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Surface Creek Winery is located in Colorado.

Jim Durr speaks for Surface Creek Winery: “Colorado is that home to several high-elevation wineries. At 5,800 feet SURFACE CREEK WINERY is one of them. The Winery relies on grapes from local growers in a historical fruit-growing region of Colorado while its new vinyards mature.”

Surface Creek Winery produces Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Cabernet Franc.

The Surface Creek Winery tasting room is located at 1297 Highway 65, Eckert, Colorado. The mailing address is P.O. Box 483, Eckert, Colorado 81418-0483

Grande River Vineyards are located in Colorado.

Grande River Vineyards started planting grapes in 1987, started producing wine in 1990. Founder Stephen Smith has about 60 acres, 8 different varieties, naming us the largest grape crop in the state.

The grapes are machine harvested from August through October each year. Grande River Vineyards produces 7,000-8,000 cases a year utilizing about 40% of their crop, the other 60% they sell to other wineries in Colorado and to 8 other states.
Every aspect of winemaking takes place on premise, thus “Estate Grown and Bottled” on the label.

Grande River Vineyards grow Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Semillon, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. The most recent planting is Petite Verdot.

Wines: Merlot, Chardonnay, Meritage Red & White, Syrah, Voignier…

Contact
Contact Name: Cara. Phone Number: 970-464-5867

787 37.3 road (Elberta Avenue), Palisade, CO 81526 - (970) 464-5867, 1-800-CO-GROWN (I-70 at exit 42, turn north 1 mile)

Tasting Room Hours: Summer, 9-7 daily; Spring/Fall, 10-6; Winter 10-5

In the Northern Hemisphere most of the last wine grapes were picked by the 20th of October. I already reported on how the harvest started early. So the harvest period is about two months long.

Inside reports on the 2007 harvest season come from:

• Thomas Houseman at Anne Amie Vineyards, Oregon (harvest skewed),
• Vincent Fritzsche, in Oregon too (winemaking skewed),
• Château Palmer, a bordeaux estate.

Go have a look at pictures of the impressive harvesting machine at Château Lacayot (with French captions).

Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac excellently explained how grapes are turned into wine a year ago.

It is a little early to assess the quality of the vintage. Bear in mind that vintage quality is a complex concept. Nevertheless it is possible that the quality will go down for many French wines made in 2007. (I feel this while reading a few French ‘vignerons’ report on their ‘vendanges’.)

We already know that the volumes produced will be low in many places. This is a problem for the revenues of the producers. This is not a question on the quality of the wines. The reports of low volume come from Oregon, California, France (the article is in French), Italy.

Regions which produce as much wine this year as the previous year include Bordeaux.

It is urgent that you consider making your own wine from bought grapes. Or wait for next year!

Location:
United States, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley.

Wines Produced:
Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dolcetto, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Port, Red dessert wine, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel

Special Wines:
Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel, Sonoma County Reserve (San Lorenzo Vineyard)

Production: 200,000 cases annually

Formerly the winemaker at Belvedere, Erich Russell has since been developing his 40-acre Russian River vineyard. Rabbit Ridge operations now include new acreage in Paso Robles, California, as well as the ranch on West Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg.

Today he and winemaker Susie Selby rely on both estate-grown and purchased grapes.

The Rabbit Ridge lineup includes traditional wines, as well as what Russell refers to as “odd duck” wines such as marsanne, sangiovese, dolcetto, barbera and grenache.

Street address:
3291 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Phone: (707) 431-7128