Welcome to

California Wines …They’re Undeniable!

Wine Classes in January & February…March 2013 – Brown Bagging it, a Unique Blind Tasting II!Back by popular demand! This extremely fun and educational class offers a blind tasting of eight delicious wines. Each pair, crafted from identical grapes but grown in different parts of the world will go head to head for your favorite summer wine. Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Pinot Noir and one mystery grape which will only be revealed on the evening of the class.

April 2013 – Salute Italia!Cheers to Italy for producing such impressive vino for hundreds of years. This exciting tasting and seminar includes crisp and refreshing whites from prestigious winegrowing areas in the north, and then transitions into some of the most renowned red wine appellations within Italy, including Brunello, Barolo and Amarone. You are certain to find the perfect wine during this class to accompany your favorite Italian cuisine.

ObjectivesSample and Evaluate fine wines crafted throughout

California

Discuss the history of California winemaking.

Discuss famous AVA’s (wine growing areas)

within California

Swirl: Release the aromas of the wine.Sniff: Short and long sniffs; savor, what do you smell?Sip: Coat the palate completely, do the flavors match the aromas?Spit: There are lots of wines to taste, your tasting faculties will be reduced if you don't spit.

The Four "S"sKeep these in mind as you evaluate the wines this evening

Fun FactsCalifornia offers incredible

diversity of wine styles

The state produces about 90 percent of the wine produced

within the United States

Leading varietals are Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon

California Wine Regions

Dates back to more than 200 years ago.1760’s – Spanish missionaries planted first grapes in California1850’sVitis vinifera (the botanical name for the grape-bearing vine that is responsible for most of the world 's quality wines) wine grape varieties are brought in by a number of growers from Europe. Zinfandel comes to California.1870’sGrowers search for the optimum vineyard sites and growing regions in which to plant Vitis vinifera.1870-1880’sPhylloxera (an aphid that kills grapevines by attacking their roots) in France destroys vineyards in California

California Winegrowing History

Harvest in California (1872)

1900-1920’sRootstocks (the root system of a grapevine to which the fruiting variety is grafted; primarily used to combat pests and diseases) are introduced and California vineyards arereplanted.1929-1933Prohibition: the market for the commercial production of wine is eliminated. However, California wine grape acreage doubles as demand from home winemakers increases sharply.1970’sModern wine boom begins. Winegrape acreage doubles. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon become more common. New growing regions are discovered andplanted.

California Winegrowing History

1976The 1976 Paris Tasting: two California wines, a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon, definitively outrank their French counterparts in a blind tasting that shocks wine connoisseurs and changes opinions about California’s wine all over the world.

1990’sWine grape acreage expands statewide with state-of-the-art vineyards planted on sitesselected specifically for optimum quality.

TodayCalifornia wine regions and wine business is thriving and booming!

California Winegrowing History

What is an AVA?American Viticultural Areas is a

system implemented in 1983

The requirement for wines utilizing an AVA on the label is that 85

percent of the grapes must be grown in that viticultural area.

Think: Location, Location, Location!

California Wine Regions

The are currently over 150 AVA’s in the state of California

If California were a country it would be the fourth largest wine producer in the

world behind Spain, France and Italy. There are 485,120 acres of planted

vineyards.

There are over 1,200 wineries in the state of California

California Wine Regions

Let’s Explore some CalAVAs

and Taste Some Wine!

Amador County is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Home to over 40 wineries, Amador is renowned for its Zinfandel with vines up to 125 years old,

Vineyards range from an elevation of 250 feet to 2900 feet

Temperatures are hot during the day but dip dramatically in the evenings. There are two AVA’s within Amador: Fiddletown and Shenandoah Valley of California.

Amador County

Shenandoah Vineyards was established in 1977 by Leon and Shirley Sobon. It was one of the first wineries in Amador County. They released 1,200 cases of wine during their first harvest.

Leon and Shirley then founded Sobon Estate in 1989 by purchasing the historic D’Agostini winery, one of the oldest in the state.

