Sonoma County

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards: CEO Chris Silva Talks to Luxist About Wine

Filed under: Wine

Chris Silva, CEO and president of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Sonoma

Luxist sat down with Christopher W. "Chris" Silva, president of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards to discuss the wine industry and what his Sonoma, Ca.-based winery is doing to beat the competition. St. Francis was a Luxist Awards' Readers' Choice finalist for Best Domestic Red Wine in June. (See Daily Finance's CEO Spotlight interview with Silva).

Luxist: What sets St. Francis apart from its peers?

Silva: Our commitment is to quality and to Sonoma. 100% of our grapes are hand-picked in Sonoma County, a place that we have always seen as one of farmers who make wine. We believe that we can grow and make wines here unlike anywhere else, and that our minimum intervention, maximum extraction approach to winemaking results in the kind of rich, complex, handcrafted wines that could only happen in Sonoma.

Luxist: Can you discuss how St. Francis only uses and buys hand-picked grapes from Sonoma growers? Why so?

Silva: I am a fifth generation native of Sonoma County. We see ourselves as farmers who make wine, and I think we have captured our passion for farming in each of our wines. Though most of our grapes come from our own estate vineyards, we revised our contracts for all purchased grapes to ensure that rigorous viticulture quality measures are adhered to, all at the Winery's direction, in every vineyard from which we buy grapes. For example, "when to pick" the grapes is now the Winemaker's decision and is no longer based exclusively upon degrees Brix (sugar levels), but instead upon several factors, including degrees Brix, but also including grape color, texture, flavor, aroma and sweetness, as well as the grapes being free from any kind of MOG (material other than grape).

Gallery: St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

The dining room at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

Tags: awards-main, luxist-awards, Sonoma, sonoma county, St. Francis Winery Vineyards, wine, winery

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Valle Vista, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's architecturally splendid home in Sonoma County had its moment in the design spotlight in a 2008 issue of Architectural Digest. This home is positioned on top of approximately 19 acres and is located minutes from Sonoma Plaza. This private three-bedroom home brings a little urban sexiness to the countryside. It was created by architects Harvey and Conrad in collaboration with renowned designer Ron Mann (check out more pictures on his website). Concrete and glass are warmed by the surrounding landscape and by the use of interesting textures in the furniture choices. The property also has an equally well-designed one-bedroom guest house. Pleasure-centered features include a pool with stunning bucolic views, hot tub, wine cave and a massive car barn. There's plenty of seating in this house and not much of it looks comfortable but beauty isn't always comfy. This home was listed at $12 million but recently had a price cut to $9.9 million.

Gallery: Sonoma Contemporary

Tags: california real estate, estate of the day, sonoma, sonoma county, SonomaCalifornia, SonomaValley

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Bodega Festival Celebrates Seafood and Wine In A Hitchcock Setting

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Wine, Events

The Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival celebrates its 16th year when it gets underway August 28 and 29th. The festival brings revelers to Watts Ranch in the village of Bodega, California for art, music, wine, beer and plenty of seafood. This scenic location in Sonoma County is where Alfred Hitchcock filmed his classic thriller, "The Birds." More than 30 wineries and 15 micro breweries will pour wine and beer, while 15 restaurants and catering companies will served up barbecued oysters, crab cakes, Key Lime calamari, clam chowder and other delicacies.

A juried art show and sale will feature the work of 100 artists and craftspeople and the festival also has three stages with a variety of musical entertainment, a Wild Wonders Animal Show and other activities for children including rubber duck races. Headline entertainment this year includes saxophonist Jules Broussard (Saturday afternoon) plus Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks (Sunday afternoon). Proceeds from the event support Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, which works in partnership with the California State Parks Foundation to provide environmental stewardship programs, and the Bodega Volunteer Fire Department. Festival hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 28, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 29. Tickets purchased in advance are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for children between the ages of 12 and 18, and free for children less than 12 years of age. For additional information, go online to www.winecountryfestivals.com.

Tags: art festivals, bodega, food festival, food festivals, sonoma county, sonos, wine festival, wine festivals

A New "Vintage" at Sonoma's Applewood Inn

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wine

Wine country can be something of a scene these days, with enthusiasts trying fit in as many wineries as possible, swirling, spitting, purchasing -- realizing they've bought too many bottles to fit in their suitcase, frantically figuring out how to ship wine home, which sometimes requires an alcohol-soaked brain to figure out complicated interstate wine shipment regulations....

Really, it can cause more of a headache than a hangover.

One remedy for all of this is Applewood Inn in Guerneville, California -- which is in the midst of its first season under new ownership.

When you look at Sonoma County, Guerneville isn't really in the middle of it all. This chic-shabby town lies to the west of the where most of the county's wine action is, heading out towards Sonoma's (largely unappreciated) Pacific coast. Applewood is set among young redwood trees, and its award-winning restaurant and its 19 guest rooms are mostly arranged around a peaceful courtyard, complete with a fountain that trickles merrily.

Room décor is also not striving to be in the middle of anything like a current design trend, although there are flat-screen TVs, fireplaces, and so on. Think cozy country motifs, cabbage rose bed spreads, Tuscan stripe upholstered chairs, gleaming wood throughout. Indeed, new owners Carlos Pippa and Sylvia Ranyak envision something of a Tuscan theme for the property.

You'll get to know Carlos and Sylvia as they're gracious on-site managers as well as owners. Running an inn and a restaurant turns out to be their idea of retirement -- Carlos owned a business in Texas that sold parts related to industrial painting. Upon retiring, he and Sylvia loaded up their RV with motorcycles and went on a multiple-month adventure from Mexico to Rio de Janeiro. It was in the rural portions of this journey that they realized they wanted to be in a more bucolic environment than Plano. The Applewood Inn is their next act. Be sure to ask them about their South American sojourn if you go.

