Tasting the Gold of El Dorado Wineries at South Lake Tahoe Community



Madrona Winery sets the tone
with its Lake Tahoe-named blend

One of my favorite Tahoe-area summer wine events is the“Taste of Gold,” which benefits the Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation. Why the name? Well, it’s all about wines from El Dorado, that California county over there on the South side of Lake Tahoe. The term El Dorado, meaning “the golden one” was coined by Spanish explorers in the mid 1500’s as they sought a city of gold believed to lie in the heart of the Amazon jungle. To find your “gold” in terms of good wine from the Sierra Foothills, simply attend the event, held each year on campus. Top wineries from El Dorado County offer many wines to taste.

Jen Tomei pours Boeger Wines

Boeger Winery, Placerville, 2012 Pinot Gris. It has aromas of honey, peach and green apple. On the palate, I like the hint of spice and the fact that it is light and delicate makes it a great summer wine. Grapes are sourced from Boeger’s own Pinot Grande vineyard. $15 the bottle. 13.5 percent alcohol. www.boegerwinery.com

Tina & Charlie Bruess
pour for Crystal Basin

 

 

Crystal Basin Cellars, Camino, 2010 Petite Sirah. A warm black cherry aroma leads to two distinct layers of flavor featuring, on the one hand, blueberries and on the other, soft tannins. $27 the bottle. 15.8 percent alcohol. www.crystalbasin.com

Connie Varvais & friend
pour for Hollys Hill

 

 

Holly’s Hill Vineyards, Placerville, 2007 Patriarche. This is a delicious blend of Rhone wines: 63 percent Mourvedre, 19 percent Syrah, 13 percent Grenache Noir, 5 percent Counoise. Aroma and taste of strawberries, dark berries and plum with complex spices. This wine has a nice earthiness, good acidity and smooth tannins. I love this blend. $30 the bottle. 14.4 percent alcohol. www.hollyshill.com

Perry Creek Winery, Fair Play, 2011 Zinman Rose. Aroma of strawberry and hints of flowers, and a taste that come in layers of all the fruits of summer. This is a light, dry and delightful Rose that is easy to drink. $12 the bottle.14.2 percent alcohol. www.perrycreek.com

Carolyn Silan pours
for Colibri Ridge

Colibri Ridge Winery, Fair Play, 2007 Barbera Fair Play. Wow, a whopper of a wine at 16.1 percent alcohol but tannin-lovers will find this delicious with berry aroma that leads to a mouthful of lush tasting blackberry, cherry, raspberry and blueberries. $21.50 the bottle. www.colibriridge.com

Nello Olivo pours for
Sarah Deliniere

Nello Olivo Winery, Placerville, 2009 Merlot. Try this wine if you’ve become jaded about Merlot. It’s quite a bold Merlot, made in the Bordeaux style. $39.50 the bottle. 13.7 percent alcohol. www.nelloolivo.com

 

 

 

 

Other El Dorado wineries pouring were Lava Cap and Madrona, both located near Placerville.

 

 

 

Lake Tahoe Community College is located in South Lake Tahoe; more at www.ltcc.edu. Everyone enjoyed the tastings and the cuisine of Lake Tahoe on the beautiful Ledbetter Terrace and Demonstration Gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you missed this event, I suggest a visit to the tasting rooms of these wineries. There are dozens of great visits you can make in a day from Lake Tahoe. Check the El Dorado Wine Association map at www.eldoradowines.org/map.php

 

 

This review appeared in my Wine Time column, published August 8, in The Tahoe Weekly.

Tahoe Ridge Winery pours Good Wine at Pine Lodge for a Cause: Sierra State Park

It’s always a privilege to tour the Pine Lodge, showcase of the Hellman-Ehrman Estate at Sugar Pine Point State Park, and even more so to sit on the historic front porch sipping good wines from Tahoe Ridge Winery and hearing the wisdom of Mark Twain presented by McAvoy Layne.

You can do this too, on August 30, when the Sierra State Parks Foundation hosts its next “Evening of Wine and Wisdom.”  This is a fundraiser for the Foundation, and well worth your time and money.  Bring your wine palate too and enjoy the wines!

Tahoe Ridge Winery, located in Minden NV, was the wine host in July, and they poured a selection of wonderfully crafted wines.

