It was almost like Jack Nicklaus teaching the young Tiger Woods all about the world and life of golf except that Joel Peterson makes world renowned Zinfandel and I write a wine blog. A man with over 30 years experience in the wine industry compared to a man with almost 3 years experience in the wine industry. I was invited to have dinner with
Joel Peterson (the founder and winemaker of Ravenswood),
Virginie Boone of the Press Democrat,
Lisa Klinck-Shea of Folsom & Associates, and
Ziggy "The Wine Gal" Eschliman (but she wasn't able to make it) at the restaurant
Syrah Bistro in Santa Rosa.
Thanks to
Angela Saunders and
Lisa Klinck-Shea of Folsom & Associates for making it a reality. This was the first time I had dinner with a winemaker or interviewed a winemaker. I woke up in the morning and wondered, “Is this real or am I dreaming that I’m going to meet Joel Peterson of Ravenswood?” I just moved to Sonoma County a few weeks ago, I’m almost at a loss for words (and I’m a blogger who is supposed to write about this once in a lifetime experience?) I walked into the restaurant and there was Joel, hanging out and waiting with a glass of Bruno Paillard, Premiere Cuvee, Reims-France NV. He basically said that everyday he trys to always start a great meal with Champagne/Sparkling wine. Now that’s how to do it right!! I informed him that I just started the
MBA Wine Business Program at Sonoma State . It's the first MBA Wine Business Program in the US. He also told me he’s thinking of writing a book but he’s hesitating because he doesn’t feel he’s a good writer. I say if “Jose Canseco can write a book, anyone can!!!” Go for it Joel!!!
So one of the reasons for this meeting/dinner was to showcase and taste the upcoming release of the Ravenswood Vineyard Designate wines, which I never knew existed nor tasted until now. So I was respectfully informed that he’s been making these wines since 1976 (a year after I was born). Now I heard about Ravenswood back in my Wealth Management days of the “Dot Com” years of the 90’s because one our advisors was trying to advise him as a client but I never knew Ravenswood went public. Joel informed me that in 1999 they went public at $10.50 a share and raised $10.5 million in cash for only 20% of the corporation. Those days, we were wondering if the Nasdaq was going to hit 5,000. My early experience with Zinfandel was with Rosenblum Cellars in Alameda for their new release tasting events only because I used to live in the East Bay. I remember going to the Rosenblum new release tasting events and seeing a table set up to seek investors to help Rosenblum expand their business. Back then I thought, “Invest in a winery? How about a tech stock?” Later I hear, Rosenblum is sold to Diageo for $105 million. Joel kindly informs me that they sold Ravenswood to Constellation Brands for $148 million and he’s Senior Vice President and a member of the Senior Executive team of Constellation Wines US. A true entrepreneur!! Click here for the press release of the transaction.
So we ordered our food and then we started tasting the wines.
2007 Dickerson Vineyard Zinfandel - 100% Zin. Vines from the 1920's around prohibtion time. You could only make wine at home. On the palate - Raspberries, Spices, and Eucalyptus. 1,060 cases. Retail is $35.
2007 Big River Zinfandel - 100% Zin. Vines from early 1900's in Alexander Valley. On the palate - Plums and jammy. 980 cases. Retail $35.
2007 Belloni Zinfandel - 78% Zin, 22% Mixed Blacks (Alicante Boschet, Carignane, Grenache, Petite Sirah). On the palate - Spicey, (I love spicey Zin and spicey food, this was one of my favorites) 1,300 cases. Retail $35.
2007 Barricia Zinfandel - 76% Zin, 24% Petite Sirah. Vines from the 1850's. On the palate - lots of berries, spices. 1845 cases. Retail $35.
2007 Old Hill Zinfandel - 76% Zin, 24% Mixed Blacks (15 total varietals). Vines from 1889 Organically farmed. On the palate - Blackberries, spices. 1180 cases. Retail $60.
2007 Teldeshi Zinfandel - 76% Zin, 22% Petite Sirah, 2% Carignane. Vines from 1900-1910. On the palate - Black cherries, vanilla. 3560 cases. Retail $35.
2007 Icon Mixed Blacks - 36% Carignane, 27% Petite Sirah, 25% Zin, 12% Mixed Blacks. Vines from 1905. Joel mentioned that this should've been California's unique wine. This will age very well. On the palate - raspberries, blackberries, rich. 1070 cases. Retail $75.
2006 Pickberry - 74% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon. Joel mentioned that these wines are like high end Bordeaux style wines and a better price of $50 per bottle. 1600 cases.
In this photo from left to right, Virginie Boone, Josh Silvers (Chef/Owner of Syrah Bistro), Joel Peterson and me. Thank you Lisa Klinck-Shea of Folsom & Associates for taking the photos. We forgot to take one with you.
My favorites were the Belloni and the Teldeschi. The Grilled Lamb Sirloin was really good. An unforgettable night. Highly recommend Syrah Bistro if you're coming up here in Wine Country. The only downside of the night was that we had to use a bucket to dump out the excess wine that was poured. You can't drink 8 glasses of wine during one dinner!! Joel Peterson is a man full of life, a family man and a man living a dream. I hope to join this club someday.
And of course... the highlight of the night...No Wimpy Wines!!!
Hey Joel!! If you're reading this...write that book!!
I hope your palate takes off with these wines. I know mine did.
Have a Nice Flight!!!
Andy Gamitian
Founder
Flights Wine Blog
gamitian@yahoo.comhttp://www.flightswineblog.com/
