Download as a PDF - Wine Country This Week

Jeffry can be heard discussing wine country every Thursday at 5:45pm on the
Monterey Peninsula's number 1 rated talk show: www.ForLocalsOnly.com; with live
digital streaming from the legendary KRML Jazz & Blues Radio, in Carmel.
FYI: Whats ’ hot this week
by Jeffry Ross
E-mail content considerations to jeff@fyiwinecountry.com
Tis the Season
and is a very popular destination for wine entered to win a case of Sonoma Valley wine.
This time of year, people are thinking country visitors. Not satisfied with simply Wineries include: Homewood Winery, Landmark
about bubbles. In wine country, there are producing an ambitious selection of highend
Vineyards, Larson Family Winery,
several sparkling wine producers, each with
sparklers, Mumm Napa also boasts a Little Vineyards Family Winery, Nicholson
their own unique style. Why not use this world class art gallery which includes an Ranch, Ravenswood Winery, Schug Carneros
week to visit a couple local bubble houses? exhibit of twenty-seven original signed Estate and Viansa Winery. For more details,
Here are just a few of my favorites. prints from famed photographer, Ansel visit SonomaValleyWine.com or call (707)
Gloria Ferrer’s Catalonian-style estate Adams. On cold days, relax in the glassenclosed
935-0803. FYI: Kids will really enjoy going to
sits high atop a hill overlooking the verdant
tasting salon and enjoy sweeping Larson Family Winery where they can visit the
Carneros grape-growing region. Inside is a views across the Napa Valley while sipping resident llama and other farm animals; 23355
cozy tasting room featuring a fireside sitting some of the best sparkling wines in the Millerick Road, (707) 938-3031.
area and an outdoor terrace with a regal world; (707) 967-7700, MummNapa.com.
Olive Odyssey
view of the countryside, either of which is a Embodying affordable luxury, J Vineyards
perfect setting for sipping a glass of dry and Winery sets itself apart by aging its
Now that the grape harvest is over, winter
Brut. Public tours of the Spanish estate are sparkling wine longer than most vineyards.
visitors turn to wine country’s other bitesized
edible treasure, the olive. Beginning
available daily; (707) 996-7256, Gloria- This commitment to aging results in J’s intricate
nuances and creamy, complex texture. the first weekend of December, the Ninth
Ferrer.com. Down the road (on the Napa
side), you’ll find two stellar wineries noteworthy
not only for their spectacular it’s most recently released NV Cuvée 20 culinary feast that concludes with an
It’s reputation is built on Vintage Brut, but Annual Olive Festival is a three-month
sparkling wines, but their architecture as bursts with fruit and finishes smooth and odyssey of events on the weekend of
well. Domaine Carneros has a Frenchstyle
château renowned throughout the FYI: Here are a few tips in what to buy. Be cheeses, fine wine and succulent Sonoma
creamy; (707) 431-3646, JWine.com. February 13th. Enjoy artisan breads and
world as a landmark of the Carneros Appellation.
Majestically crowned atop a sticking to the brand you always buy. Purchase Family Vineyards, has a working press with
adventurous! Try something new instead of Valley olives. The Olive Press, at Jacuzzi
picturesque knoll, Domaine Carneros offers a vintage Champagne rather than a brut. Look a tasting room and gift shop devoted to all
tasting on the terrace with enchanting on the bottle to see if the grapes are grand cru things olive. Cooking demonstrations from
views of the southern Napa Valley. Cheese (grand cru vineyards are considered to be the the valley’s finest chefs and winemaker
and fruit plates are included with your best and well worth if it, even if a few more extra dinners makes this seasonal celebration
sparkling wine samples, but for those with dollars). Splurge without breaking the bank. especially popular among foodies and gourmands.
slightly more demanding palates, salmon Purchase a half bottle. Finally, ask the wine
For more information on Olive
and caviar are available; (707) 257-0101; seller what is on sale.
Festival events, call (707) 996-1090 or visit
DomaineCarneros.com. Camouflaged a
SonomaValley.com. FYI: One of the few
mile away from Domaine Carneros, within Sugary Showdown
remaining family owned and operated wineries
a private hillside vista, sits Artesa – the Can you blame Hansel and Gretel for in the Sonoma Valley is VJB Vineyards &
only winery that provides a wraparound wanting to eat the witch’s house? It was, after Cellars. VJB specializes in select lots of handcrafted
wine sold only through their retail
view of virtually the entire Carneros Appellation.
Delicious sparkling wines (available available – gingerbread! Throughout the
all, made of the sweetest building materials
tasting room. During the Olive Festival, VJB
only from the winery) goes without saying, month of December, visit Sonoma Valley
offers 20% discounts on all wine purchases
but the main appeal of this cutting-edge wineries and test your gingerbread prowess
(excluding Library wines). Find VJB Vineyards
winery is its highly-stylistic architectural during the 4th Annual Gingerbread
at 9077 Sonoma Highway; (707) 833-2300;
elements which are so unique – it is rarely Competition. Throughout the month,
VJBCellars.com.
seen in any wine country setting; (707) 224- professionals and amateurs are producing
1668, ArtesaWinery.com. Near the heart of gingerbread likenesses of their winery that Wine Deals
the Napa Valley is Domaine Chandon. This will be on display in the tasting room. This Who doesn’t love the gift of wine? FYI has
iconic winery is rooted in French winemaking
is a great outing for the entire family to visit been busy finding fabulous wine deals to fit
tradition, but because California gets the wineries, sample some of Sonoma every shopper’s budget. B.R. Cohn Winery
more sunshine, their sparklers are more fruit Valley’s finest wines, purchase some gifts and has a 12-bottle sampler and is currently
forward than traditional champagne; (707) vote on your favorite Gingerbread Winery! offering 25% discount on the case. Domaine
944-2280, Chandon.com. Located along the Pick up a map and ballot at any of the participating
Chandon has a variety of gift ideas,
scenic Silverado Trail, Mumm Napa is one
wineries and vote for the “People’s including the bubbles. Shipping is free on
of California’s top sparkling wine producers Choice Award.” With each vote you will be any order of $100 or more.
28 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com