Brandies are spirits distilled from fruits: pears, apricots, cherries, grapes. Brandies range from well-known types such as cognac and armagnac to obscure fruit eaux-de-vie produced in the Black Forest of Germany. Germain-Robin is a brandy distilled in California on a cognac still using unusually high quality table wine grape varietals.
What is wine? Some might say it’s a fine beverage meant for a glass. The folks at Bonterra Vineyards won’t argue with that. They believe that a wine should also be a perfect expression of the grape from which it’s made and the land on which those grapes are grown.
John and Kimberly Cabot set out to be self sufficient and live off of the land. After college on the Humboldt coast they moved inland where more fruits and vegetables could ripen. They grew a wide assortment of organic produce and marketed it through Northern California retailers and Farmer’s Markets. Ten years of growing experience on the Klamath River in Northern California nurtured within them a deep respect for the land. They also developed a deep appreciation for red wine from their families. They set out to bring their love for growing, wine and the land together into one dream… They began planting wine grapes in 1998. It was exciting to pioneer an undiscovered wine area in California. The land is carved by narrow gorges and steep mountains making ideal vineyard sites rare little gems. They now have three small vineyards that they hand planted with small crews of locals. Each of the vineyards is individual and is meticulously tended in accordance with its unique needs.
We called a week in advance and made an appointment. This winery is 100% local, organic and very picturesque. Dave had the wines all ready for us to taste on a little patio table overlooking magnificent redwood forests and the Willow Creek Valley. He was so nice and welcoming and chatted with us for an hour and a half. It was so intimate and we learned a ton about the area and their wine.
homas' fondest early memories are of the Castillou Ranch and watching, then ultimately joining, the miracle of turning grapes into a magical libation--WINE.
Today, Thomas is carrying on the family's agricultural and winemaking traditions in scenic Humboldt County. He has planted nearly 30 acres of European-style wine grapes in a 280° bend of the south fork of the Eel River in historic Myers Flat.
Carter Cellars produced their first vintage in 1998 with the help of veteran Winemaker Nils Venge. Since then they have had a string of fantastic releases and highly rated wines. Their focus has long been big Napa Cabernet, Merlot and Blends. They now focus on Vineyard Designate Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Blends from the famous Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville and the steeply terraced Hossfeld Vineyard in Soda Canyon. The Carter Cellars wines are all deeply extracted and highly nuanced with bright fruit and intense structure that can be appreciated young, but will reward patience in the cellar.
The Chiarito Vineyard winery came about as an extension of what John was already doing; farming, gardening, and making prosciutto, bread and wine. It was nurtured and helped along by his family and other influential figures he met along the way, including Larry Pacini, Irece Anzilotti and his dad, Americo.
The creation of this winery has given John a great connection to the land and an older way of life. It is a tribute to his parents, grandparents, and all of the friends who have taught and helped him.
Violet-Green Winery is located on seven acres of redwood forest overlooking Misty Hill Canyon near Humboldt Bay in far northern California. The winery was named to honor the Violet-green swallow's annual spring migration to the winery as a symbol of nature's promise of renewal. The name also evokes images of the vineyard at veraison, when grapes ripen to contrast dramatically against a green leaf canopy.
The folks at Nelson Family Vineyards believe in their motto that “Great wines are born in the vineyard.” Nelson Family's goal is to gently guide the grapes into wines that show off the balance and high quality that they strive to achieve in their vineyards.
cNab Ridge Winery now combines the pioneering winemaking spirit of John Parducci with the new tradition and vitality of Rich Parducci. Rich makes wine in the style made famous by his grandfather, John: complex, approachable, and enjoyable to drink. Production in 2005 was 12,000 9-liter cases.
