Stinson Vineyard Wines Deliver Mountains of Flavor

We taste three wines from Virginia’s award-winning garagiste winery.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Stinson Vineyards: From Garage to Gold Medals

Stinson Vineyards is nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and is in one of our favorite wine regions, the Monticello AVA. They specialize in small lot, garagiste wines with a distinct French influence. The husband and wife team of Nathan Vrooman and Rachel Stinson craft the wines, which are garnering growing acclaim, including three gold medals at the recent Virginia Governor’s Cup awards.

Stinson Vineyard wines

Garagiste wines are so named after intrepid winemakers in Bordeaux who had lots of passion, but little money, and who made their wines in unconventional settings. Stinson’s winery is built into an old three-car garage – but their wines are as smooth and silky as the latest Jaguar concept car.

The Monticello AVA is located near Charlottesville and Thomas Jefferson’s famous home. Jefferson believed that the United States could produce fine wine that equaled Europe. He experimented with growing different grapevines on his estate. Although he never saw that come to pass, some would say that winemakers in the Monticello AVA have fulfilled his vision.

We recently had the opportunity to taste three Stinson wines: 2023 Rosé of Tannat, 2023 Cabernet Franc, and 2021 Meritage. The Cab Franc was a gold medal winner at the Governor’s Cup competition.

The Stinson rosé helped me out of a jam at a recent party. We were celebrating Mardi Gras and had a crowd over for the occasion. The menu included crawfish etouffee, crab cakes, gumbo, and jambalaya. That’s a lot of spice, making wine pairing a tricky proposition.

Stinson 2023 Rosé of Tannat

Rosé To The Rescue

I selected a California sparkler, a South African Viognier, and the beautiful Stinson Tannat rosé. Tannat is a super tannic grape, but Stinson has used it to make a delicate and fruity rosé. That fruit played nicely with the variety of spicy food. The wine is crisp and the aging sur lie in stainless steel adds complexity. Notes of lime and tropical fruit make this a winner. Priced at $25.

It’s no wonder the Virginia Governor’s Cup judges selected the Stinson 2023 Cabernet Franc as a gold medal winner. I popped this open with my good friend and sommelier Arthur Barham, who hosted the tasting. He and I have tasted a lot of Cab Franc, from all around the country and the world. This one pushed all the right buttons.

This is a flavorful wine full of brambly blackberries and savory notes. It is whole-berry fermented, which adds an elegant depth. It is rich, with cooking spice notes complementing the fruit flavors. Six months in French oak (20% new) adds just the right finish. This will only improve over the next three to four years. SRP is $33.

A Mighty Meritage Wine

Stinson 2023 Cabernet Franc

Meritage is America’s answer to Bordeaux blends. The term is regulated and is reserved for a winery's best red blend (white Meritage also exists). We love this style of wine, and the 2021 Stinson Meritage displays the power and structure of the best red grapes in the Monticello AVA.

It is a blend of 50% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 20% Petit Verdot, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. With a Merlot focus, I expected a softer wine – but this one comes out swinging for the fences. It has 14.5% ABV and is aged for 18 months in French oak (30% new). 

Following a devastating frost in May of 2020, 2021 was a bounceback year. The Bordeaux varieties responded well with pristine fruit showing powerful acidity and pure flavors. 

The flavors pop with deep plum, blackberry, and currant notes. The tannic backbone and acidity make this a blockbuster that needs some time to open up. After swirling and sipping, warm leather notes and toasty oak enhance the enjoyment.

This vintage should shine in another year or two and drink well for five. If you are like me, and just can’t wait, I’d suggest a good hour of decanting. Only 350 cases were produced with an SRP of $41.

In addition to the tasting room in Crozet, Virginia, overnight guests are welcomed at the Inn at Stinson Vineyards. Guests can enjoy a special Wine Cellar Dinner with a four-course tasting menu, use the self-serve wine bar, or walk through the vines to the tasting room. The scenery in the area is spectacular and well worth the trip. To order wines or to get more information on the Inn at Stinson Vineyards, visit the website. 

Vintage Venice Dinner Unearths Classic Wines, New Favorites

Treasures from the cellar are matched with artisan cuisine in our Floridian wine dinner.

Vintage Wines In Venice (Florida)

Our recent visit to Venice, Florida, provided a unique opportunity to dig into a vintage wine collection. We were visiting my brother-in-law and wife (Buddy and Sandra) and were enlisted to help honcho a wine dinner featuring neighbors Bob and Michelle’s wine collection.

