Friends Wines

The Latest

Quick, quick, slow

Our vineyards are on the fast track to harvest, developing quickly due to early factors of hot weather spells in May, June and early July. 

The heat fast-forwarded the growing season by two weeks and we may pick our Sauvignon Blanc by the last week of August. While not the earliest pick date on record, we do know we will be starting sooner rather than later. The vineyard crew is finished with canopy management and they are now leafing and thinning where needed. We are currently in our usual fog cycle with the marine intrusion burning off by mid-morning and temperatures are holding in the low 80’s. We’ll see what August brings to the table in the form of continued cool weather or a jump in temperature.

Dry Creek Valley celebrates 30 years as an American Viticultural Area!

On August 4, 1983 our appellation became official with the federal government. 16 miles long by 2 miles wide, our valley is considered one of the smallest enclosed appellation areas with a singular climate and fertile land. Planted to nearly 9000 acres of vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are the top varietals. Did you know that one half of all Zinfandel planted in Sonoma County is found in Dry Creek Valley? Help us celebrate this milestone by enjoying a glass of Pedroncelli Dry Creek Valley Zin or Cab as we head toward our 86th harvest.

Ped Crossings

July is typically a slow travel month for us. However, we do have some local recommendations in and around northern Sonoma County for you: Oliver’s Markets, Whole Foods or Bottle Barn for retail. Restaurants include Bistro Ralph, Charcuterie, or Baci in Healdsburg; KC's Downtown Grill, Charlie’s, or Kin in Windsor; Bistro 29, La Gare, Belly Left Coast Kitchen or Ca’Bianca in Santa Rosa. Ed and I vacationed in the mountains last month and came across our Bushnell Zinfandel at Cottonwood, a great restaurant overlooking Truckee, CA. Cruise with our Mother Clone Zinfandel when you book with Celebrity and Celebration cruise lines—enjoy the ocean view with a glass or two (it’s vacation right?)

  Released

2011 Mother Clone Zinfandel Coming from the third cool growing season in a row we had lower yields and delayed ripening. Harvested the last week of September, before the rains, there is much to appreciate in our Mother Clone. Well developed flavor and outstanding balance in our flagship wine shows all the best of Zinfandel from the Bing cherry and berry aromas and flavors to the spicy black pepper dancing on your tongue. Tango for two when you pair this with barbecued ribs or a Moroccan spiced burger.

Revealed

95 points awarded to our 2011 Mother Clone Zinfandel by www.justwinepoints.com!   Rhone Shootout 2013 garnered our 2010 Petite Sirah 89 points and reviews from both the female and male judges: Female: Earthy aroma leads to dark berry, tobacco and spice flavors. Deep and full bodied. Nicely balanced with plenty of acidity on the finish. Male: Blackberry and cedar on the nose, joined by licorice and cola in the mouth. Balanced finish. Nicely restrained with enough umphff. Well made. Both fun and serious. 2011 Mother Clone Zinfandel received a “Value Vino” rating on : http://winelinesonline.com/2013/07/2011-pedroncelli-mother-clone-zinfandel-dry-creek-valley/   A nice review from Anthony Dias Blue on our 2012 friends.white: “Bright, crisp and spicy with smooth, lively flavors and good balance; long and fresh finish.”

For other awards and accolades for our wines click here.

Events

Kick off September with the annual Taste of Sonoma event on Saturday the First sponsored by Sonoma County Vintners. Club members with Visa Signature cards are offered a discount. Click here for details   Wine Club Event Opportunities: August 17: 2011 Mother Clone Zinfandel release party. Celebrate the beginning of harvest as well as our flagship wine’s release.   Club Ped Pick Up Party slated for September 21st! Details to follow.   Each Weekend in September: Best Friends at Pedroncelli—we celebrate our 86th harvest and California Wine Month by featuring our friendly blends as well as special cellar selections paired with, what else?, California cheese. Join us each weekend for a taste and some friendly wines.   Mark your Calendars: October 19 Tour de Vine & Founders & Friends Two events in one day—but sign up soon for Asti’s Tour de Vine! Ride a 25, 50 or 100k as part of the Pedroncelli Peddlers (individual reservations only). Take a break after the ride and then join us for a delicious Founders & Friends dinner in our Barrel Room with Ken Rochioli and crew cooking up some great food to replenish our appetite. Wine tasting will be included along with an informal Bocce competition. Join us with or without your bike. 

Check our event calendar too—we post where we’ll be and we may just be near you!  

See Sonoma County

This is a new addition focusing on what this great county of ours has to offer in the way of activities and attractions—outside of winetasting, our #1 choice. I have asked my family and our staff to send me ideas of where they like to go for outdoor activities or just to ‘get away’. Richard wrote about how much he loves the hills above Alexander Valley where he and his family own Ridge Ranch. But he admitted to enjoying the drive to the Sonoma Coast via Stewarts Point Road, to Armstrong Grove in Guerneville or through Dry Creek Valley via West Dry Creek Road. Enjoy our great county with so much to offer.  

   The Archive

Tools for cooking: the Polenta Pot

I have very fond memories of my grandmother Julia Pedroncelli’s polenta—a staple on her table almost as popular as her risotto or ravioli. I was blessed to grow up with a kitchen heritage on both sides of my family: the savory aspect from my Italian heritage and the sweet side from my Irish/Swedish half. I am an avid cook and baker because of my experiences with both grandmothers. The National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian will be the subject of the next few Archives as we will be donating important pieces of our history in order to preserve and to share with the visitors. Paula Johnson, Curator in the Division of Work and Labor, along with Project Manager Nanci Edwards has asked the family for several of our artifacts to be included in future exhibitions. Many of us will be heading to the nation’s capital in October for a dinner and tasting honoring our roots that are 86 years deep in American soil and celebrating the end of Prohibition. 

The Menu

Tomato time, at least here in Sonoma County, means we are creative in the way we serve this summertime treat. In my family, we are partial to cucumber, red onion and tomato salad but here are a couple of recipes which pair well with our wines. Enjoy!

Blue Cheese, Tomato and Bacon Salad

Serves 4 By Gary Gross 1 pound various tomatoes cored and chopped, heirloom type are very good with this recipe 6 ounces Blue Cheese Crumbles (Pt Reyes Blue Cheese is recommended) 2 ounces bacon crumbles 1 T Blue Cheese Dressing (or to taste) Garnish with snipped chives   Toss the tomatoes with the blue cheese crumbles, bacon crumbles and the dressing—adding more according to your taste. Sprinkle with snipped chives and serve. Goes well with friends.red or Mother Clone Zinfandel.  

Basic Gazpacho