Blogging, Wining and Dining at the European Wine Bloggers Conference (#EWBC) October 2011 in Brescia, Italy – A Tour D’ Horizont

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller with Maurizio Zanella, Owner/Winemaker, Ca' del Bosco, and President of the Franciacorta Consortium at the EWBC 2011 in Brescia, Italy

Held in beautiful Brescia, in the northern part of Italy, about an hour east of Milan by car or train, and sponsored by the Franciacorta Producers’ Consortium, the 2011 European Wine Bloggers Conference (EWBC) took place on October 14 and 15, with optional pre-conference events on October 13 and wine region excursions from October 17 to 19. Wine bloggers and wine industry professionals joined together to discuss the convergence between the culture of wine and the internet and to taste and enjoy Italian wine and food during 5 days full of lectures, seminars, wine tastings, and vineyard visits. 34 different countries were represented by the 216 participants. Founded and organized by Gabriella and Ryan Opaz of Catavino, and Robert McIntosh of The Wine Conversation, the 2011 EWBC was the fourth European conference, following the 2008 EWBC in La Rioja, Spain, the 2009 EWBC in Lisbon, Portugal and the 2010 EWBC in Vienna, Austria.

Pictures: Gabriella and Ryan Opaz of Catavino, Robert McIntosh of The Wine Conversation and Christian G.E. Schiller from schiller-wine

This was my second EWBC; I participated in the EWBC 2010 in Vienna. Shortly before leaving the US, I was invited to the Kobrand Tour d'Italia 2011 in Washington DC, where I got an excellent introduction to the new releases of a range of top Italian wine producers.

Brescia, Monastery of Santa Giulia and Loggia

Brescia is a stately Italian town, tucked away in a quiet corner of Lombardy, at the foot of the Alps, close to Lake Garda and Lake Iseo, untouched by major tourism. Following Schloss Schoenbrunn in Vienna last year, this year’s conference venue was the historic Monastery of Santa Giulia, one of the best examples of High Middle Ages architecture in northern Italy. The Piazza della Loggia eponymous Loggia - the current Town Hall - built in 1492, where the final dinner took place, is is a noteworthy example of Renaissance piazza.

Pictures: Brescia, Monastery of Santa Giulia and Loggia

Franciacorta

Just northwest of Brescia, in the heart of Lombardy, lies the greatest sparkling wine zone of Italy and one of the best in the world – Franciacorta. Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco are the main grapes of Franciacorta sparklers, with a maximum of 15% Pinot Noir.

While local winemakers have produced still red and white wine for centuries, Franciacorta has emerged as a producer of sparklers only in the last 50 years. In 1995, when Franciacorta was elevated to DOCG status, the production of still wines - both white and red – became a separate DOC appellation - Terra di Franciacorta.

Among the many figures who have contributed to the recent success of Franciacorta's bubblies is Maurizio Zanella, founder of the renowned Ca' del Bosco and current President of the Consortium. In 1980, Maurizio Zanella, after having studied at the Station Œnologique de Bourgogne and at the University of Enology in Bordeaux, decided to start his own production of sparklers and soon after Ca' del Bosco's Franciacorta became an important reference point for the whole area. As opposed to the Champagne area, there are no large producers who buy the grapes from other producers. The yearly production of a Franciacorta producer rarely exceeds 400,000 bottles. The 104 Consortium members that produce Franciacorta represent 97% of all producers.

Thursday (October 13)

There were three optional events.

First, City Tour of Brescia.

Second, Pirlo Talks: This was a 3 hour session of focused networking, where people could present their projects or share with others what they are working on; I missed that one.

Picture: Pirlo - Brescia's Popular Before Dinner/Lunch Drink

Third, in the evening, the traditional “Bring Your Own Bottle” (opening) party took place at Hotel Vittoria. This was a very relaxed and informal opportunity to greet fellow participants and network with a bottle of your favorite wine in hand. People brought wine from all over the world. I brought 2 dry Rieslings from Germany and the USA: A 2010 Kruger-Rumpf Riesling, Quarzit, Nahe, Germany and a 2008 Dr. Frank Riesling, Finger Lakes, USA.