Bob had purchased a large wine collection. While a few of the wines were past their drinking window, some had aged beautifully. We carefully tasted through many bottles to select just the right ones and create the menu for the celebratory meal.

Guests included: Buddy and Sandra (our gracious hosts), Mark and Laurie, Bob and Michelle, and my wife and me. The ladies planned the amazing meal, and each couple was responsible for preparing one or more dishes. 

Wine Pairing Perfection

The “bird cage” patio and pool area served as a great setting for the meal. Buddy manned the grill and performed flawlessly.

Spinach and feta puff pastry and prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks were paired with two traditional-method sparkling wines to open the meal. First served was the 2018 Cuvée Jean Philippe Brut Blanquette de Limoux from the home region of France’s first sparkling wine. Once the stubborn cork was removed, this proved lively and fresh with flavors of the Mauzac grape. Our second pour was the Gruet Brut NV from New Mexico. This was frothy and crisp with apple and citrus flavors. The sunny Florida weather, flowing bubbles, and great appetizers were an auspicious beginning.

Our fish course was Grilled Mahi-Mahi with mango salsa and mandarin orange salad.  The 2023 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes was a newer addition to Bob’s collection and a spot-on pairing with the succulent Mahi. The wine surprised some of our guests who weren’t familiar with the tasty dry version of Riesling. Yalumba in Australia’s Barossa Valley is a worldwide leader in Viognier, a grape originating in France’s Rhône Valley. We chose their 2021 Yalumba “Eden Valley” Viognier. It is aged for 10 months in oak and has a creamy texture. This was a superb dish and pairing.

We shifted gears to red wine and another elevated dish: pork tenderloin with cranberry chutney and sauteed green beans with toasted almonds. During my trip to Spain years ago, I was impressed with the wines from the Montsant region, which encircles the famous Priorat DOQ. The wines are powerful and represent a great value. Bob’s collection yielded a 2018 Potente Red Blend. Potente is a blend of Garnacha, Syrah, Merlot, and Carignan. This wine is showing well with notes of cherries and chocolate.

The 2020 Bastide Miraflore Syrah & Vielles Vignes de Grenache comes from Côtes du Roussillon in the French Mediterranean. I may have overplayed my hand on this one, as the blend of Syrah and Grenache tended to overpower the pork.

Through The Ages With Cabernet Sauvignon

Go big or go home. Since we weren’t leaving, we had no choice but to roll out three Cabernet Sauvignon for our Plat Principal. The dish was a mouthwatering beef filet roast with brandy mushroom cream sauce and roasted Medley potatoes. We entered our time machine for our first Cab, the 1989 Robert Mondavi Reserve Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. This was a long shot when I opened the capsule. The cork showed leakage, and while half the cork came out neatly, the bottom had to be pushed in. Using a strainer, the wine proved to be alive and kicking. The wine is past its glory days but still displayed smokey notes, slight earthiness, and some faded fruit – not bad for a 36-year-old wine. 

Hafner is a small, third-generation family winery in Alexander Valley, one of the primo areas for Cabernet in Sonoma. Our second pour was their 2012 Hafner Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are fully integrated, with no rough edges. Violets, black cherry, and cigar box notes matched well with our filet. It is a wine to savor.

Enjoying A Block Party

Thirty years on from our first Cab, the 2019 Priest Ranch Block 136 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is a powerhouse of elegant flavors. Aged for 26 months in 75% new oak, Block 136 has righteous tannins and defined flavors of oak. We decanted for two hours to allow the wine to open up and were rewarded with pleasurable plum, blackberry, and cherry overtones. Thanks to Mark and Laurie for making this a “Block” party.

After four courses and nine wines, we were ready for the finale, a sinful dessert of macerated berries with vanilla ice cream, mint, and Grand Marnier sauce.

The evening was spectacular, filled with good times, amazing wine, and succulent food. Tasting older vintage wines, one more than three decades old, along with current vintages, was a singular experience.

Cheers, Venice!

What's In Your Glass? Here Are A Trio Of Our Recent Wine Pours

What's in our glass? Here are three recent wines we tasted at Vino-Sphere international headquarters. They range from ho-hum to magnificent. Which is which? To find out, read on...

Les Indigènes "Cultivar" 2023 Grenache Blanc, France

This French white hails from the Languedoc region. While red Grenache is most widely known, and we love it, white Grenache has great charm. It is a juicy wine, fresh with ripe green pear and made with organic grapes. It has a medium body, so it stands apart from the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc you might typically buy.

