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40 years after Judgement of Paris – strange facts

April 6, 2016 by Joe Becerra

chardonnay-paris-block

These are the same vines that created the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay

40 years after Judgement of Paris – strange facts

Both Chateau Montelena and Stags Leap Wine Cellars are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the “Judgement of Paris.” It’s a great anniversary in wine and a great PR event for these two wineries and the entire Napa Valley wine industry. The blind tasting results shocked the world of wine and put the Napa Valley on the map as one of the great wine regions of the world. The tasting took place in Paris and was organized by Steven Spurrier, a London wine merchant. French wine experts blind tasted California wines against the great Bordeaux and White Burgundy wines of France. To the absolute shock of everyone, the top Cabernet Sauvignon was a 1973 Stags Leap Cellars and the top Chardonnay was a 1973 Chateau Montelena, both from the Napa Valley. If you would like to learn the full saga of this famous tasting, read George Taber’s “Judgement of Paris.” George Taber worked for Time Magazine at the time and was the only reporter present at the tasting. The book is a comprehensive look at the events leading up to the tasting, how the tasting was done, and the wine world’s reaction to the outcome. 40 years after the Judgement of Paris, a few strange facts remain that are seldom mentioned in reports of this historic wine tasting event.

Chardonnay grapes not all from the Napa Valley

chardonnay montelena

Agreement to sell Chardonnay

If you visit the Bacigalupi Vineyards’ tasting room near Healdsburg on Westside Road, you will see this framed document. It shows a 1973 agreement made by Charles Bacigalupi to sell 14.165 tons of Chardonnay grapes to Chateau Montelena. These grapes came from the Bacigalupi Vineyards in the Russian River Valley. These old Chardonnay vineyards near the tasting room are producing grapes to this day. It is also known that an additional 20 tons of the 1973 Montelena Chardonnay came from another grower in the Alexander Valley. Exactly how much of the Montelena Chardonnay came from the Napa Valley is not exactly known. We do know that Mike Grgich was then the winemaker at Chateau Montelena and produced this historic Chardonnay.

Stags Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Stags Leap 1972 Cabernet

1972 Cabernet

The reports stated that the 1973 Stags Leap Cellars was the first vintage produced by Warren Winiarski. Folks were raving about the astonishing fact that a first vintage produced by a winemaker could be so good. However, little known to but a few, this was not the first vintage for Stags Leap Wine Cellars. A 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon was produced and that was the first vintage at Stags Leap. Warren Winiarski was not happy with this wine and decided not to release the wine. But before that decision, some of the 1972 made into a few wine shops.

“Bottle Shock” movie loosely based on fact

It is rather amazing that a true factual movie of this event has not been made. Some of you have seen the movie “Bottle Shock.” It is an enjoyable movie but loosely based on the real facts of the Judgement of Paris. Mike Grgich, the winemaker at the time at Chateau Montelena, is not even mentioned in the movie. The saga of the Cabernet Sauvignon tasting is not featured. However, in the works is a film that will be based on George Taber’s book. The screenplay was written by Robert Mark Kamen of “Karate Kid,” “Lethal Weapon 3” and “A Walk in the Clouds” fame.

Additional Information on the 40th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris

  • Chateau Montelena Winery
  • Stags Leap Wine Cellars
  • Judgment of Paris

 

Filed Under: Wine Information, Wine News, Wine Tasting Events, Wine Tourism Tagged With: Chateau Montelena, George Taber, Judgement of Paris, Stags Leap Wine Cellars

Napa Valley Tasting Room Index 2016

March 24, 2016 by Joe Becerra

Napa tasting room fees

What will it cost you to taste wine in the Napa Valley?

What it will cost you to taste wine in the Napa Valley in 2016

This is our third year of calculating the Napa Valley Tasting Room Index.  Its purpose is to give travelers a rough estimate of what it costs in fees to taste wine in the Napa Valley.  We are using the same tasting rooms that we chose in 2014 and 2015. These are walk-in tasting rooms, with no appointment needed for the basic or entry level wine tasting. All of these tasting rooms are along Highway 29 and are visible from the road.  This is a totally unscientific collection of data, but it does show that the fees rise annually.  If two people visit 8 tasting rooms on the coming weekend, the total costs will come to $180.

Napa Valley Tasting Room Index 2016

These wine tasting fees represent the entry level wine tasting.
  • Alpha Omega – $30 for two reds and two whites
  • Beaulieu Vineyards –  $20 for four wines
  • Beringer Wines – $25 for three wines
  • Grgich Hills – $20 for five wines
  • Louis Martini – $25 for four red wines
  • Peju Province – $25
  • Provenance –  $25 for four red wines
  • Rutherford Grove -$25
  • Sequoia Grove – $20
  • Whitehall Lane – $15 for four wines
The Napa Valley Tasting Room Index for 2016 is an average of $23, as compared to $20 for 2015. The latest inflation rate for the United States is 1% through the 12 months ending in February 2016, as published by the U.S. government on March 16, 2016. Our Napa Valley Tasting Room Index rose 15% this past year, well above our national inflation rate.
  • Napa Valley 2014 Wine Tasting Index
  • Napa Valley 2015 Wine Tasting Index
  • Are tasting room fees too high in the Napa Valley?

Filed Under: Napa Valley, Tasting Rooms, Wine Information, Wine News Tagged With: Wine tasting fees

Two important Wine Country Charity Events

March 18, 2016 by Joe Becerra

#LakeCountyRising Charity Wine Auction

The devastating Valley Fire of 2015 destroyed many homes in Lake County. Please help the people of Lake County by your presence at the #LakeCountyRising Charity Wine Auction. Congressman Mike Thompson and grape grower Andy Beckstoffer will be present to assist the legendary auctioneer Fritz Hatton. The auction will take place on March 20, 2016 at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena. Proceeds from the action will be used to support the long-term rebuilding efforts in southern Lake County. Complete information on the action and to reserve your spot are at #LakeCountyRising – Recover, Rebuild, Renew.

Giving Kids Hope at Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa

This fundraising event will take place on May 21, 2016 at the Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa at 5:30 pm. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine is pleased to present GIVING KIDS HOPE, an exclusive and interactive food and wine experience featuring Sonoma winemakers from Cast Winery, Gregory James Winery, Paradise Ridge Winery and others. Proceeds will directly support the Research Institute for Children’s Health at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, which aims to improve outcomes for children who suffer from devastating diseases and disorders by accelerating breakthroughs into new treatments and cures. To learn more about the Research Institute for Children’s Health or about opportunities for sponsoring this event, please contact Patrick Savage at 216.368.1191 or [email protected]

A link to the Research Institute For Children’s Health may be found here http://casemed.case.edu/pediatrics/kid. The Institute was formed to further the work of the founder, Mitch Drumm, who discovered the gene which causes Cystic Fibrosis in the 1980s. Of further interest to wine lovers, Andy and David Beckstoffer will be in attendance, as will winemakers from Sonoma and Napa Valley.

Filed Under: Wine News, Wine Tasting Events Tagged With: Lake County Valley Fire

On the wine walk in Healdsburg

January 23, 2016 by Joe Becerra

We were in Healdsburg last Tuesday and Wednesday while El Niño gave us a break between storms. The sun began to play hide-and-seek, starting around noon on Tuesday. With the threat of showers in the forecast, we decided to spend the afternoon on a wine walk in Healdsburg. Our first stop was the Healdsburg Bar & Grill for lunch. It’s always a decent lunch, very casual and warm. The grill has a nice selection of wines by the glass. Janelle had the Buehler Chardonnay for $8, and I had the Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel for $10.

While on our wine walk, we took a look inside two new restaurants: Kinsmoke, in the location of the old Center Street Deli, gives an added alternative to food options in Healdsburg. Kinsmoke is all about barbecue. Food is available by the pound. The salads are centered around smoke and barbecue flavors. There is counter service so that wine country buffs can order food and head to the wineries for a picnic lunch. Folks we talked to said the food is fantastic.

healdsburg wine walk

Cool mural on the Healdsburg wine walk

The Persimmons Restaurant opened last week and is in the location of the closed Charcuterie restaurant. It also adds a new touch to the Healdsburg restaurant scene, Asian fusion food. Danny Ma is the chef, and he has partnered with the two Diaz Brothers who have other successful restaurant businesses in Healdsburg.  We will wait for our next trip to Healdsburg to try these charming restaurants, but we gave the new Ralph’s Martini House a try that night. 

