A Fortress for Pinot Noir + Wine and Dine Radio Hits the San Diego Airwaves

by Frank Mangio

Along the Sonoma Coast, high on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean and barely accessible, sits Fort Ross Vineyards and Winery, home of the finest Pinot Noirs in California. It meets all the demands of this “queen” of the wine grapes: high elevation, a coastal strip with plenty of sun and night time fog blanketing the vineyard during growing season.

The Sonoma Coast-Seaview is the region’s newest AVA covering 27,500 acres due to its distinctive identity, a zone that has a maritime flavor to it. The area is teeming with history of a different sort. Fort Ross was a Russian outpost in the western world and two hundred years ago they established the enclave.

Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery on the Sonoma Coast of California makes excellent Pinot Noir and is owned by Linda ( above) and Lester Schwartz.

The Russians thought they were in the Caribbean and liked the area so much they brought in grapestock from Peru. Shortly after, the American government purchased the land from the Russians, along with Alaska, but the Russians fondness for the area carries over to this day.

“We are bottling a special 200th Anniversary of Fort Ross Pinot Noir for the occasion and helping to plan festivities,” said owner Linda Schwartz. The only funding for the celebration is coming from the Russians due to their part in the history of the area.”

Linda and her husband Lester came from Cape Town South Africa and emigrated to San Francisco, he as a practicing attorney. Yearning for a farming life, they purchased the land that is now their vineyard of some 50 acres and found that Pinot Noir flourished along with Chardonnay. All grapes are estate grown . The land gets more rainfall than the Amazon Jungle, averaging 75 inches per year on the 1,800 foot high ridges. All harvesting is done by hand. It is the closest winery to the Pacific Ocean.

You will find vibrant, black colors in Fort Ross Pinot., kept in French Oak barrels. The Pinot Noir production is on 40 acres with 24 blocks. Total production is 4,000 cases per year.

My favorite of the four current Pinot releases was the 2007 Reserve , that proved to me that Pinot can be aged gracefully and mature with a beautiful intensity.

This one had high scores with its black currant and orange pekoe tea complexity. It had mineral notes with a velvet cast. 344 cases were made with barrel aging of 10 months. ( $49. at the winery). Other Pinot Noirs to look for include: 2008 with dark plum and vanilla flavors; 2,064 cases made ($37.), and the 2010 Sea Slopes with boysenberry and raspberry notes; 973 cases ( $26.). Learn more about this fascinating winery at www.fortrossvineyard.com.

Wine & Dine RADIO Has Food/Drink News!

Now into its 2nd month on the air at KFSD 1450 AM on the dial in San Diego, each Saturday from 1 to 2pm, Wine & Dine Radio San Diego is truly a feast for listener’s ears.

Ron James, long-time industry professional moderates a panel of experts of the wine and dine scene who are passionate about food and drink.

Ron James (Co-Executive Producer), left, hosts Wine & Dine Radio, with commentary by show regulars David Nelson, Frank Mangio, Mike Bragg (Co-Executive Producer) and Caron Golden.

The show is lively and leans on guest appearances by Exectuive Chefs and Winemakers with trendy ideas. Food and wine enthusiasts in San Diego and anywhere can hear the show on their computers and smart phones as it is streamed live and available on-demand anytime.

Note: Wine and Dine San Diego Radio announced on Friday, April 13th that Miramar based Fixtures Living will host the Wine and Dine San Diego Radio production team, who will produce radio shows, live from the Fixtures showroom, beginning April 21, 2012

Wine Bytes

Jazz is back at the Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo on Sundays from 2 to 5pm. Brunch is also served on Sundays at their Café Merlot from 11 to 3pm. RSVP at 858-592-7785.

A total of 19 Chefs from Del Mar’s best restaurants will be wining and dining guests on Sun. Apr. 22 from 1 to 4pm at the Hilton Del Mar. It’s a benefit to support the fight against child abuse. Sample signature dishes. Tickets are $150. ea. Call 760-754-5500.

North County Wine Company in San Marcos has a Keenan Wine Tasting event Fri. Apr. 20 from 4 to 8pm. Just $10. Call 760-744-2119 for more.

Callaway Vineyard and Winery in Temecula has a Taste of Spring Seminar with the Winemaker, Sun. Apr. 22 from 10 to 12:30pm. Mimosa, continental breakfast and a walk through the vineyard are included, for $88.50. Call 951-676-4001 for an RSVP.