We purchased this at Total Wine for $18. I consider it a great value. It's also at the low end of the ABV spectrum (12.5%), making it a great food pairing wine. It works well with turkey, fish, pasta, or other light entrees.

Element Winery 2015 F.L.X. Cuvée, Finger Lakes

Element Winery is the brainchild of Christopher Bates, who promotes the virtues of the Finger Lakes cool-climate wine with an evangelistic zeal. With wines like the 2015 Cuvée, it's easy to grasp his enthusiasm. 

This is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, with a dash of Blaufränkisch. It's a limited production with only 281 cases produced. This bottle demonstrates just how beautifully Finger Lakes wines can age.

The three grapes sing in perfect harmony, with tart cranberry to open with rich berry notes and light spice to follow. The lower alcohol level and higher acidity provide the balance that makes this an exceptional experience. SRP $33.

Ego Bodegas 2021 El Goru Gold, Jumillia

Maybe it was the crazy character on the label -- or perhaps the discounted $9 price -- but this bottle from Spain attracted my attention. The label translates El Goru to mean "mad hairy fella." If only for the brilliant portrait on the bottle, I decided to give it a go.

The label proclaimed a 93-point rating by Wine Enthusiast. However, ratings, and pretty labels, can be misleading. It may have benefitted from some decanting because the high ABV (14.5%) nearly bowled me over. Jumillia is known for its Monastrell (Mourvedre) wines, which I've found to be smooth and fruit-forward. This hairy old man wasn't so easygoing. The wine had oak, plum, and leather notes with some mint along for the ride, but it remained closed and unrewarding.

This wine didn't make the cut, but as Meatloaf said, "Two out of three ain't bad."

Add Spice To Your Valentines Day With This Trio Of Wines

These three Portuguese wines from Silk & Spice are just what you need to make your Valentine’s Day one to remember.

Silk & Spice wines are perfect
for Valentine's Day.

We first discovered Silk & Spice wines four years ago, tasting the 2018 vintage of their original red wine. Today it is the best-selling red Portuguese blend in the US. The wine made such an impression that when we learned three new wines were available, we jumped at the chance to taste them.

Silk & Spice is a tribute to the adventurous spirit of the Portuguese navigators who explored the world in the 15th century and opened up the silk and spice trade routes. The wines combine native Portuguese grapes in mouthwatering combinations at very reasonable prices.

If you are searching for a spark for Valentine’s Day, check out these three wines. One (or more) may be perfect. 

Silk Route Red 2021

Playing off the brand name, this wine delivers a smooth ride that begins with the aromas of red fruit and chocolate. On the palate, there are fresh red cherries and plum plus some savory notes and a touch of pepper. 

The blend is 40% Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo), 40% Baga, and 20% Merlot. The wine is very well-balanced. The Tinto Roriz and Merlot contribute to an ultra-plush finish while the Baga provides the tannins for a nice structure. 

This is ideal with snacks, salads, meat, or grilled vegetables

White Blend 2023

This was a surprise for me. Outside of Vinho Verde and Alvarinho, I am used to sipping red wines from Portugal. In my own journey of discovery, I found this to be a fresh and bright white wine – perfect for casual dining or chilling out.

Silk Route smooth red blend.

Blended in this wine are 35% Arinto, 15% Alvarinho (Albarino), and 50% Bical. Peach and melon flavors dominate with touches of white blossom. The mouthfeel is rounded rather than acidic. The wine is fermented in stainless steel but does spend some time in American oak on fine lees.

 

A lower ABV (12.5%) means this is a food-friendly wine. This will be perfect with grilled vegetables, sushi, grilled chicken, or pasta with cream sauce.

Spice Road Red 2021

Spice Road indeed! This wine takes its name seriously. A blend of 20% Touriga Nacional, 50% Alicante Bouschet, and 30% Shiraz, this wine is a salute to the most important spices traded during the Portuguese voyages of exploration, which are now found around the world.

The Alicante Bouschet makes this wine big and bold. Flavors of blackberries and blueberries mingle with notes of chocolate and profound spices. To taste this is to experience the exotic spices of the Silk Route in a glass.

This wine is made with their finest grapes, which undergo additional maceration after fermentation. The result is a deep, beautiful purple. This wine is for the adventurous. 

It is a chance to break out of the bubble of conventional wines and enjoy unfamiliar but delicious grapes. Another tasty aspect is that each bottle costs only $13.99. At this price, you can afford to get all three to go big this Valentine’s Day.

