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Upcoming Events
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Foraging Class at Devils Gulch Ranch
Monthly Wine Walk
Sunday, April 7
Petaluma Gap wine tasting at Downtown Theatre District Restaurants
Sonoma in the City
Consumer wine and food tasting
April 14-16 in San Francisco
Petaluma Gap wines will be poured at the Grand Tasting on April 16
Marin County Wine Celebration
May 11, 2013 at Escalle Winery in Larkspur, CA
Outstanding in the Field
May 25 & 26, 2013 at Devils Gulch Ranch
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Random Wine Facts
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When Tutankhamen's tomb was opened in 1922, the wine jars buried with him were labeled with the year, the name of the winemaker, and comments such as "very good wine." The labels were so specific that they could actually meet modern wine label laws of several countries.
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Monthly Wine Walks Start April 7
 Participating Theatre District restaurants and member wineries of the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance are creating the perfect pairing of wine and food at Petaluma's downtown shopping, dining and entertainment destination. On the first Sunday of each month from 3 to 6 pm, beginning April 7th, the public is invited to experience the region's local bounty of food and wine in the heart of downtown Petaluma. Petaluma Gap wineries will provide tastings of their unique and highly praised Petaluma wines. Restaurants will also feature menu items that compliment the wines being served making for a perfect Sunday afternoon activity. Guests can purchase Wine Walk wrist bands for $10 at participating Theatre District restaurants the day of the event and enjoy Petaluma Gap wines on the outdoor patios of restaurants like Sugo Trattoria, La Dolce Vita Wine Bar and Rosso Pizzeria and Mozzarella Bar, to name a few. To celebrate the kick-off of the first event on April 7, wrist bands will be half price ($5). You must be 21 to participate!
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Member News
 Flocchini Wines recently bottled their 2012 Pinot Rosè and Syrah Rosè. Flocchini will be having a wine tasting in San Carlos on April 6th from 1:00-400pm. The address is 1001 Washington Street, San Carlos, CA
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Bud Break!
 The dry weather and warmer than normal temperatures in January, February and March have convinced the grapevines that it's time to wake up from their winter nap! Called "bud break," it's the time when the dormant buds start to swell then "break" open allowing the first delicate leaves and shoots to burst forth. Most vineyards in the Gap are reporting bud break at least two weeks earlier than normal. For our growers, that's both a blessing and a curse! On the positive side, early bud break means the vines have a good chance of also getting their fruit out earlier than normal allowing ample time to fully ripen and develop complex flavors in time for harvest before the October rains. However, early bud break also increases the risk of frost damage to the tender young shoots -- frosts are not uncommon in the Gap during late March and early April. During this vulnerable period, a hard frost can kill off the emerging shoots putting the vines several weeks behind normal development as they push out replacement shoots. Even worse, replacement shoots typically produce fewer and smaller grape clusters than do the first shoots, thus reducing overall yield from those frost-damaged vines. While some vineyards have various methods of frost protection they can employ, many do not and so are at the mercy of Mother Nature. One thing for sure, things will be getting very busy in the vineyards! |
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Grower Spotlight : Flying Rooster Vineyard
Vineyard Data
- Owners: The Enriquez Family
- Size and Location: 26 acres on Old Adobe Road, planted in 2000
- Varietals (clones): 21.25 acres pinot noir (Dijon 114, 115, & Pommard 4), 0.5 acres petite sirah, 1 acre tempranillo, 3 acres sauvignon blanc, and 0.25 acre muscat
- Trellising System: VSP (vertical shoot positioning)
- Spacing (row x vine, in feet): 10x5
History and Interesting Facts
 The Enriquez family immigrated to the United States from Mexico two generations ago when their grandfather moved over to tend to his medical specialty. He later became the first minority Chief of Surgery in the South Jersey area and instilled the ethics of hard-work in his son Eduardo Enriquez, who settled on the East Coast where he started his own practice. Eduardo spent years building a successful private medical practice while constantly nurturing his love for wine and wine culture. In turn, he passed on the family values and passion for wine to his daughter Cecilia. A Boston University graduate, she spent time working for Wells Fargo Financial, but with time, her interest in wine became more than a passion and more of a dream. Enriquez Estate Winery developed from a dream that Cecilia and her father ignited and strived hard to fulfill. After a lengthy search for a suitable vineyard and winery worthy of bearing the family name, the opportunity presented itself as a work of destiny. Missing the turn-off to Napa while on a wine tasting vacation, the family found themselves in Sonoma County and learned of a property (Flying Rooster Vineyard) on Old Adobe Road that was not on the market but definitely worth a look. After tasting some of the wine that had been produced from Flying Rooster grapes, the family connoisseurs instantaneously knew this was the one. In June 2011, Cecilia promptly moved across the country to manage the in-house, legal and marketing operations of the winery. The name "Flying Rooster" arises from the vineyard's location adjacent to the Petaluma Airport and Rooster Run Golf Course. Most of the grapes from the vineyard are used to produce wines bottled under the Enriquez Estate label, including pinot noir, tempranillo, and a white wine blend called Brisa. Some of the fruit is occasionally sold to other wineries, including Piper Sonoma and Hill Wine Company. According to Cecilia, one of the biggest challenges in the vineyard is getting the tempranillo and petite sirah fully ripe in our cool Petaluma Gap climate. Enriquez Estate Winery is open for tasting and wine sales by appointment. You can contact Cecilia directly at cecilia@enriquezwines.com to schedule a tasting. Enriquez wines can be purchased at Wilibees Wine & Spirits in Petaluma, and at Bottle Barn, Sea Thai Bistro, and Cafe Europe in Santa Rosa. |
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