Located in Sonoma County, Healdsburg is home to three of the top California wine regions: Alexander Valley, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valley AVAs. Healdsburg offers plenty for visitors, from visiting wineries, dining at local restaurants, and shopping in Healdsburg Plaza. Below are our suggestions for how to make the most of your weekend.

SATURDAY

Dedicate a day to exploring and experiencing the wineries of Chalk Hill Road.

9AM

Wake up and try some New Orleans style beignets and chicory coffee for breakfast at The Parish Café. The Parish Café gets its name from the time in history where Louisiana was separated into parishes. They serve traditional New Orleans cuisine using local California ingredients.

11AM

For the first tasting of the day, stop by Lancaster Estate. It opens at 11AM and is a wonderful way to kick off your weekend. Be sure to taste the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which earned 94 points and a place on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List for 2017. Other wines to try include Sophia’s Hillside Cuveé and Sauvignon Blanc.

12PM

Just a few minutes down the road from Lancaster is Chalk Hill Estate, one of the few estates producing both Bordeaux and Burgundy style wines. In addition to the more popular Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, Chalk Hill produces lesser-known varietals, such as Carmere, Sauvignon Gris, and Botrytised Semillon. The sprawling 1,300-acre property offers touring and tasting experiences like no other, with culinary gardens, equestrian pavilion, fishing and swimming ponds, and its own church! But remember to call ahead, because while walk-ins are welcome in the tasting room, reservations are required for tours and tasting experiences.

1PM

Conveniently located across the street from Chalk Hill Estate is Roth Estate, known for its bold, fruit-forward wines. Like Lancaster, Roth is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, but has also earned acclaim for their Heritage Red Blend, Chardonnay, and Merlot. The Roth cave is a must-see for anyone visiting Sonoma wine country.

2PM

Schedule an African Safari Tour with lunch at Safari West. You get to ride in a power wagon and take a tour of the property which is home to over 800 animals. This is an experience you won’t want to miss when visiting Healdsburg and the surrounding areas.

7PM

Pop on by Bravas Bar de Tapas for some amazing small plates that you can share. Small plates are great for trying new things and enjoying all of your favorites in one seating. Be sure to try their homemade Sangria.

SUNDAY

Sunday is a day meant for leisurely activities. Here’s a relaxing itinerary to make the most of your day.

9AM

Sleep in a bit and then stop by Costeaux bakery. Located in downtown Healdsburg, Costeaux is a full-service bakery serving world-class artisan and sourdough breads, cakes and desserts since 1923.

10AM

Walk off breakfast by exploring Healdsburg Plaza. It’s surrounded by shops, wine tasting rooms, art galleries, and much more.

11AM

Right of Healdsburg Plaza is Banshee Wines, serving some of the finest Sonoma coast Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Rosé, in a tasting room that feels more like a comfy apartment. With Sonoma-heritage style that meets comfortably modern decor, the tasting room allows guests to enjoy Banshee wines in a casual setting that bucks the traditional tasting bar with a warm backdrop of reclaimed wood floors and walls, distressed leather furniture, spinning vinyl, and a vintage communal table.

12PM

Pack a picnic and head down the Russian River on a Russian River canoe trip. You can choose to relax and simply float down the river, or get a workout in and paddle away. Either way, you’ll get to see the beautiful scenery that Healdsburg has to offer.

5PM

After a nice leisurely canoe trip, try chalkboard for an early dinner. Recipients of the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand for great value, chalkboard offers small plates inspired by fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local gardens. It’s a great place to enjoy a casual meal before heading back home.

Gifting a bottle of wine for the holidays has become as traditional as eggnog and mistletoe. But how do you know which wines make the best gifts for each of your family and friends? Below are our suggestions for how to pair the right wine with everyone on your “nice” list.

FOR THE REFINED DRINKER

2017 Chalk Hill Chardonnay Felta, Chalk Hill AVA

The refined drinker in your life will appreciate the flavors of peach cobbler, buttered croissant, and vanilla bean that they’ll find in this Chardonnay. Recommend they pair it with one of our favorite recipes for lobster thermidor.

