John On Wine

Wine is busting out all over in June

By John Cesano

Originally published in the Ukiah Daily Journal on June 6, 2013

 

Here are four big wine events for our local Mendocino County wineries, each a great opportunity for you to taste our county’s wines:

 

Taste of Mendocino

Tuesday, June 11, 2013 • Trade & Media Tasting 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. • Public Grand Tasting 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. • Golden Gate Club in San Francisco’s Presidio • Tickets are $25

Sometimes getting folks from San Francisco to visit us in Mendocino County is difficult, so each year Mendocino County visits San Francisco to remind the folks there about all we have to offer visitors.

“Hosted by Mendocino Winegrowers, Inc. and Visit Mendocino County, this intimate, wine-filled event is a showcase of all the people and products that make Mendocino County such a special destination for wine lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and rebels.”

Participating wineries include Abertina Wine Cellars, Alder Springs Vineyard, Balo Vineyards, BARRA of Mendocino/Girasole Vineyards, Bink Wines, Brutacao Cellars, Claudia Springs Winery, Demuth Kemos Wines, Drew Family Cellars, Elke Vineyards, Edmeades, Frati Horn Wines, Frey Vineyards, Graziano Family of Wines, Greenwood Ridge Vineyards, Handley Cellars, Harmonique, Husch Celllars, Judson Hale Winery, Kimmel Vineyards, Lula Cellars, Maple Creek/Artevino Winery, Masut, McFadden Vineyard, Meyer Cellars, Navarro Vineyards, Parducci Wine Cellars, Paul Dolan Vineyards, Philo Ridge Vineyards, Seebass Vineyards and Family Wines, Testa Vineyards, Trinafour Cellars, and Waits-Mast Family Cellars.

Other participating Mendocino County institutions include Assagiare Mendocino, B Bryan Preserve, Camp Navarro, Craft Distillers/Germain-Robin, Kemmy’s Pies, Living Light, Mendocino Brewing Co., Mendocino Music Festival, Mendocino Organics, Ocean Harvest Sea Vegetable Company, Sapothecary, Skunk Train, Thanksgiving Coffee Company, and Visit Ukiah.

For more information, or to buy your tickets online, visit https://tasteofmendocino.chirrpy.com/

 

A Taste of Redwood Valley

June 15 & 16, 2013 • 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. both days • Two day tickets are $30.

“On Saturday & Sunday, visitors can meander along the back roads of Redwood Valley to each winery and distillery to taste library wines, unusual varietals, small production lots and experience the fun of tasting right out of the barrel. Guests will enjoy plentiful offerings of food, live music, and local farmers’ market stands. Each winery is family owned and is unique in its setting, its wine and food presentations, and its welcoming ambiance. Visit with the winemaker, vintner or grower, and listen to their stories, ask technical questions and experience the wines of a truly unique appellation.”

Participating wineries include:

Barra of Mendocino /Girasole Vineyards • 7051 North State Street • 707-485-0322 • http://www.barraofmendocino.com • http://www.girasolevineyards.com

Cole Bailey Vineyards • 1482 Inez Way • 707-485-9507 • http://www.colebailey.com

Frey Vineyards • 14000 Tomki Road • 707-485-5177 • http://www.freywine.com

Germain-Robin • 1110 Bel Arbres Drive • 707-468-7899 • http://www.craftdistillers.com

Giuseppe Wines •395 School Way • 707-485-8458 • http://www.giuseppewines.com

Graziano Family of Wines • 1170 Bel Arbres Drive • 707-744-8466 •  http://www.grazianofamilyofwines.com

Oster Wine Cellars •13501 Tomki Road • 707-485-5257 • http://www.osterwine.com

Silversmith Vineyards • 8121 Vineyard Oaks Dr. • 707-485-1196 • http://www.silversmithvineyards.com

Testa Vineyards  • 6400 North State Street • 707-485-7051 • http://www.testaranch.com

There is also a Redwood Valley Winemaker’s Dinner Friday night at Testa Vineyards. For more information, or to buy your tickets online, visit http://atasteofredwoodvalleysummer2013-efbevent.eventbrite.com/#

 

Taste of Downtown (Ukiah)

Friday, June 21, 2013 • 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. • Tickets are $30

“This evening of fine wines, marvelous micro brews and specialty food items is perhaps one of the most anticipated events of the year. The evening festivities will also include local musians and local artists, and it all takes place on the streets of Historic Downtown Ukiah.”

2012 Participants include :

Wineries: Lavender Blue, Zina Hyde Cunningham, Chiarito Vineyard, Husch, Claudia Springs Winery, Craft Distillers, Graziano Family of Wines, Parducci Wine Cellars, Cesar Toxqui Cellars, Frey Vineyards, Bonterra, McNab Ridge, Fetzer Vineyards, Navarro Vineyards, Weibel Vineyards, McFadden Vineyard, Jaxon Keys, Rivino Winery, Jeriko Estate, Neese Vineyards, Milano Family Winery, McNab Ridge Winery, and Ceago Vinegarden

Breweries: Anderson Valley Brewing Co., Eel River Brewing, Mendocino Brewing Co., Kona Brewing Co., Lagunitas, Lost Coast Brewing, Mad River Brewing Co., Shock Top, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

For more information visit http://www.ukiahmainstreetprogram.org/news-details.asp?id=102&subarea=Home

 

10TH Anniversary Coro Mendocino Release Party – celebrating the 2010 vintage

Saturday, June 22, 2013 • 6:00 p.m. • Little River Inn, 7901 N. Hwy. 1, Little River, CA 95456  • Tickets are $500 per couple

“Join the winemakers of Coro Mendocino for a weekend of fine food and wine as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary and the release of the 2010 vintage. Taste a showcase of each winery’s white and sparkling wines during the cocktail hour, then feast on a gourmet dinner for two prepared by Chef Marc Dym before taking home a full set of the 2010 Coro Mendocino.”

Participating wineries include Brutocao, Claudia Springs, Fetzer, Golden, Mendocino Vineyards, McFadden, McNab Ridge, Parducci, Philo Ridge, and Ray’s Station.

There is also an exclusive V.I.P tasting of library Coro Mendocino magnums on Friday, June 21st, 4:30-6:30 p.m., limited to the first 30 release party guests that reserve at $75 per person.

Seating for the five course dinner is limited reservations are required, call the Little River Inn to secure your spot (7017) 937-5942. For more information, visit http://www.coromendocino.com/index.php/pages/release_party

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John Cesano is looking forward to tasting many different wines this month.