Zinfandel Ports

Since it is Valentine's Day, it seems appropriate to talk about something sweet.  Sweet zins and pinots you ask?  Yes, actually.

From time to time over the past decade or so since I first discovered them, I have enjoyed sampling some California zinfandel ports, along with an occasional port made from petit syrah, merlot and other grapes.  Zins seem to work best among the California varietals for this purpose.

It is difficult to keep up with what is going on in this space as these wines receive very little press, but I did find a place where you can keep track of the recent port medal winners, including more than a handful of zin ports: winejudging.com

In addition to the recent medal winners, I would like to highlight some of my favorite zin ports, roughly in order of preference, but most of which I have not tasted in the current vintage:

• Hartford Family Winery -- available only to wine club members, I believe, at the moment
• Rosenblum Cellars -- currently has three different zin ports available
• Eric Ross Winery
• Trentadue -- also offers an excellent petite sirah port, as well as viogner (!?!) port that I have not tried, but sounds intriguing
• Lolonis -- I haven't had any zin ports from Lolonis in awhile, but it looks like they may have upgraded their offerings -- or at least their price points
• Ficklin -- a California port pioneer

Note to repeat readers: I have repaired all the broken links which may not have been working on previous visits.

Anderson Valley Wine Country Suggestions: Wineries

Wineries
Like the Russian River Valley, the cooler climate in Anderson Valley means some exemplar pinot noirs and chardonnays, in particular. Inland (Hopland, Ukiah, Redwood Valley and Potter Valley) is a top zin producing area. For more info on wineries in the Anderson Valley region, the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association is a great place to start. Some suggested stops:

1a) Navarro -- one of the best value high quality wineries in the state. Great selection for a small winery. In addition to the obvious pinot and chard, try some of the best California gewurztraminer and riesling (including the late harvest dessert wines), our favorite California pinot gris, as well as their Navarrouge red blend, a perfect everyday wine. Heck, try them all!

1b) Roederer Estate -- incomparable sparkling wines. Make sure you try the still wines too, if they are available.

2) Greenwood Ridge Vineyards -- next to Navarro, also with an extensive variety for a relatively small winery.

3) Goldeneye – a recently opened pinot palace, owned by the folks at Duckhorn.

4) Lazy Creek Vineyards -- get out your map and drive the back roads to this boutique producer of pinot, chard and a fascinating dry gewurztraminer. You may want to call ahead for an appointment just in case.

5) Esterlina Vineyards -- If you really want an off-road, back woods winery experience, call Esterlina and make the trip up dirt roads to the top of the valley to this low volume producer. Perhaps known most for their pinot, but high quality all around.

6) Londer Vineyards – After a trip there in the summer of 2006, this small winery jumped some heady competition to become my favorite Anderson Valley winery. They have since become somewhat of a cult winery and while they do not have a tasting room, it may still be possible to make an appointment with the owners for a tasting in their house. Incomparable pinots and a superb dry gewurz.

7) If you're still sober, you might also consider Handley, Brutocao and Husch.