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AMAVI CELLARS
Walla Walla, WA |
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Our name, "Amavi", is a combination of the Latin root words, "am" (love) and "vi" (life). Our objective is to capture the best of love and life in every bottle of our wine. Indeed, our pursuits are quite simple: Love, Life and Wine…or as we like to say: Amour~Vita~Vinum
Located in the Walla Walla Valley, Amavi Cellars crafts elegant, approachable wines, focusing on estate-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. We also make small amounts of Sémillon, Rosé, and dessert wines that are typically available only in the tasting room.
We are proud to be small and family owned. Two generations are active in management of the winery and the vineyards. Winemaker Jean-François Pellet is a third-generation winemaker and grape grower.
www.amavicellars.com |
ARGYLE WINERY
Williamette Valley, OR |
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Just south of Knudsen Vineyard in the Dundee Hills sits Stoller Vineyard. First planted in 1995, Stoller, like Knudsen, is planted using state of the art viticultural techniques. Stoller Vineyard has produced some of Oregon's finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
In 1996 Argyle purchased a spectacular 160 acre vineyard site in the east slopes of Eola Hills, known as Lone Star Vineyard. Located 15 miles south of Argyle's winery in Dundee, this warm site is planted primarily to Dijon clones of Pinot Noir. This vineyard has the potential to be one of Oregon's best Pinot Noir vineyards.
All grapes are hand harvested into small baskets and transported to the winery. Grapes are chilled overnight to 35F before crushing the next day. Chilling preserves the ripe fruit characteristics and naturally limits oxidation.
Rollin Soles has been producing fine wines and garnering high praise and fond attention from wine critics and enthusiasts for more than 20 years. Throughout the years Rollin has continued to produce wines that are ranked among the TOP 100 Wines of the World by the Wine Spectator (nine times). He is the only Oregon winemaker to hold this distinction.
www.argylewinery.com |
BACIO DIVINO CELLARS
Napa, CA |
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They live where they work, on the sunny and vine-dappled peaks of Napa Valley, overlooking the town of St. Helena. Possessed of naked idealism and fierce, if cloudy, ambitions, they undertook in 1993 to etch out their own signature wine. They envisioned something that, like Sir Lawrence Olivier or Kate Hepburn, could make an impression both immediate and lasting. A wine of unmistakable co-authorship: terroir by Napa Valley, style by cloudy-headed winemaker. And a wine with a twinkle in its eye, promising equal parts mystery and mischief. And so they came up with two wines, each a proprietary blend. First and foremost, Bacio Divino, a divine kiss of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, with the added dimensions of Sangiovese and Petite Sirah. And then, in 1999, Bacio Divino's vivacious kid sister Pazzo: Sangiovese-centric with undercurrents of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel (on occasion), Merlot and (can you believe) Viognier.
A dozen vintages into their small family-run venture, they are immensely proud of their wines, humbled by the acclaim and yet still as restless as ever. Thus, in 2006 they released a third blend: the elaborate, brooding Vagabond, Syrah's chance to star with Cabernet in a support role. And a year later, having found their voice through blending, they set out to express that same voice through a single varietal. The 2004 Janzen Estate "To Kalon Vineyard" and 2004 Janzen Estate "Cloudy's Vineyard" single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons are luscious, terroir-driven exemplars of Napa's noble grape. Their devotion to Cabernet and to blending will soon coalesce into yet another proprietary red: the Janzen Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, an exquisite mélange of the best Cabernet lots from among their 11 Napa Valley vineyards.
www.baciodivino.com |
BARNETT VINEYARDS
Napa, CA |
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Each wine made at Barnett Vineyards is either Estate Bottled, from Spring Mountain or from a single vineyard in another viticulture district that they have chosen. The wines, therefore, are inextricably linked to the vineyards from which they come from.
The vineyards are located at the top of Spring Mountain, at elevation 2,000ft, and planted on steep terraces that follow the contour of the land. In some places, the grade averages in excess of 35%. Mountainside farming is very challenging. The vines must struggle to reach nutrients and water in the soil and, as a result, yield only one to two tons per acre. The elements of sun, temperature, and well-drained porous soils give an advantageous water stress to the vines and contribute to the depth, richness and character of the wines. Grapes are harvested by hand; vineyard row by row, as optimum ripeness and maturity is reached. Fermentation is done in small batches.
Since the winery's first 100 cases in 1989, Barnett Vineyards has grown to approximately 6,000 cases total production. Rattlesnake Hill and Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignons are the focus at the estate with total Cabernet production varying between 2,100 and 3,000 cases annually. In addition, Barnett Vineyards produces limited amounts of Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown from single vineyards located in well-desired appellations.
www.barnettvineyards.com |
BENNETT LANE
Napa, CA |
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Owners Randy and Lisa Lynch purchased the property only five and a half years ago, but Bennett Lane is already making a splash in wine country with its lush textured Cabernet Sauvignon and a no-nonsense red wine varietal blend called Maximus, composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The winery has garnered an incredible thirteen 90+ Point Scores from Wine Spectator in four short years.
Maximus leads the way in Bennett Lane's quest to produce high quality Napa Valley red wine. The 2002 Maximus was named the Top Value Napa Valley Cabernet for the 2002 vintage by Wine Spectator's James Laube and the 2003 Maximus made a splash with a 90 Point rating from the Wine Spectator. Their newest vintage, 2005 Maximus, was also awarded 90 Points by Wine Spectator and was named an "Outstanding Value".
www.bennettlane.com |
BENTON LANE
Williamette Valley, OR |
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Benton-Lane is a family owned winery and vineyard located in the tenderloin of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They produce Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and small amounts of Pinot Blanc. Benton-Lanes Oregon Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris wines are currently distributed in 49 states and several international markets.
Benton-Lane has designed its own system for caring for its land which incorporates the best parts of the Sustainable, Organic and Biodynamic methods. This program was designed after seven years of certification under the L.I.V.E. sustainability program. During this time they began to realize that no one program was ideal in preserving and protecting their land. So they took the best parts of each program, added some measures of our own and gave birth to their own system of ensuring the health of their vineyards.
They embrace the concept of keeping the vineyard as natural as possible. They use mineral oil as a mildecide. They control road dust so they don’t have a mite problem. They have hawk perches to reduce rodent populations. However, the organic method was developed at a time when available pesticides were harsh. Since then manufacturers have developed synthetics that are much more earth friendly on the land than some organic counterparts. They believe it is better for their land to use soft fungicides like Elevate, with a soil half life of only one day instead of the organic recommendation of toxic heavy metals.
They practice extensive canopy management. They shoot thin to open up the canopy, they remove crop and leaves to open the fruit zone to light and air. This reduces the need for pesticides and produces more flavorful fruit.
They use a cover crop of Austrian winter peas, oats, fava beans, annual rye and crimson clover to reduce erosion, build biomass and a rich, fertile soil humus.
Surrounding their 140 acre vineyard are 175 acres of native vegetation that serves as a habitat for wildlife, insects and native plants.
www.benton-lane.com |
BODEGAS CALLIA
San Juan, Argentina |
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Bodegas Callia was created with the goal of producing the best wines of San Juan and the best Shiraz of Argentina. Bodegas Callia crafts quality Argentine wines, while respecting and supporting the people, nature and community from which the wines are created.
Among sand dunes, chañar trees and the occasional bristle of a prickly pear, Bodegas Callia lives in harmony with the Valley of Tulum landscape. The bodega, painted the colour of sand, melds so naturally with its surroundings that arriving at Bodegas Callia—like standing before a desert oasis—inspires the unexpected exhilaration of discovery.
Bodegas Callia was not the first winery to rest in its place at the foot of the Pie de Palo. The original winery, built in the 1930s, was in need of extensive updating and earthquake retrofitting. Bodegas Callia—built with the world’s most advanced techniques for earthquake resistance—was designed to preserve the character and charm of the original structure, along with a new nave that houses 8,000 square meters of tanks with a capacity of 9,000,000 liters. The façade and second-story balcony of the old winery remains intact within the new facility.
The entire winery, including the storage area, is temperature controlled at between 10 C and 15 C to ensure the highest quality wine. Stainless steel tanks in a variety of sizes are used for fermentation and storage. Smaller tanks, which are wider than they are tall, are used to increase skin to juice contact during fermentation, resulting in greater complexity in the wine. The naves that comprise the winery house two laboratories, a high-tech bottling line and stainless steel pumps that prevent oxygenation of the wine.
While there are more than 100 wineries in San Juan, only a handful produce wines using the latest technology and on the scale of Bodegas Callia. “It’s not only our commitment to Shiraz that is unique,” says Enologist Fabian Miranda. “Our dedication to experimentation and quality is uncommon for wines at this price point.” Having devoted the last 12 years to winemaking in Mendoza and Salta, Miranda is confident that San Juan is capable of producing fruit-forward, good value wines and complex, character-rich Shiraz that rivals the world’s best examples.
www.bodegascallia.com/eng.html |
C&T CELLARS
California |
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Sometimes relaxing is about a far away destination. Other times there's simply no need to go beyond your own backyard. Whether it's the intimacy of a front porch, an impromptu barbeque in the backyard or watching the sunset on the rooftop with friends, our mission is to bring you wine to celebrate the simple pleasures in life.
C & T makes this perfect "Backyard" wine that has enough complexity and plush notes to keep the snobbiest of Chardonnay drinkers happy as well as the relaxed and laid-back kind who wouldn't think twice about tossing in an ice cube or two. Lay back and relax!
www.ctcellars.com/ |
CADE WINERY
Napa, CA |
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Take a road less travelled and find your way to the top of Napa Valley. Perched high upon Napa's elusive Howell Mountain, among a dramatic hillside of Manzanita trees, CADE Winery is a unique, state-of-the-art winery striving to achieve LEED certification and is currently tracking to be Gold LEED Certified.
CADE Winery produces four wines: CADE Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (made from the 19 acres of Cabernet vines at the winery), CADE Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (from grapes purchased from small artisan growers in the Howell Mountain Appellation), the cade Napa Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (a Bordeaux style Cabernet Sauvignon) and a small production of CADE Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley.
CADE Winery, the latest project from PlumpJack, is located in the heart of scenic Howell Mountain in Angwin, CA about 12 miles from PlumpJack Winery. Perched on a 54 acre hillside at nearly 1,800 feet of elevation, CADE is comprised of 21 planted acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines.
From the opening of the first PlumpJack Wine Store in San Francisco in 1992, PlumpJack has made it a priority to support regional charities through various means. Having grown from one to 14 PlumpJack businesses, the PlumpJack Organization has donated to hundreds of Northern California charities.
PlumpJack takes great pride in helping those in need. And always, they graciously acknowledge the generosity of donations by their vendors which has been a key factor in their fundraising and donation efforts. For example: Courtney Benham of Martin Ray, the producer of PlumpJack's Negotiate wine, Speare, kindly donated 40 cases of Chardonnay to PlumpJack, allowing PlumpJack to give 100% of all proceeds of the $11.99 wine to Dr. Ernest Rosenbaum and Stanford's Cancer Supportive Care Program. It's just one of many examples of the social responsibility PlumpJack feels, supports, and executes.
www.cadewinery.com/ |
CAIN VINEYARDS
Napa, CA |
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Cain Vineyard & Winery is cradled in a spectacular bowl overlooking the Napa Valley from the crest of the Spring Mountain District. They are dedicated to the creation of three Cabernet blends, each drawn from its own unique vineyard sources, each has its own distinctive signature: Cain Cuvée, Cain Concept, and Cain Five.
Varying in elevation from 1,400 to 2,100 feet (450–675 meters), their vineyard clings to the sides of a bowl, sited spectacularly, and improbably, along the crest of the Mayacamas Range. The vineyard overlooks the Napa Valley and Saint Helena from the most south-western corner of the Spring Mountain District. Here, the soils are almost exclusively of sedimentary (as opposed to volcanic) origin. Formed from decaying sandstone and shale, they contain significant amounts of clay, which holds on to water and nutrients, releasing them only very slowly. These soils contain little potassium and significant amounts of calcium and magnesium, resulting in low fertility.
The slopes tend to be fairly steep, so the soils are thin and water-holding capacity is limited, and most of the rainfall goes to run-off, down into the valley. The exposures can be significant, ranging through all the points of the compass, giving the extraordinary diversity that contributes to the complexity of the Cain Five. With their five grape varieties and the natural variation within their vineyard, harvest usually lasts about six weeks. The first grapes to ripen are usually east-facing Merlot, and the last picked are often some northwest-facing Cabernet Franc.
One other notable feature of the Cain Vineyard is that it consists of small areas surrounded by forest. They suspect that the trees—oak, madrone, bay laurel, and Douglas-fir—contribute to the unique aromatic signature of the Cain Five. Just to stand on their mountain and to inhale the scented air reminds one that this place is like no other–—and you can taste it in the wine.
www.cainfive.com |
CARTER CELLARS
Napa, CA |
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Carter Cellars has more exceptional Cabernets and Merlots in barrel, all from fruit grown in low-yield vineyards in Napa and showcasing Beckstoffer fruit from the famous original To-Kalon Vineyard.
A well-known critic once described their wines as "swoon inducing". While they're not sure exactly where this quality originates - perhaps in the earth and sun of their low yield vineyards, or in the touch of their masterful winemakers - whatever it is that gives Carter Cellars wines the ability to stir the passions and overwhelm the senses.
They produce small, intimate vintages with outstanding fruit crafted by two of the best current talents in winemaking: Nils Venge and Jeff Fontanella. Their wines grace the best lists in the world, put them on yours.
www.cartercellars.com |
CHATEAU ROULERIE
Loire Valley, France |
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Winegrowers for six generations, the GERMAIN family has found its true raison d'être in the cultivations of vines and the fermentation, ageing and marketing of wines.
All of our wines come from vineyards that are farmed with a sustainable management style. This means the vineyards are sheared every 3 weeks and that they receive a low level of treatment using biodegradable products. In addition our wines are filtrated without chemicals and sulfites are only used in extremely weak doses. As a result our wines reflect that natural elements specific of their terroir and grape varieties.
www.en.germain-saincrit.com/loire-wines/chateau-roulerie/default.aspx |
CLOS DU CAILLOU
Rhone Valley, France |
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From robust Côtes-du-Rhône to memorable Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos du Caillou wines arguably represent some of the finest red blends in all of France. Proprietor Sylvie Vacheron and winemaker Bruno Gaspard are keeping the great work of the late Jean-Denis Vacheron alive with wines that are heady, robust and mouth-wateringly lush.
Caillou tends wonderfully old Grenache vines, some of which are 70 to 100 years old. With older Syrah and Mourvèdre added to the mix, it’s no wonder that Caillou wines are across the board impressive for their power, extract and deep minerality.
Caillou tends Grenache vines that are 75 to 100 years old; the domaine also has older Syrah and Mourvèdre vines as well.
The vineyards of Clos du Caillou are worked in accordance with nature: organic amendments and composts, tillage without regular use of herbicides, and pesticide treatments with reduced amounts of sulfur and copper.
Grapes are harvested exclusively by hand and sorted before they arrive in the cellar.
Vinification is often preceded by a cold fermentation for a few days.
Following the fermentation, red wines are partially or fully pressed depending on the vintage, with pigeages, manual pumping and electric presses. The wines are aged in casks and half hogsheads for 15 to 18 months in underground cellars of the area, which are naturally temperate (13 to 15 degrees).
www.closducaillou.com/ |
DOMAINE ALBERT MANN
Alsace, France |
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Domaine Albert Mann is located in Wettolsheim, a small village located in the heart of Alsace, 2 km west of Colmar.
