Sip and Savor Sonoma County

The blog may be called Central Coast Uncorked, but this wine enthusiast took the opportunity last fall to indulge in the wines of Sonoma County.  The two day trip through Sonoma County featured a great selection of wineries in the Russian River Valley, Downtown Healdsburg and Dry Creek Valley, as well as a sampling of some great cuisine (casual and elegant) in Healdsburg and Geyserville.

As a newbie to the area, I relied on my experiences tasting wines from local producers at events such as Family Winemakers of California, recommendations from Twitter followers and fellow winemakers, as well as the Wine Road - Northern Sonoma County, Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley Winegrowers.

These resources helped me plan a memorable two day trip through Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley. Visitors to northern Sonoma County should also indulge in the wines and magnificent landscape of the Alexander Valley, home to more than 40 wineries.  And its all within an hour and a half drive north of San Francisco.  In 2012, I am looking forward to flying or driving north to sip and savor the rest of Sonoma County.  There is so much more to experience!

DAY 1

The fog was thick and the cloud cover was low on a crisp fall weekday morning in the Russian River Valley. As you peer down the narrow roads surrounded by sloping rows of vineyards covered with the glow of red, orange and yellow colors, the Russian River Valley comes into focus in one dramatic landscape as the sun peers through the fog and clouds.

On a porch overlooking the vineyard, I enjoyed a full tasting of the newest releases from Benovia Winery. Earlier in 2011 during the Family Winemakers Pasadena Trade Tasting, I fell in love with the wines of Benovia. It's almost impossible to enjoy a lineup of wines from a single winery, but Benovia hit it out the park with some spectacular Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel wines from the  Russian River Valley. Recommendations: Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Sonoma County Zinfandel, Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir.

While the sun, clouds and fog played hooky throughout the morning, I focused on the next stop: Inman Family Wines. Kathleen Inman is true to her craft as a winemaker should be, with a spin or screwcap on the competition. Located at the junction of Olivet and Piner Road, Inman Family Wines produces Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rosé and Sparkling wines from Russian River Valley vineyards such as Thorn Ridge Ranch and their own Olivet Grange Vineyard. Recommendations: Russian River Valley Chardonnay, Olivet Grange Vineyard Pinot Noir.

DAY 2

Have you ever trekked through a new area not knowing what to expect on the other side of the ridge? On a rain soaked morning, I encountered the "wow" factor in the Dry Creek Valley just on the other side of the hill from Healdsburg. It is almost as if you are being warped into another time zone studded by small and medium-sized vineyard plots in a stunning landscape in northern Sonoma County.

Located on Dry Creek Road, north of Healdsburg, is one of the highlights from my trip in this renowned wine producing region - Unti Vineyards. Established in 1997, Unit Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery producing small lots of estate grown Zinfandel, Rhône and Italian varietals. Recommendations: Rosé, Barbera, Segromigno, Zinfandel.

As W. Dry Creek Road road narrows and ends at its northern point, a dirt path off the main road winds through the vineyards of Preston of Dry Creek. Preston is a family operated farm winery worth the visit, especially for Rhône wine lovers. Recommendations: Mourvèdre, Syrah~Sirah.

If you are looking for the true wine garagiste experience, look no further than Frick Winery. These hand-crafted, small lot wines are produced largely from estate fruit, as well as Carignane from 100 year old vines in Mendocino County.

Russian River Valley

Dry Creek Valley

DOWNTOWN HEALDSBURG

Davis Family Vineyards
52 Front Street, Healdsburg  (707) 569-0171
Open Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hawley Winery
36 North Street, Healdsburg  (707) 473-9500
Open daily 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

DRY CREEK VALLEY

Unti Vineyards
4202 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg  (707) 433-5590
Open daily by appointment, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Preston of Dry Creek
9282 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
Open daily 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Collier Falls Winery
4791 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg  (707) 433-7373
Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Frick Winery
23072 Walling Road, Geyserville  (707) 857-1980
Open Fri-Sun 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Summer); Sat & Sun 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Winter)

Ridge Vineyards (Lytton Springs Winery)
650 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg  (707) 433-7721
Open daily 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

