We have plenty of reasons to celebrate here in Dry Creek Valley as vintners wind down an early 2013 Harvest. As reports pour in from all around the valley, an overwhelming consensus has begun to emerge: it’s been a banner year for Dry Creek Valley vintners, with vineyards on average yielding tremendous grape quantities – even higher than 2012’s stellar vintage. Mild summer conditions combined with recent cooling to allow grapes to ripen and mature fully, creating a boon in the vineyards and extraordinary fruit quality.
What’s that mean for you, lover of all things Dry Creek Valley? High-quality Dry Creek Valley wines available at wallet-friendly price points. And what could be better than that?
Here are some recent snapshots in and around Dry Creek Valley from this year’s Harvest:
“It has been a fast and furious harvest…the quality is outstanding. So far the zinfandels are the winner of the bunch; it could be the best in 10 years!”
– Clay Mauritson, Proprietor of Mauritson Wines
“Fruit quality is high… Grenache, Mourvedre and some blocks of Syrah seem to be better than in 2012.”
– Mick Unti, Winemaker at Unti Vineyards
“Zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, Bordeaux and Rhone grapes….we saw intense color this year in all red varieties.”
– Montse Reece, Assistant Winemaker at Pedroncelli Winery
“This vintage of sauvignon blanc looks particularly outstanding. I’m really looking forward to our sauvignon blancs this year.”
– Tim Bell, Dry Creek Vineyard winemaker
“Whites across the board are exciting this year — good color, great flavors and tropical aromatics.”
– David Mounts, winemaker and proprietor of Mounts Family Winery
“Another beautiful vintage and, much like 2012, the tonnage was big as well… It feels a bit like the ‘09/’10 vintages of Bordeaux with back-to-back stellar vintages!”
– Erik Miller, winemaker and proprietor of Kokomo Winery
In related harvest news, Dry Creek Valley vintners garnered multiple top honors at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair Professional Wine Competition, including five “Best of Class” awards. Award-winning wineries included:
Best of Class Winners:
2010 Forchini Vineyards & Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $32.00
2011 Mazzocco Sonoma Briar Zinfandel $29.00
2012 Mill Creek Vineyards Gewurztraminer $23.00
2011 Pedroncelli Alto Vineyards Sangiovese $16.00
2011 Trattore Rousanne $25.00
Double Gold Winners:
2010 Gustafson Family Vineyards Heritage Tree Vineyard Mountain Cuvee Zinfandel
$20.00
2011 Mazzocco Seaton Reserve Zinfandel $52.00
2011 Wilson Winery Sydney Vineyard Zinfandel $36.00
2011 Wilson Winery Buzz Zinfandel $36.00
Gold Winners:
2011 Dry Creek Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel $30.00
2010 Dutcher Crossing Taylor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $45.00
2011 Dutcher Crossing Proprietor’s Reserve Syrah $29.00
2012 Dutcher Crossing Winemaker’s Cellar Chardonnay $32.00
2010 Fritz Winery Cabernet Sauvignon $35.00
2009 Gustafson Family Vineyards Watchtower Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon $38.00
2010 Hawley Late Harvest Zinfandel $28.00
2009 Mazzocco Sonoma Merlot $40.00
2010 Mazzocco Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon $30.00
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