NEVADA WINE and the New Commercial Vineyard at UNR

Several years ago, I started following the progress of Dr. Grant Cramer of UNV-Reno as he encouraged the wine industry in Nevada via his classes and wine tastings.  There is now even more reason to get involved:  the new venture to build a commercial-scale vineyard at the Main Station Field Laboratory.

UNR’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources is providing the land, water and equipment, and a newly formed non-profit, Nevada Vines and Wines, is raising funds for vines, trellising and vineyard care.

The UNR program has been gaining momentum since 1995;  thirteen varietals of 90 vines each  have been successfully maintained to date at UNR’s experimental vineyard.  Wine made from these grapes is tasted twice-monthly.  To get a sense of what’s ahead for Nevada wine and the venture into a bigger vineyard, put a Tuesday tasting on your schedule. Contact Professor Cramer at cramer@unr.edu to get on the list for what’s-being-discussed-and-tasted.   Tastings are held at 5:30 p.m. at either the Greenhouse Complex on Valley Road at the UNR Field Station or at Studio on 4^th, 432 E 4^th St. and a small donation, usually $10 or $15, is requested to support the program.

Danny Hopper, UNR Student

If you are fortunate, you’ll run into some of the other movers-and-shakers behind the new commercial vineyard at the tastings, all of whom are enthusiastically involved in the Nevada Vines and Wines initiative.  Look for Professor Cramer’s students Ryan Ghan and Danny Hopper, and William Coplin, an avid local winemaker. 

The plan is for a 3-acre vineyard that will produce 10 to 15 tons and make upwards of 2000 cases of wine.  The ultimate goal is 7 acres that will produce 20 to 35 tons.  Both a Kickstarter campaign and an IndieGoGo campaign brought funds to the venture in the past few months.  One acre of 1800 Riesling vines has already been planted, and a grant from the Nevada Department of Agriculture is enabling a second acre of Lemberger grapes to be planted.  The crowd-sourced funds are earmarked for planting a third acre with 1500 Chardonnay vines, a trellis system, and tanks that will hold 400 gallons of juice.  The hope is for even more funding to buy Pinot Noir vines and additional wine making equipment.

The chances of building a good and reputable wine industry in Nevada are excellent.  Many factors come into play of course, but climate is an important one.  Northern Nevada’s climate is very similar to that of eastern Washington State.  The arid climate of Nevada means warm days, cool nights, and relatively disease and insect-free conditions. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for Tahoe-Reno wine lovers to add to the success of a nearby wine industry.  Contact the Nevada Vines and Wines organization by email at uncorkingnevada@gmail.com  to get on the list for updates.  See you at UNR on Tuesdays!

 

 

This information appeared in Wine Time, my Tahoe Weekly column, in April 2014

 

Kickstarter Campaign rolls out for Vineyard in Reno

I'm proud to be the first participant in the Kickstarter campaign to create a vineyard and winery promoting Nevada Vines & Wines; read about it here..

  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/uncorkingnevada/nevada-vines-and-wines-help-us-uncork-nevada?ref=live

 

The intro email:  "Here we are, Ryan and Danny sitting in the winery, asking you to take a look at our proposal.  CABNR and Nevada Vines &Wines have struck a deal to build a vineyard in Reno.  You are invited.  If you like our plan, help out with a tax free donation or some supporting comments.

The best way to create excitement about a new project according to Kickstarter is to generate some funding right away.  So, if you intend to support Nevada Vines & Wines with a year end tax deductible donation, please do so right away."

Through my Wine Time column in The Tahoe Weekly, I keep an eye on Nevada's developing wine industry.  This is a great step in the right direction!

                

Nevada Wines and, now, Brandy from Churchill Vineyards

Family-owned estate winery, Churchill Vineyards, releases Silver State’s first legally-distilled spirit

 

Churchill Vineyards, the only estate winery and first legal distillery in Nevada, released Churchill Vineyards Brandy, Nevada’s first legally-distilled spirit, for retail purchase on November 2. Churchill Vineyards, owned and operated by 5^th generation Nevadan Colby Frey and wife Ashley, expanded their already successful winery business into the spirits market providing Nevada’s first and oldest legally commercial distilled spirit.

 

 

Colby Frey, winemaker

“This is a very exciting time for the expansion of our business,” said Colby Frey. “We’ve been aging the brandy in premium French oak barrels for five years, allowing us to use the prestigious V.S.O.P. designation. Since 2006, we have been experimenting with our Nevada grapes, grains and other Nevada grown products to produce high quality spirits. With the passage of recent legislation, we are now able to sell our long aged spirits.”

 

The distilling equipment

Frey handcrafted and distilled the brandy in small batches using the same grapes used to produce Churchill Vineyards’ esteemed wines. The quality of the brandy can be seen in the natural amber hue, characterizing the extraction of the oak flavor and color from aging for 5 years in premium French oak barrels. 

