Peter Stolpman

La Cuadrilla means the crew in Spanish. You’ll see these words printed on one of the Stolpman wines, a wine that’s the pride of their vineyard crew. Each year since 1994, the Stolpmans’ vineyard manager, Ruben Solorzano, gives his crew a two-acre block of land to farm on their own. By withholding any instructions for that block, the team is forced to farm proactively from pruning to harvest. Not only does this provide a unique education, but it also gives the team a sense of ownership in the vineyard. Each year a wine is made from that block, and the profits are given to the members of La Cuadrilla.

The Stolpmans say that La Cuadrilla is an invaluable asset in their quest to “vineyard craft” each of their wines. The Stolpmans look at their team as “the best of the best” and credit them for enabling the family to engage in complex and unprecedented vineyard practices that continuously allow them to push the envelope on quality.

I had a tour of the vineyard last year from Peter Stolpman who now runs the family business. As he enthusiastically described in great detail the techniques they use in various parts of their vineyard, I truly understood the concept of “vineyard crafting” a wine.

Peter’s parents bought the 220-acre property in the Ballard Canyon (Santa Barbara County) when he was eight years old. Coming from Long Beach, he loved his new dirt playground. He grew up watching his parents plant one block at a time, and then when he was a teenager they started making wine.

When Peter was ready for college, he made a choice to leave the vineyard. After graduating, he traveled the world learning about wine, making Shiraz in Australia and Sangiovese in Chianti Classico. He then came back to California and spent several years on the wholesale side of the wine business before moving back to Santa Barbara County in 2009 to take over the family vineyard and winery. Although Peter runs Stolpman now, he credits his staff for the quality of his wines. “I view Sashi (winemaker), Ruben and myself as a committee where they tell me what needs to happen and I figure how to make it work on paper.”

One of the vineyard practices Peter feels is most important is that of dry farming, which they apply to almost all of the sections of their vineyard (except the very young ones that need a little more nurturing). The concept of dry farming (also known as deficit farming) is about withholding water from the vines in order to make them struggle. The vine roots have to penetrate deeper in the soil to get the moisture and nutrients they crave. As a result, the vines naturally yield fewer, more concentrated grapes and better reflect the character of the vineyard.

Peter tells me that some of the best results of dry farming come through in their Syrah. “Syrah likes to get the shit kicked out of it,” he says. His syrahs are intense and concentrated. Each of the seven they make has a distinct flavor profile – no two are alike.

Syrah is one of my favorite grapes, and the Stolpman Syrahs are some of my favorites made in California. But I would be happy drinking any of the wines the Stolpmans make. They are all exceptional.

The Stolpmans have a cute little tasting room in Los Olivos (everything in Los Olivos is cute) where you can taste at least six of their wines (and the staff usually pops something extra on the weekends).

I recommend trying as many of their Syrahs as are available, particularly La Cuadrilla, the Roussanne (white) and any of their Sangioveses.

www.stolpmanvineyards.com

Each year I plan a November visit to the wine regions of the Sierra Foothills to photograph the amazing vistas of fall color and visit some of my favorite winemakers in California. Harvest (and the few weeks following) is the most romantic time of year to be in a vineyard; the vines are heavy with ripe fruit, or the fruit has been picked and the leaves are displaying a rainbow of beautiful colors. Here are my top tips for a wonderful weekend of wine tasting among the foothills of California.

Amador County: The Mother Lode of Wineries

Spanning eight different counties, the Sierra Foothills is one of the largest, most diverse AVAs in California, but I like to take it one county at a time. One of my favorite weekend getaways is to Amador County Wine Country. With so much to do—gourmet dining, hiking, antique shopping and Gold Rush town exploring—it’s sometimes hard to squeeze in the wine tasting! But Amador is my type of wine scene: small, family-owned wineries nestled along rural back roads with the snow-capped Sierras as the backdrop.

I recommend doing a loop through the part of the “Mother Lode” that includes the towns of Amador City, Sutter Creek, Jackson, and Volcano. I like to base myself in the town of Plymouth because it’s close to the wineries, but there are lovely little hotels and B&Bs throughout the whole region.

Arrive on Friday night and show up for your reservation at the multiple award-winning Taste restaurant in Plymouth (or take your chances with open seating at the wine bar). Begin exploring local wine producers by choosing from about 150 wines on the menu (also from Europe and other parts of California). Don’t skip dessert, particularly if they have the Chocolate Rose on the menu (dark chocolate mousse, rose petal gelato, walnut Florentine). Retire to your room, happy.

