SONOMA COUNTY, CA—It’s official, once again! California Wine Travel Insider Tom Silberkleit will host the annual KRCB Public Television Travel & Wine Auction tonight April 28, 2012 from 7-11 p.m.

Pictured above: Silberkleit does his best to keep the audience engaged.

This fundraising benefit for the North Bay PBS/NPR station will feature such items as: Item #5410 A half case of fine wines (this particular items closes tonight!):

-2008 Williams Selyem, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

-2004 Marilyn, Napa Valley Red Wine

-2005 RustRidge, Reserve Zinfandel, Chiles Valley

-2008 RustRidge, Chardonnay Chiles Valley

-2006 Meyer Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

-2008 B R Cohn, Russian River Valley Late Harvest, Semillon, Herrick Vineyard

If you miss tonight or tomorrow night, the auction resumes for it’s final weekend May 18 & 20, 2012. There are lots of great food, wine, and travel related its up for bid.

All proceeds go to support this popular Northern California PBS/NPR station. 

(Shameless promotion: Item #5235 - An autographed “2-book set” of The California Directory of  Fine Wineries is being offered. Bidding for this item will close sometime tomorrow night April 29, 2012).

ST. HELENA, CA—People are always asking “What’s the secret to wine tasting?” Well here it is: The secret is the more you taste the more you know what you like. Simple, yes? Well, there’s a Part B to this bit of advise: Trust your palate’s memory. In short, everyone’s different but the one thing that will always divide the good wine from stellar wine is your memory and how well the experience of drinking a specific wine sticks with you. You want to be in love with your wine.

A recent example will serve to demonstrate my point. Over the past ten days I’ve tasted at five different wineries in Sonoma and Napa counties. Here’s how they stack up in my emotional memory after nearly two weeks.

Out of those five—

•One still makes me cringe whenever I think about it. Though they had a nice fountain and vast tasting room, their Chardonnay nearly made me gag! It was undrinkable. I can never bring myself to go back. (Well, maybe I will should they ever change hands.)

•Three were lovely places, serving good wine. But these wines didn’t stick with me. Thinking about them had no physical effect at the time nor do they now.

•Only one from the group is still driving me to distraction whenever I relive the tasting. Can one fantasize about a specific wine? You bet! Tasting a great wine is like falling in love. The body remembers. The experience was so exemplary that I actually begin to salivate whenever I think of that day. I’m doing it now. It was April 14. The winery is one that I’ve visited before—Ehlers Estate. It’s just off Hwy. 29, at the end of  a country road in Napa Valley.

First off, as with all the wineries in my books, this destination is a boon to your senses. It’s like visiting a living museum. Ehlers Estate boasts both a modern winemaking facility and a nineteenth-century winery, built in 1886 of tuff and basalt and currently serving as the tasting room.

Etched above the arched doorway, builder Bernard Ehler’s name can still be seen. But as charming as you’ll find the exterior, it’s what’s inside that will excite your senses.

Fresh flowers! Always the hallmark of a classy joint! :-)

This winery makes roughly 8,000 cases of wine annually. All tastings are by reservation and so do call ahead… Now let me reveal a bit about my experience and why it is still with me and why I continue to crave their wine after such a time.

They’ve done a bit of rearranging and remodeling to the interior recently. 

Do check out the new photo exhibit hanging on the stone walls… I certainly approve!

Guests can now taste at comfortable sofas or, as I often prefer, at the tasting bar which offers it’s own brand of one-on-one hospitality.

This was really a salon experience. You’ll want to relax and enjoy the environment while you taste. Though their “Tasting Experience” includes 4 wines for $25 per person, I had the $50 per person wine and chocolate tasting which takes place daily at 10:30 a.m. It is called “Perfectly Paired”. I winked at the server and I think they decided to take a slight deviation from the standard menu. My line up may not be exactly the same as what you’ll find but this will give you a good general idea of their offerings.

