Thomas Fogarty Winery Online Tasting Experience

On a whim, I ordered a Virtual Tasting from Thomas Fogarty Winery. By on a whim, I mean an email offer came to me at the right time during the shelter in place. A lot of wineries have discovered the right time recently. I'm sure my name is on a list that people pay good money for. I imagine this list is titled, "Send this guy an email. He'll buy your wine, sometimes if he's never even heard of you before. Discounts help".

The virtual tasting included two bottles of Pinot, cost $109, and included free shipping.

It started on Friday at 5 PM PST.

We joined a zoom session and enjoyed an hour of discussion of the two wines and interesting tidbits about the vineyards, including some fun pictures. Tom Fogarty Jr, winemaker Nathan Kandler, founding winemaker Michael Martella, and wine director and sommelier at Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay John Toigo did a good job entertaining us and answering questions people typed in the chat.

I wasn't sure if there was going to be face to face communication during the zoom. There wasn't. I felt bad that Sue got all gussied up, from the waist up, and even put on make up. She looked great, but no one but me could see her.

We tasted the 2016 Razorback Vineyard and 2016 Rapley Trail Vineyard. We both enjoyed the wine and the experience.

I think the experience could be improved by giving more of a deal. $109 may have been a deal, but it didn't feel like it to me. Even without a reduction in price, I still would do it again if Sue wanted to.

YouTube of the Event

2019 SF Chronicle Wine Competition Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Medal Winners

The 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition results are in. Congratulations to the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA winners on again creating some incredible Pinots.

Pinot Noir - $32.00 - $35.99

• 2010 Muccigrosso, Santa Cruz Mountains, $35.00 - Bronze
• 2017 Soquel Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, Partners' Reserve, $35.00 - Silver

Pinot Noir - $36.00 - $39.99

• 2014 Storrs, Santa Cruz Mountains, $38.00 - Bronze

Pinot Noir - $40.00 - $43.99

• 2015 Cinnabar, Santa Cruz Mountains, $42.00 - Silver
• 2016 Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, $43.00 - Bronze
• 2015 Left Bend, Santa Cruz Mountains, $42.00 - Silver
• 2015 Silvertip Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, $40.00 - Bronze
• 2017 Soquel Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, Estate, $40.00 - Silver

Pinot Noir - $44.00 - $47.99

• 2017 Bargetto, Santa Cruz Mountains, Regan Estate Vineyards, $45.00 - Best of Class
• 2014 Martin Ranch, Santa Cruz Mountains, Lester Family Vineyards, Therese Vineyards, $47.00 - Bronze
• 2016 Sonnet Wine Cellars, Santa Cruz Mountains, Muns Vineyard, $45.00- Gold
• 2016 Sonnet Wine Cellars, Santa Cruz Mountains, Black Ridge Vineyard, $45.00 - Silver
• 2017 Soquel Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, Saveria Vineyard, $45.00 - Double Gold
• 2017 Soquel Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, 30th Anniversary Regan Vineyards, $45.00 - Gold
• 2017 Soquel Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, Lester Family Vineyard, $45.00 - Silver

Pinot Noir - $48.00 - $52.99

• 2016 Sonnet Wine Cellars, Santa Cruz Mountains, Gali Vineyard, $50.00 - Silver

Pinot Noir - $60.00 - $66.99

• 2015 Apriori, Santa Cruz Mountains, Hicks Family Vineyard, $60.00 - Bronze
• 2017 Bargetto, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mount Eden Clone, $60.00 - Silver
• 2014 Kings Mountain Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, Clone 13, $65.00 - Silver
• 2014 Kings Mountain Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, Bacchus, $65.00 - Silver
• 2015 Partage, Santa Cruz Mountains, Coast Grade, $60.00 - Bronze

Windy Oaks Named The Prince of Pinot's 2018 Winery of the Year

Congratulations!

Windy Oaks is a jewel of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

They take such good care of their guests at the winery. It's one of my first thoughts when entertaining visiting wine lovers. When enjoying their wine and picnicking on the ridge you find yourself asking, "Does it get any better than this?"

When my sister Kylie was getting married and I was put in charge of the wine, Windy Oaks was the wine I shared with the wine enthusiasts of Nebraska.

