enough of everything tightly balanced together, the wine shows its seriousness and the potential to age well. It should develop in the bottle for the next five (or more) years. “The goal of the Russian River Valley ‘neighborhood initiative' is to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of the Russian River AVA...We are seeking to explain the varying complex and sophisticated wine profiles coming out of this special region.” we have two great wines and the pairings are truly incredible! We refuse to compromise on quality in our restaurant. That's why we source our fresh ingredients from local farmers' markets. Guiso Latin Fusion is a family owned bistro style restaurant serving authentic Latin American and Caribbean dishes . I have really enjoyed these first features with Chef carlos and look forward to many new features in the very near future! Now jioin us as we click on the link below and listen to this great new feature with two of Sonoma County's best wineries and a local chef super star! Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have great new features with chef Carlos at Guiso Latin fusion! We will feature a great single vineyard Pinot Noir from Balletto Vineyards and Winery. We will start with the amazing Sav Blanc from Davis Bynum. Let's check out the tasting notes on these two wines and enjoy this great food and wine pairing with Chef Carlos. First let's look at the tasting notes for the BCD Pinot Noir. Bright and dark simultaneously, with mocha and earth aromas playing off fresh cherries. It has a wide and silky palate, booming aromas and just enough acidity and tannins to pull the wine through to a long and lasting finish. It's quite a ride. Under the initial aromas is a distinct and interesting spice undertone that aromatically lifts the wine, but it's the mid- palate weight, texture and perfect touch of acidity that define it. It's full and coating, start to finish, wave upon wave of pinot pleasure. This wine is incredible and will soon be a new favorite for you. We also have opened and will start with the Sav Blanc from Davis Bynum! The first to produce single vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir in 1973, Davis Bynum was instrumental in bringing the prestige to Russian River Valley vineyards, still acclaimed as one of California's finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir growing regions. Today, almost 50 years later, the heritage of Davis Bynum lives on through the hand-crafted creation of wines grown exclusively in Russian River Valley. 2020 was notable for being another dry growing season, with only a few showers in the spring, milder weather through most of the year, lower yields at harvest, and wildfires on the horizon. The dry season and judicious irrigation created smaller leaves and canopy area, so the fruit acclimated to receiving more light exposure than normal. We hand-picked Virginia's Block at 23.3 brix in the cool early morning hours of September 9. We like to highlight the ripe fruit characteristics of Virginias Block while maintaining the acidity for the structure of the wine. The fruit was lightly pressed and settled overnight before being innoculated with yeast and transferred to a combination of Acacia puncheons, two year old French oak barrels and stainless steel drums for fermentation. Each component was tasted and blended to highlight the very best characteristics of the fruit. To preserve this wines bright acidity, it does not undergo malolactic fermentation. The finished blend is gently fined and was bottled in mid-February. Chef Carlos knows all about our loyal local eaters all over the world visitors! Guiso a "jewel box of a restaurant" when it opened in 2015. It seems OpenTable reviewers agree. The small Healdsburg restaurant may only have a handful of tables, but its mix between Caribbean and Salvadorian cuisine provides miles of worldly flavor.Chef Carlos offers a great new cuisine features to pair with these great wines. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have enjoyed many courses at Valette Healdsburg,and we are not done yet! harry Bryan has joined us and we have opened the Big red wines . We also have an extra feature on the single vineyard wines from Rodney Strong Vineyards. We will look into the tasting notes on these wines and then enjoy another course or three.... First we have opened the Reserve Malbec and Reserve Cabernet. Our Reserve wines are the result of a careful blend of individual lots from meticulously farmed sections of some of the very best vineyards in Sonoma County. Created in our small lot Artisan Cellar, Winemaker Justin Seidenfeld employs techniques such as cluster pre-sorting and extended maceration. With small tanks and equipment sized for the most discriminating vineyard selection process, our cellar is state-of-the-art and represents the Klein family commitment to producing the finest wines possible. The 2018 Alexander's Crown exhibits ripe flavors of black currant, blackberries and violets. The wine is voluptuous, has a rich mouthfeel, soft tannins and a long lingering finish with notes of dried herbs and a touch of mocha. Enjoy this wine now or cellar it for enjoyment in 8 to 10 years. The 2018 Rockaway has wonderful concentrated flavors of dark plum and red currant with notes of tobacco and leather. The earthy minerality of the wine is balanced out by notes of baking spices with a rich, complex structure and a long lingering finish. Enjoy this wine now or cellar it for enjoyment in 8 to 10 years. The 2018 Brothers is a deeply rich wine with complex flavors of dark berries and cassis. The wine is bursting with blackberry, plum and wonderful chocolate and mocha notes followed by a round and seductive mid-palate and a long lingering finish. Enjoy this wine now or cellar it for enjoyment in 8 to 10 years. These wines are amazing and there are a few vintages of each available. The Alexander Valley AVA is 22 miles long, ranging in elevation from 150 to 1500 feet above sea level, and is home to our three single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Our winegrowers have found the very best grapes grow on higher elevated western slopes, or as they say, the "sweet spots". Spread throughout our three vineyards, we've determined the best blocks are typically located just below the ridge tops with a western facing aspect to capture the full warmth and light of the afternoon sun. Valette Healdsburg has become a second home to me,and I look forward to enjoying many more features with Harry Bryan! Please click on each link at the bottom of this feature,and join us as we always save you a seat.!! Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Recently Greg Joined me at Valette Healdsburg for many different courses and wines. We opened the great wines of Rodney Strong Vineyards and Davis Bynum. We have two great features...AGAIN,as the dishes just kept coming...,and quite frankly...Disappearing ! Harry Bryan joined the party as we closed the restaurant a couple nights in a row! First I will tell you about a couple of the wines and a few words of the great restaurant known as Valette Healdsburg. We have told you of the amazing Sav Blancs from rodney Strong and Davis bynum,and we now will discover the rose from Davis Bynum. Winemaking is light handed, with timely and deliberate choices made to craft a wine that genuinely reflects the vineyard and vintage. This rose has bright aromas and flavors, fresh acidity and a clean finish which is due to selecting exceptional blocks of fruit and picking early in the season when the acidity is naturally high and the sugars are low. The clone 113 block of Pinot Noir provided 92% of the finished blend, which was given 2 hours of skin contact to deepen the fruit and color before being pressed. The other 8% came from the clone 115 block, which also received 2 hours of skin contact. The resulting blend was chosen for its berry fruit, herbal and citrus notes and balanced finish. We also paired the beautiful Pinot Noir from Davis Bynum. Davis Bynum Pinot Noir showcases terroir: differences in flavor from distinct sites in the Russian River Valley. Our Russian River Valley Pinot Noir blends the characters of three distinct Russian River Valley neighborhoods and select blocks from the Petaluma Gap to create a wine with richness, balance and complexity. The darker fruit tones, richer mouthfeel and velvety tannins come from fruit grown in the warmer climate of the Santa Rosa Plains with its clay-rich soils underlain by volcanic ash. The fruit grown on the sandy soil of the warm Middle Reach neighborhood on Westside Road add to the spice, floral and red cherry fruit tones. The fruit from vineyards in the much cooler Green Valley neighborhood add fresh blueberry and vibrant acidity from the lauded Goldridge sandy loam soils. And a select piece from our hillside vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, within view of San Pablo Bay, adds racy acidity and briary fruit to the blend. Harry and I opened the Malbec and Reserve Cabernet from Rodney Strong. Our 2019 Reserve Malbec is rich with aromas of briary berry fruit, boysenberry and light oral undertones. On the palate, black cherry and currants give way to dried herbs and fine tannins for a lingering finish. Enjoy this wine with honey glazed pork chops, oven roasted winter vegetables or a petit filet with a spicy peppercorn sauce. Our Reserve wines are the result of a careful blend of individual lots from meticulously farmed sections of some of the very best vineyards in Sonoma County. Created in our small lot Artisan Cellar, Winemaker Justin Seidenfeld employs techniques such as cluster pre-sorting and extended maceration. With small tanks and equipment sized for the most discriminating vineyard selection process, our cellar is state-of-the-art and represents the Klein family commitment to producing the finest wines possible. Harry Bryan has been a great friend, and a source of great food and wine. Having an incredible passion for memorable food and beverage experiences, Harry Bryan is the perfect addition to work alongside executive chef, Nathan Davis and owners Aaron Garzini and Dustin Valette. Harry re-joins the Valette team as General Manager with over 20 years of professional experience in the hospitality industry. Harry comes to the property from award winning Timber Cove Resort on the Sonoma Coast where he was the Food & Beverage Director. His management experience also includes positions as Bar Manager with Heartland Brewery in New York City, Bar Manager and Floor Captain of the Versace House in Miami Beach, and General Manager of Mateo's Cocina Latina in Healdsburg. We have two new audio features,with links below. Please click on the links and join us for these very entertaining features with the best in Sonoma Country wine Country!Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Tonight we are honored to be joined by a number of great people.We will learn of Caviar and great food and wine at Valette Healdsburg. We have two new features and a few more to follow shortly. Greg Morthole has joined us and brought a number of great wines. We are honred to also feature Katie O'Connor and learn more about Caviar. Harry Bryan greets us and welcomes us to the great Valette Healdsburg. Please click on the audio links at the bottom of this feature,and we did save you a seat! Asked to describe his approach to winemaking, Greg responds, “Mostly low impact, with the thinking that 98% of the work is done in the vineyard and at fermentation.” That's perhaps a more humble answer than an accurate one, but Greg had the rare fortune to work alongside and learn from three of the legendary winemakers in California history: Rick Sayre, David Ramey and Davis Bynum. What does one learn from such highly regarded winemakers? “From Rick,” Greg says,” I learned to be honest about the wine, but find the positive and lend a voice to that. From David I learned to relax, don't be too reactionary. And from Davis, to be humble and real and avoid telling the bookkeepers the true story if you need to.” There's wisdom in that for just about every occupation. Fresh, bright and crisp, this Sauvignon Blanc is a wine of balance, richness and aromatic complexity. Leading with zesty citrus notes of grapefruit, Meyer lemon and a light grassiness, this wine gives way to more tropical fruit and melon characteristics. This classic Sonoma County style Sauvignon Blanc ends with clean, refreshing acidity and pairs beautifully with toasted brie, seared scallops, oysters with mignonette and fresh pasta with sweet peas and a lemon cream sauce. We have two great Sav Blanc today,pne from Rodney strong and thye other from Davis Bynum.In fact we have 2 vintages of this amazing wine. The Vineyards Deep in the heart of the Russian River Valley, we have a five acre gem of Sauvignon Blanc. As a tribute to Davis Bynum's second love, who he found later in life, we named the five acres Virginia's Block. The vines are planted in east-west rows in shallow gravelly Huichica loam. The vines are cane pruned and trained to open up the canopy to allow the sunlight to touch the fruit. These fruit clusters turn golden through harvest, as the flavors become fully mature. The dream of Valette began nearly two decades ago between two brothers. While enjoying a glass of wine on their father's porch overlooking the beautiful Alexander Valley vineyards of Sonoma County, Dustin Valette and Aaron Garzini envisioned opening a restaurant together which would provide a canvas for Sonoma County farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their craft. The restaurant would be located in Healdsburg, the heart of Sonoma County – and the location where their great-grandfather operated bakeries. They would serve high quality, yet honest food; offer warm and impeccable service; and house a collection of boutique, small production wines. At the time, Aaron was establishing himself as a dynamic server and sommelier in Sonoma County and Dustin was in New York learning the culinary craft that would be his lifelong passion. They never lost sight of their dream. In 2015, Valette Restaurant opened its doors to the public, showcasing the brothers' combined forty-seven years of restaurant experience and a deep dedication to Sonoma County, its food, and its wine community. Our new friend Katie works for these great wineries and covers southern California.She will teach you about caviar and,and leave you intrigued to try this delicacy....Cheers! Let's clcik on the links at the bottom and enjoy the first couple audio features from this great evening! YES! We did save you a seat! CHEERS! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have been busy!! I have traveling into the town of Healdsburg and recently enjoyed some time with wine maker Greg Morthole at Rodney Strong Vineyards! We have three great new features to share with you and will cover the Pinot Noirs ,Malbecs and a few surprises.Let's check out the website and a few notes on a couple of the wines.We have three new links and please click on the links at the bottom of this feature and join Grag and I as we taste our way thru the great wines of Rodney Strong Vineyards. We have Malbecs and Pinot Noirs to start with. What started with Rod's vision over 60 years segued to an almost four-decade long career of Winemaker Emeritus Rick Sayre at Rodney Strong. Rick passed the baton in 2018 to current Director of Winemaking Justin Seidenfeld, who today leads the passionate winemaking team that creates critically acclaimed wines vintage after vintage with an eye towards the future. That future is led by innovative new products like ROWEN Wine Company, the 15-year passion project on our remote and rugged Cooley Ranch Vineyard. For over 30 years, RSWE has flourished under the leadership of the Klein Family, 4th generation California farmers. The Klein family is committed to protecting and preserving the environment in both the vineyards and at the winery through sustainable farming and winemaking. The history of Rodney Strong Vineyards has roots that stretch back more than 100 years; a tale of families in pursuit of an abiding passion: wine. Greg Morthole is a part of a very talentled wine making team. Tom Klien is part of this great team. A fourth generation California farmer, Tom earned a business degree from Stanford and spent the first part of his career as a management consultant at the San Francisco office of the prestigious global management firm McKinsey & Company. One project during this time was evaluating a small winery in the Russian River Valley called Rodney Strong Vineyards and, in a chance meeting, he was introduced to founder Rod Strong and winemaker Rick Sayre. Already developing an interest in wine, this encounter planted a seed that would grow into a lifelong passion. First let's look at the Malbec. a great wine and a new favorite for many people including myself. Our Reserve wines are the result of a careful blend of individual lots from meticulously farmed sections of some of the very best vineyards in Alexander Valley and in the mountains north of Lake Sonoma. Created in our small lot Artisan Cellar, Winemaker Justin Seidenfeld employs techniques such as cluster pre-sorting and extended maceration. With small tanks and equipment sized for the most discriminating vineyard selection process, our cellar is state of-the-art and represents the Klein family commitment to producing the finest wines possible. For our 2018 Reserve Malbec, select areas within each vineyard are hand harvested, fermented separately and aged in the finest French oak. After aging, each lot is tasted and graded and only the best are considered. The blend is then assembled, and the wine is aged 24 months before bottling. Rod Strong was among the first modern wine pioneers with a vision to plant Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley. In 1968, he planted our heritage River East Vineyard in the alluvial clay-loam soils adjacent to the winery in Healdsburg. Today the Russian River Valley is well established as one of the premier Pinot Noir growing regions in the world, and we continue to rely on the original River East Vineyard as a core contributor to our estate vineyard bottling. We have a couple other wines in our new features,but we will let you discover the great website of Rodney Strong Vineyards. Now let's click on the three links at the botom of this feature and be taken to this feature and click again on each feature as we enjoy hearing of these great wines of Sonoma County! Cheers! we hope to see you in this beautiful wine country soon! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Recently I visited Greg Morthole at Rodney Strong Vineyards. We first opened a number of Sav Blanc. Beautiful wines and true expression of this amazing grape. We will look at their website first and learn more about these wines and then invite you to share a glass or two of these wines,as we enjoy our new audio feature with winemaker Greg Morthole. We also will open the SB from Davis Bynum. Started in 1959 by Sonoma County pioneer Rod Strong and led by the Klein family since 1989, Rodney Strong Vineyards is a family of passionate people committed to crafting premium wines, great experiences and delivering a vision for sustainability in Sonoma County. We are united by our passion for wine and the belief that nothing brings people together better than sharing a great bottle of Rodney Strong wine. Fresh, bright and crisp, this Sauvignon Blanc is a wine of balance, richness and aromatic complexity. Leading with zesty citrus notes of grapefruit, Meyer lemon and a light grassiness, this wine gives way to more tropical fruit and melon characteristics. This classic Sonoma County style Sauvignon Blanc ends with clean, refreshing acidity and pairs beautifully with toasted brie, seared scallops, oysters with mignonette and fresh pasta with sweet peas and a lemon cream sauce. 2020 was notable for being another dry growing season, with only a few showers throughout spring, milder weather through most of the year and lower yields at harvest. The dry season and judicious irrigation resulted in smaller leaves and canopy area, allowing the fruit to acclimate to greater light exposure than is typical. With everything in balance, we harvested August 21-September 30. The Charlotte's Home Sb is the 2020 Vintage. We will also learn of the other great SB made by Rodney Strong. The Virginia's Block from Davis Bynum. Deep in the heart of the Russian River Valley, we have a five acre gem of Sauvignon Blanc. As a tribute to Davis Bynum's second love, who he found later in life, we named the five acres Virginia's Block. The vines are planted in east-west rows in shallow gravelly Huichica loam. The vines are cane pruned and trained to open up the canopy to allow the sunlight to touch the fruit. These fruit clusters turn golden through harvest, as the flavors become fully mature. 2020 was notable for being another dry growing season, with only a few showers in the spring, milder weather through most of the year, lower yields at harvest, and wildfires on the horizon. The dry season and judicious irrigation created smaller leaves and canopy area, so the fruit acclimated to receiving more light exposure than normal. We hand-picked Virginia's Block at 23.3 brix in the cool early morning hours of September 9. we also opened the 2019 vinetage of this great wine. Our winemaker is Greg Morthole. Asked to describe his approach to winemaking, Greg responds, “Mostly low impact, with the thinking that 98% of the work is done in the vineyard and at fermentation.” That's perhaps a more humble answer than an accurate one, but Greg had the rare fortune to work alongside and learn from three of the legendary winemakers in California history: Rick Sayre, David Ramey and Davis Bynum. What does one learn from such highly regarded winemakers? “From Rick,” Greg says,” I learned to be honest about the wine, but find the positive and lend a voice to that. From David I learned to relax, don't be too reactionary. And from Davis, to be humble and real and avoid telling the bookkeepers the true story if you need to.” There's wisdom in that for just about every occupation. Now let's click below and enjoy our new audio feature with Grag Morthole. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Wehave a great new feature for you! I love the cuisine and staff of Valette and sat down with GM Harry Bryan recently.We will feature the menu of this great restaurant along with the wines of A. Rafanelli Winery. First let's take a look at the websites and then click on the links at the end of the feature.With this you can enjoy the audio features of these two great local superstars. first let's take a look at our wine features. A Dry Creek Family Tradition, A. Rafanelli Winery ! Since the early 1900's our family has been growing grapes and making wine in the Dry Creek Valley. Four generations later we remain dedicated to carrying on our family tradition. is still family owned and operated, and that means production is limited. The focus here has always been quality not quantity! Our family takes pride in working hard to produce consistently exceptional wines every year, specializing in some of the finest Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. our first wine is the 2019 Zinfandel. A bright and lively vintage with instantly charming aromas of freshly picked raspberries, blackberries and cherries. Hints of cinnamon and star anise add a playful zing of spice to this elegantly styled zin. With a softness on the palate and supple tannins, this wine is enjoyable now in its vibrant youth, yet its classic character will allow for it to mature further. 14% Petite Sirah We will also feature the 2018 Merlot. Leading with aromas of ripe plum and rhubarb pie, this smooth luscious wine follows up with dark chocolate, and hints of bay leaf and sarsaparilla. The delectable tannins and long rich finish will engage your palate and promise further development of flavors in the cellar. This wine is 19% Cabernet Sauvignon.Speaking of Cabernet..... Our third feature will be the 2018 Cabernet from A. Rafanelli. 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon This wonderfully rich and complex wine shows youthful restraint. Subtle hints of huckleberry and black currant mingle with nuances of allspice, dried herbs, and sweet tobacco. Strong in structure and well balanced with focused tannins proves its aging potential. This wine is 10% Merlot. Our restaurant feature is also a local world class chef and menu. This was an evening to remember and...Repeat! Chef Dustin Valette began his restaurant career at the age of thirteen washing dishes at Catelli's in his hometown of Geyserville, California. Two years later he took an apprenticeship at Chateau Souverain, a Francis Ford Coppola Estate, where he worked under Executive Chef Martin Courtman, – beginning the twenty-plus year culinary journey toward his dream of opening a restaurant dedicated to showcasing the rich bounty and beautiful ingredients of his Sonoma County roots. Aaron Garzini began his restaurant career at just 14 years of age in the kitchen of Catelli's, a beloved restaurant in his hometown of Geyserville, California. A few years later, Aaron's brother, Dustin Valette, would follow, starting his culinary career in the kitchen of the same restaurant. Those early years began a trajectory leading the two brothers back to their roots with extensive experience and honed talents. While the experience sparked Dustin's passion to become a chef, Aaron set his sights on the front of the house. Having an incredible passion for memorable food and beverage experiences, Harry Bryan is the perfect addition to work alongside executive chef, Nathan Davis and owners Aaron Garzini and Dustin Valette. Harry re-joins the Valette team as General Manager with over 20 years of professional experience in the hospitality industry. Harry comes to the property from award winning Timber Cove Resort on the Sonoma Coast where he was the Food & Beverage Director. His management experience also includes positions as Bar Manager with Heartland Brewery in New York City, Bar Manager and Floor Captain of the Versace House in Miami Beach, and General Manager of Mateo's Cocina Latina in Healdsburg. ,please join us as we enjoy the best of the best in Healdsburg ,California Cheers! The stage is set!! Please clcik on the links below and enjoy our new audio features!! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Now click on feature #2 .With the link below. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . We are not done yet! We are still hungry! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have been enjoying a beautiful day in Healdsburg! We have great new features with Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar,featuring the wines of A. Rafanelli. We will check out the tasting notes and websites,and then enjoy great new audio features. Four generations as growers and producers of fine wine, our family is proud to continue in the same winemaking and farming traditions as the founding generation. We continue to work passionately as stewards of the land with sustainable farming practices and preserving the traditional style of handcrafted wines, with the best intent to preserve the heritage for the future generations. We have opened three wines.The Zinfandel, The Cabernet ,and the Merlot!All from A. Rafanelli winery. 2019 Zinfandel A bright and lively vintage with instantly charming aromas of freshly picked raspberries, blackberries and cherries. Hints of cinnamon and star anise add a playful zing of spice to this elegantly styled zin. With a softness on the palate and supple tannins, this wine is enjoyable now in its vibrant youth, yet its classic character will allow for it to mature further. 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon This wonderfully rich and complex wine shows youthful restraint. Subtle hints of huckleberry and black currant mingle with nuances of allspice, dried herbs, and sweet tobacco. Strong in structure and well balanced with focused tannins proves its aging potential. 