Our vineyard covers an area of 21 hectares and stretches across 8 municipalities. The varied landscapes of Alsace, which combine mountains, hills and plains, are due to the great diversity of stone that forms the bedrock. They contribute to the complexity of our wines.
* Silica gives liveliness.
* Clay, absorbing minerals, leads to power.
* Limestone brings opulence and softness.
* Marl preserves the acidity.
Albert Mann has chosen tools of modern production, without doing away with the needs of the soil, because the soil and the vine are our capital. The winemakers themselves are strains, they have a duty to continue and enhance the work of their ancestors. Our philosophy is to make a wine fueled by elements of the ground and not by fertilizers. The willingness of the field is to produce a wine in harmony with nature by practicing agriculture whose purpose is not to heal but to strengthen the vitality of the soil.
Wine is the memory of the grape, it is the only product capable of communicating the love of the earth. For the interesting aspect is best expressed, we practice:
* The replanting vassal selection (selection of old plants) to maintain diversity.
* Natural weeding every second row; the other rows are tilled to contribute to a deeper rooting. Some plots are planted on terraces tilled by horse.
* A contribution of "home made" compost to stimulate microbial life in the soil, essential to the formation of humus and the assimilation of minerals from the soil.
* A force control, which allows pruning the vines and making them less susceptible to disease. Five to seven treatments per year are sufficient (the lowest in France).
The crop is harvested manually, mature skin and seeds, in order to meet the grapes that come around in our pneumatic presses. A slow extraction allows us to have clear juices that do not require the addition of wine-treating products, except for sulfur in low doses. After several months of fermentation, the wines remain in contact with their lees and stabilize naturally. The wines are bottled when we feel they are ready in order to preserve the fruit.
To keep the most natural taste possible, all our treatments are fully organic.
www.albertmann.com |
DOMAINE DES ROCHES NEUVES
Loire Valley, France |
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We were misled by our vision of the Plant. We did not want to take risks. But how to carry out great things without taking risks? We need to go beyond ourselves, to act passionately so that our wines live and infuse people that taste them with enthusiasm.
We may need to re-define how to taste. We are so used to tasting those commonly-praised technical, round, fat, sweet wines that it is getting increasingly hard to appreciate a wine with an asserted adge.
I am now aware that our new philosophy can lead to the creation of great Cabernet wines, faithful to their soils -- fine, long, fresh, vivid, dynamic, and greedy. This approach to the vine can be sustained only if we work tightly together because we will have to learn everything again about cultivating and watching.
We will also have to show humility in front of each plot of vine and to take into account the uniqueness of each plant. The perfect balance among them will result from a personalized, appropriate cultivation, a far cry from today's systematic, global treatments.
We have to observe the vine day by day, foresee problems, re-energize soils, revitalize the plant so taht it can return to its original state -- a mere creeper.
We cannot say that turning to biodynamic cultivation has opened our eyes onto a new world. I only think we now perceive our work differently. At last, the Plant world is showing us how to act.
www.rochesneuves.com/ |
DOMAINE VACHERON
Loire Valley, France |
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The Vacheron family has been influential in Sancerre since the turn of the century--from day one, this has always been a family operation. Great-grandfather Maurice Vacheron tended a few vines in the silex-rich soils of his hometown back when Sancerre was but a forlorn stop on a village road. His son, Jean Vacheron, was the first of the family to specialize in wine production. Moving from cultivating grain to Pinot Noir, Jean is one of the main reasons why the family's Pinot Noir bottlings are some of the finest in the region. (The Vacherons today as well are one of the largest producers of Sancerre rouge.)
Jean's sons, Denis and Jean-Louis, established the Vacheron winery as we know it today--these brothers ran the estate jointly, sharing many of its duties. Denis today is the president of the Sancerre appellation, and is especially involved in managing the family's vineyard holdings--as of 2006, the family tends 11 hectares of Pinot Noir, and 29 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc. Jean-Louis managed the family cellars; today you will still find him there, tasting from cask as well as pouring samples of their award-winning wines for visitors.
The region’s soils are rich with silex, a flinty rock that rests on a bed of clay and limestone. The family’s “Les Romains,” a single-vineyard Sauvignon, is grown on 100% silex soil. The Vacheron Sancerre rouge is 100% Pinot Noir and raised primarily in tank. The “Belle Dame,” comes from 40+ year old Pinot Noir vines that grow on a severe, southeast-facing hillside. With possibly the oldest vines in Sancerre, this vineyard produces some of the most concentrated Pinots in the region.
QUICK FACTS:
# Domaine Vacheron is the only Sancerre winery with equal parts of limestone and flint in its vineyards. Limestone contributes to balanced acidity, while flint provides good aroma and mineral cut.
# The cousins Vacheron farm biodynamically, shunning herbicides and pesticides.
# Yields are controlled; while the average Sancerre yield is 70 hectoliters per hectare, the average yield at Vacheron is 50 hl/ha for white wines, and much lower for reds.
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ELHERS
Napa, CA |
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Ehlers Estate represents the unique fusion of an outstanding winegrowing estate, environmental consciousness and international philanthropy. The historic and diverse Napa Valley vineyard of Ehlers Estate is cultivated using organic and biodynamic farming techniques to produce a small portfolio of exceptional estate-grown wines. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of these wines go to support the Leducq Foundation, a highly regarded, not-for-profit foundation dedicated to funding international cardiovascular research.
In keeping with the winery’s marriage of quality and conscience, Ehlers Estate is at the forefront of environmentally aware farming practices. Guided by winemaker and vineyard manager Kevin Morrisey, the Ehlers Estate viticulture program embraced organic farming in 2004, and adopted biodynamic farming practices in early 2005. These hands-on methods help to preserve the purity and character of the estate’s mosaic of 25 vineyard blocks, each of which are individually fermented and aged. Beginning with the 2005 red wine vintage and the 2007 white wine vintage, all Ehlers Estate wines have been crafted exclusively from this stellar palette of estate-grown grapes.
Certified Organic Farming: As of July 1, 2008, Ehlers Estate has earned organic certification from the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
www.ehlersestate.com |
ET CETERA
California |
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Et Cetera Wine Company is a collaboration of lifelong friends from Northern California winegrowing families. Mark, David, and Matt all grew up and went through school together in the small town of St. Helena, in the heart of the Napa Valley wine country. Away at college, they met Harry, a viticulture major from just over the hill in Sonoma County. After college, Mark, David, and Harry built successful careers in different areas of the wine industry, while Matt helped run his family’s beverage distribution company. In 2008, this group of friends joined forces, each bringing his own area of expertise, to create a line of wines that provide great quality at a fair price.
www.etcwineco.com/ |
FLORA SPRINGS
Napa, CA |
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Flora Springs is a family endeavor that epitomizes three generations of hard work, dedication and a team effort. The vitality of their family is obvious as they set about the task of growing great grapes and making world-class wine. Even the name Flora Springs has significance – Flora is their mother, and the springs refer to the natural water source on the estate that has flowed uninterrupted through Napa Valley winemaking history.
Great wine producers utilize every tool and technique at their disposal when it comes to turning premium grapes into great wine, and Flora Springs’ winemaker Paul Steinauer is no exception. First of all, he trusts his senses: The feel of the berry in his fingers, the flavor of the fruit, the fermentation smells, and then the taste of the wine as it evolves. Paul and his team also reach for the edge – a different yeast, a better pumpover technique, a gentler way to handle fruit, or a reliable method of measuring extractable color and character available in the grape, and so on. The team is always looking to new and better ways as they strive for the best expression of our vineyards in the wines. And in order to better anticipate the challenges that each vintage brings, the team must also understand the vineyard fruit source. For three decades now, the Flora Springs winemakers have collaborated with Pat Garvey and his vineyard specialists, as they farm and hand-pick the best fruit that the 650 acres of estate vineyards have to offer, vintage after vintage. The proof of their collective success is in the consistent quality of the award-winning Flora Springs wines and in the legions of loyal Flora Springs wine fans all over the globe.
www.florasprings.com |
FLOWERS VINEYARD AND WINERY
Sonoma, CA |
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At Flowers Vineyard & Winery, their commitment is to grow and produce cool-climate wines that authentically express the unique character of the coolest areas of the rugged Sonoma Coast appellation.
