Naramata Bench Wine Region, Okanagan Lake Wine Region

Quiet, Idyllic Charm of Naramata Bench

Okanagan Wine Valley

Okanagan Lake Views

Okanagan, Penticton and Skaha Lake Views

Physical geography defines a bench as: a shelf-like area of rock with steep slopes above and below. Naramata Bench Wine Country, along the eastern shores of Okanagan Lake in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, offers meandering the country roads and idyllic charm, but why is a wine region called a bench? Naramata Bench has multiple levels of vineyards that ascend on gently sloping land from Lower to Upper Naramata Bench Roads. Several stepped plateaus have orchards planted on them boasting apples, peaches and HUGE cherries.

This idyllic area has a small village feel to it. Life moves slowly, neighbors know each other and regularly sit outside in their yards conversing, watching the kids play and enjoying the beauty of nature. You could ride your bikes, hike along the Trans-Canada trail, shop at the local Farmer’s Market, stay at a quaint bed and breakfast, or go winetasting.

The Bench boasts over 20 wineries.  Several offer gourmet restaurant experiences, relaxing patios with stunning lake views and avante garde art.

Hillside Cellars

While waiting for a table at the very popular Barrel Room Bistro onsite, we popped into the tasting room to see what all the buzz was about. Hillside has a great reputation for both their wine and their food. They had a large assortment of wines available to taste, so we decided to do both the whites and reds. I’m not usually a fan of Gewürztraminer, but was pleasantly surprised at their 2010 vintage. It is light, fruity and refreshing. Next we tasted a very unique wine, Muscat Ottonel. These estate grown grapes make a spicy yet floral, refreshing white wine. The flagship wine is their Mosaic, presumably named after the mosaic tile on the front entrance to the winery. The description of this wine says “small pieces coming together to create a work of art”. It is a Bordeaux blend with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Thick and rich, balanced with the Bordeaux characteristics that made me dream of a crown roast beef.

Just as we were finishing up our tasting we were called by the Bistro personnel that our table was ready.  We scored a lovely table at the edge of the patio overlooking the vineyard, with views all the way to the lake and along the valley. I opted for a light spiced carrot and apple soup, because you can’t just get that anywhere. I chose right! This unique sweet and spicy soup reflects why Chef, Rob Cordonier just won the “Best Chef in the Okanagan” award from Eats Magazine. He and his team focus on local, seasonal food, simple yet tasteful.

To visit this winery in the summer is a wonderful experience. It is full of hanging flower baskets overflowing from every spot that a basket could possibly be hung. The bright and cheerful explosion of colors makes you smile, as does their wine and food.

Time permitting a walk through the wine museum on the property is very interesting. For information and seasonal hours go to: http://hillsidewinery.ca 

Red Rooster Winery

Down the street is Red Rooster Winery.  It’s all about life in the “coop” at this winery. They encourage their patrons to find out what the crowing is all about. A proud Red Rooster rules the roost, in the winery, and on their label.

With spectacular lake views, this 22-old winery is a proud patron of the arts. On display is an ever-rotating exhibit of painting and sculptures by local artists. Walking through the grounds you will see a giant steel mermaid floated in the vineyards, a musical sculpture of a bass with music coming from it and a steel bench depicting life at the lake with a sailboat, quail and the rocks of the Naramata Bench.The love of art is reflected in the display wall for their wines.  Made of wood blocks that jut out unevenly the winery mascot, the Rooster stands on top of the wines strutting his stuff.

Red Rooster Rules his Roost of Wines

Winemaker Karen Gillis started her professional life as a chef and soon realized that it was winemaking that held her passion. She has crafted a large array of award winning wines. As is typical in this colder climate, they are strong on white wines, which they refer to as Roosters. Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling and a blend called Bantam. They currently feature three red wines; a Cabernet Merlot, Merlot and a Malbec.  The wines here are very affordable, most are under $25.00 Canadian.

