Wines from the Rockpile AVA - Wine Country travel ratings and reviews

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Wines from the Rockpile AVA

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Author	Topic: Wines from the Rockpile AVA
yesilovewine Member	posted 06-26-2012 03:40 PM Thanks Hawkeye. My dad always said to do something all the way or not at all, so I tend to go into a project headlong. -Not always a good idea however, as I've found over time. Hope it helps you with your own plan. IP: 71.65.254.43
Hawkeye Member	posted 06-26-2012 09:32 AM Hi Yes, When you do something, you do it thoroughly. Thanks for the information. -Hawkeye IP: 173.247.28.96
yesilovewine Member	posted 06-25-2012 11:24 AM Greetings Friends! I hope that everyone is enjoying a lovely summer, good health and great wines. Some time ago started doing research for our next Sonoma vacation to further our "treasure hunt" for wines from the Rockpile area. I have done the best that I could to locate the producers of Rockpile-sourced grapes and as promised, I am sharing the list. Now, a disclaimer...I am NOT saying that these are the ONLY producers of Rockpile grapes- its quite possible that there are others, but these are the ones that I have found. In my research I learned that for a time in the early days of the AVA history the Rockpile wines were frequently designated as Rockpile Vineyard wines from Dry Creek Valley, and it is beyond my scope to get that far into the exploration. I also learned that in the sell-off of excess wine it is possible that Rockpile goods were sold in bulk to discounters and simply labeled as a Sonoma County wine as part of an agreement that is sometimes made to keep the premium wines' identity anonymous. No way I'm figuring THAT out! So, without further ado.... From Sonoma County wineries: Mauritson Seghesio Paradise Ridge St. Francis Stryker Carol Shelton Kokomo Valdez JC Cellars Hobo Wine Branham Estate Atelier Keating Bonneau Bella Bruliam Davenport Wines Trecini From Napa County: Robert Biale Luna Galleron Remridg - this is not a misspelling From Other areas: Rock Wall- Alameda Rosenblum- ? Laguna Canyon-Laguna Beach Beekeeper Cellars- Los Angeles Bella Vetta- Anguin, CA Ispiri-? That's it. If you find others, please add on to the reference for future users. If you want, we can start a thread designated to the tasting of Rockpile wines...but I'll leave that to someone else to decide. EDIT: The day after this original post I was researching on "Snooth" and found there are Rockpile-designated wines from the following: Ridge Fritz Lambert Bridge Soda Rock Deer Ridge Brazin Martin These could be one-time offerings, or for the restaurant trade...hard to say for sure, but anyway, these are "out there" so I included them in an attempt at accuracy. If you choose to hit Snooth on your own, you'll see that a number of the listings do not state who the winery is, and I didn't choose to investigate what that means...restaurant only, bulk-wine, sell off..who knows? I did learn that there is a Canadian winery that touts a Rockpile wine which SHOCKED me...turns out that Canada has its own Rockpile in the Okanogan region! Who knew?? [This message has been edited by yesilovewine (edited 06-25-2012).] [This message has been edited by yesilovewine (edited 06-26-2012).] [This message has been edited by yesilovewine (edited 06-26-2012).] IP: 71.65.254.43
yesilovewine Member	posted 05-29-2012 06:35 PM Had not seen the article, but haven't been on the Rockpile site for a while. Never even heard of the Cork Chronicles....that is a new adventure, sounds like. Thanks for the tip! IP: 71.65.244.48
RC456 Member	posted 05-29-2012 05:05 PM yesilovewine, So I replied back on my post about Trecini having a Rockpile Zin. Finally gave me the idea to just type in "rockpile zin" on google. I am sure you have already done that since you are very good at researching. But, on the chance you haven't, please do so. Brought up several wineries (Mauritson, Rock Wall, Seghesio, Rosenblum). Also here is a link to an article just posted a few days ago on The Cork Chronicles about the Rockpile AVA: http://www.corkchronicles.com/archives/350 IP: 99.18.69.239