1) 2011 Sauvignon Blanc: It was a very clean, dry wine with no new oak nor malolactic flavors competing with the fruit. Very elegant while being a bit bold. 100% estate grown and, as all their wines, certified organic grapes. This is a very limited production wine. I was told that this is winemaker Kevin Morrisey’s favorite white wine in the Napa Valley. (Well, of course it is!)

2) 2009 One Twenty Over Eighty: A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate vineyard. The wine had the following added: 9% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and a hint of just 3% Petit Verdot. A Bordeaux-style blend. Wow! Ready to enjoy with restrained tannins. For me it had a cocoa finish. SO good!

3) 2009 Cabernet Franc: It was rich and chewy. Really beautiful. I loved it! This was a “bonus” wine. They don’t always have it open. Cross your fingers that the do on the day that you stop by. It was a real treat. By the way, I just learned that several months ago Ehlers Estate become a certified Biodynamic winery. Impressive news.

4) 2009 Merlot: Full bodied and really luscious. Again, I loved it! These are the type of wines that, I find, have magic in the bottle. Everything I tasted here was superior. When I taste wines like these, I remember the moment and can’t seem to let it go.

5) 2008 “1886” Cabernet Sauvignon: I tasted a hint of black plums and black cherries. This wine is complex and elegant. Received a 93 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Maybe this Parker fellow is on to something. It seems like he agrees with me.

I won’t go into detail about the chocolate pairing. Needless to say they were of the gourmet variety (e.g. E. Guittard 72% with rosemary and cumin; Valrhona 64% with ginger and lemongrass, etc…). Mouthwatering stuff. 

If you’re like me, you work too hard and forgot to play. Plan ahead and make a special trip to a special place. 

If your husband, doesn’t like wine, bring him along to Ehlers Estate to play bocce ball instead! Life’s too short to put off having special moments. Now, if I could only make the time to follow my own advice all the world would be good.

If you go, please be sure to let me know how you liked this wonderful California destination winery—and if the flavors you experienced have stuck with you.

NAPA VALLEY, CA—It’s like visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris; the Grand Canyon in Arizona; the Hollywood Bowl in L.A. When you come to world famous Napa Valley, you must not miss the monuments of California viticulture. There is a solid handful of tasting rooms that come to mind but two of my favorites are Robert Mondavi Winery and Silver Oak Cellars. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting both.

As you drive north from the town of Napa toward Oakville on Hwy 29 The Robert Mondavi Winery suddenly appears on your left, framed by the majestic Mayacamas Range on the western horizon. The bell tower is instantly recognizable from the Robert Mondavi wine labels. The scene looks exactly the same as you’d expect but, in person, especially in the spring, it is even more impressive.

Since its inception more than forty years ago, Robert Mondavi Winery has remained in the forefront of innovation, from the use of cold fermentation, stainless steel tanks, and small French oak barrels to the collaboration with NASA employing aerial imaging to reveal the health and vigor of grapevines. Founder Robert Mondavi’s cherished goal of producing wines on a par with the best in the world made his name virtually synonymous with California winemaking. 

As you turn into the driveway, the Spanish-style architecture, with its expansive archway designed by Clifford May, will remind you of the Franciscan fathers who planted the first grapes in the region. Just as the estate’s grapes express their terroir, the winery itself reflects the location and legacy of Napa Valley.

I love to spend time wandering the grounds and watching the excited tourists who come from the world over. Though the grounds and artwork will remind you of a private park, there are plenty of other things to do here. Educational tours and tastings, concerts, art exhibits, and the industry’s first culinary program are all part of the Mondavi Legacy. Plus, they have a large gift shop offering wine books and Italian imports. Be sure to leave plenty of time to relax and walk the lawn to view the sculptures.

After leaving Robert Mondavi Winery I cross Hwy. 29 and travel down Oakville Cross Road. Just minutes away is another iconic destination. The entrance to Silver Oak Cellars begins with a long, stately driveway. Right now, California poppies are springing up all around the parking area.

Just as the bell tower does at Robert Mondavi Winery, Silver Oak’s famed water tower is represented on their wine labels. It is synonymous with their brand. What could be more exciting for visitors than seeing it up close and in person!

