friends of Gantz Family Vineyards

An Educational Vineyard Walk in the Russian River Valley

An Educational Vineyard Walk in the Russian River Valley

We recently had the opportunity to attend a vineyard walk sponsored by the Russian River Valley Winegrowers at Mirabelle Vineyard off Wohler Road. The vineyard walks give RRVW members an opportunity to check out others’ growing strategies here in the Russian River Valley.

Bottling the 2013 Wines at Gantz Family Vineyards

This morning Celeste and I bottled our 2013 wines. I’ve been making wine for a long time for my family and friends, but the whole texture of it has changed since we planted our vineyard and moved to the Russian River Valley.

Exploring differences in Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Are there distinguishing factors between wines produced in one Russian River Valley neighborhood versus another? On Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, a panel featuring winemaking luminaries welcomed participants to help answer those questions.

Tasting the Wines of Olivet Road 2014

Olivet Road, our nearest neighbor to the east of our own Laguna Road, is a long road with long views over vineyards that have been around for decades and wineries that are family owned. More often than not, the winemaker will be pouring for you while his dog takes a nap at your feet. Olivet Road is the epitome of welcoming yet unpretentious Russian River Valley. On Saturday, April 12, nine wineries will celebrate their road with the Taste of Olivet. Wine enthusiasts will get a chance to enjoy award-winning wines, food pairings, entertainment and that awesome, laid-back friendliness that only Olivet Road can offer.

Pinot Classic: Celebrating Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

The Russian River Valley Winegrowers will celebrate the varietal that put the AVA on the map – Pinot Noir – May 24-25 during the Pinot Classic. This event will allow wine lovers to explore the range and diversity of RRV Pinot Noir over Memorial Day weekend with an educational seminar, a two-day wine tasting event and an exclusive dinner featuring Russian River Valley’s luminaries. 

Unique Spirits at Spirit Works Distillery

We call Sonoma County “wine country”, which is appropriate. But the national popularity of locally owned breweries and the fanatical following for Russian River Brewing’s Pliny the Younger make a case to call it “beer country.” With the addition of Spirit Works Distillery, in Sebastopol’s The Barlow shopping district, is “spirit country” now in play?

Sonoma County Bakery Bakes with Passion

Owner Beth Thorp of Nightingale Breads bakes bread of such unique quality that you can identify it in one bite: Once, we dove into the bread basket at the renowned Farmhouse and immediately asked our server, “This is from Nightingale, isn’t it?”

Wells Fargo Center Offers World-Class Entertainment

The scenic and bountiful land, the world-recognized wine and food, and the warm-hearted people make us feel blessed to live in this nook of Sonoma County. Recently, we’ve been enjoying another benefit of this area: we are just three right turns and a 12-minute drive from the world-class entertainment offerings of the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, Calif.