Gallery: Applewood Inn, Guerneville, California

Applewood's Peaceful Setting Among Young Redwood Trees

Tags: applewood inn, BedAndBreakfast, california, guerneville, sonoma, sonoma county, wine country, wine tasting, WineCountry

Attend Grape Camp in California Wine Country

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wine

What better way to indulge your love of great wine than by scheduling a vacation around it? At Grape Camp in Sonoma County you'll learn all about how wine is made through the hands on experience of picking grapes and blending your own wine, plus learning about wine, food, and cheese pairings during gourmet meals provided by master chefs. This year the camp runs from September 27 - 29 and costs $1750 per person per couple (or $1900 for a single) and includes two nights accommodations at the Vintners Inn plus all meals, tastings, and transportation.

Via Luxury Travel Advisor

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Tags: california wine, CaliforniaWine, grape camp, GrapeCamp, sonoma, sonoma county, SonomaCounty, wine

Wine Billionaire Wants To Rename Mountain

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Billionaires have a lot of power but do they have the power to change the map? That's what wine tycoon Jess Jackson would like to happen. According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Jackson's company, Jackson Family Enterprises has asked to rename a Sonoma Valley mountain as part of a marketing strategy. The company has petitioned the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to change the name of Black Mountain to Alexander Mountain as part of an attempt to create a special grape-growing designation of the same name on Jackson's property. Jackson lives on 5,400 acres that he calls Alexander Mountain Estate. He does not own Black Mountain but lives near it. The mountain has had the same name for generations. Jackson wants the name change because Jackson Family Wine applied several years ago for a Alexander Mountain viticultural designation to highlight the wines coming from this specific area.

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names will run any potential name change by several city councils in northern Sonoma County and Native American tribes with ties to the area. Some say that the Alexander Mountain name may be fitting because it reflects the proximity to Alexander Valley. The mountain seems to have originally been named for its color (its thick crop of chaparal makes it a little darker than other mountains nearby) but the name Black Mountain is pretty common, there are three others in Sonoma County along and 266 more Black Mountains across the U.S. A Black Mountain viticultural area would not be specific enough because of the commonality of the name. Jackson has already changed the name of the road onto his property from from Foote Road to Alexander Mountain Road. He may have a bit of a wait for his mountain, it can take years to get this kind of a request approved.

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Tags: jackson family wines, JacksonFamilyWines, jess jackson, JessJackson, kendall-jackson, sonoma county, SonomaCounty

Villa Andrea, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's estate in California's Sonoma Valley, has a tempting feature for oenophiles, a private wine cave. Villa Andrea is on over 25 acres of land that includes a ten acre terraced Cabernet vineyard. The main house is a furnished seven-bedroom home. The property also concludes a tile pool and spa, sauna, steam room, lighted tennis court, bocce area. Three separate structures include guest accommodations, a home theater and an office. The Robb Report says that the home is available for rent through Beautiful Places for $22,000 a week or you can make it your own for $8.9 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Villa Andrea

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Tags: estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, sonoma county, SonomaCounty, villa andrea, VillaAndrea, wine country, WineCountry

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Chateau Vallonnee, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

The beautiful Château Vallonnée has vineyard views in scenic Sonoma, California. The three-bedroom main house was given a glamorous renovation in 2007 that gives it an amped-up country appeal that combines cozy stuffed chairs, a bright color scheme and dashes of modern art. The property has a separate pool house and a truly epic infinity edge pool with its own grape arbor. The home is a perfect wine country fantasy with a country kitchen and rooms that open out onto mountain views. This home is listed at $5.85 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Chateau Vallonnee

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Pedal, pedal...Sip, sip...Bicycle Wine Tours

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wine

This idea either sounds like torture or like a good way to avoid a DUI...unless of course you can't steer the handlebars after a day's worth of tasting...is that called a RUI?? Getaway Adventures offers a fantastic, car-less way to explore the valleys of Napa or Sonoma via a bicycle (or kayak if you prefer a more refreshing option). Whether you are looking for just a day-trip, corporate/group event or weekend excursion I doubt you will be disappointed. A spread of local foods is provided for lunch, stops at a myriad of local wineries is included, and local tour guides will expand your knowledge of flora, fauna, and vineyard as you ride.

Don't expect a strenuous adventure -- it is geared toward the 'enthusiastic beginner' as they put it so don't worry if you aren't Lance Armstrong. Vacation...wine tasting...exercise all in one? Perfect.

Tours are available from March 1st to November 30th.

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Tags: bicycle wine tours, BicycleWineTours, getaway adventures, Getaway-Adventures, GetawayAdventures, kayak wine tour, KayakWineTour, Napa Valley, NapaValley, Sonoma County, SonomaCounty

Signaterra Wine

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Benzinger's Signaterra wine is a new wine label that seeks to join the best of three forces, earth, nature, and man for excellent wine. They have produced two wines, the 2006 Bella Luna Pinot Noir Russian River Valley and the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Shone Farm Vineyard Russian River Valley. The Signaterra wine notes are divided into Earth, Nature and Man categories which describe the location of the vineyard and how it is formed, the climate and how the grapes are tended (often using organic, biodynamic and sustainable farming methods) and the way the grapes were harvested and how the wine was produced. At $24, the Sauvignon Blanc is on the pricier end of that varietal. The San Francisco Chronicle recently named it tops in their tasting of Sonoma County Sauvignon Blancs finding it rich and well-balanced with notes of jasmine and mango cream aside the citrus and grassy flavors traditionally associated with Sauvignon Blanc.

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Tags: benziger, pinot noir, PinotNoir, sauvignon blanc, sonoma county, SonomaCounty, wine

Sonoma County

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