In the Vineyards...

Vine Pruning...

It's time to prune the vines.  To me, this is always a fun time because it represents the beginning of a new vintage of wines ... and anything is possible!  It's exciting to be starting the process all over again. 

We had a couple of new twists for this year's pruning.  First, we used a pre-pruning contraption to sort of shred the canes at about 6-8" long.  This saves some labor pulling the cut canes off of the wires.  Second, beause of our powdery mildew problem last year (yikes!) we had to spray, right after pruning,  with an oil based spray to kill the mildew spors.  We'll be spraying for mildew like fiends this year so that we don't repeat last years heartbreak.

So, check out this pre-pruning contraption...

 So, after all the pruning is done, here are the vines.

Harvesting Leucadendron...

It's that time of year again.  We started harvesting the Leucadendron last week.  We'll put together about 400 bunches each week for the next 4-5 weeks.  We begin with 36" stems and the final harvest will be with 22-24" stems.

Come Back to Merlot....

Merlot took an unfair beating as a result of the hit movie 'Sideways'.  The character played by Paul Giamatti, in a fit of rage, exclaims he will NOT drink a Merlot! This one little 10 second scene damaged the Merlot market around the world; and now, eight years later, Merlot still struggles for respect.

Here is the irony ... The mystery wine he talks about throughtout the film (Cheval Blanc) is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  It's considered one of the great wines of the world.

It's time to move beyond 'Sideways' and embrace Merlot as one of the great historic varietals.  (contributed by Patrick Bartlett)

This picture says it all...  You can get a free taste of our new 2009 Merlot at The Collective in Old Town through the month of February.  Also, if you order 2 or more bottles online, we'll pay the shipping.  Surprise someone you love.      

As long as you are being romantic, try a new recipe for Veal Picatta created especially for our new Merlot by Patrick Barlett (our resident chef & wine lover).  Listen to this... Veal Cutlets with Tarragon Scented Shallot and Currant Cream Sauce.  WOW!  

For the complete recipe, with prep instructions and some truly wonderful pictures of the process, use this link: VEAL PICATTA

2009 Merlot Tasting Notes: Our 2009 Merlot is a stunning example of finessed elegance.  This mid-weight wine offers a swirling array of bright cherries, currants, violets and plums.  The first sip confirms the bouquet quickly entering into a mid palate of soft spices, a velvety mouth feel and subtle smooth leather.  It lingers in the finish with added herbal notes of tarragon, anise and a rounded end of vanilla and spice.  (Poetic isn't it?)

March Pick Up Party and More ...

March Pick Up Party

It's that time again!  In keeping with tradition, our March Pick Up party will be at The Collective and will coincide with the Spring Rod Run.  Maybe Gary's '56 Ford will be together enough to make it!

Date: Friday, March 9

Time: 5-7 pm

Location: The Collective 

Use this link to RSVP

Wine & Music Festival

The 8th annual Wine & Music Festival is coming to Vail Lake on April 28.  Gary and I will be there pouring Woodworth wine and enjoying some great music in a beautiful setting.  Hope you can join us!  You can read more about this great event at WINE & MUSIC.

Here some good news...Woodworth wiine club members will get a 10% discount on Festival tickets.  We'll keep you posted on how to take advantage of this good deal.

Blessing of the Vines

We are looking forward to our third annual Blessing of the Vines.  The event will be in May and we're looking at either Sunday May 6 or 13.  So, keep this in mind and we'll have the information available in the next newsletter.

July Pick Up Party

Our July Pick Up Party will be a BBQ and Potluck here in the vineyards.  Date to come.

and More..

 We're working on plans for a 'Farm to Fork' dinner at a local organic ranch sometime in the fall, and a holiday social at Christmas time.  So stay tuned!

Woof Notes...

Hope you enjoyed this month's newsletter.  If so, please forward to a friend.  You can check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/woodworthvineyards.  Or, send us an email at WineLover@WoodworthWine.com.

Happy Valentines!

