News
Here you will find news, lifestyle and entertaining tips, winemaking ideas, recipes, wine pairings, and adventurous behind-the-scenes stories:
New Wine Review from TheWineGuys
2021 Zinfandel - Russian River Valley
Raspberry, vanilla, cranberry, peppercorn, baking spice and sandalwood. Decent weight upfront, the fruit is pure and complimented by subtle undertones of spices. Medium acidity and medium tannins, with a lingering stem/peppercorn on the finish. Juicy and easy drinking, very versatile to drink on its own or with food. Crowd pleasing and value for sure, open with friends! / 91 points / $30
Check out the instagram post [HERE]
May 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM
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New Review from California Wines & Wineries
2022 Balverne Pinot Noir
Light and Refreshing
"This wine on the eyes was a semi-translucent light and bright crimson in the glass. On the nose, aromas of strawberry were dominating. On the palate, the ripe strawberries burst vividly in the mouth with secondary flavors of cranberry and cherries. The finish was a bit abrupt, but sufficient to enjoy each inviting sip. The finish was on the smoother side of tartness with rounded and caressing tannins. Only 350 cases were produced from their Russian River Valley property. It was aged in 25% new French barrels for nine months with a light toasting of the barrels. Alcohol level is 13.8% and primarily used clones 667 and 459 with a smaller percentage of 114 and 115 picked from their vineyards. No price is shown on their website but the previous vintage, 2021 was $45/bottle...."
Check out the full article [HERE]
May 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM
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New Wine Review from WinePredator
3 Russian River Valley Women in Wine for Sonoma Wine Month Producing Pinot Noir:
Balverne, Ketcham, Selby paired with Pate and Duck
Check out the full article [HERE]
We’re honored to be featured in Wine Predator’s latest article celebrating Sonoma Wine Month! The piece highlights three women-led wineries producing exceptional Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, including Balverne, Ketcham Estate, and Selby Winery. Each winery brings a unique perspective and dedication to crafting outstanding wines.
Explore the full article to learn more about these remarkable women and their contributions to Sonoma's vibrant wine scene: Sonoma County Vintners
A heartfelt thank you to Gwendolyn Alley for shining a spotlight on women in wine during Sonoma Wine Month.
Apr 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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New Wine Reviews from PlanetGrapeWineReview
We’re honored to be featured in Wine Predator’s latest article celebrating Sonoma Wine Month! The piece highlights three women-led wineries producing exceptional Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, including Balverne, Ketcham Estate, and Selby Winery. Each winery brings a unique perspective and dedication to crafting outstanding wines.
Explore the full article to learn more about these remarkable women and their contributions to Sonoma's vibrant wine scene: Sonoma County Vintners
A heartfelt thank you to Gwendolyn Alley for shining a spotlight on women in wine during Sonoma Wine Month.
2024 Balverne Sauvignon Blanc Chalk Hill Sonoma California USA 91
Fresh, zippy and dry with notes of pink grapefruit, lime zest, mango, fresh fennel and tarragon.
14%, 750 ml, $27 [Check it out here]
2021 Balverne Chardonnay Russian River Valley Sonoma California USA 92
Full bodied, supple and dry with notes of lemon tart, green Anjou pear, peach cobbler and buttered pecan.
13.9%, 750 ml, $35 [Check it out here]
2024 Balverne Rose of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Sonoma California USA 91
Light, refreshing, crisp and dry with notes of raspberry, watermelon, peach and wild oregano.
13.5%, 750 ml, $24 [Check it out here]
2022 Balverne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Sonoma California USA 93
Full, plush, tart and dry with notes of pomegranate, raspberry, red cherry, red licorice, sarsaparilla and clove.
13.8%, 750 ml, $45 [Check it out here]
2021 Balverne Cabernet Sauvignon Chalk Hill Sonoma California USA 93
Full-bodied, smooth and dry with notes of black cherry, black currant, vanilla, clove and dark chocolate.
14.3%, 750 ml, $48 [Check it out here]
2021 Balverne Zinfandel Russian River Valley Sonoma California USA 93
Full, supple, sweet-tart and dry with notes of raspberry, strawberry, red cherry, plum, peppered salami and smoked almond.
14.3%, 750 ml, $30 [Check it out here]
A big thank you to Planet Grape Wine Review for recognizing the quality and character of our wines. We’re proud to continue showcasing the best of Sonoma with each new vintage.