When I want to send wine for the holidays or a special occasion, Windy Oaks is my first consideration.

When that particularly hard to please guest is interested in a glass of Pinot, Windy Oaks is my go to.

Thank you for producing such great wine.

2018 Winery of the Year: Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards & Winery

45th Birthday Tasting Revisited

As planned, I brought out the Pinots we tasted at my 45th to taste again, 3 years older.

Unfortunately, we had to set up inside due to the rain and cold. My birthday is alway hit or miss weather-wise. It's a little cozy indoors, but we make it work. Plying everyone with wine can't hurt this cause.

The tree out front was certain it was spring and cheerfully greeted our guests.

We started off with one of the Kosta Browne 20th anniversary wines: A magnum of 2015 Bootlegger's Hill, Russian River Valley, Chardonnay.

It was a beautiful wine with a surprising amount of schmutz at the bottom for a white. Its dark color surprised me given it's age. Is this a result of the oak fermentation? It was interesting to read Bootlegger's Hill is a selection of Wente clone from the Hyde Vineyard. The Patz & Hall, Hyde, Chardonnay is one of my favorites. I'll have to investigate what clones it uses.

We tasted the four Pinots while Sue filled us with bacon wrapped potatoes and pot stickers.

Results

C - 2012 Kosta Browne, Russian River Valley came in first place with an average of 3.98.

B - 2012 Thomas Fogarty, Rapley Trail, Henry Ayrtons’ Block, Santa Cruz Mountains came in second place with an average of 3.85.

A - 2012 Halleck Vineyard, Estate, Sonoma Coast came in third place with an average of 3.65.

D - 2012 Patz & Hall, Pisoni Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands came in last place with an average of 3.49.


Amazingly the Kosta Browne took first as it did in the original tasting. The average rating improved from 2.98 to 3.74. The bottles were pretty young when we originally tried them. Three years later, it was hard to pick a winner.

2018 SF Chronicle Wine Competition Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Medal Winners

The 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition results are in. Congratulations to the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA winners.

Pinot Noir: $28.00 – $31.99

• 2014 Sones, Thuy's Vineyard $29 - Bronze

Pinot Noir: $32.00 – $35.99

• 2014 McHenry Vineyard $34 - Gold
• 2015 McHenry Vineyard $34 - Gold

Pinot Noir: $36.00 – $39.99

• 2015 Windy Oaks Estate, Estate Cuvee $39 - Silver
• 2013 Nicholson Vineyards, 3 Sisters $36 - Silver
• 2014 Cinnabar $38 - Silver

Pinot Noir: $40.00 – $43.99

• 2016 Soquel Vineyards, Partners' Reserve $40 - Double Gold
• 2016 Soquel Vineyards, Lester Family Vineyard Partners' Reserve $40 - Double Gold
• 2016 Soquel Vineyards, Gali Vineyard Partners' Reserve $40 - Gold
• 2016 Soquel Vineyards, Estate Grown Partners' Reserve $40 - Gold
• 2015 Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards $43 - Bronze

Pinot Noir: $44.00 – $47.99

• 2016 Bargetto, Regan Vineyards $45 - Best of Class
• 2015 Sonnet Wine Cellars, Muns Vineyard $45 - Silver
• 2015 Sonnet Wine Cellars, Black Ridge Vineyard $45 - Silver
• 2013 Martin Ranch, Therese Vineyards Lester Family Vineyards $47 - Bronze

Pinot Noir: $48.00 – $54.99

• 2016 Soquel Vineyards, Coast Grade Vineyard Partners' Reserve $50 - Silver
• 2015 Windy Oaks Estate, Charmant Vineyard; Diane's Block $49 - Bronze

Pinot Noir: $55.00 – $64.99

• 2015 Bargetto, Mount Eden Clone $60 - Gold

Pinot Noir: $65.00 & Over

• 2014 Kings Mountain Vineyards, Clone 13 $65 - Gold
• 2016 Soquel Vineyards, Regan Vineyard Partners' Reserve $80 - Bronze
• 2015 Kings Mountain Vineyards, Clone 13 $65 - Bronze
• 2015 Kings Mountain Vineyards, Bacchus $65 - Bronze
• 2014 Kings Mountain Vineyards, Bacchus $65 - Bronze

Best Santa Cruz Mountains Value Pinots (Under $30) - Round 5

On my birthday we were joined by our friends for the fifth and final tasting of Santa Cruz Mountains Pinots under $30.

