Clarksburg Wine, On the Run
When BK and I went to Sacramento in August, we decided to hit a few wineries before heading back. Turns out we only had to make one stop: at the Old Sugar Mill, where five wineries find their home. They call it Galeria Do Vinho, and there is also art on display and little shops, with plans for more. More wineries, shops, a bistro, micro brewery, and even apartments one day.
We didn’t have much time, so choices had to be made quickly and without much on which to base them. (I had not heard of any of these producers before…) We headed all the way to the back and went into the Solomon Wine Company, as I recognized the Cloud 9 bottles, though I wasn’t sure I’d ever had them before. Also housing the Garsa and Muse products, they had only been in the Old Sugar Mill for three days, though they also have a location in good ole Murphys. BK and I sampled the 2005 Muse Genie, a blend in which the Muscat came through –little sweet on the forefront, peach, melon, grapefruit, and floral, with acidity on the finish. The 2006 Garsa Rosado de Sangiovese showed cherry, strawberry, vanilla, and a little cream, but the man pouring didn’t know if there was any oak treatment ( I was guessing at least a little neutral oak). I left with a bottle of the 2004 Cloud 9 Compostion (blending Tempranillo, Syrah, Cab, Barbera, and Petit Verdot), which I found pleasantly smoky, with pepper, cherry, chocolate, and other light spices.
We also tasted at the Carvalho Family Wines. The whole concept of the Clarksburg wine destination was thanks to owner, John Carvalho, Jr. With family ties to wine, all the way back to Portugal, he turned the dream into reality about two years ago. With closing time looming over us, my notes are pretty sparse. They’re known for the Chenin Blanc and were pouring the 2004, which I found to be honeyed with peaches and straw. I wasn’t as fond of the 2004 Sauvignon Blanc, as it was a little oaky in the middle. The 2004 Viognier was the most vibrant of the four whites and the 2004 Tempranillo, grown in Clarksburg, was my favorite of the reds.
Definitely worth another trip when we have more time.
Tags: Clarksburg_wineries, Old_Sugar_Mill_wineriesRelated Stories
POSTED IN: fun wine excursions, winery visits
0 opinions for Clarksburg Wine, On the Run
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: