#DCVPassport Day 1 - Zichichi

This winery had lots of potential – Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Unfortunately, the visit was marred by the reception we received. We were told that buses weren’t allowed even though we were in a van and could see a similar vehicle already parked. The person guarding the drive wasn’t happy when our driver asked if he could drop us off and park down the road. We were then told that the van/bus already parked there were wine club members and that they had a handicap sticker. Hello, we were potential wine club members…but not after that reception. There was no guidance as to where to go or pairing the food.(which was a great Duck or Pork Tamales from Mateo’s). As we started to leave, the van had a battery problem. There were 3 people from Zichichi standing there laughing and not offering any assistance at all. I don’t care how good the wine is that kind of “service” means we won’t be making a trip back.

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#DCVPassport Day 1–Gopfrich Estate

We love coming to this winery because they make good wine and they have some interesting German wine to go with it. Unfortunately, this year the winemaker wasn’t happy with the German juice and didn’t make any German wine. I was also hoping to get some of their Rose..but it was already sold out. Will definitely have to check back next year.

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#DCVPassport Day 1 – Lambert Bridge

My camera must have broken when we reached Lambert Bridge because I don’t have any more pictures. Although, in reality I think I was just too busy eating and drinking to take a photo.

2011 Bevill Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc – Shrimp Ceviche served in freshly made tacones

2009 Forchini Vineyard Zinfandel – Wood fired pizza with Cow Girl Creamery Wagon Wheel, braised trumpet royales, white albas and chanterelles (www.gourmetmushrooms.com)

2006 Sonoma County Merlot – Franco Dunn’s Grilled Toscano Sausages (www.oneworldsausage.com)

2006 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet-spiked, wood oven braised short ribs on toasted kalamata olive crostini (www.costeaux.com)

After quickly making our way through the “general” passport tasting, we quickly headed to the Liquid Assets Wine Club area where we got to enjoy

2011 Bevill Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc – paired with oysters just harvested that morning

2011 Chardonnay – paired with grilled oysters (harvested that morning)

2009 Crane Creek Cuvée – Lambert Bridge grilled lamb chops.

2009 Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon – paired with the wood oven pizza

It is a free-for-all waiting for the lamb chops and pizza to come out of the oven. Note for next year: Need to get there early…they ran out of oysters around 2pm.

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#DCVPassport Day 1 - DaVero

DaVero was another new winery for us. DaVero is a certified Biodynamic farm producing high quality wines, award-winning olive oils, jams and other small batch Estate products.They have a very interesting story and produce very good Italian Varietals. The food here was wonderful…great pizza from the food truck and some yummy lamb chops that went great with the Carrignane. And the Sonoma chocolates were wonderful…try the Chocolate Blue Cheese…delicious!

2012 Estate Malvasia Bianca – great brunch wine.

2008 DaVero Sangiovese – pairs with the DaVero Lemon Olive Oil Chocolate

2012 Late Harvest Muscato – goes well with the Davero Olive Oil Chocolate

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#DCVPassport Day 1 - De La Mantanya

De La Mantanya was our second stop of the day. The grounds here are beautiful. and the wines were pretty good too. I particularly liked the Gewurtztraminer and the Zinfandel.

 

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#DCVPassport 2013 Day 1 - Mill Creek

We love the people at Mill Creek! They are warm and welcoming and the wines are wonderful! For Passport 2013, we enjoyed a little trip back to the WILD west with our wine and food pairings:

2011 Sauvignon Blanc -Welcome Wine

2012 Dry Rose with Honey Goat Cheese on a butter cracker topped with a strawberry

2009 Zinfandel - St George &
Pit Ham and Grilled Cheese with Caramelized onions and herb Aioli

2006 Reserve Merlot - Grilled Pork with blue cheese mousse on a multi-grain crostini

2003 Reflections - Pan seared sausage brochette with Arugula herb pesto

 Dayton Passport Friends 2013

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Passport to Dry Creek 2012 #dcvpassport

It is hear again...and each year we seem to extend it a little more. This year we arrived on Thursday. That is to give ourselves a little time to acclimate from the travel. And it was a good thing because I was ready to crash at 7:30pm last night.

There are 13 of us attending this year. Seven from Dayton OH, 1 from Phoenix AZ (although originally from Dayton), 1 from LA (who claims to hate Dayton),2 from Berkeley CA, and 2 from Petaluma CA. We have 4 Passport virgins. It is going to be an interesting weekend.

Six of us arrived at SFO and after gathering our rental tank...I mean van... we headed North. First stop was Della Fattoria Cafe in Petaluma. Some of the most amazing bread ever.

After checking in to or hotel, we waled to Healdsburg. It is truly about a six block walk...unfortunately, there are not sidewalks the entire trip. But it is a closer walk than last year.

First stop Stephen & Walker. This winery was on my list of wineries to visit but it didn't make the cut in voting by the group. All of the wines were excellent but I'm in love with their Sauvignon Blanc. Someone (not me) joined the wine club.

Next, was dinner at Bear Republic. After a sampler of 6 beers, John and I shared a sausage plate that was fabulous. You also need to have their Garlic Fries.

