A subset of the Quivira Vineyards in the world-renowned Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma, California, Steelhead Wines are a tribute to the restoration of the Steelhead domain in Wine Creek, a tributary of Dry Creek River that runs through the estate. Steelhead Wines along with Quivira Vineyards have partnered with Trouts Unlimited as well as other organization to restore the spawning ground of the Steelhead trout. Through their efforts the trout have returned to the creek bed every spring.

Through this effort Steelhead Wines were born.  Steelhead Wine is the first wine dedicated to the conservation of fisheries. Currently when you  purchase  either Steelhead Vineyards Zinfandel or Sauvignon Blanc a portion of the proceeds go to Trout Unlimited restoration projects. I have not tried the Sauvignon Blanc but have tasted the Zinfandel. I loved it so much that I went online to find out where I could buy it locally. I was shocked but quite pleased to find it at my local Beverages & More store.

The Steelhead Zinfandel is a great wine. Filled with great flavors this wine is made of 84% Zinfandel and 16% Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, & Carignane. It’s earthy blackberry and black pepper flavor leaves you with a feeling of bliss in your mouth and gives you a great hint of a Dry Creek wine in its finish.

This wine is a must do not just because of the taste but because of the wonderful cause it supports.  Please watch the video below courtesy of YouTube to see the trout returning in the spring.

Find out where you can purchase this wine in your area. Not only will you be getting a good bottle of wine but you will also be helping to maintain much needed fisheries in Sonoma.

And remember as always…drink responsibly.

Rideau 2006 Chateau Duplantier Cuvee

As I am writing this I am finishing a delicious glass of one of Rideau’s finest wines…2006 Chateau Duplantier Cuvee. I am almost speechless when it comes to this wine because it is like drinking a glass of liquid heaven. It is not only exquisite but sexy as well. Lets start with the sexy name…Duplantier, which is the owner’s (Iris Rideau) maiden name. The name immediately transports you to the romantic countryside of France.

Next is the aromatic fragrance of warm spice that lingers in this California Rhone-style wine. It wafts over your nose causing your salivary glands to go into overdrive.  Finally after taking your first sip of this elixir, you will be delighted to taste the soft, dark cherries and ripe raspberry flavors that take control of your tongue while the smooth velvety texture caresses the back of your throat. The finish on this wine is one of pure silk. A blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache & Petite Sirah, this wine is elegant enough to be served at the grandest of functions.

The unfortunate thing about this wine is that you can only get it from the Rideau Vineyards in Solvang, CA. However, you can visit their website and order it online. The cost of this wine is about $50.00 a bottle but is worth every penny. If you are in California and feel like taking a drive you should definitely stop by and visit the Rideau Vineyards. The landscape is lush and the ambience reminds you of the jazzy New Orleans French Quarter. Besides delicious wines you can also indulge in the fantastic gourmet cuisine while listening to great live music.

To get a peek at the gem that is Rideau please check out the video below:

A bit of history…

• It is believed that grapes were first cultivated in the region between the Black and Caspian Seas (near northern Iran) as early as 6000 B.C.
• Grape seeds were found in Switzerland and Italy which dated 4000 B.C.
• The Phoenicians traders brought grapes to Egypt in 3000 B.C.
• Viticulture or the cultivation of grapes spread to Greece in 2000 B.C. and then on to Italy, Sicily and North Africal in 1000 B.C.

Variety of Grapes

Today…

There are hundreds of grape varieties produced worldwide today. Of these hundreds of varieties only a small portion of these are are used for wine production. Other varieties are based on table, juice and raisin production. Table grapes (those that we eat) differ from wine grapes in that they have a lower sugar content and are more flavorful. These grapes take about 8 to 10 weeks to mature and the majority of them don’t do well in wine production. The exception to that would be the Muscat grape which is a table grape as well as successful wine grape. Wine grapes tend to be more aromatic with a higher skin to pulp ratio than table grapes. They also have a higher sugar content which lends itself to greater triumph in the fermentation process.

White Wine Grapes

There are some classics when it comes to white wine grapes:

Chardonnay Grape

Chardonnay – This is probably the most famous of all white wine grapes. This fruit is originally from Burgundy. Its adaptability, however, makes it easy to grow in a variety of places including Mendoza, Napa Valley and the Barossa Valley. Winemakers enjoy working with this grape because it is so pliant. They can tailor it to the demands of the market.  Key flavors of this grape include butter, peachy, toasty, vanilla and walnut flavor. 