FOR THE ULTIMATE WINE GEEK

2016 Chalone Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay, Chalone AVA

If you know someone that takes a lot of pride in being knowledgeable about wine, then a wine from a winery that competed in the Judgment of Paris in 1976 is an awesome gift. Chalone’s 1974 vintage of Chardonnay came in third place in the white wine tasting. While the 1974 vintage might prove very difficult to find, the 2016 Reserve Chardonnay uses the same winemaking methods that its forebearer once did.

FOR THE BEGINNER

2016 Acrobat Pinot Noir, Oregon

For those just starting their journey with wine, Acrobat produces wines that are very accessible. The 2016 vintage displays aromas of ripe cherries, strawberry pie, hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and mocha. The palate echoes with ripe strawberries and dark chocolate up front, followed by earthy and spicy notes of forest floor and clove.

FOR THE SOCIALITE

Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut

Everyone loves a social butterfly. They’re fun and bubbly, which is why a bottle of sparkling wine is the perfect gift for them. The Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace has an expressive nose of floral and fresh fruits such as apple, peaches, and apricots. Your loved one will be excited to pop it open right away or they might even wait to open it on New Year’s Eve. For whatever occasion they decide to open it, they’ll be thrilled about delicious bubbles.

FOR THE TRADITIONALIST

2016 Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

The traditionalist in your life probably appreciates wines that are familiar and dependable. You can always count on Sebastiani to produce rich wines, which is why the Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon will make an amazing addition to any wine collection. It’s delicious and can be paired with a variety of winter dishes. This Cabernet shows aromas of dried cranberries, bergamot tea, and vanilla wafer. Ripe and round tannins fill the mouth with flavors of black cherry, baking spices, and dried herbs.

FOR THE UNAPOLOGETIC

2017 Roth Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

If you know someone who is bold and not afraid to say what they think, then the 2017 Roth Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic wine to give them. It’s a bold Cabernet that does not shy away from flavor. It presents firm tannins and decadent flavors of red currant, blackberry, dark chocolate, and vanilla. On the nose, there are mighty aromas of black cherry, cassis, wet stone, and sweet oak. This wine is so good, you’ll want to gift one to yourself.

FOR THE LOVER OF ELEGANCE

2016 The Four Graces Reserve Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills

The Four Graces 2016 Dundee Hills Reserve Pinot Noir presents aromas of wild forest strawberries, dried rose petals, and white pepper. Juicy red plum and cherry coat the palate with notes of sage in the background. This wine makes a wonderful gift for the person that enjoys the exquisite things in life.

FOR THE ONE WITH A SWEET TOOTH

2010 Langtry Estate Petite Sirah Port, Serpentine Meadow, Guenoc Valley AVA

The one with a sweet tooth has probably had every dessert you could possibly name, but have they had dessert wine with dark chocolate covered pomegranate? It’s a pairing they’ll never forget. This Port from Langtry Estate begins with aromas of dried cranberry and white pepper encased in cocoa. On the palate there are flavors of dark fruit and cloves accompanied by influences of smoky oak. If you also gift them a bag of dark chocolate covered pomegranate seeds, you’ll be their favorite person forever.

FOR THE WORLD TRAVELER

2016 Kuleto Estate Sangiovese, Napa Valley

Although this wine was produced from grapes grown in Napa Valley, this varietal is widely grown in the Tuscany region of Italy. Sangiovese is a popular varietal used in Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and other styles. Give your loved one a taste of Italy with this Sangiovese from Napa. It has aromas of bright cherry, strawberry, ripe tomato, and notes of tea leaves and dried herbs. This wine might even inspire them to plan a trip of their own.\

On display at Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery are twelve wood carvings – one for each month of the year – each depicting an important part of the winemaking lifecycle. We’re diving into each month and where winemakers have traditionally kept their focus during that time in our editorial series, The Vintner’s Calendar.