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It’s a dinner…so it must be a party!

So I had drinks earlier this week with a woman from work. I’m sure this will frighten some of you but we really could have been separated at birth! So I decided to have a dinner party and introduce Darcy and her husband Matt to some of our friends. You can only imagine the chaos that will ensue.

Champagne with St. Helena Olive Oil Company  BALSAMIC VINEGAR Methode Tradizionale (19 year old)

Summer Corn Chowder
Roasted Lemongrass Chicken
Coconut Lime Rice
Grilled Summer Vegetables
2005 Dutch Henry Argos Hillside

Cheese Course (Mt. Tam, Manchego, Covadonga Spanish Blue)
Blueberry- Lime Parfait
2009 Mill Creek Vineyards Gewürztraminer Estate

1995 Dolce Winery Late Harvest

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2011 Summer Restaurant Week Dayton–Friday

It is David’s turn to decide on tonight’s restaurant week restaurant…so we trek off to The Winds. It always seems so far away to me…but heck, David drives from Middletown so what do I have to complain about.

Deciding on dinner is a hard choice. The Winds is offering both their regular menu and their restaurant week menu. Our waiter complicates things by pointing out the Figs, Pigs and Goats appetizer. I was momentarily sidetracked from the restaurant week menu by the Game Hen Limoncello but David and I decide to come back next week for that. (Yes, John will once again be traveling the globe – his loss.) We are all adults…we can handle this. We opt to have the restaurant week menu PLUS the FPG appetizer. Figs stuffed with goat cheese wrapped in peppered bacon…SCORE!

In addition to the restaurant week menu, The Winds is offering $5 off all bottle wine sales during restaurant week with the purchase of a restaurant week dinner. Our first bottle is the Chateau Les Terrasses de Bouey 2009 Bordeaux which was very enjoyable. Our second bottle was the Mustguillo 2008 Mestis, a spanish wine from Bobal, Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot…a little something for everyone. We all agreed that it paired nicely with each of our entrees.

And we got a little sampling of everything tonight. David had the Gazpacho with Crabmeat Couton, Seared Wild Salmon with Lapsang Souchong Team with Sunonomo, and the Blackberry Roll Cake Cake for dessert. John had the Gazpacho, Ohio City Cheese Ravioli with Salsa Cruda and Eggplant Crouton, and Berry Soup with Raspberry Sorbet with Fresh Berries. I had the Grilled Skewered Artichoke Hearts with Romesco and Chorizo Vinaigrette, Grilled Sirloin with Salsa Verde and Creamed Corn (OMG), and Winds Donuts with Vanilla Cherry Compote (think beignets)…John and David shared my leftover steak.

This has been an excellent restaurant week!

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2011 Summer Restaurant Week Dayton – Monday

As part of full disclosure, readers need to know that I have a love/hate relationship with restaurant week. I love it because some restaurants do very creative things. I hate it because people who don’t normally dine out are in restaurants seeking “deals.”

Just before I left work, I checked the list of participating restaurants…I so didn’t want to go home and prepare something for myself. In the fine print, I found that Savona, which is not normally open on Mondays, was open tonight. It occurs to me that maybe they won’t be as crowded if people aren’t expecting them to be open. Adding to Savona’s troubles is that the City of Centerville has major construction going on and you can only reach them if you are south-bound on South Main Street. This all works to MY advantage…and it is all about me.

Savona is only offering a restaurant week menu for $20.11 with an option to chose from 2 additional entrees for $25.11. First course is a salad or onion soup. The Onion Soup was my choice and was very nice. Entrees included Trout with Israeli Cous Cous with spinach and a tomato vinaigrette; Beef Tips with Mashed Potatoes; and something else. The upgrades were a Blackened Salmon or Prime Rib. I chose the Trout while my dinner companion chose the Beef Tips. I WIN!! We both agreed the trout was spectacular! Dessert was a choice of Gelato or a Fresh Berry Shortcake. We both enjoyed the shortcake.

In addition, Savona offered a La Playa Sauvignon Blanc for $4 per glass. It was a nice accompaniment to the meal.

Great start to restaurant week.

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Passport Day 2: Seghesio

Seghesio was the perfect ending to Passport. The Big Easy came to life with music by Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic. And somebody else joined the wine club! Randy is getting into dancing to the music! Seghesio was also a beautiful setting and just down the street from our hotel!

Plus a tasting room full of interesting wines: 2010 Arneis, 2009 Costiera Pinot Noir, 2009 Home Ranch Zinfandel, 2009 Rockpile Zinfandel, 2005 Diognigia

 

 

Tasso Shrimp Fettuccini
2008 Sangiovese
2009 Barbera

Seafood Gumbo with Andouille Sausage
2007 Home Ranch Petite Sirah
2008 Omaggio

Cajun Barbecued Ribs
2009 Sonoma Zinfandel
2008 San Lorenzo

Beignets

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Passport Day 2: Truett-Hurst

In 2010, Truett-Hurst was one of our great finds…however, we were a little disappointed in 2011. One of the appeals is their barrel tasting.

