Pellegrini Winery is part of the little group of wineries along Olivet Road west of Santa Rosa.  For a quick day trip this route is easy and convenient.  Pellegrini is by appointment only but don’t let that stop you from making a call.  The grounds and ambiance are nothing special but the family is welcoming and friendly.

Pillegrini Family Vineyards in the Russian River Valley.

We found their wines to be a very good value.  Their Carignan from old vines in the Redwood Valley in Mendocino to the north was a special delight.  If you haven’t tried Carignan, normally a softer red wine, then this is the place to get started.  For a long time Carignan was a blending wine but fortunately it is available as a varietal in a few wineries.  The Pellegrini old vine Carignan has a full flavor and aroma profile but soft and gentle.  We buy Carignan wherever we find it and this one is memorable.

We also recently enjoyed their Cloverdale Ranch brand 2006 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is a traditional Alex Valley full-bodied Cab with lots to explore but at a reasonable price point.  For good and affordable wine drop by Pellegrini.

- jim

Christopher Creek Winery is just south of Healdsburg in the Russian River Valley. It is a small family owned winery with a tiny and rustic tasting room.  We’ve found that the family and staff are a delight to be with and very helpful.

The winery and tasting room at Christopher Creek Winery.

The picnic area is basically in the parking lot and would not be our first choice for a picnic.  Too bad because the setting is nice with beautiful hills to the east and a view of the Russian River Valley.

Christopher Creek has a nice selection of affordable wines. This is one of those few wineries where we see many cases going out the door.

One of our purchases was their 2005 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is not a robust Cab.  Everything about it was soft but not timid or dead.  There is good nose upfront, a pleasant body with cherry, and a finish that didn’t fade away too fast.  We found all their wines to be very drinkable and a very good value.

- jim

At the start of the Wine Bloggers Conference in Santa Rosa a couple of weeks ago we were treated to a picnic and tasting on a hill in the vineyard.  It was a special time and wonderful to taste wines from grapes grown all around our picnic and tasting site. It was also a reminder that good wines begin in the ground, not the tank.

We tasted the wines of a dozen vintners who source their grapes from Kick Ranch.  Check the Web site for more info.  I think this list is complete, or mostly so:

• Bedrock Wine Company
• Carica Wines
• Enkidu Wines
• Erna Schein
• Loxton Cellars
• Lynmar Winery
• Pax Wine Cellars
• Renard Wines
• Rosenblum Cellars
• Sanglier Cellars
• Silent Morning Cellars
• Shane Wines

Every one was a treat.  For an interesting tasting party try to pick up their Kick Ranch wines and do comparisons. The vineyard owner is interested in hosting events at the ranch.  I’ll notify Wine Questers if he schedules an event.

- jim