For all those that loved the ZAP festival last month, the Santa Cruz Mountain Winery Association is having their 2nd annual Pinot in Paradise. The dates are Saturday and Sunday, March 25 & 26, 2006. Many different wineries will be represented, inlcuding some that we have visited recently including Bonny doon, Pelican Ranch, Thomas Fogarty, and Burrell School just to name a few. (if you have checked out these episodes yet, what are you waiting for?!)

This is an excellent opportunity to get close and personal with different styles of Pinot from the Santa Cruz Appelation. This event sold out last year, so get your tickets early and be sure that you tell them that 'A Guy, a Girl, and a Bottle' sent you!

- The Guy
(Press release below)
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Experience Pinot in Paradise at the 2nd annual Celebration of Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir: Pinot Paradise

Saturday and Sunday, March 25 & 26, 2006
Grand Cruz Tasting March 26 at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga

Aptos, Calif., February 14, 2006 Pinot noir lovers will once again have the opportunity to savor the unique quality and intensity of Santa Cruz Mountains pinot noir at the second annual Pinot Paradise. The festival will be held over two days this year: Saturday, March 25, will feature Pathway to Pinot Paradise, a self-guided tour of select Santa Cruz Mountains wineries who will be pouring barrel and samples of their latest pinots. The Grand Cruz Tasting and Technical Sessions will be held on Sunday, March 26 at the historic Mountain Winery in Saratoga. More than 30 wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation will pour their finest pinot noir at what is perhaps the 'cradle of pinot noir' in North America. The historic Mountain Winery, originally home to the Paul Masson Winery, boasts the first planting of The Noble Grape on this continent. Accompanying the Grand Cruz tasting will be gourmet hors oeuvres from some of the best restaurants from San Jose to Santa Cruz. There will be ample room for all attendees to enjoy wine tasting, food sampling, and a silent auction featuring specially bottled magnums of pinot noir, not available at any other time.

Saturday's Program: Pathway to Pinot Paradise
New this year, 'Pathway to Pinot Paradise' will offer the public a chance to taste barrel samples of Pinot at participating wineries, as well as limited library wines at some locations. Tickets for this event will be $20 per person. This is a self-guided tour. For guided tour options, contact the SCMWA at 831-685-8463 or www.scmwa.com

Sunday's Schedule, March 26, 2006
10am to 2pm- Technical Sessions. This program will offer in-depth seminars on the growing and making of pinot noir in this distinctive appellation. Featured guest Randall Graham of Bonny Doon Winery will address the topic: 'Why is Pinot Noir called the fickle grape?' This will be followed by a panel discussion entitled 'The Impact of Terroir on Pinot Noir in the Santa Cruz Mountains'. Panelists will include Michael Martella of Michael Martella Wines and Thomas Fogarty, Jeff Emery of Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Prudy Foxx of the Viticulture Association of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and Jim Schultze of Windy Oaks Estate.

This will be followed by a session entitled "The parallels (or not) between Burgundy and the Santa Cruz Mountains," featuring tastings from both regions.

A special Vineyard Tour will be conducted by Jeffrey Patterson (weather permitting), and will include a box lunch. Tickets are $50.

2pm to 4:30pm-The Grand Cruz Pinot Noir Tasting; open to the public. Tickets: $50 til March 1; $65/per person thereafter. Paradise Passes including Pathway to Paradise, Grand Cruz Tasting, and Technical Sessions, are $100 per person til March 1; $120 thereafter.

Reservations:Call: 831-685-8463 or www.scmwa.com or fax: 831-688-6961

Restaurants and specialty food purveyors will include Forbes Mill, Viva, Le Papillon, Sestri, Restaurant O, CB Hannegans, Grapevine Wine & Cheese, Michael's on Main, Nonno's, Il Fornaio, Casa Blanca, Crimson, Cocoa Bon, Bella Saratoga, Decadent Tastes, Carol Hall's Hot Pepper Jelly Company and more!

Wineries will include Ahlgren Vineyard, Alfaro Vineyards, Aptos Creek Vineyard, Bargetto Winery, Beauregard Vineyards, Burrell School Vineyards & Winery, Byington Winery, Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery, Clos la Chance Wines, Clos Tita, Domenico Winery, Generosa, Hallcrest Vineyards, Heart O' Mountain, Loma Prieta Winery, McHenry Vineyard, Mount Eden Vineyards, Muccigrosso Vineyards, Pelican Ranch Winery, Pichetti Winery, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards, Silver Mountain Vineyards, Sonnet Wine Cellars, Soquel Vineyards, Storrs Winery, Testarossa Vineyards, Thomas Fogarty Winery and Vineyards, Trout Gulch Vineyards, Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards and Winery, and Woodside Vineyards.

