BEAUTIFUL REGION
Small, family-owned, in a quiet, bucolic setting, a visit to Casa Nuestra on the Silverado Trail in St. Helena (CA) is like taking a step back through time. And the dedication of owners Gene and Cody Kirkham to producing wine from “noble though unfashionable varieties” in the Cabernet Sauvignon rich valley is also considered pretty old-fashioned. The Kirkhams started small and plan to remain that way, producing between 1500 and 2000 cases of wine each year. Even that limited quantity allows winemaker, Shay Boswell an opportunity to make seven tantalizing wines, and two, including the winery’s first Merlot and its oft-rewarded Meritage are produced at a high enough level to allow for some regional distribution. For the rest, wine-lovers will have to travel to the winery.
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Calling the Brutocao wine center, at Schoolhouse Plaza in Hopland, a tasting room is like calling a peacock a bird. There is, certainly, a magnificent room in which to taste the Brutocao wines, but it is just part of the dream-come-true complex that Leonard and Marty Brutocao have created within the walls of the old Hopland High School, established in 1921.
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It is not easy to improve on the friendly feelings generated by a visit to the original Sebastiani Winery tasting room. Of course, it was a bit small, and things could get a bit too cozy now and then, so no one complained too loudly when plans were unveiled for a complete re-do of the hospitality area. Now the work is completed and everyone is pleased and excited by the results.
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During my last visit Medoc, I took the opportunity to race in the afternoon in the vineyards to enjoy the cool evening. And I had some big surprises. Go, put on your running shoes!
I cross the hamlet of Saint-Lambert and meets the building. Obviously, this is the winery of Château Latour Schedule (as it is written on his wall). Never heard of …
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The tiny hamlet of Ripley, Ohio, some 55 miles east of Cincinnati, is the scene of a fascinating experiment to produce international class wine on the north bank of the Ohio River valley. At the time of writing, which is March 2001, Ron Barrett and Nancy Bentley have, at Kinkead Vineyards, a vineyard – but no winery. They are convinced that the latter will be completed by August 15th, just 5 months away. Nancy, a marketeer, PR and superb cook, is so convinced that literally every brick will click into place on that date, she has promised to up-date Wine on the Web readers monthly. When mid-August arrives some of the varietals amongst their 3-year-old vines will be ready to offer their first wines.
De Loach Vineyards
I arrived at the tasting room of De Loach Vineyards somewhat jaded after a 11 hour flight from London followed by a 2 hour drive from San Francisco in the rush hour. The folks were very welcoming and after I had been given some Zinfandel to revive my spirits I was taken for a drive around the various De Loach vineyards by Laura Sarong their marketing manager.
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Some wine-lovers thrive on seeking out small wineries, with small production of very fine wines. So, here’s one for that list. The winery is Collier Falls Vineyards, located on West Dry Creek Road at the northern end of Dry Creek Valley near Healdsburg in Sonoma, California. Its winery carries the Dry Creek Valley appellation. The first Collier Falls wine, the 1997 Zinfandel (100% estate grapes) was released in spring, 1999. There were only 500 cases, so a good bit of it is already gone. Those who collect numbers will be impressed by the 90 points the wine was given by the Wine Spectator, and the two stars (out of a possible three) granted the wine by Connoisseur’s Guide.
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The history of wine dates back to the Old Testament (Genesis 9:20) when said by Noah. In ancient Greece, wine was taken with water (take it without mixing was frowned upon); Teocrito described as venerable wines when they turned 4 years old. At that time it was stored in drums, containers made of goat fur amphorae waterproofed with oils and oily rags, so the air was in contact with the wine at all times. The Romans deomstraron better care, better wine through Falernianos wines a year of introducing aging containers. Although anyway not arrive until maturation when introduced wine bottle with cork.
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Going to meet Guy Baudin, is to choose a real breath of oxygen, and happiness! In a real kindness, passion for wine, deep in the body, and heart, share in his company you comfort in the idea that the wine requires a lot of passion and love for. From there, the vineyard offers its best juice, the earth, its best expression for wine amazing distinction.Eclairage …
To meet Guy Baudin, you will need to visit the small hamlet of Lodges in Nievre, 200 km south of Paris.
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