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February, 2010
On a beautiful February day, my wife Cary and I with friend Diane Thompson of Gilroy, California visit the Dry Creek Valley and neighboring Russian River Valley's wineries Pedroncelli Winery, Forchini Winery, Armida, and Passalacqua Winery. Here are a few photo's to share...One of the first stops for the wine traveler in the Dry Creek Valley is Pedroncelli Winery- the only pre-prohibition Dry Creek Valley winery that survived the thirteen years of prohibition and still in operation today. Jim and John Pedroncelli and their families carry our the family friendly atmosphere in the winery. We were really impressed with Pedroncelli Tasting Room Manager Jon Brown which talked and poured the portfolio of Pedroncelli wines... We had a lot of favorites... but, interestingly, there was the grower of the Pedroncelli Alexander Valley Morris Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon in the tasting room which touted the wine as the best of the group... I couldn't help but agree along with the Dry Creek Valley Mother Clone Zinfandel... A "must taste" of the wine traveler is one of the best rose wines made in America- the Pedroncelli Dry Rose of Zinfandel...the color from year to year is absolutely stunning and the taste yummy...
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I always enjoy visiting the small family wineries- the families that grow and produce their own estate wines... Jim Forchini and his family has been in the Russian River and Dry Creek Valleys for decades after a stint in Southern California as a NASA mechanical engineer... As this was Super Bowl Sunday, Jim was away from the winery but we were entertained by the tasting room staff... Diane and Cary especially loved the Forchini Zinfandel and the Papa Nonno Tuscan Style Red Wine...
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We are touring over the Dry Creek AVA line to neighboring Russian River Valley for a visit to Armida Winery. Armida Winery has a diverse wine portfolio but is increasingly known for its zinfandels- and a bunch sourced from the Dry Creek Valley. Our favorite is a zinfandel from Tom Maple's Dry Creek Vineyard but you need to try the Poizin, as well... We had the chance to talk to owner Bruce Cousins which was a special treat...
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As you wine travel through the Dry Creek Valley, a "must stop" is the founding winery of Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc, the Dry Creek Vineyards... After your visit to Dave Stare's founding winery, jump across to the street to Passalacqua Winery (the winery facility formerly housed Robert Stemmler Winery and Pezzi King) and experience wine hospitality at its best... Ruth Kurpinsky and Tony Rossi should teach the school of wine tasting room education and hospitality! Once again, a Zinfandel from the Dry Creek Maple Vineyard was a favorite from this winery...
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A favorite of the locals for a quick lunch and/or picnic is the Dry Creek Store- established in the 1880's... As you visit California's Dry Creek Valley in the future, there are a ton of wineries to visit...
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