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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK Tasting Room of the Week: SCHARFFENBERGER CELLARS by Abigail P. Zimmerman Scharffenberger Cellars pairs seamlessly the love of exquisite sparkling wine and local, modern art. Located in the bucolic town of Philo, Scharffenberger Cellars is a premier wine country destination and embodies the rugged elegance of Mendocino County. Nestled in the gentle hills rising from the floor of Anderson Valley, Scharffenberger’s tasting room has a charming and relaxed feel, with a welcoming ambiance. The tasting room regularly features new artists, so visitors can taste the Scharffenberger sparkling wine while perusing the latest display of local artwork. The current exhibit, running through April 15, is called “Los Trios Robertos” and features the works of Bob Rhoades, Bob Jarrell and Bob Zvolensky. Scharffenberger is famed for sparkling wines and today, is firmly established as one of America’s finest producers. Exceptional sparkling wines are served in the tasting room: Non Vintage Brut and a Brut Rosé. The celebrated Scharffenberger Brut is blended with two-thirds Pinot Noir and onethird Chardonnay. The predominant Pinot Noir creates a sparkling wine that is fruit forward with noticeable aromas of strawberry/raspberry and plum. The Chardonnay expresses itself with subtle tropical flavors of pineapple with pear. All the fruit for Scharffenberger Brut undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation which produces a wine that is rich with complex flavors and a round, lengthy finish. Scharffenberger Rosé, like the Brut, is made by the traditional méthode champenoise process, whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before being riddled and disgorged. Most of the base wines underwent malolactic fermentation, which softens and rounds out the blend. The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Anderson Valley as well as other premium quality vineyards in Mendocino County with whom Scharffenberger has long-term contracts. This type of vineyard selection allows long-time winemaker Tex Sawyer to choose from the best vineyards in the area, enabling Scharffenberger to produce its trademark cuvée. Three limited-edition sparkling wines are available in the tasting room only: the Scharffenberger Extra Dry (a sweeter version of the Brut and composed of the same blend), a Scharffenberger Cremant (produced using less sugar to yeast rations and 2/3 standard pressure of sparkling wines) and a Scharffenberger Blanc de Blanc (100% Chardonnay sparkling wine and a little over half the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, which softens and rounds out the blend). Three still wines are also served: a Scharffenberger Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. The history of Scharffenberger Cellars begins in 1981 in the heart of California’s Anderson Valley. Situated only miles from the coastal influences of the Pacific Ocean, Scharffenberger Cellars also enjoys the deep soils and sunshine within the protected valley. Originally founded by John Scharffenberger, the company has gone through many transitions, including a name change . Today, the name and quality of the wine have been restored back to Scharffenberger Cellars under the new management of Maisons Marques & Domaines. The first release of the new Scharffenberger Cellars will be Scharffenberger Brut. With the many changes at Scharffenberger Cellars, what has remained consistent is the quality and the original philosophy behind the winemaking. Tex Sawyer, winemaker since 1989 continues to manage the winemaking program and today works with the new ownership to restore the glory of the original brand name. To reach Scharffenberger Cellars, follow Hwy. 101 north to Cloverdale. Take the Hwy. 128 West turnoff and drive west 35 miles to the winery on the right side of the highway at 8501 Highway 128, Philo. The tasting room is open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding major holidays. There is a $3 tasting fee. For more information, call (707) 895-2957 or go to www.scharffenbergercellars.com. 26 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
Mustard Festival –Grand Finale View the season’s beauty captured by photographers from far and wide at The Photo Finish, the inevitably “sold out” and wildly exuberant Napa Valley Mustard Festival Grand Finale Event, at Rubicon Estate in Rutherford on Saturday, March 27 at 7 p.m. Taste a heady array of Napa Valley wines along with sweets and savories, view the Napa Valley Mustard Festival Photography Contest Exhibit of photographs, available for purchase, and revel in the party until the last dance. Relevé Unlimited, a new Napa Valley Mustard Festival sponsor, will join Rubicon Estate to sponsor the photography contest and exhibit. Tickets to the event are $95 in advance; $125 at the door.The Napa Valley Mustard Festival is a non-profit community service organization. For information, call (707) 938-1133. For tickets and information, visit the website at mustardfestival.org. ARTWORK – THE ORIGINAL AND COLLECTOR’S POSTERS Silent bidding in progress on Reverie, Thomas Monaghan’s bucolic 48" by 60" oil painting inspired by Napa’s Carneros appellation. The painting is destined to go to the highest bidder at The Photo Finish, The Season’s Grand Finale Event. Those who cannot visit Napa Valley but would like to place a bid on the painting may call Summers-McCann Pubic Relations, Napa Valley Mustard Festival Producer, at (707) 938-1133 ext 106. Posters are offered at $30 or $40 signed by the artist. Order at mustardfestival.org or call (707) 938-1133. WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | NAPA VALLEY www.WineCountryThisWeek.com 27
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