Thu, 22 February 2007   A Guy, a Girl, and a Bottle Wine Podcast EP39: ZAPPed again!Viva Zinfandel! A few weeks ago we attended the ZAP Festival (www.zinfandel.org), a.k.a the Zinfadel Advocates & Producers Festival in San Francisco, this festival is completely out of control. To give you an idea of how big this event is, there were approximately 9,000 attendees, 273 wineries, and 550 wines featured, if you were to hit every single one, and even if you didn't actually consume the wine but only swirled the wine in your mouth they still would have to haul you out on a wheel barrow. Oh, yeah, did I mention the 1,500 pounds of cheese? We really enjoy going the ZAP festival, but it can be a bit overwhelming which is why it is a good idea to look in the program pick the producers that your intrested in trying and just go for it (it also helps make the decision process easier if there is a sexy beautiful girl pouring the wine). If you are planning a trip out to wine country next year and Zinfadel is a favorite of yours I think you should definatly consider planning it around this 4-day extravaganza event in late January, you will not be disappointed! Well, because there was no way Joe and I was able to taste all the wines and talk about it, we decided to change things up a bit on this show and we simply recorded random bits and pieces from the show floor. We hope that you like it, we will return to the regular format for the next show. Of the wines we tried, we picked some of our favorites, such as: Brown Estate Vineyards - www.brownestate.com (a favorite from last year) Barefoot Cellers - www.barefootwine.com (another favorite from last year and has become a regular at meal times at the guy and girl family dinners). I love these guys because their booth was fun, and they knew how to draw a crowd, believe it or not Elvis is apparently not dead. Javalina Leap Vineyard Winery www.javelinaleapwinery.com here is where they had the beautiful girl pouring the wine but this wine was not just a pretty face it was down right amazing. If you can get your hands on a bottle, check it out for sure. Frank Family Vineyards - www.frankfamilyvineyards.com We don't want to say too much about these guys because they are going to be featured in an upcoming episode, so stay tuned! Our Artist featured this week is Black Lab - Ecstasy . You can find more music from along with other great artists on the Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com. Thanks to everyone who helped make this episode - special thanks to John from the CorkDork blog (http://corkdork.typepad.com) for spotting some of the great wines and sharing those with us. Check out his blog for full details (he even liked the Adobe Road Zin that we raved about!) Cheers! A Guy and a Girl Comment Line - 408-627-7796 Skype - Aguyandgirl SPONSORS: Sponsorship provided by Folgers. Get your free gourmet samples at www.folgers.com/podshow Category: Wineries -- posted at: 3:44 AM Comments[0] |
Tue, 16 January 2007 A Guy, a Girl, and a Bottle Wine Podcast EP37: Kaz Winery
Pam and I have enjoyed coming to KAZ over the last few years. If you are looking for a very formal wine experience, please pass KAZ up, cuz you are certainly in the wrong place. If you truly enjoy a wine adventure, don't miss this winery. There is something always going on at KAZ, tour groups, picnics, and of on occasion, the random light saber battle in the tasting room. Richard Kasmier, "Kaz", has been making wine since 1985 and the winery was bonded in 1994. Formally a professional commercial photographer, you can find many of his images adorning the labels of the wines, as well as the food items that Kaz puts together as well. Kaz's wife Sandi hand colors all the photos, and his son Ryan, passes the time photoshopping his father into, well, interesting situations. Check out their website for a sample of the tomfoolery that goes on at this winery. Don't let the fun stuff distract from the wines, as while the KAZ family enjoys having fun, the wines are top-notch. Ever tasted a white port? Made from Chardonnay, it is one of the more unusual ports that is made for the Bodega Bay Port Works label under which Kaz bottles his all his ports. Very delectable, and even reminds one of cookie dough, if you can believe that. Dog friendly, and just down the street from Sugarloaf state park, bring the whole family for a true California experience. If you are coming in from out of town, and are looking for a place to stay, ask about The Little House located on the Kaz property, kinda gives you an excuse to sample all of the different varieties Kaz has to offer.   Tasting Room is open Fri-Mon, 11am-5pm (or by appointment) Contact info: Kaz Vineyard & Winery 233 Adobe Canyon Rd. Kenwood, CA 95452 Phone: (877) 833-2536 Fax: (707) 833-1244 w. http://kazwinery.com/ Google Map SPECIAL OFFER - Tell them that you heard about the winery on a Podcast and your tasting is FREE (and you might even get a special surprise!) The song for this episode is by Alden and the song is Snapshot, from the CD of the same name. Don't forget, if you like this song drop the artist a line and let them know what you think and tell them you heard them on A Guy, A Girl, and a Bottle wine podcast! Buy it here: 
We hope that you enjoyed our show, and hope that you listened as we are giving away a signed bottle of their Red Port! You have to listen to the show to find out how to enter the contest, of course. Let us know what you think. Simply call 408-627-7796 and let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or simply want to provide some comments. If you prefer email, you can drop us a line at guyandgirl ~AT~ gmail.com. Cheers! -A Guy & a Girl Check us out at PodShow at www.wine.podshow.com Subscribe to our Wine Podcast at iTunes or Yahoo! Don't forget!, here are a few codes to save you some wine money next time you have to order some domains: Category: Wineries -- posted at: 5:48 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 11 April 2006  Episode 27 - Martin Ranch Winery
Hey there Guys & Girls, we are travelling south to Gilroy for this episode and visit Therese and Dan of the
Martin Ranch Winery (www.martinranchwinery.com). Martin Ranch is a small winery located on the very southern end of the Santa Cruz Appellation, approximately 36 miles from downtown San Jose. Here's a great tip - the winery is located just right down the road from Gilroy's theme park - Bonfante Gardens - so you might want to work out a stop to pick up some great wines the next time you take the kiddies to the Gardens. Be sure to call ahead though, as the tasting room is only open by appointment, and on special occasions, like the upcoming Passport day on April 22, 2006. Martin Ranch Winery sits on 17 acres in the southern tip of the Santa Cruz Mountains and resides in the perfect microclimate for growing Cabernet Sauvignon - warm days and cool nights. Therese and Dan started commercial winemaking in 1997 and in 2002, their first commercial crush of consisted of 625 cases. By 2004, the production was at 3500 cases. We talk at length with Dan about the farming process and we learn a new wine term this week - Cordon Cordon - horizontal branches of a grapevine trained along the trellis; also called the arms. The canes left after pruning which will produce fruiting shoots and new canes. - http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/mg/manual/glossary.htmTherese and Dan are not only winemakers, but also excellent cooks and one of their goals is to make great wines that pair nicely with great food. Visit their website for some excellent recipes. We have included a yummy one at the end of this post, just to whet your appetite! We also have a sponsor for this episode and it is GoDaddy! Use these promo codes to save a ton of cash on your next purchase: Bottle1 - Save 10%, Bottle2 - Save $5 off $30, Bottle3 - .com domains for just $6.95. 00:00 Opening and Intro to Gilroy 01:44 Love Spirals Promo 01:55 GoDaddy promotion 02:37 Martin Ranch Background 13:46 Uncle Jack Story 15:31 Sauvignon Blanc 23:11 2002 Niebbielo 29:20 2003 Therese Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 34:59 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon 35:00 Filtration Discussion 45:10 Wrap-up 46:02 I do by Rob Costlow Our Artist this week is Rob Costlow, and the song is I do. You can find more music from Rob Costlow along with other great artists on the Podsafe Music Network (http://music.podshow.com). Purchase this track now at iTunes!
Martin Ranch Winery 6675 Redwood Retreat Road Gilroy, CA 95020 Google Map T: 408.842.9197 F: 408.842.8193 TASTING BY APPOINTMENT (M-F 9AM to 5PM Pacific Time) As always, please let us know what is on your mind. We have several ways for you to get in touch with us:Email guyandgirl@gmail.com, Phone mail: 408-627-7796 or SKYPE at aguyandgirl Cheers! -A Guy & a Girl Subscribe to our Wine Podcast at iTunes or Yahoo! The Food - Therese Braised Short Ribs The Wine - Martin Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Santa Cruz Mountains. THE RECIPES (Serves 6-8, Created by Therese Martin) INGREDIENTS Beef short ribs (6-8) 1 gold onion 3 tblsp. good olive oil 2 cloves garlic Flour for dredging short ribs for browning Kosher salt and pepper for seasoning 2 cups beef broth 2 cups red wine 32 oz. jar Therese canned tomatoes (or any available canned tomatoes) DIRECTIONS: Put olive oil in a cast iron, 5-quart Dutch oven. Caramelize onions and garlic on low to medium heat, about 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 350, change to 325 when putting short ribs in. Remove onions and garlic from pot and brown short ribs on all sides, about 15 minutes. Take short ribs out and set aside. Deglaze pat with 1-cup wine. Add onions, garlic, tomatoes and just a little of the juice. Place short ribs in the pot and add rest of wine and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper and lay 1 rosemary sprig across the top. Cover and put in preheated oven for 2 hours. Check after it has been in oven for 1 hour. Make sure there is plenty of juice and, if needed, add a little bit more wine. After 2 hours take out to cool while finishing the rest of meal. Category: Wineries -- posted at: 2:06 AM Comments[0] |
Tue, 21 March 2006 
Ep25 - Concannon Vineyards: 1963 Petit Syrah
Originally uploaded by GuyandGirl.