Pacifica Del Mar in the Del Mar Plaza presents Terlato Family Vineyards wines with a multi course dinner, Wed. Apr. 25 from 6:30 to 9:30pm. $85. pp. Call 858-792-0476.

Milagro Farm Worth the Back-Country Trip

by Frank Mangio (photos courtesy of Paul Body)

San Diego County is a late-bloomer in the booming California wine industry. Maybe it’s because in my home area, we have been so busy building homes and commercial properties, we forgot our roots: growing and producing wine like the first missionaries in the 16th century. When the Franciscan fathers were sent north and settled in San Diego and Los Angeles, they brought wine grape cuttings from Mexico which were of Spanish origin.

The entrance to the underground cellar at Milagro Farm Vineyards and Winery in Ramona.

The grapes were simply “mission grapes.” The success of these missions and the growth in population prompted secular vineyards and wineries and by the mid 1850’s, with the gold rush and the “go west” movement, wineries were abundant. But where California wine making began, in San Diego County, it took until recently to get it going again.

The county finally made it easier financially to open tasting rooms, but it was really a gathering of serious winemakers to form a true wine country and that country is the Ramona Valley. More than 16 wineries now open their doors to wine tasting. An attractive brochure points out the precise locations with an invitation to “come up and taste the wines of Ramona, a high valley community, located minutes from downtown San Diego in the heart of North County.” Also helping was the area designation as an American Viticultural Area in 2006, allowing wines to be labeled “Ramona Valley.”

At Milagro Farm Vineyards and Winery, Jim Hart is the winemaker. He grew up in the wine business as son of Joe Hart, a legendary name in Temecula Wine County with Hart Winery. Jim still adds to his winemaking duties at his father’s winery. Milagro has already done well in competition.

Milagro winemaker Jim Hart barrel tastes one of his reds with a customer prior to bottling.

Its 100 acres at 2,400 feet in the Ramona high country is suited to white varietals likek Pinot Gri and Chardonnay. Red wine selections include: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of Sangiovese and Barbera called Raggio Rosso and a Meritage with Bordeaux style grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cab Franc. I loved the Cab with its full body flavors and prospect for aging.( $32. Wine club price $25.60.) A total of 14 acres are under vine. The tasting room is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

See more at www.milagrofarmvineyards.com.

Wine/Food Radio Comes to San Diego-and the Winners in San Francisco

Wine and food veteran journalist Ron James along with show producer Mike Bragg of Taste of Wine TV Network kicks off a “feast for your ears,” a food and wine radio show called Wine & Dine Radio on KFSD AM 1450 radio starting Saturday March 10 from 1 to 2pm.

A team of dedicated wine and food experts will guest on the show, including TASTE OF WINE’S Frank Mangio, poised to get passionate about his favorite wines on the premier show. Now, every Saturday at 1pm, you can get a wealth of information about food and wine. Drink it in on San Diego AM 1450, or you can hear the show on your computers and smart phones available on demand anytime.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, largest judging of American Wines in the world is official, with over 5,500 entries, a record. Best of Class included:

Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards 2006 Carneros Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine $28.

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2010 Finger Lakes Gewurztraminer $24.

Barnard Griffin 2011 Columbia Valley Rose’ of Sangiovese $12.

McGrail Vineyards 2008 Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve $36.

Castello di Amorosa 2010 Anderson Valley late harvest Gewurztraminer $35.

Wine Bytes

Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas has its first ever Luau Party Sat. March 10 from 5 to 7pm. A traditional Hawaiian menu with fun new wines. RSVP required-call 760-479-2500. Cost is $35 per guest.

Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas has a Pine Ridge Wine Dinner from 6:30 to 9pm, for $75. a diner. Call 760-635-1066 for details.

Via Italia, downtown Encinitas brings in Wines from Sicily with special guest Silvio di Silvio and a 5 course wine dinner, Thurs. March 15 at 7pm. Cost is $75. Call 760-479-9757.

RELM Wine, Beer and Bistro in Carlsbad presents Grenache-Domestics vs Imports Thurs. March 15 from 6 to 8pm. Four tastings with small bites, for $40 ea. RSVP at 760-434-9463. Look for the new RELM in San Elijo Hills opening soon.

PAON Restaurant and Wine Bar in Carlsbad brings in distinctive wines from South America March 15 to 21 in the wine tasting bar. $16. for six pours. Call 760-729-7377 for times.