Here we are in the 21st century with computers in our hands connecting us to the world, and we have pictures of galaxies from billions of years ago, but we're still trying to pull corks from wine bottles without breaking them. The wine industry is stuck in the past.
David Stare and the Sangiacomo family are marking anniversaries this week.
On August 24, 1972 (50 years ago) David Stare received his permits to build the first winery in Dry Creek Valley since Prohibition, Dry Creek Vineyards. He led the movement to make Dry Creek Valley an official appellation in '83. David planted the first Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek, an area known for Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and prune orchards. He was the first to label a wine as old vine. He's been making Chenin Blanc, a rare wine in California, for all 50 years. The winery is now run by his daughter.
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| David Stare, daughter Kim, and her husband Don Wallace five years ago at their 45th anniversary celebration |
On August 30, 1927 (95 years ago) Vittorio Sangiacomo signed the deed to a 55 acre ranch in southern Sonoma County, in what is now called the Carneros region. This ranch had been in operation since the mid-19th century, growing several varieties of fruit trees. In 1969 they planted their first vineyard. The family now owns 1,600 acres in the Carneros, Petaluma Gap, and Sonoma Coast appellations. A few years ago they started up their own namesake winery. The third generation now runs the operations.
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| 2009 |
On a less joyful note, Joe Rochioli Jr. passed this week at 88 years. He grew up on the family farm in the Russian River Valley, leaving only to attend college and serve in the army.
His father, Joe Sr., planted Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon in 1959. The Cab was later pulled out as it didn't do well in the cool Russian River microclimate. Joe Sr. passed in 1966.
Joe Jr. planted his first Pinot Noir in '68. The Rochioli family is credited with putting Russian River Valley on the map for Pinot Noir. They also grow Chardonnay and Syrah.
The family released their own Rochioli Winery estate Pinot Noir in '87 (an '85 vintage). Any Pinot from the Rochioli's vineyards, whether it's from Rochioli, Williams Selyem, Gary Farrell, or someone else, is in high demand and difficult to find. Joe Rochioli Jr.'s son Tom runs the family business, including winemaker for the family's label.
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| Joe Jr and son Tom Rochioli |
There are wineries and restaurants that keep showing up on the wine, food, and travel sites. "You've just got to eat at The Girl & The Fig!" While there's nothing wrong with The Girl & The Fig or any of the other couple dozen places getting all the write-ups, there are many other choices. Some lesser known spots that can be quite good and often less expensive. Some of these aren't so well known to travelers just because they are in locations that don't see as many visitors as towns like Healdsburg and Sonoma.
California's Napa and Sonoma wine regions are well-known. There are many other wine areas that are not so familiar, maybe you could call them underappreciated. Here are a few I know about and consider high quality. Maybe you want to give them a try, too.
Sonoma County has over 400 wineries. You're not surprised there are wineries here, but maybe you are surprised by the number of them. There are also over 25 breweries, many tap rooms, plus a handful of cideries and distilleries, too. Here are the breweries, big and small, the famous, and ones you've probably never heard of.