Gary & Marlene

2011 Comes to an End ...

The weather has turned cold and windy and the vines have gone dormant for the year.  We had gusts up to about 40 mph during last week's windstorm.  There was no damage to the vines, but our avocados took a bit of a hit.  After the winds, the skies were bright and blue.

Gary's New Project ...

It looks like Gary doesn't have enough to do.  Yes, you're right, it is in pieces.   I'll keep you posted on his progress.

Two New Wines Released ...

2009 Wild Bandit

Our 2009 Wild Bandit is a yummy blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Pinot Noir.  It's named after a feisty little stray we found close to the vineyards.  He was pretty wild when we found him, but now is a great little sidekick ... always ready for action. 

By blending our estate Syrah and Pinot Noir, we created a wine with the cherry and black fruit characteristics of the Pinot along with the smoky, earthiness of the Syrah.  It's a mid-weight red with a lovely mouthfeel and finish.

In this video, Patrick Bartlett talks about Wild Bandit and suggests some great  food pairings. 

2009 Merlot

Merlot fell out of favor after the 2004 mid life crisis movie 'Sideways'.  The movie was pretty good, but the mocking of Merlot was undeserved. 

Merlot, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot is one of the primary grapes of the Bordeaux wine region.  It is the third most planted varietal, and still a world wide favorite.

This is the first time we have produced a Merlot varietal.  Our Merlot vines, however are ten years old and that maturity is evident in the wine.  It is a medium bodied red with bright cherry flavors and aromas.  It has herbal notes and a hint of vanilla.  You will find it goes well with lighter red meats, Salmon or mushroom based foods. 

Or, you can just sip it and enjoy!

Luna de Luz Update ...

So, what is going on with the new Sparkling Wine?

  A very good question.  As many of you know, we were planning to finish up our 'Luna de Luz' Pinot Noir brut in time for the holidays.  Unfortunately, our label would not fit (without substantial wrinkling) on the wonderful bottle.  The reason the bottle looks so good is because it has 'compound curves'.  It's great to look at, but apparently, not so good to label.  We've had a die engineer (yes there is such a thing) working for the past month to figure out the correct label shape mathmatically.  As of yesterday, it looks like we have it.  So, tomorrow we will be disgorging, applying the dossage and corking.  It looks like the labeling will happen after the holidays.  (Sigh)

We'll have some great video for you next month and we'll plan a 'champagne' party to introduce Luna de Luz sometime in January. 

Have a joyous Holiday Season with family and friends, and may the New Year be one of peace, health and prosperity.

Gary & Marlene

Angus, Maggie, Hercules & Bandit

Do you love dogs and love wine?

Then, you need to check out these very special Woodworth Vineyard wines.  Each is a proprietary blend or special wine named after our 'vineyard dogs' ... Angus, Maggie, Sophie and Bandit.  We also have an old, tough little guy that just showed up in our yard about six years ago.  We named him Hercules, but he doesn't have a wine yet. 

The labels are gorgeous and created by a local artist (Tamra Gerard) to reflect the unique personality of each dog, but the wines are really special.

2007 Black Dog

Named after our black lab Angus, our 2007 Black Dog is an Estate blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah and 10% Merlot.  It has layers of blackberry and boysenberry with hints of pepper and smoke.  Yumm! 

Silver Medal ~ Riverside International Wine Competition

You can purchase the 2007 Black Dog online or at The Collective in Old Town Temecula.

Tasting our 2007 Black Dog ... 

2008 Black Dog

Like all Labs, Angus loves toys and is rarely without his tennis ball.  Our 2008 Black Dog is an Estate blend of 49% Syrah, 34% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon.  You will notice that while the varietals are the same as the 2007, the blend is completely different.  This is a soft and approachable wine blackberry and black raspberry flavors and aromas.  You will also find flavors of tobacco, black licorice and a hint of pepper.

You can purchase our 2008 Black Dog online or at The Collective in Old Town Temecula.

Silver Medal ~ 2011 Grand Harvest Wine Competition

 Tasting our 2008 Black Dog ... 

