Monthly Archives: October 2013

Fall Events in Dry Creek Valley

October 23rd, 2013

Fall is a gorgeous time of year here in Dry Creek Valley, and with harvest, Halloween and Thanksgiving, there’s no shortage of fun, festive happenings! See the following list of winery events, mark your calendars and come visit wine country this fall.

Fall Events

West Wines: Vintage 2003-2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and Cheese Pairing

West Wines Tasting Room, 10/26/13 – 10/27/13

Four different vintages with artisan cheese

Blending Night With Ed & Adam Sbragia

Sbragia Family Vineyards, 11/9/13

You become a winemaker for the day; blending a selection of Sbragia Family Vineyards’ Mountain Cabernets and Bordeaux varieties alongside one the most acclaimed winemakers in California history.

Herd It Through The Grapevine Fundraiser

Wilson Winery, 11/10/13

Taste gold medal winning wines, feast on delicious paella, and enjoy live music in Dry Creek Valley.

The Day After Thanksgiving Party

DaVero Farms and Winery, 11/29/13

4th Annual TDAT Party featuring Rosso Pizzeria’s mobile wood fired pizza and more!

Chardonnay and Oysters

Amphora Hutchinson Wines, 11/29/13

So over turkey? Oysters are the perfect antidote!

Scandinavian Christmas in the Tasting Room

West Wines, 11/29/13- 12/1/13

Celebrate an early Swedish Christmas with our own home made “Glogg” and cookies. It’s Sweden in Dry Creek Valley!

Holiday Open House

Peterson Winery, 11/29/13- 11/30/13

Join us for our annual Holiday Open House….rumor has it there will be some “big cats” in attendance!

Holiday Reception/New Release Reception

Dry Creek Vineyard, 11/30/13

Festive decorations, gift giving ideas, delicious wine and holiday treats in Dry Creek Valley.

Holiday Open House

Passalacqua Winery, 11/30/13

Sample new releases and stock up for the holidays, while you enjoy seasonal pairings by the fire!

Featured Winery: Amphora Winery

October 8th, 2013

About:

Dry Creek Valley’s Amphora Winery was born of Sonoma County native Rick Hutchinson’s passion for wine, which began when he was just 20 years old. It was during his first job bottling for Sebastiani Winery that he stepped foot into a cellar, where the aromas of fermentation reminded him of the scent of the jams and jellies his mother would make at the end of each summer. Rick spent the next decade learning the art of winemaking from some of Sonoma’s most celebrated winemakers, immersing himself in the Sonoma County wine scene, focusing on Dry Creek Valley zinfandel and petite sirah.

In 1997, Rick’s winery, dubbed “Amphora” after his other passion for making the clay jars used to store wine in ancient times, began, and he stored his wine in the basement of a small barn in Dry Creek Valley wine country. As word of Rick’s red wines spread via friends and family, he found it difficult to keep up with the demand, often selling out of wine before it was bottled! In 2006, Rick moved Amphora Winery to a larger Dry Creek Valley location in the Timber Crest Farms complex where it is still located today.

Wines:

2008 Zinfandel, Rivett Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley

This red wine has a sweet leafy note reminiscent of black tea and mint. The flavors lean toward the riper end of the spectrum, with red licorice and dead-ripe dark plum. $34.00/bottle

2008 Cabernet Franc, Pedroni Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley

Aged 22 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels, this red wine is rich with cassis, white pepper, and fennel against a core of blackberries and baked cobbler, this wine will linger and remind. $35.00/bottle

2007 Sangiovese, Dry Creek Valley

This Italian varietal, grown and bottled right here in Dry Creek Valley, reveals classic scents of dried cherries and leather with bright fruit character and a lively mouthfeel. Maybe it’s Sangiovese’s Italian pedigree, but we think this red wine absolutely begs for some good food to accompany it.

Visit:

Amphora Winery is open for wine tasting seven days a week, 11:00am – 4:30pm, excluding holidays. Located atop a small hill in the Timber Crest Farms complex, Amphora Winery has a picnic area which features shaded tables, bocce courts and beautiful views of Dry Creek Valley wine country. Amphora Winery’s friendly team of tasting room staff can guide you, helping you choose the perfect wine for any occasion.

The fee for wine tasting is $10/person; reservations are required for groups of eight or more.

In addition to wine tasting, Amphora Winery offers events throughout the year. Check their Events Calendar for details.

Directions:

From the south: Exit northbound US Hwy. 101 in Healdsburg at the Dry Creek Road exit. Turn left onto Dry Creek Road, proceed approximately 6 miles to 4791 Dry Creek Road (on your right).

From the north: Exit southbound US Hwy. 101 at Canyon Road, make a right turn onto Canyon Road, proceed approximately 2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn left onto Dry Creek Road. Drive south approximately 2 miles to 4791 Dry Creek Road (on your left).

Amphora Winery

4791 Dry Creek Rd.

Healdsburg, CA 95448

707.431.7767

For a map of Amphora Winery, click here.

For a map of Dry Creek Valley, click here.

Dry Creek Valley: A Fall Photo Essay

October 3rd, 2013

Fall is one of our favorite seasons here in Dry Creek Valley. It’s the time of year when the grapes are being harvested, and the leaves in the vineyards and on surrounding trees change from green to gorgeous shades of of amber and gold. Take a journey through the valley via these images which will transport you right here, to beautiful Dry Creek Valley.

Are you ready?

Have you booked your trip?