I started with a taste of the 2009 Reserve Zinfandel, California.  This classic Zinfandel is made from California grapes, and delivers everything you’d expect:  flavors of strawberry jam, cherries, a hint of cinnamon, a touch of cedar, and earthy tones of tobacco and leather.  You’ll definitely want to sit on the porch when you drink this, as alcohol is at 17.2 percent.  At the winery, cost is $46/bottle for the 2008 vintage.   Those of us at Pine Lodge got a sneak peak at this newest vintage of the Reserve Zinfandel.

The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc is also made from California grapes.  A citrusy aroma leads to flavors of green apple, lime and tangerine.   15.2 percent alcohol.  $22/bottle for the 2008 vintage.

The 2010 Reserve Chardonnay featured flavor of ripe apple and peach, a classic California Chardonnay profile.    Again, we got a sneak peak at the newest vintage of the Reserve Chardonnay.   13 percent alcohol.   $29/bottle for the 2009 vintage.

The 2008 Reserve Petit Verdot is also a tasting sit-while-you-sip wine. Although Petit Verdot is best known as a blending grape with other red Bordeaux varietals, it is flavorful on its own.  This wine exhibits classic flavor of dense dark fruit, like black plum.  17.2 percent alcohol.  $31/bottle, available only at the Bistro associated with the winery.

Tahoe Ridge wines are made in Nevada.  Wines made from selected grapes sourced primarily in California include Merlot, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Semillon and Muscat Blanc.  Wines made from Nevada grapes include Frontenac, and La Crosse.

Tahoe Ridge Winery Bistro and Marketplace is located at 1644 Highway 395 in Minden, NV.  (775) 783-1566. 



The wine tasting on the porch of Pine Lodge

Sugar Pine Point State Park lies along the west shore of Lake Tahoe, about ten miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89.

This information first appeared in The Tahoe Weekly newspaper, where I write the Wine Time column, on July 11 2013.   

El Dorado/Sierra Foothills Wineries Allow Consumers to "Sample the Sierra" at Lake Tahoe Event

As you read this, Sierra Foothills vineyards will be almost done with harvest, and winemakers are looking at the sugar content of their juice, deciding whether to add this yeast or that, ferment cold or otherwise, and filter or not. So many decisions go into producing an excellent wine, but if the wines poured at the 3^rdannual Sample the Sierra event held in South Lake Tahoe in September are indicative, the wines will continue to be good.

Sample the Sierra is a cooperative effort of El Dorado County organizations, growers, producers and businesses to increase awareness of the region’s bounty, heritage, culture and activities. A great addition this year was the Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe booth that enabled tasters to join the wine clubs of the various wineries.

Colibri Ridge winemaker,
John Alexander

I started my tasting at Colibri Ridge, a winery located in the Fair Play area of El Dorado County. Winemaker John Alexander poured his 2005 Mouvedre, with grapes sourced from the Helen Robin vineyard in Fair Play. It’s a big fruity and spicy Mourvedre, and was rated as the best Mourvedre from the Sierra Foothills at the 2006 California State Fair. 15.2 per cent alcohol. $22.00/bottle. John was not pouring his white ports, one from Viognier, one from Chardonnary, but if you go to the winery, I suggest you buy those dessert wines too: perfect for the upcoming holidays! www.colibriridge.com

Rowena Pegg from the Beach Grill,
South Lake Tahoe, pours
Toogood Estate wines

Another Fair Play winery, Toogood Estate, poured a teaser of a red blend named Foreplay. Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc all combine to make a nicely tannic and provocative wine. Winery owner Paul Toogood calls this his signature wine. 13.9 per cent alcohol, $30/bottle. Lakeside Beach Grill in South Lake Tahoe serves this and other local wines. www.toogoodwinery.com

Ravel Haynes poured for Shadow Ranch;
Sam Domingo, winemaker for
Wilderotter stopped by

 

Shadow Ranch Vineyard, located on Fair Play Road in Somerset, El Dorado County, poured its new red blend, Sheriff, which comprises 65 per cent Zinfandel and 35 per cent Syrah. This is a non-vintage blend, and great with the spicy food from Latin Soul restaurant. 14.5 per cent alcohol, $15/bottle. www.shadowranch.com.



