$13.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Argentina and Chile are the destinations for the next international wine tour that I will be leading—set to depart in late September this year (details to be announced very soon)—so I was jazzed to see that Drew selected this wine for February.  The winery is located on the eastern slope of the Andes near Mendoza, a city of more than 1 million people.  The region is high desert with limited rainfall so vines must be irrigated. . .similar to our own foothill situation, especially in recent years.

Bodega Benegas has two vineyards: one at the winery near Mendoza and one in the Uco Valley, the source of grapes for this Malbec.  This wine was aged 50% in French oak and 50% in concrete vats, a common approach in Spain and South America.

Because the winery’s website is in Spanish, information is limited, but this just may be one of the places we visit this fall.  Stay tuned!

Winery Tasting Notes:   “Deep ruby color; cedar, blackberry and a touch of oak on the nose; full-bodied, richly extracted, grainy tannins with a dry, dark chocolate flavor enhanced by a savory, herbal note.

$30 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’ve encountered a number of intriguing stories about how people get into the wine business, but this one is tough to top:  Kevin and Kathy Skinner were traveling home from Tahoe to home in Santa Cruz using and old map when they encountered their family name at a site near Placerville.  After researching, they discovered their lineage to the namesake of the town, Scottish gold miner James Skinner, who founded J. Skinner Native Wine and Brandy Co. near what is now Cameron Park.

The lure was so compelling, the family—headed by insurance executive Mike Skinner and his wife, Carey—founded its own winery in Eldorado County’s Fair Play AVA.  Though Chris Pittenger is winemaker, many family members are actively involved in the business.

Elements of the original Skinner site have been restored, thanks to help from the modern-day Skinners, and last June, the Native Sons of the Golden West erected a historical marker in Cameron Park.

We’re pleased to offer the Skinner 1861 Red Blend (an homage to the year of the founding of the original winery); if you like it, getcha some fast because only 172 cases were produced!

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This complex wine combines aromas of cassis, black cherry, and ripe strawberry with elements of Asian spices and dried herbs. Modest tannins and ample acidity create a supple, balanced finish for this unfined and unfiltered blend.”

$30 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’ve encountered a number of intriguing stories about how people get into the wine business, but this one is tough to top:  Kevin and Kathy Skinner were traveling home from Tahoe to home in Santa Cruz using and old map when they encountered their family name at a site near Placerville.  After researching, they discovered their lineage to the namesake of the town, Scottish gold miner James Skinner, who founded J. Skinner Native Wine and Brandy Co. near what is now Cameron Park.

The lure was so compelling, the family—headed by insurance executive Mike Skinner and his wife, Carey—founded its own winery in Eldorado County’s Fair Play AVA.  Though Chris Pittenger is winemaker, many family members are actively involved in the business.

Elements of the original Skinner site have been restored, thanks to help from the modern-day Skinners, and last June, the Native Sons of the Golden West erected a historical marker in Cameron Park.

We’re pleased to offer the Skinner 1861 Red Blend (an homage to the year of the founding of the original winery); if you like it, getcha some fast because only 172 cases were produced!

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This complex wine combines aromas of cassis, black cherry, and ripe strawberry with elements of Asian spices and dried herbs. Modest tannins and ample acidity create a supple, balanced finish for this unfined and unfiltered blend.”

(retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Talk about boutique wineries, Fama is as compact as it gets, a label with just two vintages of chardonnay on the street. . .and in extremely limited supply.  We’ve got the 2010 edition, of which just 125 cases were produced by Heather Munden, a well travelled young winemaker who just can’t seem to put down roots.  A double major from U.C. Davis (enology and viticulture), she’s worked all over the world (including Australia, New Zealand and Chile). . .after deciding being a chef wasn’t going to work for her.   Closer to home, she has labored at wineries in the Sierra foothills, the Russian River and Sonoma Valley.  Currently on hiatus, she says she’s ready to segue again—this time into making spirits.

For you linguists out there, “Fama” is a god from Roman mythology, a tremendous gossip who delighted in spreading rumors.  In Greek mythology, the same god is named “Pheme”.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our second vintage of Fama produced a chardonnay of incredible elegance.  The growing season was much cooler than the previous year, giving the grapes more time to reach their natural balance of ripeness and acid.  The 2010 Fama Hudson Chardonnay has beautiful texture, notes of citrus and a backbone of bright acid.”

