posted 05-11-2011 08:06 PM            

You are a smart tail end of a donkey! (finally got that little thingy to work)

Uncorked,

I just learned that Kandice is no longer at Biale. Great loss for them. We, too, like Clif Lede Cabs and will visit them again in October.

[This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 05-11-2011).]

[This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 05-11-2011).]

posted 04-18-2011 08:58 PM            

Prager Port.

posted 04-18-2011 07:48 AM            

I would agree with you that its as much about the people as it is about the wine.

I would also echo all your comments about Kandice!

My favorite tasting room is Goosecross. Small family owned winery in Yountville. The tasting room is fairly small, but the people there make it a great experience. They have a wide variety of reds, and whites. Colleen (one of the owners) is great. It's the only winery we try to stop by every visit. And Jose in the tasting room is probably the funniest, friendliest preson in the valley. They also have a free wine basics course on Saturdays. Got me hooked on wine several years ago while looking for something to do on a business trip.

Honig - modern tasting room, with a friendly staff. The only have cabs and Sauvignon Blancs (including a late harvest one), but another fun place.

Chappellet - Gorgeous views, and a fantastic wine - Pritchard Hill cab is unbelievable.

posted 04-15-2011 01:45 PM            

What are your favorite tasting rooms and why? This could be for the wine, the people, the ambiance, etc. Here are some of mine (in no particular order)

Robert Biale - I love their Zins, and I am in love with Kandice the tasting room manager (don't tell Mrs. Hawkeye, please). Once you meet Kandice, she always knows you and greets you like family. Many times, Steve the winemaker come sauntering through while you are tasting.

Girard Tasting Room in Yountville - They have an amazing variety of varietals (can I say that?). Their Prichard Hill, Mt. Veeder and Diamond Mountain Cabs are outstanding. They have Zin, Pinot, Chard, etc., etc. We always request Eric Jensen as our host. Plus, I like their contemporary restrooms.

Chase Family Winery on the north edge of St. Helena. This is a small family owned winery. You are met by Jeff Blaum the winery manager, who takes you into the famous 100 year old Hayne Vineyard where they grow some amazing Zinfandel grapes. Helen Turley used to get her grapes at this vineyard to make her famous Zin before Chase began making their own. Then Jeff takes you into a small tasting room where you get to try the fruit of the grape that you just saw growing in the vineyard. Amazing Zin!

Baldacci Winery on the Silverado Trail. They have some amazing, amazing, Cabs, there must be 8 or 10. They also have a Pinot and a Gewurztraminer. You can either taste inside or outside. Try their IX Sons Cab, for the price you cannot beat it.

Zahtila Vineyards at the top of the Silverado Trail. Another of the small family wineries. You will be met by Mike Swanton or his wife, Laura Zahtila Swanton and taken into their small tasting room. Laura is also very involved in the wine making process. You will get to taste some of their amazing Cabs and Zins.

Barlow Vineyards again at the top of the Silverado Trail. Barr Smith, the owner, will greet you and escort you into a nice sitting room for your tasting. You are started with a Savignon Blanc, then a Zin, then you finish up with their Cab, and a blend called Barrouge (get it, Barr owner, rouge, red) both of which are excellent. Again, the personal touch by the winery owner.

Redmon Winery in St. Helena. Lisa Redmon conducts the tasting personally. She tells the beginning of Redmon as a hobby wine making operation in the barn to today with an award winning Cab. They only produce 3 wines, Chardonnay, Cab and a Cab blend, all of which are excellent. Again, the personal touch makes it special.

Midsummer Cellars on the Silverado Trail. Rollie Heitz, the owner personally hosts the tasting. The tasting room is very small and among the stainless steel tanks. Rollie makes 3 Cabs only and they are excellent. For a personal experience, I choose Midsummer.

Just for the wines, I like Provenance (Cabs), Sawyer (Merlot), Jessup (Cab, Merlot and Zin).

As I delved through my favorites, I discovered one thing, it is as much about the people as it is the wine. Many wineries could learn a lesson in personalizing the tasting experience.

Speaking of wineries, I belong to many winery mailing lists. I am receiving messages every day offering discounts, free shipping or other incentives to purchase their wine. Do you suppose the economy has finally hit wine country?