 

 

Bill Gunn, assistant winemaker at Jodar Vineyards & Winery, Placerville, poured his 2010 Chardonnay. It has a nice Citrus on the nose with notes of grapefruit and lemon on the palate. 14.4 per cent alcohol, $18/bottle. www.jodarwinery.com

Diane Stading , co-owner of
Auriga Wine Cellars, pours their
2009 Red Giant blend

Auriga Wine Cellars of Placerville poured its 2009 Red Giant, a blend of 50% Zinfandel, 25% Merlot and 25% Syrah. It has fruit tones of black cherry, plum and spice with a hint of vanilla on the finish. 14 per cent alcohol, $16/bottle. www.aurigawines.com

Peaks & Paws: Wineries Pour for Humane Society Benefit at Squaw Valley

Bob the Dog at door of
Uncorked in Squaw Valley

I like wine, but I really LOVE dogs.  So when the opportunity came to combine the two by attending the great charity event Peaks & Paws at Squaw Valley, I couldn’t resist.   Proceeds benefited the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, and I’m pretty sure I saw the soft touch of Kali Kaliope, owner of Uncorked wine shops, in encouraging the wineries that poured for the event.  Most of these wines are available at the various Uncorked wine shop locations in the Tahoe area, including Petra in Northstar.

Bob the Dog was pretty interested in making friends, so it was difficult to get to all the tasting stations. 

 

Dogwood Cellars

As befits the occasion, we started at Dogwood Cellars, tasting their 2007 Zinfandel, Mendocino.  The grapes for this wine were sourced from BRutacao Vineyards, and 700 cases only were produced.  Deep ripe berries rise up to greet the palate, and such exotic spices touch the wine too.  Taste of blackberry, boysenberry, dark cherry, sage and brown sugar make this a hearty and delightful wine.  15.4 per cent alcohol, $28/bottle. 

Aglianico

The star of the show, to my mind, was the Aglianico Campagnia 2010 Red Wine Terredora Di Paola.   This Italian red is an intense ruby red color, with flavor of black cherry, blackberry and plum, topped off with a nice spicy and toasty tone.  It is soft and elegant,  with a nice long mouthfeel of red fruit.  It has sufficient structure to age well, and is a very versatile food wine.   12.5 per cent alcohol,  $19/bottle.

Super Sonoman

 

Super Sonoman presented its 2007 Meritage red wine from Sonoma County.  This is a wine sourced from grapes grown at high altitudes on the west side of the Mayacamas range in Sonoma.   Good acidity characterizes this Meritage, which is a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec,  and it has a lot of structure.  It features an aroma of black raspberry, flowers and a hint of coffee or tobacco, with taste of black currant and licorice and a bit of smoke.   Sweet tannins and a velvety texture make it drinkable now, or it can age nicely.  14.5 per cent alcohol, $75/bottle.

Boeger'S Pinot Gris

Closer to home, the Boeger 2011 Pinot Gris red wine from their Pinot Grande vineyard in El Dorado County, Sierra Foothills,  has aromas of honey, peach and green apple. It is light and delicate on the palate with just a hint of spice.    14.1 per cent alcohol, $15/bottle.

The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (www.hstt.org)  features adoptions every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. in Truckee, or call to make an appointment at 530-587-5948.   Bob the Dog was a rescue; thank goodness for these organizations!   They deserve our support.

Taste of Gold from El Dorado Wineries

I’d heard in the past about the wonderful Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting fundraiser for Lake Tahoe Community College, but I can now say with assurance:  put the Taste of Gold event on your calendar for next year.  Held on campus in South Lake Tahoe, this event featured 10 El Dorado/Sierra Foothill wineries and 8 wonderful restaurants who prepared tastes that paired well with the wines.  

