I’m taking a brief detour from my tour of Panther Creek’s estate Pinot Noir vineyards. (If you haven’t followed along thus far, do take a look at these: Maverick, Kalita, and Lazy River. And don’t forget the oh-so-fun Pinot Noir-Chardonnay white wine blend. [know, right?]) No, today I’m featuring their estate Chardonnay—a Chardonnay actually worth drinking. I have a hard time with Chardonnay: it can be bland and boring, or completely unbalanced with all the winemaking things you can do to it. Ah, but here we have subtle simplicity holding hands with a solid structure. Drink it on its own, drink it with food, but either way drink and enjoy.
Good Saturday morning! Here’s your list of the latest wine-related news I’ve been reading this past week. Hope this proves interesting, if not useful. Let me know your thoughts…
The following is a formal press release from Parallel Napa Valley
Napa, Calif.—In recognition of the heroic, life-saving efforts in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, Parallel Napa Valley is launching a series of complimentary online wine tastings for the very people who everyone should raise a glass to: America’s front line medical workers.
Each Thursday in May, from 5-6 p.m. PST starting on the 7th, Parallel will welcome 10 guests total in up to five locations for a complimentary tasting of two highly-rated Parallel wines (crafted by renowned winemaker Philippe Melka) with Parallel General Manager Adrienne Capps. The complimentary experience is valued at $225 per location and includes two bottles of Parallel wines shipped to the participants in advance.
“As we thought about what we could do to thank our first responders, we realized that these individuals might appreciate a night off, with some excellent wine,” said Adrienne Capps. “It’s our privilege to offer this experience as a way to help medical workers take a breath and relax and recharge after days spent fighting this virus that is wreaking so much havoc.”
First a little heartbreaking news, due to the COVID-19, the Sonoma County Vintners recently announced that this year’s Taste of Sonoma is cancelled canceled. The organization, which represents more than 200 wineries and affiliated businesses throughout the Sonoma County, encourages consumers to, instead, celebrate Sonoma at home, pointing to their Sip from Home. According to the site, many Sip from Home promotions include interactive virtual programs as well, encouraging virtual visits to Sonoma County.
The Sonoma Valley Growers Alliance (SVGA), an organization that is a merger of the Sonoma Valley Vintners Association and the Sonoma Valley Grape Growers Association, is also partnering with the La Luz Crisis Fund. The local non-profit organization is dedicated to assisting minority workers throughout the county and has set up a fund specifically to provide aid to those affected by the COVID pandemic. By purchasing wine through The Sonoma Valley Wine Collective, a percentage of the money spent on wine will be donated to the La Luz Crisis Fund to meet the needs of the county’s community of workers.
So, while you may not be able to visit sunny Sonoma or tour our wineries in person, I encourage you to support our small town, our family-run wineries, and of course help our community of workers so they can be present and healthy when you are able to sip Sonoma in person. Cheers.
About The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA)
The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) comprises hundreds of member wineries and grape growers as well as associate members who work together to promote awareness of the Sonoma Valley and its extraordinary wines and grapes, its incomparable climate, and its richly diverse terrain and terroir.
The organization was formed in 1992 by merging the Sonoma Valley Vintners Association and the Sonoma Valley Grape Growers Association. Because it is a collaboration of vintners and growers, it is a unique organization that shares a mission to promote Sonoma Valley wines and grapes, support cooperation and collaboration among Valley vintners and growers, and develop community awareness of the industry and its contributions to the unique lifestyle in Sonoma Valley.
Specific purposes of the SVVGA are:
To promote awareness in the marketplace of the superior quality of Sonoma Valley grapes and wines
To raise community awareness and to protect the central importance of the grape and wine industry to the local economy and to the quality of life in Sonoma Valley
To assure a healthy social and political environment conducive to grape growing and winemaking
To strive to maximize the quality of Sonoma Valley grapes and wines
About La Luz Center
In 1985, the wine industry was booming in Sonoma Valley. Hundreds of workers were hired from Mexico, Central and South America to work in the vineyards. On weekends they attended church where they met Ligia Booker. Born in Colombia to a large philanthropic family, Ligia saw Sonoma Valley through the eyes of an immigrant. She learned that the vineyard worker families had basic unmet needs like language skills and access to food, clothing and housing; assistance with medical, legal and financial issues presented more complicated, longer term challenges.
Ligia and a group of Sonoma residents came together to provide needed assistance and began to call themselves La Luz, Spanish for “The Light”. Over the years, La Luz Center has expanded capabilities through strong community partnerships and a talented, resourceful La Luz staff that now delivers a wide-range of programs, services and responsive support to families in Sonoma Valley.
Ligia understood the unique relationship between the people of The Springs and the economy of Sonoma Valley. The Latino community, now comprising approximately 28% of the Sonoma Valley population and 58% of our public school enrollment, significantly contributes to the vitality of the Valley. La Luz Center continues to bring “The Light” to Sonoma Valley residents and we invite you to explore our website to learn more about current La Luz Center partnerships, services, and programs.
BriscoeBites officially accepts samples as well as conducts on-site and online interviews. Want to have your wine, winery or tasting room featured? Please visit the Sample Policy page where you can contact me directly. Cheers!
**Please note: all reviews and opinions are my own and are not associated with any of my places of business. I will always state when a wine has been sent as a sample for review. Sending samples for review on my personal website in no way guarantees coverage in any other media outlet I may be currently associated with.**
Continuing my travels around Panther Creek’s estate vineyards. Today’s stop is the De Ponte Vineyard—doesn’t the name just sound fancy? Trust me, the taste doesn’t disappoint those expectations. Before you read on, make sure you’ve read about the winery’s other single estate bottlings: Maverick, Kalita, and Lazy River. And don’t forget to check out this super fun Pinot Noir-Chardonnay white wine blend. (I know, right?)
Also, don’t judge me, yes that is pizza in the background. Again.
