Sawmill Mountain Vineyards

Over a year has passed and so much has changed.  My husband and I welcomed our first child, Lillian Eve, on June 13th.  She has brought so much joy to our family and we can't believe how fast she is growing!  Also very exciting, my family and I  have planted a vineyard!

The dream of having our own wine someday has been talked about and talked about for years and finally this year we took the first step in achieving this dream.  I would like to say that I am the brains behind the operation, but truly I must give most of the credit to my father, whose dedication and labor made the vineyard really come together.  We prepared two separate plots of land on my parent's ranch, which together make up about 2 acres of vines.  We planted 5 different grape varietals including: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Grenache and Tempranillo.  We had a late start, but we finally got the vines in the ground this June.  We hope and prayed they would survive and to our delight they have thrived.  We gave the vineyard the ranches original name, Sawmill Mountain. I have attached some photos of how the vines are looking this fall.  They will soon become dormant for winter, but I will keep you updated on our progress.

A look at our Pinot Noir Vines

My father, Lily and Me

Had to include a pic of the cute newlyweds, James and Ashley :)

 A view of some of our Cabernet Franc and Grenache vines

Some of the leaves starting to change for fall

Ciao Italy!!!

I just returned home from an amazing two week vacation in Italy.  It was a trip of a lifetime that I got to share with my lovely mother and aunt.  We visited five beautiful cities and learned how to have fun the Italian way.  From wine to limoncello and everything in between we drank our way into Italian bliss.

One of our favorite restaurants "Buca Mario" while in Florence

Sipping Prosecco while overlooking the rolling hills of Gavorrano in the Tuscany Valley

Conti di San Bonifacio vineyard

Wine tour with the proprietor of Conti di San Bonifacio

The Italian"Spritz"
(a blend of Prosecco, Aperol or Campari, sparkling water and garnished with an orange)

Brunello di Montalcino
(a red wine made from the Sangiovese grapes from the Tuscan region of Montalcino)

Limoncello
(an Italian liqueur made from lemon zest or peels that have been steeped in alcohol)

Rosenthal Estate Winery

As you cruise along the Pacific Coast Highway in the heart of Malibu you will find Rosenthal's brand new tasting room. The new venue has spacious parking, a grassy picnic area and a beautiful view of the ocean.  Although the tasting room is new, the winery itself has been around since 1991.  The founder, George Rosenthal, began planting vines on his Malibu estate in 1987 and now currently operates a 32 acre vineyard in Malibu Newton Canyon.  This distinct microclimate is now recognized as an AVA (American Viticultural Area) just four miles inland from the coast.

Along with the Rosenthal label, the winery has teamed up with the Surfrider Foundation.  They have created a custom label featuring different professional surfers.  Currently their 2009 Central Coast Chardonnay features the Surfrider label.  For each bottle sold a donation is made to the foundation.  


The following are two of my favorites from the tasting:
2010 Rosenthal Viognier, Malibu Newton Canyon $24.00
Very classic nose of apricot, white peach and sweet honeysuckle.  On the palate it was surprisingly light bodied and had a refreshing burst of acidity.


2005 Rosenthal Meritage, Malibu Newton Canyon $49.00
Aromas of dark fruit and oak.  On the palate it was full bodied, but showed refined flavors of blackberry, black currant, vanilla and spice.


The winery is one of the larger producers in the area and I commonly see it at our local grocery store.  For those not in the area, you will most likely will find the wine at Total Wine & More.

Bella Victorian Vineyard

In the charming downtown of Camarillo is Bella Victorian Vineyard's tasting room and bistro.  The place is literally a hole in the wall, but it's small setting gives you a cozy and intimate feel. You can enjoy your tasting at the bar or at a private table with your meal.  The bistro and tasting room is open Wednesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner.  The winery specializes in limited production wines that are carefully handcrafted to perfection.  As with most of the wineries in this area, Bella Victorian blends their own grapes with those sourced along the California coast.
Some of my favorites from the tasting included:
"The Painted Lady" Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills 2009
"Romeo" Grenache, Santa Barbara County 2008
"The Garage" Syrah, California 2007

Due to their limited case production the wine is sold exclusively at the tasting room and to their wine club members.  The family vineyard is located along the foot of the Conejo Mountains.  It showcases rolling hillsides and the families beautiful Victorian home that has become a popular wedding venue.  I highly recommend stopping in for a bite and a taste if you are ever in the area.

