Page 24 - Sonoma County Gazette June 2019

Balletto Gewurztraminer, Estate, Russian River Valley 2018
Floral notes on the nose, elegantly mingled with orange blossom and lemon. Hints of orange rind and red delicious apple. The texture of the wine has a viscous quality of lychee fruit and subtle hints of sweet meyer lemon throughout the palate. There is a spicy quality of elements of nutmeg and cinnamon mid-palate, lingering throughout the finish. Pair with spicy Thai food, roast chicken, light seafood fair. The 2018 Gewurztraminer is an absolutely delicious sipping wine. Enjoy now through 2020.
Blended from several of Balletto’s estate vineyards, the nose is filled with scent of red berry, violets and red licorice. The palate is distinctly red cherry, raspberry with soft tannins. The mid-palate is filled with spicy oak finishing with pleasant notes of vanilla. Pair this pinot noir with seared salmon, duck confit, or, perhaps, a Caesar salad with sautee of prawns. No decanting necessary. Enjoy now through 2022.
This Zinfandel exemplifies one of the examples of cool-climate zinfandel. The nose is filled with a beautiful compote of red and black berries which translate directly to the palate with blackberry, blueberry and raspberry flavors, supported by racey acidity and firm tannins from palate to finish. The black pepper note and pomegranate round out the finish. A delicious sipping wine and will pair well with barbecued chicken or ribs, roasted pork loin. No decanting necessary. Enjoy now through 2022. INFO: ballettovineyards.com
Upcoming Events:
Sonoma County Pride: Peace, Love & Wine, Sunday, June 2nd, 12pm- 3pm, Astro Motel, Santa Rosa Participating wineries include Hart’s Desire Wines, Gustafson Estate, Iron Horse Vineyards, Marimar Estate Vineyards, Roadhouse Winery. Peace, Love & Wine is an afternoon wine tasting and food sampling event held in the beautiful courtyard of the The Astro in Santa Rosa. Participation is limited to Pride VIP Pass holders and those who purchase tickets for this event. Ticket sales will be limited to 100 individuals and proceeds will benefit Sonoma County Pride: sonomacountypride.org/peace- love-wine/
Balletto Pinot Noir, Estate, Russian River Valley 2016
Balletto Zinfandel, Estate, Russian River Valley 2016
North Coast Wine & Food Festival: Saturday, June 8, 1pm
at SOMO Village, Rohnert Park. 90 Gold-medal wines. 25 amazing regional chefs. Featuring winning wines from prestigious industry judges in a blind taste test, these are wines that achieve both a Gold Medal status and 90+ points in The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Competition. Taste wines from Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, and Marin counties, all in one location!
Enjoy food by 25 amazing chefs from great restaurants like Valette, El Dorado Kitchen, The Spinster Sisters, John Ash & Company, Chalkboard, Dry Creek Kitchen, and many more – all tastings included in the ticket price. Tickets $50-$135, northcoastwineandfood.com.
24 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 6/19
in the vineyards. One and two day tickets are available. Select your favorite experience for a morning (10 am) and afternoon (2 pm) session on Saturday and/or Sunday. Cost: $200 weekend ticket, $125 one-day ticket. alexandervalley. org/experience-alexander-valley-event/
Light the Night: Wine and Song, Wed June 19, 5:30pm – 8:30pm at O’Reilly Media, Sebastopol A fun and purposeful fundraising event all about Russian River Valley wine, local foods and fantastic West County music. Participating wineries include Paul Mathew Vineyards, Harvest Moon Winery, Fog Crest Vineyards, Moshin Vineyards, La Pitchoune Winery, Korbel Champagne Cellars, Russian River Vineyards. There will be plenty of Sonoma County Beers too & local foods. Live music by Heartwood Crossing trio. Light The Night is
a campaign of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society whose mission is to cure blood cancers. Learn more about them lls.org. Tickets $40 @ eventbrite.com/e/ light-the-night-with-wine-and-song-tickets-58539320684
Experience Alexander Valley: Saturday, June 22 – Sunday, June 23, 10am-4pm. Meet the winemakers, walk the vineyards, get your hands dirty- a weekend of behind-the-scenes wine experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime. Each experience is limited to twenty guests, and you’ll find everything from blending seminars with winemakers to ravioli making to brunch & bocce