Quivira Winery - My First Time in Dry Creek Valley

Quivira Winery - Biodynamic

It was a beautiful fall day, happened to be Veteran's Day, when my tribe from Nantucket visited Quivira Winery.  Nestled in the hills outside of Healdsburg, this winery made a true, lasting impression on everyone in our group.

Our tour guide for the morning was Nancy Bailey, General Manager of Wine Creek Cellars who oversees Quivira, Follette Wines and Torbreck Vintners.  The estate prides itself  on their use of Biodynamic Farming in order to create a healthy, self-sustaining biodiversity, as we saw through out our visit.

In the garden with Nancy Bailey

We started the day in the Quivira Gardens - 120 raised garden beds where seasonal plantings are rotated.  Items grown in the garden are used for consumption at winery events along with being 'sold' to local restaurants.  Instead of the restaurants paying Quivera for the produce, the money is donated to support the Healthcare of Northern Sonoma County.  In the garden is a small bee hive whose unique design allows minimal intervention to the core beehive when removing the honey.  Fruit trees planted around the perimeter of the garden are all heritage varietals of pear, apple and peach.  Nearby, we see the chicken coop whose eggs are used at local restaurants and their manure is a important component to the composting program.

Quivira is also participating in a creek/coho restoration program where small pools are artificially created in the creek to allow fish to rest, spawn and grow as they make their way back upstream.

Carlos farming...

Next, we fed the cows, crossed the Wine Creek that feeds into the Dry Creek River, saw the famous fig tree from their label and the picturesque view from the top of their property, passed by the piggies and made our way back to the winery.  Makes you want to move there...

Jenny Benzie - Dry Creek River

As usual, there is a connection between Quivira and Nantucket.  The former winemaker who recently left to work in Oregon is Stephen Canter.  Stephen is known for his days working at The Wauwinet on Nantucket many years ago.  I had met Stephen several years ago when he did a market visit in South Florida.  There is much excitiement about the new winemaker on board, Hugh Chappelle.  Hugh was most recently at Lynmar Estate, where I met him when I attended the Russian River Valley Pinot Forum in 2008.  What a full circle here!

Winemaker Hugh Chappelle

Now, on the the tasting!  What a great surprise to see that our tasting would be hosted by Ron Washam, who I knew from my days in Los Angeles.  Ron was the sommelier at the Pacific Dining Car and has relocated to this beautiful area (can't blame him!).  All wines noted below are from Quivira.

Sauvignon Blanc, 'Fig Tree Vineyard,' DCV 2009 - about 4,000 cases made; all stainless steel, aged 6 months on the lees; fresh and lively, hint of chalkiness on palate, moderate plus acid
Zinfandel, DCV 2008 - 5% syrah; wet tobacco, black pepper, dried cherry; moderate plus tannin
Zinfandel, 'QUEST,' DCV 2008 - 25% Petite Sirah; debut vintage; almost opaque, concentrated ruby color; cedar, dried hay, jammy sweetness; power without a punch
Grenache, DCV 2008 - one of my favs!; made in large French foudres; rhubarb, wild strawberry;slightly dry with a cherry finish
Syrah, 'Hommage a Ampuis,' DCV 2007 - fermented on viognier skins; plummy color; very floral - lavendar/violet; moderate plus acid, juicy and gamey 
Petite Sirah, DCV 2008 - from Wine Creek Ranch Vineyard (you need a 4X4 to get there practically); deep, dark color; plummy and rich on the palate 

You can bet you will see some of these wines on the list at The Pearl and The Boarding House next season! 
 

Jenny Benzie, Dre Solimeo, Erin Zircher, Liam Mackey, Angela & Seth Raynor