Full disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

Lessons from the Winescape: Emerging Wine Regions Must Rely on Artisanal Ethos

By Dave Nershi, CSW

China is an emerging wine market.

How do emerging wine regions compete with the big players for shelf space and the hearts of consumers? According to one scholar, they should take a holistic view of their situation and focus on creativity and artisanal winemaking.

"In my research, I’ve always studied emerging and transforming regions and looked at their infrastructures and environments,” said Eric Patterson at the Southeastern United Grape and Wine Symposium, recently held at Surry Community College in Dobson, NC. As a student at California’s UC Davis, it was natural that he would see how this applied to the wine world. “I did preliminary research, and it just exploded. I knew this would be a path.” 

Patterson is pursuing a cultural anthropology doctorate as a PhD student at UC Davis. His research focus is emerging wine cultures and their social, political, and economic impact. 

In his work, he uses a concept known as winescapes, first developed by Vander Valduga, Sarah Marroni Minasi, and Gui Lohmann in the Routledge Handbook of Wine Tourism in 2022. If wine terroir is a chess game, a winescape is three-dimensional chess.

Eric Patterson in a
North Carolina vineyard.

According to Patterson, a winescape is a multifaceted wine region defined by its unique local culture, terroir, and winemaking practices. It stretches beyond mere geography to encompass the social dynamics and economic factors that shape wine production, appreciation, and consumption.

A winescape can have geographic boundaries but transcends a regional focus. It is more holistic, including culture, creativity, and winemaking practices. 

The winescape framework “helps you understand how a wine region will flesh out,” said Patterson. “It includes all the things that affect the wine region. It allows the region to reach its maximum potential.”

Emerging wine regions are gaining prominence as they bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to viticulture and oenology. These areas contribute to economic growth and diversify the global wine landscape, offering distinct flavors and stories.

Two winescapes visited during Patterson’s fieldwork couldn’t be more different: China and North Carolina. Both are considered emerging wine regions. Both are unlocking creativity in their growth.

Erik Martella's Summer Kitchen.

“Creativity is a fuel that needs to be used,” said Patterson. “It’s a driving force.” There is a greater need for creativity in regions where conditions (climate, soil, wine market) are not ideal.

 In North Carolina, wineries are embracing creativity and artisanal style.  Raffaldini Vineyards, in the Yadkin Valley, specializes in Italian grape varieties. For some of its wines, it uses the appassimento, drying the grapes before fermentation. The raisinated grapes provide a wonderful depth of flavor.

Carolina Heritage Winery takes a creative approach to be more sustainable. The local county doesn’t have a recycling plan, so the winery uses new sustainable packaging options including eye-catching paper wine bottles. The bottles use 94% recycled material.

Rather than trying to duplicate European wines, winemaker Erik Martella is creating something entirely new. In southern states, muscadine wines have traditionally been produced in a sweet style and even contain added flavors. Martella is taking these grapes, which are naturally disease-resistant and come in about 150 varieties, and applying fine wine techniques. He uses carbonic maceration, aging on the lees or seeds, and extended aging. His goal is to craft fine wines from these native grapes.

Chinese vineyard.

Culturally dense products are a unique and important part of Patterson’s research. Wine is one such product, encapsulating a narrative of both the land and the people behind its creation. Patterson found this to be the case in China, a land with vast potential for wine production.

Formerly, Chinese wine consumers preferred Bordeaux or Australian wines. In 2020, China placed an embargo on Australian wines with a stiff tariff. The embargo was lifted in 2024, but this disruption proved to be a boost for the Chinese wine industry, still in its infancy.

A growing number of Chinese winemakers have graduated from foreign or domestic wine programs. This increased knowledge has boosted the understanding of how to make quality wine. China has become an innovator in the field. They are pushing innovation surrounding sustainability, varieties, and winemaking techniques that bring in more consumers, especially younger ones.

There is a growing middle class in China, and through community engagement and adaptive marketing, the niche is being successfully targeted. Chinese consumers are more aware and hungrier to understand what role drinking wine as a hobby and social activity means to them.

Chinese wines are marketed to
a growing middle class.

According to Patterson, emerging and successful wine regions have an impact that reaches beyond your wine glass. “The wine industry has the potential to transform rural areas quicker than any other industry I’ve studied,” he said. It involves many socio-economic levels, from the farmers to construction workers, winery staff, and ultimately the consumer. The capital barrier for entry is low and there is a wide range of consumers and investors.

He sees an inflection point coming, perhaps triggered by the changing climate, where established regions will need to think beyond rigid frameworks and embrace the creativity needed for their next stage of growth.

