Hey guys,
I've been off the boards for a few months -- just too much 2009 BS to deal with. So I went to my fave Wino Depot the other day and was sad to see it went down. So what happened? Fortunately I see many of the old WD denizens back here so gotta get caught up.

Anyway, I still love wine (albeit at a somewhat lower budget), and will soon be fortunate enough to spend a week in Sonoma, and that is why I went to WD to look up that great Sonoma diary that Budman had posted there a couple years ago.

So Budman, how about re-posting here? I hope you still have the original writings.

Deryl, I've been chatting with Bud about that this afternoon. He's coming back out in August. I'll send him a message and point him here for you.

Could we possibly end up there the same week? We're there 8/15-22, at Worldmark in Windsor.

Sorry - they're history. I will, however, let you know our Sonoma itinerary for this year...

Sunday, August 16th, we will be at the Sojourn Tasting Room at 10:30AM. It's just off the Southeast corner of the Sonoma town square. You can make an appointment for a tasting there. There is no fee.

Monday, August 17th... hectic!
We have Carlisle at 10AM in Santa Rosa, followed by Shane at 11:15ish, Kosta Browne at noon, and WesMar at 2:30. All 3 of them are in the same Industrial Park in Sebastopol.

Tuesday, August 18th, we will be making our 3rd trek to the Peay farm in Annapolis. Worst drive ever!!! The atmosphere at the farm, and spending time with the Peays is well worth it!

Wednesday, August 19th, we will be visiting Keefer Ranch in the morning, the with Steve Rigisich of Ketcham Estate in the afternoon.
We're meeting Steve at the vineyard, and then we're going to the crush facility to sample some barrels.

Thursday, August 20th, we have Olson-Ogden in the morning, and a ride over to Napa to visit with Randy Sloan of Match Vineyards in the afternoon.

Friday, August 21st, we are meeting Jamie Kutch at The Girl and the Fig in Sonoma around 1PM.

I may have missed one or two, as I'm posting this from work, and my itinerary sheets are at home.

Hope this helps. Most of these visits are return trips, because of the people involved. Our only 'rookie visits' are Keefer and Sojourn.

Sounds fantastic!

The only thing I have booked so far is one day in Napa. My top priority was to get in to see the Lambs and I had been waiting for Jennifer to get me a date. That is Tue, and now I am filling in everything else. We will also visit Outpost while in that area. If you weren't already booked Tue I would invite you to join us there.

How did you talk your way in to Kosta? All their public info pretty much shuts out any visitors.

I just heard back from Eric at Freeman that he will see us Thur AM.

I think I recall you speaking highly of Olson Ogden. Any suggestions on who to talk to for an appt?

We would like to meet up while there if you're interested. Maybe a tasting or a dinner? I would especially like to meet Jamie if you wouldn't mind more company at the G&F.

We have a couple friends with us Sat-Tue, then it's just my wife and me the rest of the week.

I was wrong on 2 counts... Monday is Siduri/Novy, not Carlisle. Secondly, Carlisle is Friday morning at 10:30AM.

Deryl - I would suggest you call Jamie and see if it's OK with him to join us. He's the one bringing the barrel samples!!! Also, if you want, call Mike Officer at Carlisle and see if you can tag along there, too. Mike and Jamie are fairly 'last minute' in accepting appointments.

For KB, I just emailed Michael Browne. It might help that I'm on the L.O.D.

I just heard back from Jamie, and we will see you Friday at Girl/Fig.

I left a message for Mike, and waiting to hear.

We're going to see Freeman Thur AM, and Merry Edwards Thur PM

I do plan to get to Siduri while there, but not sure what day. I think I will live with walk ins the other days. Don't want too much structure. We also want to get out to the beach one day.

One thing I am trying to figure out is how to see an artisan cheesemaker. The only one I have found that appears to see visitors is Bodega. Any ideas?

Any restaurant faves you care to mention?

See you on the 21st!!!!

Mike called. He said we would be welcome as part of your group. He was being careful not to invite a "non-member" to a tasting since he doesn't do that.

So if you're cool with it...we'll meet you out front of Carlisle.

Since they don't publish their address can you post? Or email to drobinson1 "at" socal.rr.com?

Thanks
d

I'll try to get you the address later today.

We had a great trip. Winery visits:

Rochioli - Walk-in - Love their wine, but the tasting room just is not worth going back to. They only pour two wines, and the tenders just stand there and look at you, as if wondering when you're going to leave.

Copain - Walk-in - Nice wines, especially the James Berry Les Copains. Seems kind of out of place in the RRV though because they don't really use grapes from the area.

Woodenhead - Walk-in - One of nicest surprises of the trip. I learned that the founder/winemaker was formerly the asst winemaker at Williams Selyem, until they sold. Nice PN's and Zin's, including one from Anderson Valley from fruit grown by Williams.

Martinelli - Walk-in - Much has been written. They do have a great lineup. For a big jammy Zin, the Vigneto di Evo was fun.

Pappapietro Perry - Walk-in - I think they have gotten a little to high an opinion of themselves lately. Good wine, but not at the price. Tasting room no big deal.

Bella - Walk-in - Tasting in the cave, which was especially nice since it was hot out. Loved the Lily Hill Zin. This is a recommended stop.

Preston - Walk-in - Organic farm. Nice wine, but no big deal. Liked their Barbera of all things, and bought some farm laid eggs and some local cheese.

Freeman - Appointment - Eric the asst winemaker met us. Nice guy but didn't have a whole lot to say. They also have nice caves for tasting. We liked all the wines. Nothing over the top. We bought some of the appellation blends.

Hartford - Walk-in - Not recommended.

Merry Edwards - You can walk-in, but with appointment it's better. Nice lineup. Again, liked the appellation blends, and they had an exceptional Sauv blanc.

Carlisle - Budman was gracious enough to include us in his appointment with Mike Officer. Wow - This is an awesome lineup. From big to bigger, old vine Zins, Syrahs. Had a great time here. I hope to make their list soon.

Kutch - Budman was also kind enough to invite us along to his appointment with Jamie. We ended up meeting at the cave at Deerfield Ranch and Jamie gave barrel samples. Exciting future here. Jamie is maintaining high standards with a religious fervor.

We also spent a day over in Napa,

Outpost - A nice visit with Dan. Love all their wines. TRB is so consistent it's amazing. Their vineyards yield this incredibly peppery flavor. Also a beautiful spot. Didn't get to do any barrel tastings though.

Karl Lawrence - Met Ric at the Ranch. Coincidentally ran into Powell there. Always great wines, and a really fun spot to have our lunch from Dean and Deluca.

Herb Lamb - We enjoyed this so much I don't even know what to say. Jennifer's hospitality is beyond words. Of course we didn't get to taste the flagship wine, but we had the red and white EII's and both are wonderful. Jennifer sat us on the back deck and served the wines with a beautiful platter of cheese, fruit, and bread. Lovely setting. Wow, wow, wow. Great story too.

Restaurants-
Healdsburg - Scopa's, Barndiva, Healdsburg B&G
Windsor - Mirepoix
Graton - Underwood's