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Winter Wonder!

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2005 #1 CD 875

My kids during a Wisconsin winter long ago.

It must be the Wisconsin girl in me that still gets excited when it snows.  The wonderful memories that it stirs up of watching the flakes drift softly to the ground and of the fun we had playing and sledding in it.  It probably doesn’t hurt now that I live in an area where the snow doesn’t last long and the cold goes away pretty quickly.  It seems that I remember winters “Up North” lasting six to seven months or more!! OK, not really, but they sure are a lot longer than they are in South Carolina.  I love that I can have a cozy day or two and then get back to my regular routine.

DSC04272Watching the snow also made me start thinking about how winter can affect a vineyard.  Obviously, the climate can be quite different depending on where it is located, but that doesn’t change the fact that vines go through a cycle every year.  After harvest time; the vines turn woody, their roots dive deep into the soil for nutrients and they create carbohydrates that help protect them through the winter.  When the first frost occurs, the leaves fall and the vines go dormant.  Although this is a time of rest for the vines, it is an active time for the farmer.

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Pruning of the vines is done now, either by hand or machine, to shape the vines and create the best growing conditions for that particular variety of grape.  The basic process for this time of year appears quite simple, but every vineyard has different requirements for how things are done based on the climate, the varietals that are grown and the vineyard management preferences.

There is also activity in the winery and tasting rooms.  Since it is a slower time of year, paperwork is done, fun events are scheduled and the winemaker carefully watches over their wine.  Depending on the type of winery, they may tweak it or let nature make the decisions.  A lot more occurs during this time, but that will be left for another article.

DSC04276If you can, try to visit a vineyard in the winter. You won’t be disappointed.  Every season has its reason to visit, the best part of winter is being able to see the beauty in the vineyard while the vines sleep.  You get this time to enjoy the silence, watch the animals, see the farmers working and dream of the magic that will occur once again the next year.
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Thanks to Overmountain Vineyards in Tryon, NC for letting me take these winter photos!

BIG WHITE HOUSE & JOHN EVAN CELLARS: Livermore, CA

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Where it All Began!!

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With our move to California in 2016, we began to explore the Livermore Wine Valley.  This unique area is one of the oldest wine regions in the state.  The first vineyard was planted here in 1882 and produced its’ first award winning wine in 1889.

As we began to explore, we encountered a two-label winery which uses grapes sourced from other local vineyards.  The original BIG WHITE HOUSE (BWH) label was created by John “The Elder” Marion by making wines out of the family home with friends.  It was his son, John Evan Marion, who created the label JOHN EVAN that we had the pleasure to meet and try his personal premium wines.  He has been involved with the winery since the beginning and is one of the youngest wine makers in the valley in his 30s.

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John Evan, the winemaker!

Upon arriving at the winery, we were surprised to find a pretty, but unpretentious pole barn instead of our anticipated Big White House (we later learned that John Evans lives in that house in the town of Livermore).  The rolling hills surrounding the structure are covered in stunning green vines and provide a beautiful wine country backdrop.

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The open tasting room features a standing only bar along one wall, with white rafters and an industrial ceiling overhead.  The walls are packed with beautiful artwork from Laura Marion, the winemakers sister.  You will also find her designs on the wine bottle labels, often featuring John Evans himself.  We were greeted warmly and had a tasting of his incredible white and red wines.  We were particularly lucky to partake in a barrel tasting, which occurs most weekends.  WOW!!!  This was eye opening.  We tasted a smooth and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon called THE DEBONAIRE.  The wine has an incredible cherry and vanilla aroma and broadens to a fruit flavor as you taste; it had us hooked.  We bought futures (wine to be bottled on a later date) on the spot.  His small-lot, Rhone-type variety wines are not to be missed.

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The current wine tasting list includes:

  • BWH 2015 Riesling, La Estancia Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
  • BWH 2015 Lapsus, Roussanne/ Viognier/ Grenache Blanc, Ripken Vineyard, Lodi
  • BWH 2014 Sangiovese, Ripken Vineyard, Lodi
  • BWH 2015 Zinfandel, Sblendorio Estate Vineyard, Livermore
  • BWH 2014 Alfie’s Amalgamation Zinfandel/ Petite Sirah/ Cabernet Sauvignon
  • JOHN EVAN, THE DEBONAIRE, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Clark Vineyard, Livermore
  • JOHN EVAN, 2015 Cuvee Juliette, Cote-Rotie-Style Syrah, Livermore
  • Member only: BWH 2010 Petite Sirah, Sblendorio Vineyard, Livermore 

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    Barrels and equipment at the working winery 

The atmosphere of the winery feels like home as we were able to talk at length with John Evans and watch as he lovingly worked with his wines.  This is definitely a working winery and you feel as if you might have had a small part in the creation of these masterpieces.

