HotCosts attends Russian River Passport Tasting

Russian River Passport is an annual event showcasing the wineries, vineyards and exceptional beauty of Russian River Valley . There are over 150 wineries and 300 growers in the Russian River Valley , producing a variety of world class wines to please any wine lover.  HotCosts attended to search for new, small-lot artesian wineries and to catch-up with some of the better known brands to see what’s been cookin at their estates.

Wineries up and down Russian River Valley, many of whom are not open to the public showcase their wine at this event.   Each winery offers special foods they select to complement their wines.  Some locations had live entertainment as well.
Arista Winery - paired Pinot Noir and grilled local lamb skewers with summer vegetables.
De La Montanya Winery & Vineyard - BBQ with live music with 2007 Pinot Noir right from the barrel. Also, a Reserve Pinot Noir Bar with 6, 2006 single vineyard Pinot Noirs.
De Loach Vineyards – the entire line of fine Russian River Wines, along with Laura Chenel’s Chevre, Fresh Goats Milk Log, a lovely cheese with both Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, Bellwhether Farms Carmody, a great match with Pinot Noir, and Joe Matos Cheese Factory “St. George” Portuguese style white Cheddar Cheese, delicious with both Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, Vella Pepper Jack, and an Oregon Cabot, and artisan breads from Cousteaux bakery.
C. Donatiello Winery - Pinot Noir and Acoustic Blues. Wines were paired with food samples from Duskie Estes and John Stewart of Zazu restaurant. Barrel tastings of the 2007 vintage of Russian River Pinot Noir as well as 2007 Christie Vineyard Chardonnay.
Harvest Moon Estate & Winery - stuffed mushrooms, mango prawns, BBQ grilled tri-tip, and live music along with barrel tastings of 2007 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir & 2007 Pitts Home Ranch Estate Zinfandel.
Matrix Winery - local breads and products of Sonoma County along with vintage Bordeaux Blends, Pinot and Chardonnay.
Moshin Vineyard - grilled to order Pinot pairings with the Bar-Bie.
Pellegrini/Olivet Lane Vineyard – gourmet food and wine pairings featuring local artisan cheeses, charcuterie and special pasta.
Russian Hill Estate Winery - Spanish paella cooked in the open air with fresh ingredients foraged from the sea. Paired with Pinot Noir and Patio Pink, our Rose of Pinot noir.
Russian River Vineyards — many wineries set-up camp at Russian River Vineyards in forestville for a Santa Maria style BBQ. Additional wineries included: Aubin Cellars, Dovetail Winery, David Noyes Winery, Kasuari, T.R. Elliott, Macrae Family Winery, Martin Ray Winery, Mietz Cellars and Olson Ogden.
Suncé Winery & Vineyard - Pulled Pork over homemade rolls and/or Beef Brisket and other fixin’s. Served with all their wines.
Windsor Oaks Vineyards & Winery - 10 of their winery partners poured their Windsor Oaks Bottlings at their promontory point overlooking their 720 acre ranch. Truffled mushroom soup and fire-roasted pork, and artisan chocolate tibits. Additional wineries included: Amphora Winery, Anthill Farms Winery, Dovetail Winery, Deerfield Ranch Winery, Eric/Kent Wine Cellars, jcole Wines, Kokomo Winery, Russian Hill Estate Winery and Terremoto Cellars.

 

HotCosts attends Santa Barbara Vintners Festival

The annual Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival featured the wines of 100+ members of the Association.  The weather was in the mid 50’s and felt more like the 40’s with the wind.  The festival as well laid out and we didn’t find any lines to try the wines.  In large events like these, you typically don’t run into the winemakers.  At this event, all seemed to be in attendance. 

Interaction with the winemakers gave HotCosts the opportunity to learn more about the different AVA’s and microclimates found within Santa Barbara County.  For example, Lompoc (pronounced Lom Poke) also known as the Santa Rita Hills AVA has a cool costal climate and many of the Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Syrahs come from here.  Just 15 minutes in land, you will find Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez AVAs suited to Rhone Varietals.  This area is hotter and drier.

We had an interesting conversation with a winemaker on rootstock and vine clones.  You may have seen this information in winemakers’ technical data on a wine you have purchased.  A rootstock is a plant (usually just the stump) that has established a root system to nourish the vine clone being grafted.  Growers choose the rootstock based on the varietal, soil and climate.  Most Cabs for example use a drought resistant rootstock. Vine clones are numbered or named after someone.  These clones can produce an amazing variety of flavors for the same grape varietal.  For example, consider the number and type of apples we have available.  All are apples but each type provides a very different taste.  This is the same with grapes.