Pastries, Peppery Zins, and Picnic Lunches

The next morning, spend a couple hours hiking a portion of the 36-mile EBMUD trails in the Mokelumne area, stopping at Andrea’s bakery in Amador City on the way down for some coffee and pastries. These trails are open for hiking and horseback riding and traverse 31,000 acres of protected watershed along the Mokelumne River with pristine lakes, oak-studded canyons, and a wide array of wild life.

When you get back to Plymouth, pick up sandwiches at the Amador Vintage Market and head to your first winery, Terre Rouge, for a wine tasting and picnic lunch (weather permitting). When Bill Easton was seven years old, in the late 50s, his parents would drag him along to tasting rooms in the Sierra Foothills. Now Bill makes what I consider to be some of the greatest wines of the region. He is certainly one of the most knowledgeable and experienced winemakers of the foothills. And he and his wife, Jane, host some pretty fun wine and food events. I recommend their “Magnum Mania” weekend the first weekend in November to try a few special bottlings of their top tier wines – Syrah, Zinfandel, and Rhone blends.

After Terre Rouge, you don’t have to travel far to reach Vino Noceto. Owners Suzy and Jim Gullett consider themselves “California’s Sangiovese specialists,” but they also make other varietals such as Moscato Bianco, Barbera, and Zinfandel. They, too, host some fun events throughout the year. I liked their “Souper Sundays” in January last year as they paired winter soups from local restaurants with their wines. They are open daily and offer vineyard and winery tours year-round.

Also nearby is the newer Andis Winery. Its beautiful tasting room and winery are the most architecturally modern design in the area. The facility occupies a knoll on a 26-acre property, with a 30- to 40-year-old vineyard planted to Amador’s signature vine, head-pruned Zinfandel. If you’re in town for Terre Rouge’s Magnum Mania, you can make it to Andis’ Redneck BBQ Bash. Have you ever had baby back ribs with Zinfandel? It’s the perfect pairing!

Mac & Cheese? More Please.

After your big day, you’ll want to relax and then head to the town of Volcano to enjoy dinner at Taste’s sister restaurant, the more casual Union Pub. Meals are described as “comfort food with a seasonal emphasis.” While everything on their menu looks amazing (you might want to go back on Sunday too), the crispy duck wing appetizer, Union burger, and fried chicken with smoked cheddar mac and cheese are to-die-for. They also offer a great selection of seasonal beers and local wines, shuffleboard and darts, as well as live music on Sundays from 4 to 6pm. They have a four-bedroom bed and breakfast where I plan to stay on my next romantic excursion (cue new boyfriend).

Sunday you’ll want to split the day between wine tasting and visiting the Gold Rush-era towns, starting with the picturesque Sutter Creek. Sutter Creek is Amador County’s most walkable town with beautiful, well-preserved old storefronts. So what should you do in Sutter Creek? Walk! Take a self-guided historical walking tour. You can pick up a map at the Sutter Creek Visitors Center or download and print one by clicking here. Then stop at the Sutter Creek Cheese Shoppe and have them pack you a cheese picnic for later.

Next stop is Jackson. Book lovers, beware. You might lose hours of your day if you step into Hein & Co., a used and rare bookstore spanning two floors packed floor-to-ceiling with approximately 600,000 books. Really, if you are a book lover, this is not to be missed. Antique shoppers might want to stop at the Water Street Antiques warehouse. Its showroom is in Sutter Creek but the warehouse is in Jackson.

Indian Artifacts & Top Secret Dining Tips

For an all together different type of vacation, you can camp at Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park in Pine Grove (bring your kids and RV). Or just squeeze in a visit when you are in the area. The 135-acre park preserves a great outcropping of marbleized limestone with some 1,185 mortar holes—the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America. This is the only park in America dedicated to the culture of the Miwok Native Americans, Amador County’s earliest occupants. The park is so impressive, a replica was made for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

By now, you’ll probably be ready for your wine fix, although didn’t it feel good to get a healthy dose of American culture? You’ll want to visit Wilderotter, Dillian, and if time allows, an old classic, Amador Foothill Winery. If you did pick up a cheese picnic, you can enjoy it on the patio at Wilderotter.

If you need a snack before heading out of town (don’t tell anyone I told you this), here’s a tip from a winemaker friend who admitted this guilty pleasure: he gets “broasted chicken” from the Shell station in Plymouth (near the Shenandoah Inn). It’s a pressure-cooked deep-fried chicken that, yes, is sold at the local gas station and is said to be absolutely delicious.

So there you have it. From gourmet dining and wine tasting to hiking and history, Amador County has it all. And for great hotels deals throughout Amador County, click here.