Pictures: The 2 Bottles I brought to the EWBC 2011 - A 2010 Kruger-Rumpf Riesling, Quarzit, Nahe, Germany and a 2008 Dr. Frank Riesling, Finger Lakes, US

I also enjoyed the selection of Italian cheeses and charcuterie, in particular the Mortadella di Bologna and the Prosciutto di Parma.

Friday (October 14)

The first day started out with two tastings: Austrian Sweet Wine and International Sparkling Wines. I missed both tastings as they were already full, when I wanted to book them, but I had a chance to taste the Austrian sweet wines later during the EWBC 2011.

Pictures: Austrian Noble Sweet Wines

Opening Welcome

Keynote: What is Storytelling? – Jeremy Parzen, Evan Dawson, Emily Troutman, Paolo Casalis

Lunch

Opening Keynote – led by George Taber. George Taber is a renowned wine writer from the US, who participated in the famous 1976 Bordeaux/California Tasting in Paris and has written a book about it, on which the movie The Judgment of Paris was based. I had a bit of time to talk to him during the final dinner where we were sitting at the same table.

Picture: Opening Keynote led by George Taber

Introduction to Franciacorta Wine

The Sparklers of Franciacorta were introduced to us by Maurizio Zanella (Ca' del Bosco) and Riccardo Ricci Curbastro (Ricci Curbastro).

Picture: Maurizio Zanella (Ca' del Bosco)

Walkaround Franciacorta Tasting

Pictures: Franciacorta Tasting

Dinner: In the evening, we split up and went to 4 Franciacorta wineries by bus. There, we toured the winery and then had a sit-down dinner. At each of the 8 or so tables, one wine producer was present and while we all had the same food, we would have the wines of the wine producer at the table.

I was put on the bus to il Mosnel and I chose the table of Lucia Barzano (il Mosnel). At il Mesnil, we were all treated to the food of 1 star Michelin chef Stefano Cerveni from due colombe. The dinners did not end before midnight; some of us came back only at 2:00 in the morning.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller at il Mosnel with Lucia Barzano from il Mosnel and Chef Stefano Cerveni from due colombe

Saturday (October 15)

Saturday was the day of seminars (in the morning) and Italian wine (in the afternoon).

Morning: Becoming a Better Storyteller – Seminars and Panel

Telling stories with video - Paolo Casalis: People walked around Brescia and Paolo provided tips on how to frame your shot, make it interesting and engage your audience effectively.

Becoming a Better Story Teller - George Taber

Improving your oral storytelling skills - Evan Dawson

Telling stories with photos - Emily Troutman: Emily explained how to move beyond the snapshot and learn what it means to tell a story with images.

Tech For Storytelling - Ryan Opaz: Ryan explored the new world of tools for storytelling, from audio podcasts to twitter streams.

Panel: The Wine Stories Yet to be Told – Jeremy Parzen, Catherine Liao, Elisabetta Tosi, Damien Wilson and moderated by Evan Dawson

Lunch with Wines of Chile

Blogger Stories – Stories from Bloggers: For an hour, participants shared the stage and told us their stories. I in particular liked the story of German winemaker and blogger Thomas Lippert, who told his story of a heart attack, surgery and participation a few months later in the 1. EWBC.

Picture: Thomas Lippert

Wines of Italy - Walk Around Tasting

Pictures: Wines of Italy

Closing Dinner at the Loggia: This was thought to be the climax of the event but left a sour note in everybody’s mouth. There was plenty of wine, a fantastic selection. You could take a bath in Italian wine, but the food service was terrible, to the point that people started to leave the event and Ryan ordered several dozens of Pizzas at the after party.

I had very interesting company at the table, including Gregory Dal Piaz from Snooth, winemaker and blogger Thomas Lippert and George Taber.


Pictures: George Taber and his wife, Gregory Dal Piaz from Snooth pouring wine and Christian G.E.Schiller with Gregory Dal Piaz and German Winemaker and Blogger Patrick Johner

Late After Party – Hotel Vittoria: Wine, beer and dancing … and pizza. On the dance floor, Michael Cox from Wines of Chile put on an amazing performance.

Picture: Ryan Opaz

Sunday (October 16)

We split up and went on various EWBC post- conference day trips to Franciacorta, Soave, and Alto Adige. I chose Soave.

