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.

In an excerpt from Monty & Sara Preiser’s newsletter, “It’s Time for Wine”, Sodaro Estate Winery’s Felicity Cabernet Sauvignon is noted for its exceptional quality and price.

IT’S TIME FOR WINE

by

Monty and Sara Preiser

August 3, 2009

COMPARING VINTAGES, GREAT WINES FOR UNDER $65, CHAPPELLET, & NORMAN

We Know Where to Find Some Excellent Ones with Gentler Pricing

If you are one of the many who put stock in the wine scores awarded by the Wine Spectator, then you may have been as depressed as we were to read the Cabernet Sauvignon report published by that magazine a couple of months ago. Not chagrinned at any lack of quality, mind you, because surely California Cabs have never been better, but dismayed over the cost of these wines. And in a time of economic challenge, our concern seems to be pandemic.

Well, we have been in Napa for two months this summer and are here to list for you some excellent Cabernet Sauvignons for prices that might pass these days as reasonable (arbitrarily chosen by us as $65 and under). For those of you who are regular readers, you know that we do not favor awarding scores to wines, but rather putting them into categories of recommendations.

-2005 Sodaro Felicity ($40): Features a brilliant burst of bright red cherries and black plumbs on the mid palate.

To be frank, we had almost forgotten how many good wines and producers there are in Napa. Certainly we love (and buy) some very expensive bottles, too, but you will not go wrong enjoying any of the wines we have listed above, even with some of the best food you can imagine.

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”

Sodaro Estate Winery’s Cabernet Dinner at SIMONLA was featured today in Valley Scene Magazine, an entertainment news publication.

Chef Kerry Simon Hails a Few Cabs from Napa

By Gerry Furth-Sides

Chef Kerry Simon recently hailed a few cabs at his underrated SIMONLA restaurant. They just happened to be a range of rich Sodaro Estate Napa Cabernets in an innovative wine pairing menu. As always, the menu he created for this special event taught a thing or two with high-style in his deceptively simple, modern - and fun - dishes with their underlying complex satisfying flavors.

SIMONLA’s carefully planned alfresco setting sets the stage for a treat, with congenial servers like ours, Amy, who knew the food and spirits well. Only the energy buzz, not the noise, from the Beverly Center traffic outside transfers to the playful, cozy Sofitel patio that feels like the best seat on the Riviera.

Looking for a corollary between wine notes and ingredients is helpful in food and wine pairings. The chef demonstrated it first in a warm California goat cheese tart with figs and small herb salad paired with a luscious Felicity Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, with a red depth of color. The supple structure of this cab was able to handle the strong flavors of the light introductory course. The cab’s dark fruit notes of red cherry compote and plums paralleled the figs while it complemented the herb salad, and the soft, dusty overlay of sandalwood coax ed out the flavors in the goat cheese tart.

A pleasingly “meaty” fish, halibut is a good choice to pair with red wine. The challenge with halibut, however, is that it lacks a distinct flavor of its own and can be bland or, as in this case, act as a beautiful blank slate for the chef. Chef Simon paired a Roasted Pacific Halibut with Corn and Fava Bean Succotash with a Cabernet reduction with a Felicity Cabernet Franc 2004. He first attracted the eye of the beholder with a papery-thin crunchy layer on top. It contrasted with the tender, perfectly cooked moist inside. The fava bean succotash added a summer color and balance to the fish while the cab reduction mirrored the wine pour in the glass.

A shallot wine sauce pulled together the flavors of the bold, traditional meat-with-red wine dish, Grilled Prime Culotte of Beef, here accompanied by fresh French filet Beans and Truffled Potato Cake for an appealing, subtle twist.

“By using a handful of simple sauces and broths, the diner is able to experience food’s natural, intense flavors,” the chef explains. “The dishes themselves end up lighter, fresher.” He adds that a feature of his natural style featuring selections from the best, locally raised produce.

For dessert, a crunchy Chocolate Mousse Cake with Passion fruit and Marinated Raspberries were balanced with a Ramos Pinto Port Quinta de Ervamoira.

Sodaro Estate Winery Assistant Manager, Mark Phelan was on hand to fill in the story about the wines.

Valley Scene Magazine Website

“The Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope is the nation’s most comprehensive transitional-living facility for homeless individuals and families.  It’s the first place in Orange County, California where homeless families can stay together while transforming their desperate lives and finally find hope.”

Martha (Sodaro) Burke Creating Gift Baskets for Dinner Auction

Martha Burke, daughter of Sodaro Estate Winery owners Don and Deedee Sodaro, put together two elegant gift baskets with our 2004 felicity Cabernet Sauvignon to donate to the “Party with a Purpose” dinner auction to take place October 4th at the Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club.  In addition to the two gift baskets, the Sodaros will be donating a two night stay at the Holiday Inn in Costa Mesa, California.

We encourage all who are able to donate to this very worthwhile cause.

Last week our Director of Marketing, Mark Phelan was in San Francisco for the Napa Valley Vintner’s “Taste San Francisco” event. With 140 wineries in attendance, the event took place over the course of two days and various locations, and culminated with our felicity wines being featured in the San Francisco City Hall.

San Francisco City Hall: NVV Taste Napa Valley

Wilfred Wong, a name well-known in the world of wine, tasted both our 2003 and 2004 felicity Cabernet Sauvignons. After a big smile and some nice compliments, he scored our 2003 vintage 89 points, and our 2004 vintage 91 points! These are the first and second vintages ever released by Sodaro Estate.

Through word of mouth our tasting table was soon consistently crowded, and though we knew we had connected with a number of people, we weren’t prepared for the news we’d receive not two days later.

The Piedmont Post will be declaring Sodaro Estate Winery’s 2004 felicity Cabernet Sauvignon one of the ten best wines of the San Francisco event! With 140 wineries present, each pouring multiple wines, we are absolutely honored that our wine was selected for this exclusive list.

For more information on the Napa Valley Vintners Association, please go to www.napavintners.com.

The Pacific Club of Newport Beach will be adding Sodaro Estate Winery’s 2004 felicity Cabernet Franc to their wine list, as well as serving our 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon by the glass beginning in February.

Just recently, we had an excellent tasting with Rene Chazottes, Master Sommelier and Director of Wine at the Pacific Club of Newport Beach. To tell you a little bit about Monsieur Chazottes, in 1988 he held the title of “Best Sommelier in America”, and in 1990 represented the United States in the International Sommelier Competition held in Paris, where he won first place in the prestigious Harmony of Food and Wine contest competing with sommeliers from sixteen other countries. He is in constant demand as a wine judge and has extensively toured every significant wine growing region in the world.

After a rigorous tasting of our wines, Monsieur Chazottes let us know he thought the wine was very good, and has decided to serve our 2004 felicity Cabernet Sauvignon by the glass in his prestigious club. Additionally, he has decided to add our 2004 felicity Cabernet Franc to his wine list.