North Coast Wine Awards: Organically Grown Winners

Judges: winemaker Paul Dolan and Virginia Boone of Press Democrat
the 2013 competition.

What's a newspaper in northern California without a winery competition?

The Press Democrat's was held last month with a public tasting held yesterday.

The organically grown winning wines were:

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

94 points
Naughty Boy Rose ($16)

Happy to see a small local mom and pop winery in Potter Valley rate this highly! This has been one of my go-to house roses ever since I visited and tasted their wines with them down by the river behind their house. That was back in 2011.

Today they have a tasting room in Hopland (next to McFaddens) on the main drag, across from the Bluebird Cafe.

The name Naughty Boy comes from their dog.

91 points
Hagafen Riesling, Devoto Ranch (Lake County) ($21)

90 points

Barra/Girasole Hybrid Red ($13)
From longtime organic growers, who produce a variety of organically grown wines from 200+ acres, this affordable everyday red did well in the competition.

Masut Pinot Noir, Block 7
Masut Pinot Noir, Block 1

Masut, run by third generation Fetzer brothers, is the biggest challenger to the notion that, in Mendocino, only Anderson Valley produces great Pinot. This unique site in the western side of the Sanel Valley is one of the most beautiful vineyards I've visited in all of California. Recently the winery has been experimenting with single block bottlings. (Not for sale on their web site - alas). You can find their estate Pinot online for $40 or available by the magnum for $88.

Bargain Hunter's Bonanza: Cases $49-99 in Barra's Big Sale

People often complain about spending $15-20 for a bottle of wine. We don't get California, organically grown wine for much less than that at retail.

But local organic producers should be the ones supplying our markets, not cheap imports (usually subsidized by their governments and not organically grown).

If you want to buy local and organic, and pay no more than you would at the supermarket checkout line wine price (or Trader Joe's), my answer is: hit the sales at Barra of Mendocino.

Muscat Canelli

Located in Ukiah, this winery (all organically grown wines, and bottle labeled as such) is sometimes distributed in Whole Foods stores - but not at closeout prices as low as their own winery sale.

This seasonal closeout sale makes their wines even more affordable. The only trick is you have to a. know about the sale, and b. order online. Even with shipping, you'll still be saving beaucoup de bucks.

If you're having a party (graduation, birthdays, whatever) these are great wines to serve. Whether you like red or white, they're perfect for a basic house wine to have on hand. I've bought cases of the Zin over the years as a house red.

Having pizza? The Zin is great. Serving up cheese and crackers on a hot summer evening, bring out the Pinot Grigio or one of the red wines. The muscat cannelli is a perfect summer sipper - just a little bit of sweetness (not the in your face BIG SWEET).

You can mix and match wines below so order a sampler case for yourself, see what you like and then stock up.

Even if you shop at Bargain Outlet, you can't do better pricewise than this sale.

Zinfandel

$49 Case ($4 a bottle; sold by case only)

• Sweet Thang (too sweet for me)

$69 Case ($5.75 a bottle)

• Muscat Canelli (usually $16 a bottle)
• Pinot Grigio (usually $18 a bottle)

Their Girasole brand has the following wines on sale:

• Zinfandel
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Hybrid Red (Cab, Merlot and Syrah)

$99 Case ($8.25 a bottle)

• Barra Zinfandel (usually $20 a bottle)


Barra was started by Charlie Barra, a grower who has been growing grapes for more than 50 years in Ukiah. In addition to his many accomplishments in the history of California grape growing and wine making (starting the first AVA, organizing growers, and more), he has been a great friend and supporter of Slow Foods and its scholarship fund, a very worthy endeavor.

He has about 200 acres of vines in Ukiah and a tasting room there by the side of Highway 101 where you can try all of these wines and more.

Winery is located at www.barraofmendocino.com or call the tasting room at 707.485.0322.

NOTE: This sale is not noted on their web site so you will need to contact the winery directly.

NYTimes Wine Critic Eric Asimov Visits Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Eric Asimov

It's nice to see Eric Asimov tasting his way through our newly crowned King-(or is it Queen, as Oregon might be the King)-of-the-Pinot regions, as he writes about in his recent New York Times article Pinot Hunting in the Anderson Valley and the list of wines entitled "A California Shangri-La for Pinot Noir." Nice title.