Emerging winescapes like North Carolina can be the future model for wine regions, said Patterson. “It’s a mix of tradition and new. The region is trying to do it differently because it can’t do it like everyone else.”

Most photos courtesy of Eric Patterson. Martella wine photo by Dave Nershi.

 

 

 

Ghost Hill Cellars Producing Legendary Pinot Noir

Ghost Hill Cellars is a fifth-generation family farm that has been operated since 1906. After decades of growing crops and raising cattle, the Bayliss-Bower family pivoted to Pinot Noir in 1999.

Located in Willamette Valley's Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the family’s highly prized soils produce Pinot Noir

of exceptional finesse and longevity, crafted by acclaimed Oregon winemaker Eric Hamacher. It's also known for the namesake ghost that is said to haunt the environs.

According to legend, in the late 1800s, a gold prospector on his way to sell his ore in Portland camped at the top of a wooded hill, on what is now known as Savannah Ridge. In the dark of night, a bandit attacked and killed him and his horse, stealing away the gold. Some say the miner’s ghost still wanders the hill in search of his stolen treasure. 

Brothers Daniel and Samuel Bayliss bought the land in 1906 and operated a dairy until Samuel’s son and his wife bought them out in the 1930s. The land was used for growing wheat, hay, clover, and peas, and raising sheep. Their son Mike Bayliss and his wife Drenda raised cattle and hay but opted for producing Pinot Noir to keep the farm in the family.

They started with a goal of providing grapes to other wineries but established an excellent reputation and decided to make their own wine. Today, Mike and Drenda live in the original farmhouse and get help operating the farm from the fifth generation: their son Michael, daughter Bernadette, and son-in-law Cameron Bower. They produce around 1,200 cases of 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir annually.

Eric Hamacher, one of Oregon’s most respected and sought-after winemakers, took over Ghost

Hill winemaking with the 2015 harvest. He favors traditional winemaking techniques and favors wild fermentation and minimal intervention. The winery also benefits from a favored position, atop Savannah Ridge. The 16-acre estate vineyard is 400 feet in elevation and features Willakenzie series soils on top of marine sediment bedrock. The soil type, the best known in Willamette Valley, is ideal for growing Pinot Noir.

During a recent International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association webinar, we had a chance to taste the 2023 Pinot Noir Blanc. This is the best-selling wine for Ghost Cellars and was originally produced so that the winery could offer a white wine in its tasting room. It is whole-cluster-pressed, providing a great depth of flavor, and finished in neutral oak. In the glass, it is a beautiful rose gold color. On the palate, there are juicy stone fruit flavors with notes of citrus and pear. 

It's a delectable wine that is outstanding as an aperitif or a companion for a shellfish entree. The retail price is $34.

Ghost Hill Cellars offers a spirited lineup of Pinot Noir. We recommend them highly.

International Petit Verdot Day Is Scheduled For January 25

Petit Verdot isn't just for blending. Join in celebrating this full-bodied red grape during its international celebration this month.

Sure, I've known about Petit Verdot for many years. In those first years, though, it was 1% here or 3% there, added to a French Bordeaux or an American red blend. My eyes were opened more than a decade ago during a trip to Virginia wine country.

A pre-conference excursion during the Wine Bloggers Conference led me from Charlottesville, Virginia, to the Flying Fox winery. There they poured a glass of 100% Virginia Petit Verdot. Boom. It was silky and rich, flowing with ripe flavors. I became enlightened to the wonders of single-varietal Petit Verdot.

Since then I've sought out Petit Verdot and have enjoyed wonderful bottles from Moon Mountain, Walla Walla, Bordeaux, North Carolina, Colorado, and Argentina. Who knows what other bottles are just faded memories? The point is that single-varietal Petit Verdot is a thing, and it is a thing you should be enjoying right now. We've got the ideal opportunity for you.

The inaugural International Petit Verdot Day, a global celebration dedicated to one of the wine industry's most intriguing varietals, Petit Verdot, is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025. This event aims to bring together wine enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and producers to honor and explore the unique characteristics and versatility of Petit Verdot. 

Petit Verdot translates from French as "little green one" and it ripens later than most red wine grapes. In fact, that characteristic led to much of the French Petit Verdot vines being uprooted and replaced with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, which ripen earlier. Today, you'll find Petit Verdot in wide-ranging locales, from Argentina to California to Australia. You'll experience a range of flavors from plum to black cherry and herbal notes such as cooking spice and perhaps violet. For International Petit Verdot Day, you may wish to compare Petit Verdot from different countries.