2018 Merlot Leading with aromas of ripe plum and rhubarb pie, this smooth luscious wine follows up with dark chocolate, and hints of bay leaf and sarsaparilla. The delectable tannins and long rich finish will engage your palate and promise further development of flavors in the cellar. our audio features features the winemaker of this great Healdsburg Winery,and the great menu of willi's Seafood and Raw Bar. Since the early 1900's A. Rafanelli has been growing grapes and making wine in the Dry Creek Valley. Four generations later we remain dedicated to carrying on our family tradition. Our winery is still family owned and operated, and that means production is limited. The focus here has always been quality not quantity! Our family takes pride in working hard to produce consistently exceptional wines every year, specializing in some of the finest Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. If you are going to be in our area and would like to visit, please call. We always look forward to meeting new wine enthusiasts. I love Willi's Seaffod as well as all the Stark's Restaurants. We have three great new audio features.pairing each wine with menu idems from this great Healdsburg restaurant. Clcik on the links below and join us as we kick back with An evening in Healdsburg! Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Another beautiful evening in Healdsburg,in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country!Tonight we will visit Valette Healdsburg and the Dry Creek Kitchen with John and Diane Bucher.First let's check out their website and learn about tonight's feature wines.Two great Pinot Noirs. The Bucher Vineyard 2018 Pinot Noir. Fragrant aromatics fill the glass with dark tones of red fruit, violets and subtle earth notes. The palate, bathed with vibrant acidity, reveals bright black raspberry, blackberry, plum, and hints of vanilla woven with traces of fine-grained oak. This blend of five Pinot clones from five of our vineyard blocks delivers layers of complexity, supple tannins, and a long, lingering finish—a classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. We first will open The Pommard clone Pinot Noir! The Pommard clone fruit provides tantalizing aromatics of bright raspberry and sweet cherry that layers with subtle spices and creamy mocha. A smooth entry flows into a mid-palate of supple tannins and rich oak notes wrapped around lovely dark lingering flavors—young, fresh-picked cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, and wild berries mingled with a touch of floral. A dash of cedar and anise appears and lingers with hints of minerality in the long finish. A plush wine with an elegance that turns heads and quickly empties glasses. We will start at Valette Healdsburg and then walk over to the Dry creek Kitchen. Valette was born from two brothers' lifelong dream of creating a unique dining experience in our hometown of Healdsburg. Our goal is to provide a canvas for local farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their crafts. Chef Dustin Valette began his restaurant career at the age of thirteen washing dishes at Catelli's in his hometown of Geyserville, California. Two years later he took an apprenticeship at Chateau Souverain, a Francis Ford Coppola Estate, where he worked under Executive Chef Martin Courtman, – beginning the twenty-plus year culinary journey toward his dream of opening a restaurant dedicated to showcasing the rich bounty and beautiful ingredients of his Sonoma County roots. Aaron Garzini began his restaurant career at just 14 years of age in the kitchen of Catelli's, a beloved restaurant in his hometown of Geyserville, California. A few years later, Aaron's brother, Dustin Valette, would follow, starting his culinary career in the kitchen of the same restaurant. Those early years began a trajectory leading the two brothers back to their roots with extensive experience and honed talents. While the experience sparked Dustin's passion to become a chef, Aaron set his sights on the front of the house. This restauirant is a must when visiting Healdsburg,and in fact is one of the great restaurants in the world. We will also feature the amazing Dry Creek Kitchen. Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen offers a three-course seasonal prix fixe menu where Chef Wyatt Keith presents a menu driven by the very best of Sonoma County. An inviting dining room is the perfect setting for vibrant Progressive American cooking and a wine list offering 500 selections. Patio Seating is available. Reservations are recommended. Please click on the links and features listed below,and join us as we enjoy great food and wine with Bucher Wines.We saved you a seat!Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

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We have recently sat down with Dustin Valette and paired great dishes with the wines of Lombardi Wines.Tony Lombardi and I were spellbound listening to chef'sgreat suggestions of these dishes to pair with Tony Lombardi's incredible wines The dream of Valette began nearly two decades ago between two brothers. While enjoying a glass of wine on their father's porch overlooking the beautiful Alexander Valley vineyards of Sonoma County, Dustin Valette and Aaron Garzini envisioned opening a restaurant together which would provide a canvas for Sonoma County farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their craft. The restaurant would be located in Healdsburg, the heart of Sonoma County – and the location where their great-grandfather operated bakeries. They would serve high quality, yet honest food; offer warm and impeccable service; and house a collection of boutique, small production wines. At the time, Aaron was establishing himself as a dynamic server and sommelier in Sonoma County and Dustin was in New York learning the culinary craft that would be his lifelong passion. They never lost sight of their dream. In 2015, Valette Restaurant opened its doors to the public, showcasing the brothers' combined forty-seven years of restaurant experience and a deep dedication to Sonoma County, its food, and its wine community. Chef Dustin Valette began his restaurant career at the age of thirteen washing dishes at Catelli's in his hometown of Geyserville, California. Two years later he took an apprenticeship at Chateau Souverain, a Francis Ford Coppola Estate, where he worked under Executive Chef Martin Courtman, – beginning the twenty-plus year culinary journey toward his dream of opening a restaurant dedicated to showcasing the rich bounty and beautiful ingredients of his Sonoma County roots. Aaron Garzini began his restaurant career at just 14 years of age in the kitchen of Catelli's, a beloved restaurant in his hometown of Geyserville, California. A few years later, Aaron's brother, Dustin Valette, would follow, starting his culinary career in the kitchen of the same restaurant. Those early years began a trajectory leading the two brothers back to their roots with extensive experience and honed talents. While the experience sparked Dustin's passion to become a chef, Aaron set his sights on the front of the house. "Our wine list represents the quality and diversity of California - with a special emphasis on Sonoma County - as well as wines from around the world that inspire us, pair with our food and are simply delicious! The wine list is designed with the ingredients and flavors of the menu in mind. This is a dynamic, evolving wine program built by our winemaking community." This sereis is the result of meeting local winemakers at this great restaurant.Tony Lombardi was the first and today we feature his great wines with Dustin's amazing dishes. Founded in 2013, Tony & Christine Lombardi began a passion project that honors a rich family history of wine, food and tradition. Together, with Winemaker Cabell Coursey, they craft Small lots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from some of the finest vineyards in the Sonoma Coast. The Pinot Noir is crafted with care from a family of growers in Petaluma, where the Lombardi Family has been since 1947. We have two features and four wines today.Three pinot Noirs and one Chardonnay from Lombardi wines. Click on the links below and join us as we enjoy these great food and wine pairings.Later we will join dustin and feature his incredible new restaurant "The Matheson"...Stay tuned! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