 “Wine and spirits have a well-documented place in the history of the old west,” said Frey. “Coming from a long line of Nevada farmers, we’re excited to tap into Nevada’s history and bring to market a great product made from Nevada resources."

 

 

 

The brandy is priced at $25/bottle.

About Churchill Vineyards:

Family owned and operated, Churchill Vineyards is a 10 acre vineyard and winery located on the historic Frey Ranch, a 1,200 acre plantation, located in Fallon, Nev. The Frey family comes from a long line of Nevada farmers, with roots going back to 1854, growing corn, wheat, barley, rye, alfalfa and teff. Churchill Vineyards is the only Nevada winery producing Nevada grown, produced and bottled (estate) white wines in addition to being Nevada’s first commercial distillery.  The tasting room is open by appointment at 1045 Dodge Lane in Fallon, NV.  Tel 775-423-4000. For more information, visit www.churchillvineyards.com.

 

Churchill Vineyards’ wine can be purchased at major Nevada retail outlets Whole Foods, Scolari’s Food and Drug Co. and Total Wine & More. The brandy is projected to hit retail stores around Nov. 11. To stay up-to-date on the release date, visit www.churchillvineyards.com or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/churchillvineyards.

 

Thanks to Ashley Brune of Reno's Draper Strategies and Communications for keeping us up to date on this vineyard!

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.   

Nevada Wines - Part One

“Visiting the experimental winery at UNR is a must, put it on your Thursday calendar!”

There’s a groundswell of interest building in Nevada wines, and this is in part due to the work being done by Dr. Grant Cramer at University of Nevada-Reno, and in part by intrepid vintners and winemakers in Fallon and Genoa. Right now, we are going to offer you a glimpse of the wonderful work in UNR. Parts Two and Three will focus on Nevada vintners and wineries, which you’ll see in future columns.

What can be done on 2 acres of vineyards in arid Reno? A lot. That’s being proven by Dr. Cramer’s eonology and viticulture crew. Each Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m., you too are invited to the wine tasting and study at UNR's Experimental Winery. It is in a blue metal building behind the NV genomics center at 910 Valley Road, Reno. When the sliding gate is open, go on in.

In the winery, you’ll find 30-40 folding chairs set up on the winery floor, and a smiling Dr. Cramer and his student assistants. No doubt you will be greeted by Kitty Spreeman, an extremely knowledgeable lab technician who makes it all run smoothly. Take a seat as near to the front table as you can. Pay your $10 class fee, and take a little extra cash because you’ll no doubt want a Nevada Wines baseball cap or polo shirt. I did, and I’m proud to wear it too!

Settle in for a wonderful tasting experience of 12-14 different bottles each week. The Experimental Winery makes its own wines and blends right there on site. They have a “library” of wines going back to 2003, and they often do vertical tastings of the same wine from different years, and comparisons of wines from well-(sufficiently)-watered vines and drought-stressed vines. Sometimes the event features blind tastings or comparisons to commercial wines. Regardless of what you taste, you’ll be asked to fill out a tasting sheet so that the Winery can collect evaluation data of the wines as they age.

The wines are all estate wines; they come from grapes planted as long ago as 1995 on the two acres on Valley Road at the Agricultural Experiment Station. The wines made include reds such as Pinot Noir, Lemberger, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Meunier, and whites, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Semillion, and Sauvignon Blanc .
The vineyard is itself an experiment. Vines are growing under conditions of well-water, and drought-stressed.

There is an ongoing study to see if drought-stressed vines increase the amount of resveratrol, which is now considered to be a heart-healthy element of red wines. “Resveratrol might be a key ingredient in red wine that helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces "bad" cholesterol and prevents blood clots,” says a news note from the Mayo Clinic.

The grapes from these vines at UNR are tested for many things (Phenolics, brix) and the buds of the vines undergo scrutiny too, including testing for different hormone levels. It’s all very sexy for the wine lover!

If you want to taste these wines, you must come to the Winery. By Nevada law, the college is not allowed to sell its wines in Washoe County. Upcoming tastings are Pinot Blanc on March 18, Cabernet Franc on March 25, Semillon on April 1, Cabernet Sauvignon on April 8, Chardonnay on April 15, Syrah on April 22, Riesling on April 29 and Lemberger on May 6.

In addition to tasting these types of Nevada wines, you’ll be treated to a discussion on such topics as pruning and trellis design in the vineyard, and vineyards of the world.

Dr Cramer, Kitty and the crew would love to see you there! For more information, go to http://www.ag.unr.edu/cramer. Or email Kitty Spreeman for more information: spreeman@unr.edu.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
© 2009 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 "It's Grape" in March 2010.

Watch for my forthcoming book, scheduled for publication in 2011, "Mountain Wineries of the Sierras and Its Foothills."