International Petit Verdot Day is the effort of Arthur Barham, a sommelier and wine judge from North Carolina. He is the creator of Merlot2Muscadine, media created to advance the wines and wineries of North Carolina. “International Petit Verdot Day is an exciting opportunity for wine lovers around the

world to come together and appreciate the complexity of Petit Verdot,” said Barham. It's his hope that this special day will foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the grape variety, whether as part of a blend or as a standalone wine. He notes that Petit Verdot does exceptionally well in North Carolina.

To celebrate this special day, Barham will facilitate and encourage a series of events, including tastings, educational seminars, and wine pairings at wineries and wine bars worldwide. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtags #PetitVerdotDay and #InternationalPetitVerdotDay to connect with fellow enthusiasts and discover the diverse expressions of this varietal.

To learn more about how you can participate (as a wine lover, winery, wine bar, or wine influencer) go to the International Petit Verdot Day web page.

Clif Family Wines Climb To New Heights

Bring energy to your holiday entertaining with these wines from Clif Family.

Clif Family Winery in Napa is dedicated to organic farming and sustainable business practices. If the name sounds familiar, it should. Gary Erickson and his wife Kit Crawford are co-creators of the Clif Bar and winery co-owners. The energy bar, named after Gary’s father Clifford, shows a rock climber dangling precariously from the side of a mountain cliff.

The Clif Bar was launched in 1992 and even then, Gary and Kit envisioned a more sustainable model for business, one in which organic farming and ingredients played central roles. In 2004 the Clif Family Farm and Winery began as a way to connect with the family.

What started as a small garden is now a fully operational farm with 90 acres of estate vineyards in Napa Valley’s famed Oak Knoll and Howell Mountain districts. Nine different grape varieties are grown; the vineyards are certified organic and Napa Green-certified.

With a group of friends and wine lovers, we recently uncorked six current Clif Family releases: 

• Unoaked Chardonnay, 2023, Oak Knoll
• Rte Blanc Sauvignon Blanc, 2023, Napa Valley
• Reyna Noriega White Blend, 2023, Oak Knoll
• Rosé of Grenache, 2023, Mendocino County
• Gary's Improv Zinfandel, 2023, Oak Knoll
• Reyna Noriega Red Blend, 2022, Oak Knoll

We opted for a casual tasting with various charcuterie and appetizers rather than a sit-down meal. The unoaked Chardonnay was our arrival wine. It struck just the right chord, with flavors of pear and apricot as we toasted the evening’s fun. 

The next two whites were accompanied by homemade sourdough bread with dipping sauces, cheese, sausage, and homemade guacamole. The Rte Blanc delivers Sauvignon Blanc goodness sans the jarring acidity of New Zealand versions. This wine has notes of white blossom, lemongrass, and oodles of minerality. 

Reyna Noriega is a visual artist, designer, and author. Her work centers on women of color and is designed to instill hope, healing, and pride. In collaboration with Clif, two special blends are offered. The 2023 white blend is 60% Viognier and 40% Chardonnay. The tropical vibes of Viognier fill the palate with tangerine while the full and round flavors hint at white blossoms. This wine gets six months in neutral oak.

For our reds, we had stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, brownies and chocolate. The Rosé of Grenache was the only wine not from Napa (well, we did slip in a seventh wine. More about that later). The rosé hails from Mendocino County and is pale pink with notes of strawberry and watermelon.

Gary’s Improv Zinfandel comes from the winery’s new Valle Di Sotto vineyard and features a 7% splash of Petite Sirah. This was an excellent pick with our brownies. The tannins are restrained with fruit-driven notes of blackberry accented with cooking spice.

The 2022 red Reyna Noriega collaboration wine is 49% Zinfandel, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Sirah, and 5% Malbec. The Zin provides a nice jammy note to this medium-bodied wine and Cabernet provides depth. There are notes of plum and strawberry. The aging is 18 months in 20% new oak. This is a delightful limited production (382 cases) wine.

The selection of Clif wines we enjoyed was impressive, made all the more so by the winery’s commitment to sustainability. The prices are accessible, ranging from $30 to $50. The Reyna Noriega duo is available as a set, which is just perfect for holiday gift-giving. Clif also offers a premium range of Howell Mountain wines at higher prices.

As our crowd drifted to the comfortable seating and conversation ensued, we had time for just one more wine. Before our soiree began, I had selected a bottle and placed it anonymously in a “number 7” blind-tasting bag. It was now time for that seventh wine.

