Prince of Wine » vineyard

Wine Review Short #35: Valdez Family Winery-Mexican Immigrant Success Story

princeofwine — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:58:40 +0000

Most of us day dream of doing things we are passionate about ( a mid career change anybody?) whether it is becoming an actor, best selling writer, an accomplished chef or a winemaker. The reality is there is a tremendous amount of work to be done behind the scenes to accomplish our dreams. Enter Ulises Valdez a field worker who landed in Napa/Sonoma in 1985 as an immigrant from Michoacan, Mexico. Ulises joined the thousands of immigrant field hands who are the backbone of the agricultural miracle we call California and specifically the vine growing valleys of Napa/Sonoma. Behind all the fancy labels and the “superstar” winemakers this small army tends to the vineyard, protecting, nurturing, pruning and harvesting. Ulises, a hard worker climbed up the ladder and ended up owning his own vineyard management business. Although the history of Napa/ Sonoma is primarily a success (and heartbreak!) story of italian immigrants who over the generations rose to the top (Mondavi, Gallo, Sebastiani etc.), there are few Mexican field workers who rise to become winemakers themselves (other notable mexican immigrant success stories are listed below). Valdez took the big leap bottling his debut wines in 2006 producing varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel to critical acclaim. Valdez has the advantage of picking and choosing the source for his wines from the various vineyards he manages for his clients. I tasted the 2006 Lancel Creek Russian River Valley Zinfandel (one of 5 different single vineyard Zinfandels Valdez makes) and found it to be very elegant with the characteristic varietal fruitiness but without the sticky mouthfeel of bigger Zins. The wine was made with the help of consulting winemaker Jeff Cohn and was sourced from a tiny 2 acre parcel with a production of 400 cases. 15.5% alcohol. POW 92 points.

As the new generations grow up within the vineyards, my prediction is that the story of Valdez will be more of the norm than the exception. For further information please visit valdezfamilywinery.com.

Here is a list of other notable and successful Mexican immigrant stories:

Ceja Vineyards cejavineyards.com
Renteria Wines renteriawines.com
Madrigal Vineyards madrigalvineyards.com
Delgadillo Cellars dcellars.com
Shafer Vineyards shafervineyards.com (The longtime winemaker is the respected Elias Fernandez)

Walid Romaya
Prince of Wine

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2005 Old River Road Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon- Ponderosa Vineyard-Sierra Foothills-ORGANIC GRAPES

princeofwine — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:22:35 +0000

Another wine From the San Francisco based Magnanimus Wine Group that specializes in making wines sourced from sustainable, organic and biodynamic grapes: Located at 1900’ elevation along the Sierra Nevada Mountains’ western slopes, Ponderosa, Old River Road Cellars Vineyard has been CCOF-certified organic since 1993. This high elevation vineyard site yields organic grapes resulting in a well crafted garnet colored wine with aromas of dark cherry intertwined with earthy and spicy notes. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with bright acidity and forward tannins with compelling notes of dark fruits and earth and a medium finish. Comprised of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cabernet Franc and is barrel-aged in new French oak for 8 months prior to blending and bottling. 2500 cases produced. Alcohol 13.5%

by volume.
For further information please visit Old River Road Cellars at http://www.magnanimuswines.com/

POW Score: 89

Walid Romaya
Prince of Wine
www.princeofwine.com

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Wine Review Short #8 – 2004 Ceja Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

princeofwine — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 09:17:19 +0000

The Ceja family, an immigrant success story, makes a cabernet sauvignon wine of medium garnet color that is aged for 28 months in a mix of French and American oak barrels. This Carneros sourced wine exhibits aromas of smoke and a mixture of red and dark fruit. On the palate the wine carries the smoke and intertwines it with cassis, plums and blackberry. The tannins are soft and serve as a nice backdrop. Overall a solid effort. Made in small quantities (235 cases), drink now to 2014.

For more information please visit:
www.cejavineyards.com

For information about the painting in the background, please visit www.dougiemann.com

POW 90

Walid Romaya
Prince of Wine
www.princeofwine.com

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Wine Review Short #10 – Yates Family Vineyard, Mount Veeder Appellation, Napa

princeofwine — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 06:53:27 +0000

Michael and Lynn Yates and their daughters Whitney and Mary operate the 35 acre Yates family vineyard in Mount Veeder, Napa Valley. I tasted their 2005 Cheval, a small production (98 cases, $45) of 100% Cabernet Franc of exceptional balance and finesse, with forward red fruit tamed by evident but silky tannins (POW 91).This varietal seems perpetually in the shadow of Cabernet Sauvignon, but here the Yates manage to put it at center stage! For more information on the Yates and their wines, please go to www.yatesfamilyvineyard.com

Walid Romaya
Prince of Wine
www.princeofwine.com

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