The 2005 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley was the winning bottle in the January installment of Pick My Next Bottle. I did not decant the wine and it was served with grilled top sirloin and roasted gold potatoes. Dunn Vineyards is located east of St. Helena in the town of Angwin on Howell Mountain. The Winery was established in 1979,…
Carlisle Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1998 by Mike and Kendall Officer. Their passion is clear: Small lots of Zinfandel and Syrah from exceptional, historic vineyards. Many of these vineyards are heritage sites planted by Italian immigrants and date back to the late 1800s. Mike recently announced his retirement and subsequently 2024 will be the last vintage of wines produced…
Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1959 when three Stanford Research Institute engineers bought an abandoned winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyards had been planted in the late 19th century by a San Francisco physician who produced his first vintage in the original winery, called Monte Bello, in 1892. The first Ridge vintage was in 1962. John Olney is Head…
Argiano dates back to the 16th century. The nearly 120 acres of vineyards are planted to Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah. The wines, both Brunello di Montalcino and Solengo, have routinely received outstanding scores. In 1992 Argiano was acquired by the Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano. Solengo, which is Tuscan for “lone wild boar”, is the product of…
Sky Vineyards, situated on Mt. Veeder, was founded in 1973 by Lore Olds. Lore purchased the property in 1972 and planted the Zinfandel shortly thereafter. The vineyard is dry farmed and for that reason the winery holds the wine back 2-4 years prior to release. Sky also produces a Syrah, Riesling and Rosé. Crimson in color. 14% ABV. Stunning nose…
Dehlinger Winery is located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County and was founded in 1975 by Tom and Carole Dehlinger. Eva Dehlinger took over winemaking duties in 2007. Known for their Pinot Noir, Dehlinger also makes Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.. Golden in color. 14.2% ABV. Pretty nose of lemon oil, green apple and honey. Full bodied with…
La Rata was founded by Elizabeth Bourcier in 2012. Bourcier, Cayuse’s assistant Vigneron, was inspired by Clos Erasmus of the Priorat region of Spain and crafted this blend. The wine was originally a blend of Grenache from Armada Vineyard and Cabernet from En Cerise Vineyard. Syrah from La Paciencia Vineyard was added with the 2014 vintage. The unique blend was named…
Cayuse was founded in 1997 by Christophe Baron, a native of France who grew up in family of winemakers in Champagne. Baron studied viticulture in Burgundy and Champagne, and had ambitions to make Pinot Noir in Oregon. However, on a visit to Walla Walla he found property that he believed would be perfect for growing grapes and decided to purchase…
Kanzler Vineyards, located in California near Sebasopol, was founded in 1996 by Stephen and Lynda Kanzler. Planted in 1996 in a former apple orchard, the vineyard quickly developed a reputation for producing world class Pinot Noir grapes featured in award winning wines from some of the finest wineries in Northern California, including Kosta Browne and Rivers-Marie. In 2004, the Kanzlers…
Fort Ross Winery was founded in the 1990s by Lester and Linda Schwartz. The winery is situated in Fort Ross-Seaview viticultural area on the Sonoma Coast. The winery makes small batches of acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and the winemaker is Jeff Pisoni. Situated on the steep ridgetops of the Sonoma Coast near the Pacific Ocean, Fort Ross Vineyard is distinguished…