Archive for the ‘Wine Tours’ Category
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
Last May, just outside the town of Sonoma, something special was happening at the intersection of Highways 116 and 121 – Anaba’s tasting room opened its doors to visitors for the first time. Specializing in Rhone and Burgundian varietals, Anaba quickly became known for their award-winning wines. In December 2009, Anaba became the first winery in Northern California to install a wind turbine on their property.
 The View from Anaba's Patio The 45-foot-tall wind turbine works with the natural anabatic winds flowing at Anaba’s location in the Petaluma Gap to supply electricity for the tasting room and irrigation system. Although the average speed of these upward-flowing winds is 15 m.p.h., they can reach up to between 20 and 25 m.p.h. lifting wine out of the glass and hats off of heads.
 Anaba's New Label Just in time to celebrate Anaba’s tasting room’s first birthday, the 100% Grenache Rose, Anaba 2009 Sonoma Valley Pink, was recently released. Anaba will also be releasing their Anaba 2008 Sonoma Valley Red very soon! Both releases feature a new label showcasing Anaba’s wind turbine.
 Installation of the Wine Turbine in 2009 Celebrate Anaba’s birthday month by visiting between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily. Enjoy a tasting in the tasting room or out on the patio. Either way, you’ll want to take your time at this comfortable, relaxing location. We recommend trying the port pairings this month. You’ll sample an Anaba Viognier White Port paired with Spanish Marcona Almonds or an Anaba Syrah Red Port paired with Anaba’s Port Chocolate Sauce.
Remember to contact Pure Luxury for private, chauffeured transportation to visit Anaba wines and other wineries located nearby at the gateway to the Sonoma and Carneros regions to experience the superb wines influenced by the anabatic winds in the Petaluma Gap.
Tags: Anaba wines, Burgundian wines, eco tourism, Petaluma Gap, Pure Luxury, Rhone wines, sustainable wineries, wind power, wineries in Northern California, wineries in Sonoma County
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Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
For many dog owners a dog is more than a pet – he or she is a member of your family and a loyal companion. Growing up, my dog’s name was Smokey. He was a mix of Malamute and German Shepherd. He appreciated my pre-school aged cooking skills (we ate mud pies together) and gladly allowed me to launch my tiny body onto his huge back and ride him like a horse around the backyard. We loved being outdoors exploring plants, flowers, and butterflies. He was my first best friend.
 Dogs and Their Owners on the Eco-Tour Dog Hike There is a place in Sonoma County where dogs, owners, and nature come together – it’s Kunde Family Estate. Each year Kunde Family Estate offers multiple dates for visitors and their four-legged friends to enjoy an Eco-Tour Dog Hike with Jeff Kunde. Click here to find out how you can register for the upcoming tour on May 15, 2010.
 A Part of the Tour Fee is Donated The tour includes a water bar and treats for dogs plus a wine tasting and Wine Country boxed lunch for dog owners. You and your dog will enjoy the view and wildlife as you hike up into the Mayacamas Mountains. You’ll also learn about how Kunde cares for their land using sustainable farming practices that do not poison or harm the environment. A portion of the fee for registration is donated to Canine Companions and the Sonoma County Humane Society.
 A Part of the Tour Fee is Donated Contact Pure Luxury for private chauffeured transportation for you and your best friend on this special day of delighting in the outdoors, natural beauty, and fabulous wines of Sonoma.
Tags: Canine Companions, eco tourism, eco-tour dog hike at Kunde Family Estate, Kunde Family Estate, Pure Luxury, Sonoma County Humane Society, Sonoma wineries
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
 Montemaggiore, Quivira, & Porter Creek Pure Luxury’s blog has covered many events in Sonoma County for Earth Day 2010. Although the official Earth Day this year is on April 22, events span from this Saturday and Sunday to next week. As a Certified Green Transportation Company Pure Luxury decided quite some time ago to offer an Eco Tour for our clients who love wine and want to learn more about wineries with organic and biodynamic farming practices. Pure Luxury partnered with three Certified Organic and Biodynamic family-owned wineries in Northern California’s Dry Creek Valley for an unforgettable day of exploring California Wine Country.
 Lunch at Montemaggiore The tour begins at Montemaggiore located on top of a mountain in Dry Creek Valley. Vincent and Lise Ciolino knew from the start that they wanted their wines to represent the beauty of their land. In order to accomplish this, they knew their land would be farmed in a natural way encouraging the soil, the bugs, the moon, and all of nature to work together. Their mountainside vineyard is tended without pesticides or other chemicals that can harm anyone working in the vineyard or the surrounding land and animals. Visitors enjoy the view, taste Montemaggiore olive oils and award-winning wines, and have the option of ordering lunch made with fresh, local ingredients including some from the Ciolino’s family garden. Their 2006 Paolo’s Vineyard Syrah received 90 points from Robert Parker reinforcing the ability of an organic, biodynamic winery to create world-class wines.