On the wine walk in Healdsburg

Williamson tasting room

Williamson on Matheson Street

Williamson Winery

This is quite a wine tasting room! It is a favorite spot on even a quiet winter day in Healdsburg. There were at least four staff members working the tasting room. The cool thing about the Williamson tasting room is the complimentary tasting for the first four wines. Plus, each wine is paired with cheese dabbed with various spices, jellies, and nuts, depending on the wine. The food provides a useful learning tool with a before-and-after taste with the wine. All the food pairings work! For $10, you can try two of the very expensive red wines. They do a nice sell job in the tasting room, and now Williamson has over 4000 club members. With that number of wine club members, no distribution of their wines is needed. The 15,000 cases of wine produced are all sold out of the tasting room or their online wine shop. Janelle and I thought the wines were very good, but unfortunately a little on the pricey side. The Sauvignon Blanc, more in the style of a White Bordeaux or Sancerre, was $28. That’s just too steep for me to enjoy when I can find a good French version for $15 in a wine shop. However, the complimentary tasting is a definite draw. I do not believe any other tasting room on the Healdsburg wine walk* has complimentary tasting. The Williamson tasting room is open daily from 11am to 7 pm and is located at 134 Matheson Street.


Banshee tasting room

Banshee tasting room on 325 Center Street

Banshee Wines

Banshee is one of the few winery successes of the now-defunct Crushpad (make your own wine) in San Francisco. Three friends started Banshee back in 2007 at the Crushpad, and today they are wildly successful producing 40,000 cases of wine per year.  We loved the casual atmosphere of the Banshee tasting room. Lounging chairs and a sofa provide a relaxing and laid back environment. Our server, Brandon,  was low key, cordial, and very knowledgable. “No rush, no fuss,” could be the mantra at the Banshee tasting room. Tasting is $20 for six wines. The Banshee wines were more reasonably priced than at Williamson, plus there were more Pinot Noir wines to taste. One other nice extra at Banshee is the availability of wines by the glass or by the bottle. The Banshee tasting room is open daily from 11am to 7 pm.


Additional important Healdsburg Info

  • * There are as many as 25 tasting rooms in the town of  Healdsburg area –  see the listing  of our favorites
  • Dining in Healdsburg
  • Lodging in Healdsburg
  • Wineries and vineyards surrounding the area

Filed Under: Russian River Wine Country - Sonoma Cty., Tasting Rooms, Wine News Tagged With: Banshee tasting room, Healdsburg tasting rooms, Williamson tasting room

Zinfandel lovers – mark your calendars

January 9, 2016 by Janelle Becerra

Zinfandel lovers – mark your calendars for February 25 to 27

Zinfandel festival

Zinfandel galore at the ZinEX

I know that we have many Zinfandel lovers who come to the Wine Country Getaway’s Website to plan a trip to wineries producing wonderful Zinfandel wines. Here’s an easy way to get to a huge number of Zinfandel producers and taste their fantastic Zinfandel wines. It is ZinEx in San Francisco taking place Thursday, February 25 through Saturday, February 27. This year’s Zinfandel gathering will be even more special. 2016 ZinEx will be the 25th anniversary of this gathering of Zinfandel enthusiasts.

The happenings at this year’s ZinEX

Thursday, February 25 from 1:30 – 4 PM: A pre-event Trade and Media tasting* at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco. Joe and I will be attending this event and I will certainly report back to our readers on the highlights of this event. This tasting gives us the opportunity to meet and talk with winemakers about their latest Zinfandel releases.

*Please note that this Trade and Media tasting is not open to the public.

Thursday, February 25 from 5 to 7 PM: A 25-Year-Tribute Party held at the Bently Reserve celebrates ZAP’s 25th anniversary in resplendent style with a tasting featuring 60 winemakers. ZAP’s founders will be pouring cult collections, rare bottlings and vineyard designates. It’s a toast to legacy, inspiration and Zinfandel. There will be a special performance by Margaret Belton, the critically-acclaimed star of “Always…Patsy Cline.”

Friday, February 26 from 10:30 AM – 1 PM: Flights! “Forums of Flavor” takes place at the Bently Reserve.  This will feature a professional tasting seminar focused on highly allocated, limited production Zinfandels, tailored to wine aficionados. This year, ZAP is partnering with the Historic Vineyard Society to present wines from exceptional old vine Zinfandels.