I recently traveled out into the beautiful Dry creek region and Did new features with A. Rafanelli.I love these wines and in fact this family they producelimited supplies of the great wines from Dry Creek Valley. We have three features today! Four generations as growers and producers of fine wine, our family is proud to continue in the same winemaking and farming traditions as the founding generation. We continue to work passionately as stewards of the land with sustainable farming practices and preserving the traditional style of handcrafted wines, with the best intent to preserve the heritage for the future generations. After prohibition, Alberto and Letizia's son Americo showed interest in the family business and was soon carrying on the tradition. He moved the winery to its current location in the Dry Creek Valley in the early 1950's. It was here that he began to focus on the cultivation of premium Zinfandel grapes. Then, in the early 1970's, Americo offered his first commercial release with the iconic A. Rafanelli Winery label. Following in Americo's footsteps, his son David had the passion for growing grapes and making wine. He earned his degree in Viticulture from UC Davis and began to seek out the best land to plant more varietals for the winery portfolio. David and his wife Patty continued with the family business and propelled it to a new level of excellence. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, David and Patty's eldest daughter worked side-by-side with her father until becoming the head winemaker in 2000. With the help of her husband Craig Fehlman, who manages all of their vineyards, they hope to carry on the family tradition and continue improving the wines. Shelly's sister, Stacy, is in charge of daily operations at the winery. A bright and lively vintage with instantly charming aromas of freshly picked raspberries, blackberries and cherries. Hints of cinnamon and star anise add a playful zing of spice to this elegantly styled zin. With a softness on the palate and supple tannins, this wine is enjoyable now in its vibrant youth, yet its classic character will allow for it to mature further. ,Zinfandel,Cabernet,and Merlot! We have three new features . Please clcik on the links atthe bottom of the feature,and join us!Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

After graduating from UC Davis in 1984, John Bucher returned to Healdsburg to manage the family dairy operation, Bucher Farms, eventually transitioning the herd to an organic dairy farm. John continued on his parent's path of growing the dairy herd, while also looking for opportunities to diversify to higher-value crops to stay economically sustainable. In 1997, after two years of researching wine grape varietals, analyzing soils, and talking to neighboring grape growers, John planted the first Bucher Vineyard Pinot Noir blocks for Bucher Farms. Additional plantings of Pinot Noir and eventually Chardonnay followed in 1998, 1999, 2006, 2008, and 2009. Today, Bucher Vineyard Pinot Noir grapes are sold by Bucher Farms to several notable Sonoma County wineries, including Williams Selyem, Siduri Wines, Papapietro Perry, Kosta Brown, C. Donatiello, and others. Today the 700-cow organic dairy is the mainstay of the ranch, while the vineyard acreage has grown. Today, Bucher Vineyard consists of 38 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes on 15 distinct blocks farmed by John for Bucher Farms. The organic practices used on the farm and dairy carry over into the vineyard, where John uses sustainable viticulture practices. With the 2011 harvest, John and his wife Diane, along with help from their children, crushed their first grapes for Bucher Wines. As a working dairy, farm, and vineyard, it is truly a family affair. Their children Elizabeth, Hannah, Jack, and Tony Klisura are the third generation of Buchers to work on this family farm. In 2013, when the first vintage of Bucher Wines was ready for release, Diane Kircher Bucher left behind her career in textile sales to work full time for the winery. Wearing too many hats to list, Diane keeps things moving. Her primary goal is to connect with as many folks as possible, getting them to taste the Bucher Vineyard wines. She is often found pouring wine for restaurateurs, retailers, and public events where anyone with a ticket can try their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With a lengthy farming tradition and history, the John and Diane Bucher Family look forward to sharing their grape growing and winemaking experiences with you for many years and generations to come. I visited with john and Diane and please click on the links below and enjoy our features with their wines. Weare going to visit local chefs in the near future and pair the wines with some great dishes,Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Recently I visited Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar.Tony Lombardi met me at the restaurant,and GM Nick joines us as we paired Tony's Wines with Willi's amazing menu. I visit Willi's often and love the staff and all the great idems on this great menu.We have four new features and at the bottom of this feature are links so you can click on each link and join us as we enjoy the beautiful Lombardi Wines with suggestions from Nick.Nick has been with Stark's Restaurants for many years and has great knowlegde of wines from all over the world. Lombardi Wines include three Pinot Noirs and a great Chardonnay. Founded in 2013, Tony & Christine Lombardi began a passion project that honors a rich family history of wine, food and tradition. Together, with Winemaker Cabell Coursey, they craft Small lots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from some of the finest vineyards in the Sonoma Coast. The Pinot Noir is crafted with care from a family of growers in Petaluma, where the Lombardi Family has been since 1947. The 2018 Chardonnay shows beautiful aromas of layered green apple, lemon-lime citrus, orange blossom, honeysuckle and just a hint of vanilla. ON THE PALATE This 2018 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is star bright and offers layers of lifted and vibrant peach, pear, and tangerine flavors on the palate. The finish gradually turns crisp with a final wash of mouthwatering natural acidity. This alluring Pinot Noir reveals dark aromas of blackberry, black cherry and ripe currants in the nose with a dust of cocoa. ON THE PALATE The 2018 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir delivers dark black fruits that slowly melt into all areas of the mouth. There is focused acidity and fine dry tannins that carry the rich blackberry, anise, cedar, black licorice and mocha flavors toward the mid-palate, leading to a lingering juicy finish of black cherry and dried currants. Giusti Ranch, once known as “La Colina” (The Hill), was founded by Angelo Giusti Sr. in the 1870s, and has made a significant impact on Sonoma County agriculture for over 140 years. The ranch has contributed their farming and services to different parts of the community with several crops over the last century, including olives, grapes, cherries, prunes, apples, and now back to grapes since 2000. This ranch is truly a Sonoma County treasure and we are fortunate to have access to a little fruit from this incredible vineyard. AROMATICS The 2018 Pinot Noir reveals enticing aromas of cinnamon, rich red and black berries, along with baked cherry pie. ON THE PALATE This fresh California Pinot is typical of the Russian River Valley appellation, and shows layered flavors of raspberry, black cherry and blackberry fruit compote. There is an intensity to this wine and it lingers in the mouth, even to the last sip. The 9-acre Hill Justice Vineyard with it's rocky, red-soil and higher clay content, would blend in perfectly on Napa Valley's Silverado Trail. However, Hill Justice is steeply sloped and sits on the side of Sonoma Mountain at nearly 1100' elevation. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

A beautiful early summer evening and we are enjoying patio dinning at La Gare French Restaurant.We have three great new features with Anthony Beckman.We will look at the tasting notes of each wine and then click on the links at the bottom of this feature,and join us as we discuss each wine. first we open the new vintage of the 2015 Brut Sparkling wine. a great wine,and the new vintage is amazing! 2015 Sparkling Brut Rosé The coral color sets the stage, and the tiny, persistent bubbles confirm that this is a serious sparkler. The aromas are integrated and full with a dollop of cherry-strawberry that highlights the core mineral focus. Delicate, pretty & delicious. The wine is full flavored and textured throughout, and the finish is crisp and lasting with a wonderful tickling-bubble sensation. A light, yeasty mid-palate — with both weight and flavors — lifts and carries this wine to the finish. we also have two great Pinot Noirs .First the 2018 BCD Single Vineyard Pinot Noir. this wine is now a new favorite of mine,and soon to be a new favorite of yours! 2018 Pinot Noir -BCD Pinot Noir! Bright and dark simultaneously, with mocha and earth aromas playing off fresh cherries. It has a wide and silky palate, booming aromas and just enough acidity and tannins to pull the wine through to a long and lasting finish. It's quite a ride. Under the initial aromas is a distinct and interesting spice undertone that aromatically lifts the wine, but it's the mid- palate weight, texture and perfect touch of acidity that define it. It's full and coating, start to finish, wave upon wave of pinot pleasure. And let's open another great single Vineyard Pinot Noir! Balletto has many single Vineyard Pinot Noirs. 2017 Pinot Noir - Winery Block There's something alluring and fascinating in this wine. Each year, the Winery Bock produces a boisterous, booming-out-of-the-glass pinot that achieves an elevated seriousness through a wonderful structure, balance and intensity. It shows focused dark-berry liqueur blended with equal parts earthiness, savory dried rose petal and low-level mocha and spice aromas. They all hit at once. And wow, it'­s a knockout. All three wines are outstanding and Chef roger has made a great display of matches to go with these wine.Click on the links at the bottom of the page and join us!We saved you a seat!Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great wines and food. Click here and join us as we enjoy great wines and food. Click here and join us as we enjoy great wines and food.