Sauvignon Blanc Grape

Sauvignon Blanc – This is one of the most distinctive white grapes because of its stimulating high acidity and its fresh, grassy aroma. This grape originated in the Loire Valley of France (around Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume). However, towards the latter part of the 1980′s, sauvignon blanc wines from Malborough, New Zealand started making a name for themselves. Sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley often appears smoky in character but the Malborough sauvignon blancs are fruity, with incredible intensity and clarity. Key flavors of this grape include cut grass, flint, currant leaves or gooseberries.

Riesling Grape

Riesling – This grape originated in Germany but has since been successfully cultivated in Australia, New Zealand, California and Canada. Reislings are fruity and light. They range sweetness from bone-dry to extremely sweet. Their alcohol content also ranges from 8 percent or less in the Germany wines to about 14 percent in Australian wines. Key flavors included citrus (specifically lime), fresh apple, floral hints, honey and other fruits like apricot and peaches.

Other great white wine grapes that may not be as common to novice include:

Chenin Blanc Grape

Chenin Blanc – One of the least popular of the French varieties this grape, if not handled appropriately or if unripe, can produce some of the tartest and nastiest wine. However, when handled and used appropriately this grape can be used in a variety of styles including sweet, bone-dry and even sparkling wines. It originates from Anjou-Touraine in the Loire Valley. Key flavors include floral, straw and honey flavors.

Gewurztraminer Grape

Gewurztraminer – This grape has a unique pink color and produces a full-bodied, golden yellow wine with a slightly oily texture. It’s aroma is of unforgettable rose petals, lychee or ginger. This wine is usually very easy for a novice (after the initial experience) to recognize because of it’s dark color and powerful aroma. This grape is grown in Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Alsace. It can also be find in Washington state and Oregon as well as New Zealand. 

Pinot Gris/Grigio, Semillon, and Viognier are also white grapes that make some great wines and that a worth you looking further into. 

Red Wine Grapes

Some of the classics include:

Cabernet Sauvignon Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon – This is to red wine what chardonnay is to white. This grape originated in Bordeaux but has been planted and successfully cultivated in California, Chile, Australia, Argentina, South Africa, Vin de Pays d’Oc region (France), Tuscany and even Romania. These are just a few of the places this thick-skinned, dark blue grape can be found. This grape is very adaptable, however, it will not mature fully in climates that are really cold. It, also, will not flourish in extremely hot environments. Key flavors are chocolate, mint, and black currant. It also takes on the flavors of the oak barrel while it’s aging, producing additional flavors of vanilla and toast.

Pinot Noir Grape

Pinot Noir – This grape can either be the best thing that has happened to a winemaker or the worst. Pinot noir grapes are very finicky about their climate, soil and the way it is handled. However, if all conditions are optimal this grape can produce a wondeful wine that is low in tannins and acidity. The grape originates from Burgundy and is now being grown California, Oregon, New Zealand and Australia with very favorable outcome. Key flavors for pinot noir include roses, violets, raspberries, strawberries and truffles. This grape works well in French oak but not in American oak. 

Syrah/Shiraz Grape

Syrah/Shiraz – This grape is the king of producing deep, dark, full-bodied, spicy wines. It originates in the northern Rhone Valley, however, in Australia, huge plantings of shiraz are found. This grape produces some expensive, top-of-the line wines. However, in some places like Australia it is served as an everyday wine. Key flavors in northern Rhone tend to be of blackberries, black currants and raspberries). In Australia, the key flavors include an exotic spicy, chocolaty element. 

Merlot Grape

Merlot – This grape got a bad reputation in the movie “Sideways”. It’s unfortunate, too, because there are some very delicious merlots out there. It is similar to cabernet sauvignon but not as potent. It has a lusher, softer approach. It enjoys aging in oak and produces a plummy flavor. This grape has been widely planted in Bordeaux but does very well in a host of other places including St.-Emilion, Pomerol, Casablanca, Washington State and even California.

Other reds wine grapes you should seek out when making your wine selections include, mourvedre, sangiovese, petite sirah and my favorite zinfandel.

This listing is by no means all-inclusive. There are so many wine grape varieties out there. Next time you are out making your wine purchase try a different grape variety. You will broaden your tasting experience and you may just find a new wine jackpot. 

Until next time, drink responsibly.

Our final wine stop on our trip to the Santa Ynez Valley was at Gainey Vineyard. The story of the Gainey family is quite an interesting one. Please visit their website to read about the history of their farms and ranches as well as more about their vineyard.

Gainey is a lovely Spanish style winery that has received many accolades. Although a little dark, the tasting room’s ambience is very conducive to enjoying fine wine. Upon entering the tasting room we decided looked around a bit before standing in line to pay our tasting fee. Once we paid we obtained our complimentary Gainey logo glasses and proceeded to the barrel room to begin the tasting.

