November 9th - This Date in Wine History

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1024px-Broncho_Billy_Anderson.jpg

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Albrecht III, Elector of Brandenburg was born in 1414.  He established the right to levy taxes on wine after he was crowned.
  • Aert van der Neer, a Dutch landscape artist died in 1677.  His work was undervalued that he was forced to open a wine tavern on the Kalverstraat in Amsterdam.  
  • The movie, Wine, Women and Song debuted in 1915.  It starred Gilbert Anderson, otherwise known as Broncho Billy.
  • It is International Tempranillo Day.

Dunnigan Hills Wine Region of the Day

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Dunnigan Hills

Dunnigan Hills received its designation as an AVA in 1993. Situated across 89,000 acres, Dunnigan Hills is located in the northwest portion of Yolo County. The terrain of Dunnigan Hills features rolling hills with elevations between 200 and 500 feet above sea level. The soils of the region vary from gravelly loams and sandy loams over sandstone to silt. The climate of the region is recognized for its warm days and cool nights, offering a diurnal temperature swing of up to twenty degrees. This change between day and nighttime temperatures allow for a longer growing season and allow the fruit time to develop their tannin structure and acidity. The region is known for its production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Viognier.

San Antonio Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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San Antonio Valley

The San Antonio Valley received its designation as an AVA in 2006. The San Antonio Valley is located in Monterey County and is bordered to the west by the Santa Lucia Mountains.

Unlike many of the wine regions in the United States, there is a long history of viticulture in the San Antonio Valley.   It was home to the Mission San Antonio de Padua that was founded in 1771 by Father Junipero Serra.  Franciscan Missions in Alta California could not rely on supplies from Spain and were required to be self-sufficient.  This meant making flour for bread and grapes for wine.  The Mission is still in operation as a parish church and visitors can see the original wine pressing vats and wine cellar.

The valley is located in the southern part of Monterey County and is located between the Santa Lucia Mountains near the Salinas Valley and includes San Antonio Lake and Fort Hunter Liggett Military Reservation.  The terrain contains gently rolling hills which form a basin or bowl shape.

The climate is typically warm and dry but benefits from the cooling breezes of nearby Lake San Antonio and the Pacific Ocean.  The region averages approximately 3,000 GDD on the Winkler Index indicating that it is the prime climate for Bordeaux and Rhone varietals.  The cool marine air that is so common for Monterey County is mostly absent. The region tends to be hotter and drier during the growing season but cooler during the spring and autumn.

Soil composition is also unique in San Antonio Valley.  Nearby Hames Valley is primarily composed of soils from the Lockwood series that are alluvial fans and terraces of siliceous shale.  San Antonio Valley has a more varied soil profile with 40 different types being represented.  The soil is primarily gravelly loam and clay that are mostly alluvial but with more gravel, sand and clays in the mix.

The region is known for its production of Bordeaux and Rhone varietals but is becoming home to Spanish and Portuguese grapes as well.  You can find Albarino, Barbera, Cabernet Franc,  Cabernet Sauvignon,  Chardonnay, Dolcetto,  Grenache,  Malbec,  Marsanne,  Merlot,  Mourvedre,  Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Grigio, Primativo, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tinta Cao, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesca, Touriga Nacional, Zinfandel being produced in San Antonio Valley.

Clements Hills - Wine Region of the Day

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Clements Hills

Clements Hills received its designation as an AVA in 2006. Situated on 85,400 acres, Clements Hills is a sub-appellation of the Lodi AVA in the southeast portion located in San Joaquin County.  It is nearly 40 miles from Sacramento and more than 10 from the city of Lodi.  The viticultural area is located in the northeastern portion of San Joaquin county south of the Borden Ranch appellation.  Nestled between the Calavaras River to the south, Liberty Road to the north, the eastern boundary of San Joaquin County and Elliott and Jack Tone Roads to the west, the region is a transition from the valleys to the west and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

It is centered around the town of Clements which was settled in 1857 by Thomas Clements.  Clements later donated 25 acres to establish the town as a railroad stop on the San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad which was ideal for the agricultural community that was growing.  The name Clements Hills has been in use since that time.