Episode 26 - Concannon Vineyards (part 2) Category: Wineries -- posted at: 2:38 AM Comments[0] |
Sat, 18 March 2006 
Happy St. Patricks Day! This episode of A Guy, a Girl, and a Bottle wine podcast has us visiting the Concannon Vineyard in Livermore, California. We talk to Jim Concannon, whose grandfather and family patiarch James Concannon started the winery, in 1883. Not only is the Concannon winery known as 'America's First Irish Winery' but the founder James Concannon was actually born on St. Patrick's Day in 1847! Talk about luck of the Irish! We spent a couple of hours with Jim, and the stories that he told were so rich, colorful, and passionate, we simply turned on the recorder and enjoyed his stories. (Due to the length, we decided to split this up in two parts, and this is part 1) While we do sample some wines during our conversation, we don't talk about them in great detail. We promise to return soon and concentrate on the wines themselves. If you are intrigued by the history of wine, then this is the podcast that you have been waiting for. Originally planted with premium Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapevine cuttings from France's legendary Chateau Y'Quem, Concannon later imported the first cuttings from the hybrid Petite Sirah vine developed in 1880 by French viticulturist Francois Durif. James Concannon would become good friends with Archbishop Alemany, a powerful figure in the Catholic Church and a man whose influence would help shape the future of the winery. Archbishop Alemany suggested that James develop a line of sacramental wines for use in church services. It was a suggestion that proved to be a tremendous blessing, as during prohibition, the winery was able to continue production as they were suppliers to the Church, while many other california wineries were lost during those 13 years. James Concannons' grandsons (Joseph and James) would later make the decision to be the first to varietally label Petite Sirah from their 1961 vintage (released in 1964). Later in the 1970's, Concannon's vine clone 7 and 8 (a Cabernet Savignon clone) were planted in Napa, and as a result, the Concannon name has roots in the success of many winemakers that have followed. It seems that once you visit, you may have a hard time leaving! "Early in the morning and late at night, our lab technician will feel a cold breeze coming into the room and see a figure outside of the window where my father had his office in the 1920s," said Jim Concannon of Concannon Winery. "The lights go on and off regularly almost every day for no reason. None of the electricians can figure out why, because all of the wiring is in perfect condition," he continued. "One of our employees came into the winery in the morning, and all of the corks from the previous day's partial bottles in the tasting room were lying on the bar top. We have a burglar alarm, so no one could have gone in there. I think it is the ghost of my grandfather, James Concannon, looking over us. - Wine Institute Musical guest today is Bloody Irish Boys, and the song is Drunk Tonight In our opinion, this is a must visit on your wine travels throughout California. Concannon Vineyard 23000 Congress Springs Road Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 741-5858 Google Map Leave us some feedback! We now have voicemail, simply call 408-627-7796 and let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. If you prefer email, you can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com. Cheers! -A Guy & a Girl Subscribe to our Wine Podcast at iTunes or Yahoo! Category: Wineries -- posted at: 1:53 AM Comments[0] |
Wed, 1 February 2006 
Today's wine podcast has us visiting the Ridge Vineyard on top of well, the mountain ridge above Cupertino, California. (Ridge has two facilities, one in Sonoma County and one in Santa Clara County. We visited the latter) Nestled in the hills above Cupertino, ridge Vineyards is located approximately 15 miles from downtown San Jose. Ridge Vineyards(http://www.ridgewine.com) overlooks Silicon Valley from the east rim of the Santa Cruz Mountains at height between 1,300 and 2,660 feet. The soil consists of decomposing Franciscan rock mixed with clay, laid over fractured limestone. Ridge produces approximately sixty-five thousand cases of wine per year, consisting primarily of Cabernet and Zinfandel, with small amounts of merlot, mataro, and petite syrah. Ridge also makes small amounts of Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains. With a long storied history that begins back in 1885, Ridge is certainly a mainstay of the area. Check out their video history on the web at http://www.http://www.ridgewine.com/about/about.tml Paul Draper is the resident winemaker and has been with Ridge for over 35 years. He is a strong advocate of the importance of terroir -- the mix of soil and climate that gives unique character to grapes grown in a particular location. He also believes that the limestone beneath their vines are very important, something that is not normally found in Napa Valley and Sonoma Counties. 00:00 Intro 01:39 Interview with Howard Hickok 10:47 Talk with Tasting Room Manager - Jenna 12:26 2003 Geyserville Zinfandel 22:47 2001 Santa Cruz Mountain Home Ranch (Cabernet Merlot Blend) 29:00 Warehouse fire 31:07 Wrap-up 34:16 Music by Bari Koral - Aspiring Angel The wines that we sample are: 2003 Geyserville Zinfandel Winemakers Notes: Ridge made its first Geyserville in 1966, from nineteenth-century vines growing on the western edge of Alexander Valley. Over time, we have included more grapes planted along this quarter-mile-wide strip, which follows the old San Francisco & Northern Pacific Railway right-of-way. This distinctive "single site" now consists of three adjoining vineyards that share the same gravelly soils, exposure, and climate. In 2003, a period of intense heat in mid-September ripened all the zinfandel within two weeks; we harvested non-stop to hold sugars and overripeness in check. Reduced circulation during the natural-yeast fermentations moderated tannin extraction. We pressed at seven days, and a natural malolactic finished within five weeks. After a year of barrel aging in air-dried american oak, the wine was fined with fresh egg whites. This elegant Geyserville is delightful now, but will gain in complexity over the next five to eight years. (76% ZINFANDEL, 18% CARIGNANE,6% PETITE SIRAH, 14.6% alcohol by volume) Color --- Deep ruby Nose --- Ripe black cherry, plum, pepper, chocolate, gravelly soil. Hint of mint; layered vanilla, clove. Palate --- Rich, dark brambly fruit. Full-bodied and vibrant, coated tannins, lively acidity. Black fruit and characteristic regional gravel/mineral/earth. A long, complex finish. Guy & Girl Notes: We both love the bold, chocolate aroma. Smooth on the palate. Very low in tannins and a soft velvety mouthfeel. 2001 Home Ranch, 375ml $31 USD, 750ml, $60USD Winemakers Notes: This is the first bottling of our estate-grown "Home Ranch." In the opulent 2001 vintage, we selected cabernet sauvignon from the thirty-five-year-old vines, balancing it with merlot from the younger blocks for this rich, sensuous wine classic, yet more approachable than the long-aging Monte Bello. Four of the lots were held back for the softer Santa Cruz Mountains; eight were combined for the Home Ranch. The name derives from an old California tradition: Families who began with vines planted at their homesite often went on to acquire other vineyards. That first property, where the extended family gathered over the years, became known as the Home Ranch. For Ridge, the first ranch was Monte Bello, purchased in 1959. Though we now own Lytton Springs, and have leased other vineyards, Monte Bello is our Home Ranch. This full, complex wine reflects its ripe vintage. It is enjoyable now, and will continue to develop beautifully over the next decade. (50% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 49% MERLOT, 1% PETIT VERDOT Alcohol 14.3% by volume) Guy & Girl Notes: Lori again loves aroma from this wine, and finds it very delicious. Joe appreciates the complexity and picks up hints of flowers, perhaps violets(?) in the aroma. Joe's pick of the day. Our Artist this week is Bari Koral, and the song is Aspiring Angel. You can find more music from Bari Koral along with other great artists on the Podsafe Music Network (http://music.podshow.com). Direct link to song:
Ridge Vineyards / Monte Bello 17100 Monte Bello Road Cupertino, CA 95014 Phone (408) 867-3233 Fax (408) 868-1350 Google Map Open for tasting and sales Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 4. Complementary tasting of at least four wines, with additional wines available for a small fee. As always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. Would you like to see shorter shows? Perhaps more details? Let us know! You can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com. Cheers! -A Guy & a Girl Footnote - In this episode we talk about a warehouse fire that took place in October of 2005. the facility we mention is a converted military storehouse that now stores wine for small (and large) wineries throughout the area. A suspicious fire wiped out an estimated $100Million (USD) worth of wine. The warehouse was under the control of Wines Central (www.winescentral.com)Warehouse manager Debby Polverino has been quoted in the media as saying that the 240,000 square-foot warehouse stored over 6 Million bottles and hundreds of barrels of wine from about 95 wineries and 40 private collectors. For a good initial report complete with photos see the SF Gate here (Photo in blog can be found on Ridge Vineyard website, photographer unknown) Subscribe to our Wine Podcast at iTunes or Yahoo! Category: Wineries -- posted at: 3:32 PM Comments[1] |
