Rhone Star Newsletter

Mari's Memoirs: Crush Begins!

Vineyard Manager Ron Mansfield and I found that our snooze buttons were quickly taken away when we came to realize our fruit was not delayed in ripening, as was predicted by a late spring.  It seems the intensity of July’s heat brought the ripening up to the usual maturation time and we are now in full swing.  What this means.... We are picking at higher sugar levels to allow for tannins to mature in the grapes.  Flavors are also developing at higher sugar levels, and at DGV, we wait until the flavors are completely apparent in the cluster before picking.  It seems like every time I take a moment away from the vineyard, another cluster has ripened.

Read More of "Mari's Memoirs: Crush Begins!"

Wine News

New to Rhones? 
Our Rhone Character Guide will help.

Say goodbye to the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon and hello to our 2002 vintage.  This new release is now for sale in the DGV tasting room.  As a similar blend, it too presents nice tannins and a body of chocolate, cherry and spice.

Top seller for July & August:
2004 Grenache
This first Grenache production has shown us what the vineyard has in store for future years, and needless to say, we are quite pleased.  This light bodied, fruit forward wine gives off extremely strong Grenache characteristics for a first crop and has made a huge splash in the tasting room.  Don’t wait too long before coming in to try this wine; cases are going quick!

Wine Club

Last chance to buy the limited release 2005 Viognier!  This hand-crafted, small lot production is a wine club only special and is available through the end of October.  Call or visit the tasting room to order this delicious wine.

Member of the Month
Congratulations to Roger Yohe, our wine club member of the month.  Roger caught on quickly to the routine of crush when he decided to stop in and lend a hand with the first batch of Syrah last week.  Winemaker Mari Wells was more than happy to put him to work on the crusher while she operated the machinery and kept an eye on the grapes coming in.  Thanks for your hard work Roger, come in to get your “member of the month” prize!

Where Can I Find DGV Wines?

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Café Mahjaic, Lotus
Carpe Vino, Auburn
Coloma Resort, Coloma
David Berkeley’s, Sacramento
Discover California, Old Town Sacramento
Eureka & Vine, Rocklin
Lakeforest Wines, El Dorado Hills
Sequoia Restaurant, Placerville
Serrano Country Club, El Dorado Hills
Sierra Nevada House, Coloma
The Pantry, Lincoln
Adventure Connection, Coloma
Carrington’s Fine Wines, Nevada City
Granite Bay Market, Granite Bay
Holbrooke Hotel, Grass Valley
Lincoln Produce Market, Lincoln
Monkey Cat, Auburn
Plaza Foods, Rancho Murieta
Oakville Grocery, San Francisco
Piatti’s Restaurant, Roseville & Sacramento
Steve’s Place, Auburn
The New Moon Café, Nevada City
The Supper Club, Sacramento
Winchester Country Club, Auburn
The Wine Smith, Placerville
Walt’s Wharf, Seal Beach (Southern California)

More David Girard Vineyards Retail Markets & Restaurants

We Would Like to Thank

...Ant Bee for putting on a great show at the “Verasion Celebration” in August.  Everyone had a great time and we are looking forward to the next concert!

...The band "On Call," which featured our talented
club members Phil Emond and Guy Guilfoy, for providing an evening
of fantastic music we could all groove to at the wine club event.

Interested in Volunteering at Winery Events?

Take part helping in a fun, friendly environment and go home with some new wines for your collection!  Give us a call to join our volunteer list: 530-295-1833.