Sebastiani’s Vintner’s Calendar wood carving for December illustrates the process of tasting.

Once the wine is fully fermented and bottled, it’s time for the most exciting part of the winemaking process—tasting. Remember that when you are tasting wine, you are tasting the winemaking team’s hard work and dedication. The wine in the bottle you purchased is both an art and a science.

When tasting, you want to grab the glass by the stem and look at what you’re tasting. Depending on if it’s red, white, or pink, you’ll be able to guess what flavors and aromas you’re going to find in the wine. The legs of the wine will be able to tell you how much alcohol and sugar there will be as well.

Take a sniff and see what aromas waft through your nose. After that, swirl the wine in the glass and see if you can point out more aromas. Swirling releases the aroma compounds in the wine, which is why you’ll be able to pick up more components when you smell it again.

Next, take a sip. Don’t gulp it down right away, but gently swish the wine over your tongue so you can taste all of the flavors. It helps to write down what you’re tasting during this process. Humans have five basic tastes: bitter, salty, sweet, sour, and umami (or savory). You’ll also want to consider the five basic traits of wine while tasting: sweetness, alcohol, tannin, acidity, and body. Knowing the basic tastes and traits of wine will help you improve how you taste wine.

Savor the wine. Wine is meant to be enjoyed with a meal or with friends and family. If you drink it too fast, you don’t get to experience all of the flavors the wine has to offer. Sip slowly to familiarize yourself with the wine you’re drinking for a more enjoyable experience.

More often than not, not much thought is put into how we package wine when presenting as a gift. We’ll simply put a bottle in a wine gift bag and call it a day. It’s fairly easy to point out a gift of wine when you see one, so why not embrace the obvious and try to wrap it in something different?

BURLAP BAG

A burlap bag and twine is a rustic combination that works for the fall and winter season. All you need is a small burlap bag, some twine, and an adorable gift tag to add a pop of color. The burlap bag is reusable and can be used for many wine gifts after.

KITCHEN TOWEL

We like this idea because it’s basically two gifts in one. You can find awesome kitchen towels with designs and quotes that’ll look fantastic wrapped around a bottle of wine. Finish it off with a ribbon or even some twine for an awesome gift.

SOCKS

Wine can be associated with relaxing or being cozy which is why wrapping them in socks (new and unused, of course 😉) is another good idea. Slip a bottle of wine into a fall or winter themed sock and then tie the other sock around the neck of the bottle. It’s another 2-for-1 gift that someone in your life will appreciate.

OLD SWEATER

Yes, we said a sweater! Repurpose your old sweaters by cutting off the sleeves and sewing the bottoms. Slip a bottle of wine into the sleeve and tie it with a festive ribbon for a finishing touch. This idea saves your old sweaters from contributing to landfills. You can even thrift sweaters if you don’t have any to cut up.

TISSUE PAPER

Tissue paper is a classic way to wrap a bottle of wine. There are so many colors and designs to choose from to dress up a bottle of wine. Wrap a ribbon around it and voila—you’ve got a gift to give for the holidays!

PAPER BAG

Wrapping wine in a paper bag you have left over from a trip to the grocery store gives the bottle a homey feel. If you are feeling extra creative, you can draw on the paper bag before wrapping the bottle of wine in it. Add ribbon or twine for the final touch.

OLD SHIRT

Just like the sweater idea, you can take the sleeves of an old flannel shirt and sew the bottom of it so you have somewhere to put the wine bottle. This is just another way to give the bottle of wine a cozy, winter feel while reusing clothes you don’t wear anymore.

GLITTER

If you’re giving a bottle of sparkling wine, covering the bottle in glitter is a way to make the bottle look glamourous. All you have to do is cover the bottle in mod podge and roll it around in glitter of your choice. We recommend doing this step two or three times before setting the glitter in one last layer of mod podge.