Steel Art Mermaid

Steel Art Bench depicting life in the Okanagan Valley

The winery has clever tasting cards for each of their wines. An example is the Cabernet Merlot 2010:

           “This rooster shows great ‘posture’ as he moves through the flock. This medium to

             full-bodied red has soft drying tannins and flavours of ripe blackberry, black tea,

             sweet spice and oak which linger on the finish.”

Another unique offering at this winery is an “Adopt a Row” of the vineyard. For adopting a row parents receive a sign labeling their row, a certificate of adoption, discounts on gift purchases and a case of wine. Twice a year the winery hosts an “adoptive parents” event at the winery to learn more about viticulture and vineyard management. Adoptive parents also get to help in the harvest of their row.

We enjoyed our wine on the beautiful patio facing the lake offering a view of nature while tasting the fruits of nature.

Find more details about the Rooster at:  www.redroosterwinery.com

Just a few minutes from Penticton, the Naramata wine region invites you to slow down, smell the apple and peach blossoms, enjoy the view, hike along the old Kettle Valley Train Trail, stroll through the farmer’s market or lounge along the beach listening to the wind coming off the lake. This area, home to many artists, is a creative environment with an inspiring view to draw from around every corner. Come watch people making art in many genres in this idyllic setting, stay at a Bed & Breakfast and slow down. That’s what Naramata Bench is all about.

Robin Dohrn-Simpson Freelance Writer www.robindohrnsimpson.com

Bel Vino Winery Harvest Celebration

Harvest Celebration

Bel Vino Winery Clam Bake





Charlie Pearson

As fall sets in and the harvest is winding down, the celebrations wind up. Everyone loves to celebrate a successful harvest and Bel Vino Winery in Temecula, California celebrated their fantastic harvest with a clam bake. Celebrating harvest is an ancient tradition and no one likes a harvest celebration more than wine aficionados.

2012 is proving to be an abundant year for California wineries and that is making everyone in the wine industry happy, from winemakers to Bel Vinos wine lovers. Celebrations started on a warm October evening and the revelers were treated to a unique Cajun-style clam bake, including lobster, mussels, clams, clam chowder and chicken. Chef Richard Bustos, Bel Vino’s new Chef, with the aid of Sous Chef Clinton Pearson and Pearson’s Seafood did a spectacular job on this ambitious undertaking of cooking for around 100 people in an outdoor kitchen setting.



Guests dined under the twinkling lights



Sitting under the stars with nostalgic red checkered table cloths created a homey atmosphere. Guests enjoyed a sampling of Bel Vino wines. Dessert offered a special treat of port wine with a variety of cupcakes.

“Shoot 4 Tuezday”, entertained the crowd with rock and roll melodies into the late hours. It was wonderful to watch the smiles on people’s faces, especially owner Mike Janko’s. With the stress of harvest over it’s so nice to take time out to enjoy oneself, and he did.



Mike has a lot to be excited about. He has hired award winning winemaker, George Bursick, from Sonoma. Bursick has been making delicious wines as head winemaker for some of California’s biggest wineries and recently won the “Pinot Noir of the Year” award from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. 2013 will be the first year that Bel Vino wines will be their own. George has big shoes to fill, but everyone is confident that with his 30 years experience he will make delectable wines from the Temecula Valley vineyards.

Speaking of the future, if you’re planning a wine country wedding, you must check out Bel Vino’s house that is for rent for your wedding event. The entire house can host your full wedding festivities from rehearsal dinner, separate bride and groom’s quarters, a lovely courtyard for your ceremony and the garden area for your wedding reception.

Bel Vino Winery staff are energized about a bountiful harvest and the bright promise of a strong future full of fine wines and good times. The excitement of Bel Vino Winery is tangible, the wines are great, the views spectacular. Look out Temecula!

