FORTINET CHAMPIONSHIP: BLIND TASTING
2021 TRES SABORES, FARINA VINEYARD, sonoma mountain, SAUVIGNON BLANC
A Sauvignon Blanc from legendary vintner and winemaker Julie Johnson who has been farming and making her wine in Rutherford Napa Valley for over 30 years. This SB is sourced from a small, organically farmed mountainside vineyard on Sonoma Mountain.
2020 GROTH, ‘HILLVIEW,’ NAPA VALLEY, CHARDONNAY
As the very first winery to score 100 points in Napa Valley in 1985, Groth has been producing classically styled wines from the jewel of Napa Valley in Oakville for over four decades. Their estate Chardonnay from the Hillview Vineyard sits at the north end of Oak Knoll at the border of Yountville just at the base of the Mayacamas was planted in 1996 and is sustainably farmed.
2018 WESTWOOD, SONOMA COUNTY, PINOT NOIR,
A 100 point Napa Valley winemaker does Sonoma County Pinot Noir. Since taking over the historic Annadel Gap in Russian River Valley, the Westwood team has not only converted the estate to Demeter Certified Biodynamic and Certified Organic, they’ve also enlisted famed winemakers Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky to oversee production. The Sonoma County bottling is comprised of grapes from not only the Annadel Gap Vineyard, but also Terre de Promissio vineyard in Petaluma Gap.
2018 hoopes, napa valley, cabernet sauvignon
It’s farming first at this small family operation who from 1983 to 1999 sold their grapes to vintners in Napa Valley, never making wine themselves. When they began bottling wines from their 10-acre estate in Oakville, Hoopes became one of the best kept secrets in Napa Valley. The wines always keep a modest price point despite their prized terroir that sits within a stone’s throw to the famed To Kalon vineyard. And even though the Hoopes Cabernet Sauvignon continues to be the steal of the century, those of us “in the know” also know that the people here are really what makes this place special.