ON THE ROAD AGAIN IN SONOMA - Part 2 - Healdsburg & Thumbprint Cellars

ON THE ROAD AGAIN IN SONOMA – 

Part Two

Healdsburg and

Thumbprint Cellars Artisan Winery

Fortified by a “to die for” cheeseburger (made w/ Fiscalini raw milk cheddar, no less) at the Healdsburg Bar & Grill, Richard and I decided to explore the picturesque little hamlet of Healdsburg.  You know those places you visit and say “I could live here?”  Well, I really could live here!  Really! 

As we strolled...

 

...around the green grass town square (yup, it has a town square!)...

peeking into shop and restaurant windows to see what wonders we might discover, we made this wonderful discovery: Thumbprint Cellars Artisan Winery Tasting Room & Art Gallery.

  

Thumbprint is a “boutique” winery.  Its owner, Scott Lindstrom-Dake, started making wines in his garage some years ago.  He and his wife, Erica, loved fine wines, but like many of us, they had champagne taste and a beer pocketbook.  As the inventory of his garage-made wine increased, he decided to give some bottles to friends.  To make these gifts personal, Erica gave him a special gold paint pen so he could autograph each bottle.  But as he was signing… you guessed it… the gold paint began running down the side of the bottle.  Scott quickly used his thumb to stop the flow and inadvertently pressed his thumb in the paint, leaving a perfect gold thumbprint.  A “eureka” light bulb flashed over Scott’s head and a wine name and logo were born.   

 

Word of mouth spread creating a demand for that thumbprint wine, so in 2000, Scott decided to put his thumbprint (literally and figuratively) on the market and went commercial.

The winery’s tasting room (one of the first to open its doors in Healdsburg) is unlike any other Richard and I have visited.  More than a room to taste wine, this one had a Manhattan nightclub/lounge feel w/ rich fabrics, deep colors, custom-made furniture and colorful art. 

 

But taste wine we did.  And the tasting flight was free!  An appreciated added bonus... that beer pocketbook again.

Dan Weber was our barista.  Charming and knowledgeable, he made us feel right at home in the ‘lounge.’

 

First up was the 2009 Arousal (why “Arousal?” – I haven’t a clue as I was afraid to ask), a white wine blend (60% Reisling-40% viognier) from Dry Creek Valley ($49 – Wine Club $39.50).  I could smell the honeysuckle and taste the honey.  Dan told us it pairs well w/ Thai food which immediately triggered a craving for chicken satay.

Our next pour was the 2009 viognier, Janice & Brian Schmidt Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley ($32 – Wine Club $25.60) aged in French oak for one year.  This wine had nice body w/ a peachy, vanilla flavor.

Our tastes turned to reds… 

Dan started us off w/ the 2008 pinot noir, Schneider Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($49 – Wine Club $39.20), made from dry-farmed grapes from the Pommard Clone vineyard.  Dry-farming, Dan told us, allows the grapes to find their ‘natural balance.’  More and more California vineyards are becoming pesticide and chemical fertilizer free, but dry farmed vineyards go even further.  The land is not irrigated and is consistently tilled, allowing the roots to grow deep down into the soil, making them more resistant to disease that irrigated vines might get, thus making the grape richer in flavor.   I liked the water conservation principle and I liked this wine which had a nice, smooth, shall I say “rich” finish.

Our next taste was the 2007 syrah, Ramazzotti Vineyard, Alexander Valley ($45 – Wine Club $36), a bold wine w/ a rich finish (there’s that “rich” word again – but it was rich!) and would definitely hold its own w/ any “rich” food.

The 2006 cabernet sauvignon, Gallaway Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley ($45 – Wine Club $36) had a lovely cherry flavor w/ a hint of cedar and blueberry (really, I could taste the blueberry).  I liked this wine and I liked that Brian Gallaway is using sustainable practices in farming his grapes… something that’s becoming more and more important for small, local farmers and businesses to survive.

Dan then gave us a pour off the tasting menu of Thumbprints’ 2007 cab-franc ($41), my favorite wine of the day so far.  Smooth as silk.

Last, but not least, we sipped the 2006 petite syrah port, Russian River Valley ($59). This is definitely a find for port lovers.  Dense as fog and velvety smooth.  Mel Torme in a bottle.

Our Thumbprint tasting was over. And how did we rate the wines?  Definitely two thumbs up.




www.thumbprintcellars.com

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD - Day Four - Pt. 1 - Cha, Cha, Charcuterie

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD

Day Four – Pt. 1

Cha, Cha, Charcuterie

Would you believe my brother pulled a muscle in his back while cleaning our condo patio grill? So badly, in fact, he was forced to stay in bed on day four of our Sonoma road trip. And since Nguyen was off to San Francisco to spend some quality time w/ her daughter and new grandson, we were “forced” to head out by ourselves in search of some good wine and good food. I know – it was a dirty job, but we felt we were up for the task.

