Bud Break Time In The Vineyards!


Bud break signals the beginning of the 2009 vintage. We won't see the grapes for another 2-3 months but at last the process has begun!

Wine Recommendations!

Since I am fortunate enough to live here in Provence-like Sonoma county, I frequently get requests for wine recommendations. Apparently there is an impression "out there" that I qualify as a wino.
The correct word in enophile, thank you very much.

So, here are three wines that Kay and I drink often, me more than her, each under $10 here in the county (might be higher out of state, if available). We are especially fortunate that we are close to several wineries that periodically have warehouse type sales, open to the local public only. We are drinking a Viansa Barbera that was sold in such a manner just before the holidays. Fab stuff and only $5 a bottle, since it was all overrun and they wanted to dump it, so to speak.
Anyway, here are the three:

Menage a Trois is a blend of Rhone style reds and is available nationally, thanks to it being purchased by a conglomerate from the local Napa owners. I put a detailed shot so you can see how the name is spelled. There is also a white version. Usually around $9.












































Next is a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that I really enjoy. Very typical of the style, very crisp, minerally with tons of fruit. There is a strong connection between Chilean and CA winemakers.





























This Laurier Cab is a fruit bomb. Blended nicely from several vineyards, I think it's the runoff of a well known Napa winery that chooses to remain anonymous. This is usually priced in the $8 a bottle range, tho I find it on sale for just under $7 here. Cost Plus World Market might have this, Trader Joes does not.

Sarah Palin Spotted in Sonoma!

As you might expect there were a lot of Palin costumes at Halloween parties last night, including this very clever and detailed one in Sonoma. Photo by Gale Mead, Sonoma, CA.
Caption to photo reads: "Me as Sarah Palin, complete with dead wolf, M16, baby, and bandolier, fistbumping with a guy in a Barack Obama mask."

I'm sure some of our famous Sonoma county wines had a little something to do with this patriotic display. (h/t Huffington Post)

Halloween and the Living's Easy in Sonoma County!

On this last day of October, I thought I would pass along a favorite photo of mine, taken with the Nikon Coolpix 5700 on a tripod from the bed of my pickup, showing what the vineyards look like this time of year. Care to guess the name of the winery? Hint: it's on River Road, west of Santa Rosa and East of Graton.




Just remembered this shot, taken last Thanksgiving, this in Alexander Valley at the Hanna Winery. If you need a recommendation for Thanksgiving dinner, their Sauvignon Blanc is one of Kay and my faves! Never fails to please.

Cruise West and Sonoma Plaza Walking Tours together again.

Another of my businesses consists of doing walking tours in Sonoma plaza. I've been doing this for over 10 years, with a wide variety of clients. One success story is the ongoing relationship I have is with Cruise West in Seattle, WA, a tour company that offers their Wine Country Cruise boat passengers a trip to Sonoma plaza before heading on to taste wines in Sonoma Valley.
Today was the first day of the new season (our 8th together) so I met the eager participants from the Spirit of Yorktown as they got off the bus from the dock on the Napa river and led them into Sonoma plaza for a half hour tour. Most were first time visitors and all really liked the little town with the most beautiful plaza in CA, and that is not just my opinion. There will be a tour a week for the next month and I will put up some more pictures as I take them.
I continue to do tours on a by appointment basis, so if you get the opportunity to suggest entertainment options for a company or family function, please keep me in mind.