100 Wine Blogs, 100 Days Blog 67 Blackstone Winery

Blog 67 Blackstone Winery



I visited the Sonoma Valley Blackstone Winery location in Kenwood, California. They make handcrafted wines with flavor and a balanced structure. I was able to try some limited releases with my favorite being the 2007 Merlot Sonoma Valley which sells for $70.00. Their wines mostly range from $11.00 a bottle to about $36.00 a bottle with the Merlot at $70.00 being their most expensive wine on the menu.

The tasting room was about to close but they accepted me with open arms and were not in a hurry to push me out the door. They also spent time with me explaining the medals that their wines have won. It was a pleasurable time.

When you are in the area, be sure to drop by and try some wine for a great experience without feeling rushed.

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

100 Wine Blogs, 100 Days Blog 66 Kunde Family Estate

Blog 66 Kunde Family Estate



Kunde Family Estate is located in Kenwood, California in the Sonoma Valley Region. The Kunde Family owns over 1850 acres of land with 700 acres planted to over twenty varieties of grapes for winemaking on property in their winemaking facility. You can visit the winery for a wine tasting but be sure not to miss out on taking the tour of the property to see the wine caves.



During prohibition, the winemaking did not stop at this winery; they continued to make sacramental wines. However, at the start of World War II they had to stop making wine to fight in the war. In the 1960’s they expanded the vineyards and focused on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In 2004, they celebrated their 100th harvest.

Family owned for five generations, their wines are made from 100% estate grown grapes and they improve environmental practices by using sustainable farming methods. My favorite Kunde wine is the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Be sure to view their video:



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

100 Wine Blogs, 100 Days Blog 65 Benziger Family Winery

Blog 65 Benziger Family Winery

Located way up in the Sonoma Mountain, Benziger is a family owned and operated winery with 85 acres of certified Biodynamic land. The family has a research and teaching center for the cultivation of grapes to bring more site-specific vineyard character. Their experience is shared throughout Sonoma Valley. They were the first vineyard in Sonoma to attain the Biodynamic certification by Demeter which took place in 2000. Biodynamics is the highest form of organic farming.

Visit the winery in the hills, take a vineyard tram and see their wine caves. You will enjoy the property and the open-air tram ride. Then, be sure to stop at their tasting rooms and gift shop. My favorite menu is the single vineyard tasting menu. They offer Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and some estate blends that are worth not missing. They were sold out of their Zinfandel which is my favorite choice on the menu.

2006 Estate Zinfandel “Joaquin’s Inferno”

A taste will reveal red ripe raspberry and dark cherry with a nose of earthiness, coffee, spice, pepper and chocolate truffles. Soft, silky and smooth with a great finish! Out, how can that be?

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

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 62 Savor Sonoma

Blog 62 Savor Sonoma

Sonoma Valley offered a 20th annual food and wine experience on March 20th and 21st with twenty-two local participating wineries present from throughout Sonoma with barrel tasting and food pairings from local chefs and restaurants.

Wineries that participated:

Audelssa Estate Winery, Benziger Family Winery, Chateau St. Jean, Deerfield Ranch Winery, Enkidu Wines, Eric Ross Winery, Family Wineries of Kenwood, Imagery Estate Winery, Kenwood Vineyards, Kunde Family Estate, Landmark Vineyards, Ledson Winery & Vineyards, Little Vineyards, Loxton Cellars, Mayo Family Winery, Muscardini Cellars, Paradise Ridge Winery, St. Francis Winery, Ty Caton Vineyards, VJB Vineyards & Cellars, Valley of the Moon Winery and Wellington Vineyards.

Put on by the Heart Of Sonoma Valley Association found at:

www.HeartOfSonomaValley.com

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

100 Wine Blogs, 100 Days Blog 61 Peju

Blog 61 Peju

Peju is family owned and operated. They are dedicated to organic and sustainable farming practices. Their gardens, art exhibits, kitchen and award winning wines and friendly staff are why you want to visit.



Your pleasant and pleasing experience begins when you get out of your car; enjoy the garden and artwork prior to walking into the gift shop and tasting area at Peju located in Rutherford, Napa Valley California. Easy to get to and open until 6:00 pm makes it a favorite last stop on your wine tasting ventures and one you will never want to miss. The staff is knowledgeable, all of their wine is tasty and they have some wine blends that you cannot get anywhere on the planet. I listed two of my favorite wines from Peju that are fun, light, bright and unique.

Provence

Winemaker Notes: A proprietary red and white blend of finished Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel with Chardonnay and French Colombard from Napa and Mendocino counties. Goes great with Barbequed and spicy foods - Serve Chilled!

Sensory Description: Aromatic notes of bright cherry and raspberry tartlets, with a slight touch of cranberry and pretty floral notes. It displays flavors of fresh ripe red fruit with a hint of strawberry rhubarb pie.

Carnivale



Winemaker Notes: This French Colombard is sourced from an old head-trained vineyard in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County. The vineyard is situated in a cool growing area, allowing the fruit to hang on the vine for a long period of time to reach optimal ripeness. The French Colombard is often some of the last fruit that we harvest in late October, and typically displays floral aromatics, mixed with fresh fruit, crisp acidity and a light, refreshing finish.

Sensory Description: Aromas of white peach, apricot and nectarine with a hint of white floral notes. Intense, yet delicate flavors of honeysuckle, pineapple juice and fresh, juicy stone fruit please the palate. Carnival has sweet beginnings with a dry finish. The Carnival pairs beautifully with spicy dishes such as Thai food as well as fruit and cheese. Serve very chilled.

Great experience! Great wine!

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