Satek Winery Earns Two Double Gold Medals At Indy International Wine Competition

Satek Wine Gift-Fremont, IN (Photo credit: Steuben Tourism Pictures)

Satek Winery, (260) 495-9463, 6208 N. Van Guilder Road, Fremont, Indiana was awarded 23 medals, including two Concordance Gold Medals for its wines in the INDY International Wine Competition, held last week in West Lafayette.

Satek took Concordance Gold -- better known as Double Gold -- for its 101 Lakes Red and its 2011 Kreibaum Bay Vidal Blanc Ice Wine. Concordance Gold medals are awarded when the entire judging panel unanimously awards the wine a Gold Medal. Satek Winery also won 21 other medals for its wines, including gold medals for its Chardonnay, 2011 and Mango.

 
“It’s exciting that our best-selling wine, 101 Lakes Red, won a Double Gold. We also were awarded medals across all categories of our portfolio, from dry to semi-dry to sweet to even ice wine and our tawny port. This exemplifies our long-standing philosophy of good wine, good fun for our customers,” said owner and Cellarmaster Larry Satek.
Head Winemaker, Shane Christ, affirmed, “These medals are a tribute to our hardworking staff and particularly our local grape growers.”

The INDY International Wine Competition was held August 1-3 at Purdue University, and winning medals at this show is no small feat. The INDY is the largest independent and scientifically organized wine competition in the United States. Panels of experts from around the world conduct a blind judging to choose the winners. This year nearly 3000 entries came from 15 countries and 43 U.S. states. 50 wine industry professionals were selected to judge, including winemakers, wine writers, sommeliers, enologists, wine grape growers, chefs, wine distributors, and wine retailers.

Pam and Larry Satek opened Satek Winery in the summer of 2001, nestled on a picturesque 16-acre property in Fremont, in the heart of the region known as the “Land of 101 Lakes”. In its eleventh year, Satek Winery will produce more than 100,000 bottles of wine, with 38 varieties. They are open 7 days a week, with free tasting, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Related articles

• Terhune Orchards Winery Takes Home Lots of Bling From NJ Wine Competition (eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com)
• Fabbioli, Virginia Wines, Clean Up at LA Wine Competition! (cellarblog.org)
• Indiana Winery Wins Wine of the Year (hoosieragtoday.com)

Randall Grahm’s Oldfangled Bonny Doon Wines Impress With Terroir and Taste

Photos by Toledo Wines and Vines

As you might expect from someone whose wine labels bear an image of a flying cigar spaceship, Randall Grahm is slightly out there.  He’s also delightful, knowledgeable and makes incredibly good wine.

Grahm was a special guest at a tasting of his wines at Walt Churchill’s Market in Maumee. He provided an insight into his journey to create harmonious and intellectual wines.

Grahm founded Bonny Doon Vineyard in Santa Cruz, California, in 1983. By his own admission he was obsessed with Pinot Noir and was determined to produce it. He soon learned that the land’s limestone soil and proximity to the California coast weren’t suited for the grape

Before long the “desire for success and the fear of failure” drove him to experiment with Rhone varietals at a time when grapes like Grenache were not well known to wine consumers. Soon Bonny Doon had made its mark on the world of wine with its pioneering work in exploring Rhone varieties, innovative winemaking and off-the-wall marketing.

“With intermittent positive reinforcement, we grew in complexity,” said Grahm. “It was slightly out of control.

“I had an existential moment. If I died I felt they would say, ‘what a great marketer.’ That would be really unsatisfying, even if I’m dead.”

He instead simplified and narrowed his focus. “I’m a lover of European wines, especially those that express a sense of place,” he said. “These are vin de terroir. Making them, though, is easier said than doon.”

In 2004 the vineyard adopted biodynamic farming practices and in 2006, there was a radical slimming down of product portfolio and case production. There was also a greater degree of focus and attention to detail resulting in complex wines that express the varietal character of the grapes.

The passion in the wine and the winemaker is as obvious as a hovering cigar-shaped spacecraft.

Four Bonny Doon wines were sampled:

Bonny Doon 2011 Vin Gris de Cigare – This nicely chilled wine was a lifesaver as the patio at WCM was broiling. Although a copper-pink color, this is more inviting and delicate than your typical rose. A blend of 73% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre plus Grenache Blanc, Rousanne and Cinsault.

Bonny Doon 2008 Vino Rosso – This is a rustic “spaghetti” wine made with 72% Dolcetto, 14% Nebbiolo and 14% Syrah. Off the charts with value.

Bonny Doon 2009 Contra – This is a smooth, super cool wine that is primarily old vine Carignan with roots that extend 90 feet downward. I purchased a bottle of this.

Bonny Doon 2007 Le Cigare Volant – This is the wine that brought fame to Bonny Doon, an elegant homage to Chateauneuf du Pape. It is a blend of 60% Grenache, 32% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre and 4%  Cinsault. It’s dry and bright.

Toledo Area Wine Tastings & Events: August 8-11, 2011

Photo by Angelo Amboldi

Wednesday, August 8
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. 1. The Federalist Chardonnay, 2. La Maia Lina Chianti, 3. Plan Pegau, 4. Movendo Riesling. $7 flight or nominal fee per sample.
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-9 PM. Bordeaux Wines. $15.


Special Event – Oliver House Market, 27 Broadway, Toledo. 6-8 PM, Winemaker Elizabeth Clark of Airlie Winery, Monmouth, Oregon, will present a selection of her wines. Cost $15. Includes appetizers and wine. For further information, call Matt Snyder at (419) 351-3335.