But, of course, I find what’s inside the tasting room even more exiting… Though I didn’t have time to taste earlier in the day at Robert Mondavi, I did take a few minutes to try some of the Silver Oak cabernets.

As readers of my books may know by now, hospitality is a key factor in recommending which wineries to visit. Natalie Griffin, at Silver Oak Cellars in Oakville, was a wonderful host. She knew the products very well and was quite welcoming, making me and the others visitors feel at home.

The current tasting fee at Silver Oak is $20 which includes a lovely souvenir glass. I have amassed a large collection of them at home. Is it good form to serve wine to your dinner party guests in a logo glass??? ;-) Their tasting fee includes samples of two current releases and, the good news is, they are currently offering a bonus 3rd wine. It’s usually a library selection. This bonus wine rotates and so you’ll never know exactly what they’re pouring until you arrive.

1) My first sample was the 2007 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It is 100% Cabernet. The wine had a dark ruby color with a purple edge and a nice, light nose. It was tasting very well and, as Silver Oak fans will attest, it was ready to drink. I found this wine to have a medium body with moderate fruit flavors; not too sweet, not too bold. It was as expected: smooth, flavorful, and terrific!

2) Next up was the 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a blend of 90% Cabernet, 6% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. This wine had a fine, long finish and I was told will continue to evolve in the glass over a meal. I understand that this wine, if properly cellared, will drink well until 2033. I liked this cabernet very much but, for the first time, when comparing two of the same vintages side-by-side, I preferred the Alexander Valley Cabernet to their Napa Valley Cab. 

3) Then Natalie announced that there would be a bonus wine. It was a 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It was 100% Cabernet. This older vintage was nice! The smoothness was impressive. I found this to be a light to medium body wine with a fruity finish that pleasantly lingered. I couldn’t decide which was my favorite of the day. It was a tie between the 2007 Alexander Valley and the 2005 Alexander Valley. But, you know, I’ve never had a glass of Silver Oak that I didn’t like…

People who go wine tasting are often gregarious and outgoing. (Of course, they are usually on holiday or, perhaps, have called in sick to work.) I’ve met some of the nicest people at tasting rooms and wine events. These nice folks encouraged me to take their photo for my blog. I asked them if they were enjoying themselves and indeed they were!

“A definitive guide for wine enthusiasts, tourists and Pinot-enchanted newbies…”

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA—Today, we received a very nice “thumbs up” from The North Bay Bohemian. The publication covers news, music, movies, restaurants & wine culture throughout Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties. Our review is second from the bottom.

My thanks to Leilani Clark, Nicolas Grizzle, Gabe Meline, Stett Holbrook, Jacquelynne Ocaña, Michael Shufro, Rachel Dovey, Suzanne Daly and the rest of the Bohemian editorial staff for your dedicated work on Northern California’s premiere news/arts publication.

To our many loyal readers: If you like the Bohemian review, please leave a comment on their site. Thank you!

SONOMA, CA—Birthdays should be extraordinary events and a birthday dinner party should always be the source of great anticipation. The other day we planned a celebration which included 3 masterful wines plus a few special occasion food curiosities. Here’s how it played out…

Guests arrived and were greeted at the door by—yours truly—with a false mustache which contained an audio chip that spoke the words “Well, hello there” in a deep, sinister voice. Once the visiting couple was caught off guard they were handed a glass of Mumm Napa Brut from Napa Valley. 

This sparkling wine always proves popular. It is consistently wonderful time after time. If you’ve never been to their Napa facility, then you MUST go. That’s why I’ve included them in my books for so many years… (Side Note: Few things are better in life that relaxing outdoors on a sunny day at the Mumm Napa tasting room with a glass of bubbly, in the company of good friends, surrounded by their panoramic vineyard views. Mumm Napa is also noted for its fine art gallery. I’ve been to exhibits there that easily go head-to-head with those in big city galleries. Guests may explore the Mumm gallery at their leisure, even while they enjoy a glass of sparkling wine.)

After a bit of chit-chat dinner was served.

