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Apr 6, 2010
 

Forward this message to your friends!

SAVE THE DATES!!!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
Do NOT miss these premier 2010 Bonneau Wine events!
Stay tuned! There's more to come!!

Sat & Sun, May 15th & 16th – 4th ANNUAL PASSPORT TO SONOMA VALLEY. Taste the GOLD! Meet us at Carneros Deli & Wine Boutique, 23001 Arnold Dr (corner of Bonneau Rd) Sonoma, CA 95476 (707-939-1646) for delicious food and wine pairings. PASSPORT Ticket Holders wearing 2010 event wristbands will receive 20% discount on all wine purchases. THERE'S MORE! Receive 40% discounts on ALL case purchases for new or existing Bonneau Wine Club members or VISA Signature Card members AND the Event Special 9-pack "Mixed Selection". Tickets: $90 Weekend Passport or $70 Sunday-Only Passport. Purchase Tickets
Fri, Sat & Sun, Sep 3rd, 4th & 5th Taste the GOLD! Meet us at Bonneau's Corner on the patio in Carneros Deli, 23001 Arnold Dr (corner of Bonneau Rd) for delicious food and wine pairings. 40% off ALL case purchases at our Wine Boutique for new or existing Bonneau Wine Club members or VISA Signature Card members AND the Event Special 9-pack "Mixed Selection". Call ahead for lunch reservations on the patio - 707-939-1646!! Tickets on sale in June!
Mar 30, 2010

Sibling Rivalry, Napa Syrah vs. Sonoma Syrah
 
The third tasting in our series was all about Syrah.  Syrah doesn’t really face a challenge with geography as much as it faces the challenge of recognition.  While people clamor to fill their glasses with Cab, Zin, Pinot, or Petite Sirah, they often bypass Syrah.  We hope that this Sibling Rivalry not only helped everyone discover new and wonderful wineries in Napa and Sonoma as much as it helped people discover how delicious and wonderful Syrah can be.

We pre-judged 20 wines.  The top 5 Napa Syrahs and top 5 Sonoma Syrahs  made it to the judges’ table at the event held at Roadhouse Winery in Healdsburg where we had a panel of 8 talented judges.  The top Syrahs to make it to the judges’ table are:

1. Bradford Mtn   2. Reynoso   3. Astrale E Terra   4. Cutt   5. Acorn   6. Bonneau   7. Gann   8. Paradise Ridge   9.  White Rock   10.  Gamble

The results of the tasting, were as usual, mixed, proving once again that both Napa and Sonoma make fabulous wines.  However, this time, both the public and the judges chose a Napa wine as their favorite, though it was not the same wine.  The highest scoring wine from the Judges was Bonneau.  Bonneau is a Sonoma producer, however, the grapes come from Hyde, Trancas Vineyard in Napa Valley.  The 2nd highest scoring wine was Bradford Mtn, Sonoma, and then came Paradise Ridge, making 2 out of the top three Sonoma grapes. You can compare the top two wines at Cellars of Sonoma in Santa Rosa.

We had some awesome girl power this time at the judges’ table starting with Linda Trotta, former winemaker for Gundlach Bundschu and owner of Teresina Wines, makers of delicious Zin (especially the ’08).  Linda, along with many other judges, scored Bonneau the highest.  Although a Napa grape, it was made by a Sonoma producer.  Which makes sense since Linda is a Sonoma winemaker living in the Napa Valley.

We were pleased to have Lynn Wheeler on board.  Lynn is the better half of  Hobo Wine Company, a wine company that includes three labels, Hobo,  Banyan, and Folk Machine.  Lynn gave Bradford Mtn a near perfect score.  But veteran Sibling Rivalry judge, Jil Child, of Wine Tours of the World, gave an even nearer perfect score to Reynoso, a winery in Alexander Valley.  Thus far, this is unprecedented in Sibling Rivalry history just proving how nearly perfect a wine Syrah produces!  Jil opted to answer the challenge questions we give the judges just for fun. She was one out of only two judges who could blindly guess any of the ava’s. In this case Jil easily recognized the taste of Napa in the Bonneau.
    
The other judge who was able to blindly taste terroir is another Sibling Rivalry veteran and founder of Simple Hedonsims, William Allen.  Even more impressive is that William, was able to pick out something as intricate as terroir when he had a cold.  William gave his highest score to Gamble Family, which is a Napa producer.   

James Matuszewski, founder of Local Wino, has not only been a judge at all three Sibling Rivalries, but he has made it to every pre-event judging session except one.  All this blind tasting has definitely honed James’ blind tasting skills, he answered the most questions correctly in the judges’ challenge, excelling as usual with barrel program and blend.  James has learned something else through this series, he loves Sonoma! He gave Bradford Mtn his highest score.

Newcomer, Christopher Vandendriesshe, family member and winemaker for White Rock Vineyards in Napa, stayed true to his Napa roots.  His top two were Cutt and White Rock (very rarely do winemakers actually pick out their own wine), both Napa producers.

Newcomer winemaker David Sundberg, of Byrd Vineyards in Mendocino and Diamond Oaks in Napa, scored Bonneau and Gamble Family the highest, showing his palate for Napa.

Last but not least we were very please to add Daedalus Howell.  Daedalus is as colorful as his name, using his wit and clever use of the English language when writing his own blog or as a wine writer for the North Bay Bohemian and Sonoma Index Tribune.  Daedalus was, as he puts it, “quite smitten” with Paradise Ridge, and who wouldn’t be?  Paradise Ridge not only looks like Paradise but they make great wine as well.  However, his top three scores, all with the same score, were Bonneau, Cutt, and Gann.

For the public we had 20 wines.  Here are the wines:   1.  ‘07 Mounts (S)   2.  ‘07 Reynoso (S)   3.  ‘07 Muscardini Gracie’s Creek (S)   4.  ‘06 Black Cat (N)   5.  ‘05 Paradise Ridge (S)   6.  ‘07 Cutt (N)   7.  ‘06 HdV (N)   8.  ‘06 Gamble Family (N)   9.  ‘04 Broman Cellars (N)   10.  ‘04 Astrale eTerra (N)   11.  ‘05 White Rock (N)   12.  ‘07 Bonneau (N)   13.  ‘07 Muscardini Unti (S)   14.  ‘07 Acorn (S)   15.  ‘07 Roche (S)   16.  ‘06 Mayo (N)   17.  Ahnfeldt (N)   18.  Gann (S)   19.  Tin Barn (S)   20.  Bradford Mtn (S)

The top three wines from the public were White Rock Vineyards of Napa, Cutt of Napa, Bradford Mtn, and Paradise Ridge tied for 3rd.  The Super Secret Stash, which was well received, was Renard Kick Ranch Syrah, a Napa producer using Sonoma grapes.
 

Concierge, Tours, Events & Services for small boutique wineries
napa.smalllotsbigwines.com  •  (707) 254-5152
Feb 10, 2010

Forward this message to your friends!

SAVE THE DATES!!!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
Do NOT miss these premier scheduled 2010 Bonneau Wine events!
There'll be more to come!!

Friday, Feb 12th -– 7 to 10 PM at The Lodge at Sonoma, Broadway & Leveroni Rd., Sonoma CA. Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance presents its 5th Annual VINOLIVO Gala Celebration and Feast for the Senses featuring Artisan Olive Oils, Gourmet Foods, Award-winning Wines Locally produced. Sixty wineries and restaurant purveyors will be showing off their wares. Taste the latest award-winning BONNEAU wines along with award-winning local olive oils from the Stanly Lane Olive Mill. Tickets: General Admission $65 at sonomavalleywine.com or
by phone 707/935-0803. 

Sat – Feb 20th – 2:00-5:00 PM – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting at the Fort Mason Event Center in San Francisco CA.  Taste ALL of our AWARD-WINNING wines from the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! Get the results! Buy your tickets $60 (Advance) $80 (At Door) now at winejudging.com.

Sat & Sun, Apr 10th & 11th – SF VINTNERS MARKET - Fort Mason, San Francisco – Noon – 5 PM – General Admission $15.00.  Get up-close with the winemakers who create the wines. Meet BONNEAU’S Vintner, John Bambury. Taste our award-winning BONNEAU and EGRET wines. Sample and purchase your favorites to take home to friends and family. Don’t miss out! Buy tickets now only $15.00 at SFVintnersMarket.com.
Sat & Sun, Apr 17th & 18th – 10-4 - APRIL IN CARNEROS  - Taste Bonneau Wines with select food pairings at Carneros Deli, 23001 Arnold Dr, Sonoma CA. Tickets for this year’s Hospitality de los Carneros event at carneroswineries.org.