$32 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Patz & Hall is old school Sonoma, a highly regarded chardonnay producer, as evidenced by the recently awarded high altitude score for this wine—93 points from Robert Parker.  The brand was launched in 1988 after James Hall (founder and winemaker) hooked up with Donald Patz (founder and national sales director) while working at Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards in Napa.  Along with fellow founders, Anne Moses and Heather Moses, the team focuses on producing single-vineyard chardonnay and pinot noir.

After 25 years, this original team is still very much hands-on.  When I called to ask a question about production, Donald Patz answered the telephone.  The wines speak for themselves.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The cool growing seasoned allowed for extended hang time, underscoring high tone tropical notes on the palate, with sur lie aging adding lovely elements of graham cracker, clove and brioche. Throughout, excellent acidity and a core of minerality keep the wine focused and fresh, adding definition to flavors of green apple, summer melon and peach. The finish is long, crisp and minerally, with a lingering note of lemon zest and subtle spice from oak aging.”

Wine Advocate Review (93 points):   “The 2012 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is a big-time winner. Beautiful notes of ripe pineapple, orange marmalade, honeysuckle and white currants jump from the glass of this wine, which was made from a combination of clones such as the old Wente as well as the newer Burgundy Dijon clones. This wine has full body, great acidity, and is a fresh, gorgeous Chardonnay to drink over the next three to four years.” —Robert Parker

$14.25 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’re seeing this more and more often. . .wineries that are also entering the distilled market.  Two winemakers this month are either in the business full bore—like Jaxon Keys Winery and Distillery—or preparing to start (Heather Munden from Fama).  compelling approach and I can see why a winery owners would be interested in doing something outside of a cow path blazed in the vineyard.

This Hopland-based venture (Mendocino County) offers a wide range of wines, including blends, zinfandel, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, grenache and port.  We’re focused this month on the very affordable and quaffable table wine, Farmhouse White.  Like many wines coming out of Hopland, it’s a fabulous, tasty value, as is its sibling, Farmhouse Red.

If you ever stop by the winery’s tasting room, it’s unlikely you’ll be invited to sample brandy produced on the estate.  Three listed on the website start and $80 per bottle and top out at $395.

$30 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’ve encountered a number of intriguing stories about how people get into the wine business, but this one is tough to top:  Kevin and Kathy Skinner were traveling home from Tahoe to home in Santa Cruz using and old map when they encountered their family name at a site near Placerville.  After researching, they discovered their lineage to the namesake of the town, Scottish gold miner James Skinner, who founded J. Skinner Native Wine and Brandy Co. near what is now Cameron Park.

The lure was so compelling, the family—headed by insurance executive Mike Skinner and his wife, Carey—founded its own winery in Eldorado County’s Fair Play AVA.  Though Chris Pittenger is winemaker, many family members are actively involved in the business.

Elements of the original Skinner site have been restored, thanks to help from the modern-day Skinners, and last June, the Native Sons of the Golden West erected a historical marker in Cameron Park.

We’re pleased to offer the Skinner 1861 Red Blend (an homage to the year of the founding of the original winery); if you like it, getcha some fast because only 172 cases were produced!

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This complex wine combines aromas of cassis, black cherry, and ripe strawberry with elements of Asian spices and dried herbs. Modest tannins and ample acidity create a supple, balanced finish for this unfined and unfiltered blend.”

$32 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Patz & Hall is old school Sonoma, a highly regarded chardonnay producer, as evidenced by the recently awarded high altitude score for this wine—93 points from Robert Parker.  The brand was launched in 1988 after James Hall (founder and winemaker) hooked up with Donald Patz (founder and national sales director) while working at Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards in Napa.  Along with fellow founders, Anne Moses and Heather Moses, the team focuses on producing single-vineyard chardonnay and pinot noir.

After 25 years, this original team is still very much hands-on.  When I called to ask a question about production, Donald Patz answered the telephone.  The wines speak for themselves.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The cool growing seasoned allowed for extended hang time, underscoring high tone tropical notes on the palate, with sur lie aging adding lovely elements of graham cracker, clove and brioche. Throughout, excellent acidity and a core of minerality keep the wine focused and fresh, adding definition to flavors of green apple, summer melon and peach. The finish is long, crisp and minerally, with a lingering note of lemon zest and subtle spice from oak aging.”

Wine Advocate Review (93 points):   “The 2012 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is a big-time winner. Beautiful notes of ripe pineapple, orange marmalade, honeysuckle and white currants jump from the glass of this wine, which was made from a combination of clones such as the old Wente as well as the newer Burgundy Dijon clones. This wine has full body, great acidity, and is a fresh, gorgeous Chardonnay to drink over the next three to four years.” —Robert Parker