Sun, 22 January 2006  Today's wine podcast has us visiting the Cinnabar Vineyard and Winery. Situated 40 miles south of San Francisco between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, Cinnabar(http://www.cinnabarwine.com) overlooks Silicon Valley from the east rim of the Santa Cruz Mountains at 1,650 feet. Mild temperatures and clay-loam soils contribute deep fruit and earthy components to wines that express a unique sense of place. Twenty-three acres of hillside were cleared for planting in 1983. The first commercial vintage was 1986. The winery building was completed in 1987.The name Cinnabar pays hommage to the important role the valley played in extracting gold from the Sierra Nevada range during the Gold Rush of the 1800's. Before starting Cinnabar, Owner Tom Mudd was a senior research engineer at SRI (Stanford Research Institute, International) and had 10 years of experience growing grapes and making wine at his one-acre vineyard in Woodside. As part of the show, we interview the Winemaker, George Troquato. Cinnabar is open for Passport days four times a year and for special events. Please visit their website for events and dates. 00:00 Intro 01:41 Passport Days & Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery 03:42 2004 Monterey Chardonnay 06:08 2003 Santa Cruz Mountain Chardonnay 07:58 George Troquato, winemaker 16:31 2003 Pasa Robles Merlo 19:26 2004 Santa Cruz Mountain Late Harvest Chardonnay 21:00 Wrap-up and summary of visit 22:34 Bliss by Rob Costlow The wines that we sample are: 2004 Monterey Chardonnay, $18.50 Winemakers Notes: This wine has a nose of pineapple and vanilla segues to tropical fruit flavors with a touch of toasted oak and minerals. It is very well-balanced with a full mouthfeel and bright acidity. Serve with shrimp, avocado and spinach salad or stuffed mushrooms. Guy & Girl Notes: We both liked this wine because of the tropical nose and the taste is smooth and enjoyable. 2003 Santa Cruz Mountain Chardonnay, $ 25.00 Winemakers Notes: An nose of stone, fruit, vanilla and sweet oak softly engages the mouth of wipe green apples, citrus and wet stones. The acidity is bright while the solid structure lends itself to nearly 5 years of aging. A long finsh pears nicely with rustic polenta and mushroom cream sauce, rotisserie chicken stuffed with herbs and lemons or lobster bisque. Guy & Girl Notes: Joe really likes this wine. He thought it was clear and fruity. It was more complex than we normally expect from a Chardonay. 2003 Pasa Robles Merlo, $ 20.00 Winemakers Notes: This wine opens with aromatic black cherry, spice and vanilla. It blankets the palate with blackberry, cocoa and toasted oak. Thick and velvety with full, integrated tannins. Serve with grilled foccacia pizza topped with mozzarella, romano and fresh tomato. Guy & Girl Notes: Lori thought this wine was earthy, hint of spicy nose, low tannins. Joe thought it was very straight forward, smooth wine. They gave this one a thumbs up. 2004 Santa Cruz Mountain Late Harvest Chardonnay, $ 22.00 Guy & Girl Notes: This is a dessert wine. The grapes were frozen and then pressed to capture the sugar content. This is a very sweet wine. It tastes great and might be paired with cheese and grapes. Elegant boutque. Another thumbs up! Our Artist this week is Rob Costlow, and the song is Bliss. You can find more music from Rob Costlow along with other great artists on the Podsafe Music Network (http://music.podshow.com). Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery 23000 Congress Springs Road Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 741-5858 Google Map Note: Tasting Room open only for passport days and special events. As always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. Would you like to see shorter shows? Perhaps more details? Let us know! You can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com. Cheers! -A Guy & a Girl Subscribe to our Wine Podcast at iTunes or Yahoo! Category: Wineries -- posted at: 3:46 PM Comments[0] |
Wed, 21 December 2005 
Subscribe to our Wine Podcast at iTunes or Yahoo! Hallcrest Vineyards (www.hallcrestvineyards.com/) - is about 28.5 miles from central San Jose. Allow at least 40 minutes to get there. The winery is just up the hill from the town of Felton. Established in 1941 with the intent to prove that the Santa Cruz Mountains were the ideal soils and climate for producing premium California varietal wines, Hallcrest Vineyards has a long running history of producing fine wine from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Today, like in 1941, Hallcrest is a small family owned operation that takes pride in producing original wines with a taste of the Santa Cruz Mountains. In addition to Hallcrest wines, the tasting room also serves their Organic Wine Works wines (http://members.cruzio.com/~owwwine/). Sulfites are not added to the Organic Wine Works wines. Sulfites act as a preservative slowing down the oxidation process creating a longer shelf life. 00:00 Intro 02:37 History 08:26 Conversation with Owner and Winemaker John Schumacher 13:17 2004 Organic Wine Works Chardonnay 18:37 2002 Hallcrest Chardonnay from Santa Cruz Mountains 25:43 Label Design Discussion 28:40 2003 Organic Wine Works Zinfandel "Big and Bold" from Mendicino County 31:48 2004 Organic Wine Works Surfin Syrah 38:51 What to Do With Michael Song by the Candy Butchers (www.candybutchers.com) The wines that we sample are: 2004 Organic Wine Works Chardonnay from Mendicino County, $ 13.95 400-500 Cases Produced Winemaker's Notes: This California style Chardonnay has a fresh fruit nose with hints of oak and a dry finish. The crisp, but nutty finish, pairs nicely with a Sunday brunch and lite seafood. Guy & Girl Notes: It is a nice wine. It doesn't linger long on the pallet. 2002 Hallcrest Chardonnay from Santa Cruz Mountains, $ 19.95 6,500 bottles produced Winemaker's Notes: This is our second vintage from this estate. Aged in French oak barrells. This wine is complex with full fruits and delicately balanced mellow textures in the mouth. Guy & Girl Notes: Lori liked this wine. Joe isn't a huge Chardonnay fan, but did like it. This wine had hints of butterscotch and of citrus. It explodes with tropical fruits and has a long and smooth finish. 2003 Organic Wine Works Zinfandel Big and Bold from Mendicino County $18.00 Winemaker's Notes: This wine is dry farmed with head trained vines. This Zin shows big tannins and ripe, brambally fruit. The tannins are well knit and lie evenly across the pallet. IT has full flavors of plums and cherries yet it is delicate. It finishes off with a velvety spice that lingers. Guy & Girl Notes: Lori really liked this wine. Joe likes it as well. This was his pick of the day. It had a smooth mouth feel. It is very, very berry with lots of fruit tones. It has deep, dark cherry with a little pepper on the finish. Nice flavorful wine. 2004 Organic Wine Works Surfin Syrah $15.95 Winemaker's Notes: Dry earth tones give way to a soft and smooth finish. Try this wine with red sauces or pizza. Guy & Girl Notes: A really nice, well structured wine. With a hint of licorice on the nose with plum and full berry flavors. It finishes long and smooth. Tannins are very velvelty. The bouquet is very nice. This was Lori's pick of the day. She purchased a bottle for a friend who is sensitive to sulfites. Our Podsafe Music Network Artist this week is the Candy Butchers (www.candybutchers.com), and the song is "What to Do with Michael Hallcrest Vineyards and the Organic Wine Works can be found at: 379 Felton Empire Road Felton, CA 95018 Google Map tel: 831-335-4441 Tasting Room open daily noon- 5pm and by appointment. Drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com!!! Cheers! -A Guy & a Girl Category: Wineries -- posted at: 11:57 AM Comments[0] |
Thu, 8 December 2005 Geez - Is it December already? Where does the time go? It seems like just last week we were particpating in our very first Wine Blogging Wednesday (WBW#15 - Graciously hosted by none other than Fatemeh of Gastronomie) Now Derrick at An Obsession with Food is hosting Wine Blogging Wednesday #16 and the theme this time is: Judge a Bottle By Its Cover. While everyone is busy window shopping for gifts for loved ones, us Wine Bloggers and Podcasters from all over the Globe are window shopping for the best LABEL on a bottle of wine we can find. What perfect timing! We just wrapped up Episode 14 of A Guy, a Girl and a Bottle over at Bonny Doon, and they have some of the most interesting labels we have ever seen. Lori chose the Il Circo (Erbaluce) label for it's fanciful design and carefree circus attitude. Although a fun label, the wine is a bit exotic and we had to do a little research on the varietal as this is the first time we had run across this in our travels. Erbaluce - One of the oldest white vines of Piedmont, Erbaluce���¢??s origins remain unclear, but it is thought to be native to the damp, pre-Alpine valleys north of Torino. Still widely planted in Piedmont, it has remained primarily confined to that region. The variety takes its name from the color of its berries approaching harvest (���¢??erba/alba���¢?? = dawn; ���¢??luce���¢?? = light), which in the autumn sunlight are a luminous copper-pink shade. The medium sized, five-lobed leaves are bright green in color and the elongated, conical bunches support spherical, waxy, amber-yellow berries of medium size. - Source http://www.kobrandwine.com/grape_library/pages/erbaluce.html Joe chose the more controversial Ralph Steadman as the artist for the Bonny Doon Cardinal Zin. Can you believe those folks in Ohio once banned this bottle as - in their opinion - it committed a zin by depicting a religious figure on a bottle of wine? (Even we can't make this stuff up! - check it out over here. Ralph Steadman is also known for his work with Hunter S Thompson, and has even written several books about wine 'Grapes of Ralph' and 'Untrodden Grapes'. (http://www.ralphsteadman.com) Check out our labels and all the other entries over at the Flickr group with a tag of WBW16. Thanks to Derrick for choosing another great theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday! See you next month! Joe & Lori www.gngnb.com ----- Subscribe to our Wine Podcast at iTunes or Yahoo! Category: Wineries -- posted at: 2:25 AM Comments[0] |
