Burt Williams is coming back!

Although I have alluded to this in posts on other threads, this requires a thread of its own.

Great news: Perhaps as soon as this winter and certainly before the end of the year, Burt Willaims will resurrect his prowess in making stellar wines especially vineyard designated pinot noir. His own vineyards are now in their 5-6 year period and are producing beautiful fruit already evidenced from wines from his daughter, Margi of Brogan Cellars and Chris and now Drake Whitcraft, of Whitcraft Winery. He is free and clear from his non compete agreement with the sale of the Williams Selyem Winery.

In fact, one of the best pinots Ive had this year came from a 2007 Margis Block from her labeled My Fathers Vineyard which I believe is from Burts Morning Dew Ranch Vineyard. [As an aside, one of the other best pinots Ive had this year was from the Brogan Cellars Buena Tierra, Helio Doro Block which Margi calls "sex in a glass". Its a WINNER.]

Cheers.

Good news. Any chance he’ll be doing any old-vine Zinfandel?

Is there a name for this new venture yet?

I love Margi’s wines and I am sure Burt’s will also be excellent.

ooh la la. where is the mailing list sign up?

Mike- I dont know if hell be doing the old vines Zinfandels of years past.

Tim- I do not know the label name he`ll use.

Gene- There will be an announcement down the line; I will post it here if it is not in an obvious release to everyone.

To all: I consider Burt a good friend and do not want to pry any more than what I have shared which has been OK`d to do. If I get more info down the line, I will definitely pass it on.

I kinda like “Hacienda Del Rio”!!! [stirthepothal.gif]
Tom

I’ve been hearing rumblings of this for more than a year, and this is great news. Hopefully we’ll get details soon. I’d be in.

HA!

It’s a bit subtle, Mike. Most people won’t get it.

Hacienda Del Rio was the original name for Williams-Selyem. But the Hacienda Wnry just East of Sonoma sued
for trademark infringement and to avoid legal costs, they changed their name to Williams-Selyem. And the rest is history.
Don’t know who own HaciendaWnry these days. Probablt FredFranzia.
Tom

Very astute guess. You are correct.

Morning Dew Ranch Winery

Just got the mailer! 2008 with November delivery date. $60 per bottle

I can remember, years ago, Burt driving up to Oregon to deliver the multitude of cases of Hacienda Del Rio that my brother and his friends bought.

How much concern should there be for smoke taint? Burt doesn’t seem like the type of guy that would tinker with the grapes and uses what he has as a vintage showcase. Doesn’t the smokiness eventually dissipate with bottle age?

Winemaker note: There is initially a smokey aroma that combines with a dark berry fruit component with hints of roasted nuts and earth, medium rich palate, ripe tannins and berries on the finish. To sum this wine up in a more poetic vein ‘the veil of the vintage present as it should be does not obscure the strength of the terroir.’ My suggestion with this wine is to decant it for aeration, after the wine is aerated for a while the smoky components recede a bit and the fruit comes forward showing berry and pie cherry complexities. The wine at all stages pairs well with grilled salmon, lamb, veal and pork.

Is there any contact information for the winery?

old school pen and paper:
Morning Dew Ranch Winery
PO Box 487
Forestville, CA 95436

Thanks for the info… [cheers.gif]

The smoke notes are concerning. Where is this vineyard in relation to the fires in '08?

Is there a website?

Nope, PO Box only.

He mentioned those who buy 08, get first crack at 09

I’m in for two, I’d go three but the mention of smoke has me raising an eye brow at $60/bottle (and $30 to ship 3 bottle ground)