You can make a special trip to Amador County or stop over on your way to South Lake Tahoe. The wineries are just a 45-minutes drive from Sacramento and two hours from the San Francisco Bay Area. Not only do the wines of this region offer exceptional values (plus most tasting rooms are free right now), but you get a glimpse back to the time of California’s early ancestors, explorers, miners, gamblers, farmers and wine growers.

When I first met Brandon Sparks-Gillis, he was speaking passionately about rocks. He was holding one in his hand – a grayish green-colored rock called Serpentinite. It came from the vineyard where he grows his Sauvignon Blanc in a new appellation called Happy Canyon (sounds like a great place, right?). Brandon often carries rocks around with him to help tell his story. The Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc has a wonderful combination of intense tropical fruit flavors and minerality, which wouldn’t be possible without the Serpentinite.

Brandon started Dragonette with two business partners who share their names with the winery: brothers Steve and John Dragonette. It all began with a friendship bound by wine. John was a lawyer, Steve was a software engineer and Brandon was traveling around with a band from Colorado. John, with a vision of making his own wine someday and wanting to taste as many wines as possible, took a break from law to work at a great wine shop in Los Angeles called Wally’s. Brandon, who had a similar vision at the same time, started working there too. With a selection of 8,000 plus wines, Wally’s was the perfect environment to train their palates and taste benchmark wines from around the world – the wines that would later give inspiration to the Dragonette wines.

When the three friends decided to start making some wine of their own, they weren’t completely without winemaking experience. Brandon had worked at a vineyard in Colorado, and both John and Brandon were able to get hands-on experience after Wally’s with some of the top wineries and viticulturists of the world: Sine Qua Non, Torbreck, Fiddlehead Cellars, Demetria Estate and Coastal Vineyard Care.

In 2003 the partners purchased a small batch of grapes from the Los Olivos area, not far from where most of their grapes are grown today. They picked and stomped themselves and made their first barrel of wine together in John’s garage. Now they have a slightly larger operation although the business is still 100% owned and operated by the partners and their family members.

I visited their tasting room in Los Olivos recently (a cute little town – I recommend a visit) and spent the morning with John who I was just meeting for the first time. I was struck by the contrast between him and Brandon: John was clean-shaven with short, neatly combed hair, wearing a striped v-neck knit shirt. Brandon often has long hair and a goatee, wears plaid shirts and carries rocks. They might not be two people you would expect to be friends. But wine brought them together.

Before we went to the vineyards, John showed me the large map on the wall of their tasting room. It is a map of the Santa Barbara County grape-growing region, including their vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Ynez Valley. John explained that Santa Barbara County is among the most diverse regions in the world and, within a relatively small area, has the “sweet spots” for growing the three grape varieties with which they wanted to work: Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah. Each of these grapes thrives in very different environments. From their vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills to the west, where they grow Pinot Noir, to their easternmost vineyard in Happy Canyon, a distance of just 35 miles, there could be up to a 30-degree temperature difference (about 1 degree warmer for every mile inland).

The three friends keep busy at harvest time driving to 19 different vineyard sites. Brandon was once advised to hire someone to do the vineyard work so he could spend his time on the road selling wine or managing the business. And he responded, “But I love doing this!”

The partners at Dragonette all want to be personally involved in the vineyards and winemaking. They love making small batches of wine from various grapes and many sites, even though it would be far less work making fewer wines in larger batches.

Dragonette is about passion, friendship and making exceptional wine. I really enjoy the wines from this part of California and Dragonette expresses what’s truly special about the area. The wines are incredibly balanced with enough fruit intensity, depth and weight to be instantly likeable, but with a freshness and vibrancy that’s only possible in the cooler climates of the state. It’s obvious their wine was born from experience, from tasting the great wines of the world to working in top vineyards and wineries. I knew these wines would be special from the moment I heard Brandon talking about rocks.

I highly recommend a visit to the Dragonette tasting room in Los Olivos as well as purchasing some of my favorites:

Any Sauvignon Blanc you can get your hands on. Their SB’s are some of the best I’ve had from California.

2010 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills (look for the next vintage due out soon)

2010 Pinot Noir “Black Label”

2010 Seven (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre named after the seven vineyards from which the fruit comes)

(Note: Many of the wines show up as “sold out” on their website, but they are about to release new vintages so get on their mailing list!)

http://dragonettecellars.com/

It’s easy to lose orientation in the Santa Cruz Mountains, looping through miles of thick redwood trunks on narrow, winding roads that rise and fall in elevation. Despite the fact that one of my favorite vineyards is on Memory Lane, I can never remember how to get there and get lost every time I go. But I always enjoy the journey.

