Simple Hedonisms

Posts Tagged ‘sonoma’

Wine comes from the earth. More and more of today’s wine growers are conscientious  shepherds and stewards of the Land. What better way than to combine the two.

Here are a selection of Events coming up in celebration of Earth Day, feel free to add others in comments!

Sunday April 17th – Celebrate Earth Day in Green Valley at Iron Horse

This is a really great event I attended last year, and bought tickets to again this year. Celebrate Earth Day in Green Valley serves up food, wine and Ted Turner at this fifth annual “Eat, Drink & Be Green” festival held at Iron Horse Vineyards.This delicious eco- event features a walk around food and wine tasting, showcasing the spring releases from the aptly named Green Valley, represented by DeLoach Vineyards, Dutton-Goldfield, Freeman Vineyard & Winery, Hartford Family Winery, Iron Horse, Marimar Estate and Sequana.

In deference to Ted Turner, who owns 50,000 head of bison across 12 ranches, the main food station will be 6-oz. grilled bison filets along with Sonoma’s finest, fresh, “sous-vides” eggs on crostini, local, seasonal produce, cheeses, brick oven breads and an array of heavenly chocolates.

The star attraction and speaker is Ted Turner, Planet Green’s second favorite billionaire, one of GQ’s 25 “Coolest Athletes of All Time, and winner of Mikhail Gorbachev’s “Man Who Changed the World Award”. The focus of the day is The Future. There will be a one-day exhibit in a 1920s redwood barn turned temporary art gallery, curated on the theme “Vintage Future: What the Future Used to Look Like” (Think The Jetsons, the 1964 New York World’s Fair, Future Shock.). Other highlights include a time capsule with bottles of vintage Iron Horse 2010 Sparkling that will be “buried” in the cellar for 15 years to be ready for Iron Horse’s 50th anniversary, vineyard tours, which in Green Valley is where the real future lies.

Thursday April 21st 630 pm – Quivira Winemaker Dinner at Spoonbar

In celebration of Earth Day, Spoonbar has prepared a special spring farm dinner featuring Quivira‘s own certified Biodynamically grown produce and stellar wines.

Winemaker Hugh Chapelle will be on hand to share Quivira’s equally inspiring wines including the gorgeous newly bottled Rose, fantastic Zinfandel and unique varietals including Mourvedre and Grenache. Chef Rudy Mihal has crafted a delicious menu based on Quivira’s harvest paired to compliment each wine. A true expression of our local land.

The Evening:

• Welcome 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ~ Gewurztraminer, Dry Creek Valley

• 1st Course 2010 Rose, North Coast. Little gem leaves with fava beans, young pecorino and toasted walnuts

• 2nd Course 2009 Grenache, Wine Creek Ranch. Grilled California swordfish with spring garlic and white gaeta olives

• 3rd Course 2008 Mourvedre, Wine Creek Ranch & 2008 Flight, Dry Creek Valley. Braised beef short ribs with rainbow carrots and zinfandel cuisson

• Dessert 2009 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Creek Ranch. Buckwheat crepe, honey chevre, macerated peppered strawberries

$65 per person Tax and Gratuity not included.  For reservations, please call Spoonbar at 707-433-7222

Fri. 22 April & Sat. 23 – Special Vineyard Tours and Tastings at Inman Family Winery

Kathleen Inman, a neighbor, friend, and favorite vintner, is well known in the Bay area not just for her Pinot Noir, but for her incredible focus on sustainability, including water reclamation & composting, and has been recognized with numerous awards for her contributions.

To celebrate Earth Day, Fri. 22 April & Sat. 23 April, Kathleen will be leading tours at 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. of the new winery and vineyard. Inman will be doing mechanical weeding, spreading of compost, brewing of compost teas throughout the day. The tour is followed by a sit down tasting of 2006-2008 OGV pinot noir, and tastings of the current releases. Only 20 people each of the four slots. Tickets are $20, very limited and can be purchased here.

April 23 Kunde Family Estate – Earth Day Hike & Taste in the Vineyards

April 23, 10:00 a.m. $30 per person (includes wine tasting)

Join Sonoma Valley Docent Bill Myers on a fun, casual and up-close hike through the 1,850 acre volcanic and vertical Kunde Estate. This is a great opportunity to see sustainable winegrowing practices at work while taking in some of wine country’s most spectacular scenery. Bill’s tours wind through the estate’s distinct eco-systems, each one uniquely contributing to the process of sustainable winegrowing. This moderately strenuous hike lasts approximately four hours. Please pack a sack lunch and wear hiking boots or appropriate footwear. Also bring sunscreen and water, especially on hot days.

The hike will also conclude at the Tasting Room, where invigorated hikers can sample Kunde’s hand crafted estate-grown wines. MAKE A RESERVATION. Please no pets or children under 10.

Whatever you do to celebrate Earth Day – give something back, and then celebrate with a glass or bottle from a local grower/winemaker. Cheers and thanks for reading Simple Hedonisms Wine Blog !

Last Saturday’s Follow the Olivet Road was an incredible fun day of food, wine, entertainment. For those of you that missed it, or looking for another value priced day of fun, this Sunday the ‘West Sonoma County Wineries’ (formerly Eight at the Gate) are having an open house.

