TR’s AW&FA: Sunday Itinerary
Sunday dawns with a bit of cloudy residue and the promise of some rain. My quest today, as it was yesterday, is to purchase some fantastic wines for Thanksgiving- at Papapietro Perry purchased an amazing magnum of pinot noir- @ Mazzocco, great specials on some zinfandels. Today I am heading out into the Russian River Valley- going south on Olivet Road I make a stop to see Inman Family Wines- though there are 90 Wine Road wineries participating in AW&FA, there are 90 that are NOT- Inman is one of them but Kathleen is busy. I taste through two chardonnays and choose one perfect for the upcoming holiday. On my way south now to DeLoach Vineyards.
Wines @ DeLoach poured in their room with the amazing corkscrew collection.
Next stop: Martin Ray Winery. The clouds are looking ominous, but the crowd is happy- tents and the cozy tasting room make it comfortable to enjoy the wines paired with Pulled-Pork Sliders. You can take a turn at the roll of the dice to see if you get 10 – 60% off a case- the wine is flying out the door.
Off to Joseph Swan, non-participant but hugely busy with guests and wine clubbers. Lynn and Rod are present- Rod is tired from just bringing in the last of the fruit for this year. I garner a pinot for Thanksgiving and am now off to Lynmar Estate, where Executive Chef Sandra Simile is presenting her all-female-produced Ester Cook Heirloom Leek Panini with Estero Gold Cheese paired with both a pinot and a chardonnay. Quail Hill Vineyard looks golden and lovely in the light from a glowering sky; in the distance, the Laguna de Santa Rosa sparkles in the distant sun. (The vineyard figures prominently in our NEWEST WINE ROAD VIDEO.)
Next stop is Balletto Vineyard & Winery. The rain is starting to fall in earnest, but the delicious chicken and chardonnay gravy paired with Balletto wines chase away the chill. In honor of the Giants recent victory, I take a detour out to the hidden Field of Dreams on the self-guided tour- wow- really get to see the terroir here, up front and personal. The loamy soil and the clay-like soil come on back with us- as the Balletto family are farmers first, they kindly look the other way when we parade back in covered in mud- I just love that hidden baseball diamond!
What happened to Summer? What happened to the Boys of Summer?
Totally the wrong shoes!
Is there any soil left on the Field of Dreams?
Now I am off to Robert Rue Vineyard & Winery where Carlene and Robert are meeting guests. This charming, two-person winery is rocking with guests enjoying the Zinful Delight paired with zinfandel. Though Robert Rue is all about zinfandel, they also have an incredibly well kept secret: a sauvignon blanc, delicious, and also estate sourced.
Himself: Robert Rue!
Next I head up to the Roma Station Wineries on the River in Healdsburg- Camellia Cellars has been kind enough to have staff sell Wine Road Raffle Tickets to benefit the Redwood Empire Food Bank- they are also available on our Website- the drawing comes up in mid-December- so hurry! I also check in on Sapphire Hill, Holdredge, Hart’s Desire, J. Keverson, Davis Family and Bluenose. This location is incredibly convenient- so many to visit, all within steps of one another. Though Bluenose translates as “zinfandel”, I get a bottle of the secret chardonnay that they produce- seems like a great find for dining on turkey.
Friendly directional assistance!
The atmosphere is festive and the Event is over for 2010. Feels rather like when Christmas ends.
Here’s looking at you, kids.
TR