Today we have four great wines to tell you about! The wines of Tony Lomabrdi.we also have great new audio features on these wines.We will visit their website and share some of the notes and history of these amazing Sonoma County wines. We will start with the Sonoma coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,after we tell you about the history of this great label. Are you ready? Founded in 2013, Tony & Christine Lombardi began a passion project that honors a rich family history of wine, food and tradition. Together, with Winemaker Cabell Coursey, they craft Small lots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from some of the finest vineyards in the Sonoma Coast. The Pinot Noir is crafted with care from a family of growers in Petaluma, where the Lombardi Family has been since 1947. This 2018 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is star bright and offers layers of lifted and vibrant peach, pear, and tangerine flavors on the palate. The finish gradually turns crisp with a final wash of mouthwatering natural acidity. The 2018 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir delivers dark black fruits that slowly melt into all areas of the mouth. There is focused acidity and fine dry tannins that carry the rich blackberry, anise, cedar, black licorice and mocha flavors toward the mid-palate, leading to a lingering juicy finish of black cherry and dried currants. 91 Points – Wine Enthusiast we have two great audio features and the first one features these two wines.Click on the link at the bottom of the page and hangout with Tony Lomardi and myself for a few minutes. Our second audio features features the single Vineyard wines of Lombardi wines. Giusti Ranch 2018 this wine is very special and should be on your cellar list. This fresh California Pinot is typical of the Russian River Valley appellation, and shows layered flavors of raspberry, black cherry and blackberry fruit compote. There is an intensity to this wine and it lingers in the mouth, even to the Hill Justice Vineyard 2018 PINOT NOIR AROMATICS The 2018 Pinot Noir reveals deep purple color and has rich aromas of blueberry, blackberry and chocolate. ON THE PALATE This Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir makes an intensely elegant and delicious wine, delivering ripe raspberry, blackberry, cardamom and forest pine which slowly melts into all areas of the mouth. There is a nice backbone of fine tannins that provide structure and strength toward the mid-palate, leading to a lingering and persistent juicy finish of sweet .these wines are featured in our second audio link at the bottom of the page. I'm ready!! Can we pour you a glass ? Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great wines and food. Click here and join us as we enjoy great wines and food.

Recently Ienjoyed a great get together with Chef roger at La Gare French restaurant.Gina met me at the restaurant and brought a couple great wines from J.Pedroncelli.This winery has been featured at La Gare for many years,and brings together two great reasons to always enjoy Sonoma Country wine country.First we will look at the tasting notes and history of J.Pedroncelli,and then La Gare. Since 1927, when John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased vineyard and a small winery in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley, two elements remain unchanged: the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family farms vineyards, and the family's dedication to making fine wines. From selling grapes to home winemakers during prohibition in order to keep the vineyards going, to growing a small base of business during the 1930s and 1940s, to the second generation joining their father: son John becoming winemaker in 1948 followed by Jim in 1955 as sales director, to 1963 when the winery was officially purchased by John and Jim from their father, to growing the line of wines in the 1960s with vineyard expansion and diversification, to the boom time of the 1970s and 1980s along with many changes and additions to our sales base including national sales and export, the third generation coming on board and vineyard replanting in the 1990s to the 21st century refining our focus to restaurants and casual dining/meet-up wine bars and independent wine shops across the nation. to the transfer of ownership of the company to the third generation (now a 70% woman owned company with a woman winemaker!) to the second decade in the new millenium where the fourth generation is coming up the ranks... Nine decades strong, we are still family owned and operated.It all adds up to tradition, heritage and a family of wines you can enjoy with confidence. Our first wine will be the SB from J.Pedroncelli. Tasting Notes Pale yellow, brightly aromatic and very varietally correct-true to the Sauvignon Blanc grape. The clean and fresh flavors are layered with pear, Meyer lemon and tropical fruits. Our Sauvignon Blanc is crisp with notes of citrus, green apple, grass and a touch of minerality. The finish is quite refreshing. Please enjoy upon release or within a year or two as no aging is required. We have two wines today. "Dry Creek Valley's standing as the source of Sauvignon Blanc incomparable for its sense of place is reinforced with this layered and stable interpretation. The fruit is all grapefruit and peach from orchards where nettles also have a benign yet intriguing presence." we will now open the RThree Vineyard Cabernet from J.Pedroncelli! Dark red with purple hints around the edges. Aromas of dark ripe berries, dried herbs and earthy tones introduce this medium bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Soft tannins are framed by cherry, plum and blackberry fruit followed by hints of oregano and bay leaf. Great structure and good acidity combine with a spicy finish. Enjoy upon release or cellar up to eight more years. Awesome! Now let's join Chef Roger and Gina at the La Gare French restaurant,afterlearn a little about this great restaurant. La Gare has been a local favorite for almost 40 years and two generations. Serving old world classic French cuisine by using fresh local ingredients, they pride themselves on still including soup and salad with every entree. Known for their tableside carte service and escargot, La Gare was voted most romantic restaurant by the San Francisco Chronicle. La Gare French Restaurant is located in the heart of Santa Rosa's historic railroad square, Sonoma Wine Country. The restaurant opened in July 1979 by Swiss-born Marco and Gladys Praplan. Their children Jackie and Roger, have taken up the tradition of providing old world French classic cuisine, using fresh local ingredients, in a relaxed and warm atmosphere. Always a favorite with the locals, La Gare still offers soup and salad with all entrees as well as table carte side service. Voted most romantic restaurant year after year, La Gare has become the go-to place for birthday and anniversary celebrations. every time I enjoy this great restaurant it is a celebration of Life.So please click on the link below and join me as I visit with chef Roger and Gina.Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy La Gare French Restauarant .