Friday, February 26 from 5:30 to 10 PM: Join ZAP for an evening of dazzling indulgence during the Winemakers Dinner, Silver Anniversary Spectacular, in Bently Reserve’s Banking Hall. The intimate evening features celebrities of the wine world as 28 winemakers “pour it big” with magnums and reserve offerings. This is a chance to meet and talk with winemakers, who will host each dinner table.  The dinner will include a customized farm-to-table menu crafted with meticulous care. Live and silent auctions offer one-of-a-kind lots, rare bottles, and winery experiences with proceeds benefitting ZAP’s programming, education and Heritage Projects. There are two ticket levels available for this event: Reception & Silent Auction for $95/person; Reception, Silent Auction, Dinner & Live Auction for $295/person. To purchase, visit www.zinfandelexperience.com

Saturday, February 27 from 11 AM – 5 PM: Zinfandel enthusiasts will enjoy the opportunity to “Meet the Makers” during the Grand Tasting at Pier 27 in San Francisco. Located on the Embarcadero, with a spacious open floor plan and panoramic views of the bay, doors open at 11 AM for the exclusive Past, Present and Future Tasting for VIPs and all-day ticket holders. At this event, more than 150 winemakers and principals will pour samples and provide a “sneak peek” of upcoming vintages and special ‘Reserve’ Zinfandels. ZAP members will also be admitted at 1PM and non-members at 2PM, in time for the New Releases Tasting. Over 400 different wines will be poured by 150 leading Zinfandel producers. ZAP Heritage Club members will enjoy exclusive access to the Heritage Lounge on Saturday.

Complete ticket information go to: http://www.zinfandelexperience.com/

Gnarly old vine Zinfandel

Gnarly old vine Zinfandel

 

 

Filed Under: Wine Information, Wine News Tagged With: Zap Festival 2016, Zinfandel

Napa Valley Fall News

November 3, 2015 by Joe Becerra

November is one of our favorite times in the Napa Valley wine country. We love the colors and crispness in the air. November is much less crowded (Thanksgiving Weekend excepted) and it’s a lot easier to navigate the Valley. The same goes for December, but this year might be different with El Niño coming into play. Here is a bit of Napa Valley Fall news to help you plan your autumn excursions to the Napa Valley.

napa valley thanksgiving

Get ready for Fall and Winter activities in the Napa Valley

Napa Valley Fall News

2015 Napa Valley Film Festival

The opening night film for the 2015 Napa Valley Film Festival will be the world premiere of “Somm: Into the Bottle.” Jason Wise’s follow-up to 2013’s acclaimed “Somm” looks into the lives of some of the world’s most accomplished sommeliers and winemakers. The five-day Napa Valley Film Festival will screen 125 new independent films and host 150 wineries and 30 chefs, along with the actors and filmmakers. The festival takes place November 11 to 15. Complete festival events and additional information is at the 2015 Napa Valley Film Festival Website.

27th Annual Festival of Lights

The Friday after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, but it is anything but “dark” in the town of Yountville. On this day, the people of Yountville kick off the holiday season by transforming their town into a magical winter wonderland, using thousands of tiny twinkling lights. Yountville’s Festival of Lights invites friends, families, neighbors and visitors to come to the heart of one of the world’s most popular destinations to kick off the holiday season. The event takes place Friday, November 27, 2-6 pm. The Tasting bracelet includes: Access to the Grand Tasting Pavilion only; free entertainment during Festival of Lights; and, a tasting glass. $25 (adults 21 and over); $15 (Non-drinkers and ages 12 and over); Free (12 and under).

Sixth Winter in the Wineries Passport Series

The Calistoga Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau has announced the dates of its sixth Winter in the Wineries Passport Series, beginning Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, and ending on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Passports will be available for purchase online Nov. 2 at VisitCalistoga.com or by calling 707-942-6333. The passport price of $50 includes wine tastings at 15 Calistoga wineries in the Calistoga AVA, including the amazing Castello di Amorosa and the historic Chateau Montelena. The Passport also includes discounts on lodging and shopping in the Calistoga area. The Winter in the Wineries Passport Series is valued at an estimated $300 and considered the best value of tasting in Napa Valley.