Laurie Dishman of
Mount Aukum Winery

Mount Aukum winery served its 2007 Apogee.  This is an El Dorado Rhone varietals blend of 40% syrah, 30% petite syrah, 20% cabernet franc, and 10% merlot.  Blends are becoming more popular in all categories and regions of wine, and winemaker Michel Prodhon has recently been “Club Apogee” giving blending seminars for the trade and for consumers.  This wine is the outcome of such a seminar and is a robust red with plum flavor predominating.  Truly yummy.  14.8 per cent alcohol,  $30/bottle.  www.mountaukum.com

Jim Brown of
Sierra Oaks Esates

SIerra Oaks makes its 2006 Petite Sirah in a Burgundian style. This Petite has a unique and interesting floral nose.  I enjoyed the licorice flavor, which is a nice complement to this rich fruity Petite.  It has a nice roundness in the mid palate, giving the impression of sweetness.  The finish is smooth.  13.6 per cent alcohol, $21/bottle.  www.sierraoaksestates.com

Connie Varvais and her husband,
Holly's Hill Vineyards

Holly’s Hill Vineyards served a refreshing 2011 Viognier, perfect for a summer evening.  Despite the difficulty in pronouncing this varietal (vee-ohn-yay), it is a delightful Rhone grape that in this instance brought to mind a fruit-cocktail flavor.  “Imagine a bowl of peaches, pears and grapes all tossed with a lilac and lavender dressing,”  said tasting room manager Connie Varvais.  This wine is crisp, not sugary, and nicely mouth-filling.   13.6 per cent alcohol, $20/bottle.  www.hollyshill.com

Nello Olivo of
Nello Olivo Winery

Nello Olivo Winery poured a 2007 Toscanello, one of many Italian wines in which they specialize.  This red blend is 60% sangiovese, 20% cabernet, and 20% merlot.   Marco Cappelli is the well-known winemaker.  A full bodied wine with aromas of dark cherry, blueberry, cigar box & eucalyptus, it has a long and friendly finish that features a variety of acidity levels and a good tannic structure.   If you can resist drinking it right away, it will age well for 6 to 10 years.  14.5 per cent alcohol, $50/bottle.    www.nelloolivo.com

Other El Dorado wineries pouring were Colibri Ridge Winery, Crystal Basin Cellars, Grace Patriot Wines, Lava Cap, Madroña Vineyards, and Perry Creek Winery.  It’s a great and easy day trip from Tahoe to taste the wonderful wines of El Dorado county.

Lava Cap

Crystal Basin

All proceeds from this event benefit Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation, which supports scholarships and College programs.  Find out more at www.ltcc-edu/foundation and get on the notification list for next year’s event!

Cab for The Cure: Foothills Wineries Support Important Women's Health Cause

Talk about a good idea that contributes to a good cause -- Holly Dismukes has created a hop-on-the-bandwagon concept that can benefit both wineries and breast cancer research. It’s the “Cabernet For The Cure” event to be held for the third year with the participation of 7 good-hearted wineries in the Fair Play AVA (El Dorado county).

Holly lives near Sacramento, and she says that although she is not in the wine industry, “I absolutely love wine.” She and her husband Brian and her brother Casey Steel have been going to wineries in the Sierra Foothills for 15 years or so. Holly’s job as a staff accountant at Sysco gives her leisure time on weekends to enjoy the wine tourism that’s become such an important part of the Sierra Foothill areas near Sacramento.

The concept development for Cabernet for the Cure was simple. “I’ve been doing the Walk for the Cure for a few years in Sacramento, and so when I go wine tasting in the Foothills, I’ve asked wineries from time to time to donate to the Susan G. Komen cause. Three years ago, Single Leaf, Iverson and Windwalker helped me formalize this idea with the first Cabernet for the Cure event. More wineries join in every year.”

20 – 50 – 150 people and, now, 7 wineries

Holly is not herself a breast cancer survivor, but she believes this is a good thing to be doing for all the women who can be affected. The first year, 20 people showed up. Last year, 50. And now, all 150 “tickets” (tee-shirts) to the afternoon barbeque that keynotes the event at Single Leaf Winery are sold out, ten days before the deadline.

Wine lovers can still participate in the tasting/donation part of the event by asking for a pink ribbon at the tasting rooms of the seven wineries, or by showing a print-out of the poster. The wineries will donate between $2 and $5 a bottle for each bottle of their wine purchased. (Linda Neal of Mellowood, who alerted me to the event, tops the pack by donating $5 per bottle. Atta girl, Linda! Good on you!)

All donations flow through directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. What does Holly Dismukes get out of this? Pennies in heaven, I hope.

