The holiday season is in full-swing at the wineries of Calaveras County. The recent storms have even left a light dusting of snow on the hillsides and in the shaded areas to really amplify the holiday spirit. The roads are clear, however, making for an easy drive to the Calaveras wine country this season. Almost all the wineries are offering holiday specials as well as special gifts ranging from elegant library selections to inexpensive "stocking stuffers." Plus, at least three wineries are offering hot mulled wine to warm visitors and locals alike. My own Winery, Solomon, started this Murphys tradition two seasons ago and the response by visitors has led others to produce their own. Come on up, give all the mulled wines a try, and declare your favorite.
The New Year will bring the opening of more tasting rooms in Downtown Murphys, bringing the total to nineteen! I know of no other wine region anywhere where one can park his/her car and walk to nineteen different tasting rooms - and have the quaint charm of Murphys to enjoy as well. (Remember, Fodor's Travel named Murphys one of the "ten coolest small towns in America" - the only California destination so recognized).
So if you've not been "up the hill" in a while, plan a late 2008 or an early 2009 day trip. Tanner Vineyards has had their new tasting room open for a couple of months featuring Mediterranean varietals grown on their own vineyards, including Vermentino, Syrah, Barbera, and a delicious blend: Melange de Mare (Mother's blend). Beaux Chevaux is the most recent tasting room to open on Main Street, featuring old vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Viognier, and a very rare Torrentes. Chiarella is moving their tasting room from Angels Camp to downtown Murphys, and bringing along their selections of Malvasia Bianca, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Barbera. Opening next door to Beaux Chevaux early in 2009 will be French Hill (with their broad variety of selections, including Tempranillo, Barbera, a superb (and rare) Petite Verdot, Grenache, and Syrah). Sharing French Hill's tasting room will be La Bella Rosa of Sonora, pouring their Sangiovese, Syrah, and a very limited Aglianico - a lighter but very fruit-forward red wine).
I'll be providing more detail about these wineries - as well as the others in Calaveras - in 2009. But for now, on behalf of all the members of the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance - wineries and growers alike - we wish all of you the happiest of holidays. May your hearth be warm, your days be bright - with a glass of Calaveras wine always in sight!
If you would like to comment on this - or any - of my blog entries, please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com. I will respond to all emails and post those that seem appropriate.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The New Year will bring the opening of more tasting rooms in Downtown Murphys, bringing the total to nineteen! I know of no other wine region anywhere where one can park his/her car and walk to nineteen different tasting rooms - and have the quaint charm of Murphys to enjoy as well. (Remember, Fodor's Travel named Murphys one of the "ten coolest small towns in America" - the only California destination so recognized).
So if you've not been "up the hill" in a while, plan a late 2008 or an early 2009 day trip. Tanner Vineyards has had their new tasting room open for a couple of months featuring Mediterranean varietals grown on their own vineyards, including Vermentino, Syrah, Barbera, and a delicious blend: Melange de Mare (Mother's blend). Beaux Chevaux is the most recent tasting room to open on Main Street, featuring old vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Viognier, and a very rare Torrentes. Chiarella is moving their tasting room from Angels Camp to downtown Murphys, and bringing along their selections of Malvasia Bianca, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Barbera. Opening next door to Beaux Chevaux early in 2009 will be French Hill (with their broad variety of selections, including Tempranillo, Barbera, a superb (and rare) Petite Verdot, Grenache, and Syrah). Sharing French Hill's tasting room will be La Bella Rosa of Sonora, pouring their Sangiovese, Syrah, and a very limited Aglianico - a lighter but very fruit-forward red wine).
I'll be providing more detail about these wineries - as well as the others in Calaveras - in 2009. But for now, on behalf of all the members of the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance - wineries and growers alike - we wish all of you the happiest of holidays. May your hearth be warm, your days be bright - with a glass of Calaveras wine always in sight!
If you would like to comment on this - or any - of my blog entries, please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com. I will respond to all emails and post those that seem appropriate.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!