 

Jan 6, 2010

Join us for John Bambury's first
DINNER WITH THE WINEMAKER
hosted by


Monday February 1, 2010 @ 6:30pm
$85 per person plus tax & gratuity

All attending guests will also take home a bottle of Bonneau Zinfandel
compliments of John Bambury (GM & Vintner of Bonneau Wines)

Call RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE and make your reservation for this event!
(415) 673 - 0557

 

MENU

 

Reception
Wine: Egret, Chardonnay, Los Carneros, 2007

First Course
Creamy Lobster Bisque

Wine Pairing: Bonneau, Chardonnay, Los Carneros, 2008

Second Course
New Zealand Lamb Lollipops 

Wine Pairings: Bonneau, Pinot Noir, Los Carneros, 2008

Entrée
Filet
The most tender cut of corn-fed Midwestern beef
Or
Ribeye
Well marbled for peak flavor

Wine Pairing: Bonneau, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2005

Accompaniments
Served Family Style to Share
Sautéed Spinach
Sautéed Mushrooms
Hashbrowns

Dessert
Chocolate Molten Cake
With Fresh Berries, then topped with a Blueberry wine reduction

Wine Pairing: Bonneau, Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, 2007

 



Sep 18, 2009

Top Wines of Sonoma: Tasting Notes from Sonoma Wine Country Weekend

Two weeks ago, under idyllic clear skies, I joined about 700 other wine lovers to wander around a winery lawn in Sonoma County soaking up the bounty of Sonoma. Known as TASTE Sonoma Weekend, this event combines two previously separate annual events: The Sonoma County Showcase of Wine and Food and the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction.

The main attraction consists of hundreds of wineries and scores of restaurants plying their wares under beautiful white tents set up on the lawns of the Gallo-owned MacMurray Ranch winery. Perhaps one of the single best opportunities to taste through a large swath of the wineries of Sonoma County, this weekend event provides attendees with a heck of an education for their palate, and a nice cross section of the vintage. Most of the high-end, mailing-list-only wineries of the county are notably absent (like they are at most public events like this), but there were some excellent producers there, as well as some interesting new wineries to discover.

In all, I tasted more than 200 different wines, and offer my scores below for reference.


WHITE WINES

WHITE WINES SCORING BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2007 Pride Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay, Vintner’s Select, Sonoma County. $??.

WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2008 Atmosphere Wines Marsanne Roussanne, Dos Burros, La Prenda Vineyard, Sonoma Valley. $30.
2007 Bonneau Winery Chardonnay, Catherine’s Vineyard, Los Carneros. $28. Buy our wine here.
2008 Captûre Wines Sauvignon Blanc “Tradition”, North Coast. $32.
2008 Gundlach Bundschu Winery Gewürztraminer, Rhinefarm Vineyard, Sonoma Valley. $20. Where to buy?
2006 Hartford Family Winery Chardonnay, Laura’s Vineyard, Russian River Valley. $60.
2008 Imagery Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Wow Oui, Sonoma County. $??.
2007 Landmark Vineyards Chardonnay, Overlook, Sonoma County. $20. Where to buy?
2006 Landmark Vineyards Chardonnay, Damaris Reserve, Sangiacomo Vineyard & Flocchini Vineyard, Sonoma County. $40.
2008 Owl Ridge Wines Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County. $12.

WHITE WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2007 Balletto Vineyards Estate Pinot Gris, Rockpile. $14
2006 Buena Vista Carneros Chardonnay, Ramal Vineyard, Los Carneros. $32
2007 Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Chalk Hill. $??
2008 CLARBEC Wines Pinot Gris, Clarbec Vineyard, Sonoma Valley. $14
2008 Dutcher Crossing Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley. $18
2007 Dutcher Crossing Winery Chardonnay, Costello Vineyard, Alexander Valley. $22
2008 Enkidu Wines Sauvignon Blanc, Kick Ranch, Sonoma County. $24
2008 Hanna Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Bella Luna Vineyard, Russian River Valley. $19
2006 Hartford Family Winery Chardonnay, Four Hearts Vineyards, Russian River Valley. $40
2007 Inman Family Wines Pinot Gris, Russian River Valley. ?
2007 La Crema Winery Chardonnay, Los Carneros. $30
2007 La Crema Winery Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $30
2007 Mazzocco Sonoma Winery Chardonnay, Stuhlmuller Vineyard, Alexander Valley. $36
2006 Moon Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley. $16
2007 Nicholson Ranch Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley. $30
2007 Paradise Ridge Winery Chardonnay, Sonoma. $30
2008 Pedroncelli Winery Sauvignon Blanc, East Side Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley. $??
2008 Roshambo Winery Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Imago , Frank Johnson Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley. $16
2008 Valley of the Moon Winery Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast. $??

WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
NV Artiste Winery Imp: Alsace, Les Fleurs, California. $??
2008 Atmosphere Wines Fumé Blanc, Tribute, Denmark Street Vineyard, Sonoma Valley. $20
2006 Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery Estate Chardonnay, Chalk Hill. $??
2008 Cline Cellars Marsanne Roussanne, Sonoma Coast. $??
2008 Dutton Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Kylies Cuvée, Green Valley. $??
2007 Frick Winery Grenache Blanc, Owl Hill Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley. $27
2008 Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County. $25
2007 Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $32
NV Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards Ultra Cuvée Va De Vi, Los Carneros. $22
2007 Hop Kiln Winery - HK Generations Chardonnay, HK Generations, Sonoma Coast. $30
2008 Joseph Swan Vineyards Gewürztraminer, Saralee’s Vineyard, Russian River Valley. $18
2008 Kunde Family Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Magnolia Lane, Sonoma Valley. $17
2006 Lynmar Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $30
2007 MacRostie Winery and Vineyards Chardonnay, Wildcat Mountain Vineyard, Sonoma Coast. $35
2003 Mayo Family Winery Sparkling Brut, Laurel Hill Vineyard, Sonoma Valley. $35
2006 Murphy-Goode Winery Chardonnay, Island Block, Sonoma County. $??
2007 Robledo Family Winery Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Seven Brothers, Oak Ranch, Lake County. $??
2007 Rued Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Rued Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley. $16
2007 Schug Carneros Estate Winery Chardonnay, Los Carneros. $??
2008 Seghesio Family Vineyards Estate Arneis, Russian River Valley. $??
2008 Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Gris, Russian River Valley. $24
2008 Thomas George Estates Viognier, Sonoma Valley. $??
2008 Trecini Cellars SAUVIGNON BLANC, Russian River Valley. $??
2007 Viansa Winery Arneis, Sonoma County. $??
2007 Viansa Winery Pinot Grigio, Vittoria, Los Carneros. $??

WHITE WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8 AND 8.5
2007 Adobe Road Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley. $25
2008 Buena Vista Carneros Pinot Gris, Ramal Vineyard, Los Carneros. $20
2007 Carica Wines Sauvignon Blanc, Kick Ranch, Sonoma County. $??
2008 D & L Carinalli Vineyards Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $??
2006 DeLoach Vineyards Hawk Hill Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $50
2008 deLorimier Winery Sauvingon Blanc, Russian River Valley. $??
2008 Everett Ridge Vineyards & Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley. $18
2008 GlenLyon Vineyards & Winery Chardonnay, Hog Wilde, Parmelee-Hill Vineyard, Sonoma Coast. $34
2008 Hook & Ladder Winery Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $19
2007 Kelly & Young Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley. $24
2007 Ledson Winery & Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley. $22
2007 Sapphire Hill Winery Chardonnay, Sapphire Hill Vineyard, Russian River Valley. $25
2007 Sbragia Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Home Ranch Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley. $??
2007 Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards Chardonnay, Russian River Ranches, Sonoma Coast. $23
2007 Spann Vineyards Chardonnay/Viognier Blend, North Coast. $??
2007 Stonestreet Winery Chardonnay, Alex Mountain Estate, Alexander Valley. $??
2008 Thomas George Estates Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $??
2007 Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards Chardonnay, Los Carneros. $??
2008 Pezzi King Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley.

WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8
2007 D & L Carinalli Vineyards Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $??
2007 Davis Bynum Winery Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $??
2008 Francis Ford Coppola Winery Chardonnay, Director’s Cut, Russian River Valley. $??
2008 Kenwood Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County. $25
2008 Paradise Ridge Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Grandview Vineyard, Russian River Valley. $20
2008 Seghesio Family Vineyards Estate Pinot Grigio, Russian River Valley. $??
2005 Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards Chardonnay, The Cutrer, Russian River Valley. $40
2005 Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards Estate Chardonnay, Les Pierres, Les Pierres, Sonoma Valley. $42
2007 Terlato Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $24

WHITE WINES SCORING BETWEEN 7.5 AND 8
2008 Bartholomew Park Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Vineyard, Sonoma Valley. $??
2007 Garden Creek Ranch Vineyards Winery Chardonnay, Clonal Selection, Alexander Valley. $??
2008 Merriam Vineyards Chardonnay, Alexander Valley. $18
2008 Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate Estate Pinot Blanc, Dry Creek Valley. $??
2007 Rodney Strong Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $??

WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 7.5
2007 Amphora Winery Chardonnay, Peters Vineyard, Russian River Valley. $??
2006 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Sonoma County. $18
2007 Rodney Strong Vineyards Estate Chardonnay, Chalk Hill. $??
2008 Schug Carneros Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County. $??
2007 Stryker Sonoma Chardonnay, Alexander Valley. $??

WHITE WINES SCORING AROUND 7
2007 Benovia Winery Chardonnay, La Pommeraie, Russian River Valley. $48
2007 Chateau Felice Winery Estate Chardonnay, Chalk Hill.
2000 Robert Hunter Winery Brut de Noirs, Sonoma Valley. $??
2008 Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Unoaked Chardonnay, Russian River Valley. $??

WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE BELOW 7
2008 Merriam Vineyards “Stainless” Chardonnay, Alexander Valley. $25
2007 Deerfield Ranch Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Windsor Oaks Vineyard, Chalk Hill. $??

About the Founder & Editor

In late 2003, Vinography founder Alder Yarrow had become the guy that all his friends went to for advice. Thinking that there had to be a better way of answering his friends’ repeated questions about what wines he liked and his favorite restaurants, Alder typed the phrase “wine blog” into Google and got zero results. About three hours later he did the same for the made up word “vinography” and also got zero results. That was the proverbial first day of the rest of his life.

San Francisco Magazine has called Alder “The Wine World’s Brightest Cyberstar” and he is widely accepted as the pioneer of wine blogging -- whatever that means. A blogger by night only, Alder spends his days as the Founder and Principal of HYDRANT, an interactive design and strategy consulting firm. When asked how he possibly has time for all this, he usually shrugs and points out that he has no pets, doesn’t watch TV, and until recently, had no kids.

Alder regularly speaks and presents at wine events around the world including Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood in Napa Valley and the Aspen Food and Wine Classic. He has also appeared as a panelist and speaker for events and organizations such as Wine 2.0, The Commonwealth Club, and the Churchill Club. He is currently a member of the editorial board for Sommelier Journal magazine, and is a member of the nominating committee for the Vintners Hall of Fame.

Alder graduated from Stanford University, with time spent at Oxford University. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and daughter.

May 11, 2009

UNIQUE BOUTIQUE
(located inside Carneros Deli)
Open Daily
Mon - Thurs 11am - 6pm
Fri - Sun 11am - 6:30pm

Ph. 707-938-9588
23001 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476
(at the corner of Bonneau Rd.)

Jan 31, 2008

BONNEAU WINES has scored high again at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Judging Contest held in Cloverdale, CA. For the third year in a row and since we've been competing, every wine we have entered has received a Silver Medal or better!

We compete with 1,500 wineries from all over the United States. There were over 4,200 wines entered this year.

This is the LARGEST COMPETITION of American Wines in the World!

Sixty professional wine judges representing trade, education, media, retail and restaurants throughout the United States evaluated the best wines made in America. Five judges rate each wine in over fifty categories.


 

Feb 27, 2007
Photo

ZAPPED AGAIN!!

by Pierre du Mont – The Wine Corner

Each month noted wine expert Pierre du Mont features an interesting wine or group of wines from around the world. Pierre, though French, is Scottish at heart, thus he is always in search of great bargains to share with his readers. Pierre's aim is to give readers the information needed to make smart wine purchases. He picked just a dozen outstanding wines from the 550 Zinfandel offerings at the 2007 ZAP Festival, including Bonneau Zinfandel.

Every year I look forward to it with almost equal measures of anticipation and dread. The "it" I refer to is the ZAP tasting–one of the world's largest wine events and without a doubt the world's largest single varietal tasting. ZAP stands for Zinfandel Advocates and Producers and every January for the past 16 years they have been calling all Zinfandel fanatics to San Francisco's Fort Mason pavilions to sample America's home grown favorite. I anticipate the ZAP tasting because I love Zinfandel and the dread only comes from the sheer size of the event – 300 wineries and 9,000 tasters. That's right – 9,000!

I bring my own set of rules to the tasting. I don't write about the big three, Ridge, Ravenswood, and Rosenblum because everybody who loves Zin already know how great they are. And I don't write about wineries I have written about in the past few years. Instead I search for very high quality, small production wines that many people may not be familiar with. This year I'm glad to report I came across some real gems. The following wines are the real standouts, the cream of the crop of this year's ZAP tasting.