BOTTLE TOTE

Yes! Another 2-in-1 gift idea! Pick out an awesome bottle tote and just quickly slip the wine bottle into it. The bottle tote is something they can use for years to come even if the wine is gone in hours! Add a gift tag for a personal touch.

Looking for that perfect bottle as a holiday gift? Check out our Holiday Gift Page!

The holiday season brings a variety of dishes and flavors to our dinner tables. Inspired by holiday traditions from around the globe, we’ve prepared these delightful pairings for the upcoming festivities.

TRADITIONAL TURKEY AND PINOT NOIR

Many families each year cook turkeys for the holidays. Turkey is not a fatty meat, so it needs wine with relatively high acidity and preferably low to medium tannins. This winter staple pairs well with Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is also versatile enough to pair with the side dishes you have planned for your holiday dinner. This varietal is easily a no-brainer for the holidays.

Recommended: 2017 The Four Graces Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley | 93pts, Wine Spectator

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TAMALES AND TEMPRANILLO

If you don’t know what a tamale is; it’s a traditional Mexican dish usually made from seasoned meat that’s then packed in cornmeal dough and wrapped in corn husks. If the tamales aren’t spicy, a wine such as Tempranillo can complement the meat and cornmeal nicely, but if they are spicy, a Rosé of Tempranillo will do the trick. Whoever said Rosé was only for the summer season was sorely mistaken!

CHINESE HOT POT AND GRENACHE

Chinese hot pot consists of a metal pot with simmering broth in the middle of a dining table. Raw ingredients such as meat and vegetables are placed next to the pot so people can cook whatever they’d like to eat in the pot. Just about any red wine would go well with hot pot, but we love Grenache because of its ability to pair with a variety of meats, vegetables, and Asian spices.

Recommended: 2013 Chalone Vineyard Estate Grenache | 92pts, Wine Enthusiast

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HONEY BAKED HAM AND MOSCATO D’ASTI

Another traditional holiday food is ham. It’s no secret that sweet and salty contrast and make the perfect pairing, but honey baked ham also has a sweetness to it that complements the sweetness in the wine. We also like pairing salty with bubbles and Moscato d’Asti has light bubbles in it that will make the flavors of the ham and the wine dance on your taste buds.

CURRY AND RIESLING

Lots of people eat curry during the holidays. It’s hot, it’s packed with flavor, and it’s delicious and that’s why it’s wonderful for the winter season. Riesling matches well with curry because it’s lightly sweet and it’s not going to be overpowering. Instead, the Riesling will contrast the spices and enhance the flavors in the curry. It’s a pair so good, you’ll devour it in minutes.

Recommended: 2018 Firestone Riesling

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PEPPER POT AND CARIGNAN

Pepper pot is a delicious stew that is made with beef, pork, vegetables, and cassareep. Cassareep is a thick brown/black syrup made from the cassava root and usually additional spices are added to it. A fantastic wine choice for this dish is Carignan because of its flavors of baking spices and red berries. The wine will complement the cinnamon commonly found in pepper pot and balance out the fattiness from the meats.

RIBS AND ZINFANDEL

Not everyone likes to have turkey or ham for the holidays and that’s okay because another great option is having ribs! We all know how well Zinfandel pairs with barbecue, so pairing it with ribs is a no-brainer. We absolutely love how the jammy, fruit flavors of the Zinfandel bring out the tanginess in the barbecue.

Recommended: 2016 Foley Sonoma Oz Zinfandel

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LATKES AND SPARKLING WINE

If you thought you liked potatoes and sparkling wine, wait until you hear about this pairing– latkes and sparkling wine! Latkes are grated potato pancakes that can be served with applesauce or sour cream. These fried potato pancakes taste positively delicious with a sparkling wine that is high in acidity leaving you wanting more with every bite.

Recommended: Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé

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LUMPIA AND GEWÜRZTRAMINER

On any normal day, we’d pair beer with lumpia, but for the holidays, we like pairing Gewürztraminer with it. There’s just something about the ginger flavors in the Gewürztraminer that pair so well with the sweet chili dipping sauce for the lumpia.

