2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Santa Clara Valley Winners

Santa Clara Valley also had a great showing in the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. There is no shortage of good wine regions here in Silicon Valley. We've only been in the area once, which is sad given how close we are, so I'll reserve any ratings.

Castillos Hillside Shire Winery

• 2010 Castillos Winery, San Benito, Chilbec $30.00 - Silver (All Red Blends - $25.00 - $34.99)
• 2009 Castillos Winery, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Franc $28.00 - Bronze (Cabernet Franc)
• 2010 Castillos Winery, San Benito, Malbec $25.00 - Bronze (Malbec)
• 2010 Castillos Winery, Santa Clara Valley, Merlot $26.00 - Bronze (Merlot - $25.00 to $29.99)

Fortino Winery

• 2008 Santa Clara Valley, Charbono $40.00 - Gold (All Other Red Varietals)
• 2010 Estate Bottled, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon $28.00 - Silver (Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to $29.99)
• NV Red Table Wine, Central Coast, Maribella $18.95 - Best of Class (All Red Blends - $15.00 - $24.99)

Guglielmo Winery

• 2009 Private Reserve, Santa Clara Valley, Charbono $25.00 - Bronze (All Other Red Varietals)

Jason-Stephens Winery

• 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon $28.00 - Silver (Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to $29.99)
• 2008 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon $28.00 - Silver (Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to $29.99)
• 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Meritage $34.00 - Silver (Bordeaux Blends - $30.00 to $39.99)
• 2008 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Merlot $24.00 - Silver (Merlot- $20.00 to $24.99)
• 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Malbec $30.00 - Silver (Malbec)
• 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Mourvedre $28.00 - Silver (Mourvedre)
• 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Petit Verdot $32.00 - Bronze (Petit Verdot)
• 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Franc $32.00 - Bronze (Cabernet Franc)
• 2011 Estate Reserve, Santa Clara Valley, Chardonnay $30.00 - Silver (Chardonnay - $30.00 to $34.99)
• 2011 Estate Select, Santa Clara Valley, Chardonnay $20.00 - Bronze (Chardonnay - $20.00 to $24.99)

Martin Ranch Winery

• 2009 Therese Vyds Dos Ninas, Santa Clara Valley, Syrah $28.00 - Bronze (Syrah/Shiraz - $25.00 to $29.99)
• 2008 JD Hurley, Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Sauvignon $25.00 - Best of Class (Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to $29.99)
• 2009 JD Hurley Merlot, Santa Clara Valley, Merlot $23.00 - Gold (Merlot- $20.00 to $24.99)
• 2010 JD Hurley Carignane, Santa Clara Valley, Carignane $25.00 - Silver (All Other Red Varietals)
• 2010 JD Hurley Griva, Arroyo Seco, Riesling $25.00 - Silver (Riesling - RS<1.49)
• 2009 Therese Vyd Lester Family, Santa Cruz Mountains, Syrah $35.00 - Bronze (Syrah/Shiraz - $30.00 to $39.99)
• 2011 Therese Vyds Griva, Arroyo Seco, Sauvignon Blanc $27.00 - Silver (Sauvignon Blanc or Fume - $20.00 & Over)
• 2010 JD Hurley, Santa Clara Valley, Zinfandel $24.00 - Silver (Zinfandel - $20.00 to $24.99)
• 2008 Therese Vyds Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Sauvignon $45.00 - Bronze (Cabernet Sauvignon - $40.00 to $49.99)

Sarah's Vineyard

• 2011 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Chardonnay $29.99 - Bronze (Chardonnay - $25.00 to $29.99)
• 2009 Central Coast, Zinfandel $19.99 - Silver (Zinfandel - up to $19.99)
• 2011 Central Coast, Pinot Noir $19.99 - Gold (Pinot Noir - up to $19.99)
• 2011 Central Coast, Chardonnay $19.99 - Silver (Chardonnay - $15.00 to $19.99)
• 2009 Santa Clara Valley, Cote de Madone $30.00 - Silver (Rhone Blends)
• 2011 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Pinot Noir $34.99 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $30.00 to $34.99)
• 2011 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Cote de Madone Blanc $25.00 - Silver (White Blends Over $15.00)

Satori Cellars

• 2008 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Petite Sirah $24.99 - Gold (Petite Sirah - $20.00 & Over)
• 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Joyous $34.00 - Silver (Bordeaux Blends - $30.00 to $39.99)
• 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Franc $29.00 - Silver (Cabernet Franc)
• 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Syrah $29.00 - Silver (Syrah/Shiraz - $25.00 to $29.99)
• 2010 Estate Zen Zin, Santa Clara Valley, Primitivo $28.00 - Double Gold (Primitivo)
• 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Harmonic Convergence $30.00 - Bronze (All Red Blends - $25.00 - $34.99)
• 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Petite Sirah $24.99 - Silver (Petite Sirah - $20.00 & Over)
• 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Zinfandel $28.00 - Bronze (Zinfandel - $25.00 to $29.99)
• 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Merlot $24.99 - Double Gold (Merlot- $20.00 to $24.99)

