Labor Day Weekend 2011 - Sonoma Style

Quick Travel Tip! 

Wow! The lineup of events this weekend all over Sonoma County is fantastic.  I often receive requests from folks asking what to do and where to go when visiting the area.  This weekend has it all for any wine lover - if you haven't made your holiday plans yet - here's a perfect way to sip & relax in the wine country. http://www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com

 Cheers! Ali

York St. Memories

5 Years ago today...end of a long week, a fine dinner and new friends.


http://texacaliwinetrail.blogspot.com/2006/08/sweet-endings.html

Looking up in Mendoza

February 2010

Bordeaux

An Epic Trip for the 2010 Primeurs this last Spring!  Had the great pleasure of traveling with Ralph Sands, the Bordeaux Specialist at K&L Wine Merchants.  Today he's leading a tasting - if you live anywhere near the Bay Area, I promise it'll be worth the trip! Details...

In the Redwood City store from 1-4pm with yours truly,  Cost is $20.00

The Lineup….

2010 Ch. Reynon Blanc- Cotes de Bordeaux

2009 Ch. de Macard- Bordeaux Superieur

2008 Ch. Lillian Ladouys- St-Estephe

2005 Ch. Larteau- Bordeaux Superieur

2008 Ch. d’Issan- Margaux 3^rd growth

2008 Ch. Lascombes- Margaux 2^nd growth

2005 Ch. Larrivet Haut Brion-Pessac Leognan

1997 Ch. Terry Gros Cailloux- St-Julien

1996 Ch. Langoa Barton- St-Julien

For desert…..1988 Ch. Suduiraut- Sauternes…great vintage!

Hope to see you there… Cheers! Ralph

Ralph Sands

Bordeaux Expert

Senior Wine Specialist

K&L Wine Merchants

Redwood City and San Francisco Ca.

1-800 247-5987 Ext# 2723

Direct Line 650-556-2723

Email- Ralph@klwines.com

Off Subject - Bon Iver

I woke up early to a very foggy morning in East Santa Rosa, Ca.  This was a pleasant surprise too - National Geographic debuts "Holocene".  What a peaceful video shot in Iceland. Enjoy!  - Ali

Wine of the Weekend - Tramonto

Tramonto 2010 Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir. 

This is one of my very favorite California rosés this summer. Sunset Magazine recently highlighted the Tramonto as a perfect wine pairing with Salmon.  Found in your favorite happening restaurants and boutique wine shops around NorCal.  Texas just received the last batch made - this is the pink-wine that kicked off Bar Lamar at Whole Foods Austin too! (Distributed by Favorite Brands-formerly Avante Beverages)

The Pinot Noir  grapes for this wine are sourced from three of the most sought-after vineyards along Westside Road, in the northern Russian River Valley. The vines are mainly Dijon clones 115,667,777 with small amounts of Eden and Swan Clones. 

Color is light peach, a true vin gris. Aromas of watermelon rind, wild strawberries and jasmine. Flavors of peach, cucumber, citrus and a mineral, wet slate finish. Found both on tap and bottle.  $12-14 a bottle.

http://www.brackmountainwinecompany.com/

Back in Cali...

Loves.

The beauty, the land and the sea here, I missed it so much while away. Roses, thousands of bright blooming roses. Dungeness crab season. The sound of skateboards after the final school bell rings. The thrill of driving over the Golden Gate Bridge (every time!).  The TexaCali World Series.  Hosting friends from Texas, showing them the best places around. Tennessee Valley hikes.  Unconditional kindness, so many welcoming new friends, sharing their stories, their passions, their  strengths, their worries, their laughter. Growing fruits, veggies and flowers all year long in my own yard. The view over Dry Creek Valley.  Driving along HWY 280. Discovering the local wines of Grace, Brack  Mountain, Broc Cellars, Phillips Hill, Hamel, Nico, Arnot-Roberts, NPA, Michel-Schlumberger and the real people behind them. The Handal & Bellino gangs, my California Families.  Stuck in a snow storm and getting out while laughing. Falling in love. The biscuits made at Zin in Healdsburg. Flour Girl Cakes. 40 Days @ Three Dog Yoga in Santa Rosa, this changed my life. The smell of a winery, right when I walk through the doors - every single time. Bundling-up when the sun goes down. Old friends who are new again. Hot dogs a the Giants game. Walking to dinner. Anderson Valley - is every bit as lovely as I remember it every time I'm there. No mosquitoes. Rolling Fog. Happy Hippos. Shout-outs on the radio by my dear friend Ziggy the Wine Gal (thank you BGD). Seeing shows at the Great American Music Hall. Wine Country Connect, the entire staff inspires me each day. Bar stool dinners at ZAZU. Ecco Coffee. Trips to Half Moon Bay. Drinks at the AV Bar. Redwood Trees. Bright green landscapes in the winter. Rainbows over the vineyards. The sound of frogs - lots of frogs.  Crying from laughing so hard. Sundays with my best friend. Equanimity.

Cheers - Ali

Summer Break in Sonoma County

 Cheers to my sweet friends Liane, Hollywood Sarah & Lovely Lauren in from Dallas chillin' out with me in Sonoma County this week.  - Ali

Davis Family Vineyards - National Feature on Rue La La!

The past 7 days FLEW by!  Slightly behind on writing, a lot of changes going on within the industry that will impact you as a wine consumer - many good, a few that are bad if we don't all make a stand.  More on this later in the week.   

Today and tomorrow is most exciting on Rue La La.  Here's a great chance to purchase a few winery-only bottles from Davis Family Vineyards and take advantage of a nice summer-sale on ones you've loved over the years too.  If you want an invite to join Rue La La - just shoot me a message. You know how much I love these wines, so very proud to see them and expose them to a new fan base on Rue La La.  Check out their Facebook page too,  the famous ZAZU offered -up a great lobster recipe that pairs perfectly with the 2008 Davis Family Vineyards Russian River Chardonnay.  Downed a bottle together with my dear friend Liane visiting from Dallas last night in fact! Cheers to good friends and good wine always! - TexaCali Ali