DrinkTheEarth.com Blog

As I type this, I am winding down from Day 3 of my Sonoma/Napa Valley wine trip.  Many more stories to come, but some great insights to share from visits to organic and biodynamic producers such as Truett-Hurst (a Dry Creek newcomer), Michel-Schlumberger, Quivira, Frog’s Leap, and Grgich Hills.

Some of the highlights thus far would have to include seeing all of the new, biodynamically farmed vines at Truett-Hurst, some fantastic local cheese pairings at Michel-Schlumsberger, a great overall lineup of wines at Quivira supplemented with some great organic products (ranging from fig jellies, to organic shirts), a Mike Grgich sighting in his tasting room, and lastly, an impromptu free throw shooting contest to cap off a tour of the grounds at Frog’s Leap (we’ll explain later).

One thing that has struck me during this visit – having been to this area just 13 months ago, there clearly seems to be more ‘buzz’ about organic winemaking than there was even a year ago.  And having visited some wineries for the second time (like Quivira), the wines we tasted this time around seemed even more impressive.  More to follow.

Friday’s San Francisco Chronicle has a great article on the state of organic and biodynamic winemaking.  They cover most of the current issues of the day in the industry, including reasons for and against promoting ‘green’ practices on the wine label, the differences between true organic & biodynamic wine and those that are simply made following sustainable guidelines, and the aging perceptions about wine made without sulfites. 

The article also focuses on Bonny Doon Vineyard, which has downsized to about 1/12th of its size by selling off larger labels, focusing instead on eventually being a 100% biodynamic wine producer.  Now that’s a commitment to the environment!

Definitely worth a read.

Newberg, Oregon-based Beaux Freres has announced its 2007 pre-release Pinot Noir offerings to active buyers.  While not currently certified organic or biodynamic, this Willamette Valley winery began experimenting with nonconventional farming methods about six years ago, and today their entire property is farmed using biodynamic principles.

2007 pre-releases include three wines; 2007 Beaux Freres Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2007 Beaux Freres Upper Terrace Pinot Noir, and the 2007 Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.  For those that love a good Oregon pinot (and who doesn’t), Beaux Freres reports that their 2007 vintages were harvested under similar conditions to 1995 and 1996, which were also very rainy around harvest time.  The result is a collection of dark ruby red wines that could age gracefully for as long as 15 years (the Willamette Valley Pinot may be closer to a maximum of 7 years, ideally).  Sounds like any of the trio might make a great match for a tasty Salmon steak in a few years.

It all began with an innocent tasting room visit. During a Sonoma wine trip in the Fall of 2007, my wife & I scoured our trusty directory looking for interesting destinations. Having visited the Sonoma and Russian River Valley areas many times in the past, we had seen our share of wineries, and already a few days into our latest visit were anxious for something new. Intrigued by ‘green’ wines, we decided to make Healdsburg’s Quivira Vineyards, a small family-owned winery in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, a stop on our next day’s tour.

Once at the Tasting Room (where we ran into another couple from our native Ohio), the tasting room manager patiently explained Quivira’s philosophy of using biodynamic farming techniques, and described in detail exactly how the winery is 100% organic. Taking their commitment to the environment a step further than most of their peers, Quivira gets bonus eco-points for having also invested in solar energy to supply the winery’s electrical needs. Somewhere Al Gore is smiling.

Satisfied with our new knowledge, we didn’t just leave Quivira with an appreciation of an environmentally-friendly winemaker (hey, this was a wine vacation after all, not an educational trip!). We also walked away with a bottle of Quivira’s 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, from the estate’s Fig Tree Vineyard, a crisp, citrus-rich white from a vineyard aptly named due to the location of a nearby, majestic old fig tree.