Early this morning, Michael Wolf and his Vineyard team harvested our Petit Verdot and the last of our Cabernet Sauvignon.  By noon, Dawnine Dyer and her crew finished up sorting, destemming, and transfering everything safely into the fermenters before an incoming rainstorm made its presence felt.

Our Cabernet Franc is now all that remains to be harvested, and its not quite ready just yet.  All of the lots have looked and tasted great, and our Vineyard Manager Mike Wolf is in high spirits, remarking this is turning out to be a terrific vintage.

As appeared in “It’s Time For Wine” by Monty and Sara Preiser on 8/20/2009.

New Finds and Interesting News in 09

PART ONE of THREE

One of our best received series of columns each year deals with the new wineries we have discovered and recommend during our summer spent in California. For purposes of this article we use the term “wineries” in the broadest possible sense, meaning that while we include the traditional facility, we also include wines that have an independent label and are custom produced at a facility not owned by the wine’s producer. In other words, the vintner owns a wine, but not a brick and mortar winery. S/he merely rents the winemaking facility.

This year we have found some real beauties we will mention about below, along with a word or two about some of our favorite bottles of wine from each.

Sodaro Estate:

Some wineries sit on gorgeous properties but cannot produce wine to match. Others craft a wonderful product without a showcase winery at all. Sodaro Estate, however, has it all. The panoramic scene will grab you as soon as you arrive, and will influence you throughout your tour with Kari DiFabio (appointments necessary) and the subsequent tasting of two special wines at prices that are stunning.

-2005 Felicity Cabernet Sauvignon ($40): Bright red cherries and black plums brilliantly burst on the mid palate. There may be some 2004 available, but we preferred the 2005.

-2005 Sodaro Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($65): We think this wine reflects the more & more recognizable Coombsville characteristics of big fruit &  “dirt” on the finish. The approachable tannins want meat, especially with hints of clove & peppercorn throughout.

Auction Napa Valley benefits local Napa charities including health care organizations, youth services, and low-income housing.

Bid on Sodaro Estate Winery - Lot 483 HERE

Details:

Don and Deedee Sodaro invite you and five guests to join them and their award-winning winemaker, Dawnine Dyer, for a private luncheon among the hillsides and alluvial terraces of the winery and vineyard. As a special gift, the winner will be presented a limited-edition, specially etched double magnum of our 2005 felicity Cabernet Sauvignon. Less than 10 of these ornate large-format bottles exist. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a side of Napa Valley that few ever have! To be scheduled for a mutually agreeable date.

Don’t wait around to receive your wine

Sodaro Estate Winery is now offering 2-day and Overnight shipping on all wine purchases.  Go to www.sodarowines.com and check out our new shipping options and pricing.

The sun is shining and the fresh smells of summer hang in the air.

We’d like you and five friends to join us for a private luncheon overlooking the beautiful rolling landscape of the one-of-a-kind Sodaro Estate Vineyard.  With plenty of wine and food to go around, you will be hosted by owners Don & Deedee Sodaro, and joined by our Winemakers Bill & Dawnine Dyer.

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This Day is For You

You work hard.  Come relax and enjoy good food, good friends, and a view you have to see to believe.  We’ll drink wine, have some good laughs, and give you an inside look at winery life that few ever see.

A Special Gift

When our day together comes to a close, we’ll present you with a limited edition Double Magnum of our 2005 felicity Cabernet Sauvignon.  Less than 10 of these bottles are in existence.

How to Win

On May 22nd, the Napa Valley Vintner’s E-Auction will open.  Simply bid on Sodaro Estate Winery’s lot, and keep up with ongoing results until the auction closing on Friday, June 5.  All proceeds go to non-profit organizations in the Napa Valley.

For more information, go to the Napa Valley Vintner Website at http://www.napavintners.com, and check back with us as the event gets closer.  We’ll have specific log-in information available for your convenience.

We can’t wait to meet you.

On Saturday March 21st, the Pacific Coast Wine Festival will be held at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, CA.  Don and Deedee Sodaro have donated a case of our 2004 felicity Cabernet Sauvignon to be auctioned off for the benefit of the Pacific Symphony.

Sodaro Estate at Pacific Coast Wine Festival

For more information, log onto http://www.pacificsymphony.org/anypage.php?cpid=227

Sodaro Estate Winery has significantly reduced shipping rates in an attempt to save our customers more money when they get their Sodaro Wine straight from the source.

The new shipping rates may be viewed on our website at www.sodarowines.com under  “Where We Ship Our Wines”

Cucina Alessa, the cozy Italian restaurant generating so much buzz in Newport Beach, will begin serving Sodaro Estate wine in early February.

Cucina Alessa - Affordable Italian Cuisine

Alessandro Pirozzi, chef and owner of Cucina Alessa is quickly becoming a famous face around the neighborhood restaurant, known for walking around the dining room conversing with guests as they enjoy his fine Italian cuisine and its impeccable attention to detail.  We look forward to a long relationship with Cucina Alessa, and to providing top quality wines to pair with Alessandro’s thoughtful and masterfully assembled meals.

Click here to view the Dinner Menu at Cucina Alessa

Contact Info:

Cucina ALESSÁ
6700 W. Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Tel: (949) 645-2148

Open hours:
Sun-Thursday 11:00AM - 10PM
Fri-Sat 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

A sampling of Cucina Alessa’s Rave Reviews

http://foodfrenzy.freedomblogging.com/2008/09/11/promising-pie-and-more-cucina-alessa/1647/

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/20/661283/restaurant/OC/Cucina-Alessa-Newport-Beach

http://thingsyoushoulddo.com/uncategorized/cucina-alessa-newport-beach-california