Benovia Winery
3339 Hartman Road, Santa Rosa  (707) 526-4441
Open daily by appointment, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Inman Family Wines
3900 Piner Road, Santa Rosa  (707) 293-9576
Open Thursday-Monday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Joseph Swan Vineyards
2916 Laguna Road, Santa Rosa (Winery entrance on Trenton Road)  (707) 573-3747
Open Saturday & Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fog Crest Vineyard
7602 Occidental Road, Sebastapol  (800) 931-2906
Open by appointment only

Woodenhead Vintners
5700 River Road, Santa Rosa  (707) 887-2703
Open Thursday-Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE TO EAT

Catelli's 
21047 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville  (707) 857-3471.  Lunch and Dinner

Diavola Pizzeria
21021 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville  (707) 814-0111.  Lunch and Dinner

Barndiva
213 Center Street, Healdsburg  (707) 431-0100.  Lunch and Dinner

Scopa
109A Plaza Street, Healdsburg  (707) 433-5282.  Dinner

Costeaux French Bakery
417 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg  (707) 433-1913.  Breakfast and Lunch

The Wurst
22 Matheson Street, Healdsburg  (707) 395-0214.  Lunch and Dinner

Moustache Baked Goods
381 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg  (707) 395-4111.  Cupcakes

WHERE TO STAY

Best Western Plus Dry Creek Valley Inn (Economy)
198 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg  (800) 222-5784

Healdsburg Inn (Historic)
112 Matheson Street, Healdsburg  (800) 431-8663

Hotel Healdsburg (Luxury)
25 Matheson Street, Healdsburg  (800) 889-7188

Benovia Wines, Russian River Valley

Entrance to Benovia Winery, Russian River Valley

Inman Family Wines, Russian River Valley

Woodenhead Vintners, Russian River Valley

Davis Family Vineyards, Healdsburg

Unti Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley

Preston of Dry Creek Winery & Vineyard

Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting Event 2012

Rhône Rangers fans: Your favorite wineries are coming to Downtown Los Angeles to the iconic and historic Vibiana.  On June 3rd, the Rhône Rangers will ride into Los Angeles with over 40 winery members pouring over 200 Rhône varietal wines at this premier location.

This intimate tasting has found a heavenly home in the City of Angels after a couple years in Santa Monica.  Within the Baroque-inspired Italian façade, wineries from California's premier wine growing and producing regions will match the grand setting with some of the most tantalizing wines from mostly small, family-owned producers.

For over 100 years, the Cathedral of St. Vibiana welcomed worshippers through its doors near the historic core of Downtown Los Angeles.  After suffering extensive damage during the 1994 Northridge Earthquake and a drawn-out legal battle to preserve the historic site, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles relocated to another site a few blocks away and the structure was preserved and operates today as a premier event venue.

Vibiana is located at the corner of Main Street and 2nd Street surrounded on one side by the Thom Mayne-designed Caltrans building, the new LAPD Headquarters, and the historic Higgins Building, which was built in 1910 and contained the city's first privately-owned power plant.  In the background stands Los Angeles City Hall - the tallest building in Los Angeles until 1964.

Before the wine tasting begins, one hundred "Backstage Pass" holders can enjoy an informal picnic-style lunch from 2-3:30 p.m. with the winemakers outdoors in the courtyard, as well as entry to the consumer walk-around tasting at 3:30 p.m.  The Consumer Tasting will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  And like any large gathering in Los Angeles, the food trucks will be on hand to help you pair tasty treats with those wines.  Check out the video below from the 2010 Los Angeles Tasting for all the highlights of this premier tasting event.

Participating Wineries: Acquiesce Winery, Adelaida Cellars, Anglim Winery, Alta Colina, Andrew Murray Vineyards, Bonny Doon Vineyard, Calcareous Vineyard, Cass Winery, Clavo Cellars, Clayhouse Wines, Cornerstone Cellars, Cosa Obra, Curtis Winery, Denner, Derby Wine Estates, Eberle Winery, Ecluse, Edward Sellers, Epiphany Cellars, Fess Parker Winery & Vineyards, Frick Winery, Grey Wolf Cellars, Halter Ranch Vineyard, Hearthstone Vineyard & Winery, Hug Cellars, J. Lohr Vineyards, JK Wine Co., L'Aventure, Maison Bleue, Martian Ranch, Meyer Family Cellars, Michael-David Winery, Miner Family Winery, Qupe, Refugio Ranch Vineyards, Ridge Vineyards, Stolpman Vineyards, Tablas Creek Vineyards, Tercero Wines, Thacher Winery, Treana & Hope Family Wines, Venteux Vineyards, Villicana, Vina Robles, Vines on the Marycrest, Wrath, Zaca Mesa Winery.

Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting Event
Date: Sunday, June 3, 2012
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Vibiana, 214 South Main Street, Downtown Los Angeles
Cost: Consumer Tasting - $45, Backstage Pass - $85
*USE PROMO CODE SDKLA612 for $5 OFF*

Winemaker Profile: Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines

If you know anything about Santa Barbara County Wine Country and its colorful characters of winemakers, then you know the name Larry Schaffer.  A couple of things come to mind when you hear his name: "eccentric," "mad scientist," "cheerleader for Santa Barbara County wines" and "zany." Perhaps you have your own description, but remember, this is a family-oriented blog.

It all started when Schaffer left a career in the publishing business to pursue a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and his dream of becoming a winemaker.  With his degree in hand, Larry moved his family from Southern California to the bucolic Santa Ynez Valley to become the enologist for Fess Parker Winery.

During his stint on the winemaking team at Fess Parker, Larry began his quest to produce Rhône varietal wines under his new label, tercero wines.  With his winemaking and sales experience, Larry has transformed his Santa Barbara County wine label into a grassroots business built on a solid viral following and word-of-mouth notoriety.  Nobody said it was going to be easy to distinguish himself from the other well-established wineries in Santa Barbara County, but Schaffer remains focused on his goal of producing acid driven, Rhône varietal wines.

Tercero Wines offers a range of wines including Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, a Rhône blend, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Rosé, and a dry Gewürztraminer.  The grapes are sourced from a numerous vineyards in Santa Barbara County including Thompson, Larner, Tierra Alta, Watch Hill, White Hawk, and Camp 4.  Be sure to ask Larry what's his favorite wine.  He'll ask you which one of your children do you love more.  Come on Larry; everyone has a favorite child.  They just don't say it front of the other children...

With six vintages under his belt, Schaffer continues to perfect his craft and expand his label with the opening of a new tasting room in Downtown Los Olivos.  You can find Schaffer and tercero wines at any of the tasting events held each year by the major wine industry associations such as the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association, where he serves on the Board as Vice President, Family Winemakers of California, and Rhône Rangers; just look for the guy with the Erlenmeyer flasks.  What better (or cheaper) way to decant wines, right?

If there is one thing Larry enjoys most, it's connecting with people and sharing his reasons why Santa Barbara County is the premier grape growing and wine producing region in California.  SBC is an amazingly diverse region with numerous AVAs and microclimates that truly produce some of the best wines in the world.  But whatever you do, don't loop Santa Barbara County in with the rest of the Central Coast and don't assume one part of Santa Barbara County is the same as all other parts. Schaffer will make sure you leave with the facts.  Don't worry Larry; we are quickly learning.

tercero wines
2445 Alamo Pintado Road, Los Olivos (entrance on San Marcos Ave. next to Dragonette Cellars)
(805) 245-9584
Open Friday-Monday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. or call for an appointment
Facebook: tercero wines
Twitter: @tercerowines

tercero wines line up

tercero wines tasting room

Schaffer pouring at Family Winemakers San Diego Tasting 2012

Exploring Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail

While the allure of Santa Barbara County Wine Country brings in thousands of visitors annually to the famous towns and appellations of this iconic wine destination, people are quickly discovering the fifteen wineries that line the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail from the scenic coastline to Downtown's Historic Arts District.

Located 90 miles north of Los Angeles, Downtown Santa Barbara is easily becoming a premier wine destination for novice and experienced wine drinkers looking for quality and award winning wines from Santa Barbara County.  The Urban Wine Trail's convenient location allows wine tasters to park their cars and walk to many of the tasting rooms that line Anacapa Street just a block or two from Cabrillo Boulevard and Stearns Wharf.

The Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail also features one of the most acclaimed Rhône varietal wine producers in California - Jaffurs Wine Cellars.  Jaffurs sources Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne from renowned Santa Barbara County vineyards such as Bien Nacido, Thompson, Ampelos and Verna's.  The winemaking team of Craig Jaffurs, Dave Yates and Matt Brady produce stunning wines that represent the finest qualities of Rhône varietals and the terroir of each vineyard.