Today, the estate wineries produce close to 25,000 cases are run by Paul and Robert Sobon

Sobon Estate

Handcrafted by Paul Sobon from estate Viognier with a touch of Roussanne

Less than 2,000 cases produced, this wine is barrel fermented and sur lie aged in older French and American oak

Viognier is the grape used to make the one of the rarest wine in France, Chateau Grillet.

Amador, CA- This wine has a very alluring aroma, reminiscent of fresh Sierra meadow flowers, with a hint of peach and honeysuckle. The flavors are rich and spicy, full-bodied and richly textured with a lingering finish. Match with seafood or chicken. Sustainably farmed.

2010 Sobon Estate Viognier Amador County

Courtney Benham, owner and founder of the current Martin Ray and Angeline winery is famous for founding Blackstone Winery which quickly became America’s top-selling Merlot.

Courtney sold Blackstone and the opportunity arose for him to use his vineyard sources and growers to establish and grow a new winery.

When Courtney finds premium fruit which he cannot pass up, he also releases the Courtney Benham label.

Courtney Benham(Martin Ray)

Winemaker, Bill Batchelor

There are four specific AVAs located within Santa Barbara County. They are Santa Maria Valley, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley and the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara

The cooler climates within Santa Barbara County are renowned for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production. In the warmer areas one will discover a lot of experimentation with Rhone varietals

There are extraordinary wines beyond the boundaries of Napa and Sonoma Counties.

Santa Barbara County

Handcrafted by Bill Batchelor from Santa Barbara Chardonnay

Courtney Benham, owner of Martin Ray and Angeline is a master at finding incredible grape sources.

He has so much faith in the fruit, he placed his name on the label.

Santa Barbara, Central Coast, CA- This wine offers a smooth, creamy texture and lots of pear, tropical fruit, guava, melon and fig. The flavors are rich and exotic. Balanced oak and complex on the finish.

2010 Courtney Benham Santa Barbara Chardonnay

Chappellet was established in 1968 by Don and Molly Chappellet high in the mountains of the Napa Valley.

Some of the most famous winemakers within Napa Valley have crafted the very special wines crafted at Chappellet including Philip Togni, Cathy Corison and current winemaker, Phillip Titus.

The Chappellets are considered Napa royalty and their wines are some of the most sought after year after year. Enjoy!

Chappellet

Chappellet - Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley

Handcrafted by world-renowned winemaker, Phillip Titus

The Chappellet family is considered Napa royalty and have been producing wines since 1968.

Most of the Chardonnay comes from the Kelly Ranch Vineyard which overlooks the San Pablo Bay

Napa, CA- "Combines richness with density and a tight core of pear, melon, green apple and light cedary oak flavors. This is raw and young, so give it time. The finish is complex, layered and nuanced."

2011 Chappellet Napa Valley Chardonnay

River Road was established by the Mills family in 1976 with a long-term commitment that great wines come from great vineyards.

The winery was purchased by the Rubin family in 2011. Ron Rubin continues the commitment to produce quality wines at an excellent value.

Winemaker Joe Freeman has been making wine since 1997 but was hired at River Road Family Vineyards in 2004.

River Road Family Vineyards

Established as an AVA in 1983 and amended in 2005

The coolest appellation along with Carneros and the Sonoma Coast within Sonoma County due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean

There are just over 10,000 acres of vineyards planted within this prestigious AVA.

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive here

Russian River Valley

River Road Family Vineyards

Handcrafted by Joe Freeman from the Boschetti Vineyards within the Russian River Valley

The Boschettis have been growing premium grapes for three generations within the cool climate of the Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley, Sonoma, CA-Hand crafted from the famous Boschetti Vineyard, this delicious Pinot Noir displays grace, finesse and elegance. Perfumed floral aromas supported by layers of smoky, creamy, cherry and berry fruit flavors, turn delicate and supple on the silky finish.