The Santa Cruz Mountains is one of the most rugged and diverse wine regions in California. It’s also one of the most underappreciated, which is due to its size rather than the quality of the wines. There are only 80 wineries and 1,500 acres planted to vines in the Santa Cruz Mountains, compared to Sonoma County, which has 300 wineries and 60,000 acres planted to vines.

My favorite vineyard in the Santa Cruz wine region now has a tasting room conveniently located in the town of Saratoga. Stop in at Big Basin Vineyards and say hello to the tasting room manager, Andy. If you are there on a Friday or Saturday between 4 and 7pm, take advantage of their Happy Hour deal of 50% off your first glass of wine. The wines are exceptional and the atmosphere intimate, friendly, and serene. Enjoy browsing artwork from local music-inspired artist Matt Jones.

For more wine tasting, visit Cinnabar and enjoy live music on the patio of its wine bar on Fridays from 5-7pm May-September. If that’s not enough music, you can see a concert at nearby Mountain Winery, the first winery built in the area (1907), and sit in a 2,500-seat outdoor amphitheater with a 12th century Spanish portal as the backdrop to the stage. Their summer series concerts run from July to September.

Grab dinner at many of the fine dining restaurants in walking distance from the tasting rooms. Enjoy authentic Michoacan (Mexican) at Casa de Cobre or its sister restaurant, The Basin. For a more casual option, drive 15 minutes to Los Gatos and eat at Los Gatos Brewing Company.

Spend the next day hiking amongst old growth Redwoods in Big Basin State Park, the first state park in California. For serious backpackers and hikers, the Skyline-to-Sea Trail is considered the best long-distance (around 30 miles) hike in the Bay Area, but there are plenty of shorter hikes in the park.

Another option for a day trip from Saratoga is hiking one of the shorter trails in Castle Rock State Park and a tasting and picnic at Ridge Vineyards. Nestled high up in the mountains and surrounded by some of the oldest vineyards in the region, this winery is worth the drive up the mountain.

If you are going to Big Basin by way of Felton or Boulder Creek, stop and pick up lunch for the road at New Leaf Market in Boulder Creek. There are five New Leaf Markets in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and they are great options for fresh, local, organic and gluten-free foods. If you want to stay overnight, I recommend the tent cabins in Big Basin State Park.

For a more low-key weekend, look for yoga retreats at Samantha Shatki’s studio at Big Basin Vineyards (yes, the actual vineyard) in Boulder Creek. The studio is on the second floor of the winery, overlooking the vineyard and the surrounding Redwood forest. Check the website for schedules as the retreats are infrequent.

There is no better way to appreciate the giant redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains than from a canopy 150 feet off the ground. Redwood Canopy Tours offers eco-friendly adventures including a two-hour zip-line tour with certified guides sharing their extensive ecological knowledge and history of the redwood forest. Don’t be put off by its affiliation with the religious Mount Hermon Camps. The canopy tours are religion-free, although you might feel like praying when you take your first leap.

Continue your nature expedition and hike the Fall Creek Trail in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. If you like to get away from the crowds, this part of the park gets fewer visitors. Hikers with an historical interest will enjoy traveling to the old limekilns. Don’t forget to pick up lunch at New Leaf Market in Felton.

Getting back to wine, spend some time at the secluded Beauregard Vineyards. Sit outside, relax, and take in the smell of the woods and view of the Monterey Bay. If you want go camping in the Santa Cruz area, New Brighton State Beach is a great option in the spring or fall. Book far in advance if you plan to go in the summer.

If camping isn’t your thing and you want to stay off the beaten path, head to the town of Aptos. The Best Western Plus Seacliff Inn is reasonably priced and within walking distance to Seacliff State Beach. Spend the evening at the hotel’s Severino’s Bar and Grill and enjoy a tasty meal, live music, and local vibe.

Foodies will enjoy one of the two French restaurants in Aptos, Au Midi and Ma Maison. They are sister restaurants with Au Midi on the more casual side, although the prices are not so casual. Reservations are recommended. If you’re still in your hiking clothes or just want a no-frills, delicious old-fashioned barbeque, Aptos St. Barbeque is a local favorite.

Before you head home, take a side trip to one of my other favorite wineries in the region, Windy Oaks. The vineyard is easy to miss but well worth the number of times you have to turn around to try again. The tasting room is open most Saturdays from noon to 5pm (call ahead or check their website before you go). Bring a picnic to enjoy on the patio or up on the vineyard ridge. With advance reservations and a party between two and six people, you can do a private walking tour of the vineyard. Owners Jim and Judy Schultz make the experience warm and personal.

