March 2021 Volume 8, Number 2
• Kiva Club Events Update - Mike Hewitt
• Wine Board Update - Member's Favorite Wines
• Oregon Wine's - Debbi & Tom Mitchell
• Russian River Wines – Connie & David Michener
• Sonoma Wines – Janet & Jeff Locklar
• Slopehelper - Ben Coxworth
WINE CLUB TASTINGS:
Here we are, it’s the one-year anniversary of Covid-19 KIVA Club shutdown; which stopped the Wine Club events and just about everything else. “Mask up and stay safe” So now, as we receive our vaccinations and things are beginning to slowly and cautiously reopen; we are optimistic that we will soon be offering Wine Club activities again. In the meantime, we are working with Gregg Snyder, Kiva’s Lifestyle Director for updates on Kiva reopening. We have also been meeting with our Club’s Quench Wine Representative, Wayne Dollman. Wayne is very knowledgeable in the Wine industry with experience in educational presentations. He has enthusiasm, great ideas and we are looking forward to working with him. Mike Hewitt |
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Wayne Dollman was born and raised in Arizona and is a Sales Representative at Quench Fine Wines, the leading full-service wholesaler of Fine Wine and Craft Spirits in Arizona.
For the last decade, Wayne has held many positions within the Wine Industry. Those positions include Tasting Room Manager, Assistant Winemaker, Operations Manager, Wine Specialist at AJ’s Fine Foods, Chain Sales Specialist, and Fine Wine Specialist at RNDC. Wayne is a Level 1 Sommelier and has a degree focused on Viticulture and Enology from Yavapai College and is currently studying for his CSW Exam. When he is not working or studying, Wayne enjoys spending as much time as possible with his Wife and two kids in Surprise, AZ. |
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WINE BOARD UPDATE:
The Wine Board decided to have a monthly newsletter to stay in touch with our members. We have had many positive comments on the membership sharing their favorite wines. SO... we are going to continue asking the questions; “What is your favorite wine, or a new wine discovered during this last year of COVID-19”. |
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Oregon Wines
As I was reading the March issue of Wine Spectator, I came across a list of recommended Wines from Oregon (page 71 if you get the magazine).
I quickly text Cory Hewitt to look at the list; since Tom, myself, Cory and Mike took a trip to the Willamette Valley area Summer of 2019.
Our time there was limited, so we asked around for recommendations and as it turns out we visited several on the Wine Spectator list and have noted their recommendations.
Alexana - https://www.alexanawinery.com/
Alexana Winery was born of Dr. Madaiah Revana’s love of the great wines of Burgundy. In the spring of 2005, Dr. Revana began a search for both the ideal region and an experienced winemaker with the goal of producing Pinot Noirs that could rival those from Burgundy. His search ended in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Alexana is named after Dr. Revana’s daughter, Alexandra.
Recommendation: Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Revana Vineyard 2018 (Score 94)
Brick-House - https://brickhousewines.com/
Beautiful Farm with a barn and brick house established in 2009.
Note: Our photo was taken at Brick-House.
Recommendation: Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Les Dijonnais 2018 (Score 94)
Penner-Ash - https://www.pennerash.com/
In 1998, Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash founded Penner-Ash Wine Cellars in the Northern Willamette Valley’s Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Bringing to life their shared vision, through years of hard work unyielding commitment, the pair built a reputation for lush, layered Pinot Noir, and community leadership throughout the valley.
Recommendation: Pinot Noir Yambill – Carlton Shea Vineyard 2018 (Score 94)
So if your travels, post Covid, take you up to Oregon’s Willamette Valley be sure to check these wineries out. We certainly enjoyed our visit with the Hewitt's!
Debbi & Tom Mitchell
As I was reading the March issue of Wine Spectator, I came across a list of recommended Wines from Oregon (page 71 if you get the magazine).
I quickly text Cory Hewitt to look at the list; since Tom, myself, Cory and Mike took a trip to the Willamette Valley area Summer of 2019.
Our time there was limited, so we asked around for recommendations and as it turns out we visited several on the Wine Spectator list and have noted their recommendations.
Alexana - https://www.alexanawinery.com/
Alexana Winery was born of Dr. Madaiah Revana’s love of the great wines of Burgundy. In the spring of 2005, Dr. Revana began a search for both the ideal region and an experienced winemaker with the goal of producing Pinot Noirs that could rival those from Burgundy. His search ended in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Alexana is named after Dr. Revana’s daughter, Alexandra.
Recommendation: Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Revana Vineyard 2018 (Score 94)
Brick-House - https://brickhousewines.com/
Beautiful Farm with a barn and brick house established in 2009.
Note: Our photo was taken at Brick-House.
Recommendation: Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Les Dijonnais 2018 (Score 94)
Penner-Ash - https://www.pennerash.com/
In 1998, Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash founded Penner-Ash Wine Cellars in the Northern Willamette Valley’s Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Bringing to life their shared vision, through years of hard work unyielding commitment, the pair built a reputation for lush, layered Pinot Noir, and community leadership throughout the valley.
Recommendation: Pinot Noir Yambill – Carlton Shea Vineyard 2018 (Score 94)
So if your travels, post Covid, take you up to Oregon’s Willamette Valley be sure to check these wineries out. We certainly enjoyed our visit with the Hewitt's!