About the Santa Cruz Mountains Appellation
The Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, established in 1981, was among the first viticultural areas in North America to be defined by geophysical and climatic factors. The appellation encompasses the Santa Cruz Mountain range, from Half Moon Bay in the north, to Mount Madonna in the south. The east and west boundaries are defined by elevation, extending down to 800 feet in the east and 400 feet in the west. The elevation, marine influence, mountain terrain and distinctive soils all help make the Santa Cruz Mountains paradise for producing elegant, classic pinot noir in the Burgundian style. Vineyards planted here tend to be low-producing, yielding intensely concentrated fruit that makes wines of great complexity. Santa Cruz Mountains pinots characteristically feature many layers of fruit, earth, minerals and spice, all gracefully supported by an elegant core of persistent, food-friendly acidity.
For tickets and other information about Pinot Paradise, contact the SCMWA:

Phone: 831-685-8463 or www.scmwa.com or fax: 831-688-6961

See you in paradise!!

OK, OK, I know. The festival was a few weeks ago, and I am just now getting the podcast posted. Alan Baker of the Cellar Rat should be happy now :D Anyway, for those not in the know, ZAP stands for the Zinfandel Associate Producers Festival, an annual event that takes place in January each year that focuses on only one wine varietal - (can you guess? Anyone, anyone? Bueller?) ZINFANDEL.

This is believed to be the World's largest single varietal event, and takes place over 4 days in beautiful San Francisco. This year the final tally was over 8,000 attendees, and 272 wineries representing over 600 wines. Talk about heaven! Next year's event is already being planned, visit www.zinfandel.org for more information.

Join Joe as he explores what Zinfandel is, where it came from, and where it is going in this informational packed episode. Lori couldn't make it, and I had to wing it on my own. Lori will definitely be back for the next episode.

A couple of announcements:

A Guy, a Girl, and a Bottle have joined Podshow! We are very excited to be working with everyone at Podshow and are thrilled to be given the opportunity to take our podcast to the next level. Thanks to everyone who has listened over the last 8 months!

We now have Voicemail! Give us a call and let us know what you like (and what you don't!). Show ideas? Planning a visit to the area and want some suggestions on wineries to visit? Give us a call and we'll do what we can to help you out. 408-627-7796 (24 hrs a day, 7 days a week)


00:00 Intro
00:48 Quit Your Day Job! - JA Donnelly from www.madpod.com
01:26 GNGNB Housekeeping & anouncements
04:08 ZAP Background and day 1
07:45 Definition of 'Racking' by Grady Wann of Quivira Estate Vineyards
10:15 Tannis Reinhertz talks about food and wine pairing
13:33 Tom Mackey of St Francis Winery talks about why Zinfandels are so high in alcohol
14:53 Valentines day greetings from KFC of the Podchick show!
16:12 ZAP Background and day 2
20:50 ZAP Background and day 3
26:20 Andrew of Bonny Doon helps Pam confess her sins on the Bonny Doon Absolverator
29:40 Wrap-up
32:30 Music by LoveSpirals - Love Survives (Happy Birthday Angie B!)

The wines that we liked are the Brown Family Estate Zinfandel (2004). Winemakers Tasting notes:
Deep ruby in color with dark blackberry fruit aromas and layers of ground nutmeg and creamy vanilla. Mouthfeel is velvety and full, leading to expressive dark berry and black cherry fruit flavors that are seamlessly integrated with subtle notes of nutmeg, cloves and hints of caramel. This wine embodies the polish and balance that are hallmarks of Brown Estate zinfandel while simultaneously embracing the power and intensity of the 2004 vintage. Drink now through 2012.

Terramater Vineyars TerraMater Unusual Mighty Zinfandel 2004
WinemakersTasting Notes:
Deep concentrated violet/purple color. Intense nose with notes of dark chocolate, raisins, dry ripe figs intermingled with prunes. Full palate with lively tannins. Good persistent finish with distinctive aromas of vanilla and figs.This exceptional wine is excellent to be enjoyed on its own or accompanied with strong cheeses, highland ham, meats of hunt as wild boar and deer, grilled meats, spicy and savoury dishes.

Our Artist this week is the LoveSpirals, and the song is Love Survives. You can find more music from Love Spirals along with other great artists on the Podsafe Music Network (http://music.podshow.com). Direct link to song:

Check out all the photos from the ZAP festival at our Flickr site

Cheers!
-A Guy & a Girl
guyandgirl@gmail.com.

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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)

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