Karen MacNeils’s Wine Bible 2nd Edition

Napa Valley’s own Karen MacNeil has released a 2nd edition of her fabulous Wine Bible. This famous wine reference book has completely been revised with new chapters and topics. It is one of those books to keep with you whenever you travel to the wine country or when having a glass of wine at home. The Wine Bible should be on every wine lover’s bookshelf.

Filed Under: Napa Valley, Wine News Tagged With: Activities in Yountville, Calistoga Passport, Karen McNeil Wine Bible, Napa Valley Film Festival

Monster wine trade at Caymus Vineyards

October 8, 2015 by Joe Becerra

Caymus Cabernet 1973

Mike’s trade bottles of Caymus Cabernet

Wine Trade at Caymus Vineyards nets Special Selection Cab

It never ceases to amaze me when my good friend and wine collector Mike Beltran works out a trade deal for his wine. I have been with Mike on a few of his amazing wine trades (Mondavi was remarkable), but I put this trade for Caymus wine in the monster category. Mike has been collecting wines since his mid-twenties. He was a career school teacher but on weekends and summers worked in wine retail. In those early years, he developed his wine palate as well as an instinct for collecting wine for pleasure and investment purposes.

Here is how the trade went down at Caymus Vineyards. In his vast wine collection, Mike found five bottles of Caymus Vinyeards Cabernet Sauvignon,  one bottle of  the 1973 vintage, three bottles of the 1974 vintage and one bottle of the 1975 vintage.  The first vintage of Caymus wine was in 1972.  Mike contacted the winery and exchanged emails with owner and winemaker Charlie Wagner’s assistant. Through his assistant, Charlie said he was interested in making a trade if the wines were authentic and in good condition. Mike arranged a meeting to bring the wine to the winery and meet with Charlie Wagner.  The offer from Charlie in his email was almost too good to be true. “For each of your wines, you will receive six bottles of the current release Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve.”  That sounded like an amazing deal, considering the Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cab sells for $160 a bottle at the Caymus online store.  So off we went to Caymus Vineyards. Caymus is located at 8700 Conn Creek Road in the Rutherford AVA of the Napa Valley. It is off the beaten path and surrounded by beautiful vineyard views in all directions. The disappointing part of the trade was that we did not get to meet Charlie Wagner. Charlie is one of the most well-known winemakers in the Napa Valley, and he and his parents are considered pioneers in the Napa Valley wine scene. The “Crush” is in full bore, so Charlie was called away just as we arrived. His assistant said he would look at the wines shortly and, in the meantime, we could taste the lineup of wines available in the Caymus tasting room.  As we finished our tasting, Mike got word that his wines were perfect. Soon one of the Caymus staff members came towards us, rolling a hand truck loaded with two and a half cases of Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon. Mike says he really made a great deal, and it surely seems like it. Charlie Wagner obviously was eager and happy to have these early-vintage wines and make this monster wine trade.  By the way, we did try the 2012 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon and indeed it is something special. The 2012 vintage in the Napa Valley is one of the best and this wine shows it. As I tasted this wine I wondered what it would be like ten years from now. I hope I find out!

caymus cabernet 1972

Mike on the left next to his wine cache

About visiting Caymus Vineyards

Caymus wine tasting

Caymus tasting area

Caymus is just about in the middle of the Napa Valley in the Rutherford AVA  and in between Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail. Visitors can taste four wines for $30, or can book an appointment for a sit-down tasting paired with cheese for $40. Check the Caymus Website for visiting options. For other nearby wineries, check our Silverado Trail Wine Route or our Highway 29 Boutique Wine Route.   If you’re looking for lodging or dining or other wine routes take a look at our Napa Valley Home Page.

Filed Under: Wine News Tagged With: Caymus Vineyards, wine trading

Plan Now for Thanksgiving Weekend in the Napa Valley

October 7, 2015 by joe

napa valley thanksgiving

Trinchero in the Napa Valley – Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving Weekend in the Napa Valley

One of the busiest weekends the entire year in the Napa Valley is Thanksgiving weekend. Family and friends visiting on Thanksgiving are likely to be staying through the weekend. One of the many things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area is to take family and friends to visit the Napa Valley wine country. Because of the popularity of this time of the year, it is best that you begin making your plans now. You want to be sure to book your lodging and make dinner reservations at one of your favorite restaurants.

Another nice option is a well-planned day trip. Head out early in the day and book a good restaurant for lunch. Better yet, if the weather is terrific, prepare a lavish and gourmet picnic lunch. Sitting in the fall- colored vineyards and enjoying lunch with a glass of chilled white wine has to make a lasting impression on your guests. Here is a list of Napa Valley wineries with picnic facilities.

The more planning you put into this trip the more likely your guests will have a memorable experience. You can watch our video on Napa Valley Travel Tips to get a good start. If your guests are wine newbies, a good tour on winemaking is in order. Book a tour at a winery where they have scheduled tours limited to a small number of people. Rubicon or Schramsberg would fit that bill but there are many others.

Try to visit some of the smaller wineries that are open only by appointment and are off the beaten path. If you hit the more popular wineries, you are likely to have a Disneyland experience and have to line up at the tasting room bar and wait your turn to taste. We have a great list of hidden wineries that you can view and select one or two to visit. Be prepared for all types of weather conditions. One day can be balmy and beautiful at 70 degrees and the next day could be cold and wet.

Be safe if you are the driver and use a spit cup when you taste or just bring your water bottle and enjoy the pure beauty of this wonderful wine country. If you stay in Calistoga, Yountville, or Napa you don’t really need a car for dinner. There are many great restaurants within easy walking distance from lodging.

Filed Under: Activities, Napa Valley, Tasting Rooms, Wine News Tagged With: Thanksgiving in Napa Valley

Pepe Galante and Bodega Salentein

October 2, 2015 by Joe Becerra

Pepe Galante

Pepe Galante on the right with Matias Bauza Moreno

Meeting Jose Antonio “Pepe” Galante – winemaker at Bodega Salentein

One of the benefits of wine blogging is an occasional invitation to meet with winery owners and winemakers.  This invitation was special. We were invited by Balzac Communications to a dinner with Pepe Galante. Pepe was here in the U.S. on tour to promote Bodega Salentein wines and to celebrate his 40 years of winemaking in Argentina. The dinner was held at the Osso Steakhouse on Nob Hill in San Francisco.  How fitting to have a dinner with Pepe at a famous San Francisco steakhouse. We know how much Argentina loves its beef.

Janelle and I, along with blogger friends Mike and Mary, had the good fortunate to visit Bodega Salentein in the Uco Valley of Mendoza in March of 2009.  That’s the harvest season in South America. We stayed in their wine lodge, Posada Salentein, for three nights.  Salentein is a first-class winery and wine lodge, with amazing views of the vineyards against the Andes Mountains. We were treated to wonderful meals, wine, and a tour and tasting at Bodega Salentein.  Salentein is owned by Mijndert Pon, a Dutchman who imported cars to Holland. The year after we visited Salentein, Pepe Galante was appointed as head winemaker at Bodega Salentein. Prior to that, Pepe had been the winemaker at the famous Bodega Catena Zapata winery in Mendoza, Argentina.

Our dinner at Osso was delicious, but more importantly was the chance to sit  and talk with Pepe Galante. He indeed is one of the great Argentine winemakers and recognized for his skills throughout the world. He has an amazing passion for creating wines at Salentein and for teaching young winemakers what he has learned over the past 40 vintages. He left Catena because he felt he needed a change and a new challenge. When Pepe explored the Salentein Vineyards, he was greatly impressed with the soils of the land and the higher-elevation vineyards. He immediate saw the potential in the terroir. The Salentein wines were good in 2009 when we visited and, after tasting our dinner wines, what a difference a winemaker can make! These wines are absolutely delicious.