Festive tables greeted guests

Guests had their choice of many seafood specialties



Our hosts poured some excellent Bel Vino wines











San Diego Spirits Festival 2012



Mayan Liquer



For many people the year 2012 is all about the ending of the Mayan Calendar and end of the world in the Mayan people’s eyes. I say forget the end of the world fears and consider a Mayan Sacrifice. Just add a little tequila, some Xtabentun, a Mayan liquer of honey anisette and rum and a maraschino cherry. Yes, you can just shoot ‘em! Or make them into a Mayan Margarita. They go down smoothly!

Twisted Shotz

 

Crater Lake Vodka


  















I experienced the San Diego Spirits Festival on August 25 on Broadway pier. came alive with food trucks, music and spirits vendors at the second annual 2-day.





Jack N Box



Food trucks:



Ms. Patty Melt & OB Seafood

Gourmet food trucks are taking the world by storm. Restaurants, instead of waiting for people to come to them, are taking their food to the streets. Combining the convenience of walking up to a food truck ordering and eating right there, you get almost the same gourmet artistry of the chef in the actual restaurant. Chef Deborah Scott has made her name well known in the San Diego Food scene, with the Cohn Restaurant Group, so when I saw her truck, Ms. Patty Melt, I knew that was where I was having lunch. Oh sure I had a couple other fabulous choices: Jack in the Box or Ocean Beach Seafood Truck, dubbed the Pearl. I’m not much of a seafooder, but the owners are from Seattle and bringing Pacific Northwest Seafood to San Diego. Definitely worth a try for all you seafood people.





Spirits:



Tequila Alquimia



Pink Pigeon






Conjure Cognac



The pier was full of spirits vendors; some highlights for me

were Pisco Porton from Chile, Bolivian Coca Leaf Liquer, Pink Pigeon Rum from the Mauritius Islands as well as Conjure Cognac, a cognac brand of liquer (owned by the Rap Singer Ludacris). I love a nice sipping tequila, so imagine my joy at all the varieties I got to taste. My favorite was Tequila Alquimia who had a side-by-side tasting of four tequilas, each aged differently. These 100% estate grown blue Agave, certified organic tequilas were a show stopper for me. My favorite was the Reposada, aged for 6 months in white oak barrels, light gold in color its nose was mild, yet had a warm finish.



Bolivian Herbal Liquer



Joia mixers

  

  

Not to be outdone, the Quint Sangria ladies made a red Sangria and white Sangria very cold and filled with a variety of fruits.

Quint Red and White Sangria

 

  

Cigars:

The Macanudo cigar lounge outside had a cast of groupies hanging around and relaxing in the plush sofas. I left my cigar days behind me with college, but I’m told that these cigars are from the Dominican Republic, light in flavor and short in finish.

 

 

Cooking demonstrations

Strawberry &
Chocolate demonstration

Empirehouse urban palate’s chef made red miso BBQ wings that I enjoyed. The restaurant, in central San Diego, demonstrated their passion for quality food. I love their mission statement: “To be a destination where our customer are our friends, to be a location where the food is always delicious, and go be where you want to return day after day.”

Bartender Battle



Oscar

The competition

Oscar creating

Oscar Takahashi won the contest this year. It was nerve wracking to watch the competition because Oscar had to go find his glasses and returned with about 2 minutes used up from the 10 minute competition. But he worked swiftly and adeptly and created the winning cocktail.



Being a wine lover at heart, it was fun to attend this event; change it up a bit and taste some cocktails, and enjoy new flavors. I love to meet people in a different avenue than where I live and see their passions. Try their libations and experience their talent and years of hard work in their professions.

Mixologists

Last year's winner

The Crowd







Twisted Shotz




Your standard bathing beauties







Watching the Bartender Battle

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San Diego’s Best Outdoor Wine Patios

San Diego’s Best Outdoor Wine Patios

Al fresco ambiance is accompanied by great grapes

When you think of enjoying wine, do you only think about the complexity, the fruitiness, the tannins, or the color? How about where you’re enjoying the wine- the setting, the surroundings, especially if it’s outdoors? San Diego County currently boasts about three dozen wineries and each is unique. Here are some great winery patios where hospitality, good wine, good food and al fresco ambiance.