Soave

Soave is a white wine produced in the surrounding area of the fascinating middle age village of Soave, between the picturesque cities of Venice and Verona in the eastern part of the province of Verona in Italy’s Veneto region.

The majority of the vineyards are in the hills. Beautiful centuries-old castles, churches, bell towers, and aristocratic villas are all part of the rich history and traditions of this area, and indicative of the region’s principal product, Soave wines.

The prevailing grape is the Garganega, the fifth most planted white grape in Italy. Soave must contain at least 70 percent of Garganega, and the rest can be Trebbiano, but Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco are also allowed.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Elisabetta Tosi from fermenti digitali, who lead the Soave Tour

Pictures: Impressions from the Soave Trip

It was a great trip. We met niche producers, we drove through the breathtaking landscape, we also visited a large co-operative and enjoyed the Italian food. I had one of the best risottos ever in my live.

Picture: Risotto in Monteforte d'Alpone

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (October 17 to 19)

Participants had the option to choose among 2 EWBC post-conference trips. First, Chianti Classico – 3 days Friuli Venezia Giulia – 3 days 3 Days in the Chianti Classico Region. I went to Chianti Classico region.

3 Days in the Chianti Classico Region

The Chianti Classico’s 175,000 acres of production area is located between Florence and Siena in Tuscany. We stayed right in the center in the beautiful village of Radda in Chianti. This is the homeland of hundreds of DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin) wines, the top of the qualitative pyramid for Italian enology, all bearing the unmistakable Black Rooster trademark and united by production regulations imposing strict standards: a minimum of 80% of Sangiovese grapes grown only in the “Chinati Classico zone of origin”, delimited in 1716 by an edict issued by Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III.


Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller with Marco Pallanti, President of the Chianti Classico Consortium and Owner/Winemaker at Castello di Ama

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Emanuela Strucchi Prinetti (Owner) at Badia a Coltibuono

Pictures: At Castello di Brolio

Picture: At Castello di Alma

Pictures: At Vignamaggio

Picture: Dinner at Dario Cecchini's Solo Cicca restaurant in Panzano

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Paolo Cianferoni, Owner/Winemaker, Caparsa Estate

Pictures: In Greve in Chianti and Prosciutto de Greve in Chianti

Picture: Radda in Chianti


schiller-wine: Related Postings

Zinfandel and Other "Italian" Wines of Seghesio Vineyards in California

Italy's Top Wines - Gambero Rosso's Vini d'Italia 2010

The Wines of the 2010 Giro d'Italia

Pio Boffa and the Wines of Pio Cesare, Piedmonte, Italy

Italy's Top Wines - 2011 Gambero Rosso's Vini d'Italia Wine Guide

Meeting Winemaker and Owner Massimo “Max” di Lenardo from Friuli, Italy and Tasting His di Lenardo Vineyards Wines

In the Glass: 3 Easy Drinking Wines from the Soave Region in Italy

The Wines of casa 236 in Italy – Peter Schiller

In the Glass: 2010 Pinot Grigio, Venezia Giulia IGT, Attems, Italy

Kobrand’s Impressive Tour d'Italia 2011 in Washington DC, USA

The 2010 European Wine Bloggers Conference (EWBC) in Vienna

A Young Winemaker to Watch: Bastian Petry in Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Bastian Petry at Weinhaus Bluhm in Mainz, Germany

There are perhaps 2 dozens or so winemakers in Hochheim, Germany, a wine village half an hour away from Frankfurt am Main by S-Bahn, in the eastern corner of the Rheingau region. Weingut Lindenhof, owned and run by the Petry family, is one of those that have not received any international or national attention so far. But this may change in the future, with junior Bastian Petry having taken over the winery. Until January 1, 2011, Bastian used to work for star winemaker Gunter Kuenstler, were he also got his apprenticeship. The first wine made by Bastian will be the 2011 vintage. I am looking forward to these wines.

I have not yet been to Bastian Petry’s Winery, but I plan to do this later this month. I met Bastian in – as far as I am concerned – best wine tavern in Mainz, Weinhaus Bluhm.

