There are a few Pinots and Chardonnays from top producers in the USA that I have not tasted, but so far, Porter Creek Vineyards is my top pick, year in and year out.
The wines, the people, the site, the farming – are all tops in my book. I shared this wine with a Pinot expert at a recent group tasting and his reaction was, "Top Burgundy."
So I am so excited to share the news with you that this family run (totally) winery in Healdsburg is, for the first time, offering vineyard and winery tours with proprietor Alex Davis himself. Trained in Burgundy under the famed Georges Roumier and yet as down home as can be, Alex is a true vigneron.
The estate, on a hillside on the perfect West Side Road location, looks and feels (and tastes) Burgundian. The farming and winemaking has been biodynamic for decades (and organic as well). I've bought cases and cases. In fact, there is more from Porter Creek in my cellar than anything else.
Here's what a recent email from the winery says:
"Join Alex for an epic 4-wheel drive truck tour of our steep hillside vineyards. Enjoy the spectacular views from the hilltop. View first hand all of the individual vineyards sites on the property and the winery where everything is made. Learn about our ecological farming practices, minimal intervention winemaking, what Alex integrates from his time in Burgundy and old Westside Road winemaking lore. Alex grew up on this property in the late 1970’s and 1980’s as “the boy next door” to all of the OG’s of the local Pinot Noir movement, such as Davis Bynum, Gary Farrell, Burt Williams, Ed Selyem, Joe & Tom Rochioli and of course his father, Porter Creek founder, George Davis.
This part of the experience should last about 45 minutes, and then included in the price is our "Grand Wine Tasting" at our tasting room, now with a much deeper understanding of how and where our wines are produced.
*Upon request the tour can been done on foot provided the weather is conducive and everyone is in the group is up for a brisk hike.
The tour can be between 2-5 guests, $125 per person or $100/person for our wine club members. If you would like to make a reservation, please click here to visit our website to reserve through Tock. It is also possible to email us at info@portercreekvineyards.com or call us at 707-433-6321 to request a reservation for a time not listed.
You can also book a wine tasting reservation without a tour, for our "Grand Wine Tasting", which includes one Chardonnay and 4 Pinot Noirs...all grown, made, bottled and labelled on our property. Of course, there is always a "surprise" bonus wine of our choice, for a total of 6 wines presented, for $50 per person.
A 2-bottle purchase per person waives the $50 "Grand Wine Tasting".
For your tasting experience, you are welcome to join us at our famous wine bar in the [rustic, picturesque] tasting room, or sit at one of our 20 outside tables, all offering beautiful views of our property. There is a $25, non-refundable, outside table-service fee if you choose our outdoor experience.
Thank you for taking the time to read through our newsletter.
We look forward to hosting you!
Sincerely,
Alex & Ann, Fiona & Hayley
Jonathan & Scott
Crystal, Paul, Ali & Karly
Porter Creek Vineyards
707-433-6321
If you haven't been to Porter Creek, you owe it to yourself to visit. If you have guests visiting this summer, this experience will be one they will remember. Nothing like the big corporate wineries who just want you to join their wine club. Porter Creek would be my favorite wine club to recommend (and I used to be a member until I filled up my cellar with a LOT of their wine. I think I still have about 10 cases down in the basement).
And if you're looking for rosé, this is also the place to find it, along with Carignane and Zin (lower priced than the Pinot and Chard) if you need some 'pizza wine" or reds that aren't Pinot.
No comments:
Post a Comment