Our first stop was back in Healdsburg for a free tasting at the Murphy-Goode tasting room in town… a room w/ a decidedly Minnesota Viking theme (the original owners are from Minnesota).

Though the Murphy family still owns the vineyards, the winery is now part of the Kendall-Jackson family. The tasting fee was $5.00 (we had a coupon – hence the “free” tasting) for six samples ranging from a sauvignon blanc to a Bordeaux varietal.

I really liked three: The 2008 Minnesota Cuvee – Chardonnay, ‘aged’ in oak barrels from Minnesota is an excellent buy at $20.00. I also enjoyed the 2006 Jackpot Zinfandel which had a nice spice flavor ($31.50) and the 2006 Malbec – Bordeaux varietal which is 100% malbec ($28.00). Sadly, these wines are not sold commercially, but you can order them on-line at MurphyGoode.com.

When we left that tasting room, our stomachs cued us that it was time to eat. We decided to try chef (and owner) Patrick Martin’s Restaurant Charcuterie a few steps away.

The restaurant is a charming bistro w/ a stone ‘pig’ bench out front.

Inside, more pigs! ‘Mobile’ pigs ‘fly’ from a brown painted industrial ceiling and metal pig sculptures stand proudly in the room. The walls are sponged cream & white atop white wainscoting – one wall sports a large chalk board listing the day’s fare – another has large mirrors framed in dark mahogany-like wood and shell/horn-like sconces are scattered around the room.

The food was as fun and ‘tasteful’ as the décor.

The lunch menu consisted of a few appetizers and sandwiches. We decided on sandwiches each of which came w/ a choice of soup or baby mixed greens w/ toasted almonds. We chose the salad. Adding the toasted almonds was a nice touch – that little ‘something’ extra too many bistros/cafes don’t bother with. The salad dressing choices were vinaigrette, poppyseed or gorgonzola cheese. Vinaigrette it was - a hint of sweetness that was a nice complement to this simple salad.

Being a burger ‘maven’ who ‘tests’ the burgers wherever I go – I ordered the Charcuterie Burger made from herbed ground chuck, fresh garlic & cheddar cheese, charcoal-ed and served on a homemade bun w/ a slightly roasted tomato and lettuce on the side. I passed on the mayo, catsup & Dijon mustard – That’s all fine for a “what is that meat?” fast food burger… but it’s a sin (IMO) to cover-up the flavors of a good, juicy burger. And this burger was juicy delicious. Roasting/grilling the tomato was another nice ‘extra’ touch that Martin does to take his simple dishes out of the ‘ordinary.’

Richard ordered the House-cured Pork Tenderloin sandwich w/ Mediterranean relish on a Costeaux Bakery bun. The smoky flavor of the pork blended with the tangy relish put a smile on his face.

Appealing appetizers on the lunch menu I wanted to try were the escargots in herbed butter and the baked nut-crusted brie w/ roasted garlic served w/ crostini. Next time. And, after sneaking a peek at the dinner menu, the baked red trout w/ tarator crust of tahini, pine nuts, cumin and garlic is definitely on my “bucket list” for that ‘next time.’

So, if you’re ever in the Healdsburg neighborhood, mark this Restaurant Charcuterie a “must eat here”…

Restaurant Charcuterie

707-431-7213

335 Healdsburg Avenue

Healdsburg, CA 95448

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD - Day Three

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD

Day Three

The sky was still dark and cloudy when we woke up on day three of our Hope/Crosby “Road to the Wineries.” But, first we decided to check out Healdsburg, a charming town about 5 minutes from where we were staying.

We parked alongside the pretty town square and started our ‘town tour’ food tasting in the Oakville Grocery (I love, love the one in Napa and was thrilled that this ‘branch’ was just as good). We ‘breakfasted’ on a few aged cheeses displayed for nibbling and some gourmet mustards and dips then continued touring the town. The first tasting room we checked out was Ferrari-Carano. Stunning.

Hanging over the bar from an old tin ceiling was a chandelier made of recycled Italian vintage vinegar bottles.

Speaking of the bar… it was made of resin and recycled glass.

Way cool. Way ‘green.’ However, we held off on sipping the wine. It was only eleven in the morning. When we told the manger of the room that we’d be back later in the day, he suggested we go to the winery instead. The tulips were in bloom. (We did, but that was such a spectacular discovery that I’m saving that for its own blog.)...

