JimmyV: KoH is right, Viader was not that tough, I only called a little over a week ahead, but the last I knew she did not have any tours/tasting on weekends. She did show us around winery and vineyards then very informal tasting just sitting around in the cluttered office above the winery.

rucchin: I don't have any notes handy on the 99 Pride merlot, but when I had it in June 99, I rated it one point lower than the 2000. I think the Syrah sold out in like 4 hours, and I did not ask, but I bet the Mountain Top merlot is long gone too. This time I got more wines to taste at Pride than any of my several prior trips, they are usually sold out of at least one of the reds if not two. I've never had them offer up any of the reserves, they sell those out so fast there is little reason for them to taste them, from their perspective.

fredman: If I had the wife in tow, the pace would have been slowed and the days not as long. I also skipped lots of wines that just did not interest me that much.

CabNut

KoH, CabNut or others...I thought Viader was south of S.F. Are they located in N.V.? Do they just have a tasting room? Where are they located? I'll be there Nov 19th and would like to call about a week ahead and schedule something.

WIML-
From my standard rec's notes...Up further north (St. Helena) off Siverado on Deer Park Road is VIADER. Viader doesn't have a tasting room, just Delia's office (cluttered, yes, as per CabNut!!). But the vineyards are beautiful and if you meet Delia, ask her for a walk around. Appointment only, GRANTED she has wine left: 707-963-3816.
She's a character. Talented winemaker.

WIML:

QoH is right as to location. If you have more than a weeks notice, don't wait until the last minute. If you are unfamilar with the area, buy a copy fo WS guide to the California Wine Country. It has great maps. They are a little out of date, but still reasonably accurate. Delia Viader is indeed a character and a talented winemaker.

CabNut

Hi CabNut!

Great notes! Wow, what a pace! I will certainly print these notes and use as reference when planning next year's trip to Sonoma & Napa.

Thank you,
Mark, N.H.