[Hps] Wine tasting at Ridge Vineyards on the afternoon of 4/27

[Nelson, Timothy Knight]

Dear HPS,

We are up to 16 for this event, which is shaping up nicely. If you would like to come and have not signed up, please sign up using Evite or let me know:

http://evite.me/zVwDsQN3us

The tasting lineup will be:

2014 Estate Chardonnay
2007 Geyserville
2014 Geyserville
2008 Lytton Springs
2013 Lytton Springs
2012 Monte Bello

The first and last wines are from the vineyards we will be visiting, while the “comparative” tastings of the Geyserville and Lytton Springs (both primarily Zinfandel with Petit Sirah and Carignane) are from their vineyards in Sonoma, which are planted with Zinfandel (Primitivo), Petit Sirah, Syrah, Grenache, Caragnane, Mataro (Mourvedre) and other warmer red varietals.  Comparative tastings of these wines are so interesting that I decided to forgo the current-release Estate Merlot and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon usually poured there (which are quite nice but nothing compared to the Monte Bello into which the best lots go) in order to feature them. I expect the price for students to be $30 and for everyone else ~$45, but the numbers won’t be final until signups are complete.

The weather looks cool and unsettled next week: for the most part, that means it will be gorgeous at Ridge, but there is a small chance it could rain.  I will send a message before Sunday with an update in case it looks like it will impact what you might want to bring.

Cheers,
Tim

> On Feb 12, 2016, at 9:15 PM, Nelson, Timothy Knight <tknelson at slac.stanford.edu> wrote:
> 
> Dear HPS friends and colleagues,
> 
> I am pleased to see that a number of you are planning to stay for the Dark Sectors 2016 workshop after the HPS collaboration meeting at SLAC. In order to enjoy a relaxing Wednesday afternoon, which will be much needed in the middle of this busy week, I would like to propose a visit to one of the most famous vineyards and wineries in California, which is in the Santa Cruz Mountains only about 30 minutes from SLAC:
> 
> https://www.ridgewine.com/visit/monte-bello/
> 
> Ridge became internationally renowned for their flagship wine, the Monte Bello, which is a "left-bank” Bordeaux-style field blend that successfully competed against some of the finest wines from France and the US in the notorious 1976 “Judgement of Paris” blind tasting:
> 
> https://www.ridgewine.com/about/explore/judgment-of-paris/
> 
> Ridge is a leading proponent of non-interventionist, “pre-industrial” winemaking and is known, along with this region in general, for a simpler and more European style of wine than is typical of the more famous Napa and Sonoma regions.  Meanwhile, the scenery at Ridge, looking down on the entire Bay Area on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, is absolutely spectacular.
> 
> While the public tasting room at Ridge is not open on weekdays, it is possible to reserve a hosted visit, lasting 90-120 minutes, including a vineyard walk (weather permitting) and tour, a 5-wine flight tasting (including the current vintage of Monte Bello - $175/bottle) and individually plated cheese and tapenade.  The cost will be between $30 and $45 per person depending upon how large our group is.  
> 
> If you are interested in enjoying a relaxing afternoon together over some good wine, please RSVP at this Evite link, or contact me directly if you prefer:
> 
> http://evite.me/zVwDsQN3us
> 
> Cheers,
> Tim
> 
> P.S.  For a better idea of the range of wines offered, see here:
> 
> https://www.ridgewine.com/shop/
> 
> … and for an idea of the scenery and experience, some photographs of the Monte Bello vineyards, winery, and tasting room:
> 
> <ridge_090314_511 copy.jpeg><3-Ridge-walking-in-2-750x500 copy.jpeg><montebello-suite copy.jpg><oo copy.jpg><o copy.jpg>