Picture: Weinhaus Bluhm

Hochheim in the Rheingau

Hochheim is one of the top wine producing villages in the Rheingau region with about two dozens winemakers. Already Goethe spoke of its distinctive microclimate: '...among the magnates of Rheingau wine, Rüdesheim, Johannisberg and Hochheim, there can be no dispute about rank!...'. The Őchsle tend to be higher here than in other areas of the Rheingau. And it was the English Queen Victoria's (1819-1901) special preference for Hochheim wine that prompted the abbreviation ‘Hock' for all good Rhine wines. But Hochheim is perhaps best known in the U.S. through President Jefferson. This is where Thomas Jefferson, when he was Ambassador in Paris, visited in 1788 and brought vine cuttings back to America to plant in his own vineyard.
Hochheim is about 50 minutes from Frankfurt Airport by S-Bahn. Most of Hochheim’s winemakers sell their wine directly to the consumer at their premise, which is typical for the German wine market, and many operate a cosy Gutsausschank (Tavern), where you eat hearty local food and drink the winery’s wine. Weingut Lindenhof belongs to this group of winemakers.

Weingut Franz Kuenstler

Weingut Franz Kuenstler, by contrast, plays in a different ligue. The Franz Kuenstler Estate is one of Germany’s world class wine producers. It has 5 F’s (out of 5) in the Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2011 ranking. The Wine Estate is currently run by Gunter Kuenstler, who took over from his father Franz a number of years ago. Until the late 1980s Franz was in charge and from the early 1990s on, the Kuenstler wines were made by Gunter.

I met Franz Kuenstler more than 30 years ago, when I used to live in Mainz, Germany. Hochheim is very close to Mainz and my wife and I developed a special relationship with the winemakers of Hochheim. That was boosted by the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim – a wine brotherhood – whose founding members Franz, my wife and I are.

Picture: Gunter Kuenstler with Annette and Christian Schiller

After the acquisition of the Aschrott estate, the Künstler estate is currently comprised of about 26 hectares with 85% planted to Riesling and 15% to Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), all in Hochheim. A tiny bit of Chardonnay is planted to be used in the estate sparkling wine. Even though it belongs to the Rheingau, Hochheim is actually situated along the Main river. Its vineyards have amongst the best exposure and climate in all of the Rheingau. It is located in Hochheim, Rheingau, just 30 Minutes away by S-Bahn from Frankfurt am Main central railway station. Coming from Frankfurt, you arrive in vineyards and it is a beautiful walk up the vineyards to the village and the Kuenstler Estate at the village entrance.

Bastian Petry and Weingut Lindenhof

Weingut Petry has 7 hectares of vineyard area. A large part of its wines is sold in the Strausswirtschaft on the premise, were you eat basic, homemade food and drink the wines of Weingut Lindenhof. They are open for 3 months during March/June and again September/November, during weekend in the evening.

Pictures: Bastian Petry

The Current Wine Portfolio

Ausschankweine 1,0-l-Flasche

2010 Hochheimer Hölle Riesling Kabinett trocken ausverkauft
2010 Hochheimer Hölle Riesling Kabinett feinherb ausverkauft

Trockene Weißweine 0,75-l-Flasche

1 2009 Hochheimer Hölle Riesling Kabinett trocken ausverkauft
2 2010 Hochheimer Hölle Riesling Kabinett trocken 6,50
3 2010 Hochheimer Stein Weißburgunder Spätlese trocken 7,00
4 2010 Hochheimer Hofmeister Grauburgunder trocken 7,00
5 2009 Hochheimer Berg Chardonnay trocken ausverkauft
6 2010 Hochheimer Spätlese Weißburgunder/Riesling
7 2009 Hochheimer Stielweg Riesling Spätlese trocken – Alte Reben– 8,50

Feinherbe Weiß- und Weißherbstweine 0,75-l-Flasche

8 2009 Hochheimer Hölle Riesling Kabinett feinherb 5,50
9 2010 Hochheimer Daubhaus Spätburgunder Weißherbst feinherb 7,00

Fruchtige, milde Weißweine 0,75-l-Flasche

10 2008 Hochheimer Stielweg Riesling Spätlese fruchtig ausverkauft
11 2010 Hochheimer Stielweg Riesling Spätlese fruchtig 9,00

Trockene Rotweine 0,75-l-Flasche

12 2010 Hochheimer Dornfelder Rotwein trocken 6,00
13 2010 Hochheimer Hölle Spätburgunder Rotwein trocken 8,00
14 2009 Aus der Hölle Spätburgunder Rotwein trocken – im Holzfass gereift– 15,00

Leichtsinn 0,75-l-Flasche

2010 Rheingauer >Leichtsinn< trocken, Qualitätsperlwein b. A. , 5,50

Sekt 0,75-l-Flasche

Riesling Sekt brut 9,00

schiller-wine - Related Postings

German Spaetlese Wines Can Come in Different Versions. I Have Counted Five.