Apr 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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New Wine Review from Vinography
Vinography Unboxed: Week of 4/13/25
Alder tasted through some of our newest releases and shared his thoughts on the wines, including detailed tasting notes and impressions.
It’s always an honor to have our wines recognized by respected voice in the wine world. We invite you to check out the full post and see what he had to say: Check out the full article [HERE]
A huge thank you to Alder and Vinography for shining a spotlight on Balverne and Notre Vue Estate.
2022 Balverne Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Light garnet in the glass, this wine smells of raspberries and cranberries. In the mouth, bright raspberry, orange peel, and pomegranate flavors have a bright juicy acidity and faint, powdery tannic texture. Notes of sweet oak emerge in the finish more strongly than I would like. 13.8% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $45.
2021 Balverne Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Medium garnet in the glass, this wine smells of sweet blackberry and licorice. In the mouth, flavors of blackberry, brown sugar, sweet oak, and dried herbs have decent acidity and lightly tacky tannins. There’s a bit too much wood influence here for me. Certified Sonoma Sustainable. 14.3% alcohol. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $30
2021 Balverne Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill, Sonoma, California
Medium to dark garnet in color, this wine smells of cherry, tobacco leaf, and plum. In the mouth, bright cherry and plum flavors are juicy with fantastic acidity and wrapped in muscular tannins that coat the mouth. The wood is very well integrated here, giving structure but little flavor, letting the cherry fruit shine through the finish. Certified Sonoma sustainable. 14.3% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $48
Apr 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
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Notre Vue Wins Big: 6 Medals at the Dan Berger Wine Competition!
Notre Vue Wins Big: 6 Medals at the Dan Berger Wine Competition!
If you’re looking for award-winning wines in Sonoma County, we have exciting news! Notre Vue Estate Winery has earned six medals at the prestigious Dan Berger Wine Competition, including Best of Class for our 2021 Merlot and 2021 Malbec.
Award-Winning Wines from the Heart of Sonoma County
At Notre Vue, we craft wines that truly reflect the beauty and diversity of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill AVAs. Winning multiple awards, including two Best of Class honors, is a testament to our dedication to quality, sustainable farming, and expert winemaking.
Spotlight on Our Best of Class Winners
🍷 2021 Merlot – A beautifully balanced red with rich dark fruit, smooth tannins, and a long, elegant finish.
🍷 2021 Malbec – Bold and expressive, with layers of blackberry, plum, and spice, making it a standout among California Malbecs.
These wines captured the attention of judges and are now available for you to experience firsthand!
Visit Notre Vue for a Wine Tasting in Sonoma
There’s no better way to celebrate than by tasting these award-winning wines for yourself. We invite you to visit our family-owned estate winery, where you can enjoy breathtaking vineyard views, sustainable farming practices, and world-class hospitality.
Book Your Tasting Today!
Reserve your spot now and discover why Notre Vue is one of Sonoma’s hidden gems.
📅 https://www.cellarpass.com/business/notre-vue-estate-and-balverne-wines
Mar 19, 2025 at 10:23 AM
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Most Beautiful Wineries in Sonoma County
You’ve seen gorgeous pictures of California wineries with scenic views of rolling hills and vineyards as far as the eye can see, and you want to visit. But you don’t know where to find them. Chances are, the beautiful vineyards you’ve seen in pictures are in Sonoma County. But with more than 425 wineries in Sonoma County, how are you supposed to know which are most worth a visit? As California-based experts in the wine industry, we’ve visited all of these wineries ourselves. Let our first hand experience be your guide to the most beautiful wineries in Sonoma County.
Sonoma County is one of the most well-known wine regions in the country. Located in Northern California just above San Francisco, Sonoma County spans from the Mayacamas Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. With almost 60,000 acres of vineyards, Sonoma County is about twice the size of neighboring Napa Valley.
Read the full article from Wineroutes.com HERE
Jul 21, 2022 at 1:26 PM
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New York Tasting Panel Gives Rave Reviews
“…At a Wine Media Guild luncheon at Il Gattopardo in New York City that featured the wines of Sonoma County’s Notre Vue Estate Winery & Balverne Wines, one of the highlights for me was the former’s 2019 Chalk Hill Cabernet Franc ($59). Finding monovarietal Cab Franc from California requires a bit of sleuthing, as the grape tends to present better in cooler climates, so much of what’s grown there is reserved for use in blending. That said, this bottling had everything one would want in a Cab Franc: medium body, silky tannins, vibrancy and freshness. Spending two years in French oak, it showed notes of earthiness and pepper with a hint of cocoa, making it the ideal red for entertaining outdoors….”
