Quivira Winery
Our second winery of the day took us to one of my favorite wineries in the Dry Creek Valley. Quivira (K-Vira), a boutique winery, is located at 4900 West Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg, CA. We have been here three times and never get anything but quality-grown, minimally manipulated wines. This family is committed to crafting true varietal character wines, not just making wines.
I've blogged before about this winery and written about how their biodynamic farming which includes centuries old farming techniques. Take a look at their website to find out why they "deliver one of the most authentic wine drinking experiences anywhere". So interesting! When you visit you can stroll through the one-acre garden, sit under their trees for a picnic and tasting, and see the most beautiful views of the Dry Creek Valley.
We brought our lunch from the Dry Creek General Store just up the road and began our tasting under the trees in the garden.
Our first wine was a 2012 Sauvignon Blanc ($22) from their Fig Tree Vineyard. The characteristic grassiness is apparent, but is followed by fruit notes of pineapple and passion fruit. OMG this is amazing wine!
Tom Scott, the tasting room manager, poured us a 2010 Petite Sirah ($30). The rooster on the bottle likes to hang out near the Petite Sirah grapes where the dog, Louise, doesn't go! We picnicked right by the "5-star" chicken condo and watched the rooster strut around like he owned the place.
Dark fruit notes include blueberry and blackberry with a hint of vanilla. Could it be anymore of what I love? This wine is delicious!
The next wine was a 2010 Quest Zinfandel ($38). I love the story they tell about the hawk waiting for a mouse or other rodent to dart out of the newly-plowed winter crop. It's the hawk's quest that they compare their patient wait for the wine to finish in the barrel.
This wine is a bigger Zinfandel, with a healthy dose of Petite Sirah. It is sooooo good!
We were then served a beautiful, 100% 2011 Grenache ($30) from the Wine Creek Ranch. Normally "Mourvedre and Syrah are blended in for structure and mid-palate richness, but this was so well balanced, it didn't need a supporting cast". If you love fresh or dried strawberries, red cherries, and a touch of baking spices, you'll love this Grenache. My mouth begins to water just looking at the photo!
Our last tasting during our picnic time was a 2010 Syrah ($30). This wine, like the others, is amazing. I can't find any wine at Quivira that I wouldn't buy, drink, or give as a gift (although that would be very hard to do)! This wine has predominantly dark fruits such as black cherries, followed by a smokiness which leads to a full-bodied finish. You can't go wrong with this Syrah.
I was looking on our receipt from that day and saw that we bought a
2012 Viognier-Sauvignon Blanc ($32) which they are currently sold out of. The label on this bottle is unlike all the other bottles and I think that is one reason I love it, although not the main reason!
They describe is as "flavors of peach and apricot, along with citrus and even orange creamsicle (the creaminess is caused by aging on the lees).
What a fabulous lunch and wine tasting at QUIVIRA WINERY. We were all very happy, full, and ready to buy some of this authentically grown wine.
Enjoy!
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