Wine Country! Una ves más, por favor!

Adventures

Apr 19

Written By Bar Fly with a View

With open honesty, the trip we took to Napa and Sonoma in 2015 was not my doing. The airplane ride alone was something that would have halted me from even dreaming about it. At that time, I had not flown anywhere except Mexico and to be frank the flights were so split up that the time in the air did not compare to the Delta time I was about to familiarize myself with.

To fill in some gaps, let me explain. Earlier in 2009 or so I met Mac McDonald, owner of Vision Cellars Wines, and he made the most profound statement on understanding wine. Since my wine knowledge at that time was so limited, I was worried that I would stick out like a sore thumb when we visited wine country. In telling Mac that I was not familiar with the wine terminology and feared that I would be “found out” he asked me, “do you know if you like the shit or not?” I stammered and replied, “Yes! Yes, I love it!”, and Mac replied, “ok, that’s all you need to know.”

With Mac’s statement, perfect friends, and one heck of an itinerary, I went boldly to wine country with a brain and belly ready to soak up the culture and of course the wines. Through our journey I found out so much more than trying to understand a grapes region, the Wine Spectator points, and who the brain trust sommelier was. The stories of the winemakers themselves became a huge interest to me. Why they chose to do what they do and why they poured, literally, so much into what they produced.

This blog will be a little different than the others as I want to include some of my friend’s itinerary that she made for us and spotlight some of the most touching and beautiful stories from the places we visited. My sweet friend introduced me to the wine country and instilled in me a fascination for the taste of a bold Cabernet. I still giggle at some of the experiences and think of Jackie Chan in Shanghai Noon, tipsy in the tub, and realizing that life should be full of more of these moments with precious friends.
Still to this day, I feel like though the itinerary seemed full at the time, there was so much left of wine country to see. Our trip was just an eye-opener to a world I was not yet familiar with. Good thing I have great friends.

Napa/Sonoma Wine Trip - May 2015

That May morning started with just a little anxiety and anticipation. The flight was going to be long so I knew I would need something to fill my thoughts. I packed my best book and earphones, and my husband and I headed to the airport for our first long flight to San Francisco.

In introducing you to our brain trust and party planner, Lainey Middleton is much like introducing you to the most well-organized person you will ever meet. She had thought of everything, literally everything. From our large Suburban from Alamo Rental to keep our party together, and the purchase of our wine shipping containers, to a paced visit to every winery we could fit into seven days. She had laid out this plan like a well-played Gus Malzahn and a one-second play call to win the Iron Bowl. Small inside joke.

Our first stop was Ram’s Gate Winery for a spectacular 4:00 pm reservation. This one had my husband humming as the sprawling twenty-eight-acre vineyard sat just down from the Sonoma Raceway. What can pair better with a glass of organically farmed estate wine than the rumble of a Hendrick-owned Chevrolet, right? Though he could not hear or see the track, he was elated just knowing it was there. Our tasting was set up for us just inside a beautifully decorated dining area with the doors opened to the vineyard as if they had planned the day for just our party. The smell from outside the doors poured in the scents of spring straight from the delicate vines just beyond the patio. My brain was already dancing from the scenery and the excitement of having our first real experience in a tasting room that I forgot about the strain of the long flight. The wine and atmosphere quickly helped me understand the need for the prepurchase of shipping containers.

– www.ramsgatewinery.com

The Jordan estate had me all in my feelings just upon entering the 1,200-acre property. The meticulously manicured chateau, covered with lush vines had my husband and me feeling as if we had been transported to France for a taste of the finer things. Hospitality must be manufactured here. The staff was beautifully educated on the mission and vision of the Jordan dream. The tour of the property gave our group a better understanding of the love that the Jordan family has put into this property since 1972. I am the deepest red lover you will ever find, and Jordan’s Cabernet Sauvignon is to die for. But I will not cut short one of the most phenomenal Chardonnays I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. I was convinced there was a stick of butter in that bottle. We were so happy that this stop was on our list and that we were introduced to such a privileged memory.
- www.jordanwinery.com

