Ram's Gate Ramblr

From all of us at Ram's Gate Winery, here's to a wonderful 2016 ahead! Wishing you all the best this New Year's Eve.

Santa Claus 325 N Santa Claus Lane North Pole, Alaska 99705

December 23, 2015

Dear Santa,

Another holiday season has come upon us. Where has the year gone? I suppose I’ve been too busy to notice the weeks passing – my work volunteering at the local homeless shelter, donating choice items from my modest possessions, combined with my new-found commitment to fostering abandoned puppies, has kept my days fairly full, to say the least.

I’ve had almost no time to think about my Christmas list this year. What does one ask for, when one has been granted the incomparable joy that comes from giving to others all day, every day, without asking for anything in return? I write today, not for my benefit at all, but on my family’s behalf. My friends have been talking nonstop (always a pleasure for me to listen, of course!) about the Ram’s Gate wine I served at dinner last week. It sounds like we – that is to say, they – would really appreciate a bottle or two of the Hyde Chardonnay.

Of course, my only concern is the welfare of others. Though I do think that everyone would like the Ram’s Gate Estate Pinot Noir, if I was to take a guess. To save on shipping costs (though your reindeer may consider it a public service, and waive any fees!), it might be prudent to send a whole case – and did I hear that the new Sparkling wines were just released?

Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your extensive duties – but I’ll keep an eye out for Ram’s Gate wines under the tree.

Happy Holidays!

Judging Vines by Their Colors

The rains of El Niño haven’t quite begun in full force, but by mid-December, our Estate vines are starting their days shrouded in Carneros fog. Their leaves are days away from falling completely, and it’s now, in this time between seasons, that we’re seeing on of the most fascinating aspects of viticulture: leaf color. Above, on the left, are Grenache Blanc vines; on the right are Durell Clone…

Guest Post: A Cork Story

It’s mere millimeters in diameter and only a few inches long, but the small, springy cylinders that stopper wine can be the difference between a delicious bottle and a spoiled one. Cork’s role is a bit daunting: it’s responsible for preventing a bottle of wine from being exposed to too much or too little oxygen as it ages. Cork is a truly one-of-a-kind substance, requiring as much care and…

The second of our 2015 Sunday Suppers in the Vineyard took place on Sunday, June 21st at the Sangiacomo Family Vineyards’ Catarina Gardens in Sonoma. While experiencing first-hand the singular wind signature of this particular Sonoma terroir, we had a lovely evening sipping Sangiacomo Green Acres Chardonnay and Sangiacomo Roberts Road Pinot Noir.

Adding to yesterday’s excitement was the announcement that the Sangiacomo Family has just been named Farm Family of the Year by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. This great honor is much deserved for the inspiring Sangiacomo Family, now on their third generation growing grapes in Sonoma. To read more about the Sangiacomo Family, visit the Sangiacomo chapter of our Grower Series, linked here.

It was a beautiful weekend, and we had a lovely time sharing the wines featured in the Spring 2015 Membership Allocation with many members. Thanks to all who joined us!

Certified Sommeliers at Ram’s Gate Winery, from left to right: Jane Whitsett, Zac Melendrez, Marc Herman, Adam Betts, Zach Chamberlin and Brianna Pickens

Last Wednesday, May 13th, two members of our team sat for the Certified Sommelier exam in San Francisco. We are so proud to announce that Wine Guide Zac Melendrez and Hospitality Manager Zach Chamberlin are now both Certified Sommeliers!

The…

Olives & Grapes

A few updates to the happenings on the Ram’s Gate Estate these last weeks…

A few dozen olive trees were planted, lining the drive from our gate to the winery. New as they are to us, these trees are actually 50 years old, and we’re honored to have them watch stately over our estate vines.

Though the trees don’t produce olives, the vines abutting them become further and further along through the…

At Ram’s Gate Winery, we are privileged to source grapes from the marquee vineyards of Sonoma and Carneros — beautiful sites that are, by nature, finite in the number of cases they can produce. Given the limited supply and increasing demand for Ram’s Gate wines, we would like to announce a few important updates to our membership and tasting experiences occurring in the coming months.

MEMBERSHIP

“Sustainability” is often a difficult word to define, particularly in a place so land-focused as Sonoma Wine Country. To sustain something is to keep it going — in ecological terms, it means working with our resources in a way that means they aren’t rapidly depleted. It means honoring the place that grows our precious vines. It means caring about the fellow living things depending on the Ram’s…

…and we couldn’t be more excited to provide this service to owners of electric vehicles.

As an official Tesla destination charging station, our parking lot is now home to two Wall Connectors.

In addition, we have installed a universal charger for all electric vehicles. We’re incredibly excited to add this technology to the Ram’s Gate Estate, and as the closest Sonoma winery to San Francisco, we’re…

The fortune cookie doesn’t lie, especially today as we celebrate the first day of the Year of the Ram!

Calligraphy by Sarah Hanna

In the Chinese zodiac, “yáng” – which could be translated to “sheep,” “goat” or “ram” – is a peaceful, beloved animal, and as such, the Year of the Ram “heralds a year of promise and prosperity” (source).

Even though every year is a Year of the Ram at Ram’s Gate…