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This is our second vintage of this wine and we are quite pleased with the results. This new venture of Andy Beckstoffe—in Lake County—was selected for its similarity to the best Cabernet growing sites in Napa Valley. At 2000 feet of elevation with volcanic soil heavily laden with obsidian, it is an exceptional site. Predominately Cabernet Sauvignon, the addition of small amounts of Cab Franc and Malbec give this wine added depth and character. Black cherry, black currant, and earth dominate this dark flavored Cab. Light oak on the nose, dark chocolate, dusty and bittersweet. For drinking now, decant this wine for an hour or more. Balanced, well structured with acidity and tannins to insure that -with proper cellaring- this wine will continue to improve for five to eight years.

This is our second vintage of this wine from JMR Talmage Vineyard. The vineyard is in Mendocino County, a little south and east of Ukiah. It is an old vineyard up on the bench. Notes of ripe dark fruit on the nose, with a hint of earth. The palate is greeted with a combination of dark fruits including blackberry, dark plum, olallie berries and sour cherry. Bright acidity and ripe fruit, hints to what this wine will become with some age. Great now with a little breathing.

Another outstanding example from the Siani Vineyards in Dry Creek. Old vine Carignane was formerly lost in the field blends of old vineyards. This wine exhibits smoked cherries on the nose. Big round fruit-lush and velvety on the palate showing red raspberry and ripe, red cherry with soft tannins and hints of cedar on the finish.

The 2005 harvest has brought us another delightful wine from the Siani Vineyards in Dry Creek. With hints of bright fruit on the nose, this warm smooth wine has a rich buttery flavor. Smoky caramel and toffee linger in the finish

The old section of our Pinot Noir Vineyard is now 25 years old. The new section of the vineyard is in its seventh year of production and adds the flavors of new and interesting clones to the mix of fruit. Tasting notes include: Very rich-with intense, deep dark flavors. This forward, slightly jammy wine has hints of cedar and a lingering finish. With deep rich color and full body, it is a concentrated and complex wine. Let this wine breathe for full enjoyment. The grapes are from our own vineyard. Located on a hillside five miles from the Ocean, these grapes receive great sun, hot days, and cool nights. Our vineyard has been certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers since 1980. Permanent cover crop, integrated pest management, and organic fertilizers, when needed, help to produce fruit bursting with flavor. Our Pinot Noir vines produced four tons in 2004 - about a ton and a quarter to the acre. The grapes were harvested on September 3 at 25.5 brix. The grapes were crushed into open top tanks and allowed to ferment for 17 days until dry. The wine was innoculated with MCW for malolactic fermentation and aged in a mix of new to three year old American oak for twelve months.

Produced from our five acre vineyard, these grapes are organically grown and picked by hand. At 1400 feet elevation and five miles from the Ocean east of Fort Ross, the vineyard avoids most of the summer fog. The climate of the coastal range, in conjunction with our farming practices, helps to produce intense, flavorful grapes. Harvested on October 19 at 26.3° brix, the 2003 fruit was ripe and beautiful. We brought in approximately six tons. The grapes were put through the destemmer into several small fermentation tanks and Bordeaux yeast was added immediately. On November 3, after 15 days, the must was pressed and the wine put into American oak barrels for 18 months. This full-bodied, rich, fruit driven wine has great balance. It is concentrated and jammy - with black cherry, cassis, and a smooth lingering finish.

This is the first vintage of the Nova Vineyard Petite Sirah. The vineyard is located in Yolo County, in the Dunnigan Hills appellation. Never before have we made a Petite Sirah that was ready so young! After numerous barrel samples, we decided this wine was too good to leave in the barrel and should be drunk now! It has a delightful nose, ripe flavors and an inky color. Big, bold, and smooth as silk. Wonderfully balanced with soft tannins. Delicious! Two tons of ripe fruit were harvested on August 20 at 25° brix. The grapes were put through the destemmer into several small fermentation tanks and Bordeaux yeast was added immediately. After 10 days, the must was pressed and the wine put into American oak barrels for 12 months.

