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. River Block is a…
Betz Family Winery was founded in 1997 by Bob & Cathy Betz. Critical acclaim from local and national wine publications has put Betz Family Winery at the forefront of Washington wines alongside Cayuse, Leonetti and Quilceda Creek. The winery was sold to Steve and Bridget Griessel (with Bob Betz remaining on as the winemaker), and I fully expect quality will…
Zinfandel of the Month is a new feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. For background please see the first installment published last October. 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 May Zinfandel of the Month is the 2011…
Leonetti Cellar was founded in 1977 by Gary and Nancy Figgins. Leonetti, along with Quilceda Creek and Woodward Canyon put premium Washington Cabernet Sauvignon on the radar of wine consumers across the United States. Leonetti also produces one of the very best domestic Merlots. Leonetti is near and dear to me as a wine consumer, and I’ve been on their…
I’m on too many mailing lists. It was one of the first topics I wrote about when Zinfandel Chronicles launched almost two years ago in Confessions of a Mailing List Addict. I think the last mailer I added to my annual purchases was Bedrock. All that being said, two new projects have really caught my attention. Sandlands is the personal…
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%…