For the first quarter of 2012 Seven Sisters is featuring three local wineries
and three distinct varietal styles with very different characteristics.
Gianelli Vineyards
It has been said that in some of the oldest wine growing regions of Europe, a person can actually taste the story of a vineyard with each sip they take. At Gianelli Vineyards & Winery, their wines capture that same essence of place and tradition. Although Ron and Lorie Gianelli have been making their wines for just a few years, the history of their family, their land, and even their winemaking practices are part of a legacy that stretches back through countless generations. The story truly begins with Giovani Rocca, who married into the Gianelli family in the late 1800’s. After his marriage, Giovani purchased a large amount of acreage just outside Jamestown – land which today is used in part for the Gianelli vineyards. In Giovani’s day his property was the site for a working cattle ranch, gold mining camp, and was a major stagecoach stop for supplies coming into Jamestown. Giovani was quite a character, and was even reported to give food and aid to the infamous Joaquin Murrieta when he’d pass through town. In 1980 Ron Gianelli purchased the property from his grand aunt Edna Collard. Having grown up in an agricultural family, Ron always knew that he would one day return to farming and to his family’s roots in Jamestown
Gianelli Vineyard’s 2008 Dolcetto
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GOLD Medal Winner/2011 S.F. Chronicle Wine Competition. This Dolcetto is intense, clean, pleasing and refined with elegant aromas which starts with hints of cherry, blackberry and plum followed by aromas of violet, peaches, raspberry blueberry anis and strawberry. |
St. Amant Barbera 2009- Lodi, Ca
St.Amant Winery is a small family owned winery located in Lodi, California that prides itself in producing handcrafted wines of superb quality. Focusing on Mediterranean grapes, St.Amant crafts distinctive wines from Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian varietals in addition to California’s own Zinfandel.
The grapes for all St.Amant wines, whether from Lodi or our own vineyard in the Sierra Foothills of Amador County, are carefully grown and selected for producing fruit of top quality. St.Amant strongly believes that all great wines are made in the vineyard, and meticulously focuses on low yields with concentrated intense fruit flavors.
In 1979 St.Amant Winery began its evolution into the world of unique varietals by grafting over 2 acres of Zinfandel vines to five traditional Douro Valley Portuguese varieties. Tinta Cao, Touriga, Alvarelhao, Souzao, and Bastardo were all introduced into St.Amant’s vineyard in the foothills of Amador County. Tim Spencer, owner and winemaker, having developed a passion for Porto anuese grapes in California soil. The results proved to be very rewarding. The 1981 St.Amant, his first Vintage Port, still stands as a testament to all that is possible from these unique varietals. http://stamantport.com/index.html
Chatom Vineyards “2006 Esmeralda Syrah” http://www.chatomvineyards.com
The vineyard is nestled in the breathtaking Esmeralda Valley of Calaveras County, in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California. The noteworthy Sierra Foothill region is now experiencing a resurgence of accolades, with the “Gold Rush” coming from medals and awards for handcrafted wines of the highest quality and recognition for grape growing.
The Esmeralda Valley was originally planted with low-field crops, fruit and nut trees when Gay Callan, owner and native San Franciscan (as well as 5th generation Californian) started her adventure. Today the vineyard boasts 14 varietals of grapes planted on 65 acres including, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, Brunello Sangiovese and 5 Portuguese varietals. Chatom began producing wines under a custom crush program in 1985, but quickly out-grew itself. This growth justified the construction of the Winery and Tasting Room, which opened in early 1991. The winery is located just 2 miles west of Historic Murphys on scenic Highway 4 in Calaveras County.
In 2004, Chatom Vineyards was honored to bring in Mark Kunz as the winemaker. Mark’s 20 years of experience in winemaking has given him the patience and knowledge needed to produce our quality Chatom wines. He started his career at Piper Sonoma, then worked at B.R.Cohn, and was at Matanzas Creeek for over a decade. Chatom is certain that Mark’s experience, knowledge and handcrafted artistry will continue the long history of award-winning Chatom wines.
2006 Esmeralda Syrah – Intense and rich color. Introduction of vanilla, dark cherries, white pepper and light rose aromas. Flavors of smooth and intense dark chocolate, black cherries and ripe plum, tobacco and oak.
A full-bodied and lingering finish. This wine will cellar well for several years.
