Rich and full bodied while maintaining some juicy acidity. Aromas of red apple, caramel, vanilla and a touch of spice. The palate is treated to flavors of red delicious apple, ripe pear, tropicals, wet stone minerality and baking spices. Hints of caramel on the long finish. Buy This Wine
Are you searching for a personal winery experience? The old days when you met in a casual setting with the owner and/or winemaker can still be found. You just have to get off the beaten path, but not all that far. There are plenty of small boutique producers who more than willing to share their passion and wine in a small and sometimes very personal setting. This is also an opportunity to add some interesting hand-crafted wines to your collection since most are only available online or locally in Sonoma County. Here’s a few off the beaten path wineries in Sonoma we love for both the wine and personalities. Stay tuned to this list as we will add to it when we discover more fantastic and novel experiences.
John and Diane Bucher
Bucher Vineyards John and Diane Bucher have a 38 acre sustainable vineyard of premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The vineyard sits next to their 360 acre organic dairy farm. While most of their grapes are sold to outstanding wineries like C. Donatiello and Willams Selyem, they hold back some of their favorite blocks of grapes to make Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a Pinot Rose’ under the Bucher label. Expect to meet the Buchers at their home with expansive views of the Russian River Valley. You will sit with John and Diane on their patio as you sample their wines; learn about the vineyards and dairy farm. John and Diane enjoy taking their guests on a tour of the vineyards and explain their meticulous planting and clone selection concepts. This experience is like stepping back to those early hands-on days of the Sonoma wine pioneers. Appointment Required Continue reading »
Volker Eisele Gemini 2012, White Wine, Napa Valley, CA, $25 (S) – Rating 90A unique blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc aged sur lie for 5 months in predominately gently used French oak. Very soft aromas on nose of honeydew melon, pineapple and citrus. The mild acidity leads to a soft creamy mouth-feel with flavors of honeydew melon, honeysuckle and citrus with tropical notes on the finish. Buy This Wine
Aged for 10 months in French oak, this chardonnay is a real pleaser,
offering a defined nose of baked red apple, cinnamon and pie spice. A round mouth-feel with balanced acidity. Flavors of ripe red apple, pear, ripe pineapple, Meyer lemon, Mexican vanilla and tropical notes. Citrus and minerality are focused in the finish. Buy This Wine
J Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012, Estate Grown, Russian River Valley, CA, $37 (S) – Rating 92A richer style of Pinot Noir showing off a nose of cherry and raspberry with notes of mocha and smoke. Subtle tannins and combined with bright acidity and a lush mouth-feel. On the palate, blueberry, raspberry and pomegranate. A pleasant hint of espresso in the finish. Buy This Wine