Solis Winery

• 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Zinfandel $28.00 - Bronze (Zinfandel - $25.00 to $29.99)
• 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Merlot $32.00 - Gold (Merlot - $30.00 to $39.99)
• 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Syrah $24.00 - Bronze (Syrah/Shiraz - $20.00 to $24.99)
• 2010 Santa Clara Valley, Seducente $24.00 - Bronze (Italian Blends - Up to $24.99)
• 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Sangiovese $24.00 - Bronze (Sangiovese)
• 2010 Santa Clara Valley, Baciami $30.00 - Silver (Rhone Blends)

A Sherman Cellars Groupon

In September I purchased a $25 for Wine-and-Chocolate Pairing for Two and $25 Toward a Bottle of Wine ($55 Value) groupon for Sherman Cellars in downtown San Jose. We had never been to Creekview Vineyards and it was just a good enough deal to prod me to go. Besides, how can you go wrong with a wine and chocolate pairing?

Sherman Cellars, a tasting room exclusively for Creekview Vineyards, was easy enough to find, located a block from San Jose's downtown park just 15 minutes from our house. On the way we realized that the groupon said we needed reservations. Sue gave them a ring and luckily they said to come on in.

Tim Gallant, the cellar manager, met us at the door and guided us through the tasting. He told us all about the winery, wine, and chocolate. He was very approachable and we had a pleasant conversation with him. Tim told us that a high percentage of their business comes from the downtown convention centers and hotels.

Our tasting was paired with Brix Chocolate, chocolate created by a pulmonologist specifically to pair with wine. The story is: Dr. Nick Proia would meet with friends monthly to drink wine and eat cheese. The doctor didn't think the cheese was very healthy, so he created the chocolate, which was healthier. The chocolate enhanced the tasting quite nicely. Chocolate or cheese both work for me, health benefits or detriments aside.

The tasting room was a tad small, with room for two, or three couples tops at the bar. It was nicely decorated, with even a Charlie Brown Christmas tree up. Local artists had jewelry, glass infusion, and even some grandma's gardens wine aprons on display, ready for purchase. The front door of the place was open which made it a little cold, on the brisk autumn day.

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

The tasting started with a nice sparkling wine, which was too sweet for me, but Sue gladly enjoyed both of our pours. The Pinot was a little bland, but I liked it. We tasted a very nice old vine Zinfandel, from vines at least 150 years old., which I thought Jose might enjoy. We also tried an old vine Mourvedre, which Tim said he had to decant for 48 hours to get all the flavors out of, while writing tasting notes. All in all we tried 7 wines, most of which were very nice.

After spending a good hour enjoying the tasting, we purchased a selection of wine and a pack of chocolate to enjoy in the future. Sherman Cellars is a nice place to visit if you can't take the time to get out of the city.

Coterie Cellars Living Social Deal

My wife bought a living social deal to taste at Coterie Cellars, an urban winery in San Jose. I had never heard of the winery and was eager to try their wine.

The winery was in a clean industrial park area, just south of where 87 intersects 280, easy to find with GPS assistance.

Unit 110 - Coterie Cellars

The tasting event took place in the winery's warehouse like, all purpose room, which could comfortably fit 20 to 30 people. There were barrels, cases of wine, and wine making equipment all around. A nice plate of cheese and crackers were available to enjoy as Ken poured a taste of 5 wines.

There was a wide variety of participants, ranging from young to old, serious to not so serious wine enthusiasts. The wine maker, Kyle Loudon, worked the room, entertaining group by group with wine talk. He was very inviting and spoke passionately about his wine.

Ken served up 5 wines to taste

The wine was very good. Ken started us off with a chilled 2008 Rose made from Syrah. We both liked it, but the finish didn't work for me. Next Ken served us a 2009 Roussanne, a white wine served at room temperature. I don't recall ever having this varietal before. It was a dryer wine, but I didn't get a lot of taste out of it. We were then served two Pinots: 2008 Saralee's Vinyard from the Russian River Valley, and 2009 Tondre Grapefield from the Santa Lucia Highlands. We asked Ken what was up with the Tondre. He told us that the farmer had a field of carrots, a field of broccoli, and a field of grapes. After tasting the wine, I knew this was an incredible field of grapes. Sue could not get over the nose of the this Pinot; she smelled fertilized fields and soggy grass. I hoped I wasn't smelling that. I knew I was enjoying the taste. It really exploded in the mouth as it warmed up. Lastly we were served the 2008 Syrah, which was also very good.

The leaving part took a while. I kept waiting for the line to die down, but it never seemed to. Why is it that tasting rooms are usually very good at serving tastings, but rarely good at selling the wine? 15 couples in the room, mostly finishing up at the same time, and trying to purchase wine from one seller is not efficient. It wasn't quite that bad, but close. No complaints though, it "forced" us to take another try of the Tondre and the Syrah.

We spoke with Kyle as he assisted with the back up. He told us how the winery was owned by him and his wife. He told us how he and his wife, Ken, and the lady working the register did a range of jobs, depending on the day. He said, "We keep it in the family." I asked if they were all related. They laughed and said they were related by wine.

The spoils

We left the enjoyable tasting, eager to try the wine later.

