For several years now, we’ve heard that a
name change from Fumé Blanc to Sauvignon
Blanc would be more appropriate, given the
worldwide acceptance of the varietal.
Beginning last year, we conducted surveys to
several different audiences. At the center
of the issue was the question – “should we
make a name change to Sauvignon Blanc?”
What followed was an incredible response with many
people taking time to write well thought out
critiques – both for and against the change.
Ultimately, we decided to stick with tradition and
history – Fumé Blanc has become a part of the
lexicon at Dry Creek Vineyard.
One way that we’re looking to help demystify this
subject is through a new web site:
www.whatisfume.com.
It’s a terrific resource – chock full of fun facts
and interesting tidbits about Fumé Blanc. We also
plainly spell out the “true story” of this
misunderstood wine. We invite you to join us this
May for all things Fumé and throughout the summer
season. We look forward to seeing you!
Meritage Celebrates its 20th Anniversary
Winemaker's art form reaches a new milestone
Since our founding in 1972, blending varietals to
achieve depth and richness in our red wines has been
at the heart of our winery. Starting in the 1980s,
winery founder David Stare joined together with a
group of American vintners in an effort to give
definition to these “New World” Bordeaux
style blends. From this
initial concept, the term Meritage was born. Since
the 1985 vintage, we have used the phrase Meritage
to describe our premier Bordeaux style blends, incorporating the
noble
Bordeaux varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
In January 2008, the
Meritage Association
began a year-long celebration of the
phenomenal growth of Meritage during the
past two decades. As part of the
celebration, the association has launched a
global campaign to get the word out about
Meritage, creating educational materials,
tools and opportunities intended to help
broaden awareness of these exceptional
wines.
Our current release, the
2004 Mariner, represents
another step in our Meritage program. To learn
more or to purchase this wine, visit our
online store.
Second Generation
Family Winery
Family winery
continues winemaking excellence
Dry Creek Vineyard was founded by David S. Starein 1972.
Dave arrived in California with a dream to
build a winery modeled after a chateau from
the Loire Valley of France. As the first new
winery in Dry Creek Valley following
Prohibition, Dry Creek Vineyard paved the
way for a whole new era of winemaking in
Sonoma County.
Today, Kim Stare
Wallace(Dave’s daughter) and
husband, Don Wallace, run the day-to-day
business at Dry Creek Vineyard. With energy
and passion, this dynamic duo is wholly
committed to the quality of wines produced
at Dry Creek Vineyard. From winemaking and
viticulture, to sales and marketing, Kim and
Don are determined to build upon Dave’s
foundation to take their family winery to
even greater heights. With an emphasis on
appellation driven wines that reflect the
region’s unique terroir, Dry
Creek Vineyard continues to thrive on
Don and Kim
Wallace
the values
and principals put forth by
the family – hard work, dedication and
passion to make the best wine possible.
The family’s energy and passion also spills
over into their second love – sailing. Known
as the "wine
for sailors," each bottle of
Dry Creek Vineyard wine is adorned with a
unique sailboat label irrevocably tying the
family’s two passions together. Be it on the
high seas or at home making wine, the family
at Dry Creek Vineyard continues their
long-standing tradition of hard work,
integrity and perseverance.
Announcing: Private Tours & Tastings
By
reserveration only: Daily between 10:30 a.m. -
1:30 p.m.
We’re excited to
announce our new
tasting and tour
options. These
fun, interactive, and
educational programs are
designed for
groups of eight or more
who want a behind the scenes look at our winery.
“Fragrant, with zingy acidity that frames
the grapefruit, lemon-lime, guava, peach and
nectarine flavors. Has good intensity
and a persistent finish. Drink now.”
May will have a
mix of tastings and food and wine
pairings, as well as live music and
other treats —
all in appreciation of Fumé Blanc!
On Saturdays, you
can also take part in a classroom style
tasting of our flagship varietal. The
price is $15 per person for the general
public. Club Members are free.
We will offer these private tastings and
food pairings on:
Saturday, May 3, 10, 17
& 31 at 11:00 a.m.
Lounge in our picnic
grounds or shop in our tasting room.
We look forward to seeing you!
The debate rages. When do
you decant? Two schools of thought prevail -
those who want to open all wines days and
weeks before they're consumed and those who
believe that big, tannic, young wines
benefit from immediate decanting by getting
some air into them and that older wines
should be left alone.
Proprietor Kim Stare Wallace has
recently taken the plunge into the
new millennium by launching
a
winery blog.
Her goal is to share her life as a
female vintner (in an ever shrinking world of
family-owned and operated wineries), while
also trying to
balance being a wife, mother, and
daughter. You can
visit
her new blog by clicking the
link in the top right hand corner
above, or click here to visit:
www.wilmaswineworld.com.
