Farmstead Cheeses and Wines

This month we present another iconic California Chardonnay, 2008 Rochioli Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

The 2008 Estate Chardonnay is a blend from Rochioli Estate Chardonnay vineyards, consisting  of 60%  Mid 40, 24% River Block, and 16% South River Vineyard.    The wine showcases the tropical fruit component that emerges from these Russian River vineyards. Fresh and delineated, it appears Tom Rochioli is trying to move away from noticeable oak, giving the wine more minerality and delineation.

In 1938, Joe Rochioli Sr. began buying the 162 acres of land he had farmed and nourished for many years. He had an intimate bond with the land and understood that the soil of the Russian River Valley was special. His son Joe Jr. shared this connection and intuitively set his sights on clones of grapes that would thrive in this unique spot.

Joe Jr.'s goal was to take advantage of the soil's diversity, as well as the vineyard's proximity to the ocean and the contours of the valley, which allowed for morning fog and cool evening breezes, both key factors in growing stunning grapes. For over 50 years, he has been doing exactly this and today Rochioli is renowned for the quality of its vineyards, fruit and, of course, the wine.

Today, Rochioli Vineyards and Winery is in the hands of the second and third generations, Joe Jr. and his son Tom Rochioli, the winemaker. They continue to tend to the vineyards every day, the same way they always have, with the intimate knowledge of the soil, the climate and grapes. It is with this philosophy that they have been successful as growers, and as winemakers of rich and elegant wines

Dear White Wine Club Member:

This month, we travel back to France, to sample a choice of wines from Dominique Lafon, arguably one of the finest winemakers in the world.

Your allocation this month is a choice between two wines from his Heretiers du Comte Lafon Macon wines: Clos du Four or Clos de la Crochette.

Dominique Lafon was the first Côte d’Or superstar to expand his holdings into the southern Burgundy region of Mâcon. Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon produces wines ranging from  Mâcon up to four single-vineyard wines.

Clos de Four: This is the prized vineyard in the village of Milly located in a steep ampitheater directly behind Lafon's winery.   Much of the fruit here goes into the village Milly bottling with just the old vines in the heart of the vineyard, having best exposure, going into this cuvée.  Very mineral with great length, this wine's richness comes out only after at least a year in bottle.  The fruit is classic Mâcon styled with tinges of citrus that give a hint of it's potential to age at least 5-7 years.