Tag Archive for: sonoma coast

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Jasmine Hirsch of the Incomparable Hirsch Vineyards

Imagine owning a vineyard that is considered one of the very best in the U.S. How would you feel if it were chosen as one of the Top 30 vineyards in the world?! Within the last year, that remarkable honor was bestowed upon Hirsch Vineyards.

Perched high above the Sonoma Coast, Hirsch is defined by extremes – high elevations, steep hillsides, nearly 80 inches of rain each year, intense sunshine, wind-driven storms, and the nearby San Andreas fault.  Each of these combined factors produces wines of extraordinary character.

Individually farmed blocks of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir tell their own story, and range from wines that are powerful to delicately elegant.

GM and winemaker Jasmine Hirsch, the daughter of founder David Hirsch, has grown up on the property and has a lifelong understanding of its land and potential. On this podcast, she shares more details on what makes this property so distinctive. Discover more at HirschVineyards.com.

Click Play to listen now, or click here to download the interview

Hirsch Vineyards

From the Harvest 2024 issue of Sonoma Magazine

Longtime Vineyard Manager, Everado Robledo discusses a young block of vines in the vineyard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The view of the Pacific coast, about 10 miles south of Hirsch Vineyards

The redwood tree-laden gaps between the rolling vineyard blocks are common throughout the property

Hirsch Vineyards

Recent guests enjoying a visit to the Hirsch Tasting Room in Healdsburg

 

The current lineup served in the tasting room. Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and a selection of Pinot Noir bottlings.

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The Mighty Mondavis and Boutique LaRue Wines

CK Mondavi and Family of Napa Valley is currently ranked at #16 in annual case production for US vintners. Needless to say, that’s large.

LaRue Wines of the Sonoma Coast region produces less than a thousand cases. Yep, that’s really small.

My guests are Randy Herron of CK Mondavi and Family, and Katy Wilson of LaRue. I thought it would be fascinating to hear the differences between these two brands. Randy crafts more than half a dozen varietals that are priced in the Value category. Katy focuses on cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir priced at the Luxury level. Nevertheless, these two share an easy going nature and make wines that are exceptional for their price range.

A Wine Uncorked feature is also included in the podcast. A little trivia gift from me to you.

 

LaRue Wines

With Katy during her 10th Anniversary Celebration

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The Respected David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars

As you’ll hear in this podcast, David of Ramey Wine Cellars is well known by most in the biz. His name came up three times in the last few months while talking with other winemakers. A lot of wineries have tapped into his knowledge by hiring him as a consultant. I’ve also heard he doesn’t hold back his opinions. Those spring forth concerning a bit of a controversy he’s in the midst of here in Sonoma County. Meet the winemaker who utilizes old world methods with modern innovations…when necessary. Here’s David Ramey…

 

ramey wine cellars

Photo compliments of Mark Spivak

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Radio-Coteau, A Wine & Spirits Magazine Top 100 Winery

Each year Wine & Spirits Magazine chooses the Top 100 wineries of the world. Each winery is featured in their Winter Issue and is invited to attend their annual tasting event in San Francisco. It’s quite an event! This is the third year Eric Sussman of Radio-Coteau has been chosen. He makes remarkable cool climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah, and Zinfandel. As a “pioneering micro-climate negociant” he works with as many as 16 different vineyards. His property in Occidental is quite historic and has its own story to tell. His vineyards there are maturing nicely. I find it interesting that he only has two subject tabs on his website yet it’s deeper in content than almost any winery website I’ve seen. Eric is quite prolific. I was happy to have finally tracked down this highly respected winemaker.

 

Eric Sussman

Eric at the Top 100 event, 2017