11 Wineries. 11 Miles

Join 11 Russian River Valley Wineries, 11 miles apart. Free to wine club,  (check in at winery you belong to) $20 at the door -  enjoy food and wine and purchase discounts from these producers:

Update 4/8: Please note Freestone & Iron Horse are now not participating.

• Balletto Vineyards & Winery – Stop by to have some Zin stew and cornbread! Don’t miss out on a 15% discount on all wine purchases.
• Dutton Estate Winery – Yee Haw! Come try the famous Estate Chili served with cornbread and take advantage of a 20% discount on wines.
• Dutton-Goldfield Winery – Buzz on over to Dutton-Goldfield to enjoy special savings on current release wines and a sweet treat from Lavender Bee Farm.  Try favorite local purveyors on hand to help celebrate Spring and West County.
• Graton Ridge Cellars – Ride on over to enjoy a 15% discount off wines, 25% off for GR club members. Taste your way through a delicious Chili bar and sample from the barrel.
• HANNA Winery & Vineyards – Mosey on down to HANNA Winery for some good ol’ fashioned cobbler.
• Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery – Trot on over to Marimar Estate to enjoy Spanish Tapas paired with our Pinot Noir – sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds! Your stop will be filled with fun entertainment and special offers just for the day of “How the West was Wine.”
• Red Car Winery – Special Open House Offer: 3 bottle Syrah gift package, 30% discount, 40% off for wine club members. Red Car is also offering 10% off cases! Whoa Nellie – what a deal!
• Russian River Vineyards – Enjoy a smoked trout and corn hors d’oeuvre in tribute to the Pomo Indians who once had a village on the winery property. Get 15 – 20% off on all current release wines.
• Taft Street Winery – Giddy Up to take advantage of the Open House offers, 15% off bottle purchases, 25% off

Sounds Fun, So What’s The Contest?

Read carefully – TWO ways to win and you can enter both!

(1) Post in comments:

Tell us your favorite winery of the West Sonoma County Wineries, and why. OR

If you have never visited any, which would be your top choice to visit, and wine(s) to try.

(2) Become an email subscriber (existing ones win too!)

Subscribe to Simple Hedonisms email updates so you never miss an article. Email is secure and never spammed. Important: You MUST complete the registration process to be eligible, which requires you click on a verification link sent to your email. This is usually almost immediate, so if you don’t see it, check your spam.

Winners will be drawn Friday at 5pm – only 48 hours, get on it! And don’t forget to take advantage of specials to stock up, buy local, and support your local small artisans!

Cheers and thanks for reading Simple Hedonisms Wine Blog !

Russian River Valley – Home is Where the Heart Is  – So Now its Home

The Russian River Valley holds a special place in my heart. Not just because I now live here and am establishing a small farm and vineyard (sheep, chickens, apples and grenache, who knew!) but it was my first real love discovered about ~13 years ago. Like many, wine country started for me as Napa, which I still appreciate. Then it was downtown Sonoma aka Sonoma Valley, which is also a special place.

But it was the winding tree covered roads, sleepy towns like Forestville and Graton, plethora of small non castle like wineries,and an early love of Pinot Noir that sung to me most, and I always knew in my heart I would live here. Despite the world recognition of as an AVA, its still down to earth and sleepy.

During the Wine Road recent Barrel Tasting when people were Tweeting about hordes in Dry Creek and Healdsburg on  a Saturday afternoon, I was able to get a barrel sample and shake the hand of the winemakers at most stops.

Follow the Olivet Road – Inaugural Event – Taste of Olivet

Recently seven of the wineries on Olivet Road in RRV got together to work more closely together, starting a group “Follow the Olivet Road” – this one seems lined with great wine instead of yellow bricks.

Participating wineries are Deloach, Harvest Moon, Hook & Ladder, Inman Family Wines, Inspiration Vineyards, Pellegrini, and Tara Bella.

This Saturday they will open their doors, hearts and bottles, and extend wine club privileges all day to ticket holders:

• Complimentary tasting at all seven wineries
• 20% discount on all current wine releases
• Tasty hors d’oeuvres
• Passport contest ~ visit all seven wineries to enter to win
• Music and entertainment
• Olivet Road hospitality

Tickets: $20 wine club, $30 general public, designated drivers $5. Tickets may be purchased online here.

Follow the Olivet Road: Facebook Page, Twitter, Website

See further below for additional details by some wineries.

Contest – Win a Pair Tickets One of Two Ways

Enter in comments below:

“Tell us your favorite winery of the Olivet Road Wineries, and why. OR

If you have never visited any, which would be your top choice to visit, and wine(s) to try.”

Entries will be drawn at random Thursday at 2pm. That’s in 48 hours, don’t delay!

Second Chance to Win: We will be drawing for a pair This Thursday night at our monthly meetup. This month its in Healdsburg – 530-7330. Details here.

Follow For Live Coverage

Unless I am hit by a truck or a rabid sheep, I will be there broadcasting live as I did for the Rhone Rangers event last weekend. Attendees will be Tweeting under the hash tag (a sorting mechanism) of #FTOR.

