Some nice press on WOPN and Sinor-LaVallee

2006 Sinor-La Vallee Talley-Rincon Vineyard Pinot Noir (Arroyo Grande Valley)

Deep, smoky, aggressive style, punctuated by luscious, bright, intense red berry fruitiness, folded into a medium body fleshed out by snappy acidity and moderate yet sinewy tannin.

-Randy Caparoso

Giuseppes Restaurant-Pismo

Just wanted to post that I had a great meal last night at Giuseppes in Pismo. It was the Grilled Prawns wraped in Procuitto, one of the nights specials. Love this place....

Petit Soleil in San Luis Obispo

Great people, Great location. A good friend of mine whom I recommended to stay here can't stop talking about the wonderful time him and his wife had at John and Dianne's, B&B Petit Soleil.

They are working with our Syrah this month.

http://www.petitsoleilslo.com/

-Mike

Check these photos out!

Chris Leschinsky's the name, rocking photo's is the game.....Check out the one with the Ocean in the back ground...

http://www.chrisleschinskyvineyards.com/

Sinor

Hospice Du Rhone

Here is a great article that shows why Hospice Du Rhone is such a great event.


http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=64259&htitle=Trial%20and%20Error%20at%20HdR

Wine Region News

Man it is tough to see yourself on the screen.....

If you have not heard this is the place on the web to find out the local food and wine happenings.

Thanks again Lynn...

http://www.wineregionnews.com/video.cfm/mediaid/46

Some local Press....

Posted on Sun, Mar. 29, 2009

The Grapevine: SLO County pinots for every budget

by Laurie Daniel

Plenty of local wines were on display at the recent World of Pinot Noir. The majority were from the Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley, areas that may not have quite the broad recognition of Santa Barbara County or the Russian River Valley but have still developed a reputation for their excellent pinots. A smattering were from other parts of the county, including spots that are outside any recognized appellation.
One such spot is Aubaine Vineyard, which is just four miles from the Pacific. Both Stephen Ross Wine Cellars and Sinor-LaVallee produce pinot bottlings from Aubaine. The 2006 Stephen Ross Aubaine Vineyard Pinot Noir ($50) offers pretty, ripe cherry and crushed strawberry flavors, while the 2006 Sinor LaVallee Aubaine Vineyard Pinot Noir ($40) is more structured.
Stephen Ross, which opened its tasting room in San Luis Obispo late last summer, produces a variety of pinots. The 2007 Stephen Ross Stone Corral Vineyard Pinot Noir ($50) from Edna Valley is dark, aromatic and a bit floral, with cherry and black raspberry wrapped around a firm core. The 2007 Stephen Ross Edna Valley Pinot Noir ($30) is a very pretty wine, with plenty of juicy fruit, while the 2007 Stephen Ross Central Coast Pinot Noir ($24) is a good buy that’s more muscular.
Mike Sinor also makes a pinot from Arroyo Grande Valley for Sinor-LaVallee: The 2006 Sinor-LaVallee Talley Rincon Pinot Noir ($40) displays ripe cherry and spice with a supple texture. Talley Vineyards’ own 2006 Rosemary’s Vineyard Pinot Noir ($70) is structured and concentrated, with ample fruit and supple texture; the less expensive 2006 Talley Estate Pinot Noir ($36) is also excellent but with a little less complexity.
Laetitia is the other big pinot player in Arroyo Grande. Its Estate Pinot Noir ($20) is always a good buy, but its higher-end cuvees were being poured at the event. The 2006 Laetitia Reserve Pinot Noir ($40) is a lovely wine, with ripe fruit, good depth and a smooth finish wrapped around firm structure.
A number of wines from Edna Valley were available for tasting. Baileyana was pouring a couple of small-production special bottlings — the ripe, plush 2007 La Entrada Pinot Noir ($32) and the spicier, more structured 2006 S-Bar Pinot Noir ($40)—but the currently available 2006 Grand Firepeak Cuvee Pinot Noir ($38) is also a good bet, with its bright raspberry and rhubarb flavors and firm structure. The 2007 Claiborne & Churchill Edna Valley Pinot Noir ($26) is a pretty wine, with ripe cherry and a slight leafy note, and the 2006 Kynsi Edna Valley Pinot Noir ($32) is ripe and supple, with strawberry and vanilla notes. Summerland Winery poured a very attractive 2007 Wolff Vineyard Pinot Noir ($45) from Jean-Pierre Wolff’s Edna Valley property; the wine is ripe, spicy and juicy, with firm tannins.
And if all these wines are a little too pricey for your budget, it’s hard to go wrong with the bright, lively 2007 Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir ($18). It doesn’t have the weight and complexity of many of the others, but it’s a very good buy in pinot.

E-mail Laurie Daniel at ladaniel@earthlink.net.

Hollywood meets the Vine…

Come join “Red Wine” Carpet on Friday March 27th

The Event:

An in store tasting and screening for the movie we are in called “From Ground to Glass”
Here is the low down on the movie:

www.fromgroundtoglass.com

“No Grapes, no barrels and no money-just a dream to make a little wine. That’s all Rob Dafoe had on his side with harvest just around the corner. But with the help of a few friends, the improbable happened. Follow this novice vintner in his pre “Sideways” quest to take his first wine from ground to glass, seeking inspiration and insight from renowned winemakers along the way. This is a story about transformation, not only of grapes, but of those who make them into wine”

Featured winemakers: Paul Draper, Matt Ortman, Warren Winiarski, Jim Clendenen, Shane Kline and a whole cast of others including some kid from Visalia…….

Director Rob DaFoe, Matt Ortman and Shayne Cline will also be there pouring there wines and other winemakers may join, but herding winemakers is a lot like herding cats.

The movie recently received a four star rating and two thumbs up from Mike’s Mom.

Location:

The world famous wine shop in Templeton California, 15 Degrees C. Our friends Ali and Allison own and run the shop and are some of the most knowledgeable people we know about the world of wine.
www.15degreescwines.com
805-434-1554 for reservations and questions

Time and Money:

6 pm and $25 at the door. For that you will get a complete tasting from all the winemakers in attendance, artisan cheeses and meat platters and a chance to rub elbows with some of Hollywood’s finest. (Smell that? that’s sarcasm)

Prizes! :

Anyone who buys a bottle of Sinor-LaVallee wine that night will be put in a drawing to win a limited production Magnum of one of our wines. (Due to the Federalizes you will need to buy it for $.25 cents)

Be there or be square……

World of Pinot Noir 2009

WOW what a year!!!!!!

Thank you to all the people who made the 2009 World of Pinot Noir a rocking success.

Cheers!

Mike

Chairman of the Board 2009
World of Pinot Noir

Sinor-LaVallee on CBS local news

Tune in at 5pm this Sunday on KCOY- CBS Channel 12.

I was interviewed by Lynn Diehl a few weeks back and the rumer is they may show me riding my skateboard....scary

Kathy's Pick!

Email me or Jean@sinorlavallee.com to buy some......

Kathy's Pick! by KATHY MARCKS HARDESTY

Sinor LaVallee 2005 Pinot Noir Anniversary Cuvee Arroyo Grande Valley

Winemaker Mike Sinor makes this special blend to commemorate his marriage to Cheri LaVallee Sinor in Beaune, the heart of Burgundy in France. The Pinot Noirs, grown in Talley and Aubaine vineyards, create an intense and impressive wine, the darkest and spiciest of his three proprietary Pinots. It’s layered with flavors of blackberries, black cherries, and plums, nuanced with impressive notes of blueberries and tart Bing cherries. This deep and flavorful wine lingers with a long spicy finish. Well balanced and drinkable now, it will become greater with time in the bottle. So buy two and hide one in the back of your cellar. Let it age five or more years and it will be a treat when you rediscover it. An excellent value at $45 retail, it’s only available online at
www.sinorlavallee.com.

Ancient Peaks 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Paso RoblesAncient Peaks 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Paso Robles

Besides his limited-production wines, winemaker Mike Sinor also makes this value-priced line of good quality wines. Bright and lively, this white offers tasty green-apple and melon flavors highlighted with herb and Meyer-lemon notes. Flavorful and food-friendly it’s a good deal at $12 retail. Pair this with roasted poultry, curried Asian dishes, or chilaquiles (that aren’t too spicy-hot). It’s available at Ancient Peak’s tasting room in Santa Margarita and in local wine stores.
www.ancientpeaks.com

La Maison Gourmet

Cool wine and cheese shop down in Mission Viejo. They do fun tastings over looking the lake. They are very knowledgeable about wine not to mention there amazing ability to pick out great wines to carry :)

27772 Vista del Lago, Ste B-15
Mission Viejo CA 92692
Phone: 949-916-4810

Casanova in Carmel

Wow! What a great place. Check out the web site and the picture of the hand dug wine cellar straight out of France. Amazing food! Ask for Wine Directer Kris or Sommelier Adam .....cool guys.


