Wine Banter - Artisan Winemakers - by John Haggard - April 2019
Happy Spring in Sonoma County… it’s been a rather long and wet Winter and it’s time to enjoy sampling some of the amazing wines being crafted by our artisan winemakers.
Woodenhead French Colombard 2016, Russian River Valley, Wes Cameron Ranch
The nose: shortbread, lemon, vanilla and lime zest. The palate is a lemon/lime with bright acid. Pretty firm acidity throughout the palate. Barrell-fermented with an enjoyable buttery quality, which balances the acidities. Winemaker Nikolai Stez crafts a consistent vintage to vintage seafood-friendly French Colombard from Wes Cameron Ranch. Pair with oysters on the half shell. Enjoy now through 2019. For more information visitwoodenheadwine.com.
Cazadero Winery Chardonnay Bei Ranch 2016 Sonoma Coast
Nose of crème brulee and pear. The acids of this elegant chardonnay are almost entirely enveloped in a crème anglaise and baked pear quality leading to a long and luxurious finish. This Chardonnay has a loyal following and will not be around long once released, with an anticipated mid-Spring release. This wine has just about everything you can ask for in a glass of chardonnay – I’m hesitant to even suggest a pairing as it is such a lovely sipping wine. Only 130 cases produced. Enjoy now through 2020. For more information visit cazaderowinery.com.
Woodenhead Pinot Noir 2017 Mendocino Ridge
Stone fruit: tart baked cherry and yellow peach with cinnamon and vanilla on the nose. The palate is filled with raspberry and crabapple and a distinctive red licorice herbaceous quality and an abundance of minerality evenly layered from mid to palate finish. There is also subtle cedar. Given a brief opportunity to breath, this pinot becomes even more elegant. Pair with salmon, pork loin, duck breast. Enjoy now through 2023. For more information visitwoodenheadwine.com.
Woodenhead Pinot Noir Buena Tiera Vineyard E Black Clone 115 Russian River Valley 2015
Oh my, I can’t help myself, Dijon 115 is my favorite of all the Dijon Clones – this pinot smells perfectly delicious. The nose is honeysuckle, sugar beet, black raspberry. A mouthful of red berries finishing in a quintessential Burgundian style. Much like that of the French burgundies, low alcohol, delicate balance. There is just a hint of cola and a more lingering flavor of rhubarb and Chinese five spice. Pair this pinot with duck confit, braised pork. Enjoy now through 2025 if properly cellared. For more information visit woodenheadwine.com.
April is a busy month in Sonoma Wine Country - Upcoming Events:
The 32nd Annual Pick of the Vine Wine & Beer Tasting, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, Saturday, April 6.
Enjoy wine tasting from over 30 top local wineries, sip local craft brews, and sample culinary bites from local chefs. The Pick of the Vine benefit is a primary source of funding for Senior Advocacy Services, a local non-profit agency providing key programs that inform, protect, and care for North Bay seniors in six counties. More info @ pickofthevine.org
Russian River Food & Wine Spring Fling, April 27th, 2019 from 1-4 pm
Downtown Guerneville. Over 30 gourmet restaurants and wineries will be serving up a variety of local Sonoma County foods and delicious wines. Cost is $50 for unlimited Food & Wine, $30 for food only. Come and enjoy world class tastings from restaurants and wineries along the Russian River. First 100 tickets sold will be entered to win a Magnum of Woodenhead Pinot Noir! More info & tickets @russianriver.com
30th Annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley, Sat 4/27 & Sun 4/28, 11am-4:30pm each day.
40+ participating wineries throughout Dry Creek Valley, guests will enjoy elaborate themed parties with remarkable and memorable food and wine pairings. Guests can meet Sonoma County’s most renowned chefs, savoring their inspired culinary creations alongside newly released and limited-edition wines. Enjoy sweet treats at Pop-Up Parties by local favorite Amy's Wicked Slush. Take part in grape to glass experiences in the vineyards and choose from a limited series of intimate winemaker and vineyard lunches. More for info & tickets @ drycreekvalley.org.
