Andrew Murray Vineyards

To say that Andrew Murray strives for perfection in each of his wines might be a bit of an understatement. In tasting his 2010 RGB, 2008 Espérance and 2009 Watch Hill Vineyard Syrah, I was very impressed with the consistency in balance and obvious craftsmanship by whom Food & Wine Magazine named "Taste Maker of the Year" and described him as, "One of the most fearsome talents in food and wine."

The 2010 RBG is a wine inspired by an early visit that Andrew made to the Rhone Valley. Andrew was tasting a white Chateauneuf-du-Pape and got very excited when he realized the wine smelled like "Juicy Fruit". He has been chasing that aroma for over 10 years and he feels that he has finally achieved it. I would have to say I agree.

This blend is 50% Roussanne and 50% Grenache Blanc, both from the Camp 4 Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. Upon pouring this wine into my glass and taking a smell, I was surprised and excited by the "Juicy Fruit" aroma, which blended perfectly with some light floral notes and a bit of honey. Such a great and refreshing smell for a hot Arizona summer night.

With the first taste, a very crisp and balanced, as well as fruit forward first impression consisting of a bit of pear with a bit of that honey from the nose. The body and structure were very impressive for a white wine and the finish lingered with a pleasant balance that was consistent through each step of tasting this wine.

At $25 a bottle, only 200 cases of this wine were produced. This wine is a perfect summer wine and paired beautifully with the cheese board and fruit that we started the night off with. It is available online at Andrew Murray Vineyards' website or in the Los Olivos, CA tasting room.

Rating: A

The 2008 Espérance is a true Rhone style GSM blend. Consisting of 60% Grenache Noir, 25% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre and at $30 a bottle, 400 cases of this Central Coast wine were produced. As the name of this wine states, Espérance translates into Hope from French, Andrew Murray "hopes" to inspire your senses, as his were over a decade ago on his visit to Southern France.

With the body and structure of the Grenache very evident, as well as providing the fruit forwardness of that grape, the Syrah adds a bit of spice, both on the nose and in the mouth, as well as providing the body and finish that the Syrah is known for. The Mourvedre steps in to provide a very nice floral note that rounds out this very balanced and incredibly food friendly wine.

When I first opened this bottle, I poured and tasted a bit too early and the wine was a touch hot on the nose and finish, so I decanted it and set it aside for about an hour and this wine opened up into a truly complex wine. This wine was clearly my favorite of the three I tasted. Andrew has created a masterpiece with this wine.

Rating: A+

The 2009 Syrah, Watch Hill Vineyard comes from the cool Los Alamos Valley, which allows the grapes to reach a nice maturity level that is evident in this full-bodied, yet not over powering, Syrah. I must admit, I am not a big fan of overly peppery, big Syrah wines. While the characteristics of a Syrah were clearly there in this wine, the balance and complexity set this wine apart.

The nose is bursting with deep red fruits, a touch of spice, some smoky oak and a hint of gun powder. I couldn't stop smelling this wine! The taste delivers on each of the aspects of the aroma, but add to that a very delicate floral note, provided by the 5% Viognier that was added to this vintage. The finish doesn't disappoint on this wine either and it left me longing for a big smokey rack of bar-b-que ribs to really pull out all of the complexity that this wine has to offer.

Although this was probably my least favorite of the three wines, that isn't saying I would not drink it again. It is coming with me to the next big summer bar-b-que I go to. At $36 a bottle, only 212 cases were produced.

Rating: B+

This sampling of Andrew Murray's wines made it clear as to why Robert Parker, Jr. called Andrew, "One of the shining stars in the Santa Barbara Firmament", and his wines "a breath of fresh air given their exceptionally high quality and realistic prices."

(These wines were generously provided by Andrew Murray Vineyards as tasting samples.)

Gay Wine Weekend 2011

Let me just start by saying that Gary Saperstein and Mark Vogler know how to put on a world-class event and Out in the Vineyard's Gay Wine Weekend is bound to be the "can't miss" annual event for the LGBT community in California Wine Country.


The First Annual Gay Wine Weekend was held June 17-19 in Sonoma. The weather, the events and the setting couldn't have been more perfect! Over 300 people attended the various events, starting with the VIP Reception at MacArthur Place on Friday evening. Not only were there three great wineries pouring at this event - Poem Cellars (whose Cab Franc was among my favorites of the whole trip - more on that in a future post), Highway 12 and Westwood - there were also tasty hors d'oeuvres and cocktails provided for those in attendance. As we left the event we were also handed a fun schwag bag that had items from the various sponsors. After the reception, "An Evening of Gay Comedy" was held to benefit the Sonoma Community Center, headlined by the very funny Judy Tenuta and featuring four other comedians, the evening was filled with laughs and helped raise much needed funds for a very worthy cause.


Saturday was all about wine tasting. Many of the participating wineries were offering tasting and wine specials, so we headed out to take advantage of those! Our day began as every day should, with bubbles! Gloria Ferrer was offering complimentary tastings to Gay Wine Weekend All-Access VIP ticket holders. The grounds, views and winery are spectacular. We sat on the outdoor patio and enjoyed three different sparkling wines. Our group's favorite was the 2002 Royal Cuvee, which for $32/bottle, it is a very solid sparkling wine. This 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay bubbly has received critical acclaim, as well as five Gold Medals at various wine competitions across the country.


After enjoying the patio and bubbles at Gloria Ferrer, we headed to the much anticipated and highly recommended "Mountain Top Tour" at Kunde. Although they weren't a participating winery, we were told it was a can't miss, with views of the Sonoma Valley that are second to none. More on Kunde in a future post.

