Vacation trip to Lodi and Sonoma – Aug 2019 – Day 3

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1567022208503{margin-top: 300px !important;}”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”900px”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]DAY 3 . . . We woke fairly early as the A/C continued to struggle ALL NIGHT and it just got to be too much listening to it.  I think it was still in the low 80s at 7am . . .Not my favorite.  We quickly took ourselves on the road to our first stop of the day.  This stop is another of those that is widely known and I was encouraged by Steve Saxton to get there early and enjoy the breakfast.  I mostly know of Michael David Winery because of their Freakshow label.  As it turns out, they do have much more than that to offer.  The Phillips family has been farming this area since the 1850s.  Their business actually started as a fruit stand.  So to pay homage to those humble beginnings, their tasting room also contains a small cafe and a fruit/vegetable area as well as an extensive wine tasting area.  My bottom line for this stop is. . .I really enjoyed the breakfast.

Michael David Winery

2018 Sauvignon Blanc – Light nose . . slightly citrus . . .more acid than fruit

2018 Viognier – Light nose . . .very little fruit, a touch of peach and pear.

2016 Freakshow Red Blend – Their biggest seller . . .Dark cherries and plums on the nose with a bit of chocolate and coffee . . .goes quite dry . . little to no fruit on palate

2016 Earthquake Zinfandel – From old vines planted in 1906. . . Plum jam on nose . . .silky mid with light fruit flavors . . .nice baking spice, sort of like cherry pie . . .Easy soft finish

2016 Earthquake Petite Sirah – Similar nose to the Zin with a bit more spice . . .Heavy body and much more tannins . . .Nice solid fruit in the middle with a dry finish.

Really  only liked 1 out of 5 . . .disappointing.  But it does continue to reinforce that many times, the small producers create more to my palate.  See, I am learning!!

 

It was time to leave the confines of Lodi and to venture on toward Sonoma County.

 

We headed west along Hwy 12 through the California Delta, a confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.  It looked like a pretty great area for boating, fishing and various other water sports.  And WINDY . . .man!!!  Driving a tall vehicle across the area is an adventure.  After about an hour we arrived at Domaine Carneros, the California arm of the famed Taittinger family champagne house.  The building itself is quite impressive.  It is inspired by the classic 18th century Château de la Marquetterie in Champagne, France.  I was pretty excited to see how their sparklings stacked up.

 

Domaine Carneros

We decided to get their Sparkling Sampler.  Four tastes that, hopefully, reflect their take on California Sparkling wine.  I wasn’t able to handle the bottles so I did not get the vintages for any of these, but if they were consistent with their website, these would have been 2014 wines.

Ultra Brut – Very fresh and slightly tart aromas . . .Very fine bubbles . . .flavors of refined and crisp citrus with a minerality that promotes a desire for more . . .My fave of this stop.

Estate Brut Cuvee – 50% Chardonnay – 50% Pinot Noir . . .Bright aromas and flavors with a bit more texture than the previous. . . more melon and pear flavors . .also had very fine bubbles.

Brut Rose’ – Slightly floral aromas with strawberry . . .flavors of strawberry and peach.

Vermeil Demi-Sec – Much more fruit on this . . . peach, pear and a bit of honey . . .more texture and sweetness.  My wife’s fave.

The views in the chateau are mostly of the vineyards and the surrounding terrain.  But in just the right spot, you can see across the valley.  Very picturesque.

 

Our next stop was at Jacuzzi Winery, but more specifically The Olive Press.�If you are a fan of flavored olive oil and vinegars this is a Must stop.

The next winery stop was to be Cline Cellars . .  and we did attempt it. . .but my wife took ill, so we decided to call it a day and drive on to our base of operations for the next 9 days . . WorldMark Windsor Resort . . so that she could rest and recover.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][dt_fancy_title title=”Photo Gallery” title_align=”left” title_size=”h3″ title_color=”accent”][vc_media_grid element_width=”2″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1567718484706-a714c7f5-d2c1-10″ include=”15679,15680,15687,15690,15699,15707″ css=”.vc_custom_1567718710707{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row]