Everything I’ve mentioned above is just a fraction of the things to see and do in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a place rich with history, nature, food, and wine. A one-day trip won’t be enough and you’ll want to allow plenty of time for getting lost, so plan to go for a weekend trip. You can count on an adventure every time, no matter which path you choose.

When you think of summer wine festivals, does your mind go to sunshine? Of course it does! Well, leave it to me to recommend wine festivals in August that take place in two of the coldest, foggiest summer climates in the world: the Sonoma Coast and San Francisco. Cold weather is not a guarantee; I have been surprised in the past. However, it is likely. But if I’m going to brave the cold (I hate the cold more than most people), you can too! Believe me, it is well worth it to be able to taste some rare, wonderful wines while enjoying exceptional food and music.

West of West Wine Festival, Occidental, Friday-Sunday, August 3-5

Experience first-hand the extraordinary wine, food and culture of the West Sonoma Coast at the West of West (WOW) Wine Festival, which offers wine lovers an insider taste of some of the most acclaimed cool-climate Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Syrahs on the market today. Created by the West Sonoma Coast Vintners, an association of wineries and growers on Sonoma’s coastline, WOW will be held just one hour north of San Francisco in the quaint coastal hamlet of Occidental.

WOW gives you unparalleled access to small production, limited release wines tasted in the terroir where they were grown. The Festival begins with Welcome Dinners hosted by member wineries on Friday night, August 3rd. These dinners offer a rare opportunity to dine with winemakers in their home or winery. Saturday begins with morning seminars, interviews and flight tastings, followed by the first of two Grand Tastings on Saturday afternoon and Whole Hog Feast Celebration in the evening. On Sunday, at the second Grand Tasting, you’ll be able to taste any wines you missed on Saturday.

Festival Information

Yorkville Highlands Wine Festival – 10th Anniversary Festival Celebration, Yorkville Cellars Yorkville, CA, August 4th

Once a year in August, the Yorkville Highlands Growers and Vintners Association hosts the Yorkville Highlands Wine Festival in the scenic hills of southern Mendocino County. This year’s festival celebrates the 10th anniversary of sharing the delights from one of California’s most remarkable and romantic appellations. Highlights include tasting award-winning Yorkville wines made and grown within the region, delicious regional cuisine, music, a tempting silent auction, grape stomp and other wild and wacky games.

Festival Information

Wine Lands at Outside Lands, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, Aug. 10-12

This huge festival in Golden Gate Park has not only an incredible lineup of music (about 70 bands over three days) but also a great lineup of wine! Headliners for music this year are Neil Young, Metallica and Stevie Wonder. I’ll be working in the wine tent (Wine Lands) Friday and Saturday. Look for Qupe winery!

“Outside Lands is not just a rock concert. It’s an all-encompassing concept – a miniature city that rises in the middle of the park and bustles with great local food, beautiful people and nonstop music from every imaginable genre on about a half dozen stages.”

-SF Chronicle

Outside Lands Information

Monterey’s 20^th Annual Winemaker’s Celebration, Carmel, August 11^th

Meet the winemakers and taste from over 40 Monterey County wineries and 150 wines. Enjoy live music provided by Red Beans & Rice, indulge in great local food from the Barnyard Restaurants and make wine purchases from the “Try and Buy” Wine Marketplace.

Winemaker’s Celebration Info

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, August 31^st- Sept. 2

Discover the diversity and world-class quality of the region’s artisanal wine and food. Two main events, Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch on Saturday, August 31st and Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction presented by TricorBraun WinePak on Sunday, September 2nd are the signature attractions. More than 170 wineries and 60 chefs offer their wines and food for sampling at Taste of Sonoma, which also includes wine seminars, chef demonstrations, vineyard experiences and a top chef competition.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Info

Three generations of Nardis. Claudio, Ivo & five brothers make up the third.

Ivo and Claudio Nardi run their family winery in the hills of Veneto in the northeast of Italy. Encouraged by their father and mother, in 1985 they converted the family’s vineyard to organic and became leaders in organic and biodynamic farming in Italy. Ivo says that during his agricultural studies, he became aware of the earth’s vulnerability and limited resources. For him, this became the “project of a lifetime.”