It rained days before and there was a chance of rain on the 25th so we decided to have it inside. In the end it turned out to be a beautiful, cool spring day.

Unfortunately, outside was cold and a mess from the storms. We would have to make inside work. Sue planned well. She had rented smaller chairs to fit everyone in. It was tight, but would have to work.

Since it was my birthday, I thought it a perfect time to open some of the larger bottles in my cellar. I opened and chilled a magnum of 2014 Rhys, Bearwallow, Chardonnay to start. It was like unwrapping my first birthday present of the day. A beautiful bottle in a beautiful package.

I was worried I had frozen and possibly destroyed it when I noticed a large chain of wine sediment, but judging from its taste my worries were for naught. I don't usually see a lot of sediment in whites, but perhaps that's because I don't normally age them. We definitely opened it before its prime. We're still holding the first white we bought from Rhys, waiting for their vintage chart to indicate they recommend drinking it. The Bearwallow hasn't even showed up on their vintage chart yet, but Sue and I thought it was ready to drink a year or so back when we tried and fell in love with it. Maybe we'll wait to full maturity on our other bottle.

I got out the wine charms and chose the purple koala. Silly, but fun.

I followed this up with another one of my favorites: A Patz & Hall, Hyde, Chardonnay. Mmmm.

Sue lovingly presented all my favorites starters: Bacon wrapped potatoes, pork dumplings, and meats and cheeses. One of the best parts of your birthday is getting to pick all your favorites. It's good to be the birthday boy!

We had a great time tasting and enjoying each other's company. Lots of love and not a lot of politics.

After the tasting, I opened more big bottles: A magnum of 2012 Patz & Hall, Pisoni Pinot, a magnum of 2012 Windy Oaks, Proprietor's Reserve Pinot, and a double magnum of 2011 Silvertip, Estate Pinot. There wasn't a shortage of good wine.

Results

A - 2013 Bargetto, Pommard Clone, Santa Cruz Mountains came in first place with an average of 3.38.

C - 2013 Windy Oaks, Tera Narro, Santa Cruz Mountains came in second place with an average of 3.30.

D - 2011 Ser, Santa Cruz Mountains came in third place with an average of 3.13.

B - 2012 Byington, Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains came in fourth place with an average of 3.00.

E - 2012 Russian Ridge, Santa Cruz Mountains was unfortunately corked. If we do another tasting of all the winners, I may try and throw in a bottle of this.

Best Santa Cruz Mountains Value Pinots (Under $30) - Round 4

We were joined by our friends for the fourth tasting of Santa Cruz Mountains Pinots under $30. This has been a Herculean effort. I appreciate everyone sticking with it.

The forecast was for showers, so we delayed a couple of hours and moved the tasting inside. It was a little tight, but we made it work. In the end the weather was nice and sunny, but we nixed the audible to move outside because there weren't enough hours of daylight and it would quickly turn a little nippy.

As we rearranged the living room, we realized we could fit one more table together into the big table. Sue dashed to Target to pick one up. Food prep was off by 30 minutes, but otherwise it resulted in more room for all. We selected and randomized at 4:30 before our guests arrived.

The Nebraska game started at four, so I only got to watch a quarter before guests started to arrive. Score updates kept me on the edge of my seat until finally disappointing. Even though they didn't win, it was a great game overall.

We started with a fantastic bottle of Patz & Hall, Hyde Chardonnay. I really enjoyed it. Sue thinks I've been getting more and more into Chards; I think we've been tasting better and better Chards. Shelves of the stuff prove one of us right.

After declaring a strict no politics policy, we started tasting. We enjoyed meats, cheeses, and fruit in addition to a treat of bacon wrapped potatoes.

Results

Top to Bottom from Left to Right

F - 2011 Davine Cellars, Santa Cruz Mountains came in first place with an average of 3.53.

D - 2010 Mun's Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains came in second place with an average of 3.40.

B - 2010 Burrell School Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains came in third place with an average of 3.22.

