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| What will the Rhone Rangers say to this? |
Sparkling Grenache anyone? Sparkling Syrah? You would not expect to find those at a Dry Creek Valley winery, would you...but that is exactly what awaits at the latest winery in the region to get certified organic in the vines.
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| Winemaker Ashley Herzberg, Proprietor Vicky Farrow, Vineyard Manager Paco Mendoza, Hospitality Manager Jackie Cain, Estate Director Brian Shapiro |
It all started in the 1990s when the late Mike Farrow, a chemist fell in love with wine, at first making it in his garage. But it didn't stop there. With his wife Vicky, he bought a Dry Creek Valley vineyard–full of Chardonnay grapes (surrounded by a sea of Zinfandel). The Farrows were not very knowledgeable (by their own admission) about the venture when they started out, but learned over time.
They started to gravitate toward climate appropriate Rhone varieties and began grafting some vines over to Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah.
In 2011, they hired winemaker Ashley Herzberg, a fan of organics and mother of young children. (She also consults to Avaline, the celebrity branded importing organically grown wines from Europe and bottling them under the Avaline label.)
How did their sparkling Syrah start? Vicky says it was, like so many things at Amista, a happy accident:
"We’d been making Chardonnay and Syrah from our estate vineyards and Zinfandel and Cabernet with fruit from our Dry Creek neighbors since we launched Amista in 2004. We made our first Rosé of Syrah in 2005. In 2007, our winemaker asked if he could have some of the rosé juice to make a sparkling wine in his winemaking class using the traditional Methode Champenoise. We said, 'Sure, as long as we get to taste it!'
It was delicious, so in 2008 we decided to try making our own Sparkling Syrah. It was beautiful – a glittering raspberry color – and became an instant hit. I call it 'joy in a bottle.'"
When Rack and Riddle opened its doors in Healdsburg, up the road, in 2014, the stage was set for more. Herzberg credits Rack and Riddle's Penny Gadd-Coster for her mentorship and skill in making the traditional method wines.
If you're curious, yes, they also make still wines, and the GSM is a popular hit.
And of course, what pairs with sparkling? Popcorn with lemon herbs sprinkled on top. (Free with your tasting). And what else? Caviar and local creme fraiche, bien sur. ($35 with your tasting).
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| Whitefish caviar was delicious...will have to seek it out. |
The child friendly (popcorn and vines) and dog friendly winery has a big covered tasting porch outside (with solar panels on top of it) looking out over a beautiful view of the mountains and forested hills. (There's plenty of indoor seating, too). And of course, the vines.
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| A perfect, unpressured place to have a lazy day... |
It's relaxing, knowing that the vines are organic (no worries about kids running through them) and it's inspiring, too, to know the vines are tended by someone who is truly proud they are organic–Paco Mendoza, who was ecstatic when they got their CCOF sign.
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| Ashley and Vicky on The Good Stuff podcast |
Vicky and Ashley were recently featured on Sonoma County's wine podcast here where you can hear more about the story of this friendly (Amista means "making friends" in Spanish) winery, where spending a relaxing time is easy.
Crazily enough, general manager Brian Shapiro, had a history of organics as a student in wine classes. Just a coincidence, but the ways of fate are mysterious and wonder-filled.
Give yourself a relaxing afternoon off and visit...destress. Enjoy life. You've earned it.
(The winery is located just about a block south of the Dry Creek General store.)
I would also add these sparkling wines would make a great gift or something special to bring to a party. Probably no one has had sparkling Syrah before.
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