Debbi & Tom Mitchell
Russian River Valley Bewitched Pinot Noir 2019
As a self-subscribed home chef, I went wine shopping at Safeway to find a Pinot Noir to go with dinner. Surprisingly enough our local Safeway carries some great wines for a great price. I bought a bottle of “Bewitched Pinot Noir 2019” after reading the label, and the price point was about half the normal price. Besides, who can go wrong with a wine from the Russian River Valley. Right?
The primary aromas of Bewitched are darks fruits like black cherries and raspberries with a bit of an earthy spicy note due to the complexity of the soil in the region. It is a dry light bodied wine with a medium ruby red color that is smooth and easy to drink. It has a subtle tannin structure due to the thinner skin of the Pinot grape. The alcohol content is 14.5%. It was fabulous with port tenderloin and roasted root vegetable purée.
Not only does this wine taste good, but it’s healthy for you too. The resveratrol antioxidant properties help lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol. So, here’s to heart healthy. Cheers!
Connie & David Michener
Sonoma Wines
Many years ago, Jeff took me to Sonoma, Ca. for a wine tasting birthday weekend. It was a tuff job, but we were successful in visiting and tasting eight wineries! Being from California we are somewhat partial to the California wines, but the Sonoma area is our favorite. We were able to get a private tasting at the Petroni Vinyards, which is usually a member exclusive tour and boy was it impressive. The area is called POGGIO ALLA PIETRA, Lorenzo Petroni of Petroni Vineyards sought out this particular piece of land for wine growing due to the ideal climate, volcanic soil and hillsides that mirrored those of his native Tuscany. Our favorite wine from there is a, 2014 Syrah, a typically deep, dark Syrah with a purple crimson edge, generously aromatic including crushed dark cherries, blackberry, licorice, spice and violets with a nice savory aspect to it. Retail price for this wine is $60.00 and can be shipped from the vineyard.
Moving on to a white wine, always my favorite is Paul Hobbs Russian River Chardonnay. A pricey Chardonnay retails around $52.00 at Total Wine. A medium gold color followed by a rich, up front bouquet of caramelized pineapple, tangerine, honeysuckle, spice, and a touch of toasted nuts. And now for the embarrassing part, my go to white wine for me only, Clos de Bois, a Chardonnay that retails for $7.97. Not really a great find, but it does the trick for an everyday white, especially during our pandemic when Happy Hour was a must for our wellbeing.
Janet & Jeff Locklar
Many years ago, Jeff took me to Sonoma, Ca. for a wine tasting birthday weekend. It was a tuff job, but we were successful in visiting and tasting eight wineries! Being from California we are somewhat partial to the California wines, but the Sonoma area is our favorite. We were able to get a private tasting at the Petroni Vinyards, which is usually a member exclusive tour and boy was it impressive. The area is called POGGIO ALLA PIETRA, Lorenzo Petroni of Petroni Vineyards sought out this particular piece of land for wine growing due to the ideal climate, volcanic soil and hillsides that mirrored those of his native Tuscany. Our favorite wine from there is a, 2014 Syrah, a typically deep, dark Syrah with a purple crimson edge, generously aromatic including crushed dark cherries, blackberry, licorice, spice and violets with a nice savory aspect to it. Retail price for this wine is $60.00 and can be shipped from the vineyard.
Moving on to a white wine, always my favorite is Paul Hobbs Russian River Chardonnay. A pricey Chardonnay retails around $52.00 at Total Wine. A medium gold color followed by a rich, up front bouquet of caramelized pineapple, tangerine, honeysuckle, spice, and a touch of toasted nuts. And now for the embarrassing part, my go to white wine for me only, Clos de Bois, a Chardonnay that retails for $7.97. Not really a great find, but it does the trick for an everyday white, especially during our pandemic when Happy Hour was a must for our wellbeing.
Janet & Jeff Locklar
Slopehelper agricultural robot tends to steep vineyards
By Ben Coxworth
Although we've been hearing about various agricultural robots that are still in development, there's at least one which is already commercially available. It's called the Slopehelper, and it's made mainly for use in vineyards.
The Slovenian-designed autonomous electric vehicle runs on rubber tank-like treads and can be equipped with system-specific hinged tools for tasks such as mowing, weeding, mulching, spraying, aerating, pruning and trimming. True to its name, it can handle slopes of up to 45 degrees, travelling at a top speed of 10 km/h (6 mph).
The Slopehelper then proceeds to make its way through the field while performing it’s given task, automatically moving up one row, turning around at the end, then heading down the next one. It uses Differential GNSS to maintain its position between rows, while also utilizing touch sensors on both sides to determine the location of the vines' trunks.
The vehicle additionally uses FMCW (Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave) radar to detect obstacles, and to maintain a safe distance from people or animals. If it does encounter a particularly tricky obstacle, it will contact its operator via an accompanying app. They can then activate its optical camera system, remotely guiding the vehicle as it either removes or makes its way around the obstacle.
That same app can be used to check in on the robot's progress at any time, and to notify the operator when the job has been completed. One charge of the onboard lithium battery pack should be good for up to 14 hours of use.
The base package, which includes a Slopehelper and four tools, is claimed to cover almost 80 percent of a farmer's annual needs while costing less than a tractor. You can see the vehicle in action, in the following video.