Q1 2024 Daily Drinker Club

T Berkley Wines

• Located in Calistoga at the host winery, Teachworth Napa Valley
• Open by appointment only, Thursday thru Sunday
• Produces ~2,500 cases/year, predomenently Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc

2020 Norgard Chenin Blanc

• 300 cases produced
• 100% Chenin Blanc from Mendocino County
• 12 months in concrete and neutral French oak puncheons

The grapes for this wine were hand-picked intentionally at lower brix, foot-tread, and left on skins for up to a day before being pressed and settled overnight. Fermentation took place in a mix of neutral French Oak barrels, stainless-steel barrels, and a concrete egg, and the wine was then aged on lees 12 months, and in tank (off lees) for 3 more. The resultant wine has beautiful, vibrant acidity, and excellent phenolic structure with notes of honeycomb, lemon curd, and lanolin.

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Montagne Russe Wines

• Tasting room located in Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg, CA
• Produce ~1,200 cases per year, across Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah

Montagne Russe means “roller coaster” in French. Due to owner/vintner Kevin’s mechanical engineering background, along with getting busted by the Feds for making too much [excellent] wine out of his garage without a permit – it’s fair to say it’s been quite the roller coaster ride for Montagne Russe coming to be a legal winery in 2015.

2021 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

• 450 cases produced
• 100% Pinot Noir, a blend of their single-vineyard Pinots from the Sonoma Coast
• 15 months in 10% new French oak

This Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a blend of various cool-climate Sonoma Coast vineyards. This structured and flavorful Pinot Noir integrates the best of all their vineyards and barrels. Aged on the lees for 15 months in French oak.  Juicy raspberry, kirsch, and a hint of cedar shavings on the nose. The palate offers similar, plus crushed stoned and candied cherries. 

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Guadagni Family Wines 

• Located in Healdsburg, CA
• Produce ~700 cases/year across Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. 
• There’s not currently a tasting room, but they’re in the process of building one and hope to open in 2024

The Guadagni family has been farming in the Dry Creek Valley since the late 1800’s when great-grandfather Raffaelo Guadagni settled in the upper part of Dry Creek Valley. Raffaelo’s son Fred moved onto the current property in 1941 with his family and the Guadagni’s have been there ever since…4 generations now. 

2019 Lucky Seven Grenache

• 80 cases produced
• 95% Grenache, 5% Petite Sirah from Dry Creek Valley
• 18 months in 26% new French oak

In the glass, this Grenache exhibits a radiant ruby-red hue with a glimmer of purple at the core. Its brilliance captures the light, hinting at the vibrant character that awaits.

The aromatics are captivating, evoking an air of elegance reminiscent of an ultra-premium Pinot Noir. Delicate floral notes of dried rose petals and lavender waft gently, followed by an alluring mix of red berry medley, including ripe strawberries, red cherries, and cranberries. Hints of crushed herbs, such as sage and thyme, add a layer of complexity to the bouquet, further enhancing its allure.

On the palate, this Grenache demonstrates a seamless balance between grace and intensity, truly earning its title as the “Pinot Noir of Dry Creek Valley.” Silky and refined, the wine’s mouthfeel is reminiscent of satin, gracefully coating the palate. Bright red fruit flavors take center stage, with luscious raspberry and ripe cherry leading the way. The fruit’s purity is elevated by a subtle, yet distinct, hint of red currants and a touch of pomegranate, adding depth to the taste experience.

As the wine develops on the mid-palate, there is a notable transition towards more intricate layers of flavor. Delicate baking spices, like cinnamon and a touch of clove, mingle harmoniously with the fruit, creating a warm and inviting sensation. The 25% aging in Francois Freres New French Oak barrels lends subtle vanilla and toasted oak notes that frame the fruit beautifully, enhancing the wine’s sophistication.

The finish is nothing short of remarkable, displaying a persistent length that lingers with finesse. Silky tannins gently caress the mouth, leaving a graceful touch. A touch of minerality adds a refreshing quality, while the wine’s inherent freshness maintains its poise throughout the finish.