Winery Details

Epilogue

When Sue saw the Tondre she thought we had seen it before. It turns out that this is one of the Pinots we purchased at A Taste of Monterey a couple of weeks earlier. I'll keep my eyes peeled for these wonderful grapes used elsewhere.

I contacted Tondre Wines. They said they sell 80% of their grapes to wineries.

Silver Mountain Vineyards also has a Tondre Pinot we found at the Los Gatos Whole Foods. I've got to get over there.

Gilroy Wineries - June 25, 2011

A friend and member of my team, Mark Romano, was in town, so we made plans to explore a couple of wineries around Gilroy, the "Garlic Capital of the World", on Saturday. I like to buy the members of my team a bottle of wine for Christmas. Mark works remotely, and instead of sending his bottle, I always wait for him 
to come out to head quarters and we go wine tasting to find him a bottle he really likes.

I pulled up the wineries within 10 miles of Gilroy and sent it to the potential group. Those interested did some research and we came up with the plan. Mark, Bob, Michel, and my wife and I agreed to meet at the first winery at 11:00.

11:00 AM - Sycamore Creek Vineyards

Bob suggested Sycamore Creek because it had some good yelp reviews. Yelp did not steer us wrong.

The tasting room was very nice. It was large with plenty of room for tasting. It was very functional and layed out nicely. It had a nice bathroom, which sounds strange to mention, but if you've ever sipped a nice Cab and then been forced to use a porta-potty you might appreciate the information.

The staff was very attentive, informative, and cordial. They answered all of our questions and filled us in on all their wines.

All of the wine tasted very good. My favorites were the 2007 Merlot, 2007 Cab Franc, and 2007 Mosaic. I found I preferred the 2007 Cab - Winemaker's Selection to the 2007 Reserve Cab. I also picked up one of the 2006 Mosaic for grins. Bob bought one of these so we could taste it. He didn't like it as much as the 2007. I wasn't so quick to jump to this conclusion, as the 2006 was very smooth. Afterwards we found out that the 2007 had been open for 3 days, so perhaps it was all about the breathing. Michel and I found a great deal in the $100 a case 2005 Old Vine Cab. We picked up one to split. You can't go wrong with a less than $10 a bottle wine you enjoy drinking. What an amazing deal! This replaces my previously favorite deal of $15 a bottle David Bruce Russion River Pinot Noir, which must be bought by the case to get that price and can be inconsistent, but is still one heck of a deal.

Mark's favorite wine was the 2007 Merlot. I agree, it was very nice wine.

Bob was disappointed that they were out of the Cab-Shiraz blend. He said he really likes this blend. I don't recall ever trying it.

Winery Details

Noon - Sarah's Vineyard

I had enjoyed a Pinot from Sarah's before and wanted to check the place out for myself.

The tasting room was nice. There was plenty of room for tasting. There was a small art gallery. The grounds were very scenic. Jose said they had a nice place to play bocce, but I didn't see this.

The staff was attentive and cordial.

I didn't care for most of the wine, but I did like 2009 Estate Pinot, which wasn't exactly on the $5 tasting menu. I'm a big fan of Pinots, and wanted to try them all so I took a page out of Bob's book and promised to buy two that were not on the menu if she allowed us to taste them. In the end I bought 2 of the 2009 Estate Pinots.

Winery Details

1:00 - Lunch

We opened one of the 2009 Estate Pinots and enjoyed a nice lunch on a shaded picnic table at Sarah's. They were setting up for a big event and we tried to stay out of their way. We had sandwiches, cheese, prosciutto, crackers, olives, good company, and good wine. What more could anyone want?

2:00 - Solis Winery

The tasting room was very nice. The counter was a tad small, but accommodated all of us and 2 other groups with plenty of space. They had a very nice picnic area out back with a fantastic view of the vineyard.

The staff was very attentive, informative, and cordial. I learned that I had been mispronouncing Meritage. The staff pointed out, and wiki confirms, the word should be pronounced to rhyme with heritage. 

I didn't care for any of the wine we tasted. My wife liked the Seducente, which was served with a wink by the Anne Hathaway looking pourer, so we picked up a couple of bottles. Perhaps a second taste will change my opinion.

Winery Details

3:00 - Jason-Stephens Winery

We didn't originally plan to go here, but we were in the mood to hit another winery before we left and we had received a couple of recommendations for this place along the way.

The tasting room looked like an unfinished basement, with drop cloth walls on a couple of sides. The counter was a good size.

The staff was very attentive, informative, and cordial. It was confirmed again, that I was indeed Frenchifying Meritage.

The wine was very good. Given this was the fourth winery, I was a little past my prime tasting, but enjoyed everything we tried. My favorites were the Syrah and The Blend. Our pourer loved the Blend and explained that it came about by the staff experimenting with blending Syrah and Cab. I thought it deserved a try on it's own, and picked up a bottle.

After the trip I noticed on their website that they had a Monte Bello Road Cab that I don't recall trying. At $70 a bottle, it's probably good we didn't try it.

Winery Details

Epilogue

In the end I found a 2005 Burrel School Cab Franc hiding in the fridge, my last one, that I gave Mark. He had loved this the year before.