After two great tastings and the tour of Kunde, it was time to stop by one of Sonoma's most beloved restaurants, the girl & the fig. Opened in 1997 by Sondra Bernstein, the girl & the fig is a must for anyone visiting Sonoma. Located in the historic Sonoma Square, it is the perfect lunch or dinner spot. The rustic French inspired menu has something for everyone and the freshness and quality of the food is truly something special.

With just a few hours to go before the Twilight T-Dance, we were able to do two more tastings, first we hit Ledson - beautiful location, not my favorite wines or tasting room experience - then we finished the day at Imagery Estate Winery. Imagery was a participating winery and provided free tastings. The tasting room walls are lined with the original works of art that are used on each of their bottles of wine, which provides for a very unique experience, as well as beautiful bottles of wine that not only contain great wine, but actual pieces of art. My favorite wine was the Dragonsleaf Syrah, which as the tasting notes accurately describe, is full of:

"dark, rich flavors of blackberry and raspberry with a rustic, spicy tobacco finish. Soft tannins slowly unveil an earthy quality, reminiscent of a redwood forest floor, while toasty oak essence wraps around all the flavors for a savory, evenly packaged wine."

Imagery was a great way to finish the day of tasting and I look forward to opening that bottle of Dragonsleaf Syrah soon.


It was then time to head to the spectacular Atwood Ranch for the Twilight T-Dance. To say that this venue is gorgeous, doesn't do it justice. The evening began with a VIP reception on a beautiful patio, with wines being poured by Sojourn Cellars and Audelssa - my favorite of the bunch was the Sojourn Cellars Spring Mountain Cab - hoping to get some soon, so I can write more about it.


Following the reception, everyone was ushered down to the barn for an evening of wine, food and dancing. Wine was being poured by a dozen different participating wineries and to pick a favorite out of the bunch would be nearly impossible. The very generous support of Benzinger Family Winery, Imagery Estate Winery, Eric Ross, Deerfield Ranch Winery, Muscardini Cellars, Enkidu, Loxton, B Wise Vineyards and Keating Wines at the T-Dance, made for a very fun night with some really great wines. Additionally, the food truck round-up provided options to fit everyone's taste and some great grub!

Despite all of the great food, wine and being able to spend time with friends and make new friends, the highlight of the evening for many was the spectacular sunset. It couldn't have been more perfect and many joked that those putting on the event did quite an amazing job staging the sunset for the event.


The Big Gay Brunch and Wine Auction on Sunday morning closed out the weekend with a bang. Hosted by El Dorado Kitchen, the event was filled with Mimosas, Bloody Mary's and laughs, as the 60 or so people in attendance bid feverishly over several wine lots and a wine country experience, with all proceeds benefiting Face to Face, Sonoma County AIDS Network.

To say the weekend was a smashing success is an understatement. And to think this is just the beginning of what Mark & Gary have in mind for what future Out in the Vineyard events will look like, I am already anxiously awaiting June 2012.

Additional Gay Wine Weekend coverage:
Gay Wine Weekend draws 350-400 to Sonoma Valley
Big Gay Brunch & Wine Auction

Ceja Vineyards | Vinum, Cantus, Amor

Vinum, Cantus, Amor (Wine, Song, Love) are not only the words that guide Ceja Vineyards, but you can practically taste them in every bottle of Ceja wine.

After decades of growing grapes in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the Ceja family founded Ceja Vineyards in 1999. Their first vintage was released in 2001 consisting of 750 cases. Over the next decade, that number would grow to 10,000 cases per year. With 113 producing acres of vineyards overseen by Armando Ceja in the Carneros, Silverado Trail and four other regions in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the focus on matching vine to terrior is evident in the quality of fruit produced. This quality is not only recognized in the premium wines produced by Ceja, but by the prominent list of clients who purchase or have purchased grapes from the Ceja's. That list includes Mumm, Signorello, Domaine Chandon and any others.

President Amelia Moran Ceja is the first Mexican-American woman to be president of a wine production company and has been recognized by numerous organizations for her contribution to the wine industry and also for leading Ceja Vineyards to become an Award-Winning Vintner. As Amelia says, she wears many hats, including: she is the contact person, a wine salesperson, a public relations person, the executive chef, a compliance specialist, a bookkeeper, a wine delivery person, a wine shipping person, a grape picker, and whoever else she needs to be. She also leads the company's social media presence. Ceja is leading the industry with their involvement in and use of social media, including blogging, facebook and twitter.

Helping Amelia maintain and grow that online presence are her son Ariel and daughter Dalia. Ariel joined the family business as General Manager and has instrumental in the growth through the opening of the tasting room in downtown Napa. Dalia was brought on as Director of Sales & Marketing and has been a driving force in the growth of Ceja through establishing relationships with retailers and restaurants.

Not only are the Ceja's producing quality wine, but also amazing food at Bistro Sabor in downtown Napa, just a block from their tasting room. When you're in Napa, you must stop by Bistro Sabor and if you're lucky enough to be there on a Saturday night, join in the salsa dancing from 10:00pm to 1:30am.

As for the wine, check back throughout this week as I do tastings of three of Ceja Vineyards quality wines. First I will be tasting the 2008 Napa Carneros Chardonnay, followed by their 2007 Carneros Pinot Nior, and ending with the 2007 Vino de Casa Red Blend.

(Full disclosure - Ceja Vineyards very generously provided me with samples of the Chardonnay and Pinot Nior, but I picked up the Vino de Casa at my local wine store.)