Domaine de Beaurenard is in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, in the Rhone Valley. It has been a family run estate for seven generations and is today run by brothers Daniel and Frederic Coulon. The estate includes 80 acres in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and 62 acres in the Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau appellation. Robert M. Parker Jr. calls Domaine de Beaurenard “one of the old,…
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. The 2010 version of the Sonoma County is 85% Zinfandel sourced from Bismark Mountain, Tanya’s, Oddone and Lingenfelder Vineyards and 15% Petite Sirah from Rossi Ranch. Crimson in color. 15.9% ABV. Black fruits,…
No Girls Wines was originally founded as a collaboration between Cayuse owner and vigneron Christophe Baron and general manager Trevor Dorland. The first release of the wine was with the 2008 vintage. Two wines, a Syrah and Grenache from La Paciencia Vineyard, were released. Over time the winemaking has transitioned from Christophe Baron to Elizabeth Bourcier. I recall vividly when…
The 2005 Williams Selyem Chardonnay Allen Vineyard was the winning bottle in the April installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The intent of this installment was to test the ageability of some favorite Russian River Valley Chardonnays. Williams Selyem Winery began when Ed Selyem and Burt Williams started making wine as a hobby in 1979 in Forestville, California. Their first…
Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. I’ve blogged about Rochioli previously in Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings and the Fab 5 of Mailing Lists. Straw colored and 14.5%…
Quilceda Creek Vintners was founded in 1978 by Alex and Jeanette Golitzin. Alex Golitzin is a nephew of André Tchelistcheff, the legendary winemaker who put Beaulieu Vineyard at the forefront of Napa Valley Cabernet in the 1960s and 70s. He credits summer trips to visit his uncle in St. Helena, California with developing his early interest in wine. Alex’s son,…
The April Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Chardonnay with some bottle age. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar. The winning bottle will be opened this Wednesday and a Bottle Note will be published shortly thereafter.…
Ravenswood was founded in 1976 by Joel Peterson. The winery is a pioneer in producing single vineyard Zinfandels from some of Napa and Sonoma’s most treasured vineyards, including Dickerson, Old Hill, Cooke and Belloni. I used to regularly visited Ravenswood in the summer, when they released their single vineyard wines. Back in the day they also had a BBQ out…
Zinfandel of the Month is a new feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. For a little background please see the first installment published six months ago. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list. The April Zinfandel of the…
Efeste, pronounced like the letters “F-S-T” strung together, was named after the last names of founders Helen & Dan Ferrelli, Patrick Smith, and Kevin & Angela Taylor. Efeste is located in the Warehouse District of Woodinville, Washington. Peter Devison took over full-time winemaking duties when Brennon Leighton left to work with Charles Smith in 2012. Adrienne is sourced from French…