2005-11-03
VJB Vineyards & Cellars
– Passionate About Wine – by Tami Casias
Hosting a view of the mountains surrounding Kenwood, the small window-side café tables at VJB Vineyards & Cellars draw as many locals as visitors.
Surrounded by family pictures and paintings by local artists, the neighborhood feel is intensified by the espresso machine that waits at the end of the long bar ready to create a cappuccino, caffe mocha or espresso macchiato. Many Kenwood residents regularly start their day drinking VJB’s fresh coffee and munching on biscotti or Italian pastries.
“Our tasting room is beautifully done in a family style,” said Henry Belmonte, owner. “People tell us it’s a very non-intimidating environment.”
Belmonte, along with his wife Shelby and parents Vittorio and Maria, own and operate VJB.
“There are a number of family-owned wineries in the valley,” Belmonte said, “but only this one is a family-run winery.”
The tiled floors and softly textured walls embody the feel of a relaxed Italian market.
Visitors may purchase different varieties of Italian pastas and take home a choice of jarred sauces made by Maria from Genovese style pesto, artichoke pesto, olive pesto, and tomato mushroom sauce, to eggplant and almond tapenade.
Italian sauces and coffees in a tasting room are a natural fit for this family that spent 20 years running a successful restaurant before starting their winery five years ago.
“It’s just part of our heritage,” Belmonte said. They first thought to produce a wine to sell in their own restaurant, but the concept bloomed into a full-fledged winery to honor the dream of Henry’s brother, Victor J. Belmonte – VJB.
“We create a Cabernet Sauvignon blend that is our signature – Dante,” Belmonte added. “It’s the opposite of an Italian Super Tuscan which contains mostly Sangiovese with a small amount of Cabernet. Ours is a blend of 85% Cabernet and 15% Sangiovese.”
Other current releases from 2003 include Gabriella Vineyard Chardonnay made in the European style with minimal exposure to oak, and El Dorado Zinfandel – deeply concentrated with aromas of plum, black cherry, raspberry and black pepper followed by flavors of blackberry, blueberry and a hint of anise.
VJB’s Mendocino Barbera holds luscious fruit balanced by strong, refined tannins while the Dry Creek Syrah maintains earthy, dark fruit and vanilla aromas followed by black cherry and blackberry flavors with a long, smooth finish.
Also available is the 2000 V Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon made entirely from Sonoma Valley fruit and barrel aged for 24 months.
Available only by the bottle, the 2001 V Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has been rated 89 points by the Wine Enthusiast, and the 2002 Dante has been awarded 91 points, both in November 2005.
VJB Vineyards & Cellars produces 3,500 cases each year, sold exclusively from the tasting room or through Club Enoteca which offers members specials and increased case discounts.
VJB also offers two Italian sparkling wines, NV Prosecco and 2003 Prosecco, a 1994 Zaccagnini Cesolano dessert wine and a 1984 Vin Santo. Other delectables include Cabernet chocolate wine sauce and Chardonnay infused caramel.
The family dedicates itself to the meritage of two passions – the making of great wines and unforgettable memories, according to Lesli John, Director of Sales and Marketing.
“It’s truly a place where people are passionate about wine,” John added. Current releases are open for tasting daily and the $5 fee for six tastings is reimbursed with purchase.
At the end of the October, VJB releases their Bacio Divino, Chardonnay Port and feature a barrel sample of Zinfandel Port as one of the wineries participating in the Heart of the Sonoma Valley Spotlight on Varietals October 29 and 30. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The $15 per person fee includes a souvenir wine glass and access to participating wineries event tastings.
VJB is located at 9077 Sonoma Highway in Kenwood. For directions or more information call (707) 833-2300 or visit the website at www.vjbcellars.com.
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