The soils in the appellation are varied but are alike in that they have low fertility and are a mixture of clays and loams.  The presence of the clays are sufficient to hold moisture in the soil. The region features an alluvial topsoil with varying lower levels comprised of granite and volcanic soils.

The climate is hot and muggy but gets some relief from coastal breezes that make their way through the hills. The climate of the area is generally warmer and wetter than the average in the Lodi region.  The increase in elevation to the east creates more precipitation and air drainage that moves away morning fogs and frost that would be caused by cool Pacific air coming up the Sacramento-San Joaquin river delta.  The lack of fog also leads to more hours of sunshine to help the grapes achieve their maximum flavor.

This climate makes the region perfect for growing Italian and Spanish grape varieties such as Albarino, Grenache, Sangiovese and Tempranillo.

2014 Troon Blue Label Estate Zinfandel, Applegate Valley - Wine of the Day

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2014 Troon Blue Label Estate Zinfandel, Applegate Valley

2014 Troon Blue Label Estate Zinfandel, Applegate Valley

$29

In 2014 a small percentage of Tempranillo (about 1%) was picked the same day as the zinfandel, and layered into each fermenter. All the grapes are treaded before de­-stemming, to help the wild yeast get a good start in fermentation, and to have a more gentle, fuller extraction of the natural grapes tannins at the start of ferment.  This is a deeper, darker zinfandel from a special block of vines just behind the winery.

The deeper, fuller aromas and textures come from the Tempranillo co-­fermented with the Zinfandel. Medium ruby color with warm and friendly aromas, like a ripe peach on a barbeque grill, with an evanescent and lifting scent of huckleberries on a hot summer day. Lush and rounded tannins, generously carrying ripe blackberry and blueberry flavors into a long,evolved finish. This is classic, brambly, full-flavored zinfandel balanced by a touch of fresh Oregon acidity. The ultimate match for your biggest, baddest steak on the grill. It’s so easy to drink this wine.

2013 Playground Cellars Paso Robles Tempranillo - Wine of the Day

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2013 Playground Cellars Paso Robles Tempranillo

2013 Playground Cellars Paso Robles Tempranillo

$27

Like our Howell Mountain Cab, we were at the right place at the right time. Through our connections we were able to stumble across enough for two barrels of this remarkable 100% Tempranillo that speaks to what Tempranillo is all about.

Vanilla cola swirls with cinnamon and allspice to blend into a burst of cherry and gold raspberry. The faint cedar and baking chocolate balances the fruit for a well-balanced finish of acid and tannins.

Clements Hills - Wine Region of the Day

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Clements Hills received its designation as an AVA in 2006. Situated on 85,400 acres, Clements Hills is a sub-appellation of the Lodi AVA in the southeast portion located in San Joaquin County.  It is nearly 40 miles from Sacramento and more than 10 from the city of Lodi.  The viticultural area is located in the northeastern portion of San Joaquin county south of the Borden Ranch appellation.  Nestled between the Calavaras River to the south, Liberty Road to the north, the eastern boundary of San Joaquin County and Elliott and Jack Tone Roads to the west, the region is a transition from the valleys to the west and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

It is centered around the town of Clements which was settled in 1857 by Thomas Clements.  Clements later donated 25 acres to establish the town as a railroad stop on the San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad which was ideal for the agricultural community that was growing.  The name Clements Hills has been in use since that time.

The soils in the appellation are varied but are alike in that they have low fertility and are a mixture of clays and loams.  The presence of the clays are sufficient to hold moisture in the soil. The region features an alluvial topsoil with varying lower levels comprised of granite and volcanic soils. 

The climate is hot and muggy but gets some relief from coastal breezes that make their way through the hills. The climate of the area is generally warmer and wetter than the average in the Lodi region.  The increase in elevation to the east creates more precipitation and air drainage that moves away morning fogs and frost that would be caused by cool Pacific air coming up the Sacramento-San Joaquin river delta.  The lack of fog also leads to more hours of sunshine to help the grapes achieve their maximum flavor.

This climate makes the region perfect for growing Italian and Spanish grape varieties such as Albarino, Grenache, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Grenache.

