Zepaltas Wines

Featured in the San Francisco Chronicle last weekend. In case you didn't know, I make the Wines for Suacci Carciere Wines too. Glad to see that the wines are getting good recognition out there.

"2008 Suacci Carciere Suacci Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($48): Ryan Zepaltas crafts this for the Suacci family in a spicy, seductive style. Savory burnt orange, cardamom, cola, a darker leather hint and delicate berry fruit. It's supple but not soft, with great clear flavors and a quiet energy. Delicious, and best of the tasting."

Check out Article HERE

Wine writer, sommelier and all-around cool guy Randy Caparoso came through town recently to talk Pinot Noir from the Sebastopol Hills area. Look for an article soon in the Sommelier Journal. Here is a blurb of about the 2007 Suacci Vineyard Pinot Noir:

2007 Zepaltas, Suacci Vineyard, Sonoma Coast - Ryan Zepaltas (who also assists at Siduri and makes the wines for Soliste) crafts small lots of single vineyard pinots that show a meticulous hand and puristic sensibility. The Suacci highlights the red fruit, animating acidity and slim, sinewy attributes of many wines from Sebastopol Hills, intersecting the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley AVAs, and Zepaltas' talent is in making them taste exactly like that. Here, the sweet, concentrated nose and flavors cast cherry/raspberry perfumes with pomegranate-like pulpiness and just suggestion of cola. The palate feel is tight yet silky; tannin and oak dialed back far enough for the the lush flavors to expand well beyond the composed parameters.

Check out Randy's Site HERE

I spend a lot of time in my office when it is not harvest time. There are a few essentials that I keep around to make my day easier. You have to make your office comfy cozy to find your peace. The following are some things that help me get through-mostly crap, but necessary.

The heat- When lunch time comes, it’s time to spice it up. Whether it’s Vietnamese, Chinese, Mexican, etc. you have to have an arsenal of chili-based products to make your face melt. Picture here is the current desktop lineup.

Emergency liquor cabinet. A friend of mine has a still, and he makes all sorts of great stuff. Currently we have some Limoncello and some Rum for that morning coffee break-just kidding. Only after the day is done right?

Words to live by- whether its golf or not this is the constant reminder that you can get more done with the velvet hammer vs. getting thuggish.

Bad Brains poster- whenever I need to go on blast a little reggae tinged Washington D.C. Hardcore from back in the day gets me charged up

Coffee mugs- I drink way too much probably, but I don’t care. Coffee rules.

Yellow note pads-Without my to-do list, I am nothing. I keep this by my side at all time or else I forget everything I need to get done in a day.

Rack full of Wine- For research purposes only of course

I Love Offal sticker-words to live by. Who needs vegetables when there is all the organs and spare parts of an animal to nourish you. Get some!

Vince Lombardi cards- I loved that guy. The way he lived his life and influenced those around him was ace! They don’t make them like Vince anymore. People are just soft today. On Sunday’s during football season, we pray to Vince for a Packers victory.

The Fridge- it houses beers, never eaten lunch science projects, lab samples and some 4 year old low-fat salad dressing that has never been used. This fridge is disgusting but I love it

The Pitching Wedge- The right to bear arms. You have to protect the castle! If a solicitor or a co-worker ever attacks me I have the answer. “Say hello to my little friend!”

My Blue Chair-My wife tried to sell this without my permission on Craig’s List. Luckily I rescued it and brought it to the winery. So swanky- I can’t believe she didn’t want it in our house.

This just in from the wine Spectator:
Zepaltas
Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands Rosella’s Vineyard 2007
90 points | $42 | 90 cases made | Red
Intense and spicy, with ground pepper, wild berry, sage and loamy
earth flavors that are firm, full-bodied, focused and persistent,
ending with a trim band of flavors. Drink now through 2016.—J.L.
full-bodied finish. Drink now through 2016.—J.M.