Alas, though, our intrepid wine critic and his two tasting buddies tasted only 20 wines from the region (he admits this was a minus) and only those available at retail. The tasting question to be answered, in part, was whether or not there was a discernible style of Anderson Pinot. Asimov's answer is no; there is a wide variety of styles.

I don't know of any of the vineyards in the list that are certified organic, but at least his article makes no pretension of having done the definitive tasting.

High on his list was Radio Coteau, which sources some of its wines from organic growers (although I don't know if this specific wine, the Savoy Vineyard, was from one - I seem to remember they might be - but again - would have to call Radio Coteau). Anthill Farms rated #1 in quality and value. I've heard that some of their vineyards are organic but I can't say, as I've never heard back from them in any emails.

I would have liked to have seen Asimov's tasting results for these organically grown beauties: Handley's estate Pinot Noir, Lutea's Anderson Valley releases, Radio Coteau's, and others.

At any rate, it's nice to see Anderson Valley getting this kind of focused attention.

In contrast to Asimov's viva la difference approach to an Anderson Valley style, the Chronicle's Jon Bonne reviews a totally different group of bottles and finds, as his headline says, "Identity issues in Anderson Valley," saying "It has been tough to get my head around Anderson Valley."

But luckily for us, Bonne's included Charlie Barra's Girasole Pinot Noir ($16) in his lineup (despite the fact that I think it is grown in hot, inland Ukiah and not in Anderson Valley but what the hey - it's all Mendocino County, I guess), giving it high marks.

"Subtle, strawberry-tinged...rises above most Pinot Noir at this price and shows a truth to itself, with its floral and birch-bark aspects," Bonne wrote. "Jason Welch has found a way to let Pinot from a relatively warm spot speak with class and without pretense."

Well said, and, of course, it's one of the wines in my forthcoming app. (And has been since Day 1). Stay tuned!

Mendo Wine Winners: Listed By Varietal

REDS

Bordeaux Blend (2)
Bonterra's flagship wine over the new/old Testa, which has been growing for decades, but bottling under their own name only recently.
Double Gold
Bonterra McNab, 2006
Bronze
Testa, Black (blend with Cabernet)

Cabernet Sauvignon (4)
Gold
Paul Dolan, 2010
Bronze
Barra, 2009
Bonterra, 2010
Terra Savia, 2009

Carignane (2)
This is an impressive debut for Testa's Carignane.
Double Gold
Testa, 2010
Bronze
Frey (NSA), NV

Charbono (1)
An old Italian varietal showcased.
Double Gold
Testa, 2010

Italian Varietals (2)
Chiarito's dry farmed, organic vineyard produced high quality deep flavors.
Double Gold
Chiarito, 2009 Nero D'Avola (not certified but organic)
Silver
Chiarito, 2009 Negramoro

Malbec (1)
A boutique, small production of 100% Malbec.
Silver
Saracina, 2010

Merlot (1)
Bronze
Bonterra, 2010

Petite Sirah (1)
Silver
Chiarito, 2009

Pinot Noir (8)
A surprising "Gold" for Girasole.
Double Gold
Handley - Anderson Valley (Estate), 2009
Gold
Girasole, 2010
Silver
Barra, 2009
Bonterra, 2010
Paul Dolan - Filigreen, 2007
Paul Dolan - Potter Valley, 2009
Bronze
McFadden, 2007
Naughty Boy, 2009

Red Blends (3)
Silver
Paul Dolan, Deep Red, 2008 (Petit Sirah, Primativo, Syrah, Grenache)
Bronze
Bonterra, The Butler, 2007 (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre)
Testa, Black, 2009

Rose (4)
Yorkville Cellars' rose is on the sweet side; the others are relatively dry.
Gold
Testa (Carignane), 2011
Silver
Barra, 2011
Naughty Boy, 2011
Yorkville Cellars, 2011

Zinfandel (3)
It's surprising that Zins haven't done better in Mendo.
Silver
Bonterra, 2009
Patianna, 2009
Paul Dolan, 2010

