Dear Bruins,

We have another change in plans.  We will be starting at a more reasonable hour.  Hartford has agreed to accommodate our whole group.  Our group has gotten smaller, from 19 to 13 so far.

Unfortunately, there are wine tasting fees at these wineries.  They are as follows:

Hartford – $25 per person or we agree to buy a certain number of bottles of wine and the fee is waived.

Dutton – $20 per person with a 10% discount on any purchases

Balletto – $10 per person.

I have new winery maps for everyone.  They provide more detail.  I will pass them out on Thursday.

From the first winery on the map, Hartford, to the last, Balletto, it is about a 15 minute drive.

Wine Tasting Map, Click Here

Wine tasters:

Hartford Family Winery

8075 Martinelli Road
Forestville, CA 95436
Phone:  (707) 887-8030

The other small winery is Hartford Family Winery.  They produce Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel.  All of their wines are rated from 92 to 96.  This should be a good one.

Here is a description of one of their zinfandels, rated 92:

Already bottled, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Hartford Zinfandel is scented of baked blueberries, stewed plums and kirsch with touches of raspberry leaves, dried herbs, spice box and new leather. Full-bodied, firmly textured and with a lively backbone, it gives a great intensity of blue and black berry preserves, finishing long and spicy. 2,500 cases produced.

Dutton Estate Winery
8757 Green Valley Road
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Phone:  (707) 829-9463

Here is a description of one of their 2016 pinot noirs that was rated 92:

The 2016 Pinot Noir Jewell Block Dutton Ranch is pale ruby-purple colored with a compelling nose of freshly crushed red cherries, cranberries and pomegranate with touches of rose hips, raspberry leaves, sage and fertile loam. The palate is refreshing, delicate and medium-bodied with plenty of perfumed red fruit and a long, mineral-laced finish. 93 cases were made.

Pascaline Patisserie & Cafe
4552 Gravenstein Hwy N
Sebastopol, CA 95472

Pascaline Menu – See attached and sent me your order ASAP.  Thank you.

Here is part of a review from a past patron:

So many great things are on this menu it’s hard to pin down the best one. But suffice to say, you will not be disappointed with anything that you order off the menu. We ordered several things, and really enjoyed every single one.

Bottom line? I will absolutely return to this place again, and again anytime I am in that area.

Balletto Vineyards
5700 Occidental Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Phone:  (707) 568-2455

Balletto produces excellent pinot noir.  There last two vintages all have scores 90s.

Here is one of their wine descriptors:

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Sexton Hill Vineyard opens with intense Bing cherries, pomegranate, wild strawberries and raspberry leaves notes plus hints of lavender, fungi, forest floor and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied with lovely harmony and great intensity, featuring a fine-grained structure and plenty of freshness, it finishes on a perfumed note. 620 cases produced.

Walter Hansel Winery
5465 Hall Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Phone:  (707) 525-3614

Both Walter Hansel’s current releases of chardonnay and pinot noir are rated anywhere from 91 to 95.

Here are the notes from their 2016 pinot noir release, rated 91:

Pale ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Estate has amazingly pure notions of crushed cranberries, Bing cherries and redcurrants with touches of garrigue, tilled soil and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers bags of crunchy red berry flavors and a lovely satiny texture with a very long, lively finish. 896 cases produced.

Go Bruins,

Mark

Land Line:  (707) 865-2273