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I may take a day trip down there. I'll hit Turley over in Templeton.
Any favorites/don't miss?
Follow Ups:
...we're going this weekend.
What did you find?
We made it but pretty quick and furious.
Details two entries down on this thread.
Details!
It's still a long way from being like Napa but it was better than I expected.
Hit Turley first. Nice room and a bit more remote than I expected. They were generous with their selection. I also did the reserve tasting as I doubt I'll be there again. As for the wines, they were pouring older vintages, not the current. I'm thinking these were the ones that they weren't able to move through their mailing list. Not the best Turley's I've had. The reserve tasting was the Hayne Vineyard wines. Much more structure and complexity. They should be for $75 a bottle.
Next was Cypher. Used to be Four Vines but they sold that label. Probably one of the funnist/hippist tasting rooms I've ever been too. Lots of energy. The wines were all good, leaning towards Rhone style. Also good zins.
Had lunch downtown. Nice cafes with good food. The area still needs more stores and such but it looks like it's moving in the right direction.
We finished up a Toblas Creek. Got a lady pourer all to ourselves and she went crazy on the pours. She started going into the back to get varying vintages to compare with what was on the daily pour list. All the wines were quite good. Really enjoyed their current Rousanne. Turns out they are partly owned by Chateau de Beaucastel.
The drive from Carmel to there is about two hours so we figured that was enough wine and still be able to drive safely.
...in mid-October for the first time.
Near Turley is Four Vines/Cypher - a member of our wine tasting group is their insurance agent.
Another member's wife is Turley's banker.
Besides zins, there are a lot of GSM blends being made there.
Had a Booker Vertigo on Saturday which was nice.
A pharmacist I used to work with over 30 years ago owns the Winemaker's Porch bed and breakfast at the Francis James winery.
Let me know what you find.
Still waiting to hear about your Napa trip...
We had a great time!
Drove into Sonoma the first day. Went to Benovia first. Really enjoyed their pinots, but a little on the pricey side. Nice setting and very intimate tasting. They only serve two sets of visitors at a time.
Then went to Siduri/Novy. Their facility is in a warehouse, with the wines poured from a folding table setup. I guess it helps to keep their costs down. Enjoyed the wines but seemed to pale to Benovia. Might have been the setting.
Next was Martinelli. I was hoping for more but didn't find any of their wines compelling. Staff was great.
Drove to Napa late afternoon, stopping at Domaine Carneros on the way. Good bubbly but crowded.
In Napa we started off the next day with Reynolds Family Vineyards. My agency manager's last name is Reynolds, so thought it would be fun. Their wines were uninteresting. A little on the cooked side.
Next was Darioush. Amazing facility. Way over the top. The wines were very good but out of my price range.
Then we popped into Chimney Rock. Enjoyed their wines and staff was fun.
Went down the road to Plumpjack. I wanted to go there because I've always thought it was cool that they were the first(?) to put screwcaps on their premium wines. Wines were good and funky tasting room.
We had an appointment at White Rock Winery. This was really fun. They are off the beaten path. You have to get directions to have a chance to find them. The winery is in a cave on the side of a mountain overlooking Napa. There are about five different small production wine makers working there so when you go they all want to get you to taste their wines. We were there almost two hours talking wine geek (my daughters' term) with the winemakers and the vineyard foreman. This was by far the most informative and enjoyable stop.
Headed back to Carmel the next day.
...Daroush because it's unique.
Reynolds was recommended to me last week - I've never been there.
If you like Domaine Carneros champagne, they have at a good price at Costco.
Really was unique.
And Mike, you've hit upon one of my pet peaves. Only champagne from the champagne district of France is called champagne. All others are sparkling wine.
...the champagne region in France at Epernay where I bought Dom Perignon.Still it's all champagne to me.
If that's a pet peeve of yours, you're really reaching.
That wouldn't make my top 100.
Edits: 09/07/12
Made in Mexico.
Tablas Creek makes a good syrah and Rhone varietals.
Denner has a good variety and has some nice wines
Peachy Canyon makes good zin.
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