Autumn 2006 Newsletter

We've just concluded the 2006 crush season, which brought one of the wackiest growing seasons in memory to an unexpectedly smooth finale. Ophir winemaker Mike Abbott puts purple stained hands to word processor in his article describing the rollercoaster 2006 growing season, which ultimately produced slightly lower yields but phenomenal color and balance in the new wines. He also offers some thoughts on how and why small artisan wineries take advantage of the variance in each vintage year. To read the full winemaker's report on the harvest and the wines please visit: Early Report on the 2006 Vintage

New Release -- 2004 Syrah

We've released our 2004 Syrah! It's now available direct from the winery and at local farmers' markets, and we're getting it out to our retail shops and restaurants. The characteristic Syrah flavors of blackberries and ripe plums are made more complex by blending with 15% Mourvedre. Smooth and elegant texture, baking spice and black pepper aromas emerging, long finish. The '04 Syrah will improve noticeably over the next six months, and will reward your patience if you hold onto it for two to five years. Estate grown from Paul Burns' Gold Blossom Vineyard, which many of our customers have enjoyed visiting. Suggested retail price is $18. Buy a case for those fall feasts and holiday gifts!.

Coming Attraction -- 2004 Petite Sirah

Our customers have been clamoring for the successor to the very popular 2002 Petite Sirah (Reserve). The wait is nearly over, as we bottled the 2004 Petite Sirah (Reserve) a few months ago and we're planning on releasing it November 1, in time for the holidays. We only offer Petite Sirah in vintage years when both quality and quantity promise a special wine. The 2004 is indeed a special wine, a classic California blend of 80% Petite Sirah (from our vineyards and a Granite Bay grower) with 20% Zinfandel (from our Gold Blossom Vineyard). Aged 22 months in American and European barrels. Characteristic firm structure, emerging aromas and flavors of black pepper, blueberry, plum and barbecue smoke, lovely balance. The 2004 Petite Sirah will develop over the next five years and hold for a decade at least. Limited production, suggested retail price $25.

Upcoming Events

AUBURN WINE FESTIVAL -- October 14th, 2006

Wine Tasting in the Gold Country!

The 4th Annual Auburn Wine Festival is tomorrow and tickets are still available.
Park your car and stroll the streets of this historic Gold Rush community tasting the wines from more than a dozen Sierra Foothill wineries and delectable food prepared by some of the area's finest chefs.

Placer County wineries — Green Family Winery, Ophir Wines, Pescatore Winery, Mt. Vernon Winery, Secret Ravine Winery, Fawnridge Winery, Rancho Roble, Dono Dal Cielo and Viña Castellano will be joined by other foothill wineries — Naggiar Vineyard & Winery, Solune, Lucchessi, Smith, Sierra Knoll, Renaissance and Pilot Peak wineries will be pouring during the Auburn Wine Festival. Several of these wineries are not open to the public so this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to sample these wines.

Ticket location:

Christmas Village
878 High Street
Auburn, CA 95603
Call: (530) 885-9644 for tickets or more information.
More Information: Auburn Wine Festival

Ophir Winemakers' Dinner at the Monkey Cat -- October 19th, 2006

One of our favorite local restaurants is hosting our autumn winemakers' dinner. This dinner will feature the newly-released 2004 Syrah and the sold-out Grenache produced from local grower, John Geraghty's Auburn vineyard. All wines are included in the dinner price.
Call: (530) 888-8492 for more information or to make reservations.
Information: Monkey Cat

Fall in the Foothills -- Placer Hills Winery Tour

Date: Saturday & Sunday, November 11th & 12th, 2006
Hours: 11 AM to 4 PM
Cost: Free!
More information: www.PlacerHillsWineTour.com
Call: (530) 823-8030 for more information
What's Happening: Wine Tasting in the Gold Country!

All ten (yes, there are now 10!) of Placer County's commercial wineries are holding open houses on this November Weekend. This is a self-guided tour of the wineries so be sure to visit www.placerhillswinetour.com to get the map and print out the driving directions.

Come and spend a late autumn afternoon with us in the foothills of Placer county and taste the award-winning wines that are being produced in here.

Please note that not all wineries will be open both days, so be sure to make a note of which wineries will be open on the day you plan to visit.

More information, maps and printable driving directions: www.placerhillswinetour.com