Recommended: 2016 Firestone Vineyard Gewürztraminer

CRAB AND VIOGNIER

Crab season usually starts during mid-December which is why a lot of people choose to eat it during the holidays. Chardonnay is commonly paired with crab, but the holidays is the perfect time to mix things up and try something new. Viognier is a medium bodied white with flavors of citrus and stone fruit. It’s a great addition to any festive dinner table.

Recommended: 2017 Langtry Viognier

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The Sebastiani 2016 Merlot, North Coast, earned a spot (#71) on Wine Enthusiast’s coveted Enthusiast 100 year-end list of the best wines for 2019. Awarding the wine 91 points, Wine Enthusiast’s Jim Gordon wrote…

Well-balanced and nicely concentrated, this full-bodied wine fills its firm frame with a core of rich black cherry and shades of roast beef and pepper. It shows firm tannins and good acidity to counter the deep fruit notes.

­This Merlot comes from select vineyard sites within California’s North Coast. ­e majority of the fruit comes from Lake County where volcanic, rocky soils and dramatic mountainside vineyards provide intense wines of structure and concentration. ­e remainder is from Sonoma County and the Central Coast. ­e result is a synergy of intense flavors and distinction

“Bright, fruit forward and complex are just some of the ways to describe our 2016 North Coast Merlot,” writes Sebastiani Head Winemaker David Nakaji. “It presents a striking ruby red color, with raspberry, black tea and pencil shaving aromas. ­The palate is medium to full bodied with flavors of black plum, cranberries and a hint of chocolate. ­The bright fruit persists on the finish, intertwined with soft tannins.”

Use our Store Locator to find the Sebastiani 2016 Merlot, North Coast, at a restaurant or retailer near you.

EARN 3X FFWS POINTS ON SEBASTIANI THIS WEEKEND

To celebrate Sebastiani being named to Wine Enthusiast’s Enthusiast 100, The Foley Food & Wine Society is awarding members triple points for every dollar they spend on purchases of all Sebastiani wines at retail or restaurant locations, beginning today, Friday, November 22 through Monday, November 25. Members must submit their receipts from purchases made of Sebastiani wines though The Foley Food & Wine Society app to earn triple the points for the total spent on Foley Family Wines. This offer is limited to purchases made from 12:01am Friday, November 22, through 11:59pm Monday, November 25. Purchases made before and after this window will continue to earn members one point for every dollar spent on Foley Family Wines.

There’s a special day for Zinfandel and that day is November 20^th. We’re celebrating with a list of our 5 favorite Zinfandels that are jam-packed (pun intended) with rich flavors and aromas.

2017 ROTH ZINFANDEL SMOKEY RIDGE RESERVE, DRY CREEK VALLEY

On the nose, you’ll find aromas of red raspberry, blackberry, white pepper pepper, allspice and caramel. These aromas are truly what characterize a Zinfandel—jammy with a little bit of spice. Zinfandel pairs with lots of things, but this one goes well with traditional American-style barbecue such as pulled pork.

2017 SEBASTIANI ZINFANDEL, DRY CREEK VALLEY

Another great Zinfandel is one made by Sebastiani using Zinfandel grapes from Dry Creek Valley. It has wonderful flavors of jammy fruit, vanilla, and clove. You’ll also notice aromas of dark plum and black pepper. This wine is delicious with Thanksgiving turkey because adds moisture and flavor to a rather dry meat.

2017 CHALK HILL ESTATE ZINFANDEL

This Zinfandel is a little more elegant with aromas of wild berries, maraschino cherry, dark chocolate, and peppery spice. On the tongue, there are flavors of raspberry, plum, cassis, and savory herbaceous notes. Although it does pair beautifully with barbecued meats and richly spiced dishes, we like to pair it with these Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Medallions.