Mon, 21 November 2005  Episode 14 - Bonny Doon Vineyard November 20th, 2005 Subscribe to our Wine Podcast at iTunes or Yahoo! The Bonny Doon Vineyard (www.bonnydoonvineyard.com) - is about 36.5 miles from central San Jose. Allow at least 50 minutes to get there. The salient and recurring winemaking themes at Bonny Doon/Ca' del Solo are: 1) having as much fun with the enterprise of winemaking as the relevant governmental agencies will allow; 2) producing wine and wine labels that will scintillate the most jaded imbiber; 3) retaining as much of the natural qualities of the grapes (especially fragrance) through minimal cellar treatment including eschewing limpidity for its own sake and relying on gravity to render matters perfectly clear; 4) paying particularly close attention to the old chestnut that wine is produced in the vineyard. They try to enact the appropriate cultural practices that will lead to the fullest expression of terroir and variety. 0:00 Intro 2:32 History & Background 10:47 2004 Clos de Gilroy 14:12 2002 Le Cigare Volant 18:12 Screwtops discussion 19:45 2002 Aglianco 23:35 2003 Cardinal Zin 28:15 Angelica 30:00 Winery Description 31:55 Bouteille Call 34:05 Wrap-up 35:23 Follow Your Own Nose The wines that we sample are:  Guy & Girl Notes: This wine has a very unique nose. Fruity, peppery, even an earthy nose to it. Lori liked it and Joe - while not his favorite - thought it was one of the most unique wines we have tasted, quite sweet. This is a great wine for Thanksgiving - the Money magazine best buy!  Winemakers Notes: This wine consists of 39% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, 28% Syrah and 1% Viognier. The 2002 vintage is a larger, beefier number than usual, though it is hardly a juiced-up, mesomorphic golem conjured up in a top secret, "Oys Only" sector of the cellar. The high percentages of mourvedre and syrah endow the wine with an evocative smoky, meaty peppery core on which to rest its somewhat rotund boo-tay. It may be a bit much to ask a wine blended of grapes from numerous vineyards to express terroir, but there is an undeniable stony note contributing a metadimension of flavor. This wide spectrum of flavors topped off by licorice, blackberry and an electric bolt of black currant. Guy & Girl Notes: Opens up pretty nicely...currant nose to it. They had a really attractive (cool) over-sized cigar boxes to box up wines in - 6 bottles.  Winemakers Notes: Produced by our partners in Puglia, the de Corato family, with whom we also produce the Il Circo Uva di Troia, this wine is another deft example of what southern Italian varieties can achieve with some fastidious viticulture and winemaking. Aglianico, while little known, is one of Italy's hidden treasures. Sometimes referred to as the Barolo of Southern Italy, its long and rich history actually puts Barolo to shame. Aglianico is thought to be Greek in origin, its name a corruption of the Italian word "Ellenico" meaning "Hellenic" or "Greek" It has been grown in Southern Italy since well before Rome existed, and certainly before the Piemontese knew much about winemaking. Roughly 3000 years is certainly time enough for a grape to adapt to a new terroir, which likely explains how well the wine suits Pugliese culture and food. While aglianico can be a fairly tannic and rustic variety -as rough and tumble as the streets of nearby Bari- there are several civilizing influences that can be applied, to very gently even out some of its more hirsute edges. This particular cuvee has benefited greatly from an extended maturation in barrels, which has softened some of the harder phenolics, though not at the expense of the wines rich fruitfulness. Guy & Girl Notes: A very exquisite nose, slight acidity character, dusty (?), very delicious.  Winemakers Notes: "It is a Cardinal Zin to be inordinately proud of this windly spicy, full-bodied paean to little red fruit, the envy of those who try and fail. We anticipate its greddy acquisition by consumers lusting for a complete glutinous, sorry, make that supersonic gastronomic experience. This wine will complement all manner of game and other wild beasts, including sloth." -- R. RAnger (Note, label artwork done by Ralph Steadman, a well known artist and fellow wine lover - www.ralphsteadman.com) Guy & Girl Notes: Sweet, without being overbearing. Hints of pepper, very unique.  Winemakers Notes:Angelica is perhaps the most original of American wines, initially produced by California���?������¢??s Franciscan missionaries by adding unfermented juice to grape spirits. Similarly, this Angelica was made by adding neutral grape spirits and some fairly fragrant muscat brandy to lightly fermented mission grape juice. The mission grape is believed to have originated in Spain, imported to the Americas by the conquistadores, later becoming the grape of choice in the vineyards of California���?������¢??s Missions. After fortification, the wine was aged in open-topped barrels for many years and allowed to cool and warm with the seasons. The wine itself is extravagantly rich and unctuous, no doubt the product of seven plus years of repose and evaporation (and thus concentration) in partially filled barrels. When paired with pecan pie, one might expect tantric inspirations never contemplated by the Franciscans who created this quickly disappearing wine style. Other blessed arrangements would include dates, veined or aged cheeses, and various fruit tarts. Guy & Girl Notes: Very delicious and sweet. Joe purchased a bottle of this nice little treat to take home, while this wine reminds Lori of her early days of drinking....  Winemakers Notes: This is not a wine so much as a call to action, an entreaty, an appeal to reacquaint oneself with the pleasures of the sensual world. When the wine is poured, the aromas of raspberry, cassis and licorice fairly billow out of the glass in an almost cartoony, Barbara Eden-like fashion. If you didn't know already, Bouteille Call is a naughty little beverage. Guy & Girl Notes: Very jammy, blackberries and raspberry flavors. A great wine for dessert, or perhaps with breakfast? Our Podsafe Music Network Artist this week the song is "Follow Your Nose" by Slim. You can check the recetnly released album the website, http://www.slim-music.com Audio engineering provided by Tom Krymkowski Bonny Doon Vineyard can be found at: 10 Pine Flat Road Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Google Map tel: 831-425-4518 Tasting Room open daily from 11am- 5pm. Cheers! -A Guy & a Girl guyandgirl@gmail.com Category: Wineries -- posted at: 12:47 PM Comments[0] |
Sun, 13 November 2005 
The Burrell School Winery (www.burrellschool.com) - is about 18.5 miles from central San Jose. Allow at least 30 minutes to get there. Burrell School's origins date back to 1854 when Lyman J. Burrell settled the rough wilderness that is now home to the winery and estate vines. Carrying on the more than 130 year old tradition at the School, David and Anne Moulton began development of the Estate vineyard in 1973. Their grapes are hand-picked at optimal ripeness, crushed in small lots, and fermented with select yeast strains. Winemaker, Dave Moulton, carefully handcrafts each and every wine they make, from vineyard to bottle.From growing to harvesting, the goal is toward the best wine grapes possible in order to produce distinctive, concentrated wines reflective of their Santa Cruz mountain home. With a clever twist to include the school theme, every wine is given a nickname such as 'teacher's pet or 'detention red.' The mantra of the Burrell School Winery is "I promise to sip my wine." 00:00 Intro 01:37 Promo from Entirely Entertaining, Gregor Wossilus 03:06 Burrell School Winery Background with Dave 10:47 2002 Estate Grown Chardonnay 15:05 2002 Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot Noir 18:18 Discussion on slogan "I promise to sip my wine!" 19:55 Description of tasting room and grounds 21:15 2002 Ryan Oaks Zinfandel 24:17 2002 Estate Cabernet Franc 28:35 2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 43:46 Promo from Accident Hash 43:51 Fresh Sunday and the song "Melody Sings" from PodSafe Music Network The wines that we sample are: 2002 Estate Grown Chardonnay, $24.00 1100 Cases Produced Winemakers Notes: A standout student, their 'teacher's pet'. Classic Burgundian style Chardonnay with signature flavors of lively citrus notes, hints of mango and apricot, vanilla and soft nutty oak. Crisp acidity and a long finish bode well for cellar-aging for four to five years. Guy & Girl Notes: With hints of pinapple and mango (tropicalness from cool evenings and warm days), this wine was Joe's favorite. He is usually a big fan of reds, but this Chardonnay won him over! 2002 Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot Noir, $ 42.00 750 Cases Produced Winemakers Notes: "Principal's Choice" and a medal winner at SF Chronicle Competition. Fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry pair with a unique smoky, spicy note. The finish is long and lingering. This is a complex Pinot Noir that will age well for four to five years. Guy & Girl Notes: This wine was earthy with a mushroom and raspberry nose. Lori loved this one and bought a bottle for her own collection. 2002 Ryan Oaks Zinfandel, $ 25.00 580 Cases Produced Winemakers Notes: "Detention Red" - Sometimes our students need a dose of discipline. Berry nose, sweet spice notes, juicy flavors and a long fruity finish. Guy & Girl Notes: The nose is peppery with a cherry palette. 2002 Estate Cabernet Franc, $36.00 300 Cases Produced Winemakers Notes: 100% of this fabulous varietal is a sure chef pleaser! Cabernet Franc is known for its red berry flavor profile and moderate tannic structure. This Cabernet Franc does not disappoint, adding notes of pepper and an elusive violet scent. One of our most popular wines and extremely rare. Guy & Girl Notes: There is a fruityness that comes through. Very low in tannins and not an overpowering nose to it at first blush (get it?). Both Joe and Lori really liked this wine. 2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, $40.00 Winemakers Notes: This student of the Burrell School made "Dean's List." Deep, opaque color followed by aromas of lavender and dried cherries. A nose of white and black pepper is followed by lovely flavors of currants, hints of cocoa, sandalwood and a long peppery finish. Guy & Girl Notes: Most unique nose Joe has smelled in a while. The decanter made a difference on the nose. It has a sweet, minty, licorice, clove smell. Our Podsafe Music Network Artist this week is Fresh Sunday, and the song is "Melody Sings." Burrell School Winery can be found at: 24060 Summit Road Los Gatos, CA 95033 Google Map tel: 408-353-6290 Tasting Room open Friday - Sunday 11am- 5pm and by appointment. Drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com . Cheers! - A Guy, and Girl Category: Wineries -- posted at: 12:01 AM Comments[0] |