WHITES

Chardonnay (7)
More surprises - Bonterra's takes the top spot; and McFadden takes a silver, as high as benchmark Chardonnay producer Handley.
Double Gold
Bonterra, 2010
Silver
Barra, 2010
Frey, 2010
Handley Cellars, 2010
McFadden, 2010
Bronze
Girasole, 2010
Paul Dolan, 2010

Gewurztraminer (1)
Silver
McFadden, 2009

Muscat (1)
Warning: This one's way too sweet for my taste. (Girasole's sister wine, Barra, has a muscat that is better.)
Silver
Girasole, 2011

Pinot Blanc (1)
A notable achievement.
Gold
Girasole, 2010

Pinot Gris (1) 
Silver
McFadden, 2011

Riesling (1)
Silver
McFadden, 2010

Sauvignon Blanc (6)
All three top winners are very different - you might enjoy a taste-off comparison tasting.
Gold
Patianna, 2010
Paul Dolan, 2011
Saracina, 2011
Silver
Bink, 2011
McFadden, 2009
Yorkville Cellars, 2011

Viognier (2)
The Bonterra is a personal favorite of mine - particularly in the summer.
Gold
Bonterra
Bronze
Campovida

Sparkling (2)
My favorite go to sparkling wine is the McFadden, of course. (I have never seen the Patianna for sale anywhere, but would like to try it.)
Double Gold
McFadden Brut (NV)
Silver
Patianna, 2008

Real Sunflowers for Girasole (which means sunflower in Italian)

Girasole Wines for sale at Whole Foods in Chicago

It's nice to see Real Sunflowers in the display for Girasole wines at the Chicago Whole Foods store, isn't it?

Thanks to Martha at Barra of Mendocino/Girasole wines for forwarding the photo to me. And thanks to Whole Foods for carrying organically grown wines.

Photos from a Taste of Mendo: 19 Wineries with Organically Grown Wines Participated

It was a warm, breezy evening when hundreds filled Fort Mason to taste wines from Mendocino's three main areas: Ukiah/Hopland, Redwood Valley and Anderson Valley. More than 19 wineries offering organically grown wines participated.

Here are some photo highlights of the event.

It was a warm summery evening...

The exhibit hall was broken down into geographical
sections with Hopland/Ukiah in the front, Anderson Valley
on the left, and Redwood/Potter Valley in the back

Only a small map up high by the bathrooms
gave visitors an overview of the region
and its wineries; it would be nice to see
something more elaborate in future events

Here's the Ukiah Hopland section; there was no labeling for organic producers

Parducci poured

Fetzer poured a number of its wines, including its Coro

Paul Dolan booth

Yorkville Cellars is one of the few organic wineries in Anderson Valley
I was glad to meet the owners after visiting last month

Guinness McFadden (in the turquoise shirt) was on hand to pour
McFadden Wines; many of his organically grown grapes also
go into prestigious wines from Napa's Paris-tasting winner
Chateau Montelena and other wineries

Martha Barra of Barra and Girasole, affordably priced wines 

I finally got a chance to meet Maria Testa of Testa Wines; she makes
a natural, organic "Black" wine, which is 89% Cabernet ($20)

The event is great for bringing together all of Mendo's producers in one hall - a chance you won't find if you visit the region. However if you do want to visit the region, next weekend would be a good time to visit - it's the annual Taste of Redwood Valley, when 9 participating wineries open their doors. One fee gets you a two day pass in to see all of them. More than half are organic and some (small premium Cab producer Oster) open their doors only for visits on this day.

Mark Your Calendar: A Taste of Redwood Valley - Open House of 5 Organic Wineries June 17-19

The annual Taste of Redwood Valley takes place on Father's Day weekend every year - June 17-19 this year. Five wineries in the event offer organically grown wines.

Barra/Girasole
Frey
Oster (generally not open to the public)
Testa (generally open only by appt.)

(Graziano also has one organically grown wine - the Eddie's Vineyard Zin.)

There will be a winemaker dinner on Friday night anx two days of tasting, art and music. The cost is $80 for all the events (advance online ticketing) or $55 for the winemaker dinner and $35 for the two day tasting pass.

Redwood Valley is just east of Ukiah. It's about 2 hours and 15 minute drive from the Bay Area.