Winery Visit: Schramsberg – 9.5 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Though I might know what the tour leader is going to say —because it is repeated—is still a tour I look forward to attending.  I have more often than not toured this winery and cave during the summer—when it is quite hot—but the caves are nice and cool.  There are at least a half million bottles of sparkling wine in various stages of aging and so beautifully stacked.  Many are cobwebbed and others not.  The tour concludes and occasionally in a tasting room but more often in the cave.   A candlelit cave with their very dry and amazingly wonderful sparkling wines.   Schramsberg’s sparkling wines are superbly dry and some of the best quality wines in this category.  Often their wines are poured at state dinners at the White House.  I never get disappointed in visiting this winery and cave.

***

Schramsberg Vineyards

1400 Schramsberg Rd

Calistoga, CA 94515

(707) 942-4558

www.schramsberg.com

***

James the Wine Guy–”Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time”

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2010 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

James the Wine Guy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JamesTheWineGuy

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Also available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42231382951

Other blogs:

jamesthefoodguy.wordpress.com
jamesthespiritsguy.wordpress.com
jamestherestaurantguy.wordpress.com

Winery Visit: JC Cellars – 8.7 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Another urban wine making facility—JC Cellars shares the same roof as Dasche Cellars.  JC Cellars has an interesting assortment of wines either for purchase and / or tasting.  They specialize in Petite Sirah, Syrah, Marsanne and blends interestingly named: The First Date is a 75% Roussanne and 25% Marsanne blend; and the Impostor a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, Carignan, Grenache and Viognier.  Ask for a taste of the Impostor.  You get to visit two wineries under one roof just a step away from San Francisco.

***

JC Cellars

55 4th St

Oakland, CA 94607

www.jccellars.com

***

James the Wine Guy–”Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time”

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2010 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

James the Wine Guy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JamesTheWineGuy

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Also available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42231382951

Other blogs:

jamesthefoodguy.wordpress.com
jamesthespiritsguy.wordpress.com
jamestherestaurantguy.wordpress.com

Winery Visit: Imagery Estate – 9.2 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Always enjoy my visits to Imagery Estate.  A beautiful Sonoma Valley location and sister winery to Benziger winery.   This winery situated in Glen Ellen is also proximate to Arrowood.  Imagery Estate for their art work focus both in the art work on site but also the art work featured on their wine labels.  You will see an impressive display of all or nearly of all the bottles they have produced.  They have a variety of varietals – everything from Viognier, Barbera, Syrah, Tempranillo, Malbec, to Cabernet Sauvignon.  Their 2001 Barbera was dynamite and it was a gift that I had received several years ago.  Opening the bottle up I did expect a nice wine but was completely surprised on the exceptional quality and focus.  And a very welcoming staff promise a good visit to all that enter.

***

Imagery Estate Winery

14335 Hwy 12

Glen Ellen, CA 95442

(707) 935-4500

Winery: http://www.imagerywinery.com/

***

James the Wine Guy–”Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time”

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2010 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

James the Wine Guy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JamesTheWineGuy

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Also available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42231382951

Other blogs:

jamesthefoodguy.wordpress.com
jamesthespiritsguy.wordpress.com
jamestherestaurantguy.wordpress.com

Winery Visit: Pine Ridge Winery – 9.0 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Pine Ridge is an ideal setting on the west side of the Silverado Trail.  If you are headed south watch the sign so you don’t miss the winery.  It is tucked into the hillside for great reason- there is a wine cave.  A most beautiful setting and the vineyard is that nearly ideal state of mind for Napa Valley wineries.

This winery produces nicely styled Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as several Bordeaux blends—be sure to try their Andrus Reserve.

***

Pine Ridge Winery5901 Silverado TrailNapa, CA 94558(707) 253-7500

Winery: http://www.pineridgewinery.com/

***

James the Wine Guy–”Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time”

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2010 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

James the Wine Guy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JamesTheWineGuy

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Also available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42231382951

Other blogs:

jamesthefoodguy.wordpress.com
jamesthespiritsguy.wordpress.com
jamestherestaurantguy.wordpress.com

Winery Visit: Gruet Winery – 8.8 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

If you are in Albuquerque or on route to Santa Fe the Gruet winery is an easy access point to stop by and try New Mexico sparking and still wines.  The Gruet family history begins in France and evolves to New Mexico.  Which for centuries has had wine grapes planted as sacramental wines.  The Gruet Family found that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay did not just grow but grow well south of Albuquerque near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.  I have seen Gruet wines being poured at restaurants across the US attest to the affordability and quality their wines provide.  The tasting room can be quiet and I wonder given their wine’s popularity why they aren’t busier.  I have met Nathalie Gruet and she is welcoming, un-assuming and quiet nice.  A great entre to discover New Mexico wines.

***

Gruet Winery

8400 Pan American Fwy NE

Albuquerque, NM 87113

(505) 821-0055

 

Winery: http://www.gruetwinery.com

***

James the Wine Guy–”Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time”

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2010 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

James the Wine Guy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JamesTheWineGuy

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Also available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42231382951

Other blogs:

jamesthefoodguy.wordpress.com
jamesthespiritsguy.wordpress.com
jamestherestaurantguy.wordpress.com

Winery Visit: Robert Sinskey Vineyards – 9.2 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

A favourite winery on Silverado Trail.  A beautiful and very noticeable structure that cannot be missed off of the trail.  When I have been here I have enjoyed a nibble with the wines being poured.  Pairing of food and wine is a major focus of this winery.  Robert Sinskey has a major focus on Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Blanc, Merlot centered around from Carneros wine district as well as a Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap District.  Sinskey’s wines are 100% organic and biodynamic certified.

***

Winery: http://www.robertsinskey.com/

***

James the Wine Guy–”Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time”

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2010 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

James the Wine Guy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JamesTheWineGuy

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Also available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42231382951

Other blogs:

jamesthefoodguy.wordpress.com
jamesthespiritsguy.wordpress.com
jamestherestaurantguy.wordpress.com

Winery Visit: Sebastiani – 9.0 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Just of the south of the city of Sonoma plaza.  This winery does have views of vineyards and is located in a charming housing area of the small city of Sonoma.  The facility and tasting bar is is large.  There is expansive room to stake your claim to a pouring.  Sebastiani has reinvented themselves by focuses on smaller production wines.   This winery specializes in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, and a Roussanne.  The facility also contains a small museum that traces the footsteps of the Sebastiani and there is a very large barrel that could contain 59,000 gallons of wine.  Be sure to try their Cherryblock Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winery: http://www.sebastiani.com/

***

James the Wine Guy–”Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time”

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2010 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

James the Wine Guy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JamesTheWineGuy

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Also available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42231382951

Other blogs:

jamesthefoodguy.wordpress.com
jamesthespiritsguy.wordpress.com
jamestherestaurantguy.wordpress.com