Sat, 5 November 2005 
Subscribe to our Wine Podcast at iTunes or Yahoo!The Obester Winery(www.obesterwinery.com - soon to be La Nebbia Winery - is about 35.2 miles from central San Jose. (Allow at least 45 minutes to an hour to get there however as traffic on highway 92 can be unpredictable). In 1934, winemaker John Gemello began producing big, hearty red wines from grapes grown locally in the coastal hills above Santa Clara Valley, California. He crafted them in the tradition of the fine red varietals of his native Italy. Patrons of his winery consumed his reds with great gusto, and so these robust wines were in great demand. In the late 1970's, the winery founded by John Gemello some forty years earlier was relocated from Santa Clara Valley to Half Moon Bay, California. The winery, renamed Obester, continued to produce big, hearty red wines under the Gemello label and new wines-- Reisling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, and sparkling-- under the Obester Label. These handcrafted, award winning wines became the signature of Obester Winery. Located just minutes from the beach in Half Moon Bay, the winery has bocce ball courts, and ample picnicking grounds. Be sure to stop by the local favorite - Cunha's Country Store, to pick up an assortment of meats, cheeses, and other supplies for your afternoon lunch. 00:00 Intro 01:35 Sponsor - Pawin Around Dog Daycare and Boarding (www.pawinaround.com) 02:20 Obester Winery Background with Frank 10:54 2003 Nebbia Chardonnay 15:50 2002 Nebbia White Monterrey Reisling 18:57 Tasting Room Description 20:28 2003 Nebbia White Monterrey Reisling 25:03 2004 Sparkling Wine 25:36 2000 Sangiovese 27:46 Obester location, surroundings 28:23 2000 Sangiovese 31:14 2001 Nebbia Zinfandel 33:27 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon 35:20 2001 Ruby Port 37:03 Wrap-up and summary of visit 38:50 Accident Hash Promo 38:55 Corporate Whore - Lighthouse 42:31 Promo - Shrink Rap Radio (www.shrinkrapradio.com) The wines that we sample are: 2003 Nebbia Chardonnay, $16.95 Winemakers Notes: Barrel fermented and oak aged, this Chardonnay is smooth and subtle. Enjoy with white-fleshed fish, shellfish, vegetable dishes, and pasta in heavy cream sauce. Guy & Girl Notes: Not buttery or oakey, a pleasant surprise with hints of citrus. A very unique Chardonnay from Napa Valley. 2002 Nebbia White Monterrey Reisling, $ 11.95 420 cases produced Winemakers Notes: This wine is a specialty of Obester Winery, and our 2002 vintage is one of our best. This dry wine (1% residual sugar) is tart and crisp with 'green apple' flavors. Smooth implications of pear, perfect for a hot summer day. Enjoy with spicy Asian cuisine or shellfish. Guy & Girl Notes: Creamy and dry with hints of apples and pears. Very delicious. 2003 Nebbia White Monterrey Reisling, $ 11.95 Winemakers Notes: Light and sweet, with hints of summer fruits. Perfect compliment to seafood. Enjoy with cracked crab on the beach! Guy & Girl Notes: This is the same wine, from the same vineyard as the previous sample, just differing in vintage. More aromatic than the 2002. More fruiter and sweeter. Not as dry as the 2002. Sparkling Wine, $ 11.95 Winemakers Notes: This value-priced, California sparkling wine is perfect for sipping and toasting special occasions. A blend of Chardonnay grapes and 10% Pinot. Two bottle sizes offered, perfect for picnicking. Guy & Girl Notes: A surprise! Normally we are not big sparkling wine (aka Champagne) drinkers, but this style is really delicious. Give it a try, we pick up a bottle of this! 2000 Sangiovese, Napa Valley$ 16.95, 400 cases produced Winemakers Notes: Sangiovese grapes are native to Tuscany and the primary grape in Chianti Classico. This wine features flavors of black berry and currants, with a bing cherry finish. Enjoy with Italian cuisine or meat. 2001 Zinfandel, Mendocino County $15.95, 400 cases produced Winemakers Notes: A great pairing with a holiday feast. Jammy, fruity flavors from ripe rich grapes grown in the heart of Mendocino. This wine is great with poultry and grilled vegetables. Guy & Girl Notes: Hints of pepper, and very smooth. Very, very good, low tannins. 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley $22.95, 200 cases produced Winemakers Notes: From our Signature wine collection, this Rutherford cabernet represents our true love of this varietal. With its rich nose and jammy flavors (hints of chocolate, cherries, and plums) this wine is well balanced and full of body. (Bronze Medal - SF Bay Wine Competition, Silver Medal Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Competition) Guy & Girl Notes: A great Cab for all you Cab lovers out there. Rich in tannins (but not heavy). 2000 Ruby Port $39.95, 50 cases produced Winemakers Notes: Made from Bastardo and Tempranillo grapes, this is a portugese-style ruby port. A blend of chocolate and prune flavors with hints of coffee. Great on a cold winter night or after a gourmet meal. Guy & Girl Notes: Very scrumptious, we should definitely bring chocolates next time. Our Podsafe Music NetworkArtist this week is Corporate Whore, and the song is Lighthouse. You can check out their album on iTunes
12341 San Mateo Road Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 Google Map tel: 650-726-9463 Tasting Room open everyday: 10am- 5pm. As always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. Would you like to see shorter shows? Perhaps more details? Let us know! You can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com . Cheers! -A Guy & a Girl Category: Wineries -- posted at: 11:01 PM Comments[2] |
Sun, 30 October 2005 
Subscribe to our podcast at i-Tunes or Yahoo! We are back with our 11th wine podcast and today we visit the Pelican Ranch Winery (http://www.pelicanranch.com). This winery located in Santa Cruz, California is our first visit to a truly 'virtual' establishment, as they do not own any vineyards. Rather, owner Phil Crews purchases grapes from all over California and makes wine from within this quaint shopping center. Don't fret about the lack of vineyards though, as Phil makes an amazing variety of wines with very small lots, making these wines all that more special. (Who else is going to have a bottle of Pelican Ranch Winery in your hometown?) Brought back by listener feedback, here are the time codes to help your ease your navigation: 00:00 Scott Sigler Intro 00:13 Pelican Ranch Winery Introduction 03:08 Interview with Owner Phil Crews 10:58 Pelican Ranch Winery Background 14:58 2004 Chardonnay, Los Carneros, Mitsuko's Vineyard 19:46 2003 Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, Bay Laurel Vineyards 22:35 2004 Pinot Gris, San Lucas, Valley Vista Vineyard 25:36 2000 Spectrum Rouge, California Red Wine Blend 29:13 2003 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard 32:00 2003 Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, Remde Vineyard 34:04 2004 Viogneir, Russian River Valley 35:56 Wrap-up and summary of visit 37:53 Accident Hash Promo 37:58 The Sway - Happyman The pelican ranch Winery is about 31 miles from central San Jose. (Allow at least 45 minutes to an hour to get there however as you traffic on highway 17 can be busy at certain parts of the day). Due to it's proximity to Santa Cruz, we suggest stopping buy on your way to the local beaches, or take the kids to visit the very interesting The Seymour Center at Long Marine Laboratory located just down the road. The center has the largest blue whale skeleton on display, anywhere worldwide, Arching 87 feet in length and rising 18 feet above the ground, it is a sight to behold. The wines that we sample are: 2004 Chardonnay, Los Carneros, Mitsuko's Vineyard, $21.00 Winmakers Notes: This wine is revered Los Carneros (The Ram in Spanish) sub district of the Napa Valley. It is extremely rich with a beautiful straw-color and generous fruit accompanied by notes of pear and apple. The creamy texture accompanied by vanilla and tasted oak accent a hint of butter from the complete malo-lactic fermentation. 2003 Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, Bay Laurel Vineyards, $20.00 Winmakers Notes: This wine is from a small vineyard off Summit Road in the Santa Cruz Mountain AVA. The signature of this vineyard mountain apple and flint and the other provides citrus and mineral. The fermentation in 100% new French Oak adds a nice toasty quality and additional complexity has been derived from sur lie aging. 2004 Pinot Gris, San Lucas, Valley Vista Vineyard, $15.00, 70 cases produced Strong aromas of bananas (yes, Bananas!) complement other scents of dried fruit in this wonderful wine. We both really like this particular wine and Lori contemplates yet another purchase..... Winemakers Notes: Fruit from this wine was obtained from a Monterey County AVA first planted in the early 1970's. The warm summer days and cool summer nights, with temperatures that can vary by 60 degrees F, contribute to the signature of this wine - rich tropical aromas and full flavors. 