Cordiano Winery – It’s just up from Escondido on Highland Valley Road. This hidden paradise boasts a huge terra cotta patio with panoramic views of San Pasqual Valley. Dazzling sunsets and a serene setting allow you to unwind with a bottle Syrah or Sangiovese. Winery owner Gerard Cordiano, has previously owned a variety of Italian restaurants in San Diego. He brings his passion for pizza and the most amazing bread sticks, brushed with olive oil, herbs and parmesan cheese, to his patrons. An adobe pizza oven graces the patio where he will create a pizza to order. The Cordiano family makes you feel like a part of their family. Enjoy Sunday afternoon on the patio, or play a game of bocce ball. Call ahead so they can have a pizza waiting for you with your favorite bottle of Cordiano wine. 15732 Highland Valley Rd. Escondido. http://www.cordianowinery.com/


Salerno Winery- It’s all about family, friends and music at this Ramona Winery owned by Rose and Herman Salerno. Sundays are an especially fun day around the adobe ranch house. Sit at one of the many tables on the patio, next to the trickling fountain, amid the vines and taste some of Herman’s finely crafted wines. Herman, besides being the winemaker is a former Italian opera singer. His outdoor kitchen features an adobe pizza oven where he makes pizzas in his while belting out a tune. A guitarist entertains wine tasters and guests on the patio. Some even sing karaoke, but don’t worry, it’s not required. Rumor has it that they have an Argentinean barbecue some afternoons too. 17948 Highway 67, Ramona. http://www.salernowinery.com/


Shadow Mountain Winery- Take the opportunity for beautiful drive through the backroads north of San Diego near Warner Springs over Sunshine Summit, at 3,400 feet above sea level, to arrive at this quaint and rustic adobe winery. Grab a bottle of one of their tasty wines and sit in one of the mismatched chairs under the giant oak tree next to the grape vines. Alexander McGeary makes tasty wines; one to try is the Smoky Cabernet that was harvested during the 2004 wildfires. You can taste the fire in this wine. Panoramic mountain views abound at this rural winery. You may just want to stay overnight in one of their two cottages, enjoy a continental breakfast in the morning and then, alas, return to reality. 34680 Highway 67, Warner Springs. http://www.shadowmountainvineyards.com/


Hawk Watch Winery- Across the road and down a ways from Shadow Mountain winery is one of the newest wineries in San Diego County. Hawk Watch Winery is a lovely red barn with panoramic views of surrounding mountains. Relax in an Adirondack chair with a bottle of their traditional hand crafted wines. Watch the hawks or gliders taking flight from Warner Springs Gliderport. They are open only on weekends and would love for you to enjoy their slice of heaven. 27054 Chihuahua Valley Rd., Warner Springs. http://www.hawkwatchwinery.com/


Orfila Winery- On the road to the Wild Animal Park, this picturesque winery is undergoing a transformation with a new young winemaker. But the patio lined with grape arbors, dotted with wrought- iron tables and chairs and picnic tables boasts a magnificent view of the San Pasqual Mountains. You could bring a blanket and picnic basket and lounge on the lush, green grass also. Orfila is truly a calm and relaxing spot to enjoy a bottle of wine. You could even enjoy the concerts on the lawn. 13455 San Pasqual Road, Escondido. http://www.orfila.com/

Bistro West Carlsbad CA

Bistro West and West Steak and Seafood Restaurants in Carlsbad

“Having your own farm is a chef’s dream come true,” said Executive Chef Eugenio Martignago, of Bistro West in Carlsbad, on a recent tour of his farm. Like all chefs, he wants to serve only the freshest vegetables, locally grown and focusing on what is in season. To get a quality and variety that is up to his standards, he and his staff have planted an organic garden on an acre of land a few miles inland in Carlsbad. Vegetables are picked fresh daily for an authentic farm-to-table experience for guests at both restaurants. “Being able to experiment in the planting and harvesting process infuses a whole new level of creativity to the menu offerings. With every planting we get more experienced with what grows in this climate and location.”

