12/8/2023 0 Comments Vezer 2013 petite sirahMaking only 200 cases of wine per year, Steve is very hands-on, using native yeasts and fermenting in puncheons. And, in 2007, Steve started Tenbrink Family Winery. One of the winemakers he sold wine to told Steve that if he built a winery, he would teach him how to make wine. But in 1996 Steve began growing grapes and selling them. They found a property in 1982, built a house, planted a fruit orchard, and built a fruit stand. Steve and Linda Tenbrink drove through the Suisun Valley on the way from the Bay Area to Lake Berryessa. Next time you head to Napa, perhaps head to the back side of Napa Valley and visit one of these wineries in the Suisun Valley. There are 12 small, family-owned wineries welcoming guests to taste their wines. White grapes include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Albarino, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, and more.Įighty percent of the vineyards in the Suisun Valley are family-owned, and all are Certified California Green. The primary red grape is Petite Sirah but other red grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Barbera, Teroldego, Grenache, Carignane, Mourvedre, Primitivo, Aglianico, Malbec, Chabono, and even Pinot Noir. There are more than 3,000 acres planted to more than 28 varieties of wine grapes in the Suisun Valley. The “lower valley” is windy and the coolest part where even Pinot Noir can grow the “mid-valley” is where the winds are buffered by the mountains resulting in idyllic growing conditions for a variety of grapes the “upper valley”, the warmest area, is where the canyons lead into Napa Valley. Only eight miles long and three miles wide, there are three distinct climate zones. In a Mediterranean climate with a marine influence, cool winds come in from the bays and help the grapes mature. George range, the Suisun Valley is also influenced by the San Pablo and Suisun Bays. ![]() Surrounded by the Vaca Mountains and the St. Originally home to the Patwin tribe, the name “Suisun” is a Patwin word that means “where the west wind blows”. It is under the North Coast AVA that you have likely had a wine from the Suisun Valley. And, in 1983, the Suisun Valley was inducted into the North Coast AVA which includes the AVAs of Napa and Sonoma. ![]() The Suisun Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) was established in 1982, making it the 12th AVA established in California. In fact, grapes have been cultivated in this area since the 1800s. The Suisun Valley lies on the backside (southeast side) of Napa Valley where the two regions share a county line. How is that possible? Where is the Suisun Valley? What is the Suisun Valley? Well, after reading this, you might start saying, “See you in Suisun!”. There is a likely chance you have not heard of the Suisun Valley but an equally likely chance you have had wines made from grapes from the Suisun Valley. Only 20 minutes from Napa Valley, it is worth a visit to the Suisun Valley, as I wrote about in Monarch.wine and share here. Have you heard of the Suisun Valley? It is possible you have not but you have likely had wines with grapes from there. But on the southside (or backside) of Napa is the Suisun Valley. Many you likely know, such as Sonoma, Anderson Valley, and Mendocino. Cooking classes are scheduled regularly (August featured Everything Tomato).Napa Valley may be thought of as the mecca of wine in California but it is surrounded by other wine regions. ![]() ![]() The minimum is 1,000 pounds, less in a communal oil. In addition to milling their own oil, this facility mills for others. All of the olive groves and everything else used here is organic. We were taught to swirl the oil to release aromas. My tasting included those two as well as a bigger, more pungent Green Valley Estate and their Signature balsamic vinegar reduction-each with a tiny seasonal tidbit that enhanced the flavors. The Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company facility makes 13 different kinds of extra virgin oil here, including a delicate, smooth Moraiolo that is great on a salad or omelette, and a gentle-but-spicy Jalapeno-Lime that is divine on fish and tacos (did you know there are thousands of varieties of olive oil?). Roosters crow and chickens cluck at this olive oil mill that makes international quality oil and whose name means “little flower” in Italian. Tasting daily 1-5pm, $5 tour at 11am, by appt., $25.
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