The Nardi family was among the first ten wine producers in Italy to experiment with organic farming. They produced the first organic wines in the Prosecco area, and their “Animae” was the first sulfite-free sparkling wine in the world. Viticulturalists all over Italy pay a visit to Perlage before converting their own vineyards to organic. Ivo says, “We have a dream not just to be organic but that all of the production of DOCG Prosecco becomes organic.” (DOCG is the highest quality designation for a particular region).

Nardi brothers and Tiziano, father (back)

Their Animae was not an easy undertaking. Sulfite-free sparkling wine was considered almost impossible. For one, the sulfites that occur naturally in wine tend to be higher after the second fermentation of a sparkling wine. So they had to find a special yeast to use for their fermentations. Animae strayed so much from the typically produced “spumante,” they referred to it as “a wine far away in time.”

So why did they take on this challenge? The Nardis say, “Animae makes the real soul of the Prosecco DOCG come out, with its full primary aromas, the intact perfumes of the grapes and all the intensity of a bouquet that from the vineyard arrives to the glass, straight and with no external influence.” Simply put, they are purists. They believe that to achieve the greatest expression of the vineyard and region, the wine needs to be made completely natural.

It’s even more impressive that they took it this far knowing that organic requirements in Italy are less rigid (in regards to sulfites) than in the U.S. In the U.S., if a wine is labeled organic, it has to be 100% sulfite-free. But in Europe an organic wine can still contain a low level of sulfites.

I typically prefer wines “made using organic grapes” versus organic wine because, without sulfites, a wine can become unstable. It is vulnerable to threats like bacteria and spoilage if not made in just the right manner.  It has to be handled delicately from vineyard to bottle. Animae traveled across the world and still tastes delicious. That’s impressive!

The Nardi family makes a variety of organic wines, including a tasty little Sangiovese that sells for under $10, but their Animae is something really special. It is elegant and complex with a nice balance of creaminess and fresh liveliness. If there is a wine that can change my mind about sulfite-free, it is this one. Bravo!

“The earth’s resources are limited and we must handle them with care to give equal opportunities to our children.”

-Ivo Nardi

Owner, Bradley Brown

I had a near-perfect day on Sunday.  I attended Big Basin Vineyard’s Spring Release Celebration in the Santa Cruz Mountains, one of just two days a year owner Bradley Brown opens his winery to the public. Bradley’s vineyard is just up the road from the Big Basin Redwood State Park. The views of the tree-covered mountains from the top of his vineyard are spectacular.

Bradley knows how to throw a party with live music, artisan sausages and cheeses and a local artist painting one of Bradley’s future wine labels. Throw in an 80-degree day, a hike through the vineyard and multiple vintages of Bradley’s Pinot Noir and Syrah, you can’t go wrong.

One of the highlights for me was his new 2011 Wirz Riesling made from 40-year-old vines in the Cienega Valley near Hollister with wonderfully pure, intense fruit and a touch of minerality. This, Bradley says, is meant for his Saratoga tasting room’s new patio. Even more exciting was the 2008 Frenchie’s Ranch Syrah, a tribute to the winery’s rich history and made from grapes grown on Bradley’s best vineyard block, Rattlesnake Rock (there really are rattlesnakes here!). This is Bradley’s consummate wine, and it really shows off what his vineyard is capable of. He only makes 70 cases.

It's Spring! Vines are flowering.

Big Basin Vineyards has a great story, which I wrote about last year. Read it and you’ll get a real understanding of the hard work and dedication behind one small grape-growing pioneer in pursuit of a vision. Big Basin Vineyards: The Wild West

Bradley’s wines are all very limited in production, and some are only available to his wine club members or through his tasting room. But if you can get your hands on even one bottle of any of the wines listed here, I highly recommend doing so.

Why was it not a perfect day, you may ask? Because I wasn’t there long enough!

2011 Wirz Riesling

2011 Rosé (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre)

2009 Woodruff Family Vineyard Pint Noir

2008 Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot Noir

2009 Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot Noir

2008 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah

2008 Frenchie’s Ranch Syrah

bigbasinvineyards.com

Bulmaro and Mara Montes

Bulmaro Montes says that he and his brother have more than 90 years’ experience growing grapes. He means 90 years combined, of course. Still, there aren’t many grape growers who can make such a claim. Bulmaro and Manuel are 63 and 72 years old, two of the oldest active growers in the Napa Valley. They are the only people who touch the vines at 2.6-acre Marita’s Vineyard.

Bulmaro left his family in Mexico when he was 16 to join his father working in the fields and vineyards of the Napa Valley. His father taught him to farm. Back then they were farming with horses and working 10-hour days, 7 days a week for $1.25 an hour. Now he sells his Marita’s Vineyard Cabernet for $150 a bottle.