Exploring the Ventura County Wine Trail

The blog is back and I'm ready for a new adventure in wine!  As I was searching for ideas of what to write about this season, it occurred to me that I have a growing wine trail in my own backyard: the Ventura County Wine Trail.  I have made it my goal this year to visit each winery currently listed on the map.  There are over 20 wineries spreading all the way from Calabasas to Ojai.  I am eager to learn more about this growing wine region and find out what my new favorites might be.

First Stop: Herzog Wine Cellars

Herzog is located just a few miles off the 101 in Oxnard.  Their current tasting room is a beautiful state-of-the-art facility. It includes a a fine dining restaurant, Tierra Sur, specializing in Mediterranean style cuisine.  Herzog has a long history in the wine business, extending back over a 100 years to the Baron Philip Herzog, who made wine for the Emperor Franz-Josef and the Austro-Hungarian court.  Present day, you can find Herzog wines at most retail stores including Trader Joe's under the label Baron Herzog.  The large production winery sources grapes from all over California and has multiple limited production labels including: Special Reserve Herzog, Weinstock and Jeunesse.  The winery is also unique in that it is completely Kosher.  All the wines are produced following traditional Judaism religious laws.  To learn more about the winery visit their website at www.herzogwinecellars.com

Here are some tasting notes from my trip:

2008 Weinstock Cellars, Chardonnay, Sonoma County $20.00

Aromas of sweet cream, red apple and toast.  On the palate the wine has a silky texture, balanced acidity and finishes with lots of butter and oak flavors.

2009 Baron Herzog, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast $13.00

Aromas of plum, black cherry and dark berries. This easy drinking cab is light bodied and would go great with food.

2010 Weinstock Cellars, Alicante Bouchet, Mendocino $20.00

This unique varietal usually used as a blending grape is very soft on the palate for being so young.  It has bright flavors of red cherry, cranberry, plum and a hint of spice. *One of my favorites

2007 Herzog, Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $38.00

Aromas of red currant, black cherry, black berry and spice.  On the palate the wine is medium bodied with big bold tannins.  It finishes dry with hints of vanilla and oak.

  

My Favorite Sangria Recipes for Summer

Ali's 4th of July Sangria
3 bottles Sauvignon Blanc
8 oz Vodka
1 bottle White Cranberry Juice
2 cup blueberries
2 cup raspberries
2 sliced lemons
Preparation:
Mix wine, vodka and cranberry juice in a large pitcher.  Add fruit to your liking, reserve some for garnish.  Chill in fridge for minimum 3 hours.  Serve over ice.
Makes approximately 20-25 servings, depending on who's drinking :)


Traditional Red Wine Sangria
1 bottle of red wine
1 lemon cut into wedges
1 orange cut into wedges
1 lime cut into wedges
2 tbsp. sugar
splash of orange juice
2 shots of gin
1 cup of raspberries or strawberries
1 small can of diced pineapples (with juice)
4 cups ginger ale
Preparation:
Pour wine into pitcher, squeeze juice from lemon, orange and lime wedges into wine, then drop in wedges.  Add pineapple, sugar, orange juice and gin.  Chill overnight.  Add ginger ale, berries and ice before serving.


Sparkling Sangria
1 cup brandy
1/2 cup orange liqueur
1/4 cup sugar, super fine
1 orange, thinly sliced
1 pint raspberries
1 lime, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced
2 bottles sparkling wine or cava, chilled
Preparation:
In a large pitcher, combine the brandy, orange liqueur. Pour in the sugar, stir or shake the pitcher thoroughly to mix until the sugar dissolves.  Add all the fruit at once. Add the cava and serve as is or on ice.
Recipe courtesy Michael Chairello