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The participating wineries are Busby Cellars, Iverson Winery, Mellowood Vineyards, Perry Creek Winery, Sierra Oaks Estates, Single Leaf Winery, and Windwalker Vineyard. Click on any of the winery names to go to their websites.
To make your tour to Fair Play easier, here are the winery addresses:


Busby Cellars
6375 Grizzly Flat Rd
Fair Play, CA 95684


Iverson Winery
8061 Perry Creek Road
Fair Play, CA 95684


Mellowood Vineyards
2979 Mellowood Drive
Fair Play, CA 95684


Perry Creek Winery
7400 Perry Creek Rd
Fair Play, CA 95684


Sierra Oaks Estates
6713 Mt. Aukum Rd
Fair Play, CA 95656


Single Leaf Winery
7480 Fairplay Road
Fair Play, CA 95684


Windwalker Vineyard
7360 Perry Creek Rd
Fair Play, CA 95684

El Dorado Wineries and Big Band Jazz: Charity Event at Lake Tahoe

The autumn colors at Sugar Pine Point State park are spectacular right now, so don’t be shy: go. Pack a picnic, take a bottle of wine and some of those great plastic wine glasses, a blanket, and enjoy. If you need some wine suggestions, look for some of the wines noted below. They were contributed to a tasting event in late August, when the park featured a night of Big Band Jazz and wines from a number of El Dorado wineries. If you can’t find those wines in your nearby wine shop, remember that El Dorado wineries are a mere daytrip away from Tahoe in the Sierra Foothills.

Lava Cap, located near Placerville, contributed a 2009 Reserve Chardonnay. This lovely rich and creamy chardonnay has aroma of toasty oak, apple and vanilla. The velvet mouth feel comes from Burgundy aging techniques and barrel fermentation in separate lots which were then blended. Winemaker Tom Jones handcrafts this wine. It’s won several awards. 14.9 per cent alcohol, $18 bottle.

The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc from Boeger Winery, near Placerville, is an estate wine produced from grapes in their own vineyards. It is a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with a lingering finish and yet is delicate on the palate. Aroma of grapefruit, peach and nectarine. 14.5 per cent alcohol. $14 bottle.

Latcham’s El Dorado Gold Rush White is a nicely blended table wine that hails from their winery in the Fair Play/Mt Aukum area of El Dorado County. This is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Blanc that has both a refreshing crisp fruit flavor and a hint of sweetness. $12.50 bottle.


Jazz Band at Twilight, Lake Tahoe
shoreline at Sugar Pine Point State Park 


Holly’s Hill 2009 Patriarche Blanc is a blend of 50% Roussane, 25% Grenache, and 25% Viognier. “A beautiful floral perfume of orange zest with lemon/lime and melon. In the mouth the wine has a great viscous mouthfeel with a long finish,” notes the winemaker. Holly’s Hill Winery, located just south of Placerville at 2700 feet elevation in the Pleasant Valley region, is a small family winery that produces only Rhone varietals. $25 bottle.

Mount Aukum Winery, located in Somerset, contributed its Petite Syrah 2007 Fair Play. With grapes grown in its own 2615-foot elevation vineyards as well as grapes sourced from other vineyards nearby, winemaker Michel Prod’hon is a great fan of Rhone varietals. This Petite Syrah has aroma of vanilla and exotic spices. “This wine is rich and bold with flavors of blackberry, pepper, and hint of toasted nuts. Drink it now with a hearty meal, or lay it down for several years and let the tannins soften,” says the winemaker’s notes It has won many gold medals, including one in the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle winetasting. 15.5 per cent alcohol, $35 bottle.

Perry Creek, located in the Fair Play AVA of El Dorado county, contributed its 2008 Zinfandel, the Zinman. “ZINMAN is one of Perry Creek’s most recognized and highly successful signature series wines. It is rated among the top 15 best-value Zinfandels by Wine Spectator in 2010 and its popularity continues to grow year by year. What makes it so special is the unique combination of spice and elegance in its flavors which stems from being produced in one of the best vineyards in the El Dorado County AVA,” notes the website. 14.9 per cent alcohol, $14 bottle. More information at www.perrycreek.com

These civic-minded wineries contributed other wines from their production; all were outstanding Sierra Foothill wines. The Big Band event was a fundraiser to benefit the West Shore Association. In addition to the wineries, other contributors to this event were the California State Parks, the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, and the Tahoe City Public Utilities District.

