When wine bloggers met in Santa Rosa, California last November it included an opportunity to visit Fetzer-Bonterra, Mendocino County. This year Fetzer is celebrating it 50th year. Fetzer Vineyards, founded in 1968, has become one the largest wine producers in the county. In the 1980's Fetzer became a leader in establishing sustainable farming in Mendocino County. Moreover, it is a pioneer in California's sustainability movement. By the 1990's, with the establishment of Bonterra Vineyards, Fetzer-Bonterra became not only a pioneer in growing organic grapes but also one of the top US certified organic wine brands. Fetzer-Bonterra's influence is obvious given today 25% of Mendocino County's wine production is organic. This makes the county the largest producer of organic wine in California. Fetzer, now celebrating its 50th, was sold to the Chilean owned Concha y Torro in 2011.
Experiencing Fetzer's 50th first-hand made for a perfect #WBC17 November excursion to Mendocino County. Without a doubt respecting nature during the wine making process is what Fetzer is all about. Next day, we would continue our Wine Bloggers Conference explorations of Fetzer-Bonterrra at Bonterra Vineyards, McNab Ranch. After a most delightful excursion we returned to our Santa Rosa hotel on the Fetzer-Bonterra buses. I invite you to join me in my California wine country explorations in search of the best in Spaswinefood.
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| Fetzer Vineyards, Hopland © Spaswinefood |
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| Barn, Fetzer Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
An hour after leaving Santa Rosa we arrived at the Fetzer Vineyards Barn, Hopland. Given it was a rainy afternoon we were glad to know that our afternoon activities were indoors.
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| Fetzer Vineyards on a Rainy Day © Spaswinefood |
A November Afternoon at Fetzer
When we arrived at the Fetzer Barn we were happy to sample a few wines.
Amongst the wines available for tasting included:
Fetzer Vineyards, Monterey Gewurztraminer 2016
Fetzer Vineyards, Sundial Chardonnay 2016
There were also some North Coast Brewing Co. beers available for tasting.
After welcoming toasts with Fetzer wines there were conversations about sustainability and carbon farming. We were also introduced to guests from North Coast Brewing Co.
We were indeed thankful for the warm blankets on a cold wet November afternoon.
1000 Stories Blending Competition
Next on the agenda was a Blending Competition introduced by winemaker Bob Blue.
When we arrived at the Fetzer Barn we were happy to sample a few wines.
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| Welcoming Toasts, Fetzer Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
Fetzer Vineyards, Monterey Gewurztraminer 2016
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| Fetzer Vineyards, Monterey Gewurztraminer 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Fetzer Vineyards, Sundial Chardonnay 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| North Coast Brewing, Cranberry Quince Beer © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine tasting, Fetzer Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Fetzer Vineyards Conversations © Spaswinefood |
1000 Stories Blending Competition
Next on the agenda was a Blending Competition introduced by winemaker Bob Blue.
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| Glasses Ready, Fetzer Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
A 1000 Stories Blending Competition was given as a challenge to wine bloggers. We were asked to produce the best blend of Fetzer's 1000 Stories.
Our host provided the bloggers with the necessary materials to produce the blend.
This also included a list of the wines, along with recommended percentage guidelines for each wine.
After each blogger produced a blend the winemaker made the decision on the best blend.
Janelle Becerra from Wine Country Getaways was the winner.
Definitely the most important takeaway for me was that producing a good blend requires time and expertise.
Yes, of course we got to celebrate Fetzer's 50th year.
Fetzer 50th Kick-Off Reception and Dinner
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| Fetzer Vineyards, 1000 Stories 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Fetzer Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Blending Guidelines, Fetzer Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Looking for the Perfect Blend, Fetzer Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Posing with Winning Blender and Fetzer Vineyards Winemaker © Spaswinefood |
Yes, of course we got to celebrate Fetzer's 50th year.
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| Campovida Reception and Dinner Awaits © Spaswinefood |
Wine bloggers were transferred to Campovida for reception and dinner. Campovida, Hopland is a certified organic farm and winery. During the reception there were tasty appetizers.
There were Campovida and Fetzer wines to try at the reception.
Some of the Campovida wines that I tasted were:
1. Campovida, Nebbiolo Fox Hill Vineyard 2015
2. Campovida, Syrah Dark Horse Ranch 2014
3. Arneis Spirit Canyon Vineyard 2016
4. Campovida, Tocai Friulano 2015
5. Campovida, Rosé de Grenache Trials End Vineyard 2016
Campovida wines are made with minimalist intervention. The grapes are sourced from Mendocino County from farmers that use organic and biodynamic processes.
A few of the Fetzer wines available at the reception included:
1. Fetzer Vineyards, Chardonnay 2016
2. Fetzer Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon Valley Oaks 2015
Over an awesome farm to table dinner I enjoyed the following wines:
The Fetzer 50th Kick-Off Reception and dinner with Campovida and Fetzer Wines was indeed a hit.
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| Oysters, Campovida Reception © Spaswinefood |
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| Campovida Reception © Spaswinefood |
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| Reception Treats, Campovida © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Glasses Ready, Campovida © Spaswinefood |
1. Campovida, Nebbiolo Fox Hill Vineyard 2015
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| Campovida, Nebbiolo Fox Hill Vineyard 2015 © Spaswinefood |
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| Campovida, Syrah Dark Horse Ranch 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Campovida, Arneis Spirit Canyon Vineyard 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Campovida, Tocai Friulano 2015 © Spaswinefood |
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| Campovida, Rosé de Grenache Trials End Vineyard 2016 © Spaswinefood |
A few of the Fetzer wines available at the reception included:
1. Fetzer Vineyards, Chardonnay 2016
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| Fetzer Vineyards, Chardonnay 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Fetzer Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon Valley Oaks 2015 © Spaswinefood |
Over an awesome farm to table dinner I enjoyed the following wines:
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| Fetzer and Campovida Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Fetzer Vineyards, 1000 Stories © Spaswinefood |
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| Dinner, Campovida © Spaswinefood |
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