There were many wineries in attendance and too large to name them all.  Below is a list of the smaller produces we visited and merit further review:
Au Bon Climat  - A winery known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Beckmen Vineyards –  Santa Ynez mountains, great Rhone varietals.  Check out the Mountain Grenache.
Blackjack Ranch Vineyards and Winery - Featured on Sideways, this winery is kicking out some great Chardonnay.  They are also know for the highly regarded Harmmonie but were obviously not pouring it at the event.
Carina Cellars - Known for their Syrah but heard the Iconclast (not tasted) which is a Cab Syrah blend is a must try.
Epiphany Cellars - Produces single vineyard wines to accentuate the terroir’s influence to the varietal.  Great Syrah’s along with lots of awards for the Rhone blend called Revelation.
Firestone Vineyards - Met with winemaker Kevin Willenborg at the event.  Tried the lesser know varietals that they produce; Chardonnay and Syrah.  Both were excellent!
Gainey Vineyard - Great Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noirs poured at the event.
Melville – Another Santa Rita Hills winery known for great Pinot Noirs.
Ovene Winery - This winery sources grapes through out Santa Barbara County.  They had a really nice Viogner and Chardonnay for the event.
Paige 23 Wines - Unique wines that are produced with food in mind.  Trying to enhance, not overpower the food, these wines had focused fruit flavors.  The Syrah had a small amount of Viogner added for acid balance.  Keep an eye out for this wine.
Presidio Vineyards and Winery - Certified organic and biodynamic vineyards, this produces makes small lot wines suited to the micro climates they grow in.  Loved the estated Syrah from the cool climate of the Santa Rita hills.
 Stolpman Vineyards - Also known as a source for great grapes for other premier winemakers, Stolpman keeps a few tons for their own label.  The Estate Syrah has all the classic components of pepper and spice along with a very balance dark berry fruit flavor.  Would love to try the Hilltop Syrah some day.

HotCosts Attends Californial Wine Festival

Wine, food, blues, sea and sun. These elements create a unique wine tasting experience at every California Wine Festival. A sunny seaside setting, hundreds of California’s best red and white wines, live blues music complemented by dozens of top chefs and specialty food purveyors serving gourmet appetizers, fresh cut fruits, grilled meats, artisan breads and cheeses and much more.  The event was great even though temps hit the high 80’s.  We visited the following wineries:
Calcerous Vineyards  Where the soil rules.  Loved Twisted Sister Bordeaux blend.
Edward Sellers Every winemaker in Paso raves about this guy.  “I like my wines, but he makes the wines I drink” said one winemaker.  They are focused on unique Rhone-style wines from Paso Robles.
Hahn Estates - Fantastic Pinot Noir from Monterrey.
Harvest Moon - Russian River Zin masters.  All excellent wines.  Found the Late Harvest Zin and stayed for an hour!
EOS - They were pouring an incredible Petite Syrah.  Look for it.
Howell Mountain Estates - Fine, balanced cab from Napa Valley’s premiere AVA.
IO Wines - Poured a fantastic Santa Barbara Rhone Blend.
Ironstone Vineyards - Nice reserve wines.
Tara Bella -  We found a great Cabernet from Sonoma, really rivals the great ones from Napa.
 

HotCosts attends Tobin James Zinfandel Festival

HotCosts attended the 11th Annual James Gang Zin Festival sponsored by Tobin James Cellars on Friday, March 14th.  One of the premire events of the Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, Tobin James made some nice changes for the event this year.  For example, in past years, you would wait on a hilly driveway if you arrived early.  Since most of us take tour buses to the event, we arrive early. This year, the early gang was moved to a flat driveway area just outside the tent entrance before the 7 PM official opening.  It was very cool of these guys to pour Merlot and Syrah Rose wines while we waiting for the official opening. Toby was out there to greet the crowd as well.  As always, he did a great job of story/joke telling with the gang.

    The wine poured included many of the best they offer including: 2006 Sauvignon Blanc “Sundance”, 2006 Chardonnay “Radiance”, 2006 Chardonnay “James Gang Reserve”, 2006 Syrah Rosé “Paradise”, 2005 Chateau Le Cacheflo, 2005 Sangiovese “Primo”, 2005 Merlot “Made in the Shade”, 2006 Zinfandel “Ballistic”, 2005 Syrah “Rock-N-Roll”, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon “Notorious”, 2005 Petite Sirah “Black Magic”, 2005 Late Harvest Zinfandel “Liquid Love”, 2006 Charisma “Dessert Wine”, 2005 Late Harvest Muscat “James Gang Reserve”, 2006 Zinfandel “James Gang Reserve”, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon “James Gang Reserve” and 2005 Estate Private Stash “James Gang Reserve”.

Along with 3 great bands playing through-out the winery, there were over 20 different food stands positioned in the 2 tents and tasting rooms.  Check out this Santa Maria style BBQ ala James Gang style:

        Many of the wines were strategically located close to the food stands that paired nicely with the wines.  Our favorite way to say goodnight was to pair the Liquid Love late harvest Zin with the brownies.   As always, these parties are for members of their wine club and HotCosts recommends this club to all.