2017 FOLEY JOHNSON HANDMADE ZINFANDEL, NAPA VALLEY

Wine like this one from Foley Johnson pairs well with dishes with a little spice. Try a dish like Pork Tonkatsu with this Zinfandel. First, bold aromas of clove and hints of cumin will hit your nose, but as the wine continues to open up, dark plum and currant aromas will emerge. On the palate, there are flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and hints of dried herbs and spice.

2015 KULETO ESTATE ZINFANDEL, NAPA VALLEY

Pairing this particular Zinfandel is easy. We love having it with these Brie, Fig, and Prosciutto burgers. The fig jam and the saltiness of the prosciutto is delicious with the flavors of red fruit, black pepper, and cured meat of the Kuleto Estate Zinfandel. You’ll notice interesting aromas of pine nut, sweet corn, chocolate covered cherry, and black spice as well.

Some wine lovers choose to keep their tasting room visits simple. They want to walk in, taste some wine, enjoy the views, and be on their way. Others are seeking a more comprehensive educational experience, hoping to learn more about how the wines are produced and how they can improve the experience of tasting wine. For the latter, we’ve asked our tasting room staff to suggest what questions you should ask during your next visit.

ONLY ASK QUESTIONS YOU’RE INTERESTED IN.

If you ask questions you don’t really care about learning the answer to, it’s a waste of your time and the associate’s time. You want to ask questions that will keep you engaged in the tasting and that you’re genuinely interested in.

ASK ABOUT THE WINE YOU’RE CURRENTLY DRINKING.

If you like the wine you’re drinking, it’s important to find out why you like it. Was it aged in oak? Was it purposely made to be more fruit-forward? Finding out the specifics on why you like a wine make it a lot easier to figure out what you’re going to like in the future. We can also say the same with wines you don’t like.

ASK HOW TO STORE THE WINE YOU BUY.

How you store wine affects its flavor profile. If you store it incorrectly, chances are that it won’t taste the exact same in the tasting room. Asking the associates the correct temperature to store your new wines can help you out.

ASK IF THE WINE IS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE.

This is important because you want to be able to buy more bottles of the wine you like if you happen to run out of the wines you purchased in the tasting room. If it’s only available in the tasting room, then you have more reason to splurge on more bottles. If it’s available near you, then you might not need to get it shipped home.

ASK ABOUT THE LABEL.

Quite often there is history behind the creation of the wine’s label. For example, if there’s a crest on the label, you might want to know where it originated from and what each piece on the crest represents. You can find out a lot about the wine just by asking about the label.

ASK FOR PAIRING SUGGESTIONS.

If you’re purchasing a wine, you’ll want to know what that wine pairs with. The tasting room associate will give you some awesome suggestions that you probably never thought of! Of course, you can always use this guide to help you with pairings.

Ready to book your next tasting room visit? Check out the full roster of Foley Food & Wine Society tasting rooms here.

Donations from the Foley family, Foley Family Wines, the Vegas Golden Knights, and City National Bank come together to donate over $500,000 to Kincade Fire Recovery. 

The Foley family, Foley Family Wines, the Vegas Golden Knights, and City National Bank are donating over $500,000 to aid in the fire recovery and support efforts following the Kincade Fire. The donations are divided over various organizations in the fire torn community of Sonoma County. 

The Foley family, Foley Family Wines and the Vegas Golden Knights, which is owned by Foley Family Vintner Bill Foley, have pledged $175,000, to Corazon Healdsburg, $120,000 to Sonoma County Resilience Fund and $225,000 to Geyserville Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, which serves Healdsburg, Cloverdale, Windsor and Geyserville fire departments. 

In addition, eight thousand pounds of food is being donated by City National Bank, in partnership with Foley Family Wines, to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. The food will feed over 300 families suffering from the effects of the Kincade fire and will be distributed on November 14, 2019, at the Economic Assistance/Human Resources Building. 

