This is the second part of a 2 part article. Part 1 covers the begininging of the Chalk Hill and Alexander Valley Wine Trail and the following seven wineries:
Chateau Felice
Lancaster Estate Vineyard & Winery
Field Stone Winery & Vineyard
Hanna Winery
Alexander Valley Vineyards
Johnson’s Alexander Valley Wines
White Oak Vineyards & Winery
Part 2
|
|
iNeTours.com
London UK Tour
Tour New York City
Chicago Tour
Washington DC Tour
Las Vegas Tour
Tour San Francisco
CA Central Coast
Tour Los Angeles
Tour San Diego
Tour New Orleans
Tour Yosemite Park
Discount Travel
Sightseeing Tours
Wine Tours
Wine Trails
Food and Wine
Map to Wine Country
Carneros
Livermore Valley
Napa Valley
Silverado Trail
Napa
Historic Victorians
Yountville
Oakville/Rutherford
St. Helena
Calistoga
Napa Valley Hotels
Golf in Napa Valley
Sonoma County
Sonoma
Sonoma SHP
Glen Ellen
Healdsburg
Alexander Valley/
Dry Creek Valley
Hotels in Sonoma
Wine Caves & Cellars
wine racks/wine storage
wine glasses
|
|
Sausal Vineyard & Winery 0.1 miles, #7370 Highway 128
|
A hop, skip and a jump and you’ll find this small family winery on your right.
The Sausal Vineyard & Winery was founded in 1973 by the third generation of Demostene’s, Cindy, Dave, Peachie and Ed, but its history goes way back to the turn of last century.
Someone had the foresight to plant Zinfandel on the land prior to 1877, long before Manuel Demostene arrived in the U.S. in 1901.
The old Soda Rock Ranch and Winery established in 1933 by Abele Ferrari proved to be the spawning and training ground for the next generation of Demonstenes and led to the purchase of Sausal Ranch in 1956.
|
|
|
The long association of these two Italian families helped the current generation to open the gates to Sausal Vineyard & Winery in 1973.
David Demostene learned to make wine with his Father, Leo, at the old Soda Rock winery. He took over as winemaker when Sausal was opened.
David's knowledge and handling of the old vines on the property has created a consistent benchmark for Zinfandel lovers year after year.
Sausal offers all estate grown Varietals from Alexander Valley. The three Zinfandels they produce capture the rich soils and warm climate of this prime growing region.
|
|
The Century Vine Zinfandel comes strictly from the old vines mentioned above. The Private Reserve Zinfandel is made from 85 years old vines, while the Family Zinfandel is produced from vines averaging 50 years old.
|
|
Their Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese are both 100% varietal and typical of the Alexander Valley. Their newest release is a fun Zin called Cellar Cats Red, named for the two cellar cats that hang out in the winery. They also offer a Chenin Blanc they call Sausal Blanc that is light and fruity on the palate.
Give them a courtesy call to let them know you’re coming at 800-500-2285 or email them at zinfanz@sonic.net. Visit the Sausal Vineyard & Winery web site to learn more.
|
Robert Young Estate Winery 2.6 miles, #4850 Red Winery Road
|
This one’s a bit tricky to get to but well worth the effort. Here’s a little help. 0.3 miles from Sausal Winery, Highway 128 makes a 90-degree turn to the left. Here you take a right on Pine Flat Road. 0.3 miles in you’ll come to Red Winery Road. Take a left and it’s 2 miles to the winery that is on your right.
Robert Young Estate Winery produces an impressive 14 Varietals: Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Melon, White Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
The ranch has been in the Young family since the 1860’s. Robert Young inherited the land in 1935 and became a leading farmer in Sonoma County.
|
|
|
|
The slow transition from prune farming began in the 1960’s when 14 acres were planted with Cabernet Sauvignon. Many Varietals followed and Robert became famous for another great crop, wine grapes.
It wasn’t until the 1990’s, with the next generation — JoAnn, Susan, Jim and Fred — kicking in, that they moved on to making their own wines. Jim does the wine making along with Robert.
Make sure to call for a tour, and don’t miss their great caves, at 707-431-4811 or email them at info@ryew.com.
|
|
Visit the informative Robert Young Estate Winery web site for more about their award winning wines and much more.
|
|
Jimtown Store 0.3 miles, #6706 Highway 128
|
|
|
Here’s a spot not to be missed. Come back the way you went to get to Robert Young Estate Winery. When Pine Flat road joins Highway 128 you have 0.3 miles to go to find this wonderful little country store and deli. It’s on your right.