The distinguishing climatic characteristic of the area is the temperate climate with seasonal extremes. During the growing season, the abundance of sunshine on the ridgetops is moderated by the fog and cooler temperatures of the valleys and coastline below. These conditions create a long, slow growing season that produces wines with deep color, ripe flavors, fine tannins and crisp acidity.
During vine dormancy, the winter weather is wet and windy with annual average rainfall between 80 and 100 inches. This abundant precipitation that fills the reservoirs is both a blessing and a necessity as little ground water exists due to exceptional drainage.
Neighboring vineyards include: Hirsch, Marcassin, Bohan, Charles, Helenthal, Nobles, Blue Slide, Failla, and Pahlmeyer.
At Flowers, they de-stem Pinot Noir to ensure gentle handling and provide a 75% whole-berry environment in their small open-top fermentors. Pinot Noir is cold-soaked for five to seven days at a temperature of 45°F and the hand-punching-down begins. After the cold-soak period, the fermentor warms to 68°F - 85°F and wild yeast carries the fermentation to show terrior and complexity.
Free-run wines are drained to barrel and the remaining skins are gently pressed in a small old-world basket press. All wines are aged between 14-16 months in small oak barrels from Burgundy Coopers. The wines are bottled without the use of sterile filtration and no fining occurs. Their philosophy is to retain all of the natural vineyard elements while hand-crafting their Pinot Noir. This ensures the true expression of their unique vineyard sites when the wines are enjoyed.
The wines receive additional bottle age in their temperature controlled cellar and are released annually for direct purchase from Michelle at the winery.
Today, Flowers Winery produces 15,000 cases of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from its two estate properties, Camp Meeting Ridge and Flowers Ranch, as well as select vineyards in the coolest regions of the Sonoma Coast AVA, which are farmed to Flowers' specifications by their own crews. In addition to direct consumer sales, the wines are sold to fine restaurants and retailers in the US and overseas.
flowerswinery.com |
FOPPIANO
Sonoma, CA |
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For over one hundred years, the Foppianos have been involved in the American wine industry from their home ranch in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley. The story of Foppiano Vineyards is a family epic and full of industry history. It is a tale which confirms the value of perseverance and commitment.
The Foppiano Vineyards brand remains the best known and most admired by the industry and consumers. Petite Sirah, the family's favorite wine, has become the winery's signature wine, and is known nationwide as one of the country's top Petites year-in and year-out.
The 100-year history of Foppiano Vineyards confirms that through the strength of the family and a commitment to quality, tradition can be maintained and can thrive.
www.foppiano.com/ |
GERMANIER
Valais, Switzerland |
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It was in 1886 that Urbain Germanier planted his first vineyards and founded the winery in their small village of Vétroz, in the very heart of the Valais.
Years later, the torch passed to his three sons, Francis, Paul and Charles, whose wines claimed their place among the premiers crus, the best growths of the Valais. In 1945, Francis distilled the house’s first brandy from Williams pears and the Bon Père William was born.
Today two young oenologists of the 3rd and 4th generations, Jean-René Germanier and Gilles Besse, produce wines that have earned them a place alongside the best winemakers in Switzerland.
They believe in cultivating their vines to produce the highest quality grapes possible while maintaining maximum respect for the environment.
Yields are limited in order to obtain wines of concentrated character.
The average age of their vines—35 years—consistently ensures the remarkable structure of their wines.
All vineyards are cultivated in accordance with regulations for organic growth as specified by Vitival. These regulations maintain chemical interventions at reasonable levels by integrating natural methods. For example, spider mites are controlled with their natural enemy, typhlodrome mites.
www.jrgermanier.ch |
GROGNUZ FRERES
Valais, Switzerland |
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Grognuz Freres – Family owned and operated by father and son team, Marco and Francois Grognuz, this Estate showcases the very complex differences of terroir throughout the main growing regions in Switzerland. With attention to every detail, the wines from Grognuz are exciting and cutting edge!
Our 16 hectare vineyard is divided into three plots. The whole of our vineyards are cultivated with philosophy and discipline by respecting the plant with limited yields and respecting the environment with a reasonable fight against pests and diseases.
Our cellar at La Tour-de-Peilz in the former cellars of the "Café Central" is the perfect place for a special event. Tasting private family celebration, reception, business meeting, committee and the cellar can accommodate up to 25 people.
Discover our vineyards, our wines, our wine tastings, news, recipes for a chef, the restaurant of the month, order our wines online or simply contact us for a personalized tasting in our cellar.
www.cavedesrois.ch |
HEIDI SCHROECK
Burgenland, Austria |
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Named "Austria's Wine-Grower of the Year" in 2003 by renowned wine magazine Falstaff, Heidi Schrock is the coolest female winemaker in Austria. Heidi has gathered experience from places like South Africa & Germany and brought it all back to her hometown of Rust. She took over the winery from her parents 20 years ago and has since spend much of her time reviving traditional wines of her Austro-Hungarian forefathers. The family motto states that tradition should be honored but also mixed with progress; for it means keeping alive the fire, not adoring the ashes.
"High quality without compromise" is Heidi Schröck's motto at her boutique winery with 8 hectares of vineyards. 50,000 bottles of elegant, fruit-driven wines go to wine aficionados, specialty shops, and demanding restaurants that appreciate the symbiosis of high quality and honest tradition.
www.heidi-schroeck.com |
HOWELL MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
Napa, CA |
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Howell Mountain is located northeast of St. Helena, above the Silverado Trail, with the Napa Valley to the west and Pope Valley to the east. With its high elevations, the mountain avoids the influence of fog that blankets the valley floor beneath, creating a climate that is cooler than most of Napa Valley during the day, but warmer at night. Because of this, Howell Mountain grapes have a character distinct from those grown on the Napa Valley floor, and have led to the region being recognized in 1983 as Napa Valley's first sub-appellation.
The appellation encompasses around 14,000 acres, yet only 600 acres are planted due, in part, to the rugged nature of the region. The soils of this area are mostly well-drained tuff and volcanic rock. Water retention is poor, producing vines with low vigor and deep roots. These conditions are ideal for growing grapes that are small, tightly clustered and powerfully concentrated, for intense fruit flavors in the wines. In addition, the grapes develop thick skins that yield rich tannins. Tannins are important in the production of good red wines as they provide flavor, structure, and texture.
Planted at the beginning of the twentieth century, the Beatty Ranch produces some of Napa Valley’s best Zinfandel. The 2005 vintage is darker and richer than recent vintages, and is medium deep ruby, with ripe berry and plum aromas supported by underpinnings of roasted chestnut and vanilla. On the palate, the wine fills the mouth with intense fruit flavors which lead to complex tones of espresso, cocoa and exotic spices. Excellent structure, typical of mountain fruit, and sustained concentration make for a long, pleasing finish. 895 cases produced.