5th Street between Mission and San Carlos
Carmel, CA 93921
Phone: (831) 625-0501
Fax: (831) 625-9799
email: info@casanovarestaurant.com

Great Christmas Gift!

The long awaited DVD release is finally here! This is a great movie and I am not just saying that because I am in it. Rob Defoe the directer has put his heart and soul in this project. It shows.

Buy it locally here:
http://www.15degreescwines.com/

Check out the press here:
http://pacbiztimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=530&Itemid=1

Learn more about it here:
http://fromgroundtoglass.com/

Merry Christmas!

Mike

Ouvree

Person-day measures of land

Units representing the amount of land that could be cultivated in 1 day by hand, that is, without horse, oxen, or mules. Such units are often specific to a particular type of agricultural land.

For example, in France one Ouvrée is 20 square rods of vinyard.

Kathy's Pick !

Food & Wine CuisineKathy's Pick

Sinor-LaVallee 2006 Pinot Noir Aubaine Vineyard Arroyo Grande Valley

by

KATHY MARCKS HARDESTY

During the holidays, I love bringing special bottles of Central Coast wines up from my cellar to share with my guests. And this winery is always among those I like showing off. This complex wine offers a mouthful of ripe black fruit and wild berry notes, highlighted with spice, earth, leather, and smoke. I find Pinot Noir the most versatile red for the table and a great choice for special meals, be it roast turkey, salmon, seared ahi, or prime rib. The quality/value ratio makes this a great buy, even at $40 retail. But do let me know if you find a French Burgundy nearly as good at the same price. Just about to be released into the local market, typically found at Monterey St. Wine Co. and 15 Degrees C wine shops, this wine can be ordered early at
http://www.sinorlavallee.com/.

Sounds good to me...

The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars.

Benjamin Franklin

Pinot on the River

Click through to the link below for discounted tickets for this not to be missed tasting...

http://www.pinotfestival.com/ticketsinor.htm

Last pick of 2008 Pinot Noir is tommorow!!!!!

cheers

Mike

New Times

Sinor-LaVallee 2006 Pinot Noir Talley Vineyards

by KATHY MARCKS HARDESTY

Winemaker Mike Sinor makes three excellent Pinot Noirs, which are just being released in wine shops. According to Sinor: “The 2006 Pinot Noirs are more European in style.” I favor the elegant Talley Rincon, which opens with forward fruit flavors of Bing cherry, fresh blackberries, and ripe plums, beautifully layered with notes of minerals, earthy mushrooms, and allspice. It’s young yet already quite enjoyable on its own, but I suggest saving it for your holiday dinner parties to impress your guests. Pinot Noir is the most versatile of all red wines at the table so it’s a great choice for goose, prime rib, turkey, or rack of lamb. There’s no doubt in the quality per price ratio, this collectible wine is a good buy at $40, compared to its peers at this level.

San Luis Obispo Tribune

San Luis Obispo Tribune Friday, Sep. 26, 2008

Wine Notes: Light harvest follows hard season
Spring frost caused what’s called ‘shatter,’ when grape flowers fail to pollinate

by Janis Switzer

Now that we’re about a month into the 2008 wine grape harvest, you’ll hear two words often mentioned by just about every grower in San Luis Obispo County: “light” to describe the yield, and “shatter” to explain why.
“There’s not a lot of fruit hanging out there,” says Lisa Pretty of Pretty- Smith Vineyards in Paso Robles, “but what is there is looking really good.”
In San Luis Obispo County, projections on yield are similar to Northern California. Some growers are experiencing yields that are off as much as 40 percent for some varieties — cabernet sauvignon, merlot and other red varietals have been affected the most. Other varietals, such as chardonnay, seem hardly to be affected at all. And across the county and across most vineyards, berry size and clusters are small.

The main reason behind the lower yields and the smaller berries is a condition called “shatter.” It’s what happens to a grapevine when certain weather conditions, such as cold and wind, cause the grapevine flowers not to pollinate, and thus not to become berries, or “shot berries” in grape-growing vernacular. In some cases, very small berries and small clusters result.
This year shatter was triggered by a record-breaking spring frost that occurred the third week of April. Temperatures dropped into the mid-teens overnight for five days, and stayed below freezing from many hours. Winds were also heavy during that period, only exacerbating the condition.
When freezing temperatures happen during the winter during plant dormancy, no damage occurs. But this year the frost came just as the vines were putting forth flowering buds. Certain varieties, including cabernet sauvignon, merlot, Grenache and malbec, are more susceptible to shatter, and in many cases vineyards with those varieties lost more than 40 percent of their crop.

John Richardson, a member of the Independent Grape Growers of Paso Robles, reports his vineyard is almost 50 percent behind last year. Pretty says her vineyard is down about a quarter, mostly because of her cabernet losses. And Mike Sinor of Sinor-LaVallee says his Paso Robles vineyard is down by at least 20 percent, while his pinot noir vineyard in the South County is about the same as last year, thanks both to warmer spring temperatures there, along with pinot noir’s resistance to shatter.

Don Ackerman of Meridian in Paso Robles reports his yields have been “modest,” but thanks to some smart thinking and investing ahead of time, shatter didn’t affect him. “It didn’t really hurt our yields too badly because we can frost protect nearly all of our acreage.”
There is a silver lining behind the short crops across the state. “The glut of ’05 has really worked its way through the system and we’re now on the other side of the coin,” Sinor explains. Stacie Jacob, director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance says, “Long term, this year puts supply and demand back into balance.” She further says that with a leaning towards demand, the market “should encourage earlier contracts between wineries and growers for 2009.”

The other good news to the 2008 vintage is going to be quality. “I’m very, very happy with what I’ve seen so far,” Sinor says of the quality of his fruit. Ackerman says, “it looks to be an overall great quality year.” And the combination of low volume and high quality works well for increased grape prices on the open market—where extra fruit is virtually impossible to come by this year, and where growers are finally moving prices up from the last three years of oversupply.
“Overall I think it’s going to be a good year for anyone with a vineyard,” Pretty concludes.

Gliding through a memory of a time yet to come...

One of my all time favorite Beastie Boys lyrics that remind me of harvest time and thinking ahead to the finished wines ……Weather in the Edna and Arroyo Grande Valleys has been picture perfect. I harvested my second pick of Talley-Rincon yesterday in fog was so thick that I could not see the other side of my one acre block.
Also early in the week I pressed off my fist pick of Rincon Pinot. I cannot remember the last time I had pressed off a tank before anything else was harvested. How cool would that be if was always like this?
Stopped by yesterday to bring beer to Steve Dooley (http://www.stephenrosswine.com) at his new winery. As his cellar crew was weighting out Zin from Dusi, I gave him a hand hanging new refrigeration coils. Once again the romance of the business includes hammers, cheater bars, and one old school drill press that took a bite out of Steve’s hand.
So…where in the hell are all the other guys that said they were going to post to this thing?
Sinor out.

Uncle Terry does it!

Domaine Alfred Winery gets new owner!