Rose Sangria Spritzer
2 bottles cold rose wine
1 green apple, thinly sliced
1 orange, halved and thinly sliced
1 pint fresh raspberries
simple syrup, to taste
ice cubes
fresh mint leaves, for garnish
club soda, cold
Preparation:
Combine wine, apple, orange, raspberries in a pitcher, add simple syrup, to taste. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day. Serve over ice, garnish with mint and top with a few splashes of club soda, if desired.
Recipe courtesy Bobby Flay

Tuscan Wine Dinner at Panzanella

Last Tuesday we enjoyed an amazing wine dinner at Panzanella Italian Restaurant in Sherman Oaks.  The event was put on by the Duke of Bourbon, a rare wine and spirit retailer in Canoga Park.  Each month they organize different events for their customers that highlight some of the unique wines currently offered in their store.  For this particular dinner they had a representative from Winebow, one of the largest importers and distributors of International wines, take us through a 5 course meal paired with wines from Tuscany. 

Some highlights of the meal included:

 Crispy Rice with Ahi Tuna Tartare paired with 

NV Zardetto Prosecco Cuvee Brut 

Octopus Carpaccio with 2007 Altesino, Rosso di Altesino, Super Tuscan

Artesian Rigatoni with Veal and Porcini Mushroom Ragu paired with 

2006 Castello di Bossi, Chianti Classico

Roasted Breast of Duck with Polenta and a Cherry Port Wine Sauce paired with 

2006 Poggio a Tesoro, Sondraia, Super Tuscan

The evening was definitely a treat.  For more information on the wines or Panzanella check out the links above.

Villa Rosa Gavi

2008 Villa Rosa Gavi di Gavi, Piedmont, Italy
For those unfamiliar with this type of white wine, it is a great alternative to a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.  This particular bottle had bright aromas of green apple, pear, starfruit and honeysuckle.  On the palate it's crisp, showcasing flavors of lemon, green apple, grapefruit and a light hint of honey.

Food Pairing: The bright acidity helps counter balance a rich dish.  I found it went quite nicely with mushroom risotto with spring vegetables.

Music Pairing: Home, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Did You Know? The wine derives it's name from the town Gavi in the Northwestern part of Italy.  It is made from an indigenous grape variety called Cortese and can sometimes be labled on the bottle as Cortese di Gavi.

Where To Buy? I found this bottle at Total Wine & More for $15.99

Malibu Family Wines

As I continue to explore the Malibu wine scene I have been extremely impressed by the different micro climates producing very unique takes on our most common varietals.  Malibu Family Wines would be no exception to this.  For their Semler label they currently have 65 acres of vines planted at the crest of the Santa Monica mountains.  The terrain is rocky with downward-facing slopes which make the vines fight a little harder to find nutrients.  The results are lower yields of more balanced fruit showcasing lots of earth and mineral characteristics.  Their other label, Saddlerock,  is produced with fruit sourced from the Central Coast.   These wines were showing more fruit forward notes on the nose and palate.  No matter your style of wine, there is definitely something for you at their tasting room.  It is located in the canyons off Mulholland Hwy.  There is a small sign out front, but be on the lookout because it's easy to miss.  As you walk up you are surrounded by a large area of outdoor seating and plenty of grassy knolls.  It would be the perfect place to have an afternoon picnic.  The tasting room is located outside, which gives you the opportunity to take in the beautiful scenery as you taste.  They currently do live music on the weekends from 1-3pm and will be starting an evening music scene after Memorial Day.  Definitely a place worth checking out!  I have attached some of my notes from the day.

2009 Semler Sauvignon Blanc $20
Bright aromas of lemon, green apple, pineapple and chalk.  On the palate, it bursts with acidity showcasing the same fruit above all wrapped around a mineral core.

2009 Semler Rose $17.60
A very sutle rose, with light aromas of strawberries, white peach and rose water.  On the palate it's very light on fruit, but has a very soft finish with lots of minerality.

2006 Semler Cabernet Sauvignon $25.60
Aromas of raspberry, plum, black cherry, cedar and spice.  On the palate it shows a little more restraint of fruit with medium tannins and finishes with lot of spice and vanilla.