“From all of us at Foley Family Wines, we would like to extend a sentiment of extreme gratitude for the heroic efforts of all First Responders in fighting the Kincade Fire,” says Courtney Foley, 2nd generation vintner of Foley Family Wines. “No statement of recognition or donation will be able to convey how utterly thankful we feel for those who put their safety and well-being on the line for us. We also recognize that many in our industry were not so fortunate, and our hearts go out to our colleagues, friends, and neighbors who were affected.” 

These donations are a continuation of similar charitable outreach the Foley family and company contributed in the aftermath of the 2017 California wildfires. Other organizations that Foley Family Wines have supported over the last few years include; Napa Valley Grapegrower’s Farmworker Alliance program, Sonoma County Resilience Fund, Sonoma County Grapegrowers Housing Fund, Sonoma County Humane Society, Russian Riverkeeper, Corazon Healdsburg, Sonoma County Humane Society, Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, Redwood Empire Food Bank, The Living Room and Sonoma County Children’s Charities. 

Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery and Roth Vineyards suffered damage to non-essential buildings and equipment in the Kincade Fire, but all Foley Family wineries including those in Geyserville and on Chalk Hill Road escaped major damage. 

“Because of the hard work of first responders, we are all safe. We hope these donations will assist our neighbors and the community impacted by the fires, and further assist our local first responders in keeping Sonoma County safe and strong,” says Courtney Foley.

On display at Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery are twelve wood carvings – one for each month of the year – each depicting an important part of the winemaking lifecycle. We’re diving into each month and where winemakers have traditionally kept their focus during that time in our editorial series, The Vintner’s Calendar.

Sebastiani’s Vintner’s Calendar wood carving for November illustrates the process of bottling.

An important step in winemaking is bottling the wine. One of the main priorities during bottling is keeping the quality of the wine and protecting it from oxidation for as long as possible. Each bottle is filled slowly and usually topped with carbon dioxide or nitrogen. This is done to get rid of any oxygen that might be at the top of the fill line.

White wines can be bottled in clear bottles, but some wineries choose to bottle them in brown or green bottles to prevent light from changing the wine. Red wines are bottled in green bottles for this very reason. Sunlight can speed up the aging process in red wine, so bottling it in green bottles slows it down.

The bottle is capped with either a cork or a screw cap. Corks are traditional for wine, but more recently, wineries have been using screw caps. It depends on how a winery feels about using corks versus screw caps, but studies have found that screw caps keep the bottle sealed from oxygen and that wine is protected from cork taint. Cork taint is what happens when the chemical compound TCA is formed by natural fungi found in the cork react with chlorides found in sanitization products.

After the wine is bottled, the bottles will have put labels put on them before they are packaged into cases. Some wines are aged in the bottle, so they are not labeled and packed into cases until they are done aging.

From all of Foley Family Wines, we would like to extend a sentiment of extreme gratitude for the heroic efforts of all First Responders in fighting the Kincade Fire. With one winery located in Geyserville, and three on Chalk Hill Road, we certainly feared for the worst. We are relieved and grateful to report that, although a few of our properties suffered damage to non-essential buildings and equipment, all employees are accounted for and safe while our wineries escaped major damage. Having been admitted back on to our properties to take stock of what remains, one thing is abundantly clear – there was a courageous and consuming fight to save what we hold dear. No tidy statement of recognition will be able to convey how utterly thankful we feel for those who put their safety and well-being on the line for us. Because of the hard work of first responders, we are all safe, and were extended the additional gift of being able to dive back into the jobs that we love almost immediately.

With that acknowledgment, we also recognize that many in our industry were not so fortunate, and our hearts go out to our colleagues, friends, and neighbors who were further affected.

We have begun doing internal and external inquiries to determine how we can support our FFW family, community and industry in the upcoming rebuild and are deeply committed to keeping Sonoma County safe and strong.

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Below are recent acclaims earned by various Foley Family Wines for the month of September, including 91 points awarded by Wine & Spirits for Roth 2016 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

2018 THE FOUR GRACES ROSÉ OF PINOT

Double Gold, Best of the Northwest 2019 Wine Competition

“Our 2018 rosé is a beautiful light pink color with a touch of rouge. Delicate aromas of Montmorency cherry, wild strawberry, Meyer lemon and a hint of light crème fraiche sets the tone for this delightful rosé. The palate shows bright notes of ripe strawberry that lead into a soft minerality. A lively acidity accents the ripe fruit flavors and carries the wine into a crisp finish.”