Crimson Wine Group’s undisclosed purchase price includes a vineyard, tasting room, two homes south of SLO
By Melanie Cleveland
A Napa-based company that specializes in high-end wines is buying the Edna Valley’s Domaine Alfred Winery for an undisclosed sum, both buyer and seller confirmed Tuesday.
Crimson Wine Group is a subsidiary of Leucadia National Corp., a publicly traded $8 billion investment firm based in New York City, with executive offices in Salt Lake City.
The deal is expected to close Thursday, according to winery owner Terry Speizer and Crimson President Erle Martin.
The winery employs 14 people and includes 130 acres of vineyards off Orcutt Road south of San Luis Obispo, as well as a new winemaking center with “custom crush” capacity, the Domaine Alfred label, new equipment, a tasting room, a wine club and two homes, according to individuals involved with the deal. The property on Orcutt Road is zoned to allow up to six more homes.
Speizer declined to disclose the sale price. The property was listed for $30 million last year.
The right buyer
“It was more important to me to sell to the right party, one that makes world class wines, does biodynamic farming, and has the financial wherewithal,” he said. “They are the perfect steward to take it to the next level.” Biodynamic agriculture is a method of organic farming.
Speizer, who bought the property in 1997 for about $1 million, has devoted his time to building the Domaine Alfred brand’s quality and reputation in its production of high-end pinot noir, chardonnay and syrah wines.
In 2005, he was one of three people who won a U. S. Supreme Court case that lifted various states’ bans on shipments of wine from out-of-state. That decision has helped increase sales of all California wines to consumers outside the state.
Speizer, who was making about 10,000 cases a year at the time, had since upped Domaine Alfred’s production to about 25,000 cases a year. His chardonnay, grenache, syrah, and pinot noir varietals retail from about $20 to $90 a bottle.
Best in Edna Valley
Martin said his firm bought Domaine Alfred because it represents the best of the Edna Valley wine-growing region and fits the company’s practice of owning niche luxury wine producers.
Domaine Alfred’s pinot noirs have scored 90-plus on Wine Spectator magazine’s 100-point scale, making them some of the elite wines of the Central Coast, Martin said. Its Chamisal Vineyards Califa 2004 scored 96 points.
“Terry Speizer successfully restored the Chamisal vineyards to one of the great vineyards of the Central Coast, bringing in biodynamic farming and really meticulous practices,” Martin said. “Our first job is to really understand what has made this place successful to date, and then start looking at opportunities to expand.”
Crimson’s portfolio includes a highly acclaimed Pine Ridge Winery in the Stags Leap district of Napa Valley; Double Canyon Vineyards, with vineyards and a winery under development in Washington state; and Archery Summit in Willamette Valley, Ore., which Wine Spectator calls the Rolls- Royce of Oregon pinot noir.
Boosting its profile
Calling the vineyard holdings at Domaine Alfred “spectacular” and “one of the great vineyards of the Central Coast,” Martin believes the expertise of Crimson’s corporate sales and marketing team for their entire portfolio will help increase Domaine Alfred’s exposure and revenue.
The winery’s finance and accounting arm will also move to Crimson headquarters in Napa, Martin said.
Domaine Alfred winemaker Fintan du Fresne will remain to manage the day-to-day operations of the winery and vineyard, Martin said.
Du Fresne, who also has worked for Adelaida Cellars in Paso Robles and Calera Wine Co. in Hollister, replaced winemaker Mike Sinor in 2006.
Speizer says he intends to limit his wine business to “drinking wine … lots of kinds,” and he will venture instead into the solar and geothermal energy business, although he declined to name a company or his potential partners.

Harvest has started!!!

I must say in all my years it has never started with this much bang! We started vintage 2008 today picking in a freak lighting and thunder storm. According to news reports 2500 plus lightning bolts filled the morning sky's over San Luis Obispo. This was the earliest pick I can remember.

We picked half of our block today. Got .8 tons total. Flavors and numbers look great.

One bolt hit just over the hill from where we were picking and it sent the whole crew and us (Leslie- Talleys winemaker, Kevin-Talleys vineyard manager) back a few feet. Quite the experience.....when we were done picking we could see three fires in the hills above the winery.

Click below for the local story on the storm....

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/breakingnews/story/440220.html

Blogging off !!!!!!

Since I have been a bit slow to blog lately I took an offer from a few friends to join a group of Pinot producers and collectively blog. Should be fun.

I must say something like this is the reason I love this industry. Can you imagine a group of semiconductors producers getting together to share how goes production of a new product?

Stay tuned!

Click below to see the Wall Street Journal article about it.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/introducing-pinotharvestcom-whats-harvest-whos/story.aspx?guid=%7B39357264-912F-453C-A0E0-5E7CC27AE12F%7D&dist=hppr

P.S. my acre at Talley Rincon is at 24.5 Brix......wholly shit batman!

Cool Wine Shop in Ventura

I discovered this wine shop yesterday in downtown Ventura. Great cheeses and a wine selection that is out of this world! Stop by and say Hi to owners Kelly and Tina. We talked about me doing a pouring there later this summer, I will let everyone know if it happens.

Cheers!

Mike

Paradise Pantry
677 E. Main St
Ventura CA 93001
805-641-9440

www.paradisepantry.com

Cool New web site!

Cool new web site in town. Check out the great review of WOPN 08.

http://www.redwinebuzz.com/08wopn.htm

Cheers!

May 3rd 6:30pm Winemaker Dinner in Clovis, CA. USA. Earth

MENU

CRAB SALAD FILLED SWEET CORN CREPE
Sinor-LaVallee, Pinot Gris, Byron Vineyard, 2006

ASSIETTE OF CLOVERDALE FARM'S RABBIT
Confit Shoulder, Herb Crusted Crown Roast, Cabbage wrapped Faggot,
Rice Bean Ragout, Apple Cider-Grain Mustard Sauce
Sinor-LaVallee, Pinot Noir, Aubaine Vineyard, 2005

DUCK PASTRAMI and CHIOGGA BEET CARPACCIO
Salad of Watercress, Shaved Fennel, Ver Jus Dressing
Sinor-LaVallee, Pinot Noir, Talley-Rincon Vineyard, 2005

TRELIO'S OWN "SURF IN TURF"
(worth the price of admission)
Bacon Wrapped Scallop Stuffed Harris Ranch Filet Mignon,
Smoked Garlic Whipped Pomme Puree, Haricot Vert,
Caramelized Pearl Onions, Red Wine Jus
Sinor-LaVallee, Pinot Noir, Anniversary Cuvee, 2005

BAKED GOAT'S CHEESE BRIE
Pistachio "Peanut Butter", Port Wine-Fig Compote
Sinor-LaVallee, Syrah, Ryan Road Vineyard, 2004

Menu and Wine
$105 per person

Reservations (559) 297-0783
...only 8 seats left...


438 Clovis Ave. Clovis, CA 93612

http://www.treliorestaurant.com/

Reason for being...

"Now I'm singing all my songs to the girl who won my heart".....the Ocean. by Led Zeppelin

We are back!

Hi all- Sorry for the long time between posts. Aubaine is looking great. 10-12 inches in growth and our first pass for shoot thinning is done. Talley is a bit behind that and looking great.

Cheers!

Mike

Tonight's Wine...

2006 Ortman Family Vineyards "Cuvee Eddy" A rockin blend of Syarh,Grenache,Petite Sirah, Mouvedre,Viognier

As we decorate our tree this wine is going down well.

Bravo to the Ortman Family!!

http://www.ortmanvineyards.com/

Tasting next Friday!

We will pouring our new releases on Dec 7th from 4:30 to 8:00pm at Monterey Street Wine Company in San Luis Obispo. http://www.montereystreetwines.com/events.html

Also there will be the rocking wines of Trou de Bonde. This is Clay and Karen Brocks label. Clay and I worked Byron and Corbett Canyon together and is like my big brother in wine.

See you there!

Mike and Cheri

Happy Holidays!

Hi Everyone- Happy holidays from the Sinor Family.

Cheers!

Mike and Cheri

"Back when I was a kid"

A great friend of mine sent this to me. Claiborne and Churchill Rocks! Even thought they did not own a forklift when I worked with them! I love CC! Click on the link below and go to slide 70.

Cheers!


thttp://www.claibornechurchill.com/Photos/20slideshow_files/frame.htm

Anniversary Cuvee 2007

"OK Dad take the picture so we can get to the skate park"-Tomas.

Harvest is on it's way!

Spent some time with Kevin the new Vineyard Manager at Talley yesterday. Looks great. The cold winter and very dry year has given us a leaner canopy than we have seen it the past. The crew will be into my section maybe Friday for a pass to remove any clusters from the short shoots and any bunching of the clusters. Once again this is one of the best looking vineyards I have ever seen.

Cheers! (with a glass of 97 Batard-Montrachet from Domaine LeFlaive in my hand, thanks to a couple of friends!)

Mike

Nice review from LA Times....

TASTING PANEL

A sampling of California Pinot Noirs

Patrick Comiskey

April 25, 2007

-
Pinot Noir: chasing greatness
THE Times tasting panel met recently to assess two subgroups of California Pinot Noirs — those made in the bigger, rounder style and wines from several fringe growing regions. Joining me for the tasting, which was conducted blind, were Food editor Leslie Brenner, columnist Russ Parsons, restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila and staff writer Corie Brown. Panelists were asked to focus on what, if anything, rendered each wine unique. Wines are listed in order of the panel's preference.