2010 River Road Pinot Noir Boschetti Russian River Valley

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The term Line Shack refers to a small cabin built on the open range where cowboys could take shelter in the Old West. The tasting room is now a refurbished Line Shack

Owners and winemakers, Bob and Daphne Balentine began making wine in 1993 under the guidance of Lucio Gomiero (very famous Italian winemaker and owner)

Line Shack was officially established in 2003 in the San Antonio Valley and remains a small, family-owned and operated winery

Line Shack

Line Shack Winery

San Antonio Valley is an AVA established in 2006 and is similar in climate to Paso Robles

This is a mountain AVA in the Santa Lucia Range within southern Monterey County. It is renowned for producing excellent quality warm climate Bordeaux and Rhone varietals

Has one of the longest grape growing traditions in the US. The mission of San Antonio de Padua was first established here in 1771 with a small vineyard

San Antonio Valley

An extraordinary value crafted from Cabernet grown within the warmest area of southern Monterey … San Antonio AVA

Crafted by owner and winemaker, Bob Balentine from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bob adds tiny amounts of Malbec and Cabernet Franc in as well.

San Antonio Valley, Monterey, CA- This wine is rich yet elegant with a full balanced body showing flavors of blackberries, currants, plums and mocha accented by medium tannins and a long finish. Hillside grown at an elevation of 1000 ft on clay top soil with a chalky limestone base.

2010 Line Shack Cabernet Sauvignon San Antonio Valley

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The famed Alexander Valley within Sonoma was founded in 1984

There are just over 15,000 acres of vineyards planted within this AVA

The Alexander Valley is most famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon. These Cabernets are known for their drinkability when released. They are full-bodied with pretty tannins.

Alluvial soils dominate this AVA and it is among the warmest areas in northern CA.

Alexander Valley

Winemaker, Joe OtosOwner, John Tracy

Crafted by winemaker Joe Otos using 100% French oak.

Joe uses winemaking techniques that preserve the intensity of the fruit … resulting in wines which are big and balanced.

Owl Ridge has now won 18 Gold Medals in the last year at major competitions.

Alexander Valley, Sonoma, CA- Bright red fruit aromas of cherry and raspberry are accented by subtle oak tones. Soft tannins round out the long vanilla finish. Aged in French oak this is a wine that captures the essence of Alexander Valley.

2009 Owl Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

Macchia is owned by the fun-loving husband and wife team, Lani and Tim Holdener

Established in the Lodi AVA in 2001, with a focus on Lodi and Amador Zinfandel but they also have a lot of fun producing promising Italian variets such as Sangiovese and Barbera

Macchia is Italian for “the spot”

Focus is on old vine Zinfandel focusing on Lodi and Amador

Macchia Wines

The Lodi AVA was established in 1986 and then amended in 2002

This is a large AVA with over 90,000 acres of grapes planted.

Lodi is known for its concentrated and rich red wines due to its hot climate. Many of the Zinfandels exceed 14.5% alcohol.

A variety of soils are found within this AVA but it is primarily a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot days and cool nights.

Lodi AVA

Macchia Winery & the Holdener Family

Handcrafted by owners and winemakers Lani and Tim Holdener

The Mischievous is a blend of five different Old Vine Zinfandel vineyards, each bringing their unique personalities.

This is Macchia’s best-selling wine year after year with annual production of under 1.000 cases.

Lodi, CA- This old vine Zinfandel is a blend from five different old vine Zinfandel vineyards. The result is a classic fruit-forward wine that is the centerpiece of all great Lodi wines. The rich, ripe berry flavors are high-lighted with a subtle hint of soft vanilla-oak.

2011 Macchia Zinfandel Lodi Mischeivous

• Founded in 1997 by Tom and Brenda Baldacci.

• This charming and tiny estate is 17 acres of premium Cabernet (and a few Cabernet Franc vines)

• After years as head winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Rolando Herrera was hired at Baldacci in 2003.

Baldacci Family Vineyards

HeadingBaldacci Cave

Rolando Herrera

Handcrafted from estate vineyards located within Carneros and Stag’s Leap.

Winemaker, Rolando Herrara spent most of his career at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Family-owned and operated tiny estate.Napa, CA- "An intriguing 48% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags' Leap District, 28% Syrah and 24% Merlot from Carneros that works very nicely. Fresh cut flowers, red berries and mint all come together in this medium-bodied, nicely delineated wine. The 2009 impresses for its juiciness..."

2009 Baldacci Napa Valley Fraternity