North Coast Wine Country is open for business
Posted on October 30,2017 By John Compisi
North Coast Wine Country is open for business
Despite the recent tragic, and very destructive wildfires, in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino Counties, the California North Coast wine country is open and excited to receive your business. October and November are typically the most important months for tourism in wine country. Harvest has usually been completed and the juice is in the barrels offering a bit of relief and respite for the growers and winemakers. In that regard, the 2017 harvest is not very different from 2016 or 2015. What is different is the national attention drawn by the recent fires. While the wildfires were deadly for so many and devastating for thousands of homeowners, with a couple of exceptions, the vineyards and the wineries remain untouched. This is not intended to underplay the real human tragedy that has occurred. The facts however may be contrary to what you might understand from the media coverage suggesting that Napa or Sonoma Counties have been ‘destroyed’.
More than ever, wine country needs and desires the tourists to make their annual pilgrimages. As a way of highlighting this reality, I have decided to focus on a few exceptional harvest parties we have attended in recent weeks and to highlight a couple of upcoming events. Some of these events were just before the fires and the others actually occurred in the past week. In all cases, however, each of these wineries in Sonoma County and virtually all others throughout the North Coast (Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake and Solano Counties) are fine and deserving of your continued patronage. In fact, nothing would help the return to normalcy more than continued and even increased travel and tourism to the tri-county area. Although so many have lost homes, the jobs related to the wine industry and tourism are key to the economy and the ability for people being to remain and rebuild.
Skipstone is a 200 acre estate located in the Alexander Valley and tucked into the hillside. The Alexander Valley is well known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Skipstone is no exception. These exquisite wines (including Cabernet and Merlot as well as Viognier) usually sell out fast but if you can get them, they are a treasure of flavor and texture to lay down. They also produce wonderful estate olive oil. The harvest/release party took place in late September before the fires but the estate was threatened by the ‘Pocket Fire’. All survived and appointments can be made via phone 707-433-9124 or online info@skipstonewines.com.
Sublime Skipstone Ranch and wine (L.Compisi)
Viluko Estate is another out of the way vineyard estate in the center of the Mark West Springs area and the Fountain Grove AVA (American Viticultural Area). This area was perhaps most devastatingly affected as the ‘Tubbs Fire’ raced from Calistoga over the mountains to Santa Rosa destroying so much in its path. While we know Viluko was significantly affected by the fires, and that at last report the Arroyo family was still waiting for access to their property to assess damage, thankfully, their friends and colleagues are safe and indebted to the first responders who made this possible. Viluko production and warehouse facilities are both in safe locations and their wine (excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec) is unharmed. They expect to make the October shipments. Their Harvest Party was on September 30th. Call (707) 477-8411 and speak with Frieda for an update and to order this wonderful wine.
Viluko Vineyards with 2nd label Split Rock (L.Compisi)
Geyserville is the home of Ramazzotti Wines which was founded by Joe and Norma Ramazzotti about 15 years ago. Joe and Norma and the extended Ramazzotti family know how to party as well as make wine. Most of the Ramazzotti fruit comes from their home estate in the Dry Creek Valley, where they live, which was, fortunately, unscathed by the fires east of them. They specialize in Italian varietals but also produce truly delightful Cabernet Zinfandel Rosé and Chardonnay. A regular at their parties is ‘the King’ performing very credible renditions of Elvis’ music. Good wine, good food and good fun are always present at Ramazzotti parties and their Halloween themed Harvest Party on October 28th was no exception.
Halloween Style festivities with the ‘King’. (L.Compisi)
Zialena Winery in the Alexander Valley is perhaps the newest winery in the Valley with one of the oldest stories. Established by brother and sister team Mark and Lisa Mazzoni and their spouses just a few years ago, their winery and tasting room just opened in February of 2017. Winemaker Mark and Lisa learned the trade from their dad (Mike), who learned from his dad and uncle who learned from their dad, Giuseppe Mazzoni, who had immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s to work at the Italian Swiss Colony in Asti, California (just north of Geyserville). Matt makes wine sourced from the family’s vineyards which surround the tasting room. Although threatened and evacuated due to the ‘Pocket Fire’, their wine was already in tank and survived. Their harvest/pickup party was held on October 29th.
Zialena blend Cappella with food-truck fare (L. Compisi)
So what’s up next? So many events occur in the fall but just a few to consider. Please help the North Coast recover by supporting our tourism industries.
Wine & Food Affair November 4 – 5, 2017 features wine from the Wine Road’s 3 AVAs. Alexander, Russian River and Dry Creek Valleys https://www.wineroad.com/events
Appellation St. Helena inaugural Holiday Wine Experience in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Club, on the Presidio, November 8, 2017 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/appellation-st-helena-announces-holiday-wine-experience-300529486.html
Napa Valley Film Festival November 8-12, 2017 Nine venues throughout Napa, Yountville, and St. Helena http://www.nvff.org
A Taste of Redwood Valley, November 18-19th, 2017 No Tickets Needed http://www.atasteofredwoodvalley.com/events.html