This year's wine, aged in barrels for 14 months, is a brilliant medium deep ruby. On pouring, spicy plum, nutmeg and sweet herb aromas jump from the glass, with scents of vanilla, sandalwood and Asian fruits following as the wine opens. The wine is alive with ripe dark fruit flavors, medium-full-bodied, and a fine, palate-coating silty texture (contributed in part by a small addition of Syrah) carries though to the finish. Complex notes of chocolate and mint develop in the glass. Drink now if you like, or wait for more development in the bottle. 2200 cases produced.
www.howellmountain.com |
JUSLYN
Napa, CA |
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Developing our vineyards in the rocky soils of Spring Mountain proved that wine was truly our labor of love. After replanting our Estate to a field blend of 90% cabernet sauvignon with small amounts of merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot (for color) in 1997, we achieved our first Estate Cabernet release of just 80 cases in 2000. In 2001, we were able to increase the production to 170 cases of wine that displays elegance in the style of premier cru Bordeaux. Each Estate vintage thereafter has been more productive, and, now, 10 years of vine maturation benefits us with about 3 tons/acre from our 8-acre hillside vineyard. Every vintage becomes more exciting as we experience firsthand the future of Juslyn right here at home.
Without the hard work of our team of wine and grape specialists we never could have made our dreams reality. Heading up work in the vineyards is Renteria Vineyard Management, led by Salvador and Oscar Renteria, who have produced outstanding grapes for many prestigious Napa Valley vineyards. With their help, we have been able to select the most appropriate varieties for our vineyards and consistently farm the highest quality fruit.
www.juslynvineyards.com |
KRUPP BROTHERS
Napa, CA |
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Rising into and over the fogline of Napa Valley’s eastern mountains, Stagecoach Vineyard, Krupp Vineyard, and Krupp Brothers Vineyard boast thin, rocky volcanic soils ideal for growing world-class wine grapes.
Farmed sustainably, each vineyard is planted with a permanent cover crop to curtail erosion, and viticulturist Jason Cole employs a minimum of pesticides, fertilizer, and water on each vine block. Stretching over 1,100 contiguous acres, the undulating, varied terrain creates diverse meso-climates and soil conditions that are distinctively suited to the 13 different varieties grown in these three vineyards.
In addition to this varietal variation, we have 16 different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives our winemakers a diverse palette from which to create wine. Every cluster of tiny, intense mountain berries is handpicked, gently de-stemmed into small vessels, and thoughtfully matched to select barrels in order to create concentrated, textured wines with superior complexity.
In recent years, Stagecoach Vineyard has become one of the most renowned vineyards in Napa Valley. It rises 900 feet above sea level and continues to climb to nearly 1,850 feet at its highest elevations on the southern side of the Oakville appellation’s Pritchard Hill. Blessed with south-facing slopes filled with shallow, volcanic soils, the site’s rugged terroir is ideal for growing intensely colored Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes rich with mineral and mountain flavors. Ten additional grape varieties are planted on the hillside, each ideally suited to drawing the most flavor, structure and concentration from its soil set and climate. Most Krupp Brothers wines are exclusively sourced from Stagecoach Vineyard.
www.kruppbrothers.com/ |
LAFOND VINEYARDS
Santa Ynez, CA |
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Lafond Vineyard is planted in the acclaimed Sta. Rita Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area). In 2001, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) approved this designated area as its own unique appellation within the larger Santa Ynez AVA. Today there are three federally approved appellations in Santa Barbara County - Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley.
AVA designations are put in place to provide consumers with clear information in regards to the area that the wine was grown. Climatic and geographical influences are considered as well as slope and soil type. These factors are all very important components that influence the wine.
The appeal to create a distinct AVA for the Sta. Rita Hills was put in place for these reasons - the distinct geological uniqueness of the area, combination of slope, climate (maritime), soil (sandy alluvial), and a desire to distinguish the western edge of Santa Ynez.
Our vineyard is flanked by two east-west mountain ranges (Purisima Hills in the north and Santa Rosa Hills in the south) that funnel cool morning fog into the valley, thereby extending our growing season and creating wines of intense concentration and excellent acidity. Burgundian varietals, such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, flourish in this climate.
Syrah plantings in the region have a pronouced white pepper and lavendar aromatic profile compared to Syrah planted in the warmer inland area. It is a demonstration of two styles of Syrah both coming out of Santa Barbara County, and appellation labelling helps customers differentiate between the type of Syrah they are tasting or purchasing.
The Sta. Rita Hills AVA stretches roughly from Buellton on the east to Lompoc on the west. The unusual occurence of east-west rolling hills on the north and south are the other borders.
Lafond Vineyard was one of the first vineyards planted in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in 1972.
www.lafondwinery.com |
MANU WINES
Marlborough, New Zealand |
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From noted wine industry 'birds of a feather' ~ winemaker Steve Bird and purveyor David Duckhorn ~ comes Manu, a collection of New Zealand wines that reflect the best of what New Zealand offers. Manu is the Maori word for both bird and kite, and the Manu logo is an interpretation of a 'Te Manu Tukutuki', a beautifully crafted Maori kite. This kite represents the hallmarks of Manu wines: craftsmanship, elegance, and the pure nature of New Zealand.
www.viapacifica.com/manu.htm |
McDOWELL
Mendocino, CA |
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Nestled in the Mayacamas Mountains of southeastern Mendocino County, McDowell Valley Vineyards was established in 1970. Our vineyard has one of the longest records of continuous wine grape production in California. Syrah and Grenache have been planted on this soil for almost a century, when the Buckman Family made a perfect match in planting Syrah and Grenache vines in the McDowell Valley. It is because of this rich history and distinct growing conditions that in 1982 McDowell Valley obtained one of the earliest BATF viticultural appellations. Today, of the 330 acres of grapes planted in the 500 acre valley, nearly a third are dedicated to Rhône varietals such as Syrah, Grenache, and Viognier.
Today McDowell is a renowned producer of Rhône varietal wines, utilizing the grapes from those original vineyards, which were replanted in 1948 using the same genetic material. Bill Crawford, owner and winemaker, has spent the last 30 years here in the McDowell Valley working in every phase of the operation. Truly a family business, working by his side the last 30 years have also been Romero Gonzalez and Stoney Bray and their families, who have managed the vineyards and the ranch. Today third generation Crawfords, Bill's three boys, work pulling weeds, painting fences and other odd jobs after school and on weekends.
McDowell has become the leader in research in qualitative selections of rootstocks and clones for Rhône varieties. Bill Crawford believes that advances in the vineyard will be the most significant changes that will come in the next 25 years. Bill is sourcing new clonal selections of Syrah from all over California, as well as France. "In California, the challenge for Rhône varieties continues to be in finding the best combinations of rootstock and fruitwood in the appropriate soil and climate" says Bill.
www.mcdowellsyrah.com |
MERRYVALE VINEYARDS
Napa, CA |
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The first winery built in Napa Valley following the repeal of Prohibition, Merryvale is located in the heart of America's premier wine region. Beautiful landscaped gardens accented with an elegant fountain greet our guests at our historic winery, ideally located in downtown St. Helena, adjacent to the renowned Tra Vigne restaurant and Taylor’s Refresher and within walking distance of excellent shopping and dining.
In this celebrated home, passionate winemaking thrives in the care of the Schlatter family, along with Winemakers Sean Foster and Graham Wehmeier. The winery continues to capture the elegance and charm of its historic beginnings, with our enchanting historic Cask Room where we host private events, unique wine club events, seasonal dining, and Weekend Wine Events. The winery also features a newly renovated winemaking cellar that showcases the latest equipment to craft boutique wines.
By maintaining our vision -- turning exceptional Napa Valley grapes into world class wine-- Merryvale has earned international acclaim for wines of outstanding quality.
www.merryvale.com |
MINER FAMILY VINEYARDS
Napa, CA |
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Miner Family Vineyards is a dynamic family owned winery tucked into the eastern hills of the Oakville appellation, squarely within the heart of Napa Valley. Founded in 1998 by Dave & Emily Miner along with his folks Ed & Norma, Miner is defined first and foremost by a sensational portfolio of wines, wines consistently characterized by and committed to individualistic style and uncommon quality. In only a few short years, Miner has identified, sought and secured a number of California’s finest vineyard sites to produce and showcase a wide array of varietals. Each wine is crafted in a style to encapsulate the distinctive elements and the indelible fingerprints of their respective vineyards. This combination of excellent vineyard sites along with passionate and thoughtful winemaking injects the necessary components for creating profoundly joyful wines.