C - 2012 Silvertip, Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains came in fourth place with an average of 3.21.

A - 2012  Perrucci Family Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains came in last place with an average of 3.08.

Best Santa Cruz Mountains Value Pinots (Under $30) - Round 3

We were joined by our friends to taste the third batch of 6 random Santa Cruz Mountains Pinots under $30 on a cool Spring night that was close enough to my birthday to elevate the event.

Days before Sue had performed a successful trial run of bacon wrapped potatoes in her new air fryer.

I brought out some of my big bottles to celebrate my birthday.

We warmed our taste buds with some yummy whites: A 2013 Dariush Chardonnay, a 2012 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay, and a 2014 Picchetti White Pavone.

Sue served up all my favorites: Bacon wrapped potatoes, pot stickers, cheese and charcuterie. We all enjoyed the bites as we tasted. Occasionally some screamed of Trump and Obama. Our neighbors enjoyed our renditions of the Gambler and more.

Results

Top to Bottom from Left to Right

All the wines we tasted were really good. Ted mentioned many times that he thought this was the best batch yet.

F - 2013 Villa del Monte, Santa Cruz Mountains came in first place with an average of 3.39.

E - 2012 Storrs, Santa Cruz Mountains came in second place with an average of 3.26.

D - 2012 Nicholson, Cuvee, Santa Cruz Mountains came in third place with an average of 3.24.

C - 2012 Trout Gulch, Santa Cruz Mountains came in fourth place with an average of 3.20.

B - 2013 Alfaro, Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains came in fifth place with an average of 2.68.

A - 2009 Domenico, Santa Cruz Mountains came in sixth place with an average of 2.54.

After the tasting we enjoyed some special treats.

We enjoyed the double magnum of 2010 Kings Mountain Pinot from last year's Silicon Valley Wine Auction. This was the first double magnum I have ever served. Pouring from a double magnum is an incredible feeling. The bottle is huge! Magnums are fun, but they do not compare. The Kings Mountain was delicious! I'll be looking to win this again, at this years event.

We enjoyed a 1999 Trout Gulch, that Gerald Turgeon had given us to throw into a blind tasting as a ringer. What an incredible gift to share with us! Thank you Gerry. I've never tasted something so old.

Sue rounded out the night with Fred's steak, salad, other fixins, and some cake.

2016 SF Chronicle Wine Competition Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Medal Winners

The results are in for the 2016 SF Chronicle Wine Competition. Congratulations to the 26 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinots! I'll ponder which should be tasted.

Apriori

• 2014 Hicks Family Vineyard, $48.00, Bronze

Armitage

• 2013 Mt. Roberta Vineyard, $35.00, Silver

Bargetto

• 2013 Regan Estate Vineyards, $45.00, Silver
• 2013 Santa Cruz Mountains, $35.00, Silver
• 2013 Santa Cruz Moutnains, $60, Double Gold

Beauregard

• 2013 Santa Cruz Mountains, $40.00, Silver

Byington

• 2013 Byington, $45.00. Gold

Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards

• 2013 Finley Vineyard, $33.00, Silver

Kings Mountain Vineyards

• 2012 Kings Mountain Vineyard, $65.00, Gold
• 2011 Kings Mountain Vineyard, $60.00, Silver

La Honda Winery

• 2013 Santa Cruz Mountains, $23.99, Silver

Left Bend

• 2013 Muns Vineyard, $40.00, Silver

Loma Prieta Winery

• 2013 Santa Cruz Mountains, $50.00, Bronze

McHenry Vineyard

• 2013 McHenry Swan, $44.00, Bronze
• 2013 Santa Cruz Mountains, $34.00, Silver

Muccigrosso

• 2009 Santa Cruz Mountains, $34.99, Gold

Nicholson Vineyards

• 2011 Santa Cruz Mountains, $49.00, Bronze
• 2012 Brooks' Block, $39.00, Gold

Russian Ridge Winery

• 2013 K. Berry, $30.00, Silver

Sonnet

• 2013 Muns Vineyard, $40.00, Bronze

Soquel Vineyards

• 2013 Soquel Vineyards, $40.00, Gold
• 2014 Lester Family Vineyards, $39.00, Bronze
• 2014 Soquel Vineyards, $35.00, Gold
• 2014 Santa Cruz Mountains, $30.00, Silver
• 2014 Soquel Vineyards, $75.00, Gold