Chef Eugenio practices his art in the seaside village of Carlsbad, 30 minutes north of San Diego. West Village, located at I-5 and Cannon Road across from Legoland, encompasses two restaurants: Bistro West and West Steak and Seafood, a boutique hotel West Inn and Suites and a gas station. They even have a dog park.

Sunday evenings at West Steak and Seafood, Martignago recreates his family tradition of gathering and enjoying a slow cooked meal. Bistro West offers a Sunday Supper for $29.95 per person that includes a choice of soup or salad, two side dishes, and an entree. They also offer half price wines to complement the supper selections of the day.

Samples of entree selections include: Pork Osso Buco slowly cooked in a tomato demi-glaze; Natural Beef Short Ribs slowly cooked in red wine and topped with a port wine sauce; Veal Osso Buco slowly cooked in a veal stock and tomatoes, topped with Gremolata; Lamb Shank slowly cooked with wild mushrooms in a burgundy wine sauce; or Prime Rib, herb-crusted and slowly roasted, garnished with au jus and horseradish cream.

 Already popular for its “Dinner in the Bar” menu, West Steak and Seafood recently expanded the bar area to accommodate a growing demand for its weeknight happy hour. Tapping into Chef’s creativity in the kitchen they developed a “Sips and Bites” menu to showcase specialty cocktails paired with food. Recently they offered a Pumpkin Spiced Martini, served with peanut butter, balsamic strawberries and mascarpone cheese sandwich and a truffle mushroom crescenza cheese sandwich. These bites are changing regularly depending on the harvest at the farm.


Great news for those of you who are gluten intolerant, Bistro West offers a separate menu offering more than gluten free 25 items. Vegetarians are also accommodated here. Most menu options can be prepared to accommodate individual requests.

 

The décor of the Bistro West is warm and inviting. One entire wall of the restaurant is a stunning bubbling water wall that changes colors and divides the restaurant from a private dining room available for large groups. Warm wood furniture and a wall of wines complete the dining room.

 

Chef Eugenio and his staff are busy planning their spring and summer gardens and menus accordingly. “We have big plans for this farm. I’d like to offer public tours and incorporate special ‘fresh daily’ dinners with wine pairings, specialty cooking classes and a weekly farm report for dinner guests at both restaurants.”

Bistro West serves brunch, lunch and dinner. For more information, visit: http://www.bistrowest.com/; http://www.weststeakandseafood.com/ and http://www.westinnandsuites.com/ .



Milagro Vineyards and Winery

Ramona is graced with golden rolling hills, oak trees, horse country and a wine heritage that dates back to the Mission San Diego de Alcala era of the 1750’s. Father Juniperro Serra planted vineyards at each of his eight missions and



Entrance to Milagro Farms



 winemaking was born in Southern California. Today, San Diego is experiencing a resurgence of grape growing, vineyards and wine making. Travel east about 10 miles on Highway 78, past the camels at the Oasis Camel Dairy, to the Old Julian Highway. Tucked away in an idyllic hillside, you will find charming Milagro Vineyards and Winery.

cave built into the hillside for barrel aging wines

Enter through the gates and you are greeted with a sign made from twigs saying “Milagro Winery”. Travel along the dirt path guided by wine barrels used as markers, past ponds laden with cattails and you will come to the yellow Tuscan lab building where great wine is produced. Beside the lab is an underground cave built by Mexican artisans complete with arches and sconces to light the way to where wine barrels are aging nicely in a cool climate.

Milagro Winery, Spanish for “miracle”, was purchased by Kit and Karen Sickels in 2001. Fall 2011 represented the culmination of years of hard work. Milagro Winery opened a tasting room to the public.