Miner is also very much about people. It’s no secret to those in the know that the Miners have strived to and succeeded in surrounding themselves with the very best in the business. From the uncompromising talents of winemaker Gary Brookman and his companions in the cellar, to the fine folks in the tasting room, sales department and beyond, Dave & Emily have assembled a youthful and serious team of passionate and dedicated players. Just as faithfully committed are the numerous distributors, restaurant, retail partners and loyal fanatics that also faithfully share in Miner’s vision and commitment to quality matched by a burning passion for great food and wine. It is this level of determination, trust, passion and the occasional bit of hedonism that serves as the driving force behind each and every bottle of Miner.
We believe that without a doubt, our wines are nearly eighty percent complete before we harvest the season's first grape. The importance of site, climate, soil, drainage and a myriad of other points relative to vineyard selection simply cannot be overstated. This overwhelming priority serves as the backbone to all of our wines, usually resulting in a multitude of vineyard-designated bottlings. These labels are born out of equal respect for both the land and those who care for it. Our vineyard designates follow the footsteps of a few of California's truly pioneering growers. These freakishly passionate, like-minded individuals relentlessly seek nirvana from the land and usually find it...and we couldn't imagine doing business with anyone else. Our standards are just as inflexible when we blend from two or more local vineyards for a composite bottling, as is traditionally the case with our Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyards are found and handshakes are made only after the rigors of several inspections and trial runs have passed and even then, the grapes may not make the cut in any given year.
www.minerwines.com |
ORIN SWIFT CELLARS
Napa, CA |
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Orin Swift Cellars is the realization of a dream that began while studying abroad at the University of Florence in Florence, Italy. Like so many other college students I was at odds with what to do upon graduation. Fortunately for me, my roommate at the time was from an old wine family in the Sonoma valley and he had a great suggestion: "Why not get into the wine business? You seem to like wine."
A few months later, I found myself with a degree in political science working my first harvest for the Robert Mondavi Winery. I cut my teeth as the low man and only white guy on an all-Mexican nightshift. I was hooked. The next year, I started Orin Swift Cellars with two tons of purchased Zinfandel grapes and as my wife likes to say, with one pair of shoes.
Over the last few years we've continued to grow, adding Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc to the program, as well as streamlining the Zinfandel into what is now our flagship wine, "The Prisoner". In addition, we recently purchased forty-eight acres of raw land in the hills above Oakville and hope to someday build a winery there. Until then, we welcome you to visit us at our newly renovated offices and tasting room located in the heart of downtown St. Helena at the historic Odd Fellows Lodge.
From all of us at Orin Swift Cellars, we thank you for your interest and hope you continue to enjoy the wines, which we proudly offer.
www.orinswift.com |
PAHLMEYER WINES
Napa, CA |
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Some of the best views in Napa Valley are from Waters Ranch, situated on the ridge of Atlas Peak. From the top you can see the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day. Every acre is micro-managed and farmed individually according to its unique conditions by our viticulture and vineyard management teams.
"We start with our relationships in the vineyard and we pro-actively build very strong relationships with the growers themselves. Our goal is to help our growers produce grapes of a caliber that we can be proud to use in the creation of Pahlmeyer wines."
www.pahlmeyer.com/ |
PEPPERBIDGE WINERY
Walla Walla, WA |
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At Pepper Bridge, a family-owned estate winery, our mission is to make ultra-premium, world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines that showcase our Walla Walla Valley estate vineyards. These vineyards, Pepper Bridge Vineyard and Seven Hills Vineyard, are recognized as two of the best — not only in the appellation — but also in the state. In these vineyards, we practice sustainable viticulture, remaining committed to the long-term viability of the winemaking industry in the Walla Walla Valley.
Attention to detail and functionality were the driving forces behind the design and construction of Pepper Bridge Winery. The three-level winery is built into a hill, serenely surrounded by Pepper Bridge Vineyard.
The winery itself is a winemaker’s dream. It is a state-of-the-art, gravity-flow facility, complete with subterranean caves. In a gravity-flow winery such as this one, the grape pulp and juice are moved from the sorting table to the tanks to the barrels via gravity, rather than by pumps. This gentle treatment of the grapes prevents the shearing of seeds and the introduction of bitter tannins. As a result, all of our wines have elegant textures and exquisite flavor profiles.
Our wines have received widespread acclaim and have been recommended by tasters worldwide since our first vintage. Critics have used words such as “elegant,” “killer,” and “stylish” to describe our Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. We hope that you will visit us in our tasting room and find these descriptions appropriate, and perhaps you can share with us some adjectives of your own.
www.pepperbridge.com |
PEZZI KING VINEYARDS
Sonoma, CA |
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The Rowes established Pezzi King Vineyards in 1993, when Jim discovered a beautiful vineyard nestled in the hills of Dry Creek Valley during a weekend visit from San Francisco. Aware of the vineyard's superior terroir and captivated by the site's natural beauty, he purchased the 137-acre estate and undertook its beautiful transformation into one of the leading producers of Zinfandel in the acclaimed Dry Creek Valley appellation.
The first step was restoring the vineyard to its natural, unspoiled potential: Jim Rowe, Sr. immediately eliminated all use of chemicals and implemented all-natural farming techniques. His commitment to quality extended to the winery, as well, which they completely renovated with state-of-the-art equipment.
Today, Jim Rowe, Sr. and his wife, Cynthia, run the winery as a collaborative enterprise. Cynthia Rowe is involved with business planning and strategy for Pezzi King Vineyards.
Jim Rowe, Sr. states his mission for Pezzi King Vineyards directly: "I wanted wines that would be considered among the best in the world. To accomplish this, I had to start with an excellent piece of land and add the right mix of talent and hard work. We're doing that at Pezzi King and we'll continue to strive for and achieve excellence in everything we do."
Since 2006, Pezzi King Vineyards has won over 20 Gold medals in wine competitions and is among the highest rated Zinfandels in the world.
www.pezziking.com |
PLUMPJACK WINERY
Napa, CA |
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Enjoy wine’s finest flavors. Discover rich Cabernet, teased with hints of figs, licorice, black currants and new oak. Dance with our delightful Chardonnay, our sumptuous Syrah and our delicious Merlot. Discover why PlumpJack Winery’s selections have earned the reputation for full-bodied richness, aromatics and ripeness from even the toughest critics. This is the PlumpJack Winery.
PlumpJack was founded by Gavin Newsom, whose personality is revealed in response to an expression of concern upon his first appointment to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors in 1997. When asked if he was likely to "generate controversy" he replied, "If I don't, I'm not doing my job." A self-described fiscal moderate, when it comes to business decisions, Newsom exults in setting high goals for himself and his staff. Just a few of his exuberant demands for PlumpJack are to "out-innovate the competition," make the company an "excellence machine," and "live life out loud." To ensure fulfillment of his mission he makes a point of investing in "hot talent"-people who, whether they are sweeping floors, making wine, or designing interior spaces, are creating "magical moments" for PlumpJack customers.
These ideologies are carried out and implemented in the day-to-day operations of the fourteen businesses under the PlumpJack Group umbrella and guide the management team and the staff to constantly strive for excellence, value, accessibility and nothing less than heroic customer service.
A key marker of success for the company is their ability to invest a portion of PlumpJack's profits back into the community. Committed to numerous environmental, charitable, social and civic causes, PlumpJack often challenges their businesses to raise funds and promote many worthy organizations in the community.
www.plumpjackwinery.com/ |
RAATS
Stellenbosch, South Africa |
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Raats Family Wines are specialists in the crafting of exceptional wines from Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.
