Warren County CC graduation
New Miami graduation 2012
Monroe graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2011 > February > 08 > Entry
Napa winemaker in town tonight for special tasting
This is as late notice as late notice gets, but from 5:30 to 8 p.m. tonight (2-8-11), Cuvee in Bellbrook brings in a Napa Valley winemaker involved in a pretty interesting venture. He’s Craig Becker from Somerston Wine Co., which produces Priest Ranch and Highflyer wines from Napa, all with natural-yeast fermentation and bottled unfiltered. A fine way to chase the chill of a February Tuesday.
Among the wines to be tasted:
2009 Highflyer Grenache Blanc
2009 Priest Ranch Sauvignon Blanc
2008 Highflyer Pinot Noir
2008 Highflyer Centerline
2007 Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 Priest Ranch Petite Sirah
Here’s some background on Craig and Somerston, courtesy of Sam Dependahl of Jarvis Communications:
SOMERSTON WINE CO. LAUNCHES AUTHENTIC NAPA VALLEY EXPERIENCE THROUGH ITS RANCH, YOUNTVILLE TASTING ROOM AND LUXURY WINES
(July 15, 2010; Napa Valley, CA)—Somerston is a bucolic, agricultural nirvana located high in the eastern mountains of Napa Valley. The 1,628-acre ranch came to fruition after proprietor Allan Chapman purchased the historic Priest Ranch in 2004, later acquiring Elder Valley in the mountains east of Rutherford to create one contiguous property in 2006. With over 200 acres of vineyards, a winery built out of a renovated 12,000 square-foot barn, 1,500 head of Dorper sheep, several spring-fed lakes, natural soda springs, an insectarium, a professional kitchen, and several acres dedicated to the farming of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and gardens, Somerston promises to offer one of the most authentic Napa Valley experiences to locals and tourists alike.
On June 1, 2010 Somerston opened a tasting room and, in 2011, a gourmet grocery will open next door as a virtual “window on the Somerston Ranch” featuring Somerston wines, produce and food products in downtown Yountville. Wine tastings at the Somerston Ranch will be made available in limited quantities via advance reservation this winter. Those interested in experiencing all the ranch has to offer may also choose, along with the wine tasting experience, to make a reservation for guided educational hikes and tours through the vineyards led by third-party geologists, culinary experts and nature guides. While each site will offer unique experiences tailored to their locations—one in town, the other in the country—both the tasting room in downtown Yountville and the ranch in the hills east of Lake Hennessey will serve as destinations focused on great wines that convey the history, the beauty and the holistic farming philosophy of Somerston.
Somerston Wine Co. encompasses three distinct wine brands, all made under the direction of General Manager and Winemaker Craig Becker: Somerston, Priest Ranch and Highflyer. Becker is a proponent of natural vineyard and winemaking practices. All of his wines undergo native fermentations and are unfiltered. Somerston wines are selected from premier blocks on the Somerston estate. These include a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($120), a red Bordeaux blend ($90), and a Sauvignon Blanc ($40), each produced in extremely limited quantities using classic and natural winemaking practices to achieve the best expression of complexity, depth, structure and long-term aging potential. Production is capped at around 500 cases, and the wines are available for purchase direct from the winery, tasting room and on select restaurant wine lists
Highflyer wines are named for Somerston General Manager and Winemaker Craig Becker’s love of flying, and include an eclectic line-up of varietals from some of the best vineyard sites throughout California. Wines in the Highflyer portfolio include Viognier ($17), Grenache Blanc ($17), Pinot Noir ($38), Somerston Syrah ($48), Vivio Syrah ($48) and a Red Blend called “Centerline” ($28). The premium vineyard sources for these wines are from Somerston Vineyards in the Napa Valley, Bennett Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Maria Valley, and Santa Ynez. Currently 6,000 cases are produced, the wines are distributed in eight states nationwide, and are available for purchase at Somerston’s Yountville tasting room and website www.somerstonwineco.com.Tweet
Comment on thisI'm no longer accepting comments here.
Go to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Go to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