March 11th - This Date in Wine History

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Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • The JuliénasAOC was named in 1938. 
  • The Texas Davis Mountains AVA was designated in 1998. The primary grapes grown here are Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
  • Spain's Mondéjar DO was created in 2007. The primary grapes grown here are Tempranillo and Macebo.
  • Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley AVA was designated in 2008.  The most common grapes produced here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Vidal Blanc.

Templeton Gap District - Wine Region of the Day

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Templeton Gap District by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

The Templeton Gap District is nestled between the Paso Robles Willow Creek District and the El Pomar District near Templeton, California.  The Templeton Gap consists of a series of mountain passes created by rivers and creeks in the Santa Lucia Range through which marine air flows into the region.  This is referred to as a water gap in Geology.  The name “Templeton Gap” was coined by Ken Volk of Wild Horse Winery to describe the area and has since been adopted by the fellow winemakers and the local real estate industry. 

The Templeton Gap is the coolest climate of the Paso Robles sub-appellations and receives approximately 20 inches of precipitation per year. The water gap allows marine influences to enter the region which moderate the daily temperatures and increase the amount of time that it takes for grapes to ripen.  The elevations in the area range from 700 to 1,800 feet above sea level with the majority of the wineries located between 800 and 940 feet.

The location of the vineyards is largely along the wide terraced banks of the Paso Robles Creek and Salinas River.  The soils were created by alluvium of the Monterey Formation and are largely made up ofsilty and clay loans though there are some older soils produced from the Paso Robles Formation that are more cemented and shaly.  Grapes produced include Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Charbono, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier and Zinfandel.

Capay Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Capay Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Capay Valley received its designation as an AVA in 2002. Situated across 102,400 acres, the region is neighbors with Napa County and is centered on the Capay Valley in Yolo County. The terrain of Capay Valley consists of rolling hills and valley floor where the soils contain river rock and volcanic ash deposits. The climate in Capay Valley features warm days and cool nights. The mountainous terrain captures daytime heat in the valley but has cooling effects in the evenings. The warm climate leads to a short growing season and robust yields. Capay Valley produces many different varietals including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvedre, Tempranillo, and Viognier.

Dunnigan Hills - Wine Region of the Day

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DUNNIGAN HILLS

Photo of the Dunnigan Hills by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Dunnigan Hills received its designation as an AVA in 1993. Situated across 89,000 acres, Dunnigan Hills is located in the northwest portion of Yolo County. The terrain of Dunnigan Hills features rolling hills with elevations between 200 and 500 feet above sea level. The soils of the region vary from gravelly loams and sandy loams over sandstone to silt. The climate of the region is recognized for its warm days and cool nights, offering a diurnal temperature swing of up to twenty degrees. This change between day and nighttime temperatures allow for a longer growing season and allow the fruit time to develop their tannin structure and acidity. The region is known for its production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Viognier.

Jahant - Wine Region of the Day

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Jahant

Photo of the Jahant Region by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

Jahant received its designation as an AVA in 2006. Sitting on 28,000 acres, Jahant is a sub-appellation to the Lodi AVA. Jahant features it's own unique soil named the Rocklin-Jahant loam soil. Rocklin-Jahant soil is known for its retention of water, meaning that the grapes in this region can be dry farmed. Dry farming vines leads to less water making it into the grape itself, concentrating the fruit and leading to a deep, complex flavor. Jahant is located in close proximity to the Sacramento Delta and receives the benefits of the cooling maritime winds flowing off the Delta. These winds cool the hot daytime sun and allow for a longer growing season than much of the rest of Lodi. The region is known for its production of Tempranillo and Sauvignon Blanc.

South Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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SOUTH COAST

Image of the South Coast Wine Region by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

The South Coast received its designation as an AVA in 1985. Situated over 2,237,503 acres, the South Coast includes sub-appellations Cucamonga Valley, Malibu-Newton Canyon, Ramona Valley, Saddle Rock-Malibu, San Pasqual Valley, and Temecula Valley. There is an array of soil types and microclimates across the South Coast, allowing the region to show its diversity in the production of many different varietals. The region produces Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Trebbiano, Viognier, and Zinfandel.