Homemade mushroom soup with sour cream and chives sprinkled on top. Not cream of mushroom but a lighter rendition. 

The next wine served was a perfect match. An absolutely delicious 2010 Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer from Handley Cellers in Mendocino County. It was SO good! I have never had a wine from them that I didn’t enjoy… Last January, I proudly presented Handley wines with Food Network chef Tyler Florence during two book signing/tasting events at his Northern California shops. The events were free and many of my readers turned out to say hello. Many told me that they, too, were impressed with the wines from this artisan wine estate.

Milla Handley planted her estate vineyard in 1982, built the winery three years later, and in 1987 opened the tasting room. She also makes Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel and a sparkling wine.

When visiting the picturesque Anderson Valley, in Mendocino County, this is one tasting room, in particular, that you will love!

I’ll be heading up there again real soon, not so much to do research, but just to relax. Yes, I’ll be making a report on the trip for this blog. Hmmm? So, maybe, I will be working after all. ;-)

Though you may think otherwise, I did not catch this fish in the Napa River. It was a frozen gift sent by my dear sister. Salmon Florentine En Croute courtesy of William-Sonoma. A hand-sculpted puff pastry. We gave it a spritz of olive oil before baking.

Inside, was salmon and spinach. Though I usually prefer my fish fresh, this was not bad at all. No complaints. I enjoyed it. Here’s a photo courtesy from William-Sonoma showing how it looks prior to serving.

Now as you can tell, over the past few months, I have gradually become more and more decadent as evidenced by a third wine which was brought forth for the fish course. Uncorked above was a Hearthstone Vineyard & Winery 2007 “Lodestone” from Paso Robles: 50% Syrah, 33% Grenache, 17% Mourvedre. Just 298 Cases produced. You will love this rich, flavorful wine. Its medium texture and pleasing minerality creates a velvety mouth feel and smooth finish. I’m still thinking about this wine days later… It’s all about the Paso fruit and knowing how to tame it!

Hearthstone is a small producer—only 1500 cases annually—from the Adelaida area on the west side of town. Their intimate tasting room only opened in 2009 and is a great visit. The location offers sweeping westward views of neighboring farms and the Santa Lucia Mountains.

Owner Hoy Buell had been propagating vines for other growers when, in 1999, he heeded the siren call to plant his own vineyard. Hoy sustainably farms twenty different grape varieties, selects about half of the crop for his estate wines, and sells the rest to local winemakers. In my view, this is certainly a winery to watch! I’ll be telling you more about them toward the end of the year.

Those of you with eagle eyes may have noticed the bread sticks in the photo. As with everything I’m consuming these days, these were no ordinary bread sticks. They come from a local Napa Valley producer — Panevino. They are the best breadsticks I have every eaten. They are called: No. 6 Grissini and are gourmet semolina breadsticks made with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. I’ve met the owner; a super nice guy. I am happy to buy and recommend his product. Has anyone else ever tried them? You must tell me what you think! Aren’t they insanely good?

Of course, also during dinner we had vegetables. Fresh beets with cumquat (aka Kumquat).

And organic, local Kale, fresh from my old pal Paul the farmer, sautéed with walnuts (from Lake County) and Parmesan cheese. Quite good. The wooden serving spoons were made in Hungary.

For dessert there was Princess Cake from Sonoma’s own Scandia Bakery. But by that time all I could do was sit and stare blankly as everyone else scarfed it down. It was midnight and, though my tank was full, I was out of gas.

Dinner Party Hint #1456: Here’s a simple way to determine whether or not the wine was a hit. Was there any left in the bottle? If not, then you will be highly praised by your guests for weeks to come. All wines served on this particular evening were entirely consumed with great delight!

SONOMA, CA—St. Patrick’s Day is a annual day spent sequestered. The simple reason is that I don’t have much of a green wardrobe. But the event is always cause for a special dinner. Plus, it’s my birthday weekend and my best friend came up from L.A. to help make it special.

This past week has brought the first heavy rains of the season to Northern California. The series of storms will continue for several more days. Local vintners tell me they welcome the much needed moisture. When an unexpected break in the weather occurred late this afternoon, we decided that a BBQ was in order. It’s been a very long time since we fired up the grill at home and enjoyed a fine grilled meal.