2005 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Russian River Valley Stiling Vineyard Pinot Noir.

From a small family-owned vineyard, this earthy wine has sweet red fruit aromas, with notes of pine, wintergreen and dried rose petals. Plenty of nerve and intensity, with a caramel-like oak component, a soft, supple texture and a nice minerality that makes you want to keep going back to the glass. Available at Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese in Los Angeles, (323) 856-8699; and Silverlake Wine in Los Angeles, (323) 662-9024, silverlakewine.com, about $36.

2005 Cargasacchi Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir.

Beautifully lifted and light, there's a gentleness to this Pinot with its scents of wild strawberry and plums. Nicely balanced with a bit of complexity and an earthy bottom note that grounds the wine and gives it length. One of the prettier wines on the table. Available at Twenty Twenty Wine Merchants in West Los Angeles, (310) 447-2020, http://www.2020wines.com , about $43.

2004 Stephen Ross Wine Cellars Arroyo Grande Valley Aubaine Vineyards Pinot Noir.

A fascinating wine, vinous and deep, with powerful aromas of blueberries and black plum, with a hint of sage, thyme and rose petals. Still youthful on the palate, very concentrated and young, rippling with intensity. Available at Duke of Bourbon in Canoga Park, (818) 341-1234, dukeofbourbon.com; Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese; and Manhattan Fine Wines in Manhattan Beach, (310) 374-3454, manhattanfinewines.com, about $36.2005

Loring Wine Co. Santa Rita Hills Clos Pepe Vineyards Pinot Noir.

A big extracted wine with a scent of crushed berries and ripe cherries. It's well-balanced and likable, with plenty of fat, ripe flavor but not much subtlety. Ripe texture and intense concentration. Available at Twenty Twenty Wine Merchants; Wally's Wine & Spirits in Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606, wallywine.com; and Woodland Hills Wine Co. in Woodland Hills, (818) 222-1111, whwc.com, about $46.2004

Varner Santa Cruz Mountains Spring Ridge Vineyard "Hidden Block" Pinot Noir.

A peculiar wine at first: Like a Burgundy, it exhibits more savory scent of green herbs and lavender than fruit, but the fruit seemed to gather with air. On the palate, it's cool and beautiful, with hints of menthol, herbs, tobacco, blood and earth in intriguing layers of flavor. "I want to keep coming back to it," one taster said, "not because I love it, but I want to understand it, like a bad boyfriend." Available at K&L Wine Merchants, Hollywood, (323) 464-9463, klwines.com, about $36.2005 Capiaux Cellars Sonoma County "Chimera" Pinot Noir. From a variety of mostly Sonoma Coast sources, this Pinot is deep and dark in color, with scents of raspberry and plum, juicy Bing cherry flavor. "Big fruit, one note," one panelist said. Available at Bristol Farms in West Hollywood, (310) 248-2804 ; and Woodland Hills Wine Co., about $25.

2004 Red Car Winery Russian River Valley "Amour Fou" Pinot Noir.

The biggest and baddest of the bunch, reflecting a newer, more high-powered style that resembles Syrah in intensity and structure. A powerfully red-fruited wine with lots of chunky oak and a velvety texture that hints at Russian River nuance but takes it over the edge. "Over the top," one taster wrote, and that it is, for those who like their Pinots big. Available at Du Vin Wine & Spirits in West Hollywood, (310) 855-1161, du-vin.com; and Silverlake Wine, about $55.

2004 Sinor-LaVallee Wine Co. Arroyo Grande Valley Aubaine Vineyards Pinot Noir.

Every bit as brooding and intense as the Stephen Ross, it has a dark savory oak aroma along with black plum and cocoa. On the palate, flavors of plum, blueberry and spicy, molasses-like oak. The texture is gripping. Available at Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454, winex.comabout $35.

— Patrick Comiskey

LA Times today....

Nice mention in LA times today. Great picture of Steve Dooley just above the vineyard formans house.

cheers!

CALIFORNIA WINE

Pinot Noir: chasing greatness
Around for more than a century, the grape is still challenging vintners to get it right. And now it has momentum on its side.

