A few notes and pictures from my weekend in Northern California ...
Storrs Winery in Santa Cruz was my first stop, which I was lucky enough to catch Steve and Pamela Storrs at the winery, meet Mrs. Christie of "ChristieVineyards" and spend some quality time with their national sales manager, Terry while he drove me around vineyards and the land where Storrs is building a beautiful winery...did you know that Christie Chardonnay vines are over 80 years old? I don't think I've seen Chardonnay vines this old in California before! 
Next I drove up HWY 1 to San Francisco and was off to meet with Daniel Donahoe in his family's ROCKIN' house in Cole Valley. I tasted his new
Teira Sauvignon Blanc and 2004 Zinfandel. Both wines where quite beautiful and the Sauv Blanc is going to be especially good for us Texans in this long summer heat! After a few sips of Teira I was off to the Mission to meet a dear friend for dinner at
Range. Just an incredible day in the Bay Area.
Friday morning was full of meetings and tastings in Dry Creek (big annoucements coming soon!) then had a wonderful time with Guy and Judy Davis of
Davis Family Vineyards. Guy busted out a brand new bottle of Gusto Sauvignon Blanc he makes from New Zealand which was soo lovely, bright and crisp with a smooth mid-palate. A terrific pairing with goat cheese by the way! We wrapped up Friday over dinner a local favorite
Zazu while sipping on Davis Family Pinot Noir, which of course just AMAZING.
Saturday's big event was the
Valdez Family Wines release party on Rockpile Road Vineyard - and I mean BIG EVENT. No doubt this takes a place among my top wine experiences so far...an afternoon full of family, friends, food and extremely killer wine. All details will be posted soon (including pictures) on
TexaCali Wine. The evening finished up with an incredible dinner with the Handal family at
Zin, right down the street from
The Cheese Shop in Healdsburg.
Sunday was spent with friends in Dry Creek and ended with a gorgeous evening at Duchamp Winery with dear Pat and Peter Lenz. They paired the Duchamp wines with grilled Tuna and greens, then with fresh strawberries, and lovely little bites of sweet cookies and cheese and soo many other nibbles on the table! Their syrah's are fascinating in every way a solid syrah should taste - look out Texas - we are awaiting TABC approval - make room on your dinner table now! California was breathtaking as usual, but glad to be back in Austin and share the stories and enthusiasm of so many wine producers!! Cheers - Ali
Cool. My phone and email account are BLOWIN' UP this week due to the TexaCali Wine Co. #1 Food and Wine Best Bet in the August Issue of D Magazine. I'm uncorking some old favorites and brand new releases - don't miss this one folks!
BEST BET Dallas Uncorked This month, Dallas Uncorked joins forces with TexaCali Wine Co. for an exceptional night of wine featuring boutique producers such as Susana Balbo, Pellegrini Family Vineyards, Fort Ross, and Handley Cellars. Kitchen 1924 provides lovely appetizers to boot. Aug 8, 6:30–8:30 pm. Kitchen 1924. 214-999-0820. www.dallasuncorked.org. Cheers - Ali
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