Author: Diane Cobalt

 

My husband and I just returned from a short, but relaxing trip to wine country.  Our first stop was to our favorite winery which happens to be in Sonoma!  B Wise Vineyards is located near the top of Moon Mountain.

If you don’t have time to visit the winery, you can sample a wide variety of B Wise wines at their tasting room in Kenwood.  Several years ago at this modernly furnished tasting room we were first introduced to these

spectacular wines by Anne, an equally spectacular representative from their winery.  It was our first and last stop on our last day of that trip to wine country.  After falling in love with their B Wise Petite Syrah, we were distressed that we didn’t have time to actually visit and tour the vineyards…but what a great reason to schedule another trip back, right?

Last fall was our first tour of the B Wise Vineyards which is owned by Brion and Ronda Wise.

There are many amazing winery tours in Sonoma and Napa counties.  But this cave experience is by far and away our favorite.  And on our second tour this month, we found even more ways to love this winery.

We were so glad to get to see Anne again and listen to her gorgeous lilt.  She introduced us to Kurt who would be our guide for the morning.  We began our tour with a glass of Brion Chardonnay while Kurt updated us on the various blocks of grapes planted on the side of Moon Mountain.  The Wise’s own 100 acres on Moon Mountain, 20 of which are planted in vines with 6 different root stocks and 17 clones.  Kurt’s explanation of clones is so detailed and educational that I won’t even attempt to describe it here.  You’ll understand it much better coming from an expert!  Kurt also pointed out a nearby Cabernet vine that had both green and purple grapes.  This is called veraison.  Veraison is the transition from berry growth to ripening.  This is the point where the grape’s acidity levels decrease and the sugar concentration increases.  Kurt also reminded us why there are often rose bushes planted at the end of each row of vines:  roses are not as hearty as the vines, so anything that might threaten the vines will first harm the roses thus allowing the vineyard managers to protect the grapes.

After enjoying our glass of wine and the spectacular view from the vineyards, Kurt escorted us inside the extensive caves.  This is the only cave we have seen that has two bedrooms, a full bath, and heated floors throughout!  (While the Wise’s were having their home built, they actually lived in the caves!) We sat down at a long table and started our tasting.  Kurt asked us several questions about our taste preferences and then graciously gave us a vertical tasting.  If you have never done this, find somewhere that will give your palate this education.  Kurt explained that

there is a bell- shaped curve that represents the different taste levels while a wine ages.  It is very helpful to find where on that curve your palate lies so that you know how long to hold your favorites before drinking them.  We tried a 2013 of the Brion Cabernet.  It was good.  We then sampled a 2012 of the same wine.  It was not noticeably different to us.  Then we sampled the 2009…aah better!  And then Kurt gave us a real treat, a 2005 of the same wine. We thought it was amazing and purchased a bottle for dinner.

Everything about B Wise from its wines to its employees makes this an outstanding winery.  The selfish part of me wants to keep this to myself since B Wise is sold out of some of our favorites and may even start to limit its wine club memberships.  But I would be remiss not to let you know what an outstanding winery B Wise is!

B Wise Tasting Room

9077 Sonoma Highway

Kenwood, California

707-282-9169

Bwisevineyards.com

Oakville Ranch

Winery Review

It was a foggy Napa morning when my husband and I headed up the Silverado Trail for our last winery tour before we headed back to Dallas.  “It’s too bad the weather isn’t nicer,” he repeated about every 5 minutes it seemed.  “This place is supposed to have an incredible view of the valley!  And they only have tours and tastings Monday through Friday or we could have gone this weekend,” my sweet spouse continued lamenting.

“It will be fine,” I reassured him. “Let’s just hope the wine suits our palates better than those we tried yesterday.”

After snaking our way almost 1400 feet above Napa Valley, we pulled up in front of a beautiful home.  Shelia who is General Manager of Oakville Ranch and was our tour guide for the morning greeted us enthusiastically!  She eyed my husband’s shorts and short-sleeved shirt and asked him if he had a jacket.  (He did not since he was expecting the sun to burn through the clouds any minute!)  She wanted him to be warm enough while we were on her ATV touring the vineyards.

We huddled up in the back seat as she sped off towards the grapes, pointing out a couple of lovely blue birds who seemed to recognize her and flew along with us for a bit.  Shelia explained that in 1989 Mary and Bob Miner, who is now deceased, purchased the 330 acre ranch.  Currently 75 acres are planted in grapes, mostly Bordeaux varietals.  Shelia pulled over and let us sample a Chardonnay grape after warning us it would taste bitter.  It was not as bitter as I had expected and I always forget that these grapes have seeds. (She encouraged me to spit!)  We also tasted a Cabernet grape…again not sweet enough to consider harvesting.  Depending on the weather, harvest for Cabs was probably 6 weeks away.