I visited Bulmaro at his vineyard, which is located in Coombsville, the newest AVA (American Viticultural Area) in the Napa Valley. The region is not new to grape growing though – the first grapes were planted around 1870. There are only about 25 wineries in Coombsville, perhaps the reason it took so long to become an official AVA. The wines differ from those of neighboring regions due to a cooler growing season, an effect of nearby San Pablo Bay and Napa River.

I sat on Bulmaro’s porch overlooking the vineyard. It was a typical Napa winter day, about 65 degrees and sunny. A rooster crowed in the background as Bulmaro’s cat hunted for rodents in the vineyard. It felt like a farmer’s life. When I asked Bulmaro why he decided to plant a vineyard this late in his career (the first vintage was 2005), he told me, “It’s for my family.”

His daughters, Mara and Sophia, help with running and promoting the business. They still keep their part-time jobs while building the business, but they look forward to focusing on the winery full time some day. “It’s a lot of work and at times stressful. But it’s okay. It’s for the family,” says younger daughter, Mara, after whom the vineyard was named.

We are not winemakers, we are wine growers,” Bulmaro tells me. He says that tending to only 5,000 vines is relaxing compared to when he looked after 750 acres as vineyard manager for famed Joseph Phelps winery (producer of Insignia) where he worked for 30 years. Manuel had also worked at Joseph Phelps where he used his remarkable craft of “water witching” to seek out underground sources of water.

“Few people are doing what we do, making it all from scratch,” he says. He talks about how many of the wines produced in Napa come from “companies” rather than owner/grower/winemakers. “Our company is right here.” He gestures to Mara standing proudly at his side, ready to take on all that comes her way.

They make only small amounts of two wines – the Marita’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and SOMA, which incorporates the two daughters’ names. The SOMA is more suited to the palates of the women of the family – graceful and fruit forward with gentle tannins. The Marita’s Cabernet, Bulmaro’s pride and joy, is more powerful and concentrated with firm tannins.

Bulmaro has avoided using chemicals in the vineyard from the beginning. He was fortunate to have fought and won a battle with cancer several years ago, but he believes there was a correlation between the chemicals he was exposed to in the vineyards and his illness. For this reason, he farms 100% pesticide-free, preserving the health of his family and the vines.

A visit to Marita’s is a rich experience that touches on all the senses – the sights and sounds of the vineyard, a flavorful, impeccably presented meal and wines that are silky in texture and layered on the palate. I tasted both the 2006 SOMA and Marita’s Vineyard Cabernet with tapas prepared by Pilar, Mara and Sophia’s godmother, who incorporates recipes from her home city of Barcelona. She made delicious crostinis, one with fresh tomato, olive oil and prosciutto and another with Gorgonzola cheese and sautéed crimini mushrooms, as well as a fluffy Spanish tortilla (potato omelette). This is how all wine should be tasted!

The Marita’s Vineyard wines have enough acid and tannin to age gracefully, but they are certainly enjoyable now. If you ask Bulmaro when he thinks you should drink them, he says, “Why wait?”

Marita’s Vineyard Website

Spring has arrived and it’s time for a road trip. Some of my favorite wine regions are stunning at this time of year. Places like the Sierra Foothills and Santa Cruz Mountains offer endless opportunities for adventure from wine tasting to hiking to zip-lining through a redwood forest. You won’t want to rush. Take the whole weekend!

April 14-15 and April 21-22

El Dorado County Passport Weekends

Passport weekends are a great way to get to know a region. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the people behind the wines, taste from barrels and enjoy wines that aren’t always available for public tastings.

Eldorado County is one of my favorite regions in California. It’s charming and rustic – a true countryside.

Passport Weekend Info

April 14-15

Vertical V Tasting at Terre Rouge Winery, Amador County

Taste three sets of three consecutive vintages: 07/08/09 Enigma, 04/05/06 High Slopes Syrah and 04/05/06 Estate Zinfandel. Complimentary tasting with an array of cheeses. Fun!

Terre Rouge Events

April 19

Mountains to Metro, Portland, Oregon

Features wines from Chehalem Mountains and Ribbon Ridge AVAs in the greater Willamette Valley of Oregon. The wineries participating, more than 35, include some of the best in the region.

Mountains to Metro Website

April 21

Santa Cruz Mountains Passport day

Meet the producers of this unique mountain grape growing region. Taste wines and visit small wineries that aren’t always available to the public. Enjoy some of the most beautiful natural surroundings of any California wine region.