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copyright 2011 Barbara Keck

Barbara writes the Wine Adventures column about the wine business for The Tahoe Weekly newspaper.   She is currently gathering information for iphone app on  Sierra Foothills Wineries, to be available in late Spring 2012 through the Sutro World offerings on itunes/Apple app store.

Varied and Wonderful Choices at Wine on The Water at Incline's Hyatt Regency

Sineaan Wines

The Wine on the Water event at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe benefitted the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe and gave the opportunity to taste wonderful wines and nibble on hallmark foods from some of Lake Tahoe’s best chefs. But I missed the effervescent presence of Hyatt’s renowned sommelier Kristi Snyder, who just arrived back from Pinot Camp in Oregon, so I guess I’ll hear about that some other time. The list of winery participants was a who’s who in great wines. So many lovely choices!


It was a sunny day and moderately hot there on the lawn near the Hyatt’s great Lone Eagle Grill restaurant, so starting with a sparkling wine was a good choice. The Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut is easy drinking. Some might call it an entry level sparkler, but it’s very flavorful and neither too dry nor too sweet. Aroma of apple and citrus, and citrus comes through in terms of flavor with a light toasty finish. Ste. Michelle is perhaps most famous for its Rieslings, but they have been making sparkling wine since the late 1970’s. This Brut clicks in at 11.5 percent alcohol, and retails for between $10-13 per bottle.


Keenan Winery from St. Helena is both solar powered and sustainably farmed, and in their last seven vintages, 38 of their wines were rated between 90-97 points by Robert Parker. Reilly Keenen, third generation, was spending his summer vacation from University of Oregon as the classic cellar-rat, which is the bottom of the rung in any winery and pretty much your best place to learn about winemaking from the ground up. He was happily pouring the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. This nicely balanced wine was redolent of black fruit, and medium tannin on the finish. 14.3 percent alcohol $45/bottle. The 2009 Chardonnay sourced primarilyfrom Spring Mountain District vineyards had aroma of citrus, ripe pear and green apple, and taste of lush white peach with oak character. I enjoyed its crisp acidity and medium body. 1.39 percent alcohol, between $28-32/bottle.

The 2009 L’Ingenue from Elyse sources its fruit from Naggiar vineyards near Grass Valley in the Sierra Foothills. This is an exquisite white Rhone blend of 40% Roussane, 34% Marsanne, 20% Viognier and 6% Grenache Blanc. “Aromas of honeysuckle, lycee nuts, peaches and a hint of orange zest. Explosive fruit flavors,” notes the winemaker. 14.6 percent alcohol. $28/bottle.

Another lovely Rhone blend from Elyse is the 2007 C’Est Si Bon, also sourced from Naggiar vineyards. This red blend is a fruit, berry-flavored wine, with low tannin and, I confess, very much my favorite style in a Rhone blend. The blend is 46% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 4% Counoise and 1% Viognier. I am a pushover for Châteauneuf-du-Pape lookalikes, and the Counoise grape is the grape is a key component of many of these wines. Legend has it that Counoise was introduced from Spain into France and it was offered it Pope Urban V when the papacy was based in Avignon in the mid-14th century. This yummy wine from Elyse is 14.4 percent alcohol, $28/bottle.

Sineaan poured its 2009 Oregon Pinot Noir, sourced from 6 different famous Oregon pinot vineyards: Resonance, Able, Yates Conwill, Maresh, Wyeast and Schindler. This is a spicy, rich and very delicious Pinot Noir, dark, aromatic and with great natural acidity. 13.6 percent alcohol, $30/bottle.

Laird’s Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc was the perfect end to a summer tasting, with its lovely pineapple flavor at the end of the palate. Aroma of apple, citrus and tropical fruits, and a hint of spearmint in the flavor too. 13.8 percent alcohol, $17/bottle.

The Hyatt Regency at Incline Village is located at 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, NV.  All proceeds from this event are donated to the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe.

