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Chart Topping Petit Verdot
 A huge thank you to Dr. Debs of Good Wine Under $20, who has listed our 2004 Petit Verdot as number one in her list of Top 20 Wines of 2007! If you haven't tasted this wine yet, pick up a few bottles, gather your friends around and spend an evening enjoying it together. The recipient of a Double Gold, Best of Class award at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, our 2004 Petit Verdot is a wonderful wine to serve during the Holidays, and one that reflects the season perfectly: a beautiful fragrance of red berries and espresso leads to a soft, full palate, packed with lush mixed berries, spice, hints of mocha and gingerbread. Cellar Tracker reviews are available here.
San Antonio Valley AVA - The Movie!
Recently I was invited to contribute to a promotional video being made by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association to promote the nine American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) located within Monterey County, California. Ron Frudden (of Ronan Cellars) and myself took our turns in front of the cameras to discuss the San Antonio Valley, which is the newest AVA in Monterey. The complete production is in the form of a DVD entitled, "Elements of Taste - the unique American Viticultural Areas of Monterey County", which is distributed by the MCVGA. Contact the MCVGA via their website @ www.montereywines.org or at +1.831.375.9400 for further information. The official press release for the video can be found here. The full DVD is broadcast quality and also covers the Carmel Valley, Monterey, Chalone, Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco, San Bernabe, San Lucas and Hames Valley AVAs. Included here is the section covering San Antonio Valley, which is where Escafeld Vineyards is located. Labels: american viticultural area, california wine, monterey county, san antonio valley
Harvest at Twin Vines
Harvest took place at the Twin Vines vineyard yesterday. Rain and cooler weather had conspired to delay things, but the sugar level readings this week indicated that it was indeed time to pick. Twin Vines is about 2 acres, and is planted to 5 red Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. We initially determined the planting proportions for this vineyard by finding the published blend quantities for as many red Bordeaux wines, and as many California Meritage wines as possible, and then finding the average. We ended up with about 50% Cab S. going down to around 5% of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Interestingly, these varieties have differing ripening characteristics, which can prove to be a challenge when it comes to picking (because we want to harvest just once each season). As it stands, harvest went perfectly--the fruit was great, averaging around 26% sugar (or, 26 brix), and we came away with about 3,550 pounds of grapes for our first field blend. Here's a link (click on the image above) to a couple of snapshots. The shots are not too exciting, serving more as documentary than drama, but at least they set the scene.
The Perfect Thanksgiving Wine
 If you're already planning for Thanksgiving, you'll be well aware of the annual challenge--which wine should we pair with dinner? If it's a large crowd, I usually suggest a varied collection of reds and whites, allowing guests to pick and choose their favorites. But this year, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to include a bottle of Escafeld 2004 Petit Verdot. This Petit Verdot is the ideal Thanksgiving wine: soft and lush on the palate, with plenty of dark berry and spice flavors that will stand up perfectly to all your favorite Thanksgiving dishes. This is one of my favorite wines, and I'm sure that when you sample it with your Holiday fare this year, you'll make it a family tradition of your own.
A Taste of Monterey
 Our 2004 Petit Verdot has been selected for A Taste of Monterey's October wine club shipment. If you're a member of the club, you'll be receiving a bottle of our favorite PV any day now. If you haven't had the chance to visit A Taste of Monterey Wine Visitor's Center, jump in the car and head over there at your first opportunity. They have two great locations: one overlooking the ocean in a renovated 1918 sardine cannery on Cannery Row, and the other in Downtown Salinas--just a stone's throw from The Steinbeck Center. The last time I poured at the ocean-front Cannery Row location, I was stunned to see dolphins leaping through the waves, and can't wait to return for a repeat performance.
Get On Your Bike: Sign Up For Waves to Wine
 You have three weeks left to register for the annual Waves to Wine MS Bike Tour, which will take place September 29 to 30 to raise more than $1.2 million for critical Multiple Sclerosis research and vital programs and services. With AT&T Park, the Golden Gate Bridge and wine country as backdrops, thousands of cyclists participating in this two-day event from San Francisco to beautiful Healdsburg will come together to lend their support to the more than 20,000 Northern Californians living with MS. After the first day's ride, participants are invited to an evening festival to enjoy great food, great music, and great wines. To register, volunteer, sponsor a rider, or to learn more, visit http://www.wavestowine.org/ or call 1-800-FIGHT-MS.
Tech Report: Resveratrol on Trial--Winegrapes Exposed
 According to today's issue of the Times, thirty British patients suffering from a rare disease will be the first to benefit from a new drug based on resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine. The small trial, based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in North-East England, will test resveratrol, a chemical they say could potentially lead to a family of new drugs developed to combat the diseases of ageing. A version of resveratrol, SRT501, is also being tested in India for diabetes and several versions of the drug are apparently in the pipeline. Today, Wine Spectator Online reports that on Aug. 26, a team of Italian and French researchers reported that they have cracked the genetic code of the Vitis Vinifera grape!
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A huge thank you to Dr. Debs of Good Wine Under $20, who has listed our 2004 Petit Verdot as number one in her list of Top 20 Wines of 2007!