2000 Spectrum Rouge, $18.00 This wine is interesting as it is comprised of three different grapes, each aged separately in different oak barrels for varying lengths of time. This treatment, along with the fining (see below) makes this wine a very delicious chemistry experiment! Winemakers Notes: We have created a Rhone-Style blend with a California signature. A bold step was taken in the making of this wine as it combines 43% Zinfandel (from Eldorado), 43% Syrah (from Paseo Robles), and 14% Chardonnay (From Dry Creek Valley). This unusual approach has created a wine full of aroma and flavor with a mouth filling tasted. The flavors included pepper and spice from the Zinfandel, berry and cedar from the Syrah, and a hint of apple and vanilla from the Chardonnay. The rich fruit and flavors were retained by minimal treatment including egg white fining, and very light filtration. We find this wine accompanies a variety of foods yet it is also pleasant to drink on its own. NOTE: Ok - We didn't know what the H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks Egg white fining was and rather than assume you did, we looked it up for you. Enjoy. Egg White Fining (definition complied from several sources) - Fining red wines with fresh egg whites is a traditional method of modifying the wine's tannin structure. Egg whites are principally made of the protein albumin. Proteins have a molecular structure that allows them to bind tightly with phenolic compounds, the large group that includes anthocyanins, which give wine its color and tannins, in turn giving wine significant parts of its mouth-feel. Albumin is particularly good at removing astringent tannins without affecting other desirable phenolic components. Vegan wines are made without animal by products as part of the fining process. (For more information on this, please see Wine Definitions.) 2003 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, $26.00 140 cases produced Intense flavors pack a punch both in the mouth and the nose. A more complex wine than the others at this winery, not for your faint of heart! Winemakers Notes: This AVA, above the Salinas Valley floor, has a microclimate allowing long "hang times" to intensify flavors of Pinot Noir grapes. After crush there was a four-day maceration prior to fermentation. The contact between the cap and juice involved hand punch-down to insure gentle treatment during the extended fermentation. The wine was finished by a single careful rack and bottled unfiltered. We are pleased with its style - an overall bold character with flavors of fig, vibrant plum, raspberry and violet. It is deep in color and has a velvety feel on the palate. Additional complexity is derived from the vineyard location consisting of gently sloping, decomposed granite soils. Our first vintage from this vineyard was the 1998 release, whose structure remains intense (ask for library samples). We believe this wine will further evolve and gain complexity during extended cellaring. 2003 Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, Remde Vineyard, $25.00 116 cases produced Enjoyable, but may need more time to age. Winemakers Notes: This is our second wine from the beautiful Remde Vineyard located high (550') above the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. A very gentle process was used in the making of this wine. After fermentation, the juice was lightly pressed and then transferred to French Oak. It was not disturbed until the final winemaking steps, which consisted of bottling it unfiltered. Sediment will develop over time but it will not detract from the wine's traditional style - cherry and floral aromas with hints of strawberry and violets. The acid level, including pH is ideal, and will allow the many layers present to further evolve during cellaring. 2004 Viogneir, Russian River Valley $25.00 46 cases produced Our favorite! The best of lot. Great intense aromas, fruity but not sweet. Given that only 46 cases were produced, hurry up and get a bottle before they are all gone! Winemakers Notes: Wine rich in style with apricot peach, pineapple, and other tropical fruit aromas. An extended maceration period was allowed after crushing and prior to pressing. Barrel aged for 6 months in French oak and 100% malolactic fermentation. Once again, special thanks to the Podsafe Music Network for turning us on to this next artist, The Sway and their song is "Happyman". Pelican Ranch Winery 402 Ingalls Street #21 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Phone: (831) 426-6911 Google Map Tasting is available Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12-5PM That's all for today, as always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. You can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com . Cheers! -A Guy Category: Wineries -- posted at: 12:54 PM Comments[0] |
Sun, 23 October 2005  Subscribe to our podcast! In this episode we visit the Byington Winery - www.byington.com - located just off Bear Creek Road above Los Gatos, approximately 16 miles from downtown San Jose. Founded in 1989 by Bill Byington the 95-acre Byington estate resides at an elevation of 2000 feet overlooking several acres of vineyards, forest and of course Monterey Bay. The winery has planted about 8 acres of the on site property (all Pinot grapes) and buys the remaining grapes from other Santa Cruz wineries to help make up their total production of approximately 10,000 cases. The winery has beautiful sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and their onsite ammenities make for a wonderful place to have a picnic, play bocce ball on their public court, or have a wedding to remember. Be sure to check their website for more details. The wines we sampled during our visit are: 2002 Estate Pinot Noir $29.00 about 400cases produced Winemakers' Notes - This is a wine with a very approachable tannin structure and mouthfeel and finish like a comfortable chair after a great meal. This is a Pinot that stands firmly on it's own. This is a great wine to try with Lamb Daube! 2003 Pinot Hastings $30.00 A very delicatble boquet opens this wine, setting the stage for something wonderful. Hints of black cherry, perhaps even some raspberry(?). Delicious, especially if paired with red meat. 2002 Alliage Our FAVORITE! This is Byington's largest production wine by far. Alliage is a true blend at 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Syrah. The Cabernet Sauvignon lends the structure, the Cabernet Franc brings the delightful aromas, and the Syrah adds the depth and finnesse to make this wine a must when visiting. Winemakers' Notes Alliage is the French word for alloy. And just as a purposeful blending of metals produces an alloy that is greater than the sum of its parts, Alliage is the result of multiple blending components to arrive at a wine far superior to its separate parts. We feel that Byington is one of those wineries that is a *MUST* on your visit to the Santa Cruz mountain wineries. Even if you don't drink wine, the views and picnic ground are well worth the trip. The music that we feature in this episode is by The Lascivious Biddies and the song is Betty. Check them out at http://www.biddies4ever.com. Special thanks to Scott Sigler for introducing today's episode. Visit his website at http://www.scottsigler.net for a couple of awsome podiobooks. As always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery, please drop us a line. -A Guy guyandgirl@gmail.com Voice Mail - (206) 984-0257 Skype - aguyandgirl Category: Wineries -- posted at: 12:01 AM Comments[0] |
Sun, 16 October 2005   OK - After getting over a few technical delays, we are back on track and gearing up for a great fall season. The audio quality for this podcast is a little low, as it turns out one of our microphones died during the recording process. Our audio Engineer Tom Krymkowski did a great job with what we gave him, but there was only so much he could do. We decided to release the podcast as is, rather than leave you high and dry for a whole week. We hope you like it. Regardless of the quality of the recording, the Savannah-Chenelle is one of our favorite wineries thus far. Very family friendly (we both have young kids) and very scenic. Check it out if you are in the area. 00:00 Intro 01:01 Savannah-Chenelle 01:40 2003 Estate Chardonnay 05:13 2001 Pierre's Ghost Red Table Wine 10:27 2001 Pinot Noir, Armagh Vineyard 11:45 2001 Pinot Noir, Laetitia Vineyard, Arroyo Grande Valley 14:12 Review of tasting room 16:05 Aroma Wheel 17:33 2002 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 20:17 2001 Estate Cabernet Franc 24:45 2001 Estate Zinfadel 27:23 2002 Syrah Port (Yummy!) 29:50 Wrap-up and summary of visit 31:37 Exit Music 32:11 Accident Hash Promo 32:16 The Reverse Engineers - The Same Path On this trip to the Santa Cruz Mountains, we visit the Savannah-Chanelle Winery (http://www.savannahchanelle.com/index.html) located in Saratoga, only 14 miles from central San Jose. The Savannah-Chanelle Winery was originally founded in 1892 and currently sits on about 58 acres, comprised mainly of Pinot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfadel, and Chardonnay vines. Anthough they produce several different varietals, they are well known for their Pinot's. Some of these vines date back as far as 1910, and the Cabernet Franc is reportedly the oldest stock in California. The winery is nestled in the hills of Saratoga at an elevation of 1200 feet in the Santa Cruz mountains. On site there are numerous picnic tables and a generous grassy area suitable for picnics. The wine shop sells cheese, meat, soft drinks, as well as other wine related nic-nacs. This is a very family friendly environment and kids are welcome, with a multitude of books and a few games to keep them occupied while you sample wines. During the weekends, a pianist adds to the atmosphere by providing background music. The wines that we sample are: 2003 Estate Chardonnay, $28.00 This is an Estate wine, grown from a vineyard that was planted in 1976. The rare use of Hungarian oak brings a unique character to this wine. 2001 Pierre's Ghost Red Table Wine, $9.00 This is a blend (70% Syrah and 30% Zinfadel) and "shows a fusion of its indiosyncratic components". This wine is named after the founder - Pierre Pourroy - who according to legend lurks in corners and checks up on his wine-making operation from the grave. It was this Red Table Wine, that his nephew Robert Pourroy was making when we was overcome by CO2 when punching down the grapes and fell into a vat, eventually drowning in 1942. Needless to say, the BODY of this wine is excellent. 