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A Rich Experience Awaits at These West Coast Wineries
A couple of these wineries have a rich history, and all offer a priceless experience.


RoxyAnn Winery

What to Buy:
'12 Claret - $26
Ripe cherry, blackberry pie filling, mocha, sweet vanilla oak, pepper

'12 Tempranillo - $26
Dark raspberry, leather, blueberries, candied rhubarb

'13 Chardonnay - $26
White peach, kiwi, green apple, creamy nectarine

Tasting Room: Open Mon–Thu 12–7; Fri 11–9; Sat–Sun 11–7

A family legacy spanning four generations and more than 100 years provides the backbone for RoxyAnn Winery. Its 70-acre estate vineyard is situated on a portion of the Rogue Valley’s famed 200-acre Hillcrest Orchard, which has been farmed by Jack Day’s family since 1908. In 1998, Jack planted the first 20 acres of grapevines on the southwest slopes of Roxy Ann Peak where shallow clay soils and southern sun exposure offered ideal conditions for Bordeaux varieties. The first harvest in 2001 yielded 150 cases of Claret, an outstanding blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which sold out completely in two weeks. Today, RoxyAnn Winery produces more than 15,000 cases of award-winning Claret, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Syrah, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Viognier.
www.roxyann.com

RoxyAnn Winery



Mercer Estates

What to Buy:
'13 Chardonnay - $15
Apple, pear, sweet vanilla, hints of lemon-lime zest

'12 Sharp Sisters Red Blend - $24
Ripe blueberries, plum, touch of caramel

'11 Ode to Brothers - $40
Ripe currant, raspberries, aromas of smoke, cured meat, white pepper

Tasting Room Hours: Open Wed-Sun 10-5

The name “Mercer” means far more than wine in Eastern Washington, where the Mercer family’s farming tradition stretches back five generations and 125 years. Since 1886, the family has raised a variety of crops and livestock on the same expansive property in the Horse Heaven Hills. In 1972, with the encouragement of the renowned horticulturist Dr. Walter Clore, Linda and Don Mercer planted their first vineyard there. Dr. Clore, who is now remembered as The Father of Washington Wine, was right. Winegrapes flourished, and today the Horse Heaven Hills AVA is one of the largest growing regions in the state, producing 25 percent of the state’s total winegrapes. Since 2011, Winemaker Jessica Munnell has had the enviable privilege of producing wines with the Mercer family’s exceptional grapes. The wines repeatedly earn 90-plus points from leading wine critics and top medals on a national scale.
www.mercerwine.com

Mercer Estates



Keenan Winery

What to Buy:
'13 Spring Mountain District Chardonnay - $34
Crisp citrus zest, ripe pear, white peach

'11 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - $50
Ripe cherry, black currant, mocha

'11 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Spring Mtn District - $98
Blackberries, blueberries, earth, spice

'11 Mernet - $96
Black fruit, licorice, cocoa

Tasting Room Hours: Tastings and Tours by Appointment Only

It’s easy to see how this mountainous region lured a late 19th-century vintner and how again—80 years later— it enticed yet another enterprising winemaker by the name of Robert Keenan. Visitors are greeted by a friendly tasting room staff. They learn that the winery was started by the late Robert Keenan and is now operated by his son Michael. They also enjoy anecdotes of Keenan family winemaking, while tasting Keenan’s acclaimed varietals. As tempting as it may be to linger in the tasting room, the best way to experience Keenan Winery is to carry a glass of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, or another varietal favorite to the viewing deck and look out over the winery’s Chardonnay and Merlot vineyards. Guests may drink in the exquisiteness of the Keenan Winery experience—from the rich, deep ruby fruits of the wine to the awe-inspiring scenic views. Thanks to the foresight of a 19th-century viti-cultural pioneer, the mastery of Robert Keenan, and now the hard work of his son Michael, this verdant place in the mountains of St. Helena has become renowned for its excellent wines.
www.keenanwinery.com

Keenan Winery



Cinque Stelle Winery

What to Buy:
'13 Albariño - $25
Baking spices, apples, pears, peach pie

'11 Tempranillo - $36
Baked berries, leather, tobacco, exotic spices

'12 Pinot Noir - $40
Cherry, currant, cinnamon, allspice

Tasting Room Hours: Open Thu–Mon 11–5

In Italian the name Cinque Stelle (cheen-kweh stell-lay) means five stars. For the members of the Crist family, it stands for each of the five of them and the passion they share for farming and the winemaking process. The family venture began nine years ago when the Crists purchased a prized vineyard just north of the Santa Ynez River at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The fruit from this singular vineyard, coveted by many local esteemed winemakers, ripens in its own very unique microclimate. The foggy mornings; warm, sunny days; and cool evenings provide a perfect incubator for premium Albariño, Tempranillo, Pinot Grigio (uncommon to the Santa Ynez Valley), as well as Syrah. Their first vintage was released in 2009. One of the five family “stars,” Matthew Crist, performs the role of winemaker. He produces small-lot wines, with a focus on the Albariño, Tempranillo, Pinot Grigio, and Syrah from the family’s estate grapes, as well as other varietals all sourced from premium vineyards on California’s Central Coast. With the philosophy that wine is made in the vineyard, Matthew prefers to craft the wines in small lots to let the fruit shine through.
www.cinquestellewinery.com

Cinque Stelle Winery



Darcie Kent Vineyards

What to Buy:
'09 Picazo Merlot - $18
Pit-fruit, bay leaf and wild-brush finish

'09 Madden Ranch Syrah - $18
Toasty, spicy oak notes, expressed on the nose and finish

'10 Crown Block Red Wine - $36
Dark cherry, plum and tobacco with an oaky finish

Wine Gallery: Open Thursday – Monday from 11:00am – 4:30pm

Established in 1996, Darcie Kent Vineyards is family-owned and -operated by fifth-generation vintner and artist Darcie Kent and her two daughters, Kailyn and Amanda. Darcie proudly carries on her Swiss-born great-great-grandfather’s winemaking tradition as she works in unison with Hungarian-born Winemaker Julian Halasz to handcraft small-lot, single vineyard wines from sustainably farmed, family-owned vineyards. Darcie Kent Vineyards’ wine labels are based on her original paintings, which capture the unique spirit of each vineyard and vintage. The beautiful Tasting Gallery combines wine and Darcie’s original acrylic and watercolor paintings for an extraordinary sensory experience.
www.darciekentvineyards.com

Darcie Kent Vineyards



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