Secrets of Sonoma and The Wine Road

I wanted to share some highlights of my recent tasting tour of Sonoma County and give you a sneak peek at what we’re going to have in the store soon.
I started at some Russian River wineries during Sonoma's annual Winter Wineland. This gave me an opportunity to participate and observe the wine industry as a customer, versus a buyer.
Three American Viticultural Areas (AVA) or appellations, Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley, provide the perfect growing conditions for a wide range of varietals.
Many wineries in this northern part of Sonoma County are part of The Wine Road. The Wine Road isn’t a specific road, it’s a group of wineries in these three valleys.

I took a tour of Hansel winery, given by the owner, Steve Hansel.
According to him, “This location is ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as the nights and mornings are cooled by coastal fog yet the mid-days warm up to perfect grape ripening temperatures. Temperature swings of 40 degrees are very common.”

Two of my Hansel Favorites
07 Chardonnay Estate Cuvee Alyse
It's affordable, fantastic, lean, well-structured and crisp, as in not over the top.
07 Pinot Noir South Slope
Is round and rich on the finish.
http://walterhanselwinery.com/

Then I went to over to Woodenhead. Their tasting room was packed.
Woodenhead's wines are tasty and priced right.
Two Woodenhead Wines I Like
07 Pinot Noir, Humbolt County
06 Zinfandel, Braccialini Vineyard, Alexander Valley
http://www.woodenheadwine.com/

Christopher Creek
The Wasserman Family know how to grow things. Their website says the winery, in addition to growing grapes, has been farming oranges and olives in the Central Valley of California for the past 35 years.
I liked the 2007 Viognier, Russian River
You can read their own wine notes here:
http://www.christophercreek.com/wine/2007viognier.asp

Littorai
Littorai is located over in Western Sonoma County
From their website:
Littorai: a plural noun formed from the Latin word litor-, which means the coasts.
Ted Lemon, co-founder of Littorai, says, “The property where the winery is located is farmed biodynamically, using only organically certified materials. It is farmed as a self sustaining, integrated and diversified farm.”

We'll be getting these two excellent wines made in the classic burgundian style.
In fact, these two wines are rarely seen at retail, and since they are really food friendly, they usually make an appearance on restaurant wine lists.
These wines are exceptional with cheese.
07 Savoy Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley
08 Les Larnes Pinot Noir, also from Anderson Valley
http://www.littorai.com/

The map of Sonoma County’s appellations