yesilovewine Member	posted 05-24-2012 03:17 PM RC, Thank you so much for taking time from your vacay to write! Very thoughtful of you, and much appreciated. Anxious to hear about Windsor Oaks...have read of them but not visited IP: 71.65.244.48
RC456 Member	posted 05-24-2012 01:49 PM yesilovewine, Just back from great visit at Windsor Oaks Vineyards. I will give more about them on my trip report. However, talked to Brian there about Rockpile AVA. Nothing but high praise from him. However, finding them is not going to be easy. Because of the small output not that many wineries make Zins from the Rockpile AVA. Mauritson - as you already know - is a producer in Sonoma that uses Rockpile vineyards. In Santa Rosa, go by The Bottle Barn. He has Zins in his shop made from Rockpile. For the best that Rockpile has to offer, it would be Rock Wall Wine Company down in Alameda as Damombo has already stated. This was confirmed by Brian & he double checked with their new winemaker to see if she could suggest any other wine houses for Rockpile. That's all I can find out at this point. Still will be on the lookout during the rest of our time out here. Thx RC IP: 64.134.227.79
yesilovewine Member	posted 04-20-2012 06:18 AM Darnit...we're leaving the 10th. IP: 71.65.244.48
Hawkeye Member	posted 04-20-2012 04:56 AM Hi Damombo, I was beginning to think you did not like us anymore. Our dates in October are 11-16. I think I just read on an email from Pezzi King that the Wilson's have just purchased it to add to their holdings -Hawkeye IP: 67.167.170.10
yesilovewine Member	posted 04-19-2012 05:59 PM Welcome back, d'! Gosh, I was wondering if you'd got lost somewhere. Thanks for the feedback on Rock Wall; they make a Rockpile Zin, but are located in Alameda...so we won't be going there...but it sounds like I need to find them. IP: 71.65.244.48
damombo Member	posted 04-19-2012 08:20 AM but first, Yes- you mentioned Rock Wall wines. Interestingly (at least to me) we JUST opened a bottle of 2009 Sonoma County Zin from Rock Wall last week. We tasted it and looked at each other and said "Wow this is good! Where did it come from?" No idea how we came to have a bottle in the home chiller. It was either a gift from someone at my husband's work, or perhaps my brother brought it to a family dinner and we never got around to opening it (his loss!) So, if the rest of their wine is as yummy as the bottle we just had, you should certainly go visit. I'll be thinking of adding them to our list for November! Hawkeye - what are your dates in October again? IP: 76.31.52.34
damombo Member	posted 04-19-2012 08:10 AM alright already - I'll try to gather my wits and write a trip report! I'm actually buried in boxes - all of our wine seems to have arrived at the same time and I can't move around... IP: 76.31.52.34
yesilovewine Member	posted 04-18-2012 07:08 PM I will be happy to post the itinerary when we have it...at the moment we just have tentative appointments and know that we are focusing on the Rockpile AVA this trip. This is a really busy year for us with lots of business travel and family events so the Harvest Fair trip was a "gift", and the details have to get ironed out on a "when we get around to it" basis. I too would love to read of Damambo's visit...sure hope that everything is ok. I will look at your blog...I've never known someone so involved in horticulture...maybe I'll learn something! Oh, I forgot...you asked where the appointments are...Audelssa ( (Glen Ellen), Argot ( Bennett Valley), and Saxon Brown (Sonoma). We were invited to ZD in Napa, but haven't gotten to our Napa plan yet. [This message has been edited by yesilovewine (edited 04-18-2012).] IP: 71.65.244.48
Hawkeye Member	posted 04-18-2012 01:22 PM Hi Yes, WOW! 3 appointments, I believe that is a record. Congratulations. Would you share where? How about sharing your complete itinerary? It didn't get cold enough here to damage the flowers. Daylilies are pretty tough. I do a lot of hybridizing in the greenhouse this time of year. If you would like to see some of my flowers, check out my blog at www.daylilypotpourri.blogspot.com Sure wish Damombo would post. -Hawkeye IP: 67.167.170.10