Luci Zinfandel
Red Rooster Zinfandel
Black Sheep Pinot Noir
White Sheep Pinot Noir

Last year we were enamored with the Zinfandel futures…this year we were more impressed by the Pinot Noir.

The Beef Brisket Sandwich being served was VERY nice!

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Passport Day 2: Fritz

Okay…Fritz was a bit of a disappointment but I think it was because we were hoping to have the Salt Side Down chocolates again this year. It was also hot and the wine and food were all being served in the sun. And the fact that only small quantities of food were being brought out at a time meant you were likely in the heat waiting for the food with wine that was sitting in the sun. I did pick up some of the (not yet released) 2010 Rose and the 2009 Vino Valpredo White from the tasting room.

Chardonnay with Turkey Kababs
Dry Creek Valley Syrah with Wild Boar Ragout
Dry Creek Valley Estate Reserve Zinfandel with Buffalo Tri Tip Skewers
Dry Creek Valley Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with Wild Mushroom Flatbread Salad

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Passport Day 2: Dutcher Crossing

The great thing about Passport is that you get to experience a lot of different wineries…and you get to experience the wines with food. I have proof that I was here…but what I remember most is the food…I remember very little about the wines. Food was prepared by Preferred Sonoma Caterers.

2009 Sauvignon Blanc
Coconut Prawn Cones with Mango Chili Sauce

2008 Stuhlmuller Vineyard Chardonnay, Alexander Valley
Honey Roasted Apricots, Cowgirl Creamery Fromage Blanc

2007 Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Lamb and Rosemary Focaccia Split Top with Cumin Onion Chutney

2006 Port
Frozen Chocolate Port Whoopie Pies

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Passport Day 2: Ferrari-Carano

Another repeat favorite is Ferrari-Carano…not just because of their great wines and food but because the grounds are so beautiful as well. One of the nice things about the passport event is that you get a mini tour of the winery as well taking you through the tank room, barrel room and the underground cellar. The Chardonnay was one of the great finds of the weekend.

2010 Bella Luce, Sonoma County, White Wine Blend
Meyer Lemon Cheve Mousse with Pear Chutney

2008 Fiorella Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Orecchiette with Ham and Peas

2008 Merlot, Sonoma County
Chicken Cacciatore

2007 Home Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates

2007 Eldorado Gold, Sonoma County Sauternes-style Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc Blend
Panna Cotta with an Eldorado Gold, Apricot and Pistachio Compote

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Passport Day 2: Gopfrich Estate

One of our great new finds of the weekend was the first winery on Day 2. Gopfrich offers both California and Klemmer Family German varietals. Gopfrich Estate wines available for tasting: 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Dry Creek Valley, 2009 Syrah Estate Wine, 2009 Cuvee Estate, 2009 Zinfandel, 2009 Merlot, and 2008 Late Harvest Zinfandel. Klemmer Family German wines available for tasting: 2009 Riesling Auslese, 2009 Riesling Spatlese, 2009 Silvaner Spatlese, and the 2009 Huxelrebe Beerenauslese. Rodney and Don picked up the only bottle of Huxelrebe available on Sunday.

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Passport Day 1: Passalacqua

Passalacqua was our last stop for the day. Wines featured included: 2008 Dry Creeek Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, 2008 Dry Creek Valley Estate Zinfandel, 2007 Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel, 2007 Dry Creek Valley Saini Farms Sangiovese, and the 2007 Dry Creek Valley TR Passalacqua Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines were paired with Pizza Margherita with Proscuitto di Parma; Pizza Blanco with Mozzarella, Parmigiano, Ricotta and Arugula; Cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery – Parmigniano Reggiano Organico & Fiore Sardo with Sourdough Baguettes; and Stracciatell Gelato by Massimio.

Seven wineries in one day is a lot!!!! And probably one too many.

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Passport Day 1: Quivira

Another winery that John and I discovered years ago. Quivira was a last minute addition to the winery list for the weekend thanks to Gateway to Passport. During Gateway, they were pouring a Sauvignon Blanc – Gewürztraminer blend which was limited release ONLY available at the winery. In addition, John and I picked up some of the very last 2007 Quivira Zinfandel. Yippee!!!

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Passport Day 1: A. Rafanelli

John and I have been visiting Rafanelli since we first started coming to Dry Creek 20 years ago. A family owned winery known for their Zinfandel, they go all out for Passport Weekend. In addition to the wine from last year, everyone was looking forward to the estate grown olives marinated in the secret family recipe. We tasted both the Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel along with an unbelievable amount of food. Rafanelli is a must visit for Passport weekend.

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Passport Day 1: Michel-Schlumberger

I wanted to visit Michel-Schlumberger because (1) they are organic and (2) because of their sister winery, Humanitas. Humanitas is a unique winery with a very compelling story.  Simply they make wine, sell it, and give the profits to charity!  PERFECT!

We tasted the 2010 Michel Schlumberger La Bise Pinot Blanc, 2006 Michel Schlumberger La Source Syrah, and the 2006 Humanitas Gaps’ Crown Pinot Noir.

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