2008 Wild Bandit

Bandit is a feisty little stray we found at a construction site across from the vineyards. He was tricky, but we finally caught him.  He adopted Angus as his big brother and quickly became Gary's 'sidekick'... always with him in the tractor, ATV, truck, you name it.  Bandit is a yummy Estate blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Pinot Noir.  It is a very friendly mid-weight wine with the bright cherry and black fruit flavors of Pinot and the smoky, earthiness of the Syrah.

You can buy our 2009 Wild Bandit online or at The Collective in Old Town Temecula.

 No medals yet since we just released Wild Bandit....but stay tuned!

Tasting 2008 Wild Bandit...

2010 Sweet Sophie

 Sophie is my Mom's Bichon and definately has an attitude.  She love to lay on the porch and survey her vineyard 'kingdom'.  The 2010 Sweet Sophie is made from 70% Chardonnay and 30% Muscat, fermented and aged in stainless steel.  You'll find flavors and aromas of pear and melon, accented by peach and melon. It is a bright, crisp wine with a clean finish.

You can buy 2010 Sweet Sophie online or at The Collective in Old Town Temecula.

Gold Medal - 2011 Women's International Wine Competition; Gold Medal ~ 'Best of' Inland Empire Magazine; Silver Medal ~ 2011 Grand Harvest Wine Competition

 Tasting 2010 Sweet Sophie ...

2009 Golden Maggie

A friend of ours found Maggie as a puppy in the brush close to the vineyards.  Someone had dropped off a litter (why do people do that?).  Who knew she would grow up to be a 120 'big girl' that loves to rid in the car.  Maggie doesn't have her new label yet, but this is a working concept.  It should be final in a few months.  She does, however have a wonderful, award winning wine. 

The 2009 Golden Maggie is an off-dry white Merlot.  It has bright apple and raspberry aromas and flavors with hints of grapefruit. 

Gold Medal - 2011 Pacific Rim International Wine Competiton and Silver Medal - 2011 Women's International Wine Competition.

2009 Golden Maggie can be purchased online or at The Collective in Old Town Temecula.

Tasting 2008 & 2009 Golden Maggie ...

On the Road to Yakima, WA...

We left The Dalles, OR and headed up the Columbia River on our way to Yakima, WA.  We stopped into two wineries ... Maryhill and Columbia Crest.  They were both beautiful!

Maryhill Winery

What a gorgeous location!  They are on the cliffs overlooking the Columbia Gorge.  It's a beautiful setting with a large amphitheatre.  Their wine was good, but I think they are really known for the events and concerts.  Check out this panoramic.

We had a lovely time tasting.  They have 85 acres of grapes and produce about 6000 cases per year.  Like all the other Oregon/Washington wineries they are still picking. 

We tasted 5-6 of their wines.  They had a wonderful Viognier.  Not sweet, but with great floral aromas and flavors of pear and apple.  Their 2006 Reserve Sangiovese was excellent with ripe cranberry, cherry and cinnamon aromas, fresh and earthy with soft tannins - yet rich with cherry and dark fruit flavor. I'm not a huge Zin fan, but I became a fan of the 2008 Reserve Zinfandel  It's starts slightly sweet with a wonderful mouthfeel. It has sweet dark cherries, caramel, blackberries, vanilla and just the right amount of oak.

The best thing is that we were able to trade a bottle of our 2008 Pinot Noir and a bottle of 2007 Black Dog for a Viognier and a Zinfandel.  Mayrhill was selected as the Oregon Winery of the Year in 2009.

It's a pet friendly winery, so the dogs were happy too!  Check them at at www.maryhillwinery.com

Columbia Crest

This is a HUGE winery.  They have 2500 acres planted and produce 3,000,000 (!) cases per year.  Big trucks full of grapes were pulling in one after another and the production center was a hub of activity.

The grounds are beautiful with fountains, a small lake and lots of flowers.  To be honest, I didn'f find any wine I felt compelled to buy.  Maybe it's because you can find Columbia Crest in every grocery store wine shop.  it was, however, very interesting to go to such a big winery.

Our next stop is Wenatchee, WA.  Lots of interesting little wineries there, so we'll keep you posted.

o