Our St. Patrick’s Day special menu—

The Entrée: BBQ Tri-tip Roast

Side #1: Whipped Organic Potatoes (from Washington State). With real butter? Indeed!

Side #2: Steamed Broccoli with fresh roasted garlic. Ceramic bowl: handmade in Napa Valley.

The Wine: 2008 Alma Rosa Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir.
It was an excellent Pinot. Everything I had hoped for: Light, sweet cheery fruit; gentle. We finished it all far too quickly. Only regret: We didn’t have a second bottle. 

If you get the chance to visit their incredible tasting room near Solvang, California, you will love it. This is Richard and Thekla Sanford’s place. Alma Rosa Winery is dedicated to organic farming and sustainable business practices. They are good people. And this is truly a magical place. Highly recommended.

It was such a great dinner. Everything was made with the greatest of care. Blessings to all my friends and fellow California wine lovers. Hope you all had a fine St. Patrick’s Day as well!

SONOMA COUNTY, CA—It’s no secret that I really like the wines from Fritz Underground Winery. Though I’m not a stalker, for those of you obsessive types who may be, here’s a current itinerary of where and when you can interact with their wonderful wines.

NORTHERN SONOMA COUNTY, CA

Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, 2012 (Continues March 9 & 11)

A last minute idea… If you’re going to be near Northern Sonoma County tomorrow check this out: Barrel Tasting Weekend. It’s your chance to taste the future. That’s right “Futureboy! It’s not a themed event but a chance to focus on the wine. You sample wines from the barrel. If you like, you can purchase “futures” (often at a discount) and pick your bottles up in about 12+ months or so. Anticipation makes all things great. It’s like Christmas! Fritz Underground Winery will be participating as will many of their neighbors in Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. The event continues the weekend of March 9 & 11…

SAN DIEGO, CA

Sunday, March 11, 2012: You can meet Clay Fritz in person and sample his super wines at the Family Winemakers of California 4th Annual Trade and Consumer Tasting event. It’s too late for early bird tickets (which were a very reasonable $45) but you can still get $55 tickets if you order by March 10. Alas, our beloved procrastinators must pay a penalty: $65 at the door. I can’t make it but — please — if you go, let me know how you liked it. And do say hi to Clay Fritz for me!

ATLANTA, GA

Monday, March 12, 2012: Then you can jet yourself to Georgia the next day and enjoy Fritz wines at Murphy’s Restaurant. They are calling it “an evening of decadent fare and libations” but I can’t seem to find any clear details on the Murphy’s website. Though the food looks scrumptious! I heard about this event directly from the winery but I can’t seem to independently verify the actual date and time on the restaurant’s website. I’m working into the evening and everyone is closed at present. Please contact the restaurant directly to confirm before you go.

NEWS FLASH: The 2009 Fritz Estate Zinfandel received 91 Points in the May, 2012 issue of Wine Enthusiast… 

CALISTOGA, CA—Last month, Frank Family Vineyards in Calistoga announced the release of its first Reserve Petite Sirah (2009). Previously, they have grown the grape at their S&J Vineyard in Capell Valley for blending (3%) into their Napa Valley Zinfandel. (I served their Zin at a local event recently and it was fantastic!)

When Winemaker Todd Graff realized the exceptional quality of this particular vintage, the winery decided to bottle the Petite Sirah on its own. Bravo!

As this is a limited production bottling, it is only available at www.frankfamilyvineyards.com or in their Napa Valley tasting room. 

If you’re planning a visit to Napa Valley, this is one of my recommended stops. While you’re there you might as well pick up a bottle to share with friends.

LOS ANGELES, CA—Dave Wilson host of  “Grape Encounters” on KFWB News talk 980 in Los Angeles recently reviewed two wine books on his show—

1) “Yard Wine: It’s a Neighborly Thing”

2) “The California Directory of Fine Wineries”***

***Thank you, Mr. Wilson for your high praise!