Winery Visit: Winery Visit: Schug Carneros Estate Winery – 9.0 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy 9.0

An idyllic setting on a gentle slope of a Carneros hill-slight tilt to have a great perspective of the beautiful Carneros district.  The facility is simple but quite fitting.  This winery specializes in one sparkling wine (Rouge de Noirs Sparkling Pinot), Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and a late harvest Riesling.  A wonderful experience and you know when you are here that this is the experience you wanted.

Schug Carneros Winery

602 Bonneau Road

Sonoma, CA  95476

707-939-9363

www.schugwinery.com

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Winery Visit: Jacuzzi Family Vineyards – 9.2 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

I have passed by Jacuzzi Family Vineyards on my way to Napa many times.  But I had finally stopped by when I did not have enough time to get to Napa.  It was a great way to discover the warmth of this Italian inspired winery.  This environs are not as scenic as other wineries in Napa / Sonoma and it is quite close to the highway; but that should not stop you from visiting this beautiful winery.  The design is solid and a great homage to an Italian structure in Tuscany.

This wine house specializes in Tocai Friulano, Arneis, Pinot Grigio, Aglianico, Lagrein, Sagrantino, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Nebbiolo. A very nice experience, beautiful winery and a warm and friendly staff.

¡Salud!

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Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

24724 Arnold Dr
Sonoma, CA 95476

www.jacuzziwines.com

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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.

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JC Cellars

55 4th St

Oakland, CA 94607

www.jccellars.com

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

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

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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.

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Gruet Winery

8400 Pan American Fwy NE

Albuquerque, NM 87113

(505) 821-0055

 

Winery: http://www.gruetwinery.com

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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.

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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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/

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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.

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Winery Visit: Cakebread Cellars – 9.2 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

I have many fond memories of Cakebread Cellars; it is one of my first wineries I visited in Napa several years ago.  And I always think or at least my nose remembers the lovely barrel room—the wondrous scent of oak that is both at once reassuring and thrilling.  I have been to Cakebread Cellars.  Though I have done the tours several times I look forward to a food event here.  Cakebread Cellars has a long tradition of bringing the experience of food and wine together.  I have also enjoyed a group cooking event here paired with their wines—a very good experience.  Their staff is knowledgeable and welcoming.  Cakebread Cellars produces a compelling suite of wines; there is a wine for everyone here.

Call and make a reservation.  Walk the grounds and discover the herb and vegetable garden in the back.  Don’t just drink and dash; take some time to enjoy this venerable Napa Valley winery.

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Winery: http://www.cakebread.com/

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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.

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Winery Visit: Croteaux Vineyards – 9.4 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

A completely feel good winery; quaint, charming, friendly yet well thought out.  A great wine experience. Croteaux Vineyards’ center of gravity is Merlot—thought they do have a Rosé of Cabernet Franc.  I was there on their last day the winery was open this year.  The French stylization is well done and is additive and not over-the-top.  This is not a place that will be over-run with limos or tour buses.  Their wine packaging is elegant and their contents deliver a wondrous wine experience.  I cannot wait to go back on a future visit.

Winery website: http://www.croteaux.com

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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.

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Winery Visit: Paoletti Estates Winery – 9.4 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

I found Paoletti by accident one day; I was visiting Cuvaison across the Silverado Trail; I saw a large Italian flag wafting in the air.  I saw a sizable winery and nearly carless.  I took a chance and went to the winery; hoping it was open—it was…well sort of…the owner was there and I couldn’t tell if it was open or he just happened to be there and just welcoming.  Me and my guest were welcome sitting down enjoying charcuterie, cheese and wine.  This is a treasured memory to be so warmly and casually welcomed—felt like a family member.  This is the experience you want when you come to wine country.  I enjoyed the setting and of course the wines were quite nice as well.

Winery website: http://www.paolettivineyards.com/

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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.

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Winery Visit: Hannah Nicole – 8.9 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

A memorable visit just north and east of Walnut Creek; so if you are in this part of Contract Costa County this wine country is awaiting.  Hannah Nichole is situated in Brentwood, California.  The winery and vineyard are large and the tasting room is well appointed.  You might be surprised at the variety of wines to enjoy and the quality of wines being poured.  There are not a lot of wineries in this area—as compared to Livermore Valley.  The service is very welcoming and engaging.

Winery website: http://www.hnvwines.com/

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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

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