I suggest you call ahead to order their boxed lunches. They have a wonderful deli that uses fresh, local organic produce; toys, old-fashioned candies, wines and a delightful little patio to relax in while you eat your lunch. Visit the Jimtown Store website or call to place an order at 707-433-1212.
|
|
|
Stryker Sonoma Winery 1.5 miles from Jimtown Store, #5110 Highway 128
This is one of the newest wineries on this Wine Tour and it’s really beautiful.
|
Stryker Sonoma Winery is on your right on top of a small hill commanding impressive views of Alexander Valley. See if you can find Hiro, the wineries friendly dog. But watch your lunch, I hear Hiro likes other people’s food more than grapes. See the fun cartoon about him on their web site.
|
|
Tim Hardin, Stryker Sonoma wine maker, has made their award winning wines since they opened.
|
|
|
The short drive through their vineyards takes you to a parking lot to the right of the wine making facilities and tasting room. Don’t miss the wisteria and the beautiful picnic area out front.
Their tasting room is stunning with views along the valley. Stryker Sonoma won the top architectural design award — from the the AIA —for best building built in Northern California in 2002.
Craig & Karen MacDonald along with Pat Stryker got the winery started in 1999 and started collecting Gold and Silver medals in just two years.
|
Please make an appointment Monday thru Wednesday by calling 707-433-1944 or email them at info@strykersonoma.com, or join them in their tasting room the rest of the week. Visit the beautiful Stryker Sonoma web site to learn more about this successful new winery.
|
|
Murphy-Goode Estate Winery 1.2 miles, #4001 Highway 128
|
Murphy-Goode is hard to miss; it’s right on the road on your left hand side. The stunning architecture and views across Alexander Valley make it a most enjoyable stop. Two picnic tables out front make this a great place to enjoy their wines and your lunch.
In 1985, Murphy-Goode Estate Winery took root in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley. Arising from the combined expertise of two renowned grape growers and a leading marketer. From the inception, partners Tim Murphy, Dale Goode and David Ready shared a singular vision: to produce delicious wine from exceptional grapes, and to have fun in the process.
Over the years Murphy-Goode Estate Winery continually increased production, fueled by market demand and the partners’ dedication and camaraderie. Originally, all Murphy-Goode wines were estate grown, from Tim Murphy’s ranch or Murphy-Goode Vineyard, a joint venture between Tim and Dale.
In order to meet the constant demand for their wines, Murphy-Goode purchases grapes from neighboring farmers and the vineyards owned by two of Tim’s sons. Jim Murphy and his wife Kathy own McMurphy Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, and Dennis and his wife Katie Wetzel Murphy own KD Vineyard on Alexander Valley benchland.
Today’s Murphy-Goode is a dynamic collaboration between generations of the three founding families and a longstanding group of employees. David Ready Jr. is the winemaker and his brother Adam Ready is the cellar master. Tim Murphy’s three sons, Jim, Denny and T. J. continue to manage Murphy Ranch and Murphy-Goode vineyards along with their own properties. Annual production approximates 150,000 cases.
|
|
|
|
|
Tim Murphy died in July 2001. An innovative farmer and gregarious Irishman, Tim’s memory continues to inspire the Murphy-Goode team, and his practical yet playful philosophy endures.
“We take this business seriously and personally,” he often said. “And it’s not work if you’re having fun.”
Give them a courtesy call at 707-431-7644 or email them at general@murphygoodewinery.com. You’ll find much more information and the rest of their wines on the Murphy-Goode Estate Winery web site.
|
deLorimier Winery 1.8 miles, #2001 Highway 128
|
The deLorimer Winery is less than 2 miles down Highway 128 on your left. A short drive through their vineyard will lead you to their production facility and hospitality center.
|
Wild Mushroom Lasagna
Pasta:
1 package lasagna noodles
extra virgin olive oil
1 pound buffalo mozzarella
1 pound ricotta cheese
2 Tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms
1/2 pound porcini mushrooms
1/2 pound chanterelle mushrooms
1 pound crimini mushrooms
1 pound white mushrooms
1 cup deLorimier chardonnay
Cook the pasta according to al dente instructions. Immediately immerse pasta sheets in cold water bath to arrest the cooking process. When cooled, coat lightly with olive oil and set aside.