By Patrick Comiskey, Special to The Times April 25, 2007

A sampling of California Pinot Noirs
RAISE a glass of California Pinot Noir, and what are the aromas that greet you? There's fruit — wild strawberry, black cherry, plum — but a great Pinot Noir employs its fruit as a meeting point for other nuances: scents of dark loamy earth and coastal forest, lavender and rose, a spice cabinet of savory herbs. When you sip, you encounter haunting complexity of flavor, velvety textures and, most important, hints to where it was grown. After more than 100 years of growing the grape, California winemakers are still chasing that ideal. Pinot's calling card, after all, is terroir expression, its uncanny ability to convey a distinct sense of place, just in its aromas and flavors. No other grape is as evocative; none has its powers of seduction.Cabernet may still hold the pole position in California, but for the moment, Pinot has all the momentum. Through fits and starts, that momentum has been gathering. Today, producers are scrambling to meet demand, and there's a swelling middle ground of new, somewhat generic Pinots: tasty, juicy wines with generous extracted fruit flavors, plush textures and soft tannins, often sweetened by generous oak. These wines may be yummy, but they're hardly distinctive. For the most exciting California Pinots these days, you have to head out to the edge, exploring wines from producers who are experimenting with the frontier regions of grape growing.Since Pinot's poignant, vulnerable star turn in the 2004 movie "Sideways," we've become a nation smitten with it. According to industry analyst ACNielsen, sales of domestic Pinot Noir have doubled in the last two years. Since 2000, acreage has more than doubled, with thousands of acres of new plantings each year; entire Chardonnay vineyards are being grafted over to Pinot Noir in Monterey County and even in the Central Valley. A glut that materialized in 2004 was obliterated by the post-"Sideways" uptick in demand, one that shows no signs of waning.In the backgroundSUCH meteoric growth makes it hard to remember that before 2001, Pinot fans formed a subculture in the California wine world; it was beneath the notice of many lovers of Cabernet, Chardonnay and Merlot. The Pinot Noir grape has been in the ground in California since the middle of the 19th century. Author John Winthrop Haeger ("North American Pinot Noir") notes that in 1858, Buena Vista winery founder Agoston Haraszthy included the variety among those for sale at his winery in Sonoma County. Soon after, nursery catalogs referred to red varieties by their presumed Burgundian origin, like Chambertin and Pinot d'Epernay. Settlers preferred hardier varieties such as Zinfandel and Charbono, however, and almost as soon as it took root, Pinot fell into decline.Nevertheless, it managed to survive both phylloxera and Prohibition, and as early as 1941, author Frank Schoonmaker believed Pinot Noir to be "the one serious rival to Cabernet Sauvignon in California." Pinot Noirs routinely won gold medals in state and county fair wine contests, and by the early 1960s, Napa Valley had as many acres planted to Pinot Noir as to Cabernet. But in the early '70s, the grape's popularity declined dramatically behind its contemporaries, Cabernet and Chardonnay, each of which had been given a huge boost in public perception by the Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976. It didn't help that the grape fared poorly when subjected to aggressive, modern winemaking techniques. Critics of the period complained of vegetal aromas, weedy flavors, thin textures and painful astringency. But in the late '70s, things began to change. In California and Oregon, winemakers learned to employ the finesse that the grape required, and wineries such as Sanford, Calera, Au Bon Climat, Acacia and Saintsbury emerged as signature Pinot houses. These were joined by an astonishing core group of growers and winemakers from the Russian River Valley, including Merry Edwards, Gary Farrell, Tom Dehlinger, the Rochioli family, and Burt Williams and Ed Selyem. A similar flowering was occurring in Oregon.The expansion of acreage devoted to Pinot was accelerated in the 1990s by the propagation of clones from Burgundy that were well-suited to the outer reaches of California's climate. Known collectively as Dijon clones, these ripened earlier than anything then in the ground; suddenly regions previously considered too marginal to support any grape production became viable sites. Today, in search of that elusive sense of a great terroir for Pinot, California vintners are growing it in undreamed-of places, sometimes on the fringe of existing appellations and sometimes miles from any grape-growing area.Consider the Pinot vineyard planted by identical twins Jim and Bob Varner, just south of Woodside on the San Francisco Peninsula. Set on an east-bearing slope facing the bay, it's probably the northernmost commercial vineyard on the peninsula — there's no other vineyard in sight. Technically their vineyard, called Spring Ridge, is in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA (American Viticultural Area), but even for that sprawling appellation, it's out there. Only one ridge separates the vines from the Pacific, so the site is oppressively cool, even for Pinot Noir; and yet just six miles south lies Ridge's Monte Bello Vineyard, arguably one of the world's greatest sites for Cabernet Sauvignon. Fog, by rights, should roar over the vineyard like it does over the Golden Gate Bridge, but it doesn't; an inversion layer of air hovering over the bay prevents the fog line from advancing. So on a typical summer day the fog rushes in and grinds to a halt over the vineyard, where it's held in check. "It comes one-third of the way down the hill," winemaker Bob Varner says, "and just hangs there." Wine made from grapes grown here carries with it an apt tension. With its gentle florals of violets and savory, wild cherry flavors, the 2004 Varner Pinot is cool, poised, unique. Generally speaking, frontier vineyards have yielded a darker profile of fruit than in more traditional enclaves such as the Russian River Valley or Carneros. A Pacific viewAUBAINE Vineyard is one such site. Located near the Central Coast town of Nipomo, just a few hundred yards west of the Arroyo Grande Valley, the vineyard lies on the western slope of the hills that form that appellation's western border. Two wineries, Stephen Ross and Sinor-La Vallee, draw fruit from there. At 800 feet of elevation, Aubaine overlooks a broad plain that slopes directly to the Pacific; in fact, it is one of the few vineyards in California where you can actually see the ocean, which fairly guarantees an intense maritime effect. The yields here are painfully small, and both wineries produce an intense, vivid wine, with abundant but fine tannins and uncommonly blue fruit. Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County shares this reputation for fruit intensity. Thirty years ago the region was considered too cold, too marginal and too exotic for any but the most stubborn of winemakers — such as Richard Sanford, whose leafy, cool weather Pinots benefited from a fair amount of time in the bottle. Sanford's lead encouraged others, including Bryan Babcock and Pierre Lafond, to put down vines, and many exciting wineries followed, including Melville, Loring, Sea Smoke and Foley."There's a strong commonality to the wines here," says Peter Cargasacchi, whose family-owned vineyard lies on the western end of this very cool appellation, and who recently started his own eponymous label. Santa Rita Hills wines have a mesmerizing intensity to them, characterized by firm tannins and dark blue fruit flavors: blueberries, black raspberries, plum."Blue" wasn't a common fruit descriptor for Pinot Noir until fairly recently, ushered into use by the powerhouse wines of the Santa Lucia Highlands near Monterey, where noted grower and personality Gary Pisoni first planted his vineyard. Pisoni Vineyard-designated Pinots burst into the market like a blueberry bombshell in the mid-'90s, and critics and consumers marveled at their brilliant, almost unnatural intensity. For years it was unclear to me how such cool, marginal places could produce such dark, concentrated wines. What made the blue wines blue?Part of the answer lies with the wind. Many of the landscapes in Pinot's frontier growing areas serve as gateways for maritime air as it's drawn to warmer inland valleys. That daily onslaught wreaks havoc on a grapevine's physiology. "The wind just sucks on that vine," Cargasacchi says, "and slows its rate of evapo-transpiration [its ability to pull up water and nutrients]. Eventually it just shuts down." That devigoration, explains Jeff Frey, Aubaine's vineyard manager, stunts the growth cycle. "The berries are definitely smaller," he says, "and the skins are tougher too." Greater fruit concentration and intensity are the result.The sprawling Sonoma Coast appellation produces distinctive Pinots from a variety of regions ranging from its blustery outlying ridges — "the outer coast," as it's come to be known — to the Petaluma Gap, through which Pacific winds hurtle toward the Central Valley. Fog is an indicator of the frontier edge of Pinot territory. It's a factor in the Anderson Valley and in the Russian River Valley, where its daily incursions are so regular in the summer that, as grower Ted Klopp told me, "You can set your watch to it." In 2005 the Russian River Valley AVA expanded its southern and western borders by more than 30,000 acres to better reflect the geography and drainage patterns of the watershed. When the AVA boundary was originally set in 1983, not a single vineyard existed outside of its border and no one anticipated any. Now there are several.Foggy terrainIT'S where you find a portion of the Green Valley sub-AVA. This jumble of hills represents the coolest, most fog-bound section of the Russian River AVA, and its southern edge is home to vineyards for wineries such as Dutton-Goldfield, Orogeny, Tandem and Capiaux, which are making some of the more intensely expressive wines in the region. East of the Green Valley, most of the vineyard plantings have occurred in the last 10 years. It's where Merry Edwards has established her own estate vineyard, and she draws from several others in the area, as do Patz & Hall, Freeman and De Loach. Klopp, one of Edwards' sources, says there's little similarity between this new area and the more established vineyards on Westside Road, such as Rochioli. "We're only five miles from the ocean," he says, "so we're much cooler by day and much warmer by night."Flavors in this area's wines are a bit more generous, with a bit more amplitude and breadth, but they still possess an impressive concentration, as if the Russian River texture has been lightly compressed. Such nuances are what Pinot expresses better than any other grape variety, and that ability is why with each new boundary crossed, winemakers are looking to head over the next hill, and with each new bottle, wine lovers have more to explore too.

food@latimes.com

How to buy our wine?

Hi Ginny- Thanks for your kind comment. The best way to buy our wine is to contact my wife Cheri at cheri@sinorlavallee.com

cheers!

Radio podcast

Here is the interview I did this weekend. Is it just me or does everyone hate to hear one's own voice over the radio?

Thanks again Kathy and Cliff!

http://grapevineradio.net/podcasts.html

Cheers

More kind words about us.....

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/16765187.htm

Gotta love the Bison head in the back ground!


Wine Notes: Winemaker's pinot has a personal touch
By Janis Switzer

Special to The Tribune
Tribune photo by Jayson Mellom

Next weekend, winemaker Mike Sinor is attending the seventh annual World of Pinot Noir, an event that he helped found. But this year will be special because it is the first time he will be there with his own label, Sinor-LaVallee.
As head winemaker for Edna Valley’s Domaine Alfred Winery for the past six years, Sinor, 36, has received wide acclaim for his signature pinot noir wines. In fact, his 2004 Domaine Alfred Chamisal Vineyard Pinot Noir was just ranked No. 51 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2006.
"Yes, I was the winemaker for that, and it was awesome," the humble Sinor explains, "but I certainly don’t take all the credit." He gives much of the credit to owner Terry Speizer. Sinor says he loved working with Speizer: "We were a great team."

Accidental winemaker

On his own since May, Sinor is making his wines and enjoying his life in his own individualistic style.
Ending up in the world of winemaking was an accident for Sinor. Paying his own way through Cal Poly, Sinor’s first job in wine was as a tasting room attendant at Corbett Canyon in 1991.
"People ask me how I got into the wine business, and it was just financial," Sinor recalls. "It was just a job —if it paid well, I was in."
That job led to positions at five other local wineries — many of which he worked concurrently to earn money for tuition and rent. He says he worked any job he could find, from pouring in the tasting rooms to racking barrels, cleaning floors and mowing lawns.
That was when Sinor got hooked.
"At that point I had already dedicated myself to growing grapes and making wines," he says now. "I felt at that point — even at 20 years old — that I was going to do it for the rest of my life."
After finishing at Cal Poly in 1994, Sinor took a temporary harvest position with Byron Vineyards and Winery in Santa Maria. That temporary position led to a permanent cellar position. After that, he became an enologist and, ultimately, assistant to winemaker Ken Brown. When he started, the winery was producing about 15,000 cases a year. By the time he left six years later, they were up to 80,000 cases.
"It was Ken Brown who introduced me to pinot noir," Sinor remembers. "I knew in this business you had to have a great mentor, and for me it was him."
Two others he says he’s learned much from are Ken Volk and Brian Talley, also founding members of the World of Pinot Noir.

Pursuing a dream

Sinor left Byron in 2000 to become the winemaker for Domaine Alfred. The new winery offered him the opportunity to be part of an exciting new brand, as well as practice a new philosophy of growing grapes that he was exposed to in France: biodynamics.
"Biodynamics is all about observation," Sinor explains. While the practice involves specific planting and growing techniques, Sinor simplifies it by explaining that it’s all about being "instinctive." Given the remarkable track record he has, the practice seems to be working.
Sinor worked at Domaine Alfred from 2000 to last May, when he finally decided to make a go of it on his own. He had started making his own wine in 1997, while still at Byron, but only a barrel or two a year for family and friends. He continued that once he moved to Domaine Alfred, and he credits Speizer for giving him the freedom to do that.
"He saw that I was a man of my word, and that I was not there to compete with him," Sinor says.
But his dream had always been to have his own winery. "I always knew I was going to live on the Central Coast," he says, "I knew I was going to own a winery, and I knew that I was going to specialize in pinot noir." So finally, he says, "I quit my day job."