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© 2011 Barbara Keck

For more information on dining and the wide range of activities around Lake Tahoe, see the online version of The Tahoe Weekly. This article appeared in my column "Wine Adventures" in September 2011.

Book in Process: "Mountain High Wine: The Sierra and Its Foothills".

Toast and Taste of Summer: Atlantis Casino (Reno) Hosts Charity Event with Fine Wines

There are more than 7600 bonded wineries in the USA, and more than 3300 in California alone. So it is no surprise that I run into many wines from wineries that are new to me. I have to give credit to the organizers of the recent Toast and Taste of Summer event held at the Atlantis Casino Report Spa in Reno for finding 58 very compelling wineries to include in this interesting tasting event.

The function was a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and featured gourmet food pairings from 17 restaurants including Lake Tahoe’s Sunnyside Resort, Wild River Grille, and Wolfdale’s, and also the new Campo soon to open in downtown Reno under the guidance of Mark Estee, executive chef at Moody’s in Truckee.

Among the wines I tasted was the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Mi Sueño Winery, Napa, CA. “The 2007 vintage for Napa Valley Cabernet can be summed up in one word, "STRUCTURE". When compared to 2006, slightly cooler temperatues not only produced noticeably smaller berries but also allowed for extended hangtime and enhanced flavor development. For fans of Big, Muscalur, Age-worthy, Powerful Cabernets, this is the vintage for you,” explained Tom Bracamontes, Director of Sales and Marketing as he proudly poured this great wine. Aroma of dark fruit, licorice, fig, and espresso greet you as you taste this full bodied and concentrated wine. Flavors of black fruit, chocolate, vanilla spice and oak work together with great acidity and a nice tannin structure. Only 850 cases produced . 14.5% alcohol. $65/bottle. http://www.misueonowinery.com/

Mt. Vernon Vineyard, Auburn (Placer County, Sierra Foothills), presented its Cuvee Blanc, a 50/50 blend of Viognier and Roussane. This wine, just released, was cold fermented with its own indigenous wild yeast for 32 days. This is a field blend created by winemaker Ryan Taylor. Aroma of honeysuckle, a crispness and a creamy finish characterized this wine. Only 240 cases made. 13.9% alcohol, $25/bottle. www.mtvernonwinery.com

Frogs Tooth Vineyards, Murphys (Calaveras County, Sierra Foothills), poured their flagship wine, the 2009 Pinot Grigio. It’s a perfect summer wine: it is delicate and fragrant, a bit floral, a flavor of lemon, and is a nice rich, round full-bodied white wine. 14.5% alcohol. $16/bottle. http://www.frogstooth.com/

The 2009 Wirsching Silvaner Dry was offered for tasting by Rudi Wiest Selections, a leading importer of fine German wines into the US market. The limestone in the soil of this vineyard shows through with a light citrusy flavor and a bit of frizzante too. Perfect with raw fish such as sushi, and other fish dishes. 12.5% alcohol, $12/bottle. http://www.rudiwiest.com/

The 2009 Chardonnay from Michael Sullberg Wines, Healdsburg CA (Sonoma County), is a Barrel Select blend of grapes from several micro climates, 95% of which grapes were sourced from the Monetery Peninsula’s Central Coast AVA, mostly from the San Bernarby Vineyard. It is crisp and tropical in taste, with aroma of apple and pear, and a buttery finish on the palate. 13% alcohol, $10/bottle. http://www.michaelsullbergwines.com/

Paso Robles winery Kukkula’s Vaalea white Rhone blend is a crisp wine that shows a nice orchard fruitiness and juicy acidity all the way through. It is 50/50 Viognier and Rousanne, with aroma of peach, melon and pear and a gentle spicy finish. 14.2% alcohol, $20/bottle. www.kukkulawine.com

The Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is located at 3800 S. Virginia St. Reno, NV 89502. It features the Atlantis Steakhouse, an upscale dining restaurant with a wonderful wine list. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 5PM to 10PM. Reservations call 775.824.4430 http://www.atlantiscasino.com/

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is dedicated to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications. For more information, go to http://www.jdrf.org/

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© 2011 Barbara Keck

For more information on dining and the wide range of activities around Lake Tahoe, see the online version of The Tahoe Weekly. This article appeared in my column "Wine Adventures" in July 2011.