yesilovewine Member	posted 04-18-2012 12:50 PM It has been mighty quiet, hasn't it? Hey, you will be pleased to know that we have 3 appointments for our next visit . I received invitations to a couple places while doing research...so now we'll see how we feel about that "tac" for our future visits. Did your flowers get damaged by the cold snap? IP: 71.65.250.8
Hawkeye Member	posted 04-18-2012 08:35 AM Hi Yes, Sorry, but I have not heard of any of those that you have listed. Finally, the silence is broken. Wonder what happened to Damombo's report? -Hawkeye IP: 67.167.170.10
yesilovewine Member	posted 04-18-2012 07:48 AM Greetings all, and please forgive me if I have already asked this elsewhere. In my quest for wineries producing from Rockpile grapes, I have come across the following places which I have never heard of; do any of you know any of these places? or their wine? JC Cellars Valdez Rock Wall Wines Davenport Wines Hobo Wine Company Also, Carol Shelton has been recommended, and I recall having read someone's report about that visit, but I'm having trouble locating that review, so would you please comment on Carol Shelton, who ever you are? IP: 71.65.250.8
yesilovewine Member	posted 02-13-2012 01:25 PM Hi there RC.Nice to see you back. I am unfamiliar with this website but it looks suited to an info junkie such as myself. Thanks. IP: 71.65.192.160
RC456 Member	posted 02-10-2012 06:37 PM Yes, Take a look at this link: http://www.calwineries.com/explore/regions/sonoma-county/rockpile Mentions 3 wineries that buy from the vineyard there, plus interesting info about the area. IP: 99.18.69.239
yesilovewine Member	posted 02-09-2012 07:33 PM You know, Hawkeye, that is one of the best wine comparatives I have ever had the pleasure of consuming. That tasting actually taught me that "terroir" really IS a factor in the way wines taste!!! IP: 76.182.6.182
Hawkeye Member	posted 02-09-2012 06:55 PM Hi again Yes, If you go to Mauritson, ask them for the Rockpile comparison tasting. I do not remember if it is 3 different Rockpile Zins or 4. It really is surprising the differences. -Hawkeye IP: 173.247.8.54
yesilovewine Member	posted 02-09-2012 03:40 PM Paradise Ridge was our first Rockpile experience and led us to want more of these wines. I agree that they do a great job with those grapes- the Cab is as good as the Zin, IMO. I haven't had anything from Black Stallion, I don't think, so will be happy to hear about that. IP: 76.182.6.182
loveswine Junior Member	posted 02-09-2012 09:45 AM I agree with Hawkeye. The Paradise Ridge Rockpile Zin is wonderful. I tasted it at the Heart of the Valley Barrel tasting last year in March. Don't know if it's true, but I heard Black Stallion will be making a Rockpile. Let me know if its right.... IP: 68.121.220.114
Hawkeye Member	posted 02-08-2012 12:46 PM Another I found was Paradise Ridge Rockpile Zin. -Hawkeye IP: 173.247.8.54
damombo Member	posted 02-06-2012 06:41 PM We have a Cab and a Merlot from Stryker and a Zin from Seghesio that are Rockpile. But that's all. Seems like I've seen it lots of places, but can't think of any at the moment. IP: 76.31.52.34
Hawkeye Member	posted 02-06-2012 11:24 AM Hi Yes, I know there are some out there and I know I have had them, but for the life of me, I can't recall many. Other than the Mauritson, this is the only one I have in my cooler: Paradise Ridge Rockpile Zin -Hawkeye IP: 68.169.184.155
yesilovewine Member	posted 02-06-2012 05:48 AM Okay gang, I'm going on a treasure hunt and need your help. Our next trip to wine country is going to have a focus on wines from the Rockpile AVA. It doesn't matter to me if its a producer from Napa or Sonoma, just the best examples of wines from that specific designation. We are pretty familiar with Mauritson, Paradise Ridge, Bella, St. Francis and Seghesio, but I know there are others and would like your suggestions. Oh! and it doesn't have to be a Zinfandel; I think Cab and Syrah are grown up there too so they are certainly welcome in the suggestion box. This should be fun! Look forward to your opinions/suggestions. IP: 76.182.6.182

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