To close our evening I decanted and then poured the 2012 Rotie Cellars Northern Blend from Washington State. This winery focuses on Rhone-style wines. The Northern Blend is 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier and appears to be at its peak. This wine was profoundly marvelous. I picked it up at the winery tasting room while visiting Walla Walla. It has meaty dark fruits with a nice thread of minerality and a long silken finish.

Enjoy the holiday season.

Artigiano Bellinis Add Festive Note To Holiday Entertaining

Making plans for a holiday party? Consider adding these wines and wine cocktails for the perfect touch.

Artigiano makes three Bellinis that add a festive note to your event. A Bellini is a light and fruity drink, traditionally made with Prosecco and peach puree. It originated in Venice and is named for a Renaissance painter. Artigiano adds a twist by offering not only peach but mango and strawberry flavors as well. These wine cocktails capture the spirit of Italy by combining fruit puree with white wine (even though it is German white wine from the Mosel region). Carbonation is artfully added. 

The Green Dragon opened all three at a recent girl's night party. Joining the lineup was the Mosketto Rosato from Italy. A Moscato exhibiting "pink power" this one has plenty of fruit and flowers on the nose. Art of Earth is a brand we love because of its commitment to organic and vegan winemaking. The Art of Earth 2021 Riesling from Rheinhessen is off-dry with notes of citrus and minerality.

 

Each wine is priced under $13.

Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands Beckons with Outdoor Adventures and World-Class Attractions

The Laurel Highlands is a magnificent mountain region in southwestern Pennsylvania that spans parts of Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties. Just east of Pittsburgh, it's known for its stunning natural scenery, outdoor recreational activities, historic sites, and attractions.

Photos and article

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Laurel Highlands is a destination certain to delight year-round. In the spring budding trees and wildflowers create a colorful landscape perfect for hiking and enjoying the mountain air. In summer the warm weather is well-suited for white water rafting, biking, hiking, and exploring the area's many sites of interest. Fall brings a vibrant collage of colorful foliage. The shades of red, yellow, and orange are ideal for “leaf peeping” and photography. Winter brings abundant snow for snowboarding, skiing, snow tubing, or enjoying a drink by a blazing fire.

During our recent visit, we visited some memorable sites and attractions in Laurel Highlands.

Flight 93 National Memorial

I had the chance to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, just hours after President Biden, VP Harris, and former President Donald Trump. It was a heavy and moving experience. 

The visitor center tells the story of 9/11 and the 33 passengers and seven crew members aboard United Flight 93 who perished. The passengers, aware of the Twin Towers and Pentagon attacks, rushed to the pilot compartment to stop the hijackers from crashing the plane into another target in Washington DC.

The walkway to the visitor center follows the plane's flight path, which ultimately flipped upside down and plowed into the rural field burning a grove of hemlock trees. The walls on the side of the walk have the impressed texture of hemlock bark.

A memorial walkway has a wall listing the 40 who were killed. Flowers, photos, and notes were placed along the wall. Beyond, a boulder marks the spot of impact.

The Tower of the Voices is 93 feet high with 40 aluminum chimes, signifying the voices of those who voted that September morning to take a stand against terrorism.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Seven Springs Mountain Resort is a family-friendly four-season resort with a history that dates back to 1932. That’s when Bavarian immigrants Adolph and Helen Dupre purchased 2.5 acres on the mountain and established Seven Spring Farm. Adolph developed the first mechanical rope tow in 1935, a significant innovation for skiing at the time. 

The resort is celebrating its 90 years of history with special activities and a display in the main lodge. In 2022 Seven Springs was acquired by Vail Resorts, which manages eight ski resorts across Pennsylvania.

Over the years it developed significantly, adding more trails, lifts, and amenities, such as restaurants and the Trillium Spa. Located at 2,994 feet, Seven Springs features 10 ski lifts and 285 acres of skiable terrain including 33 trails and seven terrain parks for snowboarding.

With an average of 135 inches of snow, there is plenty of white stuff for your winter activities. Seven Springs was a pioneer in snowmaking technology in the eastern US. In the 1970s, the resort was one of the first in the Mid-Atlantic region to implement snowmaking, allowing it to extend its ski season and provide more reliable snow conditions for guests.

Summer activities include kayaking or paddleboarding, a 1,980-foot Alpine slide, scenic chairlift rides, plus plenty of special events.

The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright, the most famous 20th-century American architect, believed houses should look like they belong and form an organic union with nature. Gracing the beautiful Laurel Highlands scenery are several Wright homes, including his most famous.