Phil Bernstein’s Third Annual German Riesling Tasting with the German Wine Society, Washington DC Chapter - Rieslings With a Touch of Sweetness

1.International Riesling Symposium

When Americans Drink German Wine - What They Choose

Terry Theise's Top German Wines of the 2009 Vintage

Impressions from the Riesling and Co World Tour 2010 in New York

1st International Riesling Symposium, Rheingau, Germany

The Wines of the Roter Hang (Red Slope) in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany

“Hoffest” (Winery Party) at Weingut Heinrich Baison in Hochheim, Rheingau - Best of Riesling 2010 Award Winner

The Wines of Franz Kuenstler from Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany

Franz Kuenstler, Founder of the Renown Franz Kuenstler Estate in Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany dies at Age 84

World Class Wines in Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany- Weingut Kuenstler

Franz Kuenstler, the founder of the Weingut Franz Kuenstler, was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, Germany

Weinhaus Bluhm in Mainz: A Cosy and Basic Wine Tavern Serving World Class Wines from Germany

Germany's Top 16 Winemakers - Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2011

Chat Sauvage Versus Peter Querbach – An Impromptu Pinot Noir Wine Tasting with Kai Buhrfeind at His Grand Cru Wine Bar in Frankfurt, Germany

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Kai Buhrfeind at Grand Cru Wine Bar in Frankfurt am Main

We were walking through Sachsenhausen in Frankfurt, Germany, after dinner, when we passed by one of my favorite wine bistros/bars/restaurants, the “Grand Cru”, which is owned and run by Kai Buhrfeind. I spotted Kai, we talked a bit and it did not take long that he opened a bottle of German Spaetburgunder. We ended up with a very entertaining couple of hours, drinking, reviewing and comparing 2 German Spaetburgunder wines from the Rheingau region.

The Wines we Tasted

2005 Querbach, Pinot Noir, Rheingau
2008 Chat Sauvage Pinot Noir Johannisberger Hoelle, Rheingau

Pictures: The Wines Kai Poured

The Querbach wine costs ex winery about Euro 8, the Chat Sauvage about 3 times of that.

Grand Cru Wine Bistro in Frankfurt am Main

Over the past couple of years, I have regularly dropped by the Grand Cru Wine Bistro (Weinrestaurant) in Frankfurt’s Sachsenhausen district, whenever I was in Frankfurt. There is perhaps a handful of brasserie/bistro typ restaurants with a strong wine menu in Frankfurt am Main. Kai Buhrfeindt’s Grand Cru is one of them. The excellent food, the large, well chosen and ever changing wine list – with about 300 wines by the bottle and by the glass - and the French brasserie/bistro atmosphere of Grand Cru always bring back fond memories of the 3 years which I spent in Paris. The expertise and the passion for wine and food of owner Kai Buhrfeindt – a Staatlich gepruefte Weinnase (a government certified wine nose) - shows clearly and everywhere at Grand Cru.

Pictures: Last Guests at Grand Cru

The German Red Wine Revolution

We compared 2 red wines from Germany. There is a red wine revolution going on in Germany. Of course, given its location, the red wines of Germany tend to be not like the fruity red wines we know from warmer countries, but lean and more elegant, with a lot of finesse. 30 years ago, in the international scene, people would not talk about German red wine. But this has changed. Germany now produces red wines that can compete with the best of the world. The share of red wines in terms of production has increased from 10 percent in the 1980s to about 35 percent now in Germany.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller and Kai Buhrfeind

Pinot Noir/Spaetburgunder in the World, in Germany and in the Rheingau

In Germany, the Pinot Noir is called Spätburgunder. It is to red wine what the Riesling is to white wine: the cream of the crop. In the US, Pinot Noir shows great promise in Oregon and California. The reputation that gets Pinot Noir so much attention, however, is owed to the wines of the Bourgogne in France, where it has probably been cultivated since at least the 4th century (first documented, however, in the 14th century). Regardless of where it’s grown, Pinot Noir is not typically a value wine. That is so because Pinot Noir is such a delicate grape that it is difficult and expensive to grow and make into the spectacular wine it can be. It is sensitive to climate and soil, Pinot Noir needs warmth (but not intense heat) to thrive and does well in chalky soils. As the German name implies, it ripens late (spät).


