100 Wine Blogs, 100 Days Blog 64 Cuvaison Estate Wines

Blog 64 Cuvaison Estate Wines

Cuvaison Estate Wines can offer you two completely different experiences providing two different locations to try their wines. Cuvaison is located in South Napa Valley in the Carneros region or in North Napa Valley in the Calistoga region.



The Carneros terrace, tasting rooms and vineyard is the newest and most modern in the valley. Open air with a beautiful, breathtaking view of the Carneros region, you want to take your time when you visit to really relax and take in the beauty. You can sit down in comfort at either the indoor tables, outdoor tables or the couches in a separate room overlooking the valley. The Carneros staff will bring you one wine at a time allowing you to take your time to enjoy your visit. They feel that you should not rush a tasting and it should be savored in an open surrounding.



The Calistoga tasting experience is completely different. It offers a mountain view with shaded picnic grounds giving you a classic tasting environment. Newly remodeled and worth visiting, I would not leave out either experience.

Cuvaison wines consist of: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, a dessert wine and a true Meritage. While they are all my favorites, the 2008 Mariafeld Pinot Noir took my breath away.

According to the Web site description on the Mariafeld:

The name refers to a Swiss clone of Pinot Noir that is prized for its deep color and denser tannin structure. The 2008 is richly colored and rife with black plum, black cherry and black berry fruit notes. Spice notes and a hint of wild thyme and truffle offer intrigue to this earthy Pinot. Multi-layered and fruit forward this vibrant wine shimmers with crisp acidity and a long finish. This is a Club Exclusive. Thank goodness I have been a member of their wine club for years!

Tell me what you think! I want to hear from you! Give me your thoughts!
Bon Vin!
Veronica

100 Wine Blogs, 100 Days Blog 63 Modonna Estate

Blog 63 Modonna Estate

Modonna Estate is located in the Carneros Region of Napa Valley California. They are the third oldest winemaking family in Napa Valley. Since 1922, the Bartolucci family has been making wine. Modonna is dry farmed and certified organic producing wines with varietal character. Estate bottled wines you will find if you decide to visit the tasting room: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dolcetto, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Barbera and Muscat Canelli. Prices range between $20 and $60 with the Pinot Noir Reserve at $60.



You should try a Pinot Noir from the Carneros region. If you are out this way and able to visit this tasting room, you will enjoy the hospitality that Madonna Estate has to offer.

Tell me what you think! I want to hear from you! Give me your thoughts!
Bon Vin!
Veronica

100 Wine Blogs, 100 Days Blog 25 Who makes Sparkling Wines from Organic Vineyards? What is a photovoltaic solar collection system and who has one?

25. Who makes Sparkling Wines from Organic Vineyards? What is a photovoltaic solar collection system and who has one?

California has sparkling wines made from the organic vineyards of Domaine Carneros. Domaine Carneros was founded in 1987 by Claude Taittinger. Champagne Taittinger and partner Lobrand Corporation developed a regional landmark on 138 acres of parcel in Carneros, California.

The beautiful chateau and terrace sit on top of a hill with a view of rolling vineyards. In April of 2008, Domaine Carneros received the organic certification by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). This is a three year process making them the first sparkling winery in the United States with all of their estate vineyards certified.

In 2003, the winery installed the largest photovoltaic solar collection system then existent on any winery in the world, according to their Web site. They have installed lighting by skylights, night cooling systems to maintain cellar temperature and they built into the earth for insulation. Other unique features contained in all four vineyards are owl boxes used to control rodents.

They have a terrace at their main chateau to sip sparkling wine and watch the sunset. They close at 6pm giving you time to visit their vineyard for the last tasting of the day. They also have a gift shop and we know how I like those.

Even though Taittinger is famous for making Champagne from the Champagne region of France using the traditional method, Domaine Carneros prefers to call their California sparklers the American name of sparkling wine. They feel that they should not replicate someone else’s name. They make three traditional styles of sparkling wine: Brut, Brut Rosé and Blanc de Blancs.

Although Domaine Carneros makes spectacular sparkling wine, their surprise features are their Pinot Noirs. My favorite being the award winning “The Famous Gate”. It highlights smokey toasty aromas along with blackberries and dark cherry notes.



2006 The Famous Gate - Beverage Testing Institute, 2008 World Wine Championships, Gold Medal, 91 Points

2006 The Famous Gate - Wine Enthusiast Rating, 92 points, 12/31/08


Tell me your thoughts, make them funny, keep them nice and educate me.
Bon Vin!
Veronica