Author Archives: Cathy Gartley

Rutherford Hill

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Rutherford Hill Winery

Rutherford Hill Winery

200 Rutherford Hill Rd, Rutherford, CA 94573

Website: http://www.rutherfordhill.com/#

This is one of the three wineries within the Rutherford appellation that starts with the same name, but each has a different owner.  Rutherford Hill is the furthest north of the three wineries located off of the Silverado Trail.  This winery was purchased by the Terlato family in 1966 and is one of the many wineries in the Terlato Wine Group international portfolio.  The family motto is “Quality is a way of life”, and that is evident in the state of the art facility at Rutherford Hill. 

I was surprised when my husband and I pulled up to the winery.  I had seen a couple of pictures of the barn-like structure on their website but was not prepared for how massive it really was.  From the outside the winery looks like a large ski lodge or recreation hall, which is in stark contrast to the bright, spotless interior of the tasting room with light wood paneling and tasting bar.  There are large windows that bring in lots of sunlight and a tiled floor that blends in with the rest of the room.  It clearly looks like a place that was recently renovated.  In the spring of 2000 the Terlatos spent more than $7 million building a 5,100 square foot expansion that included 24 fermentation tanks ranging from 1,500 to 6,000 gallons. 

I had made a tour reservation in advance through their website.  Tours are conducted several times a day and tour passes can be purchased in the tasting room.  Check the website for specific times.  This was a nice tour that I would recommend to anyone spending some time around the northern end of the Silverado Trail.  The tour started off outside of the winery near the edge of a hill looking down onto the surrounding valley.  In the background was a view of the mountains.  We looked out at the beautiful view while the tour guide talked about the importance of terroir.  One of the lasting memories I will have of this place is when the tour guide asked who knew what terroir is, and I – being in a somewhat inebriated state – raised my hand and gave my best definition.  In response, the tour guide said “You get a gold star!”  Now whenever someone mentions the work “terroir”, my husband refers to me as his “little wine nerd”.

 

Entrance to the wine caves at Rutherford Hill Winery

Entrance to the wine caves at Rutherford Hill Winery

Our second stop on the tour was a short walk to the wine caves built into a hill.  The entrance to the cave is built of stone with large wooden doors.  On each side of the cave are huge wooden trellises covered in vines and surrounded by cypress trees.  It was very impressive to see!  We then took a walk inside the cave.  The caves were also refurbished in 1999 and contain 8,000 wine-filled French and American oak barrels year round.  As we moved along the tour, our tour guide poured a few different wines.  Rutherford Hill produces several varieties of wine with Merlot taking up 75% of production.  Other varietals they focus on are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  There are additional limited production wines available through the winery. 

 

Fermentation room at Rutherford Hill Winery

Fermentation room at Rutherford Hill Winery

Our final stop on the tour before heading back to the tasting room was to the fermentation room.  This was also incredible to see.  The 24 fermentation tanks lined both sides of the walkway, reaching from floor to ceiling.  It was evident that the Terlatos spared no expense in building this world class facility.  Based on my personal preference, I would have appreciated the tour a little more if we were able to sample all of the wines together at the end of the tour instead of while we were walking around.  I don’t say that to put down the tour because I did enjoy it.  However, I am the type of person who likes to really think about the wines I am sampling and take notes.  It is very difficult to do that while walking around.  I have been on a few other tours that have done this.  Many tours will offer a taste of wine at the beginning or at specified points but follow with a seated tasting at the end.  That wasn’t the case with this tour.

 

Willamette Valley Vineyards

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Willamette Valley Vineyards

Willamette Valley Vineyards

8800 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, OR 97392

Website: http://wvv.com/

Willamette Valley Vineyards was the first vineyard I visited in Oregon.  I was very excited and ready for some good Pinot Noir.  It is located in the Southern Willamette Valley about 20 minutes outside of Salem where we were staying.  To get to the winery, my friend and I drove through a big archway up a hill by rows and rows of vines.  The winery is a large yellow stucco building with a tower.  It made me think of a mini fortress.  The surrounding views from atop the winery are gorgeous.  The history of this winery is an interesting story.  The founder is Jim Bernau who purchased the Estate in 1983 and cleared away the old plum orchard to plant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris.  Jim built his winemaking knowledge and skills by taking classes at UC Davis and participating in seminars between the U.S. and France.  He started the winery in 1989 through shared ownership by offering shares that are traded on the NASDAQ.  As a result, there are over 7,000 owners in the winery today.  In addition, Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown its estate through partnerships with other vineyard owners.  Today, the winery sources all of its barrel-aged Pinot Noir from the estate and farms nearly 500 acres in the valley.

