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| What to Buy ’07 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc Bright forward apple, kiwi, honeysuckle, lychee. Lemon grass, melon, pear $16 ‘04 Napa Valley Merlot Dark, rich, chocolaty, mocha, currant, blackberry, coffee grounds $24 ’04 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Dark chocolate, black fruit, toasty oak, vanillan. Full, black cherry, ripe tannins $28 ’04 Napa Valley Syrah Ripe blackberry, cranberry, coffee, earthy spice. Long viscous finish $26 Getting There |
?Nearly 750 acres of vineyards, divided between the Napa, Alexander, and Russian River Valleys grow the grapes that become the wines of White Oak Vineyards & Winery. From the Napa Valley come the reds—Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. From Russian River Valley come the whites—Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. And from the 80-year-old vines on the winery’s Alexander Valley estate comes a legendary Zinfandel. White Oak Vineyards & Winery’s story started in the 1970s, when Founder Bill Myers purchased a vineyard in Alexander Valley and began to make small lots of handmade artisan-quality wines. He quickly became recognized for producing outstanding Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc. In 1991, Bill took home his first Sonoma County Harvest Fair Sweepstakes Award for his 1990 Sonoma County Chardonnay. In 1997, Bill partnered with Don Groth of Burdell Properties to pursue his vision of expanding the winery and thereby creating the foundation of today’s White Oak. As a result, White Oak Vineyards & Winery draws from almost 750 acres of prime grape real estate, using roughly ten percent of the fruit in White Oak wines. They currently produce five artisan quality wines for national distribution, plus two Estate wines, only available through the tasting room in Alexander Valley. The tasting room is part of an impressive hospitality center built on a 17-acre vineyard site. A stunning fountain greets guests as they arrive, followed by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable tasting room staff. Wine tasting is offered daily and the wide courtyard suggests a relaxing picnic there—or among the Old Vine Zinfandel grapevines. The first Zinfandel vines here date back to 1929 and 1935. Bill has since added small lots of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc to the site. |
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Special events are scheduled here regularly, including wine club dinners, barrel tastings, and the celebrated Taste of the Valley each June. The winery’s website has a full calendar of upcoming events. |
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