S.F. Wine & Cocktail Examiner
Green Wines and More Near Redding
Green and organic wines have been all the rage for some time in the wine business. I have noticed the trend blossom in other areas, like detergent and every possible food product. So I guess the idea of a green hotel was a no-brainer.
Phillip LaRocca pours some of his organic wines.
While many large chains offer green components, Gaia, which opened property on Highway 29 on the way to Napa, two years ago, is truly focused on being what is calls the "world's greenest hotel." The company just debuted a second in the tiny hamlet of Anderson, just outside of Redding. The 120-room hotel opened in May and will feature a green and organic menu and wine list when its restaurant opens in late fall.
The Swan Lake Bistro, named after the gracious (and supposedly friendly) swans that populate the hotel's inner lake, will feature "environmentally sustainable local, fusion cuisine," according to restaurant consultant Jon Stadille. Base ingredients will be drawn heavily from local farmers markets and the wine list is slated to feature only wines from Shasta-Butte County.
Local, certified organic producer LaRocca will be a featured part of the lineup. Phillip LaRocca, the winery's owner was the area's first certified organic apple grower and given his Italian background naturally progressed to making wine. Gaia plans on featuring his sparkling wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Zinfandel. I really enjoyed his 2005 Syrah, with rich, red cherry fruit and spice.
Few wineries actually take the step to get certified organic as it's legally complicated and expensive. It's unusual and exciting to try these wines. While I enjoyed many of them, I also feared that some might have been somewhat oxidized at a tasting I did with Phillip on the way up to Anderson. Potential oxidation and or spoilage is one of the industry's biggest concerns with these wines so only time will tell what the limitations of organic farming with grapes may be.
More than the wine list is green at Gaia. The carpets are recycled and the swan lagoons are designed to "invite Pacific bird migration," according to general manager Steve Kinder. So visiting ducks may be paying a visit to the swans sometime soon. Also the whole property was designed with Feng Shui in mind, accounting for some of the surprising curves in the rooms and buildings. Perhaps the coolest and most psychedelic piece is that the laundry facility, according to Steve, uses a technology from NASA to both clean and sterilize the linens. Wow! Beam me up.
On your way out of town don't forget to stop at Lulu's in Redding for fantastic Bloody Marys and enormous scrambles! Cheers,Liza the Wine Chick.
A spicy Bloody Mary at Lulu's will curve your hangover.