Wine notes: Tudal wins gold medal

Tudal Winery has been producing the premium Honker Blanc, a cabernet sauvignon, since 1979, but about a week ago it won a gold medal at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle wine competition. The announcement of winners was just divulged this week.

Calistogans already know what a great wine this is, so it’s no surprise that Wine Enthusiast also recently featured it as a best buy. The label features three noses that look like mountains with geese flying above them. According to the Tudal Web site the label was created as a tribute to the Canadian Geese who migrate over the riverside vineyard between Calistoga and St. Helena. This second vintage Honker Blanc is crisp and fruity. It is the solo white wine produced since Arnold’s 1981 Chardonnay, and, as winemaker Ron Vuylsteke is proud to point out, will be served at the Ducks Unlimited convention in Calistoga on Feb. 6! One extra note: Tudal’s newest vintage of Tractor Shed Red — from 2006 — snapped up a silver medal in the same SFC competition.

Wine Garage toasts first vintage

Joy and Todd Miller, owners of The Wine Garage, last week announced their very first wine release and plan to hold a wine pairing dinner at the couple’s new favorite restaurant, JoLe.

Matt and Sonja Spector, owners of JoLe, moved to Calistoga last summer from Philadelphia where their restaurant, Madyson, received rave reviews. The couple bring new energy and enthusiasm to the “Farm to Table” concept all us Californians enjoy. Todd and Matt designed the menu to pair perfectly with the Wine Garage’s first releases. The Millers and JoLe are looking forward to seeing their many local supporters at the restaurant at 6 p.m. The cost is $100 per person, plus tax, tip, and other beverages. JoLe is located at the Mount View Hotel, 1457 Lincoln Ave. Calistoga. Phone JoLe at 707-942-5938 to make a reservation.

Rev up your palate for taste of Bennett Lane

We can’t say enough here about how taste buds benefit from a bath in Bennett Lane’s cabernet — with its aromas of cocoa, cherry and plum. Subtle hints of all spice, cedar and toffee develop in the glass as the wine opens. So you’ll just have to try it yourself. Pencil in Feb. 7 & 8 to attend the release of Randy and Lisa Lynch’s 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. With their previous releases winning numerous accolades, the release of the 2006 vintage has been highly anticipated by fans of the 2005 vintage! The 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon received 91 Points from Wine Spectator magazine and the 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet a 93 Points from wine writer Robert Whitley. Not shabby at all!

Check out the new release and ask if they have any 2005 left from 10 to 5:30, both days. If you’re in their wine club get in early with their extended wine club only hours on Saturday morning from 9 to 11 a.m.

Summers is for lovers

Speaking of sweet deals in February, Summers Estate Wines are giving the ladies a complimentary rose in their favorite shade of red, pink or yellow on Valentine’s Day, but ladies, they’re not delivering so grab your partner and get him or her over to the winery that day for a release party for the 2007 Charbono and the 2006 Andriana’s Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon! Taste the award-winning red wines — the Charbono, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and zinfandel — and decide which is your favorite with a variety of chocolates on hand for this special day. There is a small fee for this special intimate event — $12 if you are (unfortunately) alone or $20 for the happy couple. Wine Club members get a real sweetheart deal with complimentary admission! The event is Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Summers Estate Wines, 1171 Tubbs Lane, here in Calistoga.

Hidden Ridge cabernet by DiGiulio released

Hidden Valley Ridge Vineyard, located in the mountains between Napa and Sonoma, has released its 2004 Hidden Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon.

Owners Casidy Ward and Lynn Hofacket own the 55-acre vineyard and the wine is made from clone 337 and clone 4 cabernet sauvignon vines grown on their upper and lower ridges on the Mayacamas Mountains. Winemaker is Calistoga school board President Marco DiGiulio. The wine is available for $75. For more information, visit www.hiddenridgevineyard.com.

Group seeks new members

The Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group, which was established in 1995 and is open to everyone, is seeking new members. It is a non-political organization striving to educate grape growers on sustainable farming practices by providing monthly member forums and education, annual Spanish and English seminars, and free online information.