Small family enterprise

Wife Cheri LaVallee Sinor is president of the winery, and "CEO of the growing Sinor-LaVallee household." The couple’s 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter are learning the concept of hard work in the wine business.
In a tribute to the family, the label is a compilation of fingerprints — one each from the parents and the two kids. "The brand is us," Sinor says.
Sinor is currently sourcing his grapes from two vineyards: Talley-Rincon in Edna Valley and Bob McHolland’s Aubaine Vineyard in Arroyo Grande. His acreage is small — less than four acres combined — and his production is only about 400 cases a year, but that’s the way he prefers it.
"My plan is to grow a little bit, but not much," he says. "We’re not a brand that’s trying to get to the next level; we’re just doing it because we like it."
Sinor’s winery is an old barn at the bottom of the Cuesta Grade. He has no tasting room, no wine club and no retail distribution, and so far he has been able to sell all of his wine through his customer mailing list and annual newsletter.
His business philosophy reflects his personal philosophy. "Keep it small, keep it quiet, keep it truly what we want it to be," he explains. "That’s the way I’ve always looked at wine."
And always driving him is the concept he learned early in life "that if you find something you really love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life."

Sinor-Lavallee Wine
Owners: Mike and Cheri Sinor
Cases produced: 400
Phone: 473-8313

Web site: www.SinorLaVallee.com

For more information on the World of Pinot Noir, visit http://www.worldofpinotnoir.com/. Many of the events are sold out, so check online for ticket availability.

Sinor-LaVallee on the Radio!!

A Cool new Radio show.... check it out!

We will be on the show Feb 24th...

http://grapevineradio.net/

Cheers


Sinor

Some Pinot Gris Karma...

Sinor-LaVallee 2005 Pinot Gris Byron Vineyard

By KATHY MARCKS HARDESTY

This delightful white wine is as versatile as they come. Wonderful on its own as an aperitif, it's also delicious with a wide array of foods especially shellfish. Tart and tangy, it's filled with flavors of nectarine, white peach, and citrus, highlighted with subtle spice notes. Winemaker Mike Sinor said he and his wife and partner Cheri enjoy it chilled with oysters on the half-shell. A very good deal at $18 retail, it's available at Monterey St. Wine Co. or by visiting www.sinorlavallee.com.

http://www.newtimesslo.com/index.php?p=cuisine&page=kathyspic

Thanks Kathy for the write up!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Hoildays from the Sinor Family and all of us at Sinor-LaVallee intergalactic!

Last Press load of Vintage 2006!

Brain and I pressing the last load of grapes for 2006. Brian has a small wine brand dedicated to Italian verities and was a great help to me this vintage.

Happy Holidays!

FYI On a recommendation from my kids I shaved the "Joe Dirt" beard I sported for harvest 2006 and am currently clean shaved and ready to integrate to post harvest life………..

A long,long time ago on a vineyard far far away I told my self if I every own my own winery I would buy a hydraulic press...Here it is :)

"Like we always do at this time"....Tomas and Esmee hard at work......

A very sad day in the World of Pinot Noir....

By JAMEY KEATEN, Associated Press Writer
Thu Sep 21, 7:26 PM ET

PARIS - Henri Jayer, a master of supremely concentrated, immaculately balanced pinot noir who was viewed by many connoisseurs to be the finest Burgundy winemaker of his generation, has died, his daughter said Thursday. He was 84.

Jayer died Wednesday at a medical clinic in the eastern city of Dijon after a long battle with prostate cancer, said his daughter, Dominique Rolin.

She spoke by phone from her father's home in the nearby village of Vosne Romanee, where he made lush, seductive pinot noir from such renowned grand cru vineyards as Richebourg and Echezeaux. Great vintages of these wines now sell for thousands of dollars per bottle at auctions.

The American wine critic Allen Meadows, who reviews Burgundies on his Web site http://www.burghound.com, said Jayer was "arguably the most famous Burgundian winemaker ever."

"Just as importantly, he unquestionably has had the greatest impact and influence among today's generation of Burgundian winemakers," Meadows wrote on the Mark Squires' Bulletin Board on http://www.erobertparker.com.

Jayer's prize-winning wines gained a worldwide reputation for excellence and for versatility — drinkable both young and old.

"He was the emblematic figure in the rebirth of Burgundy wine-growing," said Alain Hayat, owner of Paris' Parc Aux Cerfs restaurant and editor of the wine review The Red and the White.

"People seized his bottles as if they were treasures," Hayat said. "He had a gift, a touch, a feeling for wine. He was like one of those great composers that you only see once in a generation."

Jayer shunned many technical innovations in winemaking and disliked uniformity in wines. Instead, he used only minimal interventions in the winery to avoid masking the unique flavors and aromas of each particular vineyard. Quality was paramount: In the "terribly bad year" of 1975, he rejected almost half his crop to salvage his best wine, Rolin recalled.

The son of a winegrower, Jayer quit school at age 16 to work the fields after his two older brothers left to fight in World War II. Over the years, he purchased new plots, but never cultivated more than about 17 acres, Hayat said.

"He always said you have to make the least (wine) possible," Hayat said. "You have to do the right amount — no more, no less — and choose exactly the right moment" to harvest it. "And for that, you have to have an instinct."

Despite the enormous sums his bottles sold for, Jayer never let his reputation go to his head, according to Hayat.

"When people would start to deconstruct his wines, examining aromas and whatnot, he'd just say: 'That's all fine and good, but do you like it?'" Hayat recalled. "'That's what matters.'"

Funeral proceedings were expected to take place in Vosne Romanee on Tuesday.

Talley-Rincon pick this Friday

Looks good. Timing is right. Fruit tastes Great. Game on!

Another Dream Come True!

Today we received our official winery bond number. CA-W-15719. I guess after 10 years we can finally make wine legally! Just kidding.........

Harvest is a few days away and I hope to post some pictures soon......

Cheers!

Vintage 2000 and fricken 6!!!!!!!!!

Talley Rincon at 22.6 Brix , 3.18pH.....Looks like it's really going to happen again! Man I love this time of year.....

Thank you Laurie for the Press

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/15338667.htm

The Grapevine

A local pinot specialist follows his instincts

By Laurie Daniel

Special to the Tribune

Mike Sinor is showing me the lay of the land at Aubaine Vineyard in the Arroyo Grande Valley appellation. He's clearly excited about the potential of this roughly 14-acre pinot noir vineyard that's only about four miles from the Pacific, although the fog is in so we can't see the water.

Aubaine Vineyard, owned by Bob McHolland, has rolling terrain with different exposures, and Sinor says he gets fruit from the most northern, eastern and western parts of the vineyard. "I wanted blocks as different as possible for blending," he says, to build complexity in the wine.

Pinot specialist Sinor, who helped put Domaine Alfred in the Edna Valley on the map during his nearly six years there as winemaker, is now devoting all his energies to his own small label, Sinor-LaVallee. He and his wife, Cheri LaVallee Sinor, started their brand in 1997 while he was working at Byron Vineyard and Winery in the Santa Maria Valley. In 2004, they stepped up production (although production is still only about 400 cases), and last May, Sinor left Domaine Alfred to concentrate on Sinor-LaVallee. It was an amicable parting.

The Domaine Alfred wines tend to be big, smack-you-in-the-face wines, although most of them are well-balanced and true to type. The pinot noir, for example, would never be described as delicate, but it still tastes like pinot.

That style, Sinor says, "is based on (owner) Terry Speizer." Speizer is an outgoing guy, a natural salesman, who likes things big. Sinor says Speizer wants "big, extractive wines that are (influential) with national critics." Sinor clearly carried out that vision, as evidenced by some recent reviews — two weeks after he gave notice last spring at Domaine Alfred, the winery's Califa pinot noir got a huge score from Wine Spectator.

But, he adds, "the style that I drink is a lot different." He says he prefers a more traditional, elegant style of pinot.