Wrights Station Vineyard & Winery

• 2012 Far Away Block, #2, $44.00, Bronze

Best Santa Cruz Mountains Value Pinots (Under $30) - Round 2

We were joined by our friends to taste the second batch of 6 random Santa Cruz Mountains Pinots under $30 on a brisk Fall night. Unfortunately, some of the usuals were unable to attend: Bob and Carolyn, with Carolyn's knee still healing, and Jose, who was recovering from a couple of weeks in Bolivia. We hope to see them all next time. Given the smaller number of participants, we were able to provide a glass for each wines being tasted, a treat for sure.

Sue set us up inside, moving the couch back a couple of feet and the rug into another room. Everything looked great! I hoped our friends wouldn't look down and notice any of the spots the rug had covered.

All Set Up and Ready to Taste

Sue decorated a little, setting out some Christmas lights. Ted, who normally would have objected to Christmas lights before Thanksgiving, claimed the NyQuil, that was helping him recover from a cold, kept him from complaining.

Christmas Lights Already?

While we waited for everyone to arrive we enjoyed a Picchetti, Brut Rose and a Vine Cliff, Chardonnay. At seven we poured the wines and started rating as we discussed music, video games, politics, and more. I tried to play topical music, but started off with AWOLNATION and Meg Myers, who we had just seen with Ted and Shannon at Live 105's Fright Fest. Paul and Jennifer arrived as we started D, E, and F. We joked that we were just about ready to divvy up their A, B, and C. A glass per wine makes a world of difference in a tasting. It allows all the wines to be revisited, contrasted, and compared.

I was sure D was the oldest based on its appearance. Ted disagreed and bet $20 it was F. Ted was right, but I will point out we had chosen the two oldest wines.

Results

Top to Bottom from Left to Right

All the wines tasted really good; all but one averaged above a three (I liked it).

F - 2010 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Bailey’s Branciforte Ridge, Santa Cruz Mountains came in first place with an average of 3.79.

It is amazing that every time a Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Pinot has participated in one of our blind tastings, it has won:

• A Tasting for Kellie and Katie
• An Explosion of Pinots

E - 2013 La Honda Winery, Sequence, Santa Cruz Mountains came in second place with an average of 3.31.

A - 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, Estate came in third place with an average of 3.16.

D - 2011 Rexford, Santa Cruz Mountains came in forth place with an average of 3.11.

B - 2013 Sante Arcangeli, Split Rail Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains came in fifth place with an average of 3.10.

C - 2012 Savannah Chanelle Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains came in last place with an average of 2.90.

We retried our favorites and a French wine Michel brought: 2013 Bourgogne.

2013 Bourgogne

Sue served a standing rib roast, fingerling potatoes, and sautéed brussel sprouts for dinner. She ended the evening with warm cookies. A great time was had by all.

Best Santa Cruz Mountains Value Pinots (Under $30) - Round 1

Our friends joined us on a hot Friday evening to taste the first batch of 6 random Santa Cruz Mountains Pinots under $30. Gusts of wind helped cool things down and added a tinge of excitement: Falling grapefruit. Everyone would cringe when a gust came and a few grapefruit would fall, but none of them landed anywhere near us. In the past three years of entertaining under the giant grapefruit tree only Parker has been hit by a falling grapefruit, right on the noggin. The wind calmed down as the evening cooled.

I tried to keep the loud political discussions out of the neighbors windows by asking everyone to avoid the topic. While this didn't exactly put an end to these discussions or the surrounding bets, I don't think the neighbors heard any of it. Instead we serenaded them with Kenny Roger's Lucille and The Gambler. The lyrics to Lucille are still endlessly repeating through my head. I wonder which they would have preferred.

We started off with some nice whites. When everyone arrived I poured the first wine and we tasted.

Results

Top to Bottom from Left to Right

A - 2010 Dancing Creek Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains, Legato came in first place with an average of 3.30.

F - 2012 Radonich Brothers Vineyards, Estate came in second place with an average of 2.91.

E - 2012 McHenry Vineyard, Estate Santa Cruz Mountains came in third place with an average of 2.82.