Kentuck Knob, located in Chalk Hill, PA, is one of his Usonian designs, intended as affordable homes for middle-income families. The house is situated just below the crest of a hill and almost appears to be part of the mountain. It features clerestory windows, long low lines, and an open floor plan. A roof that overhangs the porch features 24 hexagonal trellis openings.

Kentuck Knob is a National Historic Landmark. Check the website for tour availability and ticket information.

Just seven miles away is Fallingwater, Wright’s masterpiece. Designed in 1935 for the Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh, it is dramatically cantilevered over a waterfall and Bear Run stream. The main house is 9,300 square feet of which 4,400 square feet are outdoor terraces. The home is constructed of concrete, sandstone, and steel with a color palette of light ochre for the concrete and Cherokee red for the steel.

The home and guest house feature built-in furnishings, custom light fixtures and millwork, as well as 170 custom wood furnishings designed by Wright. The house is a museum now owned by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Tour schedule and tickets are available on the website. 

Polymath Park, located in Acme, PA, is a haven for architecture fans. It features four homes, two by Wright and two by his apprentice Peter Berndtson. The Duncan House is a Usonian home built in Lisle, Illinois, which was rebuilt and preserved at Polymath Park. Mäntylä, meaning “house among the pines,” is a home with angular roof lines that jut skyward like the prow of a ship. It includes all the Wright hallmarks, including natural light, built-in furniture, and strong integration with the natural surroundings. One custom sofa runs the length of the spectacular living room, which has a light and airy feeling due to the clerestory windows and the open design.

Various tours are available, including those with a meal at the resort’s acclaimed TreeTops restaurant. If you wish to immerse yourself in the unique architecture, you can reserve an overnight stay. The houses have a maximum of four guests and stays are limited to three nights.

Fort Ligonier

Before there was a United States, Britain and its American colonies were engaged in a bloody war with the French and their Indian allies. Fort Ligonier was built in 1758 as part of the British campaign to cross 300 miles of rugged Pennsylvania countryside to capture Fort Duquesne (today’s Pittsburgh). 

The reconstructed 18th-century fort was the final staging point for British troops before their attack. During the eight years it was in use, the fort served as a vital supply and communications link and it was never taken by an enemy. At one point, more than 5,000 people lived at the fort, making it the second-largest population area in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia).

In addition to the fascinating collection of artillery and prickly defensive structures, there is a superb museum featuring galleries dedicated to art and history as well as George Washington, who gained valuable experience at the fort and in French and Indian Wars campaigns. The Friendly Fire painting by John Buxton and the Washington Lafayette Pistols are of special note.

The Buxton painting captures a key moment in Washington's life. In the fog of war, his troops, who were skirmishing with a band of attackers, mistakenly fired on a group of fellow Virginians who had come to help. At great personal risk, Washington halted the shooting, but 13 British soldiers perished.

The Washington Lafayette Pistols were given to Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette. Washington is said to have worn them as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army at Valley Forge. After his death, the pistols were given to President Andrew Jackson who prized them until his death.

Laurel Highlands Restaurants and More

Looking for a great meal or a refreshing beverage while touring Laurel Highlands? We can recommend the following:

Shorty’s Restaurant - 6167 Lincoln Highway Stoystown PA. Shorty’s is a beloved upscale casual restaurant and full bar that “serves up happiness” with outstanding service. It serves everything from loaded pierogies to filet mignon in a relaxed, rustic decor. A short drive from Seven Springs Resort.

TreeTops Restaurant - 187 Evergreen Ln, Acme, PA. Located in Polymath Park, TreeTops features treehouse-style dining in a private dining pod. This is a beautifully relaxing setting made all the better by amazing cuisine. Most of the dishes are the chef’s choice, showcasing the creativity and expertise of the culinary team. There is an outstanding selection of wine as well.

Stone Villa Cellars - 1085 Claypike Rd, Acme, PA. In a hand-crafted stone building, this winery serves up more than 20 quality wines that appeal to all tastes. Sip your wine at a shaded table while you take in the view of the lake and vineyard. All wines are made on-site and the winery is open year-round.

The Kitchen on Main - 136 E Main St, Ligonier, PA. Located on Ligonier’s scenic Main Street, which is loaded with shops and other attractions, this eatery is the place where locals gather. It is a scratch kitchen that offers dishes such as a crispy eggplant tower and orange chive salmon burger. The restaurant focuses on classic gourmet flavors and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

For information about Laurel Highlands and its events and attractions, check out Go Laurel Highlands.