Jul 1, 2022 at 1:38 PM
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Hikes, horseback rides and Peloton: Can a new slate of wellness wine tastings lure Millennials?
JESS LANDER
Feb. 9, 2022Updated: Feb. 10, 2022 7:41 p.m.
It’s Saturday morning, which for many Bay Area residents calls for a hiking expedition. But instead of trekking along the sunny cliffs of Marin’s headlands or up the stairs through Dipsea’s fern-filled woods, today’s hike winds straight up between the rows of a vineyard. At the top, there’s no view of Mount Tam, but there’s a shimmering pond encased in vines — and a glass of Cabernet.
This is no regular hike: It’s the first stop along a guided vineyard hike offered at Napa’s Pine Ridge Vineyards, part of a growing number of wellness-related offerings from local wineries.
While it might seem counterintuitive for alcohol brands to lean into wellness, it’s a strategy that’s increasing. Sonoma’s Bartholomew Estate leads horseback rides through its vineyards, while Windsor’s Bricoleur Vineyards offers Sunday yoga classes with optional tastings afterward. Frank Family Vineyards and Clif Family Winery, both in Napa Valley, have each organized Peloton spin classes, in which participants can do post-ride virtual activities such as wine tasting.
Some wineries created these events and experiences during the pandemic as a way to safely connect with their customers outdoors. But the physical activities with wine serve another purpose: They’re a way for wineries not to get left behind by the wellness movement, particularly as wine loses ground to low-calorie, low-alcohol and nonalcoholic alternatives.
Wine, these businesses argue, should be presented as one part of a balanced lifestyle to reach more people. Wellness events can help build brand awareness and introduce new customers to the wines.
“Wine isn’t bad, but it can’t just be about the beverage on its own. It’s about how it fits into other aspects of life,” said Linzi Gay, president of Clif Family. “The more (the wine industry) can promote that and demonstrate that, the better off we’ll all be.”
Napa and Sonoma counties, with their hills and lush parks, have had opportunities to blend wine and outdoor activities for years. Clif Family, owned by the founders of Clif Bar, has run a cycling-theme wine club and bike-and-wine packages out of its St. Helena tasting room since 2011. Randy Johnson founded his company, Getaway Adventures, 30 years ago, leading cycling, hiking and kayak tours through the region — with winery stops sometimes included. When Johnson started, wineries were often wary of his tours; cyclists weren’t considered to be potential buyers.
But there’s been a shift over the past five years. Johnson has seen a rise in wineries incorporating hikes or other physical activity into tastings. Demand for his own tours has been high, he said, with 2021 being his best year in a decade. And wineries no longer scoff at his tour groups, mostly composed of people in their 20s and 30s. Wineries now come to him, asking to partner on tours.
“When they see us coming in, they’re happy to see us,” Johnson said. Millennials “want to buy wine, and often they’ll surprise wineries by how much they buy — sometimes like six cases.”
Many younger customers no longer want to sit for several tastings in a day only to feel drained by the end, said Julie Rothberg, president of Medlock Ames. That’s why the Healdsburg winery recently started an “immersive sound experience” at its 340-acre Bell Mountain Ranch. Visitors can walk through the property while listening to meditative sounds recorded at the vineyard. The self-guided tour ends with a tasting and cheese pairing — an outing Rothberg calls “the detox and re-tox.”
At Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards in Windsor, visitors are allowed to hike and bike along 17 miles of trails. The estate has also partnered with several local companies for vineyard-view and sunset yoga classes, trail running, and mushroom foraging, all culminating with wine. Often, visitors spend the whole day at the estate instead of visiting other wineries.
Kyle Loughman, Notre Vue’s hospitality lead, said the majority of people using the estate on a regular basis are in their mid-20s to late 30s. Similarly, Carolyn Free, special events manager at Pine Ridge Vineyards, estimated that hiking participants are ages 35 to 40 on average.
TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON SF CHRONICLE PLEASE CLICK HERE
Feb 10, 2022 at 7:36 PM
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