2nd stop: Twomey Winery and Tasting Room

Nestled along the everlasting Silverado Trail in Calistoga is a small elegant winery known as Twomey. Twomey is owned and operated by the Duncan family who also are the proprietors of the iconic Silver Oak Cellars. Started in 1999, the Soda Canyon vineyard was acquired with fully mature Merlot vines already established there. Known for one of the only single vineyard Merlot's, this wine will not disappoint if you ever make your way up there. Rich, silky and fruit forward concentrated with a never ending finish it's hard to stop drinking it once you have started.

We arrived at Twomey early enough in the day to where it was not completely packed yet in the tasting room and lucky for me Ross was my tasting guide. We started off with their newly released 2013 Sauvignon Blanc which portrayed very forward citrus and floral aromas, tropical fruit on the middle palate with a crisp lingering finish, amazing! As we progressed talking about tasting notes, history of the winery and vineyards, Ross tasted me on their evolution of Pinot Noir. The three Pinot Noir I tried, all same vintage 2012 coming from three distinct regions; Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley and Russian River.

2012 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir display very bright acidity in the front with characteristics of rose petal, cherry and a slight smokey flavor on the finish. This was only the beginning. 

2012 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir was silky smooth, creamy and so delicious. Ripe strawberry, cherry and roses on the finish was absolutely boggling my mind.

2012 Russian River Pinot Noir. Generally my favorite Pinot Noir come from the Russian River AVA and this one did not disappoint. Full bodied, silky and seductive flavors of ripe cherry, strawberry and sweet spice filled my senses and took over me completely. A smooth middle palate that burst with flavor and a slightly tannic finish. This is what Pinot Noir was made to do, make you fall in love with wine so when someone says that's a great wine. all you can is "oh yes, Love That Wine."

To finish this extravagant experience was heart breaking but the best was only yet to come. The 2009 Napa Valley Merlot. Easily the best Merlot I have ever tried, forget every preconception you have about Merlot because this will make you a believer if you are already are not. Grown from French clones in volcanic soils, this wine is truly in a league of its own. Full bodied, silky and seductive, your mouth fills with ripe berry, smooth spice, chocolate and coffee. From the first sip to the last drop, the taste and sensation is addicting. These are the type of times that make you love wine tasting and keep searching for more.

To find out more about Twomey wines visit them at their website:
www.twomey.com/#!/welcome or if you plan on stopping by ask for Ross and say you read Love That Wine.

The family history treasure hunt

I recently just got back from Napa and while we were there not only did we do wine tasting, we also went on a family history treasure hunt to put into perspective some information we have found earlier. This is my reflection about that part of our trip.

Our first adventure was off up to Geyserville and Dry Creek, which is towards the top of Sonoma County. Of course we took the safe route staying on the freeways. Unfortunately there was major construction going on which delayed the whole process and what was supposed to be a 45 minute drive, took 2 hours. The great part about traffic and being in Napa Valley is the endless views of vineyards, old farms and huge historic estates that you get to see and be in awe over. The trip to Geyserville was the part of our family history hunt. Going up to Geyserville was almost as we were travelling back in time. Very secluded, spread out small farm houses with orchards and vineyards surrounding them. Driving the winding roads along the mountainside, covered in indigenous canopy it was beautiful, relaxing and exciting to see what was to come. Our first stop was at a property that was once owned by my wife's 2nd Great Grandfather, that he bought during the late 1920's and the amazing part was the original bridge, garage, workshop and house were still there. Now understanding that most of these backwoods homes that are not wineries were posted with NO TRESPASSING signs, but being there I had to do it, I trespassed! Luckily for me the gentleman that owned the property was outside up by the house and I was able to talk to him, before he used extreme prejudice and through me off the property. I told him who I was and how I was connected to the property and asked if he knew any of the history that went with it. After I told him this, he was extremely welcoming and told me everything he knew. He had brought the property in the early 1970's from an Italian family named the Bearizzi's and at that time there were NO VINEYARDS!!!! He continued to tell me that all the farmland and valley's were covered in fruit orchards and grapes were nearly non-existent with the exception of a few small vineyards spread around. He gave me a small tour of the property and told me that the entire property spanned over 80 acres, along the mountainside and creek following through the property. I asked if it was part of Dry Creek and he told me, "no this area is actually called Dutcher Creek". I asked him if I could take pictures of the property and he said," yes of course", and I was then on my way. He walked me around showing me where different parts were that he thought I would want pictures of, walked to the end of the property and I was on my way.

The second stop was the Olive Hill Cemetery to visit the family graves and pay our respects. Now this part of our trip is not my glass of wine, but I have to admit as much as I am not always gun-ho about these parts of the adventure, once we are there its always a bit interesting to see what we find. We did end up finding the family grave plot, after driving around all over the cemetery and it was very neat to see and pay our respects.

After visiting the cemetery we were off to Healdsburg where the last property in the area was and unfortunately, the final resting place of Gottfried Wieland (2nd Great Grandfather). Healdsburg is one of the small towns that make up part of the whole area. Charming, beautiful, little town with lots of shops and small boutique restaurants. It was a place I would love to spend more time in. Before the trip started, we looked up more information and tried to find out if there was any place we could search for documents about our family being there and the Museum of Healdsburg was the place to find them. Unfortunately when we got there, they were closed due to construction of a new exhibit opening the following week we were there.

A long day of driving but definitely worth the experience.

Great Elements create great dishes

Artesa Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, the best of Napa and Sonoma counties blended together to make a soft tannin, fruit forward, great with food type of Cabernet Sauvignon. This was what we enjoyed after we had the Capture Sauvignon Blanc, and it was totally worth it. Paired with Beef Short Ribs, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Asparagus with Pan Jus, this was another great pairing. Granted this is a Cab that you could easily drink on its own it was a very nice food wine as well. Whats funny is I have had this wine sitting for a few years now because I bought it from my last job, working in restaurants has its perks...sometimes! Not every place will allow you to do this and even if they do, do your research first because you might be able to get the same wine for cheaper in the store depending on the sales that they have going on. 

Aroma's of blueberry and casis with hints of chocolate, on the palate black cherry and stone fruit dance around with soft tannins and a very long finish.