B - 2012 Roudon-Smith Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains Private Reserve came in fourth place with an average of 2.73.

C - 2012 Thomas Fogarty Winery & Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains came in fifth place with an average of 2.68.

D - 2011 Pelican Ranch Winery, Santa Cruz Mts., Meadowridge Vineyard came in last place with an average of 2.36.

Best Santa Cruz Mountains Value Pinots (Under $30) - Planning Part 2

Sue and I spent the last couple of months scouring the Santa Cruz Mountains for the Pinots, often joined by the Fosters. We had a great time visiting so many different places, some for the first time! We spent $830 gathering a single bottle of each of the wines. When visiting wineries, we left with at least 3 bottles and sometimes as much as a case. Our wine budget is depleted, our cellars are overflowing, and we're ready for a break. Is it time to taste yet?

Preparing for the Tasting

I put them all together for this money shot.

Under $30 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinots

I removed all the foil, wrapped them in K&L bags, and stored them.

All Wrapped and Ready to Taste

The Final List (28)

Winery	Wine	Retail	Best Price
Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery	2013 Alfaro "A" Estate	$25.00	$25.00
Bargetto Winery	2013 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir, Regan Estate Vineyards	$35.00	$28.00
	2013 Pinot Noir, Regan Estate Vineyards	$28.00	$22.40
Burrell School Vineyards & Winery	2010 Estate Pinot Noir	$39.00	$29.00
Byington Vineyard & Winery	2012 Pinot Noir, Estate	$39.00	$29.25
Dancing Creek Winery	2010 Santa Cruz Mountains Legato, Pinot Noir	$28.00	$28.00
MJA Vineyards	2011 Davine Cellars Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir	$38.00	$26.60
	2012 Reagen	$38.00	$26.60
Domenico Winery	2009 Santa Cruz Pinot Noir	$35.00	$28.00
La Honda Winery	2013 SEQUENCE, Pinot Noir	$28.00	$28.00
McHenry Vineyard	2012 "Swan Clone - Estate" Pinot Noir	$38.00	$28.99
	2012 Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir	$34.00	$25.99
Muns Vineyard	2010 Estate Pinot Noir	$40.00	$28.00
Nicholson Vineyards	2012 Pinot Noir, Cuvee	$30.00	$25.50
Pelican Ranch Winery	2011 Santa Cruz Mts., Meadowridge Vineyard	$35.00	$29.75
	2010 Santa Cruz Mts., Amaya Ridge Vineyard	$35.00	$29.75
Perrucci Family Vineyard	2012 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir	$34.00	$23.80
Radonich Brothers Vineyards	2012 Estate	$27.99	$27.99
Rexford Winery	2011 Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains	$25.00	$20.00
Roudon-Smith Winery	2012 Santa Cruz Mountains Private Reserve Pinot Noir	$30.00	$26.40
Russian Ridge Winery	2012 Russian Ridge Pinot Noir	$30.00	$25.50
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard	2010 Pinot Noir Bailey’s Branciforte Ridge Vineyard	$32.00	$29.00
Sante Arcangeli Family Wines	2013 Pinot Noir, Split Rail Vineyard, Corralitos	$36.00	$28.80
Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards	2012 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir	$36.00	$28.80
Ser Winery	2012 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir	$33.00	$28.00
Silvertip Vineyards	2012 Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, Estate	$32.00	$24.00
Soquel Vineyards	2013 Estate Pinot Noir	$33.00	$29.70
Storrs Winery	2012 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir	$36.00	$28.80
Thomas Fogarty Winery & Vineyards	2012 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir	$35.00	$29.75
Trout Gulch Vineyards	2012 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir	$28.00	$28.00
Villa del Monte Winery	2013 Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains	$34.00	$28.90
	2013 Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains Regan Vineyards Martini Clone	$32.00	$27.20
	2013 Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains Regan Pommard Clone	$32.00	$27.20
	2012 Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains Regan Vineyard	$32.00	$27.20
Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards & Winery	2013 Terra Narro Estate Pinot Noir	$29.00	$23.00

Things I've Learned

There are a lot of Great People Out There

Those that responded were very helpful. They shared information, helped pick wines and vintages, and went out of there way to deliver or make it easy for me to pick up the wine. Thank you all.

