From One Valley to Another

 

        It all started when the merry threesome-- LC, MK and SW-- decided to take their wine tasting curiosity from Carmel Valley to Sonoma Valley. 

        Over a late lunch at Sunflower Caffe in Sonoma, we decided to share a glass of wine.  How prudent. It, a 2011 Sauvignon Blanc from Envolve Winery, was a winner and started us off on a fun little wine adventure. We found out that the winery had just opened a tasting room on the square, so off we went.

        The three young men who own the winery were all childhood friends in Sonoma and one of them was last season's bachelor on The Bachelor.  All three of them were there when we arrived for our tasting, as were a few women asking for the TV personality's photograph.  

        We learned a lot about the philosophy and practices of the Envolve Winery.  All the wines are produced from Sonoma vineyards and are sustainable, organic or biodynamic.  The Envolve folks feed the soil with "several homeopathic preparations and compost teas." (think Rudolph Steiner of Waldorf fame...)  They also don't use any herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers.

        SO, you ask, how about the wine?  Oh, that.  It was great.  We sat outside at their location at Vine Alley, open daily from 11-6, and shared a reserve tasting of five wines for $15.  (You can also order a glass for $7 to $12.)

        Our favorites were:

-The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc--fruity, clean and crisp

-The 2011 Rose--a little sweeter than we usually go for in a rose, but still a nice   choice for a hot summer afternoon, and with a lower alcohol content of 12.1% 

-The 2010 Bordeaux Blend--rich, fruity, and not overly big

        Envolve wines are available directly through the winery or at various restaurants and stores.  If you check their website, you can see where you can try their wines so you, too, can get "Envolved."