That is reflected in Sinor's pinots under the Sinor-LaVallee label. The wines have no shortage of concentration, but they're also pretty and elegant. The 2004 Aubaine Vineyard pinot ($35) is dark and well- balanced, with rich cherry flavors and good structure. It's muscular yet pretty. The 2004 pinot from Talley Rincon Vineyard ($35) has warmer-toned fruit, nice spice and a lovely suppleness.

Sinor wants his vineyard sources to be expressed in his wines, giving each a distinctive personality. Having blends that all taste the same, Sinor says, is "what keeps me awake at night."

He also makes a tiny amount of a pinot noir that uses 100 percent whole- cluster fermentation (meaning that the grapes are not destemmed), a technique used in Burgundy but a rarity in California. It's called Anniversary Cuvee, and it can taste a little vegetal in its youth. But the current release, the 2004 ($40), has shed that greenness, and it's rich, supple and elegant.

There's also a 2005 pinot gris ($18) from Byron Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley that's fresh, crisp and very slightly creamy, with flavors of citrus and white peach and just a touch of minerality. And there's a 2003 Ryan Road Vineyard Syrah ($24) from Paso Robles that's smoky and a little gamy, with blackberry fruit, a hint of white pepper and firm tannins.

Sinor has some other projects in the works that he doesn't want to talk about. As for Sinor-LaVallee, the plan is to grow to no more than 500 cases a year. Or, as he puts it: "very small amounts of wine that are very personal to us."

"It's that dream we saw in Burgundy," he says.

If you want to taste the Sinor-LaVallee wines, the Sinors will be pouring them from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 1 at Great Gatsby's Wine, 1750 El Camino Real, Grover Beach; (805) 473-VINO. To get on the winery's mailing list, go to www.sinorlavallee.com.

Laurie Daniel writes a weekly column on wine.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail her at ladaniel@earthlink.net.

Aubaine visit with G'ma Barbara

Here is Cheri's mom in the Aubaine Vineyard this week.

Great Gatsby will host Sinor-LaVallee Sept 1st.

We will be pouring our current releases starting at 5:30pm. Come by to say hi. Any questions email me or call the wine shop. 805-473-8466

Cheers!

Thanks Kathy for the Great Review

We were honored to be the "Wine of the Week" from local wine writer Kathy Marks Hardesty in this weeks New Times and in Appellation America.

Check it out!

http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-reviews/729/Sinor-LaVallee-Wines-2004-Pinot-Noir.html

http://www.newtimesslo.com/index.php?p=cuisine&page=kathyspic

-Mike
________________________________________________________________________________
Kathy's Pick
Sinor-LaVallee 2004 Pinot Noir Arroyo Grande Valley Talley-Rincon Vineyard
By KATHY MARCKS HARDESTY

A hot new brand on the Central Coast, this beautifully crafted wine is made by winemaker Mike Sinor and his life partner Cheri LaVallee. After five years as winemaker at Domaine Alfred in Edna Valley, Sinor's concentrating his efforts on making Pinots that exemplify the best of Arroyo Grande Valley. Infused with aromas and flavors of bright raspberry, strawberry, tangy red cherry, and ripe black cherry, it's highlighted with intriguing notes of minerals, spice, and cola. Well balanced and silky textured, the fruity finish lingers long and fresh, making another sip impossible to resist. For Sinor, the finest wines offer "quality, intimacy, and authenticity," and that's what he's bottled. I still can't believe he priced this amazing Pinot at $35 retail. It's worth much more. Available online at www.sinorlavallee.com, at the Park Restaurant, and Great Gatsby's in Arroyo Grande.

What people are saying....

Found this on www.winex.com...

Notes From The Coast

SINOR-LAVALLEE PINOT NOIR Talley-Rincon 2004

It is from one of the Central Coast’s more respected vineyard sources and the Au Bon Climat bottling is said to come from this same parcel. Again, Mike’s touch is evident in the lush, deep, almost chocolatey fruit component and sensational harmony.

Like the Aubaine, the wine is rich but at the same time has a very friendly roundness to it. The fruit component is slightly different in that there may be a touch of things like violet and sweet herb notes and there is definitely a tad more volume to the wine overall. This one is even less likely to be on many shelves with a production of 4 barrels. Outstanding efforts here. . .

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Notes From The Coast

SINOR-LAVALLEE PINOT NOIR Aubaine 2004

This may be a find of some importance if early indications are correct. As always there is a story we probably don’t have the room to tell fully but the key notes are the principles, Mike Sinor and Cheri Lavallee, husband and wife team.

Both have done a variety of things in the wine business with Mike now having a ‘day job’ as the winemaker of the rising star Domaine Alfred winery that has been really catching a lot of attention from Wine Spectator. This is Mike and Cheri’s own project and we were equally impressed with his touch with Pinot. This one comes from a vineyard near Leatitia that has an ocean view. It has great color, deep, seamless strawberry/cherry fruit and notes of vanilla and brown spices. Lush, sweet, very classy, a whopping 176 cases were made. . .

Jen Hertz!

Hey Jen- I have lost your email address. Please email me "mike at sinorlavallee.com"

Cheers!

Mike

Another Screening of "From Ground to Glass"

LOMPOC, CALIF. (July 26, 2006) –From Ground to Glass will screen on Friday, August 4, 2006, at 7:30pm at the Lompoc Civic Auditorium. Local independent filmmaker Rob DaFoe, who interviews over 30 vintners, winegrowers, and home winemakers in the film, will attend the screening. DaFoe features many local winemakers, including Mike Sinor, Kris Curran, Bruno D’Alfonso, Wes Hagen, Richard Sanford, Ken Brown, and Norm Yost.

The film premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival last February. Festival Program Director Cevin Cathell remarked, “With From Ground to Glass, Rob DaFoe delivers a stunningly beautiful, fascinating and often humorous film that truly reveals the passion for winemaking through the eyes of its artisans.”

From Ground to Glass is the untold story of the modern California wine experience. It is the story of trailblazing vintners who, in their own words, share the personal challenges, triumphs, and epiphanies that set them on the path of wine. It is also the story of an inquisitive filmmaker and first time winemaker who seeks inspiration from those who have mastered the art of wine. Unlike any film before, From Ground to Glass ultimately expresses the beauty, the passion, and the events that bring so many to a life and love of wine.

To complement the film screening, tasting rooms in Lompoc will be open on Friday and Saturday from 11:00am-4:00pm. Brushes & Blues 2006 will conclude the weekend on Sunday, August 6 from 11:00am-5:00pm at Ken Adam Park. The festival includes blues music, fine wines, and local art. Admission is $5 per car for parking and wine tasting is $10, which includes a commemorative glass.

Lompoc Civic Auditorium is located at 217 South L Street in Lompoc. Tickets are $10.00 and available at Anderson Recreation Center, 125 West Walnut Avenue, and Lompoc Chamber of Commerce, 111 South I Street, on Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, or at the door. For more information contact the Chamber at 805-736-4567.

First sign of color!

Spent time in our Talley-Rincon acre yesterday. Found those first few berries of color. Time to get the bird nets up and the fermenters clean! Looking back at my notes the Aubaine had it's first color in Mid June for V04. Looks like V06 is a good 4 weeks behind at this point.

Cheers!

Harvest is on it's way!!!

I love July! Another one of my traditions is to get up early every morning and watch the Tour de France and create my wine making plan for vintage. What a wild year this will be with leaving Domaine Alfred and totally focusing on our wines! Things look great out in the vineyards this year. My bet is we may start PN the 1-2nd week of Sept this year. Time will tell.

Cheers!

Pinot Gris Bottled!!!

Finally bottled our Pinot Gris last week. We came out with 42 cases total. Off to focus on vineyard work. Leaf pulling, shoot moving ect......

Thanks for the support!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who attended our event this past Saturday. We had a great time and are thinking of making it an annual event.

Cheers!

A Star is Born...-New Times Article

Check out some great local press for Sinor-LaVallee. Thank you to Kathy for a great article.

http://www.newtimesslo.com/index.php?p=cuisine

"Sinor-LaVallee wines are an absolute must for any Pinotfile"-The Prince of Pinot

Check out the latest Pinot File for some good Karma from the Prince of Pinot.

www.princeofpinot.com

Volume 5 Issue 36

Our house white wine!