Before we made it to the barrel room we stopped to enjoy the massive wine bottle room. Walls on both sides of this narrow but long room housed hundreds of bottles. After getting a few pictures we made our way into the very large barrel room. There were two tables in the room. One table was for general public tasting and the second table in the back of the room was reserved for a bridal party tasting.

Wine Bottle Room

We found our place at the general tasting table and began by tasting a 2007 Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc. We both found this wine to be crisp, fruity and very enjoyable. This wine could definitely be poured and enjoyed on a hot summer day. The 2006 Limited Selection Chardonnay was the next on the list. It was absolutely delicious. It, too, was very crisp. However, it had stronger fruit flavors like peach and pineapple. Although the fruit flavor was bolder than the Sauvignon Blanc, the Chardonnay still finished very smoothly. The next wine we tasted in the barrel room was the 2006 Limited Selection Pinot Noir. This wine wasn’t appealing at all. It was very hard and bitter. The fruit flavors were very heavy and obtrusive. After pouring the remainder of that wine into the dumb bucket we were given the last wine to taste from that room which was a 2006 Limited Selection Cabernet Franc. It wasn’t as bad as the Pinot but we didn’t find anything extra special about it either. It was too spicy and sagey (if that is a word) for our taste.

The Barrel Room

The remainder of the tasting was being held in an area of the gift shop so we made our way to that counter to taste the final four. The first was the 2006 Syrah. I couldn’t wait to taste it because I haven’t really met a Syrah I didn’t like. This one was a bit disappointing though. It was drinkable but the finish was very peppery. We were told that this particular wine was a blend of Grenache, Viognier and Mourvedre along with the Syrah. The fruit seemed to be overwhelmed in this blend by pepper and spice. The next selection was a 2006 Limited Selection Syrah. This was definitely an upgrade from the regular Syrah. It smelled of blackberries and raspberries and had a creamier, smoother finish than the first. It was by no means overpowering.

Gift Shop

The next taste was of the 2006 Limited Selection Merlot. This was the jackpot of all the wines we tasted at Gainey. The aroma of this wine combines dark fruit and cocoa and the taste is smooth and creamy with decadent chocolate finish. If you like Merlot this is definitely one for your wine cellar. The final taste at Gainey was a 2007 Limited Selection Riesling. This wine was extremely refreshing. It had a nice mellow citrus flavor with hints of pear and apple. Unlike most Rieslings this wine had a very subtle sweetness to it. I quite enjoyed this wine as well and a few bottles of it along with the LS Merlot and LS Syrah managed to find their way into my shopping bag before I left. The Gainey Winery is a definite must-do on your adventures to the Santa Ynez Valley. We enjoyed it immensely. We were a bit disappointed though that we weren’t able to do an actual tour of this winery as they normally do about four or five a day. The day we were there they happened to be short-staffed and couldn’t accommodate any tours. Needless to say it still was a very pleasant experience and nice place to visit.

Chumash Casino

Now with a name like Gamble you know we couldn’t leave the SYV without making a pit-stop at the Chumash Casino. Neither my husband nor I had ever been there before and really didn’t know what to expect. When we got there though we realized that it was a true casino like many of those in Vegas. However, there were some differences. This casino’s age limit is 18, not 21 like Vegas. Because of that there is no alcohol served in the actual casino. You can purchase alcohol, however, upstairs at the Willow Restaurant but only if you purchase food.

So when we got to the casino my husband made his way over to the blackjack table and I didn’t see him again for at least four hours. I meandered around and played a variety of slot machines (that’s pretty much it for me) as well as checked out some of the other floors in the building. The main casino permits smoking. However, on the third floor is nonsmoking and there are slots as well as a poker room. After about four hours of slots (didn’t really win anything) and wandering around I decided to go to the restaurant to have a snack and a glass of vino. After a quick glance at the appetizer menu I ordered the clams and then peruse the wine list to pick out just the right wine. I initially order the Kalawashaq Zinfandel from Paso Robles. The smell was incredible, however, when I took a sip I immediately noticed the sweet licorice taste. I tried a couple more sips after letting it sit for a while but finally realized I wouldn’t be able to finish it. I then asked the server if I could try the Robert Hall 2006 Syrah instead.

She was very polite and brought me the glass of Syrah. She explained that she’d just opened the Zinfandel and that it hadn’t had a chance to breathe and was probably just tight. The Robert Hall Syrah on the other hand was perfect. The smell of cherries and blackberries immediately caught my attention. The taste was smoky and the finish, very smooth.

After my wine and my snack I decided it was time to gather up my husband before he gambled away the kids’ college funds. I found him still sitting at the blackjack table still playing. He played another round our so and then decided he’d had enough blackjack for the day. While walking it out we both agreed that we still like the Vegas casinos best of all. What else would we say…we usually win in Vegas.