 Water flowing through Quivira The next stop on our Eco Tour is a winery commited to nurturing their land to produce impeccable artisan wines – Quivira Vineyards and Winery. The staff at Quivira not only uses biodynamic farming practices, they have also been working for over 10 years to restore the creek that runs through their property. Quivira’s solar power system provides almost all of the electricity needs for the Quivira estate. Quivira’s estate includes a garden, a chicken coop, and Honey Bee hives. Tour the winery and the gardens then sip Quivira wines. The tour ends with a special gift from Quivira – a jar of Quivira estate honey.
 Vineyard at Porter Creek The final stop on Pure Luxury’s Eco Tour is Porter Creek Vineyards. Walking toward the entrance to their unassuming and charming tasting room, visitors can see and smell the wysteria growing freely and draping the doorway. Porter Creek’s commitment to organic and biodynamic practices extends to the vehicles used on their property including trucks and tractors. Porter Creek uses organic vegetable oil and biodiesel, a vegetable oil derivative. Enjoy the expansive view of the vineyards while tasting outstanding Porter Creek wines.
Pure Luxury’s Eco Tour provides the beauty of Northern California’s Wine Country while educating about what local wineries are doing to care for their wines and the environment. Pure Luxury is proud to be a Certified Green ground transportation company, and proud to offer an experience not only available just for Earth Day but also for everyday.
Tags: biodynamic wineries, eco tourism, eco wine tour, green ground transportation, Montemaggiore, organic wineries, Porter Creek Vineyards, Quivira Vineyards and Winery, wineries in Dry Creek Valley, wineries in Northern California
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Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
 Anaba entrance
Today we bring your attention to a sustainable winery creating stellar Rhone style blends as well as dessert wines, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. I’m always ready for any excuse to open a bottle of Anaba wine. Director of Winemaking and Vineyard Operations, Jennifer Marion, along with proprietor John Sweazey, provide the perfect conditions and techniques for their award-winning wines to be created. Recently, Anaba wines received three silver medals and one bronze medal from the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
 Anaba award-winning wines
Two of the silver medals were for Anaba’s dessert wines, Sonoma Valley White “Aero Port” and Sonoma Valley Red “Aero Port.” The other silver medal went to Anaba’s 2007 Sonoma Valley Coriol Red Wine – a Rhone style blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, and Counoise. The winner of the bronze medal was another Rhone style blend – Anaba’s 2008 Sonoma Valley Coriol White Wine. Each Anaba wine is a delicious work of art.
 The view from Anaba
You can experience Anaba wines firsthand in the tasting room open daily or on their outdoor patio. Just make sure to hold on to your hat. The anabatic winds so crucial to the development and rippening of Anaba grapes average 15 mph. The anabatic winds inspired more than the “Anaba” name. In December 2009 Anaba became the first winery in Northern California to have a 45′ high wind turbine placed on their property for wind power to support winery operations. Do not miss this family-owned winery creating superior wines on your next wine tour with Pure Luxury!
Tags: 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, American Rhone varietal wines, Anaba wines, Anaba wines medals, Chardonnay, dessert wines, John Sweazey, Pinot Noir, Rhone style blends, sustainable wineries, wind power wineries, winemaker Jennifer Marion, wineries in Sonoma
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
Winemaker dinners are my idea of a perfect way to spend an evening especially when wines from an outstanding Sonoma winery are paired perfectly with a delicious menu at a quality Sonoma restaurant. As part of the Sunday Supper Sipping Club, Kunde Family Estate and Depot Restaurant presented an unforgettable experience. Jennifer and Gary Buffo, along with some special clients, are still talking about the evening and using words like “fabulous” and the more popular, “Wow!”
 Marcia Kunde Mickelson and her husband, Jim Mickelson, together with Depot Executive Chef, Antonio Ghilarducci, charmed and educated guests as we enjoyed this incredible evening. The six-course meal included Depot’s handmade Tagliatelle pasta and amazing fresh, local, artisanal ingredients masterfully prepared by Chef Ghilarducci. Guests enjoyed a diverse collection of impeccable Kunde wines including 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Viognier, 2006 “202″ Meritage, 2006 Primitivo, 2006 Sangiovese, and Zinfandel Port. Successful winemaker dinners pay attention to how the wine and food compliment each other. Kunde went a step further – the care that went into each pairing made the flavors come to life and exceeded expectations! Each wine and food pairing was perfection. The Kunde family works closely with Pure Luxury to capture the “wine country experience” for all to enjoy. It was a special treat to take part in this memorable evening. Cheer’s to two of Sonoma’s finest!
Tags: Depot Executive Chef Antonio Ghilarducci, Depot Restaurant, Jim Mickelson, Kunde Family Estate, Marcia Kunde Mickelson, Sonoma restaurants, Sonoma wineries, winemaker dinner
Posted in Food & Wine, Special Wine Events, Wine Tours | 1 Comment »
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