This wine kick's ass.....period..

http://www.troudebonde.com/

Spring Wine Release Gala at Old Edna

Taste our newly released wines paired with scrumptious
appetizers prepared by local chef Kim Fredericks:

· 2005 Pinot Gris “Byron Vineyard”
· 2004 Pinot Noir “Talley-Rincon Vineyard”
· 2004 Pinot Noir “Aubaine Vineyard”
· 2003 Syrah “Ryan Road Vineyard”
· Some surprises!

Purchase your favorites!
Cash or Check only please!
Saturday, May 27, 2006 6:07-9:07 PM
$35 per person

Attendance is limited.

Please RSVP at www.oldedna.com

Click on “Reservations, Rates & Terms”, then “email”

Fill out form and reference “Sinor-LaVallee Gala” in
Message area. Click Submit.

Vintage 2005 so long ago.........

A friend said I needed some pictures on our blog. Here is Clement from the south of France. He was great to work with this year..

New Web Page

Check out our first web page. Simple and basic like we like. Let us know what you think.

Rain Rain go Away.......

More rain than our friends in Oregon! What a wacky way to start. We are removing shoots that don't belong in the Aubaine vineyard this Friday. First day of real vineyard work since pruning, I am pumped!

Nature leads again...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20060410/sc_space/worldsstrongestglueavailableonlyfromnature

New Winey!

We are currently bonding our own winey. It is in a 100 yr old barn on a friends ranch. We will post some pictures soon.

Bud break 2006 Aubaine Vineyard

Bob's house is in the back ground. What a great piece of land!

Winemaker Dinner in San Diego

Cafe Chloe in San Diego is hosting Sinor-LaVallee and Trou de Bonde on March 7th for a winemaker dinner. To attend contact Cafe Chloe at info@cafechloe.com or by calling 619.232.3242. To read more about Trou de Bonde, http://www.troudebonde.com/. It is Clay Brock's side project. Both Clay and I will be there.

Cheers
Mike Sinor

World Premier of "From Ground to Glass"

I was our honor to be included in this independent film about the passion of wine making. This last Friday at the 2006 Santa Barbara film festival was the first ever public showing and it was a huge success.....Back up George Lucas, Rob Dafoe winemaker/filmmaker/pirate is on you tail...

-Mike

"I woke up this morning (and four) Rainbows filled the sky... and that was God telling me every thing was going to be all right...." Jack Johnson

Sinor-LaVallee in a Movie???

Thank you Rob for including us.......

http://www.fromgroundtoglass.com/

Thought of the day

It is the sides of the moutain that sustains life, not the summit......

Bottling Day!

Bottled today: 2004 Pinot Noir Talley-Rincon Vinyard-100 cases
2004 Pinot Noir Aubaine Vineyard 176 cases. ....Thanks Tom,

http://www.bottlemeister.com/

The Wine Consultant

This store rocks! I knew I liked the place just walking in, no signs, swag or fluff. Any place that has a Pic Saint Loop on the shelf sitting next to a Biodynamic Cider at 4% Alc is the place I want to hang out and work with. Check them on the web or in person. Eric is the guy to ask for.

The Wine Consultant
8039 Greenback Lane
Citrus Heights,Ca 95610
916-721-9463
www.wineconsultant.com

-Mike

Tonight's Wine

The wine tonight at the Sinor house was a 2003 Blend 442 from CORE. This wine really knocked our socks off. I had it some time ago and it was good, but now it is really come together.
Thanks for the juice Becky and Dave....

www.corewine.com

-Mike and Cheri

Big Love from the Pinot File!

Rusty and a few friends came by for a barrel tasting and tour. Check out his notes by clicking the following link....


http://www.princeofpinot.com/

It is Volume 5, issue 14

-Mike

random thought #18

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

What a wild one...

Sinor-LaVallee wines are all in barrel and resting nicely.......and the results are:

Pinot Noir -Talley-Rincon Vineyard
Pinot Noir- Aubaine Vineyard
Pinot Gris-Byron Vineyard

no vin gris this year, no syrah this year

the new wine is from my good friends at Byron. We only have 2 barrels of it this year but if this program works out Byron said they would let us contract an acre or so.....

for domaine alfred we still have half of the Chardonnay to pick and all of the syrah...

got to love the annual sleep deprivation experiment known as crush....

-Mike

Esmee having fun foot stomping some Pinot Noir from 2005

Harvest day at Aubaine Vineyard 2005

Harvest 2005 has started!!!

We harvested our Pinot Noir from Talley-Rincon yesterday. Brian and Rudy have done a great job again this year and it shows in the small concentrated clusters. Our block is clone 2A on 101-14 root stock. You can see it from the Talley tasting room, it is just below the big rock out cropping.

Thanks to Don Sharp !!!!

Finished the day with a great barrel tasting with Don and his wife and step daughter. the best part of wine is sharing it with friends...

-Mike

Aubaine gets picked!!!!!!

Today another wine maker picked his grapes from the Aubaine vineyard. This is the first picking I have heard of for 2005. Cheri and I are thinking of maybe picking our block sometime next week...

-Mike

Talley-Rincon Green drop

Tomorrow we will start a green drop. Geen dropping is sending a crew through a vineyard to remove unwanted fruit way before harvest. The difference for us is that there is only maybe 2 tons to start with. Most vineyards would not think of lowering the crop at that low of natural fruit set but having every cluster not touch and in perfect health is part of growing world class wines

-Mike

Thanks Seasons Restaurant!

Last night we had a spectacular meal at Seasons Restaurant in Davis, CA. The food was phenomenal and the service top notch. Small but important details such as well polished Riedel stem ware to accompany the well chosen wine list are given the same care as the wonderfully fresh, mostly organic and well prepared food. We feasted on starters like citrus grilled shrimp bruschetta with a corn and tomato relish and pesto dressing. From their wood-fired oven we savored prosciutto & fig flat-bread with Parmesan cream, arugula and olive oil - yum! For dinner, we enjoyed Gnocchi (with Romano beans, peppers, cream, gorgonzola and crispy pancetta) and the most divine grilled lamb and smoked duck (with pearl cous cous and roasted nectarine). Of course, since our starters and entrees were so unbelievably good, we had to order dessert. Again Seasons dazzled us with desserts like warm banana bread pudding (topped with chocolate sauce & creme anglaise) and a gingerbread & cherry vanilla ice cream sandwich (topped with cherry compote). Everything that was brought to our table was, without exception, delicious. Need I say more? If you go to Davis, go to Seasons at 102 F Street. For more information, visit their website (where you can view their seasonally changing menu) at www.seasonsdavis.com

Spent time in Aubaine vineyard this week. 50% color at this time! Harvest looks like August again for this vineyard-Mike 

Mailing list sign up

If you want to be notified when we release wine or you would like to buy some send an email to Cheri at mailto:c.sinor@att.net Please give her your full name, address, email and phone number.
At this point the only way to get our wine is through us.

-Mike

Great dinner at Cafe Med

We had another great Winemaker dinner this past Sunday night at Cafe Med in Bakersfield California. Our long time friend Ann Cireley put together 30 or so wine friends for a relaxed night of Sinor-LaVallee wines paired with the great food from Cafe Med. The following Sinor-LaVallee Wines were tasted:

2004 Pinot Noir Vin Gris Aubaine Vineyard

2004 Pinot Noir Talley-Rincon Vineyard (Barrel Sample)

2004 Pinot Noir Aubaine Vineyard (Barrel Sample)

2004 Pinot Noir “Anniversary Cuvee” (Barrel Sample)

2002 Syrah Santa Barbara County

Thanks again Ann and if anyone is in Bakersfield please stop by Cafe Med (661) 834-4433 http://www.cafemedrestaurant.com/ for a great meal..

-Mike

Bottled 2004 Pinot Noir Vin Gris

Our first wine bottled from the 2004 Vintage. 100% from Aubaine Vineyard. 100% Pinot Noir. 23 cases bottled. A fun,dry pink wine........

First Rain of Year

I love the smell after the first rain. At Chamisal we got maybe 1". Yesterday Esmee and I went out in Pinot clone 667 to dig around and found it was dry down about 2" underground???

Last pick of Vintage 2004!

Today we picked 1334 pounds of Petite Syarh today from Greg Lukins vineyard called "Tres Ninos" This vineyard is above Lopez lake. Brix was about 26. My thoughts are not to bottle this on it's own, but to blend it into the declassified pinot vineyards to make a house red. This Vineyard is a total of 3 acres with Petite Syrah being less than one. Last year made Zin from his vineyard that I may release later this year. Or we may not?

-Mike out