Shop 2018 The Four Graces Rosé of Pinot.

2017 ACROBAT OREGON CHARDONNAY

Gold, Best of Northwest 2019 Wine Competition

“Fields of exuberant yellow straw come to mind when describing this chardonnay’s color. On the nose, a bouquet of notes ranging from peach and key lime, to gooseberry and dried apricot, shine through. A clean and refined entrance gives way to layers of nectarine, pineapple, and honeydew on the mid-palate. The medium-long finish is fresh, and held together by lively acidity.”

Shop Acrobat 2017 Oregon Chardonnay.

2016 ALTVS NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON

92 points, Wine & Spirits

“In any given year, our ‘Merus’ and ‘Altvs’ bottlings offer both yin and yang expressions of the same vintage. This comes about through block differences within the vineyard, concrete vs stainless steel fermentation tanks, different approaches to coopering, amount of new oak used, how wines evolve over a two year period in barrel, and the percentage of cabernet sauvignon ultimately used. This 2016 Altvs is a delicious bottle of wine. Compared with Merus, it is more classically Cabernet Sauvignon, not as opulent but with great length and ageability. Buy several cases and drink them over the next 20 to 30 years.”

Shop Atlvs 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

2016 ROTH ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON

91 points, Wine & Spirits

“Roth Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is made from select vineyard sites within the southernmost hillsides of the Alexander Valley. This wine is a true reflection of our passion for the noble Cabernet grape. Our 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, full-bodied and rich. Dark in color, it displays mighty aromas of black cherry, cassis, wet stone, and sweet oak. Rich and layered flavors of red currant, blackberry, dark chocolate and vanilla complement the firm tannins, gaining power as the wine moves across the palate. Structured, and powerful, this Cabernet lingers on the finish.”

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2016 SEBASTIANI ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Year’s Best Cabernets, Wine & Spirits

“The 2015 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense ruby red color. Rich aromas of Crème de Cassis and bergamot tea predominate with hints of vanilla wafer and cocoa powder. The palate showcases focused blackberry fruit flavors in a more elegant style with some Cabernet spice and leanness. Bright berry fruit and a slight sweetness imparted by the oak lingers on the finish. The tannins are ripe and round affording early drinkability.” – David Nakaji, Winemaker

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2016 SEBASTIANI ALEXANDER VALLEY MERLOT

Gold, 2019 Sonoma County Harvest Fair

“Deep purple in the glass, our 2016 Alexander Valley Merlot displays aromas of red currant, plum, peppery spice, and cedar. On the palate, fruit expressions of juicy raspberry and cherry are met with earthy notes of forest floor and dried herbs. A wine of intense concentration, it is approachable now but will continue to develop and improve over the next few years.”

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FOLEY JOHNSON 2016 RUTHERFORD ESTATE MERITAGE

91 points, Wine & Spirits

“The 2016 Estate Meritage is a 100% estate blend predominately consisting of Merlot (42%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Petit Verdot (12%) and a small amount of Cabernet Franc (5%). Dark ruby in the glass, it exhibits aromas of black currant, cassis and a hint of smoky tobacco. Notes of black cherry, plum, vanilla and mocha are present on the medium-bodied palate. Its smooth mouth-feel and soft tannins make this a wine perfect for drinking now or will age gracefully over the next 5-7 years.”

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MERUS 2016 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON

96 points, Wine Spectator

“A towering young wine, laden with gorgeously pure plum, boysenberry and blackberry puree flavors, showing flashes of violet and apple wood. Beautifully rendered, with power, grace and beguiling perfume throughout, revealing a long, refined structure through the finish. Best from 2021 through 2035.”

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