To learn more about them please go to: www. bigwhitehouse.com

 

 

 

Overmountain Vineyards, NC

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Where I am now!!

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My first vineyard for this blog has to be the wonderful place that I have the privilege to work at.  Overmountain Vineyards (OMV) in North Carolina’s Polk County is owned by Frank and Lita Lilly.  Their daughter Sofia, assistant wine maker to her pop Frank, has become a friend and has already taught me so much about wine, winemaking, and the vineyard.

I began this journey by searching for a winery, any winery, near our new home in South Carolina.  Little did I know then that I would stumble across this diamond in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountain foothills.  After my first visit, I was hooked.  Not only by the wines, which are amazing, but by the incredible atmosphere that they have created on their farm.  The staff was warm and inviting, the family genuine and friendly, and their Great Danes just beautiful.

 

I am reminded each time I arrive that a vineyard is a farmers dream.  Not only do they get to be in nature cultivating what the earth provides, they get to use their passion to create a wonderful product for all to enjoy.  For the Lilly family, it all begins on the 70 acre farm with 17 acres of French vinifera.  Learning what grows best and how to grow it in their climate is a skill that they have perfected.  Each year brings it’s own challenges and they are up to it.

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When you arrive at the vineyard, you will be stunned by its beauty.  Numerous vines fill the rolling terrain, a cozy tasting room with an impressive patio sits on the hilltop, and the winery and barrel room are next door.  The amazing views of the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains make this a place everyone would love to call home.

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Two gentle Great Danes may greet you as you make your way to the tasting room.  Once inside this boutique winery, you are offered a generous tasting of the French-style wines they are known for. Their current menu includes:

  • 2016 Chardonnay
  • 2016 Epic Petit Manseng  Estate Premium Wine
  • 2016 Camelia (blend of Chardonnay and Petit Manseng)
  • 2016 Rose (from 100% Petit Verdot) Estate Grown
  • 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown
  • 2015 Cabernet Franc Estate Grown
  • 2015 Revolutionary Red ( 80% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon) Estate Grown

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You can’t go wrong with any of the above offerings.  These artisanal wines are handcrafted in the Old World Style using a minimalist approach, giving them all a wonderful flavor and smell.  They also make a killer sangria if you are after something sweet and you even get to keep your OMV water glasses as a souvenir.

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To go with your wine, you may bring a picnic lunch or choose from their light selection of crackers, meats, and cheeses.  Seating is both inside at the bar and outside on the patio, under one of two outdoor pavilions, or by their fire-pits with a borrowed blanket.

 

 

A bonus when visiting is that there is a two-mile certified segment of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail on the property.  This was the route used by patriots during the 1780 King’s Mountain campaign.  You can hike this trail during business hours and enjoy the wooded area surrounding the farm, Mill Creek, and use picnic tables along the route.

For more information please check out their website at: overmountainvineyards.com

 

 

How my Wine Adventures Began

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Let me preface this blog by saying that I am a girl from Wisconsin that grew up with beer, brats, and cheese.

I believed that wine came in three types: Red, White, and Pink, with Pink being the wine of choice. I also did not drink much and was usually the designated driver.

Fast forward a lot of years, a lot of moves, and a lot of changes.  I had two wonderful children, moved with my husband from Wisconsin to Missouri, to Texas, then California, and now South Carolina.  Let me back up a bit to, Ahhhhh, California.  My first taste of real wine, in my mind at least.  No, we did not live in Napa, but between two wonderful wine valleys.  This was my first real taste and a learning experience of what wine could be.  First, however, I had to learn how to taste wine, not just drink it.  Am I a pro yet? Not even close.  This new experience of having hundreds of wineries so close gave us great ways to spend our weekends and learn something new.  California began my love affair with wine, but also taught me to look beyond Napa.  Nothing against Napa, they have some of the best wines in the world, but when you realize that there are other places in the United States that have great wines, the adventure has only just begun.

After California, we moved to South Carolina and I thought the wine adventures were done.  I was soooo wrong; thank goodness.  This move helped me to discover great wine regions exist in all areas of the United States, from South Carolina to North Carolina, Tennessee to Texas, and Missouri to Oregon. I am not a wine critic, but will share my opinions of different wines and what makes wineries and vineyards great places to visit.  I am as much about the atmosphere and location as I am about the wines themselves.  I hope to take you on this adventure with me and to experience areas beyond Napa that produce great wines and provide great adventures for those willing to take the leap.