Page 11 - GV2020 Portfolio Master

FORT ROSS SEAVIEW

Fort Ross was established in 1812 by the Russian-American Company. The first grapes to be
planted in either Napa or Sonoma county were planted in Fort Ross in 1817. Located 80 miles
north of San Francisco FRSV became an AVA in 2011. It was carved out of the existing Sonoma
Coast AVA. With just 500 of its 27,500 acres planted to vines the AVA is based upon elevation.
Just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyards are planted on the steep Coastal Mountain
Range slopes between 900-1800ft above sea level. In the mornings while the Russian River
Valley and Sonoma Coast are covered in fog, the Fort Ross vineyards bask in the cool morning Wayfarer
sun high above the fog line. This allows the grapes more sun exposure while still experiencing the After nearly 30 years as an
acclaimed Napa Valley vintner
cool Pacific winds and long growing season. Jason Pahlmeyer became
increasingly entranced by the
wines of Burgundy. In the early
1990s, Jayson began seeking out
Wayfarer wayfarervineyard.com
the finest Pinot Noir and
Wayfarer Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard 2017 (6pk) $342.00 97 JD, 95 WE Chardonnay vineyards in the
world. The Wayfarer farm is just
down the road from Marcassin
Wayfarer Pinot Noir Wayfarer Vineyard 2016 (6pk) $390.00 94 JS, 92 WS and when it went up for sale
Helen Turley called Pahlymeyer.
Wayfarer Pinot Noir Golden Mean 2014 (6pk) $486.00 97 WE, 93 WA All wines are sourced from the
Wayfarer Vineyard. However
Wayfarer Pinot Noir Mother Rock 2013 (6pk) $486.00 96 JS, 93 VIN each label is a unique blend of
different Pinot Noir clones.

SONOMA COUNTY - ALEXANDER VALLEY
Named after Cyrus Alexander who was a part of the Mexican land grant of 1847. At that time the
valley was famous for the production of wheat and the raising of cattle. In the 1880s, immigrants
formed the Italian Swiss Colony agricultural cooperative at Asti. In the 1950s, the Swiss Colony Aperture Cellars
Colorado native Jesse Katz grew
was California's second-most visited tourism destination, after Disneyland. Historically the up travelling the world with his
Alexander Valley referred to the land east of the Russian River up to the Mayacamas Range with renowned photographer father,
the land to the west known as the ‘plains’. Andy Katz. He cut his
Designated an AVA in 1984 the Alexander Valley is a sleepy valley in northern Sonoma. winemaking teeth working at
Chateau Petrus as well as
Running generally north-southeast, the proximity to the Pacific is mitigated by the Inner Coastal Harlan before starting his own
Range. The Coastal Range buffers the cool breezes and fogs of the Pacific Ocean. This slightly project in Alexander Valley. His
warmer climate allows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and other varietals to thrive. The wines garner critical acclaim and
have quickly elevated to “cult”
Russian River forms the basis of the AVA as the valley follows the alluvial fans the river has status. Jesse is passionate about
deposited over millions of years. The loose, stony, dried up river beds provide the optimal Malbec and has found some of
drainage for vineyards and force the vines to dig deep to source needed minerals. There are the oldest planted in the U.S.
15,000 acres planted and 42+ wineries within the appellation. Many wines from the Alexander Devil Proof is his old vine Malbec
program.
Valley are less expensive than their Napa brethren and can offer exceptional value to add Of Jesse, Wine Enthusiast
diversity to any wine program. proclaimed he is “Changing the
way the world drinks”

Aperture Cellars (Healdsburg) aperture-cellars.com Ridge
(also see Sonoma County) Ridge’s origins in Santa Cruz go
Aperture Cellars Chenin Blanc North Coast 2018 $204.00 back to1885. The Santa Cruz
Monte Bello Vineyard began
thriving in the 1940’s shortly after
Aperture Cellars Red Blend 2016 $492.00 91-93 WA prohibition’s end. Paul Drapper
Aperture Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $624.00 92-94 WA joined the Ridge team in 1969
and the style has remained
Aperture Cellars Malbec Devil’s Proof Farrow Ranch 2013 (3pk) $324.00 95 WE consistent for 60+ years never
chasing trends or scores. In 1991
the Lytton Springs Estate was
added to compliment the line up.
While Ridge had been making old
Ridge Vineyards (Healdsburg) ridgewine.com vine Zin since the 60’s the
purchase gave them ownership
(also see Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains) over the vineyards and allowed
Ridge Demostene Ranch 2016 $347.90 them to build a second winery in
50% Zinfandel, 50% Carignane Sonoma County. With over 300+
acres certified organic the old
Ridge Zinfandel Geyserville 2018 $432.00 93 WS vine Zin, Carigane and other
varietals should continue to thrive

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