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SONOMA VALLEY | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEKAudelssa Winery Offers Twilight Tours & TapasLocals Wednesday Discount AnnouncedAudelssa Estate Winery announcedthat it will offer Twilight VineyardTours and Tapas every third Thursdayof the month hosted by WinemakerErich Bradley. Tours feature a walkaboutthrough their spectacular vineyard,where Bradley will explain aboutthe different soil types and how theyaffect the various varietals and theresulting wines. A tour of the winery isincluded along with a complete tastingof all the current releases as well assome surprise tastings from barrels or library. Recent French CulinaryInstitute graduate, Lizzy Brewer will prepare authentic Spanish styleseasonal tapas made exclusively from local ingredients. The vineyardand winery tour, including the tasting and tapas costs $35 perperson. A maximum of 12 people attend any given twilight tour.Known as the “Home of Extreme Viticulture,” Audelssa EstateWinery has one of the most distinctive vineyard sites in northernCalifornia. Cascading some 1,200 vertical feet down the Sonomaslope of the Mayacamas Mountains, the 80 acre vineyard showsextreme diversity reflecting the multiple and varied soil types on thelocation. Its southwest perch on the Sonoma side of Mount Veederprovides extraordinary views and wines that are elegant, complex andsophisticated. In his Wine Advocate, wine guru Robert Parkersummed it up, “This impressive estate continues to turn out sensationalwines.”Founders Dan and Jeanne Schaefer planted vines on the site in1990. During the formative years Audelssa wines were produced bythe iconic Richard Arrowood at nearby Arrowood Vineyards andWinery. Arrowood’s Bradley thought that the wines would benefitfrom a more artisanal approach, one that actually followed a moreBurgundian tradition. “It was an unorthodox concept,” said Bradley,“making Bordeaux and Rhone varieties in that style, but I felt it wouldcreate the most graceful and seductive expressions of this very specialplace.” In 2002, the Schaefers hired Bradley to be their winemakerand he was able to pursue his dream.Bradley is a native Californian who became interested in winewhen his family purchased a 26-acre ranch in Sonoma County witheight acres of vineyard and a 500-case winery. He studied winemakingat U.C. Davis and viticulture atSanta Rosa Jr. College. Previous toAudelssa, he worked for DickArrowood and with David Ramey. Hiswines at Audelssa have been anunqualified success. The estate bottledBordeaux style blend named Summithas scored above 90 points withRobert Parker for three consecutivevintages, as have three vintages of theCabernet Sauvignon. More recentlythe Rhone style wines have crackedthe 90 point barrier with the 2005Syrah (Maelstrom) scoring 93 pointsand the 2005 Zephyr scoring 91points.The Twilight Tours are available on the third Thursday of eachmonth from now through October when they will conclude with asingle larger event featuring a full dinner. The Twilight Tours start at5:30 p.m. and last about two hours. Included are the tour of the vineyards,the winery and the tasting all led by winemaker Erich Bradley.Tapas prepared by Chef Lizzy Brewer will be served as well. Tours arelimited to no more than 12 people per session and cost $35 perperson. “Wine and food aside,” commented Josie Gay Director ofMarketing and Brand Management, “you’ll have to trust me when Isay the views alone are worth the price of admission.”Audelssa also offers special tastings at their Local’s Wednesdayevent. Every Wednesday from now through September locals whovisit the Audelssa tasting room can sample the “Flight of the Night”paired with cheeses and charcuterie for a nominal charge. Locals willreceive a discount on select wines. The event runs between 5:30 and7:30 p.m. every Wednesday night. The tasting room is located at13647 Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen, California.For more information on Audelssa Estate Winery, the Local’sWednesday event or to make reservations for your own Twilight Tour,call their tasting room at (707) 933-8514 or visit their website atwww.audelssa.com.SonomaEnotecaWINE TASTING, SALES& HOME ACCESSORIES– 12 Wineries –One Great Place35 East Napa Street, Sonoma(707) 935-1200www.sonoma-enoteca.comS O N O M AP L A Z A62 www.WineCountryThisWeek.com