Q4 2024 Daily Drinker Club

Bitrittesi Wines

• There is no public tasting room
• Produces 150-200 cases annually, with a Chardaonnay and a Syrah
• The owner/winemaker, Tyler Martin is also the Associate Winemaker for CADE Estate on Howell Mountain. He brings 10+ years of winemaking experience to Bitrittesi Wines, which are made to showcase his family vineyard in Sonoma Valley.
• The name Bitrittesi comes from the Italian side of Tyler’s family originally from Bitritto, Italy.  The wine’s name is to honor his relatives from that region who came here all those years ago to make their mark on agriculture here in California. 

2022 Wood Valley Vineyard, Sonoma Valley Chardonnay

• 100% Chardonnay from the family-owned vineyard in Sonoma Valley
• 85 cases produced
• Fermented in stainless steel and finishes primary fermentation in neutral oak.  Then ages in the same neutral oak barrels.

Tasting Notes:
The 2022 Wood Valley Chardonnay was made with the intention of showing a true blend of old world and new world winemaking style.  In 2022, we chose to stop malolactic fermentation on 55% of the blend to retain the fresh citrus and apple aromas and give it that extra bite of acidity.  The partial Malolactic fermentation does show as well with subtle notes of butter and creaminess on the finish.  This vintage shows citrus, pineapple, guava and floral notes on the nose, with a slight hint of vanilla and caramel.  On the palate, you will find flavors of green apple, pear, pineapple and guava that are cut nicely with the acidity.  The oak on the finish is subtle, showing roundness on the palate, but not showing too much buttery and woody characteristics. 

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Merriam Vineyards

• Based in Healdsburg, CA with a tasting room open daily from 10am – 5pm
• Produce ~3,000 cases per year, 90% of which is from their estate vineyards. Their varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.
• The Estate Vineyards surrounding the Winery and Tasting Room are certified organic by CCOF and have been since 2012. Their winery production facility was certified organic by CCOF in 2023. The estate wines from the property, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Petit Verdot are made with Organic Grapes.

2021 Diana’s Vineyard Pinot Noir

• 100% Pinot Noir, clones 777, 667, 115, 23 and Pommard
• Aged in 30% new Frnch oak for 12 months
• 300 cases produced
• Diana’s Vineyard Pinot noir, name after proprietor Diana Merriam, is located on Merriam Vineyards’ certified organic estate property in the Eastern Hills of the Russian River Valley.

Tasting Notes
On the nose, this medium-bodied Pinot Noir showcases notes of raspberry and black peppercorn. These aromas are balanced by hints of rosemary and complemented by
blackberry on the finish.

 

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Martorana Family Winery

• Based in Healdsburg, CA with a public tasting room
• Produce ~2,000 cases per year across Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Merlot, Cabernet, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and a Bordeaux Blend (Mozzafiato)

From northwest Italy to San Francisco to Healdsburg, the journey of the Martorana family is based on the land and farm.  They originally started with a few acres of olives from their homeland and ventured into a few more acres of vineyards to enjoy with their meals.  This grew into a small, all estate, organically farmed winery.  They are also a fish friendly grower, having some of the choicest frontage to Dry Creek which we maintain throughout the year to help keep it flowing freely for the native fish and wildlife that thrive here. 

2021 Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah

• 207 cases produced
• 100% Petite Sirah
• 22 months in 30% new French oak

Tasting Notes:
The 2027 vintage, a low-yield but high ­quality year, produced a slightly lighter­bodied Petite Sirah. This elegant wine showcases dark cherry, concentrated blueberry, and plum, with earthy hints of leather and herbs. Firm yet approachable and refined tannins complement its balanced acidity, while French oak aging imparts subtle layers of vanilla and baking spices.

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Spicy Vines

• Winery is located in Cloverdale, California
• Tastings Room is in Healdsburg, California open to the public, winery production private tours by appointment only
• Produce ~2,500 cases annually amongst “Sunnydaze” Sauvignon Blanc, “Violet Rose” Rosé, “Declan’s Delight” Pinot Noir, “EDGE” Red Blend, “Dragon’s Kiss” Syrah, “Zin Master” Zinfandel, “Rita’s Red” Red Blend, “Old World” Cabernet Sauvignon, “New World” Cabernet Sauvignon, “Elevate” Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc and a “Handcrafted” brandy.

All estate grown and located in the Moon Mountain District in foothills of Sonoma Valley. The Caton Vineyard is defined by its sustainable farming and belief that healthier vineyards produce unique and distinctive wines. The vineyards have multiple sun exposures, soil types, and vary in altitude over 300 feet between each other. Our meticulous farming practices showcase the love for our land and our passion for the wines that come from it.

2021 Zin Master Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

• 100% Old vine Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley 
• Aged in 20% new American oak for 22 months
• 94 cases produced

Tasting Notes
This juicy and complex old vine Zinfandel presents alluring aromatics of boysenberry and blackberry. On the palate, layers of white pepper, mulberry, raspberry, and boysenberry are nicely balanced with a subtle hint of exotic spices. The wine is complex, full-bodied with vibrancy and impeccable balance, lending to an overall satisfying texture, mouthfeel, and finish.

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Blue Rock Vineyard

• Winery located in Cloverdale, CA with tastings by appointment
• Produces ~20,000 cases per year across up to 13 wines each vintage. They source from their 2 vineyards, Alexander Valley and Petaluma Gap, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay and a Right Bank Blend.

2021 Baby Blue

• 11,500 cases produced
• 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec
• 16 months in 15% new French oak

Tasting Notes:
There are moments when the deep ruby color of a red wine is about the most satisfying experience we can have, then of course we smell and taste the wine and things somehow manage to get even better! Our 2021 Baby Blue Red begins with polished aromas of blackberry, dark currant, pencil shavings, hints of peppercorn, tilled earth, cedar and vanilla bean that sing of an absolutely brilliant young wine. Not to be outdone, rich flavors of both black and red fruits, savory spices, hints of black tea and espresso, and just the right touch of toasty oak in the background suggest this beauty will enjoy a long and celebrated evolution.

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Utopium

• Based in Glen Ellen, CA. No public tasting room. 
• Produce ~1,000 cases per year across Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Primitivo and Sauvignon Blanc

Cassata is a small, family-owned estate, on the eastern bench of Sonoma Valley, just outside the town of Glen Ellen. The vineyard was planted in the early 2000s and is farmed using organic and biodynamic methods. 

2018 Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Cassata Sonoma Vineyard

• 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aged in 30% new French oak for 18 months
• 300 cases produced

Tasting Notes
This Cabernet Sauvignon reveals an alluring bouquet of blackcurrant and elderberry, harmonizing beautifully with notes of leather, spice, tobacco leaf, and dried porcini. Subtle hints of graphite and turned earth add depth. On the mid-palate, the wine offers a plush fruit profile complemented by a smooth, elegant texture.