Your favorite Cali Wineries... that are gone now?

[dougwilder]

The Deloach Single Vineyard Zins from the late 90s were beautiful on release.

[Drew_Goin]

Originally the Saviez Columbard grapes were fermented at Chalone and sold as Chalone wine, then as Gavilan. I assume the vineyard has been replanted to something more profitable…

FYI, I transcribed the contents of a 1955 guide to wineries and vineyards after the source website went dead. There’s a lengthy description of Francis W. (Bill) Silvear’s vineyards above Soledad, now the site of Chalone Vyds.

He apparently had some sparkling Chardonnay produced and bottled for him by Almaden’s Oliver Goulet. It was even sold in limited quantities under the name Soledad Pinot Chardonnay Champenoise.

[Victor_Hong]

Liparita.
Now only a brand, to label wines made from contracted fruit. Kendall Jackson bought the vineyard itself for a song, in 1996.

[CF_Binnig]

Oakford, Versant, and more recently, Hartwell.

[David_Baum]

Oakford, Versant, and more recently, Hartwell.

Still have some versant in my cellar

[JDavisRoby]

Add Halcon to the list?

[Bruce_Rudman]

In the late 90’s Folie a’ Deux made some Amador County Zinfandels which were great.

[S_Rash]

Gustafson Family Vineyards in Dry Creek. They had the best tasting room and vineyards overlooking Lake Sonoma. The Lightning Complex Fire in 2020 got some of the vineyards and the winemaker’s house. They decided not to reopen. They had some of my favorite Petite Sirah and Zinfandels.

[Thomas_Keim]

In the late 90’s Folie a’ Deux made some Amador County Zinfandels which were great.

The also made some wonderful Chardonnays in the early 1980s -

[Brian_Lynch]

Audelssa.

Yes. Would add Regusci, Steltzner’s wide variety of styles, and S Anderson champ and Cabs, all at more reasonable prices than their successor/buyers offer.

[Troy_Morris]

Really miss Herb Lamb, Jennifer was such a wonderful host and their wines were outstanding.

So true, tastings on the Lamb’s patio overlooking their vineyards was pretty cool. Last met up with Jennifer at her retirement luncheon in 2019; among a ton of her library wines we tasted that day, she broke out a ‘97 Colgin that was just sublime. Also was able to sit and chat with Mike Trujillo a bit there, he talked about his days at Karl Lawrence and the good old days in Napa.

[Greg_Harter]

Karl Lawrence. Such amazing wines that retailed for a 1/3 or less of other wines from the same vineyards. yes Karl Lawrence is still around, but different winemaker, different vineyards, not the same wine.

[Mel_Knox]

Drew
Thanks fir the Chalone lore

[Howard_Cooper]

The original one and should be only Martin Ray.

Just tasted at Mount Eden last week. Would Martin Ray really be doing as well with the vineyards Mount Eden has from him?

[Wes_Barton]

The original one and should be only Martin Ray.

Just tasted at Mount Eden last week. Would Martin Ray really be doing as well with the vineyards Mount Eden has from him?

He’s referring to the current Martin Ray label. They make a fairly empty nod to his legacy and source some SCM fruit, but don’t really promote the region.

[CF_Binnig]

Oakford, Versant, and more recently, Hartwell.

Still have some versant in my cellar

I still have some of all three! And their successors.

[Drew_Goin]

What has happened to Ravenswood?

The new yet-to-open Harrow Cellars winery has purchased Sonoma’s Sojourn Cellars and the two wineries will share the former Ravenswood tasting room, production facility and cellar space on Gehricke Road. The terms of the Sojourn acquisition were not announced.

Harrow Cellars is a new winery run by Angelina Mondavi and owned by Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group (SBHG), the Sonoma-based collective of local businesses run by Karin Rogers. Mondavi and SBHG announced the acquisition of the former Ravenswood property in January 2020.

Harrow Cellars And Sojourn Cellars To Share Former Ravenswood Property - Harrow Cellars

Full article Harrow Cellars and Sojourn Cellars to share former Ravenswood property - The Sonoma Index-Tribune

I just saw this. The Harrow Cellars website and Instagram are pretty bare of information, but it seems as if there are some old vines owned by the new operation. Is this true?


Also, Randy Bennett, winemaker for Sojourn, will stay on with the new producer:


Petaluma Gap
“Q & A with Randy Bennett, Winemaker & General Manager, Sojourn Cellars”


“…Interviewer: ‘What is the long-term vision for Sojourn? Has it changed since you first joined the team? Can you tell us about the partnership with Harrow Cellars and your new production facility on Gehricke Road?’”


"Randy Bennett: 'In the early days, the long-term business vision for Sojourn was to remain small and focused while being profitable, however, with each year of success and revenue growth, Craig decided we could increase production and invest further in new vineyard sources. It was an organic process. The winemaking vision is the same now as it was early on: to produce memorable wines that showcase the unique character and qualities of the vineyards which we are fortunate to work with. We have expanded on this vision to also provide memorable experiences for our guests.

“‘The partnership with Harrow Cellars will enable Sojourn to expand on both aspects of our vision. The upcoming redevelopment and move to the old Ravenswood winery on Gehricke Road are the key ingredient. We will now have complete control over the Sojourn winemaking, and we will also be able to host guests in a beautiful hillside setting at this historic site with views of the Harrow Cellars estate vineyard. The Sojourn and Harrow Cellars wines will be made side-by-side at the new facility. Angelina Mondavi will direct winemaking of the Harrow Cellars wines while Erich and I continue to make the Sojourn wines.’”

[Enzo_Ruffalo]

[Eric_White]

Karl Lawrence. Such amazing wines that retailed for a 1/3 or less of other wines from the same vineyards. yes Karl Lawrence is still around, but different winemaker, different vineyards, not the same wine.

agreed, still drinking through my 2001-2005s, they are amazing wines, and drinking at their peaks now.

[Eric_White]

Anyone remember Kahn on the Central Coast? No recollection as to how I discovered them, but I loved their wines for years. I still have two bottles of the 2000 Nebbiolo in the cellar I need to crack into - goal was to see how it aged in comparison to the motherland, guess it’s time to see!