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www.WineCountryThisWeek.comWINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | WINE COUNTRY NEWSFabulous, Summertime Wines at Casa Nuestra WineryCasa Nuestra Winery & Vineyards is excited to offer the threenewest releases of their special interest wines, available for tasting andpurchase only at the winery:• 2009 Chenin Blanc, Old Vines, St. Helena Estate,• 2009 Riesling, Old Vines, St. Helena Estate• 2008 Rosado, A Dry Rosé of Cabernet Franc, St. Helena EstateCHENIN BLANC,OLD VINESMade from vineyards planted in theearly 1960s, this, their 30th vintageoffers a fabulous balance of fruit andacidity. Grapefruit and fresh melonflavors give way to a refreshingly cleanand crisp finish. Pair this Chenin Blancwith a variety of foods such as creamyseafood dishes over pasta, green saladsand even grilled meats. The cellarpotential for this white wine is more than 20 years! Just 290 casesproduced. Once reviewed by Matt Kramer in his book New CaliforniaWine he writes, “The dry Chenin Blanc created by Casa Nuestra isspectacular, displaying the variety’s signature anise/licorice scent andtaste. Very likely it is California’s finest and truest Chenin Blanc.”“RIESLING, OLD VINES”In 1989, there were 24 tons ofWhite Riesling grapes harvested inCalifornia. In 2009, that numberdwindled to a mere 13. Four of thosetons are from the estate of CasaNuestra Winery & Vineyards in St.Helena. “The experts say this isCabernet country, but this hillsideRiesling has been producing fruit ofoutstanding quality since 1966. Our 2009 vintage offers a beautifullybalanced wine with bright, exotic fruit, racy acidity and only about 1%residual sugar. This off-dry style is great for pairing with a variety offoods, from spicy Asian, Indian and Cajun cuisines to smoked Goudaand apples served on the deck. This rare Napa Valley Riesling has evenbeen known to convert a few die-hard, red wine drinkers to an occasionalglass of white (wine.)” says Stephanie Zacharia, one of just tenon staff at Casa Nuestra. “We have onlyseven rows and the fence line of Rieslinggrapes planted. Just like the mural (fromour winery) that graces the label, wethink this wine is out of this world!”Only 247 cases were produced.“ROSADO, A DRY ROSE”This dry rosé is made from CasaNuestra’s organic estate Cabernet Francgrapes. It offers bright strawberries on2009Estate Bottled, Home VineyardRosé of Cabernet Francthe palate and a crisp, clean finish. The wine is produced in the styleof the France’s Loire Valley. Enjoy this wine all summer long with BBQribs or a sunny deck. Only 185 cases were produced.Overall, Casa Nuestra’s goal is preserve rare varieties and unusualblends and to keep the estate vineyards and winery a true taste of oldNapa, where folks are encouraged to visit, sit back and savor fine,handcrafted wines.Casa Nuestra, which means “our house” was established in 1979and continues to produce only about 2,000 cases annually, mostlyfrom the estate’s organic vineyards. The Casa team of only ten peopleproudly craft by hand several wines including Meritage (Bordeauxstyle blend), Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, PetiteSirah, Charbono, Chenin Blanc, Rosado (a dry rosé), White Riesling,Late Harvest French Colombard, Two Goats Red (a Napa Valley RedWine!), Tinto St. Helena, and Tinto Classico – both made from fieldblended vineyards. All are award winning. They welcome visitors tothe winery daily by appointment, for tasting, tours and barrelsampling.Casa Nuestra Winery is located at 3451 Silverado Trail North in St.Helena, Napa Valley. They can also be reached by phone toll-free at 1-866-844-9463 or on the web at www.CasaNuestra.com. Picnickersand well-behaved canines welcome!29