Book in Process: "Mountain High Wine: The Sierra and Its Foothills".

Exquisite Wines at Ability Bash: Charity Event for Disabled Sports USA



Heibel Ranch Vineyards pours

The Ability Bash benefit held at The Lodge at Alpine in March was a heart-warming culmination of a five-day event that highlighs the abilities of disabled persons. The principal fundraiser for Disabled Sports USA Far West, it honors wounded warriors from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The celebration of accomplishment included an auction of fine wines, and dinner included wine paired with an extravagant menu catered by Alpine Meadows’ Chris Patrick.

Contributors were Dalla Terra, Folio Fine Wine partners, Heibel Ranch Vineyards , Henry Winegroup , Justin Vineyards and Winery, Pennywise Wines, Saracco Adami, Skinner Vineyards, Steele Wines, Talbo, Thomas Coyne Winery, Thumbprint Cellars Winery, Truckee River Winery, and Uncorked at Squaw Valley. Jeff Boyer, a local wine expert, played an important role in sourcing many wines.

Steele Wines, located in Kelseyville (Lake County, CA) poured several of their wines that use grapes from Lake County. Owner/Winemaker Jed Steele honed his winemaking skills at Kendall Jackson; he has made wine in California for 42 years. The Writers Block Syrah primarily uses fruit from the estate Jacobsen vineyard, located on the Kelseyville Bench area of Lake County. The Syrah also contains fruit from four other Lake County Syrah vineyards. The Syrah has a chalky note to it mid-palette, taste of dark berry types of fruit, and has a hint of smoky and bacon-y flavor. 13.5% alcohol $13/bottle

Heibel Ranch Vineyards poured the 2007 Lappa’s Napa Valley Red. This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah harvested from the certified organic estate vineyard on the family ranch in Pope Valley. There is a touch of Cabernet Franc and Syrah, and the result is a taste of rich black fruit and a bit of white pepper, a bit of licorice and mocha. This is a juicy wine with soft tannins that you can drink now or enjoy for many years. Only 186 cases were produced. 14.5 % alcohol, $34/bottle.

Local winery Truckee River Winery poured two of its Library Wines, a 2006 Pinot Noir, Monterey County, and a 2006 Zinfandel, Lodi. There are only a few cases of the Pinot Noir left, so hurry to get them. This delicious Pinot Noir is made with fruit from the famous Gary’s Vineyard in Monterey County. It is an unfiltered wine that benefits from winemaker Russ Jones’ slow fermentation treatment. Aged in French oak, this is a very delicate Pinot with complexity, depth, and soft tannins. 13.8$ alcohol, $45/bottle.

Skinner Vineyards and Winery, Fair Play AVA, El Dorado County, poured its 2007 Grenache and its 2007 Syrah, Stoney Creek Vineyard. I’ve tasted this Syrah many times, and it is a really yummy example of a great Rhone wine from the Sierra Foothills. Winemaker notes tell the story:”This Syrah is from the Skinner family’s Stoney Creek Vineyard, which is situated on a ridgetop that ranges from 2,610 to 2,740 feet in elevation. It offers aromas of blackberry and cherry pie, interlaced with hints of pepper, dried flowers, cinnamon, chocolate caramels, roasted coffee, and vanilla bean… medium-plus in body with a long, polished, and velvety finish.” 15.6% alcohol. $34/bottle.

Thomas Coyne Winery, Livermore, offers several Rhone varietals. Their 2005 Petite Sirah is sourced from the Quartz Hill Vineyard/Placerville of Bob and Margot Scharpf. Fruit is grown at 2700 feet elevation in the Sierra foothills of El Dorado County. After crush, the wine was fermented and aged in American oak barrels for eighteen months. The wine is full-bodied with blackberry and pepper, followed by a rich oak finish. 13.5% alcohol, $20/bottle.

Contributing Reporter for this event was Cathy Krauss, who braved the avalanches at Alpine to give us her tasting notes. She is inspired to go to future events of this group!

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© 2011 Barbara Keck

For more information on dining and the wide range of activities around Lake Tahoe, see the online version of The Tahoe Weekly. This article appeared in my column "Wine Adventures" in April 2011.

Book in Process: "Mountain High Wine: The Sierra and Its Foothills".