Jim Hart, Winemaker




The Sickels hired Jim Hart, from Hart Family Winery in Temecula as their winemaker. Jim has overseen the planting of 10,000 grape vines on the rolling hills with varietals such as Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Aleatico. Jim grew up around wine and vineyards and it was only natural that he would follow in his father, Joe’s footsteps. The Hart family started growing grapes in Temecula in the late 1970’s, opened their winery in the early 1980’s and has a thriving business with many award winning wines. Jim has brought these years of experience to Milagro Winery to ensure their success.



Lovely Tuscan Barrel Storage room on the property.



Along the way there have been setbacks. Most notably San Diego’s countywide fire in 2003 when Ramona was hit hard and hundreds of acres burned. The fire ripped through Milagro’s two-year old vineyards which fortunately had just been harvested. They replanted in 2004 and 2006 marked the first year of wine production. Then in 2009 they lost all of their Sauvignon Bland due to mold. 2010 was a testament to hard work and stick-to-it-ness.

Through it all, the Milagro team has persevered and their hard work has begun to pay off. Their wines are now winning awards throughout California. Their 2010 Sauvignon Blanc won three awards including silver at the L.A. International Wine Competition, bronze at the San Francisco International Wine Competition (the largest and most influential wine competition in the United States) and Silver at the Long Beach Gran Cru Wine Competition. Jim’s 2007 Cabernet won a silver medal at the Riverside International Wine Competition.

Jim was kind enough to host some barrel tasting. His 2008 Cabernet, just bottled, is rich and fruity with hints of blackberry and cassis. This wine has some high, possibly gold medal, hopes riding on it.


Currently Milagro Winery is featuring their 2010 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Estate Charonnay, 2008 South Coast Merlot and 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. They offer a dessert wine also, a 2009 Aleatico.


Besides purchasing wines at the winery, you can purchase them at Costco (La Mesa), Albertsons (Ramona, Tierrasanta, downtown San Diego and La Costa), Windmill Farms, Stumps Markets and Barons Markets in Temecula and Murrieta.


 Since you’ll be in Ramona during the fall enjoying the countryside, make a point to visit this winery and taste their remarkable wines. Their wines represent the exciting potential of this historic and emerging wine region.



Barrel aging inside the wine cave





Check on their website regularly for updates: www.milagrovineyards.com.

Alcantara Vineyards in Cottonwood Arizona

Alcantara Vineyards

Alcantara Winery is a lovely Tuscan villa set on a hillside overlooking Cottonwood



Just outside of Cottonwood, on a hillside overlooking the Verde Valley, sits a lovely Tuscan Villa that is Alcantara Winery. Owners Barbara and Bob Predmore started this winery with the goal of creating a wine community, and now they are in the center of one. Located at the confluence of the Verde River and Oak Creek, in between Cornville and Jerome, this area in the Verde River valley is perfect for growing the grapes. The 30 degree temperature differential between day and night is what grapes need to thrive, and that is what this region offers.

Barbara Predmore, a visionary who sees this region as the new Napa Valley, started her project in 2005. She is planning for explosive growth in the wine region and is slowly positioning Alcantara to be able to accommodate that growth. Current plans are for a bistro and a Bed & Breakfast.


The homey and attractive tasting room offers couches, tables or a bar for relaxing with a glass of wine. Weather permitting, the patio offers stunning vistas of the limestone hills and the immense Verde Valley.




This lovely barrel graces the tasting room.



On the tasting menu is a lovely Viognier with estate grown grapes, this wine was fruity with lots of floral and citrus flavors and finishing dry. Just what you want in a Viognier.

Also enjoyable of the 13 wines on the tasting menu is the 2009 Charbono. Also 100% estate grown grapes, this wine has a smoky raspberry and chocolate nose, with a finish of velvet on your tongue.

These two estate wines are an exciting example of the limestone terrior.


For more information, hours and directions visit: www.alcantaravineyard.com .

Cornville Arizona wineries

Cornville, Cottonwood and Jerome Arizona

The Verde Valley Wine Trail

In the early 1980’s these northern Arizona towns were sleepy villages with not much to offer. Fast forward 30 years and see a resurgence of history, culture, commerce and a newly created wine industry.



The famous, stunning Red Rocks of Sedona



Fifteen minutes south of beautiful Sedona is an emerging wine region, the Verde Valley. This vast valley is lined with a limestone and sandstone ridge that stretches for miles. Many cliff villages built by indigenous American cultures remain in this area. Remnants of a once vibrant mining industry in Jerome can be seen on a distant hillside. A wine trail snakes through the valley, leading you through villages, old and new, and high up to Jerome where you can overlook the Verde Valley, dine in great restaurants, sip wine, browse shops and imagine the life of a mining community.



Tuzigoot Ruins from Indigenous American Indians



To see this valley fully, you will need at least two days. First visit the three wineries in Cornville (no, there’s no corn in Cornville), drive into Cottonwood, overnight in Old Town. Here you will find a lovely boutique hotel, the Tavern Hotel, many gourmet restaurants, cute shops, art galleries and coffee houses. Wake up the next morning, walk to a coffee shop for breakfast and once fortified, wander the main drag to two wine tasting rooms. Continue outside of Cottonwood to Tuzigoot National Monument, view the ruins of the Sinagua people who occupied this valley during the 1100-1200’s. Continue up the scenic highway up to the once booming mining town of Jerome. Lunch awaits at one of many unique restaurants. Many of the refurbished restaurants are located in historic buildings; the former firehouse, Cottonwood’s Old Town Palace Theater, or a saloon, and designed to accentuate the past.

If you want to be driven around this region, many wine tours offer packages either from Sedona or Phoenix.


Cornville currently has three wineries located on Page Spring Road.

Javelina’s Leap Winery



Javelina Leap Winery Tasting Room Wall



Rod Snapp, a onetime executive chef, used his earnings from selling his Bed & Breakfast in Sedona to purchase a partially existing winery in Cornville and start the arduous journey of growing not only a winery, but a wine region. He sold off parcels of his land with the stipulation that purchasers had to start wineries, thus a wine region was born.

Javelina’s Leap property was originally part of the Page Springs Valley, which is known for its abundant natural springs. The winery is on the slopes of an ancient volcano. The gravely, rocky soil in this vineyard is good for stressing grapes and intensifies the characters of minerals and earth in the fruit grown in it.



Rodd Snapp
Owner and Winemaker



Rod currently has four acres planted and one more coming soon. Because this is a relatively new wine region, they are still experimenting with different grapes to see which ones will excel in this inner continental climate. He is growing Tempranillo and Barbera, which have already proven to respond nicely to this area. Snapp is happy with his Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Our first taste of Snapp’s creations was a 2010 Sangiovese, which is a light wine with hints of cherry, figs and vanilla and would definitely go nicely with food. Followed by a 2010 Cabernet Franc that retails for $27. Next we sampled a 2010 Merlot which I found rich and exciting. This wine definitely is unique, when compared to California Merlots. It reflects the extreme terroir of Arizona. It had hints of strawberry and watermelon with strong, yet balanced tannins. This wine is rightly priced at $40 and worth it.

Snapp doesn’t much care for blends, but he has tried his hand at a 2010 Rockslide. This single vineyard Bourdeaux-style blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Although quite young, (it can be laid down for 3-10 years). This deep red wine was rich and complex with raspberry, anise and pepper. It is an exceptionally smooth wine. Priced at $35 a bottle, it will be fun to taste this again in a few years.



Vineyards in Cornville



Visit the winery on a Saturday and enjoy a complimentary barrel cellar tour with retired professor and ornithologist, Dr. Russ Balda. The winery is located across from an Audubon bird sanctuary. Enjoy a picnic in the orchard.