2001 Pinot Noir, Armagh Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, $28.00 A three-time award winner (2005 CA State Fair-Bronze Medal, 2005 SF Wine Competition-Bronze Medal, 2005 SF Chronicle Wine Competition-Bronze Medal), this wine brings aromas of ripe red bing cherries, wioth a hint of nutmeg and vanillia and a hint of cinnamon on the finish. Moderately earthy, and very delicatable. 2001 Pinot Noir, Laetitia Vineyard, Arroyo Grande Valley, $25.00 Flavors of cherry and Tobacco start this wine off well. Also a three-time award winner. (2005 CA State Fair-Silver,2005 SF Wine Competition-Bronze, 2005 SF Chronicle Wine Competition-Gold). 2002 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, $22.00 Deep rich color, "..in the mouth there is a burst of flavor arcing into a sublime finish. The mouth feel is Silky and Sensual, as it should be..." Bold, spicy and aromatic. A great pinot, and is Joe's pick of all the Pinot's that were available. 2001 Estate Cabernet Franc, Santa Cruz Mountains $28.00 Some of the oldest vines in all of California. The vines were planted in 1920. Sutble notes of Cedar and pine. Pomegranite and cherry undertones are also prevalent. 2001 Estate Zinfandel, Santa Cruz Mountains $28.00 Balanced with white pepper and jamminess. Oakiness scent is definitely prevalent. 2002 Syrah Port, $28.00 Winery Notes: Our first port after seven long, dry years. Decadent to the point of moral oblivion, this wine melts souls. In the glass, overwhemingly indulgent waves of Belgian chocolate and cherry fruit seem to some directly from some deep, dark place in the earth. On the tongue sinfully, silky expressions of berries, vanillia, carob, and sloe coat one's mouth and make the outside world seem like a very silly thing indeed. Anything that is "...Decadent to the point of moral oblivion..." needs to be sampled, caressed, and enjoyed, in our opinion! Once again, special thanks to the Podsafe Music Network for turning us on to this next artist, The Reverse Engineers and their song is "The Same Path". Influences of this band include Peter Murphy, The Fixx, and the Police. Savannah-Chenelle Winery 23600 Congress Springs Road Saratoga, CA 95070 Phone: (408) 741-2934 Google Map Tasting is available daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have the time, take a walk up the hill to the vineyards for a breathtaking view and a look at some old vine Zinfandel. Tours for 10 or more people are available for $15 a person, which includes an 18.5 ounce crystal bordeaux wineglass. That's all for today, as always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. You can drop us a line at guyandgirl @gmail.com , or (206) 984-0257. -A Guy Audio Engineering by Tom Krymkowski, podmixer "AT" mindspring.com Category: Wineries -- posted at: 12:27 AM Comments[0] |
Thu, 6 October 2005  In this episode we visit the Thomas Fogarty Winery, located just off Skyline boulevard in the hills of Woodside, CA. Dr. Fogarty, a successful surgeon and inventor, started the winery in 1978, but did not begin commercial production until about 1981. The Fogarty winery is well known not only its' famous founder, but also many local companies hold Team Building excerises on the wonderful grounds. Weddings and private parties are also welcome. With sweeping views of the Silicon Valley below, it is no wonder that Fogarty Wineries remain a popular destination for the wine crowd. 00:00 Intro 01:47 Fogarty Background 03:04 2002 Estate Reserve Chardonnay 05:55 Santa Cruz Mountain Appleation Description and layout of property 10:07 2003 "Ventana Vineyards" Monterey Chardonnay 11:23 2004 Monterey Gewurtztraminer 18:00 2001 Santa Cruz Pinot Noir 20:18 Vineyard information 22:48 Exit Music 23:50 Accident Hash Promo 23:55 Paula Toledo The Thomas Fogarty Winery produces approximately 15,000 cases of wine per year, and the property includes approximately 25 acres of vines (11 Chardonnay, 7.5 Pinot, 6 Merlot, 1 Sangiovese), at an elevation of about 2,100 feet. The wines we sampled during our visit are: 2002 Estate Reserve Chardonnay $45.00 about 302 cases produced A complex chardonnay, but not in a buttery sort of way. Hints of pear, butterscotch and tropical fruits highlight this wine. Winemakers' Notes - Straw in color, with a touch of honey and alfalfa on the nose, the wine appoaches with a texture that is immediately rich and subtle. With an essence of peaches and cream, this mineral-ladden-multi-layered wine shows through in the glass. 2003 "Ventana Vineyards" Monterey Chardonnay $26.00 about 260 cases produced A "Big" Chardonnay, suitable for cocktails. Again tropical fruit is on tap as the primary elements that are noticed in this wine. Winemakers' Notes - The wine has a green/straw colored hue and loads of minerals, fresh apples and cream on the nose. The palette offers the tell-tale Santa Cruz Mountain minerality and stoniness as well as apple and pear flavors. This wine would pair fabulously with pastas with cream based sauces, seared scallops and fresh lobster. 2004 Monterey Gewurtztraminer $17.00 The winemakers favorite! All steel fermentation (no barrel aging) process allows you to enjoy the grape for what it is, without all the additional complexity that oak barrels can add. Although Gerwurtztraminer is normally known as a dessert wine, this one is suitable on its own or as an apertif. You must give this one a try! Winemakers' Notes It is always delightfully dry on the palette, but full of tropical fruit, white flowers and spice, the hallmark of this beautifully crafted wine. The 2004 vintange produced some of our most striking gewurz ever with incredibly intense fruit flavors balanced by well integrated acidity. A perfect accompaniment to most fresh and exotic flavors. 2001 Santa Cruz Pinot Noir $25 Winemakers' Notes This wine enraptures our strongest sense, the nose, with a rich invitation to savory red fruits. The first sip confirms this premise by offering a warm mouthful of almost sweet, strawberry-rhubarb compote. Set off against the structure and spice of this classic mountain fruit's acidity and tannin, the wine closes with a real sense of place, here at home in the mountains. I hope you enjoyed this trip to the Thomas Fogarty Winery. The music that we feature in this episode is by Paula Toledo and the song is "How Long". You can visit her website at http://www.paulatoledo.com. Incidently, according to Doctor Fogarty "There is now both epidemiological and biochemical evidence that wine consumption has health accruing benefits. The epidemiological evidence has been corroborated and redocumented in multiple additional studies." You can't argue with a prognosis like that, so be sure to drink up! As always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. You can drop us a line. -A Guy guyandgirl@gmail.com Voice Mail - (206) 984-0257 Skype - aguyandgirl Category: Wineries -- posted at: 3:43 PM Comments[0] |
Sat, 17 September 2005 
Today's episode we visit the Picchetti winery (http://www.picchetti.com/), one of the oldest wineries in Northern California and have been continusously bonded under several names since about 1896. (Their California Bonded Winery number is #148 !). The Picchetti family was a great lover of birds, and one of the favorite - the Peacock - still roams freely about the grounds. The winery itself is located on the edge of the Mid-Peninsula Open Space District (http://www.openspace.org/), and therefore many trailheads are very close to the winery, affording a great recreational opportunity in addition to the wine tasting. The Picchetti Winery produces approximately 9000 cases of wine per year, including some from 110 year old Zinfandel vines. The wines we sampled are: 2004 Viognee $24.95 424 cases produced (Double Gold - 98 pts California State Fair) Winemakers' Notes - Enjoy this sophisticated wine, great for summer, with a floral nose and crisp, light palate. Serve chilled with creamy brie or oysters on the half-shell 2001 Leslie's Estate Chardonnay $19.95 (Silver Medal) 546 cases produced Winemakers' Notes - In the Santa Cruz Mountains 2000 was a good vintage, but 2001 was even better. This wine is a good example of the potential that the region has for making high quality wine. Aromas of peach, pear, melon, and citrus blossom are abundant in this wine as well as a hint of butterscotch. The body is supple, and produces a long and pleasant finish. 2001 Red Pavone - $15.95 (Gold Medal - 90 pts Santa Cruz Mountain Commercial Wine Competition) Winemakers' Notes - Dark and rich this wine is blended for complexity with an emphasis on youthful fruit. It is primarily a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Cherry and raspberry fruit aromas are complimented with notes of leather, pepper nutmeg, vanilla and baking spices. The velvety tannins carry the fruit and spices through the palate to a long pleasant finish. This is a great wine for picnics, barbecues and cool fall nights. Try it with dishes with mushroom preparations. This is our second release of this wine and for those that missed the first. Pavone is peacock in Italian. 2003 Old Vine Zinfadel - Picchetti Estate $49.95 125 cases produced Winemakers' Notes -This wine, from our 100+ year old estate vines, is spectacular. No wonder this was the one vineyard area the Picchetti family kept in production through Prohibition for their family use! The deep color, full mouthfeel and exquisite balance of fruit and tannins make this a truly exceptional wine that we reserve for our Club Members. (2 bottle limit.) Lastly we have a quick promo by our friends over at Accident Hash and some music from the Podsafe Music Network by Olivia Greer. You can check out her music on i-Tunes .