Thursday, August 2

Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. 1. La Petite Culotte – White Bordeaux – Bordeaux, France,2. Domaine Du Manoir – Muscadet – France, 3. Alianca Particular – DAO – Red Blend – Potugal, 4. Sosabe – Tabanka Red Blend – Oakville, California. Flight $4.50 or nominal fee per sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Chillin’ & Grillin.’ Chillin’: 1. Sea Glass Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Naked Winery Pinot Gris, 3. Orin Swift Mannequin White, 4. Merkelbach Erdener Trepchen Riesling Spatlese. Grillin’: 1. Tortoise Creek Carignan, 2. Cedrus Malbec, 3. Monkey Business Zindandel, 4. Girard Petite Sirah. Nominal fee per sample.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Wine & Cheese Thursday. Explore the wonderful world of wine and cheese. Try four different wines with a sample platter of the day’s cheese.

Friday, August 10
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Soft Fruity Reds: 1. Evodia Garnacha, 2. Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, 3. Seven Artisans Petite Sirah, 4. Fritz Windisch Dornfelder$15 tasting.

Special Event – Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Art of the Vine. Wine: Dog Days of Summer (patio wines for hot days), Tour: Outdoor Animals. Sample four wines, light snacks, and enjoy a complimentary art tour at 7:00 or 8:00 PM. $15 members or $25 nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at the TMA information desks; reservations are not required.

Saturday, August 11
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Soft Fruity Reds: 1. Evodia Garnacha, 2. Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, 3. Seven Artisans Petite Sirah, 4. Fritz Windisch Dornfelder$15 tasting.

 The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. New Closeouts – Great Deals: 1. Mi Terruno Sweet Torrontes, 2. Cantaluna Pinot Noir, 3. Mi Terruno Syrah, 4. Sosabe Tabanca Napa Red. Flight $2 or nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:30 – 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. Wine Tasting. 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Nominal fee per sample.

AREA WINE BARS

• The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
  
• Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
  
• Zinful Wine Bar & Restaurant, (419) 878-9463, 7541 Dutch Road, Waterville.

Technorati Tags: wine

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.] Related articles

Related articles

• Petite Sirah Smack-down - Round 2; 8 More Petite Sirahs...1 Winner! (enofylzwineblog.com)
• Napa's St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery Announces Renovated Winery and Wine Experiences (prweb.com)
• Winemakers Randall Grahm and Elizabeth Clark Set To Visit Toledo Area (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)

SE Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail Hosts Summer Picnic Trail August 11 and 12

The Southeastern Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail will provide a taste of summer on Saturday and Sunday, August 11-12.

The Wine Days of Summer, is a self-driving tour of the wineries of the Pioneer Wine Trail. At each stop you’ll be served a wonderful picnic-related food prepared by a local chef or restaurant. Each winery will provide a generous pouring of one of their wines that pairs well with the food. You’ll also receive a recipe card to take home with you.

This event includes our newest Wine Trail Member, Flying Otter Winery located in Adrian and recently reviewed by Toledo Wines & Vines. Tickets for this self-driven tour with nine delicious food and wine pairings are only $25.

Here is a link to the complete list of food and wine pairings.

The wineries included in this event are:
• Burgdorf's Winery (Haslett)
• Chateau Aeronautique Winery (Jackson)
• Cherry Creek Cellars Old Schoolhouse Winery (Brooklyn)
• Flying Otter Winery (Adrian)
• J. Trees Cellars (Blissfield)
• Lone Oak Vineyard Estate (Grass Lake)
• Pentamere Winery (Tecumseh)
• Sandhill Crane Vineyards (Jackson)
• Sleeping Bear Winery & Brewpub (Parma)

Ticket holders are welcome to visit each location over the two-day event, or they may choose to limit their visits (as time permits).

Hours of the event are Saturday, August 11 from 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday, August 12 from noon to 6 pm. Tickets are available for reservation online at www.PioneerWineTrail.com.

There are a limited number of tickets available, ticket sales will end on Wednesday, August 8 at midnight (or when sold out), and tickets will not be available the day of the event. For more information call (517) 592-4663 or (517) 531-3080. If no answer, please call 517-655-2883 or 517-764-0679. Click here to order tickets online.

Related articles

• Niagara Wine Week 2012 - Suggestions needed (canadianwineguy.com)
• Indiana, Michigan and Washington Wines Top Winners List At 2012 Indy International Wine Competition (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)
• Flying Otter Winery: Adrian Michigan Winery Visit (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)

Ancient Peaks 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles

Eons ago, coastal plates collided forging the ocean floor into the tall peaks that surround Ancient Peaks Winery’s Margarita Vineyard. The rocky soils are ideal for growing intensely flavored fruit.

This is good news for people like me who pop open the 2009 Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon.

It opens with a pleasing aroma of dark fruit and slight oak. On the palate this is smooth with no jarring qualities. The blend is 84% Cabernet with 8% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot.

A fruit forward wine, it offers an abundance of cherry and currant flavors. There isn’t much backbone to the wine with nary a tannin to be found – but that doesn’t detract from the polished taste. This Cab is a people pleaser with a need for a dash more complexity. It winds up with medium-long finish.

I picked this up at Walt Churchill’s Market for about $17. It’s a nice value and a good choice for an everyday Cab.

Technorati Tags: wine,Cabernet Sauvignon

Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 3 of 5

Related articles

• Moon Mountain Vineyard 2007 Petit Verdot-Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)
• Dry Creek Vineyard 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)
• St. Clement Vineyards 2005 Oroppas Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)