Vin Couture Lounge – A flight above!
Posted on January 2,2012 By John Compisi
When it comes to tasting rooms and lounges, Vin Couture is a flight above. Literally!!
The brain child of Kelley Anne Dove, a long time wine marketing professional and high-end event planner, Vin Couture Lounge is located on the 2nd floor of this former bank building at 322 Healdsburg Ave in Healdsburg. Vin Couture offers an elegant setting overlooking the town plaza in Healdsburg. Vin Couture has a double life of tasting room and wine education by day and wine bar/lounge by night. It is open 11AM until 10PM, daily, Thursday through Sunday. During the day shift, 11AM – 5PM, Vin Couture offers flights of wines configured just as you would like and presented by their on staff wine educators. In addition, from 6PM until 10PM, all of the wines are available by the glass along with cheese plates and desserts as a great after dinner treat or just because you can. Vin Couture specializes in unique small production wines from 5 area wineries with a focus on wine education and information.
Vin Couture Lounge (Linda C)
The staff is one of the main reasons to visit Vin Couture. The Lounge operates under the smart management of Maggie and she has assembled a knockout team. A power house of young servers who bring youth, vitality and some exquisite wine and vineyard experience. Coming from as far away as Minnesota and Florida, these recent transplants have a wealth of knowledge from their vineyard and harvest internships this fall. They bring fresh eyes and senses to this newly minted tasting room.
Vin Couture Plaza View (Linda C)
The wine is ultimately the real raison d’etre at Vin Couture!! They come from Sonoma County Vineyards, mostly, located in the Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Chalk Hill Appellations. The current ensemble includes:
Talty Vineyard and Winery is located in the Dry Creek Valley and offers several Zinfandel wines from their 48-year-old vines. The Estate Zinfandel is their flag-ship but they also offer a couple excellent vineyard designate Zinfandels from Napa and the Dry Creek Valley. Tasting by appointment only at the winery. You can schedule one at (707) 433-8438.
Landy Family Vineyards was planted in the Russian River Valley in 2003 by Jim and Christina Landy. They have assembled a standout team in Ulises Valdez for vineyard management and Paul Hobbs as consulting winemaker (Hobbs actually makes the Landy wine at his facility). Landy’s specialize in Pinot, Chardonnay and a red Cabernet blend called Melange de vin Rouge. The Melange was very balanced, well structured, full-bodied and delightful. (707) 433-2007 for information about Landy Family Vineyards.
Chateau Felice is another Healdsburg addressed winery although their wines are designated Chalk Hill appellation. Vin Couture Lounge is their only tasting room at this time. Small production with two principal offerings. The La Craie Reserve Series which includes several Bordeaux style wines and blends from grapes grown in Chalk Hill. The hillsides of the Chalk Hill Valley are streaked with ash from old volcanic activity in the area and it is this soil property which creates the distinct terroir of Chalk Hill AVA. The second offering is the Black Label Series which is a collection of small lot Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and a Zinfandel Rose. The Cabernet Franc was very pleasant. Tami Collins is the wine maker at Chateau Felice. (707) 836-9011 for additional information about Chateau Felice.
C. Donatiello Winery is located in the Russian River Valley but uses the Vin Couture Lounge exclusively for tasting. The winery was established by Chris Donatiello, an east coast transplant, about 5 years ago. His passion is around the Burgundy varietals of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Webster Marquez is the winemaker. C.Donatiello produces several vineyard designate wines and remains a small production boutique winery. 707.431.4442 for winery information.
Pfendler Vineyards is located in the Sonoma Coast area and is owned and operated by Kimberly Pfendler. She is assisted by Greg Bjornstad who is the winemaker. Pfendler specializes in small lot production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (as you might imagine given their AVA) and a Rose of Pinot Noir. Vin Couture is the only tasting room at this time but considering their location that is probably just fine. (707) 765-5997
Vin Couture heralds it’s tasting experience as educational and unique. It is both! Rumor has it that eventually as many as 12 wineries will be show cased here so, for a delightful experience and a quite unique setting call 707.431.8161 for Tasting Reservations or just drop in. It may be a secret but if you show up between 5PM and 6PM, the transition period, Maggie will not turn you away.