Quivira

This winery was one of the last we visited during our Napa/Sonoma Spring 2008 trip. While we weren't wowwed by most of the wines, their focus on sustainable and biodynamic practices was interesting. Quivira started their biodynamic journey in 2002. You can see the solar panels on the tasting room's roof. These panels have been able to completely satisfy the winery's energy needs for several years. A biodynamic and organic garden is also available to visitors curious to learn more about sustainable farming.



Quivira Sauvignon Blanc Fig Tree Vineyard 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $18
Big pineapple nose & lemon finish. Sweetness, just a touch, lingers. Light and fruity. From the winemaker: "Generous pineapple, citrus blossom, and wet stones w/bright lemon & carambola fruit on palate."

Quivira Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $20
Cherry aroma, lots of spice. Berry on finish. Smooth, low tannins. From the winemaker: "Blended barrels with valley floor and hilltop sites. 10% petite syrah. Dark cherry & bramble fruit, med mouth feel, blackberries, hint of bakers chocolate. Unfiltered.

Quivira Anderson Ranch Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $34
Couldn't pick out individual components but great mouth feel and flavor. From the winemaker: "Lush aroma of blueberry tartlets, ripe blackberries, Szechuan pepper, vanilla soaked cranberry. Palate: black cherries, raspberry."

Quivira Wine Creek Ranch Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $30
Made from the oldest vines, 100% Zinfandel. Bigger and bolder nose than Anderson Ranch. Black cherry, cracked peppercorn, dark cocoa.

Quivira Wine Creek Ranch Petite Syrah 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $26
Black currant aroma, coriander seed on first sip - very cool flavor. Candied cherry on palate.

More at Quivira. Thanks to Christa for the suggestion!

Montemaggiore Tasting Notes

You never know what to expect when you strike up a conversation with a stranger. I certainly didn't expect to get a lead on a unknown small-production winery. It was during a trip to Napa and Sonoma in spring of 2008 that we first heard about Montemaggiore. A group of enthusiatic wine tasters next to our group got my attention and, before I knew it, I was writing down only a phone number while the tipster emphatically described why we HAD to fit it in. Problem was, we were at the last tasting of the day and an early dinner reservation was looming.

Unable to drink any more red wine (for a few hours anyway), I opted to walk around Healdsburg while the group piled back into the Jeep to try their luck at finding the winery with only a phone number to go on. The owners, in the middle of labeling and bottling, only buzzed them in because they thought they were the tipster group we had run into at the previous winery. I got to hear all about the fabulous tasting, vineyard tour, and the magnanimous owners when they returned and really started to rue my choice to stay in town. A few opened half bottles of syrah were sent back so that we didn't miss out.

We felt the wines were such a unique product at an incredible value that everyone we know has heard about them. Friends visiting Sonoma have been told to go, taste! They are converts too and the word continues to spread.

A vertical tasting of their two syrah wines was arranged and I finally got the full experience. My favorites are below.

Paolo's Vineyard Syrah 2002 - $30. Very fruit forward, perfect alone. Amazing aroma. Favorite of all the wines this evening. Later ordered several bottles to drink within the year. 89% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. 15/20

Paolo's Vineyard Syrah Hilltop Reserve 2004 - Steely, chocolate bitterness, charcoal dryness. Great aroma, but flavor and aftertaste not as strong as others in flight. 95% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14/20

Montemaggiore Superiore (Syrah blend) 2002 - $40. Herbal with tannic finish. Soft and smooth, some spice. 75% Cabernet, 25% Syrah. 14.5/20

Montemaggiore Superiore (Syrah blend) 2003 - $40. Classy, restrained style with more finesse. More tannic with some spice. Style is very different compared to '02 Syrah which was equally loved by the group. Stronger flavor than aroma. 77% Cabernet, 23% Syrah. 15/20

More at Montemaggiore.com

Grgich Hills Napa Valley Zinfandel
Napa Valley, California - $40
Yummy. Much like our beloved Wilson's smooth Sawyer Vineyard Zinfandel. Medium body, supple tannins, fruit forward (red berry) with hints of spice. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 3.5/5