2002 Semler Cabernet Sauvignon $32.00
It starts out with lots of smoke and earth on the nose and you really have to try to find the fruit.  On the palate it just takes over with tobacco, cedar, earth and spice.  Finishes with medium plus tannins.

2007 Saddlerock Pinot Noir $21.60
Aromas of bright red fruit - pomegranate, rhubarb and cranberry.  On the palate you get a bite of tart cherry with a finish of raspberry, plum and cedar.

Cheers for Rosé!

As we continue into Spring and the temperature outside begins to rise, I find myself looking for a lighter bodied wine that will refresh my palate.  My favorite pick for the moment is the ever versatile rosé.  With it's seductive pale pink hue, it always seems to catch my eye.  For all the skeptical ones out there, this wine is not to be confused with it's ever similar looking cousin,"white zinfandel." Rosé in it's truest form is meant to be bone dry with balanced acidity, showcasing bright fruit and floral aromas.  The varietal or varietals used is subjective to the producer, but I have seen straight grenache and syrah rosés or even blends of 5 plus grapes.  If you are looking for the perfect wine to bring to a summer BBQ or even Easter dinner...give it a try.  It pairs well with lighter proteins like salmon, chicken and ham.  If you want to get a little geeky, I suggest finding one from Tavel; this region in France is a widely renowned for making supreme rosé.  At the moment Bev Mo and Trader Joes has a great selection of value rosés or check out your local high-end liquor store for a premium bottle.  Happy Drinking!

Veramonte "Primus" Red Blend

2007 Veramonte "Primus" Red Wine, Colchagua Valley, Chile
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 8% Merlot, 7% Carmenere
A robust wine expressing aromas of black cherry, blackberry, currant, leather, tobacco, cedar and spice.  On the palate it's full of earthy elements, cooked dark fruits and has a long spicy finish.

Food Pairing: This wine would be great with a rustic dish like Shepherd's Pie

Music Pairing: Too Afraid To Love You, The Black Keys


Did You Know? Carmenere is a member of the Cabernet family originating from Bordeaux.  Today it is rarely seen in France, but has become one of the most widely planted grapes in Chile. 

Savor Dallas

This past weekend I attended the 7th annual Savor Dallas event in Texas.  The event strives to combine a unique experience of wine, food, spirits and arts.  I was only able to attend Friday of the two day extravaganza, but definitely got a good feel for the spirit of Dallas.  They split up the vendors between four different art museums, so you had the opportunity to explore the downtown art scene as you snacked and sipped.  My only complaint would be the time restriction; Friday's event was only two hours, which really didn't give you enough time to enjoy each museum properly.  Although feeling quite rushed, I was still able to find some unique wines and had a great time enjoying the scenery.

Concannon Vineyard
-Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Petite Sirah from the Livermore Valley


Bridelwood Estate Winery
-Chardonnay & Pinot Noir from Santa Ynez

Raymond
-Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley

Family Winemakers of California Tasting

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the Family Winemakers of California tasting in Pasadena.  The event hosted over 200 wineries from all over the state and hundreds of eager trade representatives ready to taste.  The association was originally founded in 1991 to give a voice to small family wineries in public policy.  Each year they host tasting events for the trade and public to showcase their wines and increase distribution.  For future tastings check out the link above.

Some of my favorite tastings from the day include:

Pisoni Vineyards & Winery
-Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands

Mauritson Family Winery
-Zinfandel from the Dry Creek Valley


Buoncristiani Family Winery
-Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Blends from the Napa Valley


Tablas Creek Vineyard
-Rhone varietals from Paso Robles

Malibu makes wine?...Who knew?

Who would of thought that Malibu would be the new hot spot for great wine?  It turns out that those beautiful rolling hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean are now prime real estate for planting vineyards.  With tasting rooms popping up all over and amazing scenic tours of the sand and surf; it has become quite the tourist destination.

