Pork Belly Sliders at Stonestreet
We had a thoroughly enjoyable time at the 2012 Taste Alexander Valley, an annual celebration of wine and food in Sonoma County which took place over the May 19-20 weekend. We took some friends along with us this year, their first time at the event, and the weather was gorgeous (but warmer than usual). As expected, we found some wonderful Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. We were also pleasantly surprised to discover delicious Sangiovese, Late Harvest Riesling, and even a fortified wine to savor while in our travels.
We wanted to share with you the highlights of the weekend for us. Please let us know what you liked the most, and/or if you think we missed out on some great food and wine at a place we didn’t make it to (seeing how there were 31 wineries participating and only so many hours in a day).
Favorite Wineries for Both Food and Wine
Medlock Ames teamed up with Peloton Catering and offered Liberty Farms Duck with RED Wine Macerated Cranberry Chutney and a fabulous Spiced Cabernet Sauvignon Truffle (enhanced with Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Cayenne). For something different, Medlock Ames had people enter the event through the adjacent Alexander Valley Bar this year where they received tastings of the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. Of the wines being poured here, we particularly enjoyed the Sauvignon Blanc and the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Simi Winery
Simi Winery was offering a hefty and delicious Tuscano Meatball on their outside patio, and we hope to be able to share that recipe with you at another time. After tasting two wines outside, Simi also offered Taste Alexander Valley participants their choices of up to three additional wines from the options available within the tasting room. Our favorite wines at Simi this weekend were the 2008 Petite Sirah, 2008 Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2008 Late Harvest Riesling.
Stonestreet served up Pork Belly with a Syrah Reduction/Hoisin BBQ Sauce to event participants. Of the wines here, we liked the 2009 Broken Road Chardonnay, 2007 Monument Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2006 Black Cougar Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon the most.
Pulled Pork Sliders at Stuhlmuller Vineyards
Stuhlmuller Vineyards partnered with chef Dan Lucia (of DL Catering) to offer Pulled Pork Sliders and Double Rich Chocolate Brownies to enjoy while the bluegrass musical group Youngblood & Company entertained the Taste Alexander Valley guests. Our favorite Stuhlmuller wines were the 2010 Estate Chardonnay, 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2002 Fortified Cabernet Sauvignon.
Stryker Sonoma poured their 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (our favorite wine here that day) alongside Baci Café & Wine Bar carving and serving up Sliced Sirloin Sandwiches with Horseradish Cream.
Favorite Wines from 2012 Taste Alexander Valley
If you are looking for excellent wines from the Alexander Valley Appellation, we found several at 2012 Taste Alexander Valley and highly recommend you look for these in stores, at a restaurant, or from the winery itself. You can follow the links in this article to the individual wineries’ websites to learn more about wine availability.
Our favorite wines at the event are below, and the list includes the wines mentioned in the Favorite Food and Wine section above as well as some additional ones.
Medlock Ames Sauvignon Blanc
deLorimier Winery – 2009 Stuhlmuller Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay
Hawkes Wine – 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Red Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
Medlock Ames – 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sausal Winery – 2008 Sangiovese, 2008 Private Reserve Zinfandel
Simi Winery – 2008 Petite Sirah, 2008 Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Late Harvest Riesling
Stonestreet – 2009 Broken Road Chardonnay, 2007 Monument Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Black Cougar Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon
Stryker Sonoma – 2008 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Stuhlmuller Vineyards – 2010 Estate Chardonnay, 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002 Fortified Cabernet Sauvignon.
Taste Alexander Valley is an annual event sponsored by the Alexander Valley Winegrowers. To learn more about the organization, or the event, or to get on the mailing list for the 16th annual Taste Alexander Valley event in 2013, please go here.
Aside from event weekends, if you want to see what some of our favorite wineries and food stops are in the Alexander Valley area, please go here. While you’re in the area, you can also see our favorite wineries and food stops in the Dry Creek Valley area by going here.