Javelina Leap tasting room and gift shop is open daily from 11:00am-5:00pm. 1565 Page Springs Road, Cornville, AZ 86325. Phone: 928-649-2681.
For details see: http://www.javelinaleapwinery.com/

Oak Creek Vineyards

 Owner and winemaker Deb Wahl, a citizen of the world is Croatian by birth, but was raised in South Africa. She has a chemistry degree from Germany, worked for a Japanese company with resorts in the Caribbean, became a wine broker, invested wisely and eventually ended up in northern Arizona owning this winery.


 

Deb Wahl



Deb’s main focus is conservation and would like to be known as the “green winemaker”. She reminisces about living in South Africa and instead of throwing away a nail or a board, it was saved and reused. “Almost everything I have is recycled. If I don’t need it, chances are someone around here will need it.” Case in point when she rebuilt a shed in her side yard, she reused wood and proudly shows where the hinges are off kilter. “The hinges give it character,” she said.



Repurposed wood is used for buildings and picnic tables



In the name of conservation, and not wanting to cut down trees that are not easily replanted and grown, Deb ages all of her wines in stainless steel. If a wine calls for wood she will add wood chips or spirals.



Relax on the patio at Oak Creek Cellars. Notice the painted barrel on the patio.
These are throughout the Verde Valley

On her estate she grows Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. In Wilcox she sources Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Viognier is a rich creamy white; fruity with a floral nose. Very enjoyable for a hot Arizona afternoon. Her Zinfandel was lighter than usual, there was a nice elegance to it. The Syrah and Merlot reflected the Arizona terroir and was rich and peppery. Definitely try the Arizona Port Wine which is a Zinfandel Port and the Cream Sherry made from buttery Chardonnay and brandy

 Oak Creek is celebrating their 10-year anniversary in 2012. The tasting room, located at 1555 N. Page Springs Road is open daily 10:00am-6:00pm. Go to http://www.oakcreekvineyards.net/ for the latest information.

Page Springs Cellars

Owner Eric Glomski has been called a pioneer in the Verde Valley region and the “area’s best known vintner” by Wine Enthusiast. Glomski is a strong voice for the region, wiping out doubts that Arizona can and does produce high-quality wines. Page Springs Cellars is his own venture and he partners with Maynard Keenan in another venture: Arizona Stronghold, in Old Town Cottonwood. Glomski is revered by his staff and the wine community. He shares his talent with other winemakers mentoring and assisting in getting their ventures started.



Eric Glomski



Their mission statement is so powerful, it bears repeating:

“Our goal is to create delicious wines that express

the unique character of our landscape. We trust that our wines and winemaking convey our philosophies concerning family, education and living life to its fullest. We believe that to make great wine, we must take just as much responsibility for the lands we steward as the

community we live in. Our aim is to help people expand and trust their own senses when tasting wine.”







 Page Springs Cellars started with four acres in 2002. He started with Rhone Varietals; Petite Syrah, Mouvedre, Grenache and Syrah. In 2011 he was experimenting with 64 different wines. Grapes like Cabernet Pfeffer (a crossbreed of George Pfeffer from Los Altos and Hollister, California) Trousseau (sometimes called Gray Reisling) and many more that are unknown to this writer. And that is the fun of this winery, experimenting and making unique wines that bring out the spiciness of the land.


Corey Turnbull, another winemaker and shining star in the Valley shares wine with patrons.






One panel of a mural on the ceiling, depicting Fall, hanging out with the family.



Local Artists have painted barrels throughout the Verde Valley



The tasting room includes an intimate lounge area with soft leather couches, rich cork flooring, a ceiling mural depicting

Arizona winery life in the four seasons and soft lighting. The outdoor patio overlooking Oak Creek is cool and inviting. Here you can munch on a variety of snacks plates made to accentuate their wines.



This winery is a wonderful experience and not to be missed. Located at 1500 N. Page Springs Road, they are open daily 11:00am-6:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays 11:00am-9:00pm. For more information go to: http://www.pagespringscellars.com/.



A view out the back, from the winetasting patio.