We have traveled into the beautiful Anderson valley,and will stop off in Bonneville at the Philo Ridge tasting room. heather is the winemaker and I'm very excited to finllay talk with her. The wines are amazing and the vineyards are a story within themselves. we will check out the website and then open these fine white wines from Philo Ridge vineyards.So let's pop the corks and get started. Fred and Heather took possession of the property in August of 1999. There were already three acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot planted just below the house. The vineyard was planted in 1976 by the original owner of the property, Vernon Rose of Christine Woods Winery. The property was their original winery as well. There were an additional seven acres of plantable terraced land just yards from the original vineyard. We suddenly found ourselves in the wine business. It was quite thrilling and equally terrifying. Neither of us had ever actually farmed. We had read a great deal and we were well schooled in the wine aspect of the business, but we were lacking in that get-your-hands-in-the-dirt, practical experience. One of the first things we did was ask Norman Kobler to be our vineyard manager. Norman has many years of hands-on knowledge about almost everything to do with putting something in the ground, watching it grow, and making wine. Norman planned and supervised the installation of our Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris vineyards in 2000 and has worked hard to continue our education. We decided to become a bonded winery in 2001 and we released our first vintage in January of 2004: 167 cases of 2001 Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. We were very pleased when our first submission – our 2001 Syrah – won a Silver medal in the San Francisco Chronicle competition. Since that time, we have entered a number of competitions with our wines and have done very well, including 90 points and Editor's Choice for the 2006 Pinot Noir in the July 2010 Wine Enthusiast. We also received Editor's Choice for the Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris in the same edition. Our production is now up to 2200 cases and we continue to ratchet up our production. But we still make each wine by hand in small batches of between 90 to 450 cases each. Our goal is to make great wines that have complexity and exemplify the best their varietals have to offer your palate. Pinot Noir is our primary wine, but we have added Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Viognier to the mix for white wines with Zinfandel and Vino di Mendocino (our red blend). (Gewürztraminer in German-language areas) is a pink-skinned grape variety that produces some of the world's most distinctive aromatic wines. Its perfumed style is somewhat polarizing; fans adore its intense floral scent and sweet-spice flavors, while detractors lament its low acidity and lack of subtlety. Gewurztraminer's parentage is hard to trace. Modern research suggests that it is the aromatic mutation of Roter Traminer (Savagnin Rose), and therefore part of the ancient Savagnin-Traminer group of grape varieties, which have identical or near-identical DNA profiles. As such it is hard to locate a precise area of origin, though Savagnin is thought to have originated in...this wine is dry and rich,and perfect with spicy food. Viognier is a white-wine grape variety known for producing textural, aromatic wines with pronounced stonefruit flavors; "apricots and steel" are the variety's classic flavor associations. On the nose, Viognier wines can also be very herbal, with aromas of chamomile, lavender, thyme and even a hint of pine. In aged examples and sweeter styles, this potentially overpowering herbal profile is softened by honeyed notes. In the late 1960s ,just 14 hectares (35 acres) of Viognier vines were all that remained in the world, located exclusively in the vineyards of Condrieu and Château-Grillet. Happily, the 1970s saw new life breathed into the near-extinct variety, by the Yalumba winery in... and now it's time to pour another glass of these great wines and enjoy the audio feature.Please click on the link at the bottom,and sit down with us as we enjoy these amazing wines from Philo Ridge Vineyards We will pour you a glass of each wine,and I will head out to the kitchen to start up a few dishes to go with these incredible wines.Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy the white wines of Philo ridge Vineyards .

Recently I traveled into Alexander Valley and enjoyed some time with Nate Weis at Silver Oak's new state of the art winery .I was amazed at the entire estate and loved my time there.Today we have a new two part feature with Nate Weis and Silver Oak.First we will look at their website,and gather some history and great facts about the two featured wines from the fabled winery. Silver Oak began over a handshake between two friends with a bold vision: focus on one varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon, aged exclusively in American oak and worthy of cellaring for decades to come. Over the next two decades, Silver Oak grew in popularity. Our Napa Valley and Alexander Valley Cabernets sold quickly upon their release from the winery and became a sought-after staple on restaurant wine lists around the country. After selecting Daniel Baron to succeed him as winemaker in 1994, Justin retired, selling his share of Silver Oak to the Duncan family in 2001. In 2006, a fire destroyed our historic Oakville winery. It was a difficult and emotional event; but in hindsight, a blessing in disguise. When we regrouped on the morning of the fire, we knew we had to rebuild, and it wasn't long before the excitement of a new, state-of-the-art winery overcame our sense of loss. Today, we are applying this experience from our LEED Platinum Oakville winery toward a new winery in the Alexander Valley. Set amidst 70 acres of estate vineyards along the rolling foothills of the Mayacamas mountains, our new Alexander Valley winery – set to open for harvest 2017 – will push industry design and innovation standards through alternative energy sources, innovative water reuse systems and reclaimed building materials. Today, we farm more than 400 acres of vines in Napa Valley and Alexander Valley with a leading-edge approach toward precision viticulture, allowing us to give our vines exactly what they need, when they need it. All of our estate vineyards are certified under California's Sustainable Winegrowing program. In 2014, Nate Weis joined us as only the third winemaker in our 45-year history. Nate worked side-by-side with Daniel Baron, just as Daniel worked with Justin Meyer before his retirement. These overlapping tenures ensure the handing down of our commitment to continuous improvement and the wisdom that our best wines are still ahead of us. We have two great wines to discuss.starting with the 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet. The 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has an opaque crimson color with a purplish hue. The alluring nose draws you in with notes of cassis, black cherry, pipe tobacco, salted caramel, cocoa beans and fresh strawberry. This full-bodied wine enters with a depth of flavor and offers mouth-coating, velvety tannins and flavors of cream soda and red fruit. Black currant and vanilla notes crescendo through the palate to the lengthy finish. This wine is drinkable upon release, but given proper cellaring conditions, can be enjoyed through 2040. we also will open the great Alexander Valley Cabernet from Silver Oak! Located 10 minutes east of downtown Healdsburg at 7300 Hwy 128 in Sonoma County, our new, state-of-the-art winery is now open for walk-in tastings, guided tours and food and wine pairings. Designed to “Frame the Vineyard”, the winery features panoramic views of the Alexander Valley bench and our surrounding 113 acre estate and 75 acres of prime Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed at our modern barn-inspired tasting room adjacent to the iconic Silver Oak water tower. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of how sustainable vineyard management contributes to wine quality, as well as the technologies and practices we apply toward resource management and vineyard health. Healdsburg has become a great wine country hub for Sonoma County.Surrounded by the Russian River AVA,as well as the Alexander Valley,and many more.A wine country excursion should be part of your holiday celebration. these are very special wines,please consider having both wines on your Christmas day dinner menu. So now let's join Nate Weis and learn more about the world class Cabernets from silver Oak!Click on the link below and enjoy the discussion.. there are two links as this interview has many minutes of great conversation.Cheers! Please join us! Click here and join us as we enjoy the wines of Silver Oak . Please click on part 2 below and join us! Click here and join us as we enjoy the wines of Silver Oak .