We were treated to four fantastic wines with our dinner. First was from the Killka label, a more affordable line of wines. This wine was a refreshing Torrontes from Mendoza. We were also served a 100% single-vineyard Chardonnay. Wow! What an amazing Chardonnay, and in so many ways like a White Burgundy wine. These two wines were paired with traditional San Francisco crab cakes. I will get back to the Chardonnay shortly. With our delicious Filet Mignon entrée, we were were served two reds. We had a 100% Malbec and a 100% Cabernet Franc, both from Salentein’s high-end line of wines. Both wines paired very well with the veggies and the wonderful, juicy filet. As we finished dinner, Pepe poured himself a small glass of the Chardonnay. He noticed that I was curious about this, so he offered me a glass and said, “You will notice something more.” The Chardonnay flavor virtually exploded in my mouth, along with a finish of great depth. Pepe said that there is something about this Chardonnay that finishes off a heavy meal. Delightful!  I am always on the search for excellent wines at a value price. These Salentein wines are so much so. I have had good success locating Salentein’s Portillo, usually under $10,  and Bodega Salentein Reserve labels under $20. The single-vineyard wines we tasted range in price from $35-$65. Use wine-searcher.com to find Bodega Salentein wines near you.

If you have the chance to travel the wine country of Argentina, you should consider a stay at the Posada Salentein (lodging and dining) and a tour and tasting at the winery, Bodega Salentein.  Here is a little more information on Mendoza wine country of Argentina.

Our visit to Salentein

tour bodega salentein
Mary, Janelle, and Mike with tour guide

Bodega Salentein
Our private tasting room at Bodega Salentein
argentine grill
Beef ribs on the Argentine grill

Filed Under: Argentina, Wine Information, Wine News, Wine Tourism, Winemaker Tagged With: Bodega Salentein, Mendoza, Pepe Galante, Posada Salentein

The Last Time I Saw Lodi

August 17, 2015 by Joe Becerra

Wine Bloggers Conference 2016 will be in Lodi

“The last time I saw Lodi, the grapes were on the ground, and we went round and round and round, and ….”

Lodi wine country

Lodi’s downtown is fun!

Don Sherwood, at one time the most popular disc jockey in San Francisco, would sing this jingle often. It was a bit of poking fun at Lodi. Lodi still has an “out in the sticks” reputation. It is located in California’s Great Central Valley, at the northern end. It gets hot in Lodi and the land is flat and stretches far and wide. There are no spectacular mountains with long stretches of beautiful hillside vineyards.

When the announcement was made about next year’s onference, apparently most of the wine bloggers had never heard of Lodi. I could see it in their faces. Having the Wine Bloggers 2016 in Lodi will be huge for Lodi. It could make or break Lodi. 250 to 300 wine bloggers will attend this conference and these bloggers are social media titans. Their blog articles, Tweets, Instagrams, and Pinterest posts will reach thousands worldwide. That is not an exaggeration.

Great things about Lodi Wine Country

old vine zinfandel

Old Vine Zinfandel

There are some great things about Lodi wine country. Lodi has long been known for its Zinfandel. Lodi has some of oldest Zinfandel vines found anywhere. Lodi Zinfandels are big and robust and have a huge following. Many of the  vineyard owners have a long family history of farming in Lodi. Many Lodi grapes are sold to other wineries including wineries in the Napa Valley. Many vineyards in Lodi practice sustainable farming. The Lodi Appellation is vast and includes parts of Sacramento County and San Joaquin County. There are seven sub appellations within the Lodi appellation.  About 70 grape varieties are grown in Lodi including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Yes, it is hot in Lodi, but the Delta is nearby and an evening Delta breeze dramatically cools the vineyards.  There is also something new in Lodi wines, Spanish varieties. This is all happening because of Bokisch Vineyards. Liz & Markus Bokisch moved here from Spain and planted Spanish grapes. The resulting wines are terrific, and this has had a domino effect on Lodi. Now there are other wineries following Bokisch, and they are producing Spanish varietal wines. We like the downtown area of Lodi. It is very fun with many cool little “Mom and Pop” shops. The Wine & Roses Hotel is the classiest lodging in Lodi and is the venue for many Lodi wine events.

"We love Lodi wine country"

Winemaker Paul Scotto: “We love Lodi wine country”

I spoke with winemaker Paul Scotto, winemaker at Scotto Family Cellars, centered in Lodi. Paul is excited that the Wine Bloggers have chosen Lodi for the 2016 conference. He is confident the Lodi wineries will provide an exciting wine experience for wine bloggers.  The conference will take place from August 11 to 14, 2016. More information on the conference and registration can be found on the Wine Bloggers Website.

 

 

Here are some of our favorite Lodi wineries.

Where to stay in Lodi

 

 

Filed Under: Lodi, Wine News Tagged With: Wine Bloggers Conference 2016

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