To follow along simple go to http://twitter.com/ and under the search window type #FTOR or click here. If you want to focus in more narrowly you can simple follow my Tweets, type in (or click here)  @sonomawilliam to follow along.

I will also be uploading some pictures and updates as I go on the blog Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/SimpleHedonisms.

Highlighted Winery Offers:

Hook & Ladder: Food catered by Sarah’s Forestville Kitchen -created  to pair with the wines we’ll be pouring that day. A special treat  a chocolatier here from XOAO Chocolatiers has made chocolates to pair with our wine, and chocolate flavored with one of their wines Live music as well is planned.

Inspiration Vineyards: Pouring from their new location at 3360 Coffey Lane, Suite E – look for the golden balloons!  (Same location as Carol Shelton)  Only 8 minutes from Olivet Road.  Ruby Slipper Specials  will be 20% off 1-11 bottles, 25% off mixed cases (excluding  Old Vine Zinfandel which  has a 3 bottle limit.) Also featuring  live entertainment – Classical / Blues Guitarist Bruce Klein. Food to pair with the wines as well.

Harvest Moon: Is offering live music from “Mr December”, a stand-up bass and ukuleilee combo.. They’ve played at Harvest Moon before and they rock!  Also,  showcasing their elegant 2008 zins paired with a “Harvest Salad”.  Yep, zin with salad and it’s pretty tasty. Also be tasting the Estate olive oil and discussing how olive oil is produced.  Fresh flat bread and garden veggies from the wood-fired oven will be on hand as well. AND, there’ll be some smokin’ bottle sale discounts too!

Will be pouring  -  Estate Dry Gewurztraminer, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Estate Zinfandel, Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Late Harvest Zinfandel and Dessert Gewurztraminer, plus we wil be opening up some oldies….2003′s? 2004′s?

Tara Bella: (first visit for me!)  – ‘Dorotea en las zapatillas rubis’ will be featuring sultry Flamenco rhythms from David Brewer. Sample their 2009 Reserve and Estate Barrels. Serving ’08 Reserve Cab with little beef skewer tapas, and the ’08 Estate Cab with yummy chocolate brownie bites.   Weather permitting will be in the Outdoor Kitchen, heaters will be stoked and a small fire will be blazing

For the last 18 months now I have been hosting the monthly Sonoma Wine Meetup - a labor of love designed as a networking event to put the Social in Social Media. We have a Facebook Page where we post the events. This Thursday night from 530-730 is our latest meetup, in downtown Healdsburg.

New Format

In February I modified the format to be more of a combination Industry Open House and Meetup. This comes at an increased hosting cost to the winery, but the goal was to increase industry traffic, so we decided to waive the usual $10 cost, and eliminate all drink tickets, including for consumers, who are still invited.

It appears the new format was a resounding success, we had over 140 people come through Old World Winery last month.

So How Does This Work

The basic premise hasn’t changed; intermixing Industry, Media, Hospitality, Concierge and Consumers to network. Many have ‘met’ on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, but not always in person. The event is specifically NOT called a Tweetup. We are not spending the evening with our noses in our phones, but connecting, the old fashioned way, face to face, glass of vino in hand.

If you are industry there is no charge. If you are a consumer, or the guest of someone industry, the charge is $10, 100% of which goes to the winery to defray some of the costs of wine, catering, staff. That includes all food and wine that night (no more drink tickets.)

Where Are We Meeting?

This month we are at Vintage Wine Estates cozy new tasting room and lounge, right on the square in downtown Healdsburg. (308 B Center Street.) Vintage Wine Estates will be pouring bubbles. Vintage Wine Estates Sonoma Coast label was the winner of the Charlie Palmer Pig & Pinot Cup in 2008. They will be pouring:

• 2007 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sea Fog Cuvee Blanc de Noir (bubbles!)
• 2009 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Gold Ridge Hills Chardonnay
• 2008 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Bodega Ridge Block Pinot Noir
• 2007 or 2008 Windsor Sonoma Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• NV Windsor Vineyards Port

Also for consumers attending, and wish to purchase everyone is treated like Industry this night, so you may buy wine to take home at 30% discount.

Helena of Helena’s Kitchen will be catering again, as she did for Old World Winery.

Meet Fun People, Take Home Prizes

One of the highlights of the evening is the raffle prizes. Each person who comes in, drops of a business card to be entered. Winery staff who donate a bottle for the drawing, get an extra chance to win. Consumers who pre-pay, also get an extra chance.

We generally give away 6-12 bottles, so we have smiling faces at the end. Must be present to win.

This week, we also give away a pair of tickets to this Saturday’s inaugural Taste of Olivet Road event.

The Facebook event to RSVP is here. The site to pre-register, pre-pay, and for you people STILL not on Facebook is here http://sonomawine.eventbrite.com/.

Visiting Guests

We generally get some out of town winos visiting and try and make them feel welcome. This month Suzie Linville, Wine blogger and PR person will be in town. (Suzie is interested in moving to CA from the east coast.) Her wine blog is RunningWineGirl or @SuzieLin on Twitter.

Also visiting is the Portland based team from IndieVinos Karin McKercher (@KarinMcKercher), Kim Fuller (@KimF_IndieVinos) and Dennis Powers. Also @IndieVinos.

IndieVinos is in town visiting and chatting with wineries in anticipation of their June soft-launch of their community-based social-commerce site that enables the purchase of artisan wines. Also part owner of Part owner, Deux Fen Estates, a small producer of Burgundian-style Oregon Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

Do say hi and show them some Sonoma hospitality!

Many people will hit the bars and restaurants of Healdsburg after, so it should be a fun night – see you there! Cheers and thanks for reading Simple Hedonisms Wine Blog !

Week One of Wine Road Barrel Tasting was a big success, based my observations and talking with a fair number of wineries. This organization continues to amaze me with what does with transformation of industry events. Spoiler alert – read all the way through this – we are giving away 3 pairs of passes for Weekend Two!

Anticipation, and Highest Read Post Ever

There was some level of anticipation  – would the negative perception of this as a drunk-fest persist? Would the actions being taken by the Wine Road have any impact?  Or would it be a big success and continue its gradual transformation of a serious event focused on futures. Read on….

To my surprise, my midweek article ‘My thoughts on Wine Road Barrel Tasting’ was a runaway success.  I do a lot of these types of articles and contests, and they typically get some response and hits, but nothing spectacular. This post got 20+ comments, including after the contest was over. People wrote way more than normal.

This article is now #1 rank, surpassing my prized ‘Shipping Included’ – the Future of Direct to Consumer?’ which was a featured blog and #2 read by Winebusiness.com (and still ranks #4 read in the last 30 days!) as well as my article ‘A New Beginning & Old World Renaissance? ‘ which until recently had ranked #1.

Yet this post jumped over them all, and had little  to do with the contest – I give away tickets, often more pricey, all the time.

How would it all pan out? Ticket sales were a record high, more wineries than ever were offering future sales, and consumers seemed excited, and not focused on partying. But one never knows until showtime.

Observations and Interviews

I went out on Friday afternoon and Saturday, and monitored the Twitter #WRBT hashtag heavily on Sunday. I spoke to many winery operations personally, as well as Facebook and Twitter updates.

Here were the general trends:

Friday: Traffic and sales were much higher than many wineries expected, especially new participants. I actually expected this a bit, at least the sales part. People going on Friday are taking a day off, hoping to avoid the crowds and are serious wine buyers. Wineries reported greater than expected sales, both of finished wines and futures. Most I talked too were very pleased.

Saturday: The Weather held out and people were out in droves. By mid afternoon people were reporting Healdsburg and Dry Creek to be extremely crowded with tons of cars, busses and people. This is normal, see my suggestions for itenary planning a bit later. Most wineries reported lower sales than Friday, but were pleased, and year over year results seemed good. I made it back to Russian River Valley for the afternoon to avoid the masses. Crowds were good at all wineries, but not so much to impact my experience in any way.

Sunday: It did rain as predicted, and the impact seemed to be mixed. Russian River Valley wineries again seemed pleased. Some new participants had expected Sunday to be the busiest day, but my observation for many 2 day events is that Sunday is typically slower, and for most this panned out. Several Healdsburg and Dry Creek wineries were complaining on Twitter about lack of people, and had the time to be scouring for people to invite. Smaller RRV wineries still seemed quite pleased with people and sales. A very large winery did report sales about as a regular weekend, but agreed to the possible merits of exposure and the difference this event might be for small versus a large national brand.

Consumers Feedback

Consumer notes on the blog post and Wine Road Facebook page were ecstatic and mirrored what wineries reported. Many great comments including this one that I loved from Jason Klafter:

Barrel tasting is the main wine tasting event my wife and I attend. We have been going for about 5 years now. Each year it gets better and better and I love all the things I have learned and still learning. Our group has evolved to about 12-15 so we had stuck to the bigger wineries. Last weekend was an absolute awesome time. We found some smaller wineries that would accommodate our group and finally made my first “future” purchase.

Money has been tight over the past few years so buying a future case of one wine had never been really option. Like many, we would buy a bottle or two from different places. I’m so excited to have gone to Old World and they allowed a future mixed case which was perfect for my wife and I, as she is not a big red drinker. So I order a mix and can’t wait to pick it up when it’s ready. For our group, This year was had the most amount of futures that were ordered. We ordered 12-15 cases of futures and took home close to another 7 between us all!!!!

Can’t wait to go next weekend with a small group of 4!!! Finally going to hit up all the wineries we haven’t been able to go to.

Love it! And Kudos to you Jason, and your friends, for your support and openness.

My Prediction for Next Week:

Being the second weekend, traffic should dip some, but similar patterns predicted.  Friday will be less busy than previous Friday, but again be a good sales day to serious buyers and enthusiasts, Saturday a good traffic day but more looky-loos, and Sunday slower but decent sales. No rain is forecasted for all weekend, so that should help. Let’s hope too many people didn’t give up wine for Lent. (If you spit it doesn’t count.)