This is the third vintage of the Nova Vineyard Zinfandel. The vineyard is located in Lake County, near Kelseyville. Farmed organically, the vines are 30 plus years old. The crop is thinned to approximately four tons per acre. A bouquet of rich dark fruits and earth on the nose. On the palate, blackberry allspice, vanilla, black plum, and dark chocolate. This full bodied wine is fruit driven and has a soft and silky finish.

Planted at our request, this is our second release of Syrah from Saralee's Vineyard. Located in the Sonoma County's Russian River Valley, this vineyard is set up to take advantage of the best in modern viticultural techniques. This is a complex Syrah-aromas of black fruits and vanilla on the nose, with blackberry and black currant on the palate. A velvety texture follows the dark fruits and finishes with a luscious dark chocolate. In 2003, we added 7% Viognier.

Tucked away in a little hidden valley, this Zin once again shows its uniqueness. We have worked with the Porter Bass Vineyard since 1990. Sue and Dirck Bass grow eight acres of Zinfandel on a hillside near the Russian River, about 15 miles from the Ocean. It is a low yield vineyard that is mostly spur pruned and it is sustainebly farmed. Ripe dark Nubiana plum greets the nose. Lush, round, and supple on the mid-palate with ripe dark plum, dark cherry, and that magical burst of allspice so unique to this vineyard.

There are hints of violets, cinnamon and cloves on the nose. Black raspberry and cherry enhance the heady aromas, finishing with a good acid balance and well integrated tannins. It’s a bit young and tight now, needs time in the glass to really blossom. Let it breath for at least half an hour. The site for these grapes is unique—cool climate, rich fertile Russian River Valley soil, and rolling hills set against a background of stately ancient oaks. The quality that we get each year is consistent. Floral, fruity and spicy —everything you want in a Pinot Noir, and then some!

The 2004 Saralee's Pinot Noir is a delicious wine. Intense fruit flavors and dark color. Full bodied and friendly, it is spicy, fruity and crisp. Soft on the pallet and enjoyable now, it will improve for a few years. Harvested on September 6 at 26° brix, we brought in ten tons. Clones used were 2A, 9, 15, 16, 23, 31, 32. The grapes were put through the destemmer into several small fermentation tanks and Ausmanhausen yeast was added immediately. On September 21, after 15 days, the must was pressed and the wine put into American oak barrels for one year. This is our eleventh release of Pinot Noir from Saralee's Vineyard. Located in the Sonoma County's Russian River Valley, this vineyard is set up to take advantage of the best in modern viticultural techniques. They have planted hundreds of different rootstock and clonal variations. We feel that the blend of seven Pinot Noir clones we use adds greatly to the enjoyment and complexity of this wine.

This is our first vintage of this wine and we are quite pleased with the results. For many years, we had been looking for the perfect site to plant the Bordeaux mix. This vineyard was planted specifically for us by our neighbors, Pat and Jesus. On a high level ridgetop with views of the Ocean, this location has gentle breezes and receives sun all day long. The small planting of one and a half acres consists of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petite Verdot. This vintage of a ton and a half was harvested on September 26 at 25.5° Brix. On October 7, after 12 days, the must was pressed and the wine put into American oak barrels for 18 months.

Talmage Vineyard is in Mendocino County, a little south and east of Ukiah. It is an old vineyard up on the bench with head pruned vines and low yield. Five tons of ripe fruit were harvested on September 24 at 25.5° brix. The grapes were put through the destemmer into several small fermentation tanks and Bordeaux yeast was added immediately. On October 10, after 16 days, the must was pressed and the wine put into American oak barrels for 18 months. Only 270 cases were produced. A big Zinfandel. This wine shows the vibrant lush flavors of grape harvest. Pomegrante, bright plum, dried fig and bright acidity all come together to make this wine a BIG ZIN lover’s dream come true.