Author Archives: Cathy Gartley

Erath Winery

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Erath Winery

Erath Winery

9409 NE Worden Hill Rd, Dundee, OR 97115

Website: https://www.erath.com/

Erath Winery was the last stop of my visit to Oregon wine country. It was such a nice way to end my stay. One of the most striking attributes of this winery is the gorgeous view. From the winery and parking lot, there is a view of vineyards that seems to stretch on forever. It was fall, the vineyards were green and lush, and the sky was blue. We couldn’t ask for a better day.

View of rolling vineyards from Erath Winery

View of rolling vineyards from Erath Winery

Erath has been making wine in the Dundee Hills for over 40 years, the longest of any other winery in the area. Original owner Dick Erath was a wine pioneer in Oregon. He started making wine in his garage in 1965 and studied at UC Davis in California. He bought his first vineyard on Chehalem Mountain in 1968. While living in an unheated cabin with his family, Dick started planting 23 varieties of grapes. He made a discovery from those plantings that Pinot Noir really thrives in this region. Between 1969 and 1972 Dick continued his experiments with wine, helping to bring French Pinot clones to the Dundee Hills and producing his first commercial wine. Then in 1976, he started Erath Winery. Within ten years, the winery grew to produce more than 35,000 cases that are now distributed internationally. In 2006 St. Michelle Wine Estates purchased the winery and committed to upholding Erath’s winemaking style.

Indoor tasting bar at Erath Winery

Indoor tasting bar at Erath Winery

Beyond the beautiful views and history of the winery, this place has some really lovely wines and a very comfortable atmosphere. Inside the wood paneled tasting room has a country feel. There are two sections with tasting bars and a few tables and chairs for guests. The tasting room was pretty busy when I visited, although I didn’t feel crammed in. There was ample space to move around. The staff was inviting. It was such a nice day that my friend and I opted to do our tasting outside in the shaded patio area that looks out over the vineyards. A server came out to explain the tasting options and walk us through each glass that was poured. The unique part of my tasting was the homemade flavored popcorn that they serve to pair with the wine. This was the first time I ever had a pairing like that. The popcorn flavors brought out some of the nuances in the wine. I loved their Quail Run Pinot Blanc and various Pinot Noirs. The Pinot Noirs continuously receive 90+ scores from wine magazines.  They also poured a Sweet Harvest Pinot Blanc dessert wine. It was a very relaxing setting. We took our time sipping each wine and greatly enjoyed ourselves.

Anaba Vineyards & Winery

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Anaba Vineyards & Winery

Anaba Vineyards & Winery

60 Bonneau Rd, Sonoma, CA 95476

Website: https://www.anabawines.com/

Anaba Vineyards & Winery is nestled in the Carneros area of Sonoma. Across the street from the tasting room are the Carneros Deli and Schug Winery. The winery was started by John Sweazey in 2003. I have passed by this winery almost every time I have been to Sonoma on my way to other sections of the valley. I can’t explain why I waited to visit, but I had such a nice time here that I wish I hadn’t waited so long. I will definitely recommend this place to all of my friends.

A view behind Anaba Winery from the deck

A view behind Anaba Winery from the deck

The winery was named after the cool anabatic wind patterns that flow through the Sonoma mountains and provide a cool breeze giving the grapes more time to ripen. This is a small, modest winery that makes small batches of Rhone and Burgundian style wines. Their grapes come from the estate vineyard in Carneros and from select locations in the Petaluma Gap and Sonoma Coast. When John Sweazey started this winery he was really living a dream that started in the 1970s. At that time he didn’t have a lot of money to start a winery. Instead, he became a home winemaker, taking classes to learn about wine and visiting wineries all over France. After all of his travels and learning the French style of winemaking, John started his own winery.

One of the things I really like about this winery is that it has a little something for everyone when it comes to the wine selection. They focus primarily on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other Rhone varieties. Some of the varieties include Viognier, Riesling, Grenache, Muscat, and some dessert wines. These high quality wines are reasonably priced. I’ll admit I tried quite a few and there wasn’t one that I disliked.

Anaba's tasting room

Anaba’s tasting room

The other reason I really like this winery is for the beautiful setting. The tasting room is located in a 100 year old refurbished farm house. There are some palm trees surrounding the tasting room. At the entrance is a farmer’s porch and inside a small tasting bar, hardwood floors, a brick fireplace, and a table with a few chairs. It feels almost like walking into someone’s home.

The true appeal is the large deck outside looking out over the vineyards and mountains. The staff was extremely welcoming. When I walked in with my husband, sister, and friend, we were greeted right away and offered to do a tasting inside or on the deck. We opted to go outside because it was a lovely day.

The deck at Anaba Winery

The deck at Anaba Winery

I felt completely at ease, having a nice casual tasting on the back deck. Our server moved at our pace and educated us on each wine that was poured. Tastings here are by reservation only, but it’s really easy to make a reservation online. In addition to the tastings at the bar or on the deck, Anaba offers an in depth Wine Education Experience where guests can learn about all aspects of wine. There is also a more private Salon Tasting experience available. Check their website for days and times. Although the other tasting experiences sound interesting, I was perfectly happy with my tasting on the deck. My husband and I couldn’t resist joining the wine club and we’ll be back to visit on our next wine trip.

Clos du Val

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Clos du Val

Clos du Val

5330 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558

Website: http://www.closduval.com/

Clos du Val is a relaxed winery located off the Silverado Trail in the Stags Leap District. The winery was founded by John Goelet and French winemaker Bernard Portet in 1972 with the intent of producing wines of the highest quality. With Bernard Portet’s winemaking leadership, Clos du Val has produced premium wines that can stand the test of time. Clos du Val’s 1976 Cabernet Sauvignon was one of six California cabernets that were selected for the famous 1976 Paris Tasting. Although the 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon was not selected as the #1 wine in 1976, it took first place in the 1986 rematch of the Paris Tasting and beat out the French wines again at the 30th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris in 2006 showing that Clos du Val’s wine can age elegantly.

Clos du Val Tasting Room

Clos du Val Tasting Room

The first time my husband and I visited the winery we were in the middle of a downpour and we had to make a mad dash from our car into the tasting room. Despite the weather, I felt very welcome. There are several reasons why I find this place so appealing. The property is beautiful, the staff is friendly, and I really enjoyed the artistry in the tasting room and on their wine label. Also, their red wines are smooth and lovely.

Picnic area at Clos du Val

Picnic area at Clos du Val

The winery itself is pretty to see with all of the greenery covering the front of the stone building. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and relax at a picnic table in the Olive Grove out back. This is a nice winery for a family or group activity. There are pétanque courts (the French version of bocce ball) open to anyone who is up for a game. For visitors interested in an educational tour, there is also a demonstration vineyard out front open to the public that explains trellising techniques, sustainable farming, and how to identify Merlot grapes.

Inside the tasting room I found the staff to be very amiable and informative. Since I am a fan of Greek mythology, I was intrigued by the Three Graces on the wine label and wine cartoons created by humorist and graphic satirist Ronald Searle that are the emblem of the Clos du Val Cellar Club. In my opinion, the wines certainly represent the high quality that the co-founders sought out to achieve in the 1970s.

Demonstration vineyard at Clos du Val

Demonstration vineyard at Clos du Val