by Serena on February 28, 2013
We were delighted to hear that the our Floodgate Pinot Noir was being featured in the fourth course of the Chef’s tasting menu at Dry Creek Kitchen. The pairing created by Chef de Cuisine, Dustin Valett, and Sommelier, Drew Munro, is delicious.
Crispy pork belly with a saffron roasted pepper piperade, parsley relish, black garlic with the 2010 Floodgate Vineyard Pinot Noir
Alas, it was eaten before a photo was taken so when we are there next, we’ll get a photo for you. Or, if you’re in town, stop by Dry Creek Kitchen and let us know what you think of the pairing.
http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/DryCreekKitchen/Menu/
- Serena
by Serena on January 31, 2013
We are delighted to announce that the three Pinot Noirs submitted to the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition all won awards. The 2009 Floodgate Vineyard Pinot Noir received a double gold and both of our 2010 vineyard designate wines (2010 Floodgate Vineyard Pinot Noir and the 2010 Perli Vineyard Pinot Noir) won silvers. Congratulations Alan! – Serena
by Serena on December 4, 2012
by Serena on December 3, 2012
We had a great discussion with USA Today reporter Laura Petrecca, about how winemakers are using technology to deliver information to their consumers. It’s neat to see which technologies wineries are embracing and how they are using them to reach people. For us, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are great platforms to quickly share information about what’s happening with Cartograph, as well as, to see and hear how people are enjoying with the wines. I am always humbled when I see a mention of someone bringing our wine to a dinner with friends or enjoying it with a meal they cooked at home. I love that people post photos of the bottles of wine they enjoy, it helps me connect to them beyond what happens in the tasting room. Using social media tools, people get their questions about the wines or the harvest season answered directly by us which is a great way to share information and ensure it is accurate. Laura’s article is out in today’s edition of USA Today. Read the article – Serena
by Serena on November 20, 2012
My favorite part of Thanksgiving is coming together with friends and family and sharing a meal. Everybody slows down a bit for a 
couple of days and we appreciate the time spent together and the delicious smells and tastes of the meal. Beyond the beautiful colors and flavors of the meal, I love how the wines Alan makes dance with a Thanksgiving dinner. Here are our Thanksgiving menus based on the Floodgate Vineyard and Perli Vineyard Pinot Noirs:
Floodgate Vineyard Thanksgiving
Start with the 2010 Floodgate Pinot Noir then open the 2009 Floodgate Pinot Noir
- Mushroom and leek soup
- Spinach & persimmon salad
- Green beans with ginger and cashews
- Spiced tea cranberry sauce
- Traditional herbed turkey with gravy (vegetarian option: Wild mushroom and butternut squash bread pudding)
- Sourdough, wild mushroom, and bacon stuffing
- Soft herb rolls
- Pear-cherry pie with an almond crust
- Spiced pumpkin layer cake with cream cheese frosting
Perli Vineyard Thanksgiving
Start with the 2010 Perli Pinot Noir then open a 2009 Perli Pinot Noir
- Spiced pumpkin soup
- Harvest salad with butternut squash, pomegranate, and pecans
- Juniper and herb roasted turkey (vegetarian option: Sweet potato gnocchi with mushrooms and spinach)
- Fig and sausage stuffing
- Cranberry, fig chutney
- Roasted beets with a hint of cinnamon
- Squash dinner rolls
- Pumpkin pie
- Pecan pie
We also always have Gewürztraminer on the table. It’s a great way to start things off but also is dynamic enough to sip on throughout these meals. This year it’ll be the 2011 Floodgate Vineyard Gewürztraminer. The beautiful honeysuckle, citrus nose and dry finish will compliment the spices used across all the Thanksgiving dishes and tastes delicious with turkey.
As for the leftovers the day after, make turkey sliders and open a bottle of the 2010 Russian River Pinot Noir.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Serena
by Serena on October 22, 2012
We had a great time pouring for the third year in a row at Pinot on the River which was right on the main plaza in Healdsburg. The weather was gorgeous, the crowd was interesting and inquisitive, and the wines showed beautifully.
Alan and I decided to pour the newly released 2010 Floodgate Vineyard Pinot noir and the 2009 Floodgate Vineyard Pinot noir side by side. The 2010 vineyard designate has three Pinot clones – 667, Pommard, and 828. Given the unusually cool spring and summer, we picked the fruit two weeks later than the 2009 Floodgate Vineyard Pinot noir. Given that we picked the 2010 at lower sugar levels and higher acidity than 2009, this wine is racy and vibrant and has a delicateness that is very different than the opulent lushness of the 2009. The 2009 Floodgate Pinot had a much warmer growing season and is four clones of Pinot – 777, 667, 828, and Pommard. Also, given that it is a year older, the 2009 is showing more of the earthy soul that defines Floodgate Vineyard. It was really fun to see people’s reactions to both wines and to talk through how the wines are different and simultaneously similar.
It’s an amazing event to be able to taste such a variety of Pinot from limited production west coast Pinot noir winemakers. Mark your calendars for next year, it’s a Sonoma County wine weekend you won’t want to miss. - Serena