Passport Day Info

April 21 & 22

Big Basin Spring Harvest Celebration

This is one of the few days of the year when owner Bradley Brown opens his winery doors to the public. His wines are some of my favorites in the region. Taste his new releases, enjoy live music and take the time to hike to the top of his vineyard for panoramic views of the redwood-covered mountains.

Spring Harvest Celebration at the Winery

April 22

Earth Day Food & Wine Tasting, Templeton, San Luis Obispo County

Indulge for a day with locally-sourced fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese, olive oils, chocolates and more. More than 200 purveyors of sustainably produced food and wine will be showing off their goods: growers, vintners and chefs. Top it all off with live music and dancing. “We think you’ll see that for a bunch of farmers dedicated to sustainability and nurturing the earth, we sure know how to throw one heck of a party!”

Earth and Food Day Info

April 26 – 28

Hospice du Rhone, Paso Robles

For the past 20 years, three days in the late spring have been reserved for an exclusive weekend surrounding all things Rhône. This event is simply a blast. There is an amazing selection of wines to taste each day from importers and producers, educational seminars and delicious dinners and bar gatherings in the evenings. Warning: you’ll need at least a day to recover.

Hospice du Rhone Website

April 28-29

23rd Annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, CA

Celebrate the generations of farmers, vintners and families that are the roots of the Dry Creek Valley wine region. Passport guests are welcomed into 50 wineries throughout Dry Creek Valley, each a unique destination offering pairings of wine, gourmet food and great entertainment.

Passport Weekend Info

April 28th, 2012 11am-5pm

12th Annual Open House at Vino Noceto, Amador County

Sangiovese specialist Vino Noceto celebrates the release of their estate-bottled, limited production Sangiovese. Hosts and owners Suzy and Jim present their lineup of Sangioveses and other Italian varietals alongside a gourmet lunch and blues music.

Vino Noceto Events

Walter Georis takes multi-tasking to a whole new level. He owns a winery, a vineyard, three restaurants and a record label. He is an artist, musician and grape grower. Fortunately he had the sense to hire a winemaker as he couldn’t possibly master one more thing! And it’s an interesting story how he found his winemaker, Damien Georis (no relation), an import from Bordeaux. It seems Walter has a life full of good stories.

One is about “Vincent Van Gogh’s Table” which sits in a small private dining room at Walter’s rustic French/Italian-inspired restaurant, Casanova, in Carmel, California. Van Gogh dined at this table in the final 70 days of his life while boarding at the Auberge Ravoux in Auvers-Sur-Oise, a small artist’s village 22 miles northwest of Paris. In 2002, Walter and his family visited the Auberge, which now houses a small museum honoring the life of Van Gogh. After sharing a six-hour lunch with the owner of the Auberge, Walter received the table from him as a gift in honor of their new friendship.

Casanova Restaurant

As for how Walter met his winemaker…do you believe in fate? Damien shared his unique story with me recently. He had been making wine at Chateau Olivier, a Grand Cru classé of the Graves region in Bordeaux. An American wine importer visiting the chateau saw Damien’s last name and asked if he was related to Walter Georis, a Monterey County resident. Damien told me, “I knew of Monterey because Jimi Hendricks played there, but I didn’t know Walter.”

Damien learned that the Georis family planted a vineyard in 1982 in the Carmel Valley and started making wine. When Walter reached out to him by phone, the two discovered they had both come from the same small town in Belgium. Thus a friendship was born. They didn’t actually meet in person until two years later. And a couple years after that, Walter extended a job offer to Damien, who was just days away from signing a contract on the purchase of a home in Bordeaux. Damien came to Carmel Valley instead.

It’s no surprise that the wines made at Georis have a French touch. The focus is on Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. The grapes are picked at lower levels of ripeness than is typical in California with lower sugar levels (translating to lower alcohol) and higher acidity. The wines see only a moderate amount of new oak. Damien applies the winemaking techniques he learned in Bordeaux, yet he doesn’t try to change the expression of the grape’s true origin. This is important to him. “We want to make a wine that respects the terroir,” says Damien. “Carmel Valley has unique soils and its own climate. We want the wine to taste like where it’s from.”

They make a beautiful barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc and several exceptional reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, La Chappelle (a Bordeaux Blend) and Cabernet Franc. These wines are something special. If you are typically lean toward European style wines, but appreciate the California terroir, you’ll really enjoy these classy wines.

“Great ideas and dialogue go hand in hand with great food and wine. Cafés are social hubs, places for discussion, thought, relaxation, and time with friends.”

-Walter Georis on his European-inspired café, La Bicyclette

Georis Website