Along our way, Shelia pointed out workers chopping off bunches of grapes from the vines.These “unworthy” grapes were being pruned to let their worthier counterparts get more sun and nutrients.  It seemed like a waste to me, but Shelia assured me this was the best way to make the best wines.   Oakville Ranch outsources 85% of their grapes resulting in a small case production of their wines.

Shelia pulled up to a point and stopped.  We got out of the ATV and followed her to look out over the entire Napa Valley!  We could see the fog below us and she pointed out various landmarks in the valley below.  The view was amazing and it was so peaceful up there on the mountain.  As we headed back to the house for our tasting, the sun burst forth!

Shelia escorted us to a lovely pool area which also overlooked the valley.  The vista was splendid and we snapped more pictures while she brought out the wines.  We started with their 2014 Chardonnay.  Admittedly, I prefer reds.  But this Chardonnay was perfect for drinking while sitting by the pool.  In fact, I could have spent the rest of the day there!

Then we moved on to what turned out to be my favorite, the 2013 Field Blend.  Finally, a wine that fit our taste profile.  My husband was not surprised that we liked this wine so much:  it was a blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.  It is very drinkable now but will continue to age well.

Next we tried Robert’s Cabernet Franc, a wine made in honor and memory of Oakville Ranch’s founder.  I think it is difficult to make a wonderful Cab Franc which is a grape often blended with other varietals, but Oakville Ranch succeeded splendidly.  This tasted exotic with some fruit to it and a lingering finish.  I’m sure Robert would be proud.

Finally, we got to sample the yet-to-be-released 2013 Oakville Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.   Wow!  This is already a complex Cabernet with chocolate undertones and even a hint of vanilla.

Again, this wine has a long finish with a little kick to it.  It will be even more amazing as it ages.

By the end of our time, Shelia was like a familiar friend.  As we hugged her good-bye she made one request:  that we become ambassadors for their wines.  As new Oakville Ranch Terrace Club members (this is only one of two wine clubs in all of Napa Valley we feel are worth joining so far) we are happy to let everyone know what an outstanding winery Oakville Ranch is and that they are very lucky to have Shelia as a general manager.  Don’t miss this tour or these fabulous wines!  We can’t wait for the weather to cool down in Dallas so we can receive our first shipment!

Oakville Ranch

7781 Silverado Trail

Napa

707-944-9665

Oakvilleranch.com

 

Cliff Lede Vineyards

In 2002. Canadian Cliff Lede bought 60 acres in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.  He brought not only his dedication to producing the perfect wine but also his love for Rock and Roll.  Both are evident in this winery!  From the display of guitars signed by famous musicians lining his “Backstage” tasting lounge to his 2013 Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon which earned 100 points from Robert Parker, Mr. Lede seeks perfection in all that he attempts.

We splurged for the Backstage Tasting Lounge at $50 per person so that we would have access to some of their limited production wines.  Sadly, but not unexpectedly, the 100 point Poetry Cab was not included in the tasting! (It is not available for sale to the general public.)

Our tasting guide, Todd, was very informative.  We started with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc while we roamed about the room looking at artworks on exhibit and for sale by Rock and Roll legend Grace Slick.  Neither of us had any idea that she is an artist.  Todd gave us a map of the vineyards and pointed out the different blocks of vines named after Mr. Lede’s favorite rock songs.  One of my favorites was on the list:  Bohemian Rhapsody.  And some of the wines are named after the blocks from which their grapes came.  For example, they offer a 2013 Cabernet called Stardust Heaven which uses grapes from the Stardust and Stairway to Heaven blocks.

Our favorite was the 2013 High Fidelity Cab.  Todd was also gracious enough to pour a sample of the 2012 Songbook Cabernet.  Wine Advocate gives it a 96+ rating.  In fact most of Cliff Lede’s wines receive a 95 or greater rating.  We also tasted a FEL wine.  These are named after Mr. Lede’s mother, Florence Elsie Lede who used to make wines at home.

Cliff Lede’s Backstage tasting lounge is a unique and hip spot to taste wine in an almost private setting. I’d like to go back and stay a night or two at his Poetry Inn which is located on the Vineyard grounds.

 

Cliff Lede Vineyards

1473 Yountville Crossroad

707-944-8642