If you want to stick to the itinerary and enjoy as many tasting rooms as possible, grab a sandwich to go from Panino in Montecito (1014 Coast Village Road, 805-565-0137) or Downtown Santa Barbara (834 Santa Barbara Street, 805-963-3700).  After a day of tasting, there are plenty of fine dining options throughout town with exemplary wine lists.  Likewise, Santa Barbara has a hotel for every budget and accommodation.

WINERIES

Au Bon Climat, 813 Anacapa St., (805) 966-9463. Open daily 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Carr Vineyards & Winery, 414 N. Salsipuedes St., (805) 965-7985. Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. & Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Cottonwood Canyon, 224 Anacapa St., Suite 1A, (805) 963-1221. Open Fall/Winter: Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. & Spring/Summer: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Conway Family Wines, 217 Stearns Wharf, (805) 618-1185. Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Jaffurs Wine Cellars, 819 E. Montecito St., (805) 962-7003. Open Friday-Monday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Kalyra Winery, 212 State St., (805) 965-8606. Open daily 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Kunin Wines, 28 Anacapa St., (805) 963-9633. Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Margerum Wine Company, 813 Anacapa St., (805) 966-9463. Open daily 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Municipal Winemakers, 22 Anacapa St., (805) 931-6864. Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (till 11:00 p.m., Thursday-Saturday)

Oreana Winery, 205 Anacapa St., (805) 962-5857. Open Monday-Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Friday-Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sanguis, 8 Ashley Ave., (805) 845-0920. Open by appointment only

Santa Barbara Winery, 202 Anacapa St., (805) 963-3633. Open daily 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Silver Wines, 724 Reddick St., (805) 963-3052. Open by appointment only

Summerland Winery, 2330 Lillie Ave., (805) 565-9463. Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Whitcraft Winery, 36 A South Calle Cesar Chavez, (805) 730-1680. Open Friday-Monday 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Recapping 2011 in the Central Coast (and beyond)

In the year 2011, Central Coast Uncorked was busy nursing a barrel of 2010 Syrah, bottling the 2010 Tempranillo Rosé, and working as a harvest assistant for the third vintage at Vines on the Marycrest in Paso Robles.  On many weekends, I was venturing north to visit wineries in Los Olivos,  the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Edna Valley and Westside Paso Robles or attending great wine tastings hosted by Hospice du Rhône, Rhône Rangers, and Family Winemakers of California, as well as participating as a guest judge in the Central Coast Wine Competition.  More importantly, I was enjoying plenty of wines from Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County and the Edna Valley throughout the year.

This year, I opted to source Viognier from the Alta Colina Vineyard in Paso Robles for my first white Rhône wine bottling.  Although this is becoming a challenging lesson in producing a white wine, I'm sure the end product will meet or exceed my expectations given the source of my fruit and the expertise I am receiving from my winemaker friends along the way.  I am hoping to bottle my stainless steel-aged Viognier in early spring 2012.

Central Coast Uncorked also took a week long vacation up north to visit wineries in the Napa Valley, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley.  One week wasn't long enough to enjoy everything Napa and Sonoma Counties have to offer, but what I experienced was enough to motivate me to plan another trip in early 2012.  Three words: Dry Creek Valley.  You must visit this wine region between Healdsburg and Geyserville in northern Sonoma County. They are producing some amazing Rhône varietal wines.

Napa/Sonoma Recommendations: Chappellet Winery (Napa Valley/Pritchard Hill), Melka Wines (Napa Valley), Benovia Winery (Russian River Valley), Inman Family Wines (Russian River Valley), Davis Family Vineyards (Sonoma County), Unti Vineyards (Dry Creek Valley), and Preston Vineyards (Dry Creek Valley).

Here's a selection of wines that I opened in 2011.  I am looking forward to enjoying some phenomenal wines from my cellar in 2012.  Cheers!