It is their mission to consistently produce Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc of outstanding quality from South Africa and to establish these wines as international benchmarks.
The Raats family lives for and dreams about these two varieties and passionately produces wines they believe are truly distinct from old vineyards in the Stellenbosch area east of Cape Town. They have earned a reputation internationally as a New World leader in the production of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.
A great deal of effort has gone into sourcing specific soil types and old low-yielding vineyards located in the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Durbanville Hills and the Paardeberg area. “The best viticultural soil for Chenin Blanc in all the land is undoubtedly located in and around Stellenbosch. We source from vines on average 25 years old, grown 250m above sea level – perfect!” All grapes are handpicked and wines made with his extensive knowledge and attention to detail. The result is a truly distinctive showcase for South African wine and soil.
Bruwer travels to the US and Europe each year to visit top restaurants and loyal customers, and believes that personal relationships with the sellers of his wines are vital. “Because our wines should essentially be enjoyed in the company of good food by people appreciative of the passion and dedication that go into the making thereof.”
All the efforts have paid off. Raats Family Wines are enjoyed in the UK, USA, Canada and Europe and his wines are consistently rated tops by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Decanter, Wine & Spirits, Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate magazines, etc.
www.raats.co.za |
ROCO WINES
Newberg, Oregon |
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The creation of ROCO wines is the result of twenty years of dreaming, research, and planning. In 1987, the same year Rollin Soles began to develop the prestigious Argyle Winery, he also purchased a unique hillside property in the Chehalem Mountain Range.
The Soles' small Wits' End Vineyard is situated on the southern slopes of the Chehalem Mountain Range, approximately six miles from the small town of Newberg in Yamhill County. The site is superbly located. In the winter the Chehalem Mountains protect the vineyard from the northeast Arctic winds, and in the summer the Dundee Hills (to the south) transition the Pacific Ocean winds into gentle afternoon breezes.
The vineyard was planted to a high plant density (2,200 vines per acre) on devigorated rootstocks with what Rollin considers "the three sexiest Dijon Pinot Noir clones available". Further, the vineyard is enhanced by the unusual presence of two, year-round springs. The private, cloistered nature and tranquility of the site flows into the essence of the wine. From this seven-acre vineyard the Soles' produce a limited wine allocation for their family and friends, but are willing to share a small amount with true Pinot lovers each year.
www.rocowines.com |
SIDURI
Sonoma, CA |
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Siduri is named for the Babylonian Goddess of wine, who, in Babylonian mythology, held the wine of eternal life. Siduri is also the realization of a dream we have shared since we met 15 years ago, in our native Texas, and realized our mutual love of Pinot Noir.
Buoyed by the belief that we could become winemakers and make our own Pinot Noir, we left our families and jobs in Texas and moved to California’s Sonoma wine country. We spent several years working at small, family owned wineries, using any and all free time to learn everything we could about growing grapes and making wine. In 1994 we launched Siduri Wines with our first release, which was met with great critical success and led us to search for additional high quality Pinot Noir grapes.
Today, Siduri produces single vineyard Pinot Noir from 20 different vineyards stretching from Santa Barbara north to Oregon’s Willamette Valley. We have been fortunate enough to establish relationships with top tier growers/vineyards including: Pisoni, Van der Kamp and Clos Pepe . All of our Pinot Noir is produced unfiltered and unfined in an effort to maximize the expression of these very diverse sites. Siduri is unique in the breadth and depth of our single varietal focus.
For us, the beauty of making our own wines is the total freedom to do it our way, without compromise. Although it is necessary to be able to adapt to new circumstances with each and every vintage, we have found that these principles hold true year after year.
www.siduri.com/ |
SILVER OAK CELLARS
Napa, CA |
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Great wine is meant to be savored with family and friends. This belief is at the heart of Silver Oak Cellars, where we have crafted extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon for over 35 years. Designed to be deliciously drinkable from the day it is released, Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon grows more supple and luxurious over time.
Our passionate commitment to winemaking excellence is reaffirmed at every step in the process. We carefully evaluate the grapes we select and the methods and equipment we use in our winery to create the ideal environment for our Cabernet Sauvignon. No detail is too small to escape our scrutiny – from the quality of our barrels and corks to the wineglasses we offer visitors in our tasting rooms.
The result is Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine with intense, opulent flavors, velvety texture and the balance and depth to ensure superb longevity.
www.silveroak.com |
SUMMERLAND
Santa Barbara, CA |
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Summerland Winery is a boutique wine company that takes pride in producing a diverse range of premium wines focusing on the expressive vineyard sources spanning from Santa Barbara to Monterey with an emphasis on small lot, vineyard designated Pinot Noir production. Inspired by the relaxed, friendly lifestyle enjoyed throughout California’s serene coastal towns, Proprietor, Mr. Nebil “Bilo” Zarif opened his tasting room in the charming town of Summerland. Here at the Summerland Winery Boutique, visitors are invited to taste Summerland’s award-winning varietal wines in a comfortable seaside setting overlooking the town and Pacific Ocean. Since its conception in 2002, Summerland Winery has quickly built a name synonymous with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Winemaker, Etienne Terlinden describes his approach as a meeting of old world tradition and new world principles. The fruit is processed using state of the art equipment ideal for Pinot Noir production yet vinification and cellaring is conducted with minimal intervention and traditional winemaking in mind. Here you see the red wine grapes passing through sorting tables then on to the destemer, which gently removes the stems from the clusters. The juice and berries fall into 1.5-ton wood fermenters for a slow maceration process averaging 10 –14 days depending on the varietal and clone. The grapes are then pressed using a bladder press and the juice is gently removed from the skins. From here the wine will be aged in small French Oak casks until bottling.
Our commitment to small lot production is evident in the wines that comprise the Single Vineyard Collection. Here the wines are hand-crafted every step of the way in quantities ranging from as little as 125 cases to 800 cases.
Blending is conducted with the expertise of world-renowned consultant, Michele Pignarre le Danois. Michele, who resides in Bordeaux, visits the region periodically to taste and sew together the final blends with Etienne and his staff. This is the crucial step where all the components that go into a single vineyard bottling are evaluated, analyzed and pieced together to make wines that will bear the distinction of our celebrated Single Vineyard Collection. An individual bottling of Pinot Noir may have up to as many as six clonal varieties that Etienne has carefully vinified separately in the cellar. Barrels that are not selected for single vineyard programs will be blended into the Central Coast Collection. This keeps the single vineyard wines focused on the terroir and flavor profile of the individual vineyard site while maintaining high wine quality in both programs. The finished wines are bottled with minimal fining to preserve the fruit intensity and released in limited quantities.
www.summerlandwine.com |
TANDEM
Sonoma, CA |
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Our Vineyard Sources are stable, long-term relationships spanning several labels.
* We work closely with our growers’ vineyard management to cultivate expression of terroir.
* We helped plant several of these vineyards and assisted in ascending their reputation:
o Keefer : Greg L helped plant in mid-nineties while with Hartford Court.
o Van der Kamp : we camped out at their doorstep until they agreed to give us grapes. Have provided them with much of the new bud wood for planting.
o Porter-Bass : have worked with this biodynamic property for over a decade, and mentored son Luke.
o Sangiacomo : our relationship goes back over a dozen years, now working with an exciting new parcel in the Petaluma Gap of the Sonoma Coast, well West of Carneros and in the coolest growing region of Sonoma County.
o Ritchie Vineyard : when we first took grapes into Flowers, they were lost in CA or county programs of indifferent producers. Now it’s a who’s who of exciting labels.
Our Techniques : are ages-old Burgundian approaches using the best current knowledge combined with our passion for winegrowing.
* Vineyard : “THE PROCESS IS ONE” means we make wine through the vineyard. We employ sustainable agricultural practices through balanced vine management and foster the dialogue between vine and wine, creation and interpretation.
* Winery : we have a holistic approach to winegrowing, the knowledge of which has been gained over many years and uses the following principles:
o Native/feral yeast and malolactic fermentations.
o Passive oxidation of juice reduces bitterness, decreases the use of SO2 and fining, enhances mouth feel and texture and provides a rich, deep color that is stable over time.
o “Pushing the envelope” means we do not practice safe winemaking techniques – we strive for exciting wines that are unfiltered and un-fined. Our wines may form sediment or may not be brilliantly clear, but they are alive and will evolve over time in both glass and bottle.
Our Commitment : Wine IS our life!
* We have now given most of our adult lives to our craft. We have always been about wine – it was never a hobby or a fun investment for dollars earned in other fields. Every nickel we have is devoted to this endeavor. We believe in ourselves as winemen, as growers of the wine.
* We believe in the passion of other wine lovers. Our goal is to bring our vision of terroir to the marketplace, and to folks who get truly excited about what they taste in wine.
* In every bottle, you will taste our passion for and dedication to wine.
www.tandemwinery.com |
THE GRADE
Napa, CA |
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Few places in the world make the grade as a perfect place for producing the Cabernet Sauvignon grape like Winfield Vineyard at the base of Mount Saint Helena in Napa Valley.
It is that special combination of volcanic soils and cobbled rocks, warm days and cool nights, and naturally small crops. Under the watchful stewardship of a dedicated team, the land of paradise is expressed in this wine of rare balance, eloquence and complexity. Pull a cork and taste the place! Or in Stevenson’s parlance – be local…enter THE GRADE!
Winemaker Rudy Zuidema has crafted magnificent representation of this estate vineyard in THE GRADE. Combining Old and New World fermentation techniques, Rudy “makes” THE GRADE as a balanced fusion of concentrated fruits, rich aromatics and seamless textures.
THE GRADE has been enthusiastically received in the short time since its release in 2008. The Bounty Hunter, a nationally purveyor of rare wines and luxury lifestyle goods, calls the wine “a rising star” in its catalogue. Acme Fine Wines in St. Helena recently described THE GRADE in its newsletter as follows:
“The wine is simply impressive. The wine truly fits into our Acme portfolio. We make a point of finding enticing, quality-driven wines for our clients in every price range so long as they deliver. DAMN is it nice. Blueberries, brown sugar, rich and creamy. Find a new favorite – we did.”
www.thegradecellars.com/ |
VINS D'ORRANCE
Simonsberg, South Africa |
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Born and raised in France, to a family of Calvados producers, Christophe Durand moved to Cape Town in 1995. Beginning as a supplier of premium French wine barrels and very much involved in winemaking, it was only a matter of time until he brought together his knowledge and passion for fines wines into creating his own.
After putting his hands on a small and beautiful vineyard in the Simonsberg area, he created his own label, called “Vins D’Orrance”. Combining the best of both worlds, his first wine came to life as a beautiful Syrah 2001 called “Cuvee Ameena” dedicated to his oldest daughter.
After much success with the syrah, it was time to create another. In 2004, after sourcing some stunning grapes from the valley of Constantia, Christophe made his first Chardonnay “Cuvee Anais” named after his baby girl.
Both his wines are unpretentious and enjoyable, just like the man would like to describe himself. The wines are made with dedication, skill and intelligent oaking, complimenting rather than dominating the wine.
Christophe believes strongly in true tradition, and his philosophy is to interact as little as possible with the grapes. All pickings are done manually in light boxes and brought to the cellar where a meticulous selection is carried out.
Alcoholic fermentation occurs with the temperature closely monitored.
For the whites - all bunches are pressed, left for 24 hours to settle nicely, then racked straight into 225 litre Burgundian barrels where the alcoholic and malolactic fermentation will occur.
For the reds - partially de-stemmed with alcoholic fermentation occuring in open-topped fermenters during a period of two weeks with punch down twice a day.
Ageing is done 100% in barrels, 11 months for the whites and 18 months for the reds.
All whites are kept on clean lees with regular battonage and soft filtration before bottling.
The reds are also kept on primary lees, with no filtration, with only a white egg fining done two months before bottling.
Christophe is not looking for the perfect wine, but wants to make the best wine that his vineyard selection can give him, showing the true essence of the terroir.
www.vinsdorrance.co.za |
VON STRASSER ESTATE
Napa, CA |
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The history of the property reads like a who’s who of early California Cabernet History. After being denied a permit to turn his estate into a golf course, William Bounsall decided to subdivide his property, and in 1968 sold 1/3 of his property to Albert Brounstein. Canadian born, Al pioneered the modern decade of winemaking in this AVA by planting Cabernet Sauvignon in three distinct vineyard sites and bottling each separately under the name Diamond Creek Vineyards. The next year, 1969, Bounsall himself decided to get into the grape business and planted 2 acres to Cabernet Sauvignon with bud-wood from the famous Martha’s Vineyard. In 1978, Bill Roddis bought the Bounsall ranch and started Roddis Cellars. The wines were made by Andre Tcheistcheff, and in their days where considered by many to be the biggest wines made in the Napa Valley. In 1985, the winery was sold to the Gilby family (British gin), who used it as a corporate retreat. The vineyards, now totaling about 7 acres, were leased to Pine Ridge Winery, who bottled the grapes separately as their “Diamond Mountain” Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1990, Rudy and Rita von Strasser bought the property and began the fulfilling task of renovating and modernizing the estate and the vineyards to make the property one of the gems of Diamond Mountain.
The building that houses the winery is an historic barn that was built in the late 1880’s. Through careful planning it has been remodeled into a modern winemaking facility while retaining its working-ranch charm. To take full advantage of the hillside location and to better control the variables of winemaking, the von Strassers added caves to their property. Dug into the virgin hills, these caves retain an ideal climate for barrel aging, and average temperature of 55 degrees and an average humidity of 80%.
Rudy's winemaking philosophy centers on the concept that great wines are created in the vineyard and not in the winery. His most important winemaking tool is his palate: his ability to understand and analyze each vineyard’s wine potential through the tasting of the grapes. All of the grapes used in the von Strasser label are picked at their optimum ripeness when the flavors are peaking and the tannins have become ripe and soft. Based on these harvest decisions, the correct combination of fermentation and winemaking techniques (including cold soaking, fermentation temperatures, extended maceration, aeration, and an aggressive barrel program) are employed to maximize each vineyard’s potential. The end result is wine of great extract and a tannin complex which is both huge and soft at the same time. The resultant mouth feel is often described as being “chewy”, and makes these hillside wines both approachable when young, yet also worthy of further development with age.
www.vonstrasser.com |
WHITE COTTAGE RANCH
Napa, CA |
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Dennis and Adele Johns grew up together as high school sweethearts in St. Helena, the heart of Napa Valley. As the winemaker at St. Clement Vineyards for twenty years, Dennis established his reputation as an innovative and highly respected winemaker.
In the search to begin their own vineyard and winery, Dennis and Adele discovered that the last 65 acres of White Cottage Ranch, a historic 5000 acre cattle ranch dating from the 1800's, was for sale.
The most outstanding factor of the property was that this land was on Howell Mountain, an area recognized for growing exceptional red wine varietals for over 100 years. Dennis and Adele's firm belief that fine wines are 'grown' and not just vinted, coupled with plans to produce high quality red wines, forged the 1989 purchase of White Cottage Ranch.
In 1990, five different variations of resistant rootstock were planted based on the soil profiles. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were budded in 1991. The first crop was in 1993. Subsequently, they have added Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Syrah. A new winery was finished in the summer of 2005 and is now open by appointment to taste. The family produces small amounts of artisan crafted wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and a Sangiovese-Zinfandel blend they call "Ezivese".
www.whitecottageranch.com |
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