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Saini Vineyards

• Tasting room located in Healdsburg, in the heart of Dry Creek Valley
• Produce 2,000-2,500 cases per year across 11 different wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Sangiovese, Carignane and Zinfandel.
• All of their wines are estate grown on their ranch in the heart of Dry Creek Valley.

The Saini family are fifth generation farmers who have been farming this land for over 100 years. The story in America began in 1908, when Michele Saini came to the United States from Genova, Italy. Like many immigrants he arrived at Ellis Island and journeyed to San Francisco where he would make his living as a garbage man for some time, driving a team of horses through the streets of San Francisco. Michele was a farmer and winemaker in his home country and sought to make is real passion a reality here in America as well. In 1917 his passion became a reality when Michele bought his first ranch in the Dry Creek Valley with his brother-in-law John Cuneo. The land they purchased produced pears, apples, prunes, walnuts, and wine grapes, and sold the grapes to many wineries in Sonoma County.  In 1934, Cuneo & Saini purchased another ranch in Alexander Valley. They built a solid reputation as grape growers, selling to many wineries in Sonoma County.  The second and third generations of the families continued farming. It wasn’t until the 4th generation, when Mike Saini fulfilled a dream of making wine under his own label from grapes grown on his family’s land. In 2008 he launched Saini Vineyards. Today, the 5th generation is learning the ways of the land and continuing the family’s legacy. 

2021 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

• 610 Cases produced
• 100% Zinfandel, 11 months in 30% new French oak
• This wine is a great representation of Dry Creek Valley’s unique terroir and the Saini family’s legacy as it is a blend of 6 different blocks on the ranch, including old and mature vine plantings.

The aromas show ripe berry and stone fruit with notes of warm brown spice and touches of toast and vanilla from oak aging. On the palate juicy blackberry flavors dominate. The tannins are restrained and the finish is smooth with a tiny zip from the delicate acidity.

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Deerfield Ranch Winery

• Located in Kenwood, right in the heard of Sonoma Valley
• Produces ~7,000 cases per year 
• Their tasting room, located inside their 23,000 sq. ft. cave, is open daily to the public

2019 Red Red

• 900 cases produced
• 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 15% Syrah, 12% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 7% Zinfandel, 6% Cabernet Franc, all from Sonoma Valley
• Aged 4 years in 30% new oak barrels

Red Rex is a fruit forward, full-bodied, complex and velvety. The grapes were triple sorted for quality. Each lot was separately aged for two years in select French and American oak barrels, blended by taste and returned to the barrels an extraordinary total of four years barrel aging. Each varietal fits in the blend like a piece in a puzzle, reaching every corner of your palate. Winemaking is 60% cooking and 40% chemistry. It’s about the quality of the ingredients, style and technique.

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Rutherford Ranch

• Tasting room located on Napa Valley’s scenic Silverado Trail in the Rutherford District of Napa  

Rutherford Ranch Winery is on the site of the original Round Hill Winery that was founded in 1978 by Ernie Van Asperen, Virginia Van Asperen and Charlie Abela. When the Van Asperens retired in 2000, Marko and Theo Zaninovich, long-time shareholders with the Van Asperen family, acquired the winery. The estate vineyards were replanted with superior vines and the winery and tasting room have since undergone significant renovations. 

2019 Reserve Napa Vallery Cabernet Sauvignon

• 89.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.7% Merlot.  18 months in French and American oak

The 2019 growing season started with an abundance of rainfall and late soil moisture. The long, warm summer saw very extreme heat events, with foggy mornings setting the stage for vibrant and expressive wines. The long, relatively mild finish to the season helped to preserve freshness and finesse in the fruit with abundant hang time teasing out great color, structure and soft tannins. Yields were average to a little below average. All in all, exceptional fruit with bright acidity and ample texture promises and amazing vintage

The 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of cassis, black pepper and fresh floral notes. Flavors of dark chocolate-covered blueberries, cherry cola, brandied cherries and raspberry puree on the palate. Integrated, silky tannins with just a bit of oak influence lead to a long, round finish.