Always Check the Bottles Before you Leave

If you don't, you might find that sometimes you won't have what you came for when you get home. Thankfully wineries are usually super flexible about making exchanges, even on days they aren't normally open.

Be Specific with the Rules

The purpose of this was to find the best readily available, under $30 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot. In some cases enthusiasts would have to go to extremes to get the price. In other cases the wine was no longer even made. If I ever do something like this again, I'll make the rules more restrictive.

Never do Something Like this Again

This was a little too aggressive. 28 wines is a lot. They were costly and time consuming to gather. They are going to take months to taste 6 or 7 at a time.

Good Luck!

I've met and interacted with so many great wine producers.  I'm rooting for all of them. If I wasn't confident we use an objective process I would be worried these interactions could sway the results.

The first tasting will hopefully be in August. I'll post results as I get them.

2015 SF Chronicle Wine Competition Santa Cruz Mountains Gold+ Pinot Winners

When the results of the San Francisco Wine Competition come out, my mind races with ideas to try them - yes I'm that kind of wine enthusiast. Not surprising to anyone that knows me, I decided to blind taste all the Gold and up Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot winners. I tend towards Pinots and while we enjoy wine from different regions, I favor the Santa Cruz Mountains given its local and has an endless supply of great wine.

We managed to get all but one of the winners:

• 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Estate - Gold 
• 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Lester Family Vineyards - Double Gold 
• 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Partner's Reserve - Double Gold 
• 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Library Selection - Gold 
• 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Coast Grade Vineyard - Gold 
• 2012 Villa del Monte Winery, William Vincent - Gold 
• 2011 Storrs Winery and Vineyards, Christie Vineyard - Best of Class 
• 2012 Woodenhead, Lester Family - Gold 

Unfortunately I was unable to find a bottle of the 2012 Savannah Chanelle Vineyards, Muns Vineyard - Gold. Next year I promise to react more quickly to the results. Medal winning helps wines sell out.

The Tasting

The wines were opened an hour before the tasting began, which hopefully helped them open up a little; they were a little young to drink.

Sue took the opportunity to change the look of the backyard. My initial thoughts are typically resistive, as Sue has learned to expect and justifiably ignore, but in the end I usually come around. The updated look was pretty impressive, complete with firefly lights.

The usuals all showed up. We tasted, discussed, rated, and loudly discussed politics some.

Results

Top to Bottom from Left to Right

A - 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Lester Family Vineyards came in first place with an average of 3.60. It cost $39. We picked up all of the Soquel on a trip to the winery with Bob and Carolyn. The Soquel winery is a lovely place, a seeming oasis given the surroundings. They were serving pizza fresh out of their pizza oven, which was a nice treat. I always wonder why we don't belong when we leave.



E - 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Partner's Reserve came in second place with an average of 3.14. It cost $39.

H - 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Estate came in third place with an average of 3.11. It cost $33. We'll be trying this again in the < $30 tasting.

F - 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Coast Grade Vineyard came in fourth place with an average of 3.06. It cost $39.

G - 2011 Storrs Winery and Vineyards, Christie Vineyard came in fifth place with an average of 2.96. We thought we had picked this up on a trip to the winery, but when I checked the year I realized we had picked up 2009. Thankfully, I was able to order the correct vintage from the web site and it arrived in time.

D - 2012 Woodenhead, Lester Family came in sixth place with an average of 2.82. It cost $42. The winery was sold out of this; they tried to find me a bottle when they heard what we were doing, but they could not. Luckily, I found this at The Wine House via wine-searcher.

C - 2013 Soquel Vineyards, Partner's Reserve, Library Selection came in seventh place with an average of 2.75. It cost $56.

B - 2012 Villa del Monte Winery, William Vincent came in last place with an average of 2.60. It cost $37. The winery was sold out of this wine, but after looking around they found me a double magnum.

3L of William Vincent

They even graciously signed it for me when I picked it up. Thank you Neil and John.

I wasn't about to use this bottle for a tasting. I was prepared to apologize about not putting it in the tasting, or possibly using a different vintage, but I luckily found a bottle down the street from the winery at Summit Store.