Lazy River Vineyards

• January 2010

  RobR, thanks for the additional clarification. Here's what I would suggest based on your desire for a more laid back experience and range of wine price points. I'm not 100% sure about your driving route from Vancouver, but if Mendocino and the Anderson Valley don't take you far... Read moreRobR, thanks for the additional clarification. Here's what I would suggest based on your desire for a more laid back experience and range of wine price points. I'm not 100% sure about your driving route from Vancouver, but if Mendocino and the Anderson Valley don't take you far out of your way, I'd certainly plan to spend a day there. Make sure to see (probably overnight in) Mendocino. Then depart south hitting Navarro, Lazy Creek, Husch and Roederer (good call napagirl!) on the way toward Napa/Sonoma. Once in Sonoma, I'll add my vote to those above for the Russian River Valley area. We stay at The Farmhouse Inn, which is a bit rural but still convenient to a lot of vineyards and has its own great restaurant. I'd specifically recommend vists to Iron Horse and Sunce (a smaller winery owned by a Croatian winemaker; their wines are mostly big reds). I'm a huge fan of the casual nature and big bold wines of the Dry Creek Valley area. Healdsburg is a quaint town that's full of good lodging and restaurant options (and some tasting rooms). DCV is just a bit north and I'd particularly recommend Unti, David Coffaro, Teldeschi and Preston (plan to picnic there). Ridge Lytton Springs is also there (I've only been to Ridge Monte Bello, but would thik Lytton Springs well worth a visit). In "true" Napa, along with Howell Mountain, I'd consider Spring Mountain (Terra Valentine, Spring Mountain Vineyards, York Creek). You'll likely need appointments for all of these and you've just taken a pretty big step up in price point. Whatever you choose, it's hard to have a bad wine country experience. Can't wait to hear your report when you return!    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Recommended Wineries in Napa... by chadrich

  
  

• January 2010

  I've personally been in more discussions about clones involving other varietals than pinot noir itself, though I have been aware of the quite large number of pinot clones (twice as many clones just in France itself as for cabernet sauvignon, and I think the guess is that there are... Read moreI've personally been in more discussions about clones involving other varietals than pinot noir itself, though I have been aware of the quite large number of pinot clones (twice as many clones just in France itself as for cabernet sauvignon, and I think the guess is that there are more than 20 times as many clones of pinot outside France than are recognized in Burgundy...), and the intensity of discussion about them among growers and winemakers. And that the grape is often described as biologically 'primitive', easily prone to mutation, etc. I guess I've just been too lazy to make an effort to get on top of this relatively esoteric subject. Or rather haven't personally felt the need, yet, to prioritize it. That being said, I have been aware of some differences in choice of clonals between the New World and Burgundy. My read of Zufrieden's intent is to try to clarify all the factors in the differences between bottles of pinot from Sonoma, Willamete and the Cote d'Or (or New Zealand's South Island, Monterey, Santa Barbara, wherever), and that since 'terroir', etc. is not enough clonals must play an important role. Can someone provide a clonal explanation that will serve as a silver bullet to bullseye these differences (how's that for mixed metaphors)? I guess to start we need to put up a listing of the clones that are being used by whom, where. I'll toss in the little I know, which is that there are some 50 different clones recognized in France, and that The French Etablissement National Technique pour l’Amelioration de la Viticulture (ENTAV) has established a program to select the best clones there, leading to a number of tweaks and use of different clones than those from the past. Willamette, on the other hand, seems to be reaching some of its peaks with older clones such as Pommard and Wadensvil. Does anyone know specifically what growers (ideally with connection to specific winemakers) in the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, Santa Barbara, etc. are using which clones? Ditto the question for the finest of the Côte de Nuits? Not sure I want to spend the next several hours (or even days) googling scores of wineries and dozens of scientific papers.... And Greg, is Aligote that 'lesser known'? Hey, it created the necessity for the invention of the Kir! ;-)    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Clones of the Pinot Noir by dmcker

  
  

• April 2009

  @dmcker ... I'll do my best to answer your questions. 1) Who are the top dozen or so winemakers there, and what are they making and how are they making it? Subjectivity is just fine! Hmmm ... tough one. Many people source grapes from the area but do production in other areas.... Read more@dmcker ... I'll do my best to answer your questions. 1) Who are the top dozen or so winemakers there, and what are they making and how are they making it? Subjectivity is just fine! Hmmm ... tough one. Many people source grapes from the area but do production in other areas. Ones that I like in the region are: - Rochioli - Williams Selyem - Brogan Cellars - Lynmar - Arista - Hartford Family Winery - Kistler In general, they all use traditional methods of production. Many are picking a bit earlier in the past to maintain acidity. However, they rich in fruit flavors and get great balance. French oak is almost exclusively used and %s of new will vary. 2) What is the difference between the pinots made by people in RRV (e.g. Rochioli) and those made in Sideways country, aka Santa Barbara (e.g. Au Bon Climat)? My experience suggest that Santa Barbara County Pinots are more similar to Carneros Pinots. They are lighter in texture and colour but do take on more of an earthiness characters. I would put them 'inbetween' the perfumed RRV Pinots and Oregon. Does that make sense? 3) Why are the RRV people making chardonnays that lack staying power, to rephrase your description above? Depends on the producer but I think / speculate they focus their energies on Pinot Noir because there is still a pretty strong sterotype of what California Chardonnay 'is'. The amount of effort to defeat that is stereotype is so high that it is much easier to chase the Pinot consumer. There is still a California Chardonnay backlash. 4) How's the sparkling wine in RRV? Decent to very good. Not as many wineries are doing them but two good ones are Iron Horse and J Vineyards. 5) And what's the best RRV wine to drink on hot, lazy summer days when innertubing down the Russian River? ;-) Hmmm ... I'd have to say the J Vineyards Sparkling Brut http://www.snooth.com/wine/j-vineyards-and-winery-vintage-brut-2002/. Properly chilled of course!    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Russian River Valley by HondaJohn

  
  

• April 2009

  John, thanks very much; I believe I asked for this closeup some weeks ago. A few questions to add to Philip's: 1) Who are the top dozen or so winemakers there, and what are they making and how are they making it? Subjectivity is just fine! 2) What is the difference between the pinots... Read moreJohn, thanks very much; I believe I asked for this closeup some weeks ago. A few questions to add to Philip's: 1) Who are the top dozen or so winemakers there, and what are they making and how are they making it? Subjectivity is just fine! 2) What is the difference between the pinots made by people in RRV (e.g. Rochioli) and those made in Sideways country, aka Santa Barbara (e.g. Au Bon Climat)? 3) Why are the RRV people making chardonnays that lack staying power, to rephrase your description above? 4) How's the sparkling wine in RRV? 5) And what's the best RRV wine to drink on hot, lazy summer days when innertubing down the Russian River? ;-) Cheers    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Russian River Valley by dmcker

  
  

• Jan 29, 2009

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• Jan 29, 2009

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• December 2008

  1. Adelaide 2. Semillon 3. I think southernmost is Central Otago but that's in New Zealand, not Australia 4. as for HondaJohn (too lazy to type!) 5. Hunter Valley 6. no idea 7. Barossa Valley (or South Australia in general) 8. Tasmania 9. Margaret River 10. Brian Croser

  Forum post in the topic Wine from Down Under Quiz by Alex

  
  

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