We checked out boutiques and window shopped as we circled (squared?) the town square before stumbling onto the Kendall-Jackson tasting room. It was noon. Let the sipping begin!

Like La Crema and the Ferrari-Carano town tasting rooms, this was a sleek, modern place.

Frank from Orange County, CA and Will from the Silcon Valley were our gracious pourers. There were two tastings: Four ‘sips’ for $5.00 and 5 for $15.00. Again, we had comp coupons from the condo complex (which many neighboring hotels offer), so our tastings were free.

We started w/ the $5.00 round. The $15 bottle 2008 Grand Reserve Pinot Gris was pretty tasteless, but I enjoyed the 2007 Highland Estates Camelot Highlands Chardonnay ($30) – 93 points from Robert Parker (Wine Advocate), and the 2007 Highlands Estates Seco Highlands Chardonnay ($35) - 94 points from Robert Parker (Wine Advocate). The 2005 Highland Estates Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet ($55) had a rich, husky body and scored 93 points by Wine Enthusiast & Wine Access. But I didn’t think it was worth the price tag.

The reserve wines on the $15 tasting were next. Though Robert Parker gave it 90 points in the Wine Advocate, I thought the 2006 Highland Estates Alisos Hills Syrah was too dry. I did, however, really enjoy the 2006 Highland Estates Napa Mountain Merlot ($55) and the 2005 Highland Estates Trace Ridge Cab ($70) which was a bit fruitier and both received 94 points from Steve Heimoff of The Wine Enthusiast.

The 2004 Stature Red Wine (96 points also from Heimoff) at $120 a bottle was delicious, but way out of my price range, although not out of my tasting range :)

In fact all the Bordeaux blends (Kendall-Jackson is a member of the Meritage Assoc., a Bordeaux organization for California vintners) were delicious… Trace Ridge Red Wine – 97 points in Wine Enthusiast and Knights Valley a 3 Bordeaux blend @ $75.00 were two favorites.

Kendall-Jackson owns many wineries and labels and most are far better than the Kendall-Jackson wines we’re used to buying in our local super market. I’m just sorry we never got a chance to go to the beautiful winery just 10-15 minutes outside of town. Next time.

By the time the lunch hour rolled around, we decided to go to Bistro Ralph, recommended by a few shop keepers and tasting room ‘baristas,’which even had a few “French” food selections… classic crème brulee, profiteroles au chocolat and Croque Monsieur/Croque Madam ('baked' grilled ham and cheese/grilled ham & cheese w/ egg to us Americans).

(Loved the vintage bicycle wheel hanging like a chandelier from the bistro's tin ceiling)

                                                                                           

I’m a sucker for grilled cheese (melted cheese anything) and the description on the menu: “grilled w/ ham and Gruyere on sourdough bread w/ a petite salad” (I went w/ the monsieur – no egg) sounded perfect. Sadly, it was far from it. The sourdough bread seemed to be from a supermarket packaged loaf, the ham was sparse and there was only one! thin! slice of cheese. The bread wasn’t even close to ‘golden’ – probably because that one! thin! slice of cheese (which also seemed to be from a package of sliced Gruyere you’d find in your local grocery) was barely melted. Visions of a sandwich covered then baked to thick bubbling cheese perfection were over! There was nothing wrong w/ this sandwich, but there wasn’t anything ‘right,’ either. It certainly wasn’t a Croque Monsieur. This was a skimpy, undercooked grilled ham & cheese sandwich w/ ingredients I could find in my local Safeway… AND was not even as good as one I make at home… AND all for $11.75! Have to admit, the mustard used wasn’t bad, though.

My brother Bob ordered the smoked salmon BLT on sourdough w/ aioli and celery root remoulade. Again, the bread didn’t appear to be ‘bakery’quality, but he said the sandwich was good.

Richard and my sister-in-law Nguyen ordered the special of the day: pan seared Petrale sole w/ sautéed chopped tomato and capers on a bed of spinach. It looked terrific, but was so saturated w/ salt they both had to send it back.

At $23 a pop, it was an expensive lunch that only Lot’s wife could’ve enjoyed. Our waiter was very gracious, and suggested they order the grilled Ahi sandwich w/ pickled ginger, cucumber, wasabi and soy dipping sauce w/ sesame seeds. Much better. Especially the $14 price.

Though we were disappointed w/ our food, the room was jumping w/ diners and good will, so we left feeling upbeat and ready for a drive. It was time to leave the hamlet of Healdsburg and head up the road in search of tulips and fine wine.