A Wine Wedding

Bob Tovey reports on a recent trip to Sonoma for a wedding at The Vintner's Inn in Santa Rosa. Of course, Bob and Kathy couldn't resist visiting wineries with the bride and groom (chaperons on the honeymoon?). Wineries mentioned as rising stars were Wilson, Dutcher Crossing, and Mauritson Family Winery where they had a great Zin. Blackberry explosion with hints of Cassis, Bob writes. The Sauvignon Blanc was rich, smooth, with mild hints of fruit and fig. Bob describes Maritson as an old family that has been growing grapes for years and started making wine in 1998. Bob felt that the quality and history were similar to Goose Ridge here in Washington.

At my recommendation, the Toveys visited the Russian River Valley which Bob described as "just beautiful, the fall colors were really out in full strength." They visited Dry Creek Winery which Bob found to be radically different from Chalk Hill Winery in the Chalk Hill area. He also describes the Chalk Hill area as totally different from the Russian River with different trees and different soil with lots of rolling hills. He felt that the Dry Creek was much more French in style than the Chalk Hill. He liked the Chalk Hill whites better than the reds. Bob and Kathy loved Healdsberg. Their Sonoma trip ended with lunch at Benzinger Winery.

Finally Robert reports on some "hot picks" from the Oregonian Wine Tour Guide of November 21st: 2004 Maryhill Winemaker's Blend($12); 2005 Ken Wright Celilo Vineyard Chardonnay ($27), 2003 Durant Dundee Hills Pinot Noir($24), 2005 Broadley Vineyards Pinot Noir($19), and 2003 Abecela Tempranillo($21). The Ken Wright Winery staff assure me that the 2005 Celilo is even better than the 2004 which reminded me of some of the best white Burgundy I've tasted. I tasted the Abecela Tempranillo a few years back and it was quite good, sort like a new style Rioja.

Thanks Bob for a great report. I am envious of your great trip to Sonoma.