I want to add a quick comment about buses. I got an email from a reader who was perhaps offended (they won’t reply) about my previous article and comments on people drinking in buses. I by no means meant to imply that all people on buses are drinking on the bus. I heard from a number that, like this person, come from a remote location, and are serious buyers. If any are offended by that implication, my apologies. Its broadcast everywhere that buses aren’t welcome at many wineries  – that’s more from a lack of ability of a tiny winery being able to handle 30 extra people at once. Kudos to a number of buses I heard call in to ask permission, and were usually accommodated because it was scheduled. That’s far superior to the other tactic, ‘hide’ around the corner, unload on foot.

My Visits, Strategy Suggestions

I get asked a lot where I plan to attend. I typically don’t reveal that for a number of reasons. I try and visit new members, places I haven’t been, with a mix of the wine styles I prefer, and some old favorites thrown in to balance. This weekend I intend to go Friday afternoon, and hopefully both Saturday and Sunday. I am out of space and time here, so I will summate my two weekends of visits in a future post.

My strategy tip for the Wine Enthusiast: Hit busy areas like Healdsburg, Dry Creek, and bigger name wineries on Friday, or start of the day Saturday, or possibly Sunday. Use your Wine Road map – there are lots of clusters of wineries in less traveled Alexander and Russian River Valley – more then enough to fill up an afternoon, and while a tiny bit further apart, less people and less traffic. Driving a mile between stops may save you hours.

My Suggestions to Wineries

With only one exception, I was very impressed with the service, attitude, and experience at each winery. Hats off the hospitality staffs. Two (personal) suggestions for this or future events.

• Put out spit cups. Its hard for consumers to spit in a bucket. Even I rather a cup. Kudos to wineries like Sheldon, Windsor Oaks and others, who do. In my opinion, this should be standard practice. People CAN learn this.
• Food has been de-emphasized by design, and perhaps to a lesser extent cost. Some wineries jumped in with catering on site at a cost with some pretty awesome choices. I had terrific BBQ sliders at Longboard I was happy to pay for. Mateo had food at others. Food trucks are an option. There is nothing wrong with ‘pay to play’ and personally I’d rather eat at the winery.

Finally – The Contest

Thanks for staying with me – now here is your chance to win. Tomorrow night (only 24 hours) we will draw 3 pairs of tickets. To win, tell the Wine Road and I in comments either:

What varietal (wine grape) did you try that is NEW to you, last weekend. Where was it, was it a barrel sample or current release?

OR

What varietal would you like to try, or learn more about this weekend.

Get ready – go!

Cheers, thanks for reading Simple Hedonisms Wine Blog – spread the word!

Food

While barrel samples and futures are the main focus of the Wine Road Barrel Tasting, as discussed earlier this week; but its also a great time for Wineries to introduce new releases, and offer sales to visitors to incent you to take some of their work home with you. Many of the Wine Road wineries are small, family owned – this is a business for love, not wealth. Support these small artisans with your purchases, instead of your local grocery store.

The list is too long to link to each winery, so use the Wine Road  maps and event program to find each one. The Wine Road website is an amazing resource. Remember not all wineries participate both weekends, and some are doing Barrel Tasting on Friday as well, so CHECK the program!

Sales Promotions

Sausal Winery

$199.00 for any full or mixed case of 2007 Private Reserve Zinfandel and 2005 Sogno della Famiglia, or  10% off any 1-5 bottle purchase and 20% off 6 or more bottles.

Acorn

Offering a special 20% of 6-11 bottles and 25% off a case (35% for Club members.)  Futures of the 09 Sangiovese and 09 Axiom Syrah are available in same discount volume.

Old World Winery

10% off the 2005 Zin (Chronicle Double Gold) or buy 3 and get the 4th on them.

Futures: 30% off 2010 Pinot Gris, 2009 Pinot Noir, 2009 Zin, 2009 Abouriou

Moshin Vineyards

Is offering the 2007 Moshin Vineyards Zinfandel – Dry Creek Valley. Regularly $30.00/btl., this weekend it is $15.00 when you buy a case at $180. This wine will be available for tasting and you’ll agree that this tasty little gem of a balanced Zinfandel will become your new favorite “House Wine” at this price! Only 475 cases made!

Robert Rue

Special sale on their ’07 Wood Road Reserve Zins and our 2009 Sauvignon Blanc. 3 bottles 10%, 6 bottles 15% .  35% off a case of the ’07 Zin and ’09 SB. (Additional discounts for Club members.)

Longboard Vineyards

Offering 3 ‘quick picks’. 

• The $60.00 Bundle ($68 retail)

2009- Sauvignon Blanc RRV….$20.00 90pts. ~ Wine Enthusiast-Editor’s Choice, 2008- Point Break Red,  2008- Dakine Merlot

• The $80.00 Bundle ($89 retail)

2008- Chardonnay,  2008- RRV Pinot Noir,  2007- Russian River Syrah, Gold~Sonoma County Harvest Fair-2010, 91 pts.~Wine Enthusiast

• The $90.00 Bundle ($105 retail)

2008- RRV Pinot Noir, 2008- Dakine Merlot, 2006 – Syrah Dakine Vyd, 92 pts~Wine Enthusiast

Longboard is also offering futures for the first time: 20% (25% for Wine Club) : Barrel Selection is all single vineyard lots, first single vineyard Pinot Noir from Red Rooster, Sonoma Coast, Ballistic Zinfandel, Chalk Hill and Redgrav Cabernet, Alexander Valley.

J. Keverson Winery

06 RR Pinot is on sale $15/bottle or  $144/case. Their  06 sangiovese $12/bottle or 120/case.

Balletto Vineyards & Winery

Visit  Balletto Vineyards & Winery for March Madness! Every visitor will receive a basketball necklace to start off the games. Taste 7 wines out of the barrel then rebound to the tasting room where they will have some smokin’ wine deals! The more you purchase the more you save; up to 50% off on 08 Pinot Gris, 07 Teresa’s Chardonnay and 08 Gewurztraminer.

Sheldon Wines

offering: 2009 La Naris:  Retail $28/btl, SALE $23. 20o6 Kendric Pinot Noir: Retail $42/btl, SALE $37. 2006 Petite Sirah:  Retail $32/btl, SALE $27

Barrel Samples will be the: 2010 Vinolocity Blanc (AKA La Naris), 2009 Weatherly Cuvee,  25% off for public 30% off for wine club members.

Inspiration Vineyards

30% closeout discount on 12 bottle cases of the 06 Pinot & 06 Zinfandel.

Futures  save 40% from their release price next year.  Must buy in 12 bottle case increments – can mix or match cases.

• 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley – $48 / $28.80. 2009 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – $32 / $19.20. 2009 Syrah, Dry Creek Valley – $36 / $21.60

• 2010 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – $24 / $14.40. 2010 Viognier, Russian River Valley – $32 / $19.20. 2010 Zinfandel, Alexander Valley – $25 / $15.00

Siduri

Mix and Match Discounts on ten wines: 10% off 6 bottles,  15% off 12 bottles, 25% off 18+ bottles – click here for the list and order form. (Has Barrel future offers as well.)

Quivira

Offering this sale while supplies last:  2007 Syrah Hommage A Ampuis, 2007 Petite Sirah-Grenache.  20% off single bottles, 30% off cases mix-and-match.

Futures: 2010 Grenache and 2009 Petite Sirah. Half and full cases. 20% discount, 40% for club.

Michael Bernard

Orsi Papale will have a case special on the 2005 Dry Creek Cabernet for $180 and the 2005 Russian River Pinot for $150 a case.

Mounts Family Winery

Are running a special on the 07 Estate Zinfandel – $150 for a case – only 25 cases left! Also special event discounts: 10% on 6 bottles and 20% on 12 or more, wine club ; 15%, 20% or 25%.

Futures – featuring the 2010 Viognier for the first time! Plus Old Vines Zinfandel, Malbec, Grenache & Petite Sirah.  Discounts on futures are 15% on a half case and 25% on a full case (half & half  = full case discount).  Wine Club members get even bigger discounts!

Portalupi

10% off  2008 Zinfandel, Dry Creek and 2008 Barbera, Nevada County, and  no charge  shipping of 12 bottles or more.

Futures: 6 bottle minimum purchase for Future’s pricing.
2009 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley. Release Price: $30; Future’s Price: $24; Appassionato Price:

$20 2009 Barbera, Mendocino County. Release Price $36; Future’s Price $28; Appassionato Price: $24

Amista Vineyards

Buy six 2006 Zins, and get six on them!

Inman Family Wines

20% off the Terroir Trio – OGV Estate. This special 3 bottle vertical of OGV Estate Pinot is a chance to taste the recently re-released 2006 from  library and the soon to be released 2008 alongside the 2007 vintage.

Futures: 30% off the 2009 Thorn Ridge

Davis Family Vineyards

10% off all current released wines & 15% off all current released cases

Stephen & Walker Winery

Is offering 50% off full or mix and match cases of their 2009 Patrona and 2007 Monterey County Pinot Noir.

Enjoy your weekend(s), be safe, responsible and courteous, and have fun!

Watch for my broadcasts ‘live’ on Facebook and Twitter (hashtag #WRBT)

Cheers and thanks for reading Simple Hedonisms Wine Blog !

This weekend (this Friday actually at select wineries) kicks of the first of two weekends of Wine Road Barrel Tasting.

19,000 advance tickets have been sold (a new record), so clearly the event is growing in popularity. If for some reason you didn’t purchase (shame on you) or would like tickets for a second weekend, at the end of the article you can read how to very easily win a pair! (Jump ahead if you are impatient.)

Barrel Tasting Explained

I will provide a short overview here. For more detail, you can read my previous article Barrel Tasting Insights – What am I Tasting & Do I Get Splinters? What should I buy?

More and more  wineries and consumers are warming to the idea of Barrel Tasting.

This is basically the concept of buying futures. How far in future can vary, but most wineries are tasting stuff that will be bottled this year and in your hands no later than fall. The consumer’s reward: – big discount, ranging from 20-40% plus. The winery’s benefit – cash flow. Cash is king, and I know small wineries who work on such a tight budget they sometimes are counting pennies to be able to bottle or label, and this become a key part of generating capital. Others have completely integrated it into their business model and have a large following.

What Barrel Tasting Isn’t

A drunk-fest. Each year the Wine Road has made progress towards this goal. Wineries and serious consumers alike are fed up with drunks rolling off a bus after pounding drinks, acting like idiots and worse. This has decreased dramatically over the years – the welcome is worn thin. These people aren’t buying wine generally, and are not a loss. Expect less than warm welcomes at more venues, and being denied service. If that’s your goal, go to Happy Hour. I will spot you a drink. Unfortunately these people aren’t likely reading a wine blog but just putting the widespread sentiment out there.

My Two Cents on Barrel Tasting

Whether you are interested in saving money via futures, or just a fun educational weekend tasting, Barrel Tasting is an excellent weekend to taste, learn and explore. You don’t even have to Barrel Taste if don’t want to. All wineries are pouring finished wine, some new releases. For $30 at the door for two days, its a great opportunity. I encourage those new to wine to try a few barrel samples, but remember, as the detailed article explains, this is unfinished wine. Try 1-2 and then perhaps focus your experience on learning and tasting regular wines.

For those a bit more exposed to tasting wine, try barrel samples. Where you can, compare them to the currently bottled finished wine, if offered. (Not always possible.) This is an excellent way to see how much a wine can change.

Again its important to remember, even if going to be bottled shortly, wines, especially reds will be bottled aged for 3-12+ months before release, and will continue to evolve. I watched consumers struggle with this at a recently blending seminar, when they were frustrated they couldn’t blend 3 varietals from barrel to compare to the finished wine that had a year in bottle. It won’t.

If you aren’t very experienced with futures, buying something that will not be bottled by summer maybe risky. The wine could change a lot.

If its a wine release you have had over multiple years, like it, buy it regularly, and the barrel sample tastes good, this is probably a good investment, saving money for a wine you’ll buy anyway.

The future I always buy is a varietal (grape) not common here (a surprise I know), I have loved the last 3 releases, and the winery aggressively discounts the future, 5% over industry. Unless the vintage had some significant  change, this is a no brainer repeat for me. It also assures me I get sufficient quantity of a wine I really like, before it sells out.

Ok, How Do I Win Tickets Already?

EASY! And thanks for sticking through. There are TWO ways to win – read carefully, you can do BOTH!

Answer any of these:

1. Tell us what you like about Barrel Tasting. Do you buy futures ever? Why or Why Not? We will draw 2 pairs of tickets from answers.

2. Subscribe to Simple Hedonisms via Email. Receive new articles one time a day (max, usually less) so you never miss one. All email is secure and never used or shared. We will draw a winner from all subscribers. If you can not attend, we will send a Wine Road cookbook or alternate item.  NOTE! you must confirm your subscription to be eligible – you will receive a confirmation email immediately, you must open and click. Unconfirmed subscribers are not eligible.

Drawing is 330 pm Thursday!

Come Back for Our Regular Sales Incentives Article

As we do for all Wine Road events, Simple Hedonisms will run an article highlighting special sales of finished wines, as a supplement to Barrel Tasting. This is very handy to print out, and stock up, saving a few extra dollars to boot. Watch for it!

Thanks

Cheers and thank you for reading Simple Hedonisms Wine Blog ! We are delighted and honored by continued growth – February was another record month with over 6700 readers and 250,000 hits!

This is a big (15.5% alcohol!) Zin in an elegant package from Tin Barn Vineyards, artisan producer of fine wines in Sonoma, CA. Michael Lancaster is a Toronto native living and practicing independent winemaking here.  Even though Russian River Valley is known primarily for its’ Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, there are a number of Zinfandel vineyards in RRV and many Zin producers including DeLoach, Passalacqua, and the newer Portalupi label.

Tin Barn says this Zinfandel is from 35-year-old vines planted in a flat sandy block of the Gilsson Vineyard, just east of the town of Windsor in Sonoma County. The 2007 vintage is said to be reminiscent of the 2005, which won Gold, Best in Class honors at the 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The timing is perfect to get a taste of Tin Barn Zinfandels, which include this RRV as well as a Napa Valley Zin. Tin Barn is one of 10 neighboring wineries joining together in a food and wine pairing open house this Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Here you will find great wines, unique food pairings at each tasting room, and easy interaction with winemakers, family members and their dogs. See Simple Hedonism’s contest for a chance to win free tickets. Or, purchase tickets ($30) here.

To the Eye: Dense, cloudy rich garnet

On the Nose: Scent of the riverbed, gravel and menthol, almost like a RRV Pinot Noir. Lush, ripe stone fruit and savory herbs … like a full-figured dancer in a tight dress.

In The Mouth: Plums and dried cranberries emerge, puckering along the sides of the mouth and finishing on licorice and tobacco notes. Front of mouth softens as the wine is exposed to air in the glass. Back of mouth retains earthy, gutteral finish. Cries out for food.

Where to Buy: The 2008 is available from Tin Barn at $27. The 2007 might be found in small lots at some local retailers.

Food Pairing: Roasted meats with root vegetables and potatoes, adding some berries in the gravy to play off the fruit in the Zinfandel.  Think Pizza with sweet sausage and thick tomato sauce,BBQ’d Tri Tip or other grilled meat.

Recommendation: Plan a hearty meal around the opening of this wine. I let the bottle breathe for a couple hours before drinking, which allowed the aromas and flavors to open up nicely. Highly recommended for lovers of big wines and RRV nuanced aromas.

Pricing: $27 (media sample).

Wine Geek Info:

• Varietal: 100% Zinfandel
• Harvested: September 28th, 2007
• Barrels: 35% New American Oak
• Aging: 15 months
• Bottled: January 27th, 2009
• Alcohol: 15.5%
• pH: 3.73
• TA: 5.87g/L
• Production: 579 cases
• Release: November 2009

Tin Barn Vineyards

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I regularly comment on the outstanding job the Wine Road of Northern Sonoma does organizing and promoting its 3 key events for member AVAs (regions) Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley & Sonoma Coast. Apparently others do as well as membership is now burgeoning at 200 and still growing.

The Wine Road continues to evolve its annual 3 events to be more than just wine tasting or a weekend party, and into a full appreciation of food pairings, education and art.

Barrel Tasting

March  4-5th and 13-14th is the 33rd Annual Barrel Tasting. I intend to publish a few additional articles on barrel tasting and the event, but for now last year’s blog  Barrel Tasting Insights – What am I Tasting & Do I Get Splinters? What should I buy? should get you by and is still pertinent.

The event spans two weekends, and at $20 in advance (each weekend)  is about the biggest value a wine tasting bracelet event has to offer. Printable program guide can be downloaded here. FYI – Advance ticket sales end next Monday.

Riedel Wine Tasting Seminar – Saturday March 5th  – Special Discount Code only found here

If you haven’t attended one of these, they are pretty amazing. Check out Katherine Parker’s recent experience at one in her recent article.  For you naysayers on stemware making a difference – I highly encourage you to try.

The February issue of Wine Business Monthly (not available online yet), editor Cyril Penn kicks off an article by Sommelier Chris Sawyer that does an in depth analysis on stemware and wine sensory evaluation. He shares he too was a skeptic until attending one of these.

The seminar is  a unique and fascinating wine and glass tasting, and will demonstrate the relationship between the shape of a glass and our perception and enjoyment of wines. Try this mind-blowing experience that will change your wine life!

Tickets are normally $90 which includes a Barrel Tasting ticket, the seminar, and the four Vinum glasses  – valued at  $116.

Simple Hedonism readers can use code HEDONISMS (exactly like that, in capital) to save $20, making the seminar, glasses and a weekend ticket only $70.

This seminar is limited to 100 people and only 30 tickets are left – if you are interested, do not procrastinate!

More Barrel Tasting Articles to Come – Requests Welcome

We will be publishing several more articles on the event. If you have any questions or topics of interest, post them in comments and thanks for reading Simple Hedonisms Wine Blog  – cheers!

Simple Hedonisms loves to share the best of Wine Country and its Simple Pleasures,  with its readers. This week, we’re passing the torch to you!

Enter To Win Tickets – 3 Pairs Total

Post your favorite  Simple Hedonisms (simple pleasures) (up to three)  in Sonoma County wine country (PG rated, naturally).  Places to eat, taste, view, picnic, spa, kiss, be creative!

We will pick our top three favorites based on creativity and appeal, then publish the ‘hotlist’.

Winners will each get a pair of tickets to the Eighth Street Wineries Open House on February 26th, where true wine, food, and good people – the essence of Simple Hedonisms – will be in abundance.

Post by 7 pm Thursday to enter and then watch for your name for tickets!

Eighth Street Wineries

Never been to Eighth Street Wineries? Think wine country is comprised entirely of sprawling estates and elaborate palace like buildings?  The essence of winemaking lies in a place far less glamorous and much more engaging—the cellar. This Saturday, the winemakers of Eighth Street Wineries in Sonoma invite the public directly into their warehouse workspace to taste artisan wares, only a stone’s throw away from Downtown Sonoma.

Open Warehouses at 8th Street Wineries

On February 26th, 2011, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the group will host their semiannual Open House. New releases, library wines, barrel tastings, and rare bargains will be offered alongside gourmet food pairings.

Wine and food extravaganzas occur often in wine country, but rarely thrown by such a committed group of winemakers, and never for such a bargain. The ticket price of $30 per person ($20 for wine club members) includes tastings, pairings, and a souvenir wine glass. Guests park once and just walk from winery to winery. Brilliant.

Some of these wineries have no public tasting rooms and limited distribution – this is a prime day to taste small artisans you can’t always have access to.
For a birds eye view  – check out this video!

Eighth Street Wineries members:

• Anaba Wines
• Enkidu Wines
• Kamen Estate Wines
• MacRostie Winery and Vineyards
• Parmelee-Hill Wines and Vineyards
• Stone Edge Farms
• Talisman Wines
• Three Sticks Winery
• Tin Barn Vineyards
• Ty Caton Vineyards