Nestled in the canyons off Kanan Rd is Sip Malibu, Cielo Wine Bar.  It is the tasting room for Cielo Malibu Estate Vineyards owned by Richard Hirsh.  They produce two labels, the Cielo Estate collection and the Woodstock collection.  The Cielo wines are made from the estate vineyard in Malibu and the Woodstock wines are produced using grapes sourced from the Napa Valley, Mendocino, and the Central Coast.  There is an obvious love for music, as each wine in the Woodstock collection is named after a famous rock song. ex: "White Rabbit Sauvignon Blanc"  The tasting room exuded a rustic charm with a modern edge.  There were vintage music posters on the walls, plush seating and rock music blasting.  Their tasting menu consisted of 4 different flight options to taste or you can buy wine by the glass and enjoy outside. I have included notes from the three reds I tasted:

2008 Cielo Estate Malibu Rouge $95
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
You are instantly hit with powerful dark fruit including blueberry and black cherry with undertones of earth and mushroom.  On the palate the wine is full bodied, exuding lots of fruit flavors and finishes with soft tannins.

2008 Cielo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $85
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and prune with hints of mint and vanilla.  On the palate it's powerful, showing lots of dark fruit, vanilla, spice and a hint of tobacco.

2008 Cielo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve $175
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
A beautifully crafted wine showing aromas of blackberry, black cherry, chocolate, clove and herbal notes.  On the palate it's full bodied yet refined with an extremely long finish.

Domaine Chatelain-De Oliveira Chablis

2007 Domaine Chatelain - De Oliveira Chablis 1er Cru "Fourchame"
This beautifully crafted Chardonnay from France has delicate aromas of pear, red apple, melon, acacia flowers and a hint of chalk.  On the palate it bursts with bright acidity showing flavors of lemon and green apple.  The finish is long with a touch of oak.  Highly recommend.

Food Pairing: White Truffle Mac and Cheese


Music Pairing: This wine craves a soft and elegant melody - Shoot The Moon, Norah Jones

Query Grenache

2008 Query Grenache, Paso Robles
Powerful fruit aromas of raspberry, pomegranate and plum.  On the palate it's medium bodied with flavors of black cherry, grape and blueberry.

Food Pairing: Great wine for a summer BBQ - try with BBQ Pork Ribs.
Music Pairing: Classic notes with a slight pop - Tom Petty, I Won't Back Down


Did You Know? Grenache is a grape varietal most widely known for being grown in the Southern Rhone Valley of France.  It's the dominant grape varietal used in the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape region.  Due to the similar climate, the grape has thrived in parts of California, especially Paso Robles.

Challis Lane Wines

On my search for a great value wine,  I stumbled upon Challis Lane wines at BevMo's 5 cent sale.  If any of you are unfamiliar with the sale, it's buy one bottle and get the second for 5 cents.  These wines were marked at the mere price of $8.99 and would be a great candidate for my friend's wedding.  They are fresh, easy to drink and who couldn't be happy with a deal like that!

2009 Challis Lane Sauvignon Blanc
Aromas of green apple, lime, star fruit and fresh flowers.  On the palate it's full of tropical fruit, pear and a light minerality.
Food Pairing: Arugula Salad with Beets and Goat Cheese

2009 Challis Lane Cabernet Sauvignon
Fruit forward aromas of blackberry, black cherry, plum, vanilla and anise.  On the palate it confirms the aromas above and finishes with mild tannins.
Food Pairing: Grilled Burger with Blue Cheese

Music Pairing: Got to be there - Toots & The Maytals
Both wines show bright, cheerful notes of fruit and need a positive beat to pair.

In the Vineyard "Winter"

During the cold winter months in the northern hemisphere the vines settle into a dormant state to conserve energy and pruning begins to make room for the new years growth.















photo by Meg Perotti

Wedding Wine Challenge

My dear friend who is getting married soon has presented me with quite a difficult challenge.  She would like me to find her a quality red and white wine to serve at her wedding for the value price of $5.00/bottle. Wish me luck.

First Wine Review

2005 Joseph Drouhin Cote de Beaune Pinot Noir
Sweet aromas of black cherry, pomegranate and clove with some light floral notes.  On the palate it's medium bodied with flavors of tart cherry, cranberry and a little cedar and spice.  Nice balanced acidity and a long finish.  Highly recommend

Food pairing:  Very versatile wine that would pair well with lighter proteins like Duck Confit or Pork Chops.
Music pairing: Stick with me Baby, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Raising Sand