For Filling:
Melt the butter in the olive oil in an extra large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add the minced garlic and allow 30 seconds for the flavors to mingle with the melted butter. Add the mushrooms and marjoram, and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add the cup of wine, and cook until the liquid is absorbed stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Season with salt & pepper.
Béchamel Sauce:
4 1/2 tablespoons butter
4 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 1/2 cups whole milk
2 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Melt butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add flour and stir for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring frequently until sauce thickens and lightly coats spoon, about 20 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of Parmesan cheese and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
Spread 2/3 cup of béchamel sauce over the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 3 glass-baking dish. Top with enough noodles to cover the bottom of the dish. Spread 1/4 of the mushrooms over, along with 2/3 cup of béchamel sauce and 1/4 pound of sliced buffalo mozzarella and 1/4 pound ricotta. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Top with enough noodles to cover.
Repeat layering 3 more times, and finish with a layer of noodles and a liberal coating of béchamel sauce and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Can be prepared ahead of cooking time if covered and refrigerated.
To Cook:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the lasagna covered with foil for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees and bake until top is golden, approximately 10 minutes. Serve with a crusty sourdough bread and deLorimier 1999 Mosaic Red Meritage.
Makes 8 servings. Chef: Julius Orth
|
deLorimier Winery sign
|
You'll find large boulders excavated from the vineyard scattered along the driveway to the winery. One of these rocks is now the focal centerpiece of their serenity fountain at the courtyard entrance.
Picnic tables beckon you to relax, and enjoy a leisurely snack while absorbing the vineyard ambience.
The spacious high-beamed tasting room is bright and open, with spectacular views of the surrounding hills through the picture windows.
Al and Sandy deLorimier began acquiring property for their vineyards in the early seventies, selectively planting “Vitis Vinifera” using the most up to date information on rootstocks, clones, and trellising systems.
Each of their three Northern Alexander Valley vineyards is carefully tended from bud break through harvest, in an effort to bring in only the best quality fruit to reflect the unique nature of their land.
After more than thirty years tending those vineyards, the deLorimier's commitment to quality and excellence carries through from the vineyard to the wine.
The winery was founded in 1986, and has been under the management of winemaker Don Frazer since 1989.
With an extensive background in viticulture and winemaking, Don has been guardian of the fruit at deLorimier ever since. His belief is that wine is a fruit product, and should therefore reflect the varietal character of the grapes as well as their terroir.
|
By specifically selecting small lots that are harvested, barreled, fermented and aged separately, every care is taken to preserve the unique quality of each harvest. Careful blending is the last step in completing the process.
The resulting wines bring to reality a vision of unparalleled complexity and quality for this winemaking family.
Call to let them know you’re coming at 707-857-2000 or e-mail discovery@delorimierwinery.com. Much more information about their great wines can be found on the deLorimer Winery web site.
|
Meeker Vineyards #3105 Geyserville Avenue, Downtown Geyserville
|
When you reach the stop sign in the center of town, Meeker Vineyards’s Tasting Room is across the street on your right. They’re planning a tasting room on their vineyard property in the near future, but you’ll find all the ambiance you want right here.
The owner is often pouring and you’ll not miss all the fancy trappings of a big tasting room, you will not have time!
In 2001, Meeker’s tasting room was cited by The Wall Street Journal as one of the most enjoyable wine tasting experiences in all of Napa and Sonoma Counties.
Charles and Molly Meeker have had an interesting time since founding the winery in 1984.
In the 80’s, their tasting room was an authentic Sioux tipi. Their wines were already winning medals and wonderful articles in the press but the County didn’t like their lack of a permit for their tasting room, even though it brought a lot of tourists to the County.
In the 90s, they moved their tasting room to the old Geyserville Bank Building and as you can see from the Wall Street Article, they haven’t lost their touch.
As Molly says, "If you enjoyed tasting in a tipi, try it in a vault!"
Matt Blankenheim is their wine maker and is responsible, with Charlie, for the smashing success of their wines.
They can be reached at 707-431-2148 or email cmmeek@aol.com The Meeker Vineyards web site is being updated so visit often to see the new developments.
|
|
|
Sign announcing