Our tasting at Aonair was one of the sweetest and most personable tastings on the list. In the setting of an elegantly decorated tasting room, our tasting was led by Mr. Grant Long Sr. who reminded us that time moves fast, and family and memories are all you are left with, so make them your best. Mr. Grant Long Sr. shared his son’s story and ambition which were reflected in the wine and proved that the apple did not fall far from the tree. Mr. Long told how he set out early selling computers and how his precious wife raised and maintained the home front. Boasting on every pour you found pride from a father’s perspective that was proven in every sip.

-www.aonairwine.com

Limerick Lane Cellars’ tasting area was simple and rugged, but the wine was very sophisticated and bold. While on the plane, my dear friend that put this trip together just read about a 30-something-year-old fella who just decided to make some wine and was now at the top of the wine spectator list. We thought we would give it a whirl and never expected to find anything like this hidden gem. Standing in the simple tasting area we were all being entertained by the tasting manager and low and behold in walked the owner. As Mr. Jake Bilbro was coming in dusty from the field his smile was as big as the sun that beamed down on his thirty-acre vineyard. Knowing he had better things to do he stopped and shared his vision and some laughs while we drank his bold wine. Family is truly growing this vineyard and the roots of love are spreading through every vine to every glass. What a memorable stop.

-https://www.limericklanewines.com/

White Rock Vineyards and the Vandendriessche Family have something truly romantic growing in those vines. A taste like no other and a story everyone has romanticized while talking about wine was found here. We were so fortunate to have our tour given to us by Henri Vandendriessche. This gentleman told his family’s story, and it was so intertwined with the love he had for his wife and children. Where we are from it is common to see a pocketknife on the side of a rugged country boy. Mr. Vandendriessche, soft-spoken and passionate had a pair of pruning sheers to his. What a beautiful human! As he told us about the history of the vines you felt everything he was saying. It was almost as if he preached a sermon when talking about the importance of pruning and grafting the old vines to new ones. With an informative tour, our tasting was given at the opening of the carved limestone cellar just atop a hill from where his home sat. The distinct White Rock taste was in every glass as was the family love Mr. Vandendriessche shared.

-https://whiterockvineyards.com/

If a vineyard could have a human image, Shafer Vineyards would be sexy. The property and wine both boast an elegance that had you over the top. We were given a tasting like no other that was worth every penny paid as the pours were generous and the information you were given about each bottle had your brain on overload. Elias Fernandez was in the house that day and graciously gave us the honor of seeing his long-anticipated barrels of Relentless going into labeling. What a tremendous treat.

-www.shafervineyards.com

Ehlers Estate has to be one of the best organic wines on the market. If you are going anywhere near the Helena area, you need to put this vineyard on your list. The upscale tasting room is well-complimented by knowledgeable staff members who shared the pride, vision, and mission of Ehlers Estate. There is a great story behind the logo of Ehlers that stems from the 1996 founding of the Leducq Foundation’s signature program, the Transatlantic Networks of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research. Take your time with this one. You are sure to be glad you stopped.

-https://www.ehlersestate.com/

In an honored fashion, I have saved the best for last. Of course, this one is a bit more special to me but there is no biased opinion about the wine. Any time you ever hear the name Mac McDonald and Vision Cellars, you better perk up and figure out how you can get your hands on this wine. Mac and Lil share a beautiful story of love and family. The African American son of a moonshiner turned winemaker would make for a best-selling book and no one tells it better than Mac himself. As an impeccable winemaker, host, and friend I believe he has many more years left in those vines that have made history. Much love and thanks to a real winemaker who knows how to introduce people to something good.

-https://www.visioncellars.com/

www.rodneystrong.com
www.williamsseylum.com
www.visioncellars.com
www.vintnersinn.com
www.highway12winery.com
www.gunbun.com
www.eighthstreetwineries.com
www.cornerstonesonoma.com
www.viansa.com
www.clinecellars.com

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