Pictures: Impressive Wine Selection at Grand Cru

The Spaetburgunder’s success story in the Rheingau started with the Cistercians who created a net of monasteries across medieval Europe and with Eberbach Monastery founded their branch in the Rheingau. Present at all times: Spätburgunder, not only the economic basis for many monasteries but also symbol of the Christian mythology of the Last Supper with the blood of Christ. For a long time the Spätburgunder has appeared in many Rheingau vineyards from Hochheim to Lorchhausen but its traditional home in the Riesling country of the Rheingau is the steep slate vineyards behind the roofs of the small wine village of Assmannshausen. Set up by Eberbach Cistercians a hell of a good Spätburgunder grows in the world renowned Assmannshäuser Höllenberg. First mentioned more than 500 years ago the red Rheingau wines continue to be discussed until today. A large part of the hill is cultivated by the State Wineries of Hesse Domain Assmannshausen (“Hessische Staatsweingüter Domaine Assmannshausen”). However, it was August Kesseler who profoundly shaped the style of the Rheingau Spätburgunder in the last 20 years, with the help of harvest reductions, longer mash times and skilful wine processing in big wooden cask or in small barrique barrels and who pushed the Rheingau Spätburgunder into the ranking list of the best German red wines.

Weingut Peter Querbach

Weingut Peter Querbach is located in Oestrich-Winkel in the Rheingau. It is run by Wilfried Querbach and his son Peter. The vineyard area totals 9 hectares, with holdings in the Doosberg and Lenchen (Oestrich), Schönhell (Hallgarten), as well as the Hasensprung (Winkel) sites. The area is planted with Riesling (7,5 ha) and Pinot Noir (1,5 ha). Weingut Peter Querbach is a member of the VDP, Germany’s association of about 200 elite winemakers.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Peter Querbach at Premier Cru

In terms of Querbach’s wine making philosophy, only natural yeasts are used for fermentation, the wines are then matured in stainless steel tanks, and kept on the lees for an extended period. Since the 1999 vintage, the bottles have been closed with a special stainless steel closure system, a type of crown cork, developed by Peter Querbach. The focus of Weingut Querbach’s production is Riesling and Spaetburgunder only plays the secondary fiddle.

We started with the Querbach Pinot Noir, the considerably cheaper wine: A very nice Pinot Noir, light ruby-red in the glass, attack of wet leaves and leather on the nose, coupled with notes of strawberries and cherries, medium-bodied on the palate with more red fruit tones, lasting finish.

Weingut Chat Sauvage

Weingut Chat Sauvage, founded in 2001, is the baby of Günter Schulz, who has made his money and still is making his money outside of the wine industry. Wine, in particular Bourgogne varieties, is his passion. The winery is run by Michel Städter, who is also in charge of fermentation and aging. The vineyard work is under the supervision of Mathias Scheidweiler.

The vineyard area totals 7 hectares. 4/5 of the production is Pinot Noir and 1/5 is Chardonnay. 2/3 of the vineyards are steep slopes. All work in Chat Sauvage’s vineyards is manual work. Considerable attention is paid to keeping the yields low, with first pruning after flowering, a green harvest, as well as selective hand-picking. In the cellar, traditional maceration, 18 months aging in barrique and no filtration are among the guiding principles for making premium wines.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Kai Buhrfeind

Tasting notes: As noted, a much more expensive premium Pinot Noir than the Querbach wine, ruby-red in the glass, notes of cherry, cranberry, sweet spice and earthiness on the nose, a medium-bodied wine, layered soft tannins, bright acidity and a lingering finish, elegant and feminine.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

In the Glass: Gluehwein at Frankfurt am Main Christmas Market

The Premium Apple Wines of Andreas Schneider - Obsthof am Steinberg - in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Schiller's Favorite Apple Wine Taverns in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The Natural Wines of La Cremerie in Paris

A Cult Paris Wine Bar - Juveniles

Focus on Natural Wines: The Terroirs Wine Bar in London

The Natural Wines of Terroir in San Francisco

New York Manhattan Wine Bars -- Bar Boulud, The Ten Bells, Terroir and Clo.