We have traveled into the beautiful Sonoma County.We start with a little history of this great vineyard and look at the wine maker's notes on all three wines. Starting with the 2014 vintage. Established in 1971 and recognized as the first vineyard in Alexander Valley to produce a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander's Crown vineyard is perched on a hill in the south of the Alexander Valley just west of Jimtown. Encompassing 63 acres, the vineyard is in the first part of the valley to feel cool Pacifi c breezes each afternoon. We use Block 1, the top 15 acres of well drained red volcanic soil to craft this wine, resulting in intensely flavored Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2014 Alexander's Crown exhibits flavors of black and red cherry, blackberries, dried herbs and violets. The wine is elegant, with a rich mouthfeel, soft tannins and a long lingering finish with a touch of mocha. Enjoy this wine now or cellar it for enjoyment in 8 to 10 years. this wine is available on line at the winery's website. The Alexander Valley AVA is 22 miles long, ranging in elevation from 150 to 1500 feet above sea level, and is home to our three single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Our winegrowers have found the very best grapes grow on higher elevated western slopes, or as they say, the “sweet spots”. Spread throughout our three vineyards, we've determined the best blocks are typically located just below the ridge tops with a western facing aspect to capture the full warmth and light of the afternoon sun. In the northernmost hills near our Brothers vineyard, with average growing-season temperatures of 67 degrees, heat dominates, allowing Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen well. In the middle of the valley, Rockaway vineyard, with average temperatures of 62 degrees, balances heat and Pacifi c Ocean cooling breezes – allowing for classic structure development. The even cooler Alexander's Crown vineyard, with average temperatures of 59 degrees in the southern valley, yields more delicate, “feminine” style Cabernet Sauvignon. In the distance of only 12 short miles, average temperatures change eight degrees among our vineyards during growing season, thereby allowing three very different expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2015 Alexanders Crown exhibits ripe flavors of black currant, blackberries and violets. The wine is voluptuous, has a rich mouthfeel, soft tannins and a long lingering finish with notes of dried herbs and a touch of mocha. Enjoy this wine now or cellar it for enjoyment in 8 to 10 years The 2016 Alexander's Crown exhibits ripe flavors of black currant, blackberries and violets. The wine is voluptuous, has a rich mouthfeel, soft tannins and a long lingering finish with notes of dried herbs and a touch of mocha. Enjoy this wine now or cellar it for enjoyment in 8 to 10 years. we will now move outside and enjoy a little bit of this beautiful day.We have a glass of each og these wines and now we are ready to enjoy our new audio feature.Click on the link below,and join us!Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy three vintages of the Alexander's Crown .

We love Zinfandels!And today we discuss three vintages of a great Zinfandel from Rodney Strong Vineyards and winery.We will take a look at the tasting notes and the sheets on these wines...straight from their website. The Dry Creek Valley is legendary for producing great Zinfandel, and we were fortunate to discover an excellent vineyard there in 2007 that has been enhancing our Knotty Vines Zin ever since. In recent years, that vineyard has truly begun to shine, and we decided to bottle a small amount separately to highlight its unique character that reflects the briary, peppery nature of Dry Creek Zinfandel. Ruby red colored, with fresh aromas of ripe blackberries, black cherry, wild raspberries, black pepper and dusty earth, this full bodied wine was aged for 15 months in primarily French oak barrels, which added layers of toast and baking spices. Elegant and silky, this wine has refined tannins and is extremely well balanced. Enjoy this 2015 Zinfandel now with Southwestern style pork, spice-rubbed duck breast, grilled sausages, or cellar for enjoyment over the next few years. The 2016 growing season was about as close to ideal as we can get. We received about an average amount of rain over Winter, with only one big storm coming through in early March that topped off soil moisture. Spring was very pleasant, so the vines got off to a great, albeit early, start. Average temperatures continued through summer, with the occasional heat spike. Warm temperatures continued into the Fall, so the Zinfandel harvest started earlier than normal. Dry Creek Valley harvest kicked off in mid-September. Ruby red colored, with fresh aromas of ripe blackberries, cherry pie, black pepper and dusty earth, this full bodied wine was aged for 18 months in primarily French oak barrels, which added layers of toast and baking spices. Elegant and silky, this wine has refined tannins and is extremely well balanced. Enjoy this Zinfandel now with Manchego cheese, bacon wrapped dates or spiced barbecue dishes, or cellar for enjoyment over the next two to four years. We now move onto the 2017 Dry Creek Zinfandel. Although 2017 proved to be an inconsistent year for weather, what started as somewhat challenging quickly turned into a very rewarding harvest. We saw both heavy rain early on and heat spikes in August and September, some reaching past 100F. Heat this late in the season in Dry Creek Valley means rich flavor development with lower sugars, exactly what we like to see for our Zinfandel. Satisfied with the quality and balance of the fruit, we harvested on September 28. Ruby red colored, with fresh aromas of ripe blackberries, cherry pie, black pepper and dusty earth, this full bodied wine was aged for 18 months in primarily French oak barrels, which added layers of toast and baking spices. Elegant and silky, this wine has refined tannins and is extremely well balanced. Enjoy this Zinfandel now with Manchego cheese, bacon wrapped dates or spiced barbecue dishes, or cellar for enjoyment over the next two to four years. So we have three Zinfandels and lots of suggestions for food.I'm still sticking with the idea of Chinese Food from 8Dragons Restaurant in Healdsburg. Ill make the order and the food will be here in 45 minutes.PERFECT! We must adapt in these times and this works perfectly!Please click on the link below and join us as Greg Morthole tells us of these great wines!Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy three vintages of the Dry Crek Zinfandel from Rodney Strong .

We have a great feature here with winemaker Greg Morthole. Today we discuss one of my favorite grapes and wines...Cab Franc!We will check out the tasting notes and history of this great wine from Rodney Strong Vineyards. SONOMA GROWN FOR OVER 50 YEARS Our story begins over 55 years ago, when a celebrated American dancer named Rod Strong settled in Sonoma County to pursue a second lifelong creative passion: winemaking. Rodney Strong Vineyards was the 13th winery bonded in the newly discovered Sonoma County wine industry. A trio of winemaking paths crossed when Rick Sayre joined the team as Winemaker in 1979, and again when the Klein Family, 4th generation California farmers, purchased the winery in 1989 and initiated a renewed commitment of modern artisan winemaking. Through the years, Rodney Strong Vineyards has earned the reputation for critically acclaimed Single Vineyard and Reserve wines, stand out Estate releases and best-in-class Sonoma County varietal wines. Raised in Sacramento, Greg Morthole attended the University of Wyoming, where he earned a B.S. in Natural Sciences. He entered the wine industry as a Laboratory Analyst at Vinquiry in Windsor, California, then moved to Chalk Hill Winery in 2003 to become an Enologist. Greg joined the Rodney Strong Vineyards team in 2005, when he accepted a position as Lab Director. His innate acumen for winemaking became immediately clear to his peers, and he quickly ascended to an appointment as Associate Winemaker in late 2007. In the spring of 2010, he was promoted to Winemaker, overseeing all aspects of operations and winemaking in our Artisan, “Winery Within the Winery.” With a quiet demeanor and a determined attitude, Greg's energetic style illustrates how enjoyable he finds winemaking to be. “Making the Reserve and Single-Vineyard wines here is an honor,” he says. In 2010, we achieved a milestone in sustainability when our vineyard practices were officially certified by the California Sustainable Winegrower's Alliance. This statewide certification program provides third-party verification of a winery's commitment to continuous improvement in the adoption and implementation of sustainable winegrowing practices. Our commitment to sustainable farming is an ongoing responsibility that combines environmental health, economic feasibility and social equity. Now we will join Greg and learn more about these amazing wines.Click on the link below and join us! We will now open and pour you a glass of this amazing wine,in fact wines!Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy three vintages of the Cab Franc from Rodney Strong .