✔ = Top Pick
$ = Good Value
________________________________________________________________________________

Vines on the Marycrest 2006 Heart of Glass, Paso Robles (72% Grenache/15% Mourvèdre/13% Syrah)  ✔

Piedrasassi 2005 California Syrah

Daou Vineyards 2008 Petite Sirah, Paso Robles  ✔

Alta Colina 2009 12 O'clock High, Paso Robles (69% Viognier/18% Roussanne, 6% Grenache Blanc)  ✔

Chamisal Vineyards 2009 Stainless Chardonnay, Central Coast  $

Palmina 2008 Barbera, Santa Barbara County

Kenneth-Crawford 2006 "Four Play" Syrah, Santa Barbara County

Herman Story Wines 2008 On the Road Grenache, California  ✔

Wolff Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay "Old Vines," Edna Valley

Chamisal Vineyards 2008 Estate Pinot Noir, Edna Valley

Vines on the Marycrest 2006 Round Midnight, Paso Robles (44% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre/28% Grenache)

Claiborne & Churchill 2009 Chardonnay, Edna Valley

Ecluse Wines 2008 Zinfandel, Lock Vineyard, Paso Robles

Adelaida Cellars 2008 Version (White), Paso Robles

Costa de Oro 2009 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County

Anglim Winery 2007 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Barbara County

Thacher Winery 2008 Controlled Chaos, Paso Robles (42% Mourvèdre/35% Zinfandel/23% Grenache)

Tablas Creek 2010 Patelin de Tablas Blanc, Paso Robles (50% Grenache Blanc/33% Viognier/10% Roussanne/7% Marsanne)  ✔$

Jalama Wines 2007 Syrah, Paradise Road Vineyard, Santa Barbara County

Chamisal Vineyards 2008 Estate Chardonnay, Edna Valley  $

Jaffurs Wine Cellars 2008 Grenache Blanc, Thompson Vineyard, Santa Barbara County

Fog Crest Vineyard 2007 Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley  ✔

Claiborne & Churchill 2008 Twin Creeks Pinot Noir, Edna Valley

Kenneth-Crawford 2005 Syrah, Purisima Mountain Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley  ✔

Villa Creek 2009 White, Paso Robles (55% Grenache Blanc/35% Roussanne/10% Picpoul Blanc)  $

Alta Colina 2008 Keystone Estate Syrah, Paso Robles  ✔

Vines on the Marycrest 2010 Roussanne, Paso Robles

Margerum 2007 M5, Santa Barbara County (48% Syrah/31% Grenache/10% Mourvèdre/2% Counoise/2% Cinsault)

Jaffurs Wine Cellars 2008 Grenache, Santa Barbara County

Cold Heaven Cellars 2009 Nevertell Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills

Dragonette Cellars 2009 Grenache, Santa Barbara County  ✔

Ojai Vineyard, 2006 Syrah, Santa Barbara County

Liquid Farm 2009 Golden Slope Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills  ✔

Booker 2008 White, Paso Robles (60% Roussanne/40% Viognier)

Dragonette Cellars 2009 Seven, Central Coast (94% Syrah/4% Grenache/2% Mourvèdre)  ✔

Andrew Murray Vineyards 2008 Espérance, Central Coast (60% Grenache/25% Syrah/15% Mourvèdre  ✔

Andrew Murray Vineyards 2007 Tous les Jours Syrah, Central Coast  ✔$

Tablas Creek 2010 Patelin de Tablas, Paso Robles (39% Syrah/36% Grenache/22% Mourvèdre/3% Counoise)  ✔$

Jalama Wines 2010 Clementina, La Presa, Santa Ynez Valley

Tatomer 2008 Kick-on Ranch Riesling, Santa Barbara County  ✔

New Vineland 2008 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County

Jaffurs Wine Cellars 2010 Syrah, Santa Barbara County

Tercero Wines 2008 Mourvèdre, Camp 4 Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley  ✔

Alta Colina 2010 Rosé, Paso Robles (50% Grenache/50% Syrah)

Samsara 2008 Pinot Noir, Ampelos Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills  ✔

Tercero Wines 2007 Cuvee Christie, Santa Ynez Valley (64% Syrah, 18% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre)

Ken Brown Wines 2004 Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley

Blair Fox Cellars 2010 Foxy Bubbles (100% Grenache, Sparkling Rosé), Fox Family Vineyard, Santa Barbara County  ✔

Dragonette Cellars 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley  ✔

Anglim Winery 2006 Cabernet Franc, Paso Del Sol Vineyard, Paso Robles

Chappellet 2009 Mountain Cuvee, Napa Valley (56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petite Verdot, 2% Malbec)

Cold Heaven Cellars 2009 Viognier, Le Bon Climat Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley

Lea 2010 Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills

Oso Libre 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles