accolades followed by awards

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June 24, 2010 

 I used to live in the Sacramento area about a decade ago, and I used to love coming by your winery for tastings. I believe I even belonged to your wine club for a time.
I have three bottles of your wine left that I brought with me when I moved to the midwest. I have been cellaring them, and frankly kind of forgot them as a layer of dust accumulated. Tonight I went downstairs to see what I had down there, and decided on the bottle of your 1999 Syrah.
I don\'t have a temperature controlled cellar, but since I live in Minnesota I do have a basement that does a decent job of replicating the conditions being cool and humid. Nevertheless, I was afraid after 11 years it would be past its prime.
I have to tell you, I am disappointed. I am disappointed that I didn't buy and keep a whole CASE. It is lovely and complex, with luscious cherry/berry overtones and a long finish. It exceeded all my expectations, and reminded me why I loved your vineyard so much to begin with.

I just wanted to tell you how many good memories it brought up for me, and how wonderful I thought it was. Thank you.
Yours,

Bettie

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Received June 14, 2010

Richard Says: As a personal note, we really enjoyed our time at your winery on Saturday.  We all agreed that you have a destination winery.  Our feeling is that your picnic facilities and wines are both worth the trip to enjoy even without visiting other wineries in the area. 

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Received 6-7-2010:  Just wanted to let you know that we are enjoying a Sierra Vista Viognier Doux tonight. Wow, is it ever the perfect after dinner drink. Nice work!, Michelle, Spearfish, SD

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Received 5-26-2010

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2010 Awards by competition

El Dorado County Commercial Wine Competition

Sierra Vista Winery  2009 Chardonnay, unoaked: Double Gold Best of Class

Amador Comercial Competition

09 Fume Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc:  Gold and best of class

08 Roussanne: silver and best of class

09 Unoaked Chardonnay: Gold    

08 Grenache: Gold and best of class

07 Mourvedre: silver

08 Fleur de Montagne: double gold and best of class

Los Angeles County Commercial wine competition

2008 Grenache: Gold medal

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Syrah (also called Shiraz in Australia) is originally from the Rhône Valley in France, but it is grown in many parts of the United States and is becoming one of Australia’s top wines. Syrah (and Shiraz) tends to be a big, full-bodied wine with flavors of blackberry, cherry, green herbs, leather and smoked meat.
There is no, I repeat NO relation between Syrah and Petite Sirah.
Try pairing Syrah with hearty dishes, such as roasted lamb, eggplant parmesan, grilled and smoked meats, stew, chili and robust cheeses.
My panel and I tasted 15 Syrahs from all over California. The following 9 were our favorites (There were lots of rockin’ good wines in this flight!):

Five Stars
Sierra Vista Syrah
2006 Reserve, El Dorado County $25
There is a French word, “garrique,” that one of my wine geek friends turned me on to – it means “hillside wildflowers.” One sniff of this lovely wine and you’re Julie Andrews, running down a wildflower covered hillside, singing “the hills are alive…” I love my job. Seriously, though – aromas of garrique, red cherry, red raspberry, vanilla and spice set the stage, both in the nose and in the mouth. Delicious!


Five Stars
Sierra Vista Syrah
2006 Red Rock Ridge, El Dorado County $32
Just be glad that I’m not Elmer Fudd reviewing this delightful wine – Wed Wock Widge fwom El Dowado. Sorry – couldn’t help myself! It really is a wonderful wine!Mouthwatering aromas of juicy red fruits (raspberry, strawberry, red cherry), baking spices and smoke delight the nose and continue as flavors in the seamless, silky mouth. Delicious! Serve with wabbit.

This post is all about great Cabs priced between $20 and $30.
Check this out ~ these wines come from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, El Dorado County, Paso Robles and Lodi. These appellations ALL produce rockin’ good Cabs! Neener, neener, neeener – good Cabs don’t come from Napa Valley exclusively!
Oh yeah – we bloggers now have to say this ~ all wine samples were provided complimentary by the participating wineries. Thanks wineries!



Five Stars
Sierra Vista Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Reserve, El Dorado County $26
Think about a big slab of warm cherry pie with vanilla ice cream and you’re halfway there! This Cab is absolutely delicious and balanced, with aromas and flavors of cherry, vanilla, cinnamon and toasty oak, all wrapped up in a velvety mouthfeel.

To see the complete list go to http://www.wine-wench.com/cgi-bin/wordpress/

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2010 commercial competitions

El Dorado--double gold and best of class 2009 Unoaked Chardonnay

Amador

09 Fume Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc - Gold and best of class

08 Roussanne - Silver and best of class 

09 Unoaked Chardonnay - Gold

08 Grenache - Gold and best of class

07 Mourvedre- silver

08 Fleur de Montagne - double gold and best of class

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Touring Foothill Wineries by  Richard Kornweibel, Profesor Emeritus, California State University, Sacramento
We tend to stock up in the late summer and early fall, finding case or half case specials usually available at many California wineries. Some of these specials are only for winery club members, but most are available to anyone. By mid-summer, wineries are worried about space when they begin harvesting and pressing grapes. Since a case of wine represents a considerable investment, we only buy if we can taste.
Whereas a great number of wineries today produce wines with alcohol over 15.5 percent plus left-over sugar, many
well established wineries have stayed away from high alcohol wines. I prefer dry reds (no residual sugar) and an alcohol 'level around 14 percent. Among my favorite wineries is Sierra Vista in the Pleasant Valley District of El Dorado County. We visit Sierra Vista at least three times between December and March, primarily to picnic. Imagine a typical winter day in Sacramento-foggy, damp, cold-perhaps the fifth such day in a row. Meanwhile, on the Sierra Vista lawn it might be a sunny 67 degrees with the best view of the Sierra Nevada to be found close to Sacramento! I can almost taste the cold fried chicken, pasta salad, and of course, a glass of wonderful wine. Cheers.

 Wine drinkers are starting to discover California's Sierra Foothills
Take a long weekend to explore seven wineries within a day's drive from Boise.
   
- Idaho Statesman
Published: 03/25/09

One of the 7 is:

SIERRA VISTA WINERY: A visitor has wonderful views of snow-capped mountains from outside the tasting room. Inside, you'll encounter many delicious tastings, standard Rhone varietals, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. I found a 50/50 blend of estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah very enjoyable. 

From the Sacramento Magazine, Oct. 2008, page 201 we have the following from Elaine Smith: 

2006 Sierra Vista Winery El Dorado Grenache ($20), www.sierravistawinery.com
With a silky mouthfeel, plenty of cherry/berry fruit flavor and 20 percent Syrah to
give it stuffing, this is a beautifully balanced Grenache at only 13.5 percent alcohol.
Drink now or lay away for a few years.

Sierra Vista Wines continue to be some of the most decorated and beloved wines in the world. Below you will find several dozens awards earned by our wines and winemaker at various shows.

7-7-08

Our FumeBlanc/Sauvignon Blanc has done it again.  The 2007 vintage is the third in a row that has won at least one Best White Wine at a wine competition.  This year it won a GOLD medal and Best White Wine  at the Amador commercial competition. .

It has also won a GOLD medal at one of the most respected competitions of them all, the Orange County Commercial competition

Our 2006 Fleur de Montagne has garnered 3 GOLD medals so far this year.

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SignOnSanDiego.com
by the San Diego Union
Monday, Sept. 24, 2007
Weekly Tasting
 

Rhône Whites

Tired of the same-old, same-old? Try a Viognier, Marsanne or Roussanne! These are all aromatic white wines from the Rhône Valley in France. There are a handful of California wineries that make these wonderful varietals and they are definitely worth trying.
Try pairing these spicy whites with grilled or smoked salmon, proscuitto with melon, sushi or Thai dishes, or try your own food pairings. The results may surprise you. Remember, wine is supposed to be fun!
My panel and I recently had the pleasure of tasting 13 Rhône Whites from all over
California. The following was among our favorites:

Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery
2005 Viognier/Roussanne 60/40 Blend, El Dorado $28
Seductive scents of peach, green apple, cut hay, menthol tobacco and green herbs delight the nose. Richly textured in the mouth, with lingering flavors of apple, peach and herbs.

Classic Cabernet Sauvignons for Less Than $22
There are many highly rated and highly priced Cabs on the market, but not too many of us working stiffs can afford to enjoy them with any regularity. I don’t know about you, but anything over $100 for one bottle of wine is a bit steep for me. I am all about finding the best deals, and am happy to share my findings with you. The following wines that my panel and I reviewed are real gems, and very much worth their reasonable prices.
Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be rich, velvety and full bodied, and pairs well with roasted meats and vegetables, savory pasta dishes and hearty cheeses. It is also great with big, juicy hamburgers! Try your own food pairings with your Cabernet Sauvignon - you may be delighted with your results!
My panel and I enjoyed tasting 15 Cabernet Sauvignons from all over California. The following was one of our favorites.
Sierra Vista Winery
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, El Dorado $21
Seductive scents of dark chocolate, black cherry, anise and cigar box lure the taster into a sumptuous mouthful of mocha, cherry and spice flavors. Yum                                                                                                                                                                                                    

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Sierra Vista’s strong showing: Mike Dunn, Sacramento Bee, June 6, 2007

2006 Fume Blanc, Sweepstakes contender at three fairs

Best white wine, double gold El Dorado County Fair

Best white wine, double gold Calavares County fair

Best white wine,  gold Amador County fair

2006 Unoaked Chardonnay, Sweepstakes contender

Double Gold, El Dorado County Fair,

2005 Fleur de Montagne, Sweepstakes contender

Double gold, El Dorado County Fair, Sweepstakes contender

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Awards

2009