00:47 Intro Music 01:16 Welcome Back - History 03:02 Midpennisula Open Space District 04:17 Winery Grounds Description 06:27 2004 Viognee 08:14 2001 Chardonnay 11:14 2001 Red Pavone 13:01 Old Vine Zinfadel 14:49 Tasting Room Details 19:17 Exit Music 19:40 Olivia Greer Next week we vist the Thomas Fogarty Winery a Silicon Valley staple. Be sure to tune in! As always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. You can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com , or (206) 984-0257.
Category: Wineries -- posted at: 11:59 PM Comments[0] |
Mon, 12 September 2005 
Guglielmo Winery
Join us as we complete our visit to the Guglielmo Winery (www.guglielmowinery.com) as part of their 14th Annual Harvest Festival & Grape Stomp. Part 1 of our visit focused on the history of the winery with a sound scene tour of the winery, courtesy of Steve Wilson of the Guglielmo Winery. Part 2 of our visit includes us checking out the festivities (A Salami Toss, Bocced up Bocci Ball, Whack a Walnut, and finally, the Grape Stomp. We also have a guest host, courtesy of my wife Pam, and music from the Pod Safe Music Network by Adrina Thorpe - Round the Bend. Check it out. The wines that we sample in today's episode are (Vintners Notes) Our Private Reserve Petite Sirah opens with aromas of violets, marjoram, clove and vanilla. The clove and spice aromas follow through onto the palette where they are complemented by background flavors of blueberry. Approachable tannins and a nice acid balance give this wine a good mouthfeel. This Petite Sirah should be perfect for full-flavored fare such as grilled beef, leg of lamb, and game dishes. WINEMAKERS NOTES Produced from Petite Sirah grown in our estate vineyards surrounding the winery. This vineyard - first planted by our Grandfather some 60 years ago - produces Petite Sirah of unusual depth and character. After initial racking from redwood tanks - the wine was aged in small oak cooperage for two years. Although very enjoyable now, this wine should continue to gain additional complexities in the bottle for at least another 5-8 years. The 2000 vintage yielded approximately 1,000 cases. (Vintners Notes) Another limited bottling especially for our Guglielmo Wine Group, the 2002 Pinot Blanc was grown in the cool climate of Northern Monterey County. The 2002 vintage was fermented in small French oak barrels - giving it a very inviting vanilla-oak component that enhances the tropical fruit characters in both the aromas and the flavors. Serve this wine much as you would a Reserve style Chardonnay. It goes especially well with richly-sauced seafood (scampi!) or poultry dishes. All the wines above are available at the Guglielmo Online Store Next week we visit the Picchetti Winery, one of the oldest wineries in the valley. Be sure to tune in! As always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. You can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com , or (206) 984-0257.
-A Guy Category: Wineries -- posted at: 1:35 PM Comments[0] |
Sat, 3 September 2005 .JPG)
Guglielmo Winery/ Tasting Room / Gourmet Food ShopLocation: 1480 E. Main Avenue Morgan Hill, CA 95037 Located 20 minutes south of San Jose, 1 hour south of San Francisco & 45 minutes from Monterey. We visit the Guglielmo Winery (www.guglielmowinery.com) as part of their 14th Annual Harvest Festival & Grape Stomp. Part 1 of our visit focuses on the history of the winery with a sound scene tour of the winery, courtesy of Steve Wilson of the Guglielmo Winery. We also have a guest host, and music from the Pod Safe Music Network by Adrina Thorpe 'Fly Fly Fly' . Check it out. Next week we bring you Part 2 of the Guglielmo Winery Harvest Festival, with reviews of their wines, the games, and more. I have posted some pictures of the tour on Flickr (have you ever seen 100 year old redwood wine storage tanks?). As always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. You can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com . Thanks for tuning in. Subscribe to our podcast at iTunes!
-A Guy Category: Wineries -- posted at: 2:07 PM Comments[0] |
Sat, 27 August 2005 
On our 4th episode, we visit Hunter Hill Winery (http://www.hunterhillwines.com) and review the beautiful scenery and wines. We discuss their recent Best of Show award at the State Fair for their 2002 Arroyo Seco Mesa Del Sol Syrah (Double Gold, 98 points). We also discuss their Wine Club and special Wild Game dinner event hosted at the winery every year.
The wines that we reviewed are: - 2002 Old Vine Zinfandel - 2001 Merlot Estate - Hunter's Blend We also play our first song from the Podsafe Music Network, and the song is 'Relax', by SugarGlider. Finally, we have added some additional photos to our blog, courtesy of Flickr. As always, please let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. You can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com . Thanks for tuning in. Next week we have a special episode where we review the Guglielmo winery during their 14th Annual Harvest festival, including a behinds the scenes tour! - A Guy Category: Wineries -- posted at: 11:31 AM Comments[0] |
Sun, 21 August 2005 .JPG)
Today we take a tour of the Silver Mountain Winery (http://www.silvermtn.com), and sample some wines. We also talk about Souldier of Fortune which is the music that we used in the beginning and end of our Podcast. We also discuss the Passport Program of the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Growers Association. During our Passport Day, Silver Mountain had a vertical tasting which we found very interesting and allowed us to compare different vintages of the same style of wine.
Vertical Tasting - A vertical tasting involves wines from different vintages but all the wines will come from the same winery. If the winery produces more than one type of wine, you would select a single wine from that winery and taste multiple vintages of that wine. For instance, you might have 4 vintages (1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002) of Chardonnay. When you hold a Vertical tasting, you are learning more about the differences between different vintages rather than the differences in wineries or styles. The wines that we reviewed are: Finally, we have added some additional photos to our blog, courtesy of Flickr. - A Guy Category: Wineries -- posted at: 3:52 PM Comments[0] |
Sun, 14 August 2005 .jpg)
We are back with Episode 2! We are s-l-o-w-l-y picking up new subcribers, but hey, that is OK with us. We are out there sampling wine so you know the cool places to hit the next time you are in town. This week we visit David Bruce Winery www.davidbrucewinery.com, one of the larger wineries in the area. We review the grounds as well as learn a little bit about the Saignee Process. Take a listen, and if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery, please drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com. Thanks for tuning in.
Category: Wineries -- posted at: 9:30 PM Comments[0] |
Sat, 6 August 2005 .jpg)
Welcome to A Guy, A Girl, and A Bottle Podcast! This is our first podcast, although the actual recording took place almost a month ago. We talk about who we are, why we are Podcasting, and where we expect to go from here. Our inaugural winery is Cooper-Garrod www.cgv.com
and we review not only some of their wines, but also the winery itself. Grab a bottle of wine, and enjoy!
Tell us what you think! If you have a question, a comment, or would like us to visit a particular winery, contact us by email at guyandgirl@gmail.com (include an mp3 file of your question for possible inclusion into a later Podcast). Also, as we are brand-new, we are not listed in iTunes just yet, but we have submitted our information and should be there soon. In the meantime, you can subscribe to our Podcast via the RSS feeder at the bottom of the page.
-A Guy
Category: Wineries -- posted at: 9:51 AM Comments[0] |
A weekly wine podcast from California. Join hosts Joe and Pam as they visit the wineries, review the wines, and podcast about it! Audio Engineering provided by Tom Krymkowski. Theme song is Good Life courtesy of Souldier of Fortune
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