Winter Wineland Done Right!

This weekend Northern Sonoma County is kickin' with the 20th Anniversary of Winter Wineland where thousands of wine fans are checking out the latest releases from wineries all over Dry Creek, Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley, my stomping grounds for sure!  It's been exciting to suggest to friends where to stop and cool to receive messages from everyone after tasting all weekend!

Westside Boys

Last Thursday night I had the pleasure of attending a small (but enormously rowdy) Pinot Noir dinner alongside the winemakers of Davis Family Vineyards, Joseph Swan, Kosta-Brown and Holdredge.   It was a night for the record books, I was literally sore the next day from laughing so hard.  Zazu Restaurant beautifully paired each wine with local flare and love.   

My wines of the night: 2010 Joseph Swan Gewurztraminer & 2008 Davis Family Vineyards Soul Patch Pinot Noir.  Must grab a few of these bottles soon for the house.  Big Shout Out to Ziggy the Wine Gal for creating this cool event, know I know what everyone had drivers, these pinot boys know how to pour it on!(click on the pics to read the menu and full list of wines poured - EPIC!).

 Dinner in The Shop

Saturday night was a real treat - a first ever dinner in "The Shop" at Porter-Bass.  The sunset fell behind the hills of the Green Valley while driving West. The sky quickly turned from blue to pink to orange and ended with midnight blue - stars shining bright at the top of Mays Canyon road where Porter-Bass calls home.  

A relaxing night with outstanding wines - old and young from Phillips Hill & Navarro in Anderson Valley, Littorai & Porter-Bass and even a sip of bootlegged Brandy made from Pinot Noir grapes.  

Gracious hosts Luke and Elena Bass filled The Shop with delicious food and stories that were great fun!  Conversation lingered on about who makes the best biscuits around, film new & old, thieves in the night (someone stole their propane tank!) cool weddings and of course a small amount of wine industry talk.  

The highlight of the night was the Porter-Bass 2007 RRV Pinot Noir, a perfect glass alongside Elena's savory Cassoulet. 

Everything about the evening was darling (dogs running in & out, fireplace flickering, a tractor guarding the door!) and warm even though we were sitting among tools of The Shop.  A fun tasting place, can't wait for others to experience the Porter-Bass Shop soon. 

Winter Wineland Done Right!   Cheers,  Ali