 

Tasting bar at Willamette Valley Vineyards

Tasting bar at Willamette Valley Vineyards

The tasting room at the Estate is huge.  It has a little bit of a lodge feel because of the fire pit in center surrounded by leather couches and the wood floors made from repurposed pallets from the Port of Portland.  It’s a circular space with windows from ceiling to flow on 2 sides of room making it look very bright and open.  The ceiling is wood paneled as well with sky light.  There are two bars in the tasting room. The main tasting bar is a horseshoe shaped, wood-paneled bar to right of the entrance.  Behind the main tasting bar is a lit wine display that covers the entire wall. The second bar is to the left of the room with some seating.  There was a grand piano in the corner behind the bar, and tables and chairs in the center of the room. 

Fire pit inside Willamette Valley Vineyards tasting room

Fire pit inside Willamette Valley Vineyards tasting room

Near the entrance was a gift and snack area to purchase items.  As if all of this wasn’t enough, there is an upper floor used as a private event space that overlooks the tasting room.  After our tasting, my friend Denise and I walked up in the tower to see the views from the top of the winery.  Outside of the tasting room there is a large patio with tables, chairs, and umbrellas looking out on the surrounding vineyards.  I can see this place being used quite often for large events. 

The staff here was friendly.  Denise and I tried the Estate tasting flight.   We sampled quite a few of the wines between the two of us for a modest tasting fee.  Although I found all of the wines to be pleasing, my personal favorites were the 2012 Bernau Block Pinot Noir and 2009 Merlot.  Another cool feature of this tasting room is that it provides a daily food menu served by the Winery Chef.  You can truly come in for full lunch with wine and food.  On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Winery Chef hosts a four-course wine and dinner menu.  If you are interested in learning more details about the winery, you can swing by at 2 p.m. each day for a complimentary tour or sign up for a private tour at a very reasonable price that includes a wine tasting and cheese pairing.

This winery has a lot to offer.  It’s a nice place to hang out for a leisurely tasting either inside by the fireplace our outdoors on the patio. 

View from the patio at Willamette Valley Vineyards

View from the patio at Willamette Valley Vineyards

Rutherford Ranch

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Rutherford Ranch Winery

Rutherford Ranch Winery

1680 Silverado Trail S., Saint Helena, CA 94574

Website: http://www.rutherfordranch.com/

There are 3 different wineries in Napa with “Rutherford” in the name.  The only connection between all of them is that they are located in the Rutherford appellation.  Rutherford Ranch Winery has been family owned and managed for three generations.  It is located off of the Silverado Trail on the site of the original Round Hill Winery.  The winery was started in 1978 by Ernie and Virginia Van Asperen and Charlie Abela.  In 2000, the winery changed hands to Marcko and Theo Zaninovich when the Van Asperen’s retired.  They had been long-time shareholders with the Van Asperens.  The new owners renovated the winery and vineyards.  Today Rutherford Ranch is part of the broader Rutherford Wine Company portfolio that also includes Scott Family Estate, Predator Wines, Lander-Jenkins Wines, Rhiannon, Silver Buckle, Round Hill and other Private Label offerings.

The primary reason why I wanted to visit this winery was actually because of one of the other brands in the portfolio.  My husband and I had tried the Predator Zinfandel at a restaurant back home and loved it.  When I looked up where the winery was located I was pointed to Rutherford Ranch.  That worked out perfectly because I was planning another trip to Napa and I hadn’t visited this winery before.

Rutherford Ranch Tasting Lounge

Rutherford Ranch Tasting Lounge

This winery has quite a few tasting options to choose from.  An added bonus is that the tastings include wines from both Rutherford Hill and Scott Family Estate, as well as Predator wines.  The first step is to choose tasting option – Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon only, or Estate.  Then you can add a food pairing, tour, or seminar to any of the tasting options.  They also offer a Reserve wine and chocolate pairing, a boxed lunch in the 100-year-old Olive Grove or on the patio, or a sensory seminar.

Don’t let the name “ranch” fool you.  This place has a modern look and feel.  Upon driving up to the winery, you will immediately notice the tables and chairs under red umbrellas on the front patio.  There are pretty pink and white flowers lining the walkways to the tasting room.  The tasting room is clean, spacious, and bright.  Off to the right of the entrance is a tasting lounge with multiple tables.  I reserved a Bistro food and wine pairing for my husband and me.  Our hostess sat us at a table for two in front of the windows looking out on the patio.

Couches in the Rutherford Ranch Tasting Lounge

Couches in the Rutherford Ranch Tasting Lounge

Across the room were a couple other tasting corners with coaches and coffee tables.  The lounge has a very laid back, comfortable atmosphere.  Our Bistro food and wine pairing included cheeses, meats, and nuts.  We sampled the Ranch Reserve Chardonnay, Scott Family Estate Pinot Noir, Rutherford Ranch Merlot, Ruther Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, and two of the Predator wines.  The Chardonnay was my personal favorite.

We had a fun time to experimenting with the food and wine.  We enjoyed the overall experience.  I think this is a good winery to hang out at with friends or a loved one.  Sit back and relax with some yummy snacks and wine.