Riverside Gold

The results of the Riverside International Competition were just announced, and we received two golds, one for our 2005 Syrah, and one for our 2006 Merlot. As far as we can tell, wineries from Oregon came away with a total of four gold medals this year (Willamette Valley Vineyards won the other two golds). The Riverside Competition is generally considered to be the most prestigious wine competition in the US. During Memorial Day weekend at our Tasting Lounge in Bend, you can sample the 2006 Merlot, as well as the 2006 Syrah, which won gold earlier this year at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Women Dig Us

Our Volcano Vineyards 2005 Syrah, Lakeside Vineyard, Rogue Valley was named Best of Show at the second annual National Women’s Wine Competition, winning the prestigious American Airlines Judges’ Choice Award. The Syrah also won a Double Gold Medal, and was picked as the Sweepstakes Red winner as Best Red Varietal.

The National Women’s Wine Competition is only in its second year, but its slate of judges is unbelievable, a ‘who’s who’ of the top women in the wine industry. For our 2005 Syrah to be chosen as the best wine from over 1600 entries from both the US and abroad is an overwhelming honor. There are hundreds of wine competitions held each year, and the first thing I look at before we decide to enter is the judging panel. When I can look down the list and recognize almost every name on it, I know that is a competition we need to be a part of.

Judges included Laurie Daniel, wine columnist for the San Jose Mercury News whose writing I loved so much Scott and I subscribed to the Merc when we lived in San Francisco just to read her stuff. Natalie MacLean, who publishes the online wine newsletter “Nat Decants” was also a judge. And the judging panel included winemakers from some of my favorite wineries: Elizabeth Vianna of Chimney Rock, and Sally Johnson from St. Francis to name a few. Also Rebecca Murphy, founder of the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, one of the most prestigious wine competitions in the country, and Dr. Ann C Noble, creator of the wine aroma wheel, which I have hanging on the wall in my office.

The National Women’s Wine Competition is the only competition with all-women judging panels, reflecting the marketplace reality that women make 60-70% of all wine buying decisions.

Oh, so soil matters after all…

A new study by German researchers (from the Service Center of Rural Areas) shows that soil type may have a greater influence than climate on the characteristics of wines. This contradicts conventional wisdom. Taking samples of Riesling grapes grown across Germany, researchers put lots of grapes from different vineyards through identical winemaking processes, then compared them based on soil types. What did they find? Riesling gown in Limestone based soils - even when grown hundreds of miles apart in completely different climates - had similar characteristics of tropical fruit and honey with intense color. Meanwhile, Riesling grown in sandstone soils all showed mineral and citrus qualities. Interesting stuff. These results were based on two years of study and are just the beginning. The next phase of the study will look specifically at climate differences. Stay tuned! And for more info, check out the January 2008 issue of Wines & Vines magazine.

Volcano Vineyards 2005 Syrah gets OUTSTANDING Review

The Spring 2008 issue of Wine Press Northwest is out and for the second year in a row, we’ve gotten a rating of “OUTSTANDING!” I have to say, this is the best review we’ve ever gotten. I LOVE Wine Press Norhtwest! Check this out:

“OUTSTANDING! Top-flight Syrahs from Scott Ratcliff in Bend, OR are becoming a tradition. This vineyard-designate near Jacksonville, OR is on the precocious side with youthful, lip-smacking sweet brambleberries and balanced oak. A dark midpalate leads to a rich and lingering finish of semi-sweet chocolate that brings you back. The Ratcliffs, who have a background in fine cuisine, suggest pairing this with pulled pork or salty and bitter foods such as greens, olives, lemons, eggplant and asparagus.”

Vintner's Dinner at McMenamins St. Francis

Join us on Saturday April 19 at 7 pm at McMenamins St. Francis for a four course wine dinner. Cost is $50 per person. Call 541-382-5174 for reservations. Here is the fabulous menu:

Hazelnut-crusted Rogue Creamery blue cheese with rosemary shortbread and champagne grapes
Volcano Vineyards 2005 Viognier

Mixed greens with Manchego cheese, spiced marcona almonds and Spanish olive vinaigrette Volcano Vineyards 2005 Syrah

Smoked buffalo tenderloin with truffle butter, roasted fingerling potatoes and sugar snap peas Volcano Vineyards 2005 Merlot

Chocolate lava cake with cherry-Syrah reduction
Volcano Vineyards Lava Red Blend

Another Gold Medal

We are very pleased to announce that we were awarded a Gold Medal at the 2008 Grand Harvest awards. The Gold Medal winning wine was our Volcano Vineyards 2005 Syrah from the Rogue Valley AVA in Southern Oregon. The Grand Harvest Awards are sponsored by Vineyard and Winery Management magazine. The focus of the competition is on terroir – the influence of soil, weather conditions, climate, etc. on the grapes. Wines are grouped not by varietal but by region or appellation. Volcano Vineyards was the only Gold Medal winner from the Rogue Valley AVA designation.

Valentine's Day Wine Dinner at Balay

Still have not made plans for Valentine’s Day? You are in luck! We are teaming up with Balay Coffee House (next to The Pine Tavern) to present a five course wine dinner featuring our Volcano Vineyards wines. Cost is $100 per couple. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today by calling 323-6417

FIRST COURSE
Wild Mushroom Tart
Riondo Pink Prosecco

SECOND COURSE
Endive, Apple, Blue Cheese and Hickory Salad
Volcano Vineyards 2005 Viognier

THIRD COURSE
Beef Provencal
Volcano Vineyards 2005 Merlot, Rogue Valley

FOURTH COURSE
Tumalo Farms Cheeses
Volcano Vineyards 2005 Syrah, Rogue Valley

FIFTH COURSE
Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake with Creme Anglaise
Harris Bridge Pinot Noir Dessert Wine

Hope to see you there!