Terroir(s) Wine Bars in London, New York and San Francisco – Wines with a Sense of Place versus Natural Wines

August Kesseler’s Pinot Noir and Richard Wagner’s Ring der Nibelungen in San Francisco, USA

The 2011 Pinot Days in San Francisco

In the Glass: A 2007 Pinot Noir from the Gault Millau Shooting Star of the Year - Estate Baron Gleichenstein, Germany

In the Glass: Pinot Noir from France, Germany and California

California Pinot Noir Pioneer Walter Schug: From the Rheingau in Germany to Carneros in California

Visiting Walter Schug and his Schug Carneros Estate Winery in Carneros, California

German winemakers in the World: Robert Stemmler (USA)

Meeting Winemaker Dianna Lee and Tasting Her Siduri Wines and Her Novi Family Wines

Visiting Anne Moller-Racke and her Donum Estate in California: Old World, Terroir-driven Winemaking in the New World

A Pinot Noir Star: Visiting August Kesseler and his Weingut August Kesseler in Assmannshausen, Germany

5 Top Wine Makers at Premier Cru Wein Bistro in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Grand Cru's Kai Buhrfeindt in Frankfurt am Main Recommends "schiller-wine"

Tasting the Sonoma Wines of Flowers Vineyard & Winery with Estate Director Christopher Barefoot at Northside Social in Washington DC, USA

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Christopher Barefoot, the Estate Director at Flowers Vineyard & Winery

I joined Christopher Barefoot, the Estate Director at Flowers Vineyard & Winery in Sonoma at the Northside Social Wine Bar in Arlington, Virginia for a special tasting of the Flowers wines, paired with small plates of cheese and charcuterie.



The price was US $40 per person for food and wine.

The Flowers Vineyard & Winery in Sonoma

With vineyards at elevations of 1,150 to 1,875 feet and 2 miles from the rugged Pacific Ocean cliffs, Flowers Winery is not a typical Sonoma wine producer. In 1989, when Walt and Joan Flowers purchased 321 acres, including a ridge top, high above the Pacific Ocean on the northern Sonoma Coast, they were expecting the same foggy weather they had experienced along the coast, but were excited to discover abundant sunshine on the ridge. However, the overall temperature was still relatively cool due to the property’s proximity to the ocean, the cool morning fog below 1000′ and the afternoon sea breezes coming over the ridge. The ridge was named Camp Meeting Ridge. They eventually planted 33 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the property's ridge top and built a gravity-flow winery specifically for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Picture: Sonoma Coast AVA and Sonoma County

Just when the Flowers thought their vineyard and winery were complete, a neighbor presented them with an opportunity to purchase an additional 327 acres. This property, like Camp Meeting Ridge, was less than two miles from the Pacific Ocean, but it had two ridges with elevations of 1,400 to 1,875 feet. Flowers Ranch, as everyone soon called the property, was also a warm site in a cool climate. 47 acres of Pinot Noir were planted from 1998-2001. Two vineyards were designated within Flowers Ranch, the 25-acre Frances Thompson Vineyard and the 22-acre Sea View Ridge Vineyard. In 2004, two distinct vineyards were recognized as part of Flowers Ranch, the 25 acre Frances Thompson Vineyard and the 22 acre Sea View Ridge Vineyard.

Pictures: Christopher Barefoot, the Estate Director at Flowers Vineyard & Winery

Today, Flowers Vineyard & Winery produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from its two estate properties, Camp Meeting Ridge and Flowers Ranch, as well as other select vineyards in the Sonoma Coast AVA, which are farmed to Flowers’ specifications by their own crews. The winery produces 22,000 cases a year, 85% of which is estate grown. The estate vineyards are planted about 66% to Chardonnay and 33% to Pinot Noir. The wines are made with Burgundian values, which translates into good acidity, usually no more than 60% new oak, no fining, no filtration, and generally native yeast fermentations. The winery is located 2 hours north of San Francisco.

In 2009, it was announced that Huneeus Vintners, the wine company owned by the Huneeus family and owners of Quintessa Vineyards in the Napa Valley, had bought a substantial interest in Flowers. Tom Hinde, Flower's president since 2006, was retained to maintain consistency. Joan and Walt Flowers retired from their project.

The Food



The Wines



Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2008 $42

Tasting notes: Showing balanced depth and complexity, light straw to golden color. White peach and lime citrus aromas. A clean wine with lean acidity refreshes the palate. Stone minerals and luscious melon equally contend for attention in this mouth filling, delicious wine.

Technical notes: Yields - 2.8 tons/acre. 100% French oak; 19% new. Time in barrel: 8 months. Alcohol: 14.1%.

Flowers Andreen Gale Chardonnay 2007 $52

Tasting notes: Light golden-straw in color. Aromas are layered and complex; showing Honeydew melon, Meyer lemon, and citrus notes of tangerine with added depth of brioche and toasted oak. Flavors of Ajou pear and minerality broaden on the palate with a backbone of crisp acidity to compliment the finish.

Technical notes: 42% new barrels; 100% French oak. Time in barrel: 8 months.

Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2009 $42

Tasting notes: Bright ruby color with violet hues on the rim. Blackberry and briar patch come forward in the initial aromas and evolve into high-toned cherry and bergamot orange. Flavors of dried black cherries and savory herbs complement the bright acidity and supple tannins which frame a lingering and silky finish.

Technical notes: Cellared in 100% French oak, 34% new, for 9 months. Alcohol: 13.6%.

Flowers Andreen Gale Pinot Noir 2007 $58

Tasting Notes: Dark ruby garnet color. Core aromas are dominated by dark fruit; black cherry and plums. Hints of rose petal and violets uplift and compliment leather and oak components. Inviting flavors, redolent of dark fruit, crushed stone and delicate orange peel provide a finish that is long and luscious.

Technical notes: 45% new barrels; 100% French oak. Time in barrel: 16 months. 3462 cases produced. Alcohol: 13.5%.

Flowers Perennial Red 2008 $40

Tasting notes: Floral and toasty aromas abound in this year's version of Perennial; roses, blackberry, plum and anise. Savory flavors of black pepper, ripe dark fruits, and cassis make up the core with nuances of cocoa and cranberries for added density. Texture is rich and chewy with a lingering finish.

Technical notes: 62% Pinot Noir, 27% Syrah, 7% Pinot Meunier, 4% Chardonnay. 100% French oak; 25% new. Time in barrel: 11 months. Alcohol: 13.7%.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

The Doctor Made a House Call - A Tasting with Ernst Loosen, Weingut Dr. Loosen, at MacArthur Beverages in Washington DC

The 2011 Pinot Days in San Francisco

In the Glass: A 2007 Pinot Noir from the Gault Millau Shooting Star of the Year - Estate Baron Gleichenstein, Germany

In the Glass: Pinot Noir from France, Germany and California

New Classification of New Zealand Pinot Noirs

California Pinot Noir Pioneer Walter Schug: From the Rheingau in Germany to Carneros in California

German winemakers in the World: Robert Stemmler (USA)

Meeting Winemaker Dianna Lee and Tasting Her Siduri Wines and Her Novi Family Wines

Visiting Anne Moller-Racke and her Donum Estate in California: Old World, Terroir-driven Winemaking in the New World

A German Riesling Dinner at Open Kitchen in Washington DC, USA

Dining and Wining at the Josef Bock Winery Restaurant in Villany, Hungary

Wine and Crab Cakes: Amy Brandwein from Casa Nonna and Chris Clime from PassionFish win the 6th Annual Crab Cake Competition in Washington DC, USA

Dining and Wining at a 1 Star Michelin Restaurant in San Francisco - Range in the Mission District, USA

Schiller's Favorite Apple Wine Taverns in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Morton’s Steakhouse Presented Peter Mondavi Jr. at a Charles Krug Winemaker Dinner

Dennis Cakebread and his Wines, Napa Valley, at EVO Bistro, Virginia

A Glass of Bordeaux – What Else? – With Wine Journalist Panos Kakaviatos

A Dinner with Wine Importer Robert “Bobby” Kacher at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Dupont Circle in Washington DC, USA