LANDMARK WINES

Any Time is a Great Time

Long before the vines reached this exciting stage Landmark owners Michael and Mary Colhoun, along with winemaker Eric Stern and assistant winemaker Greg Stach had been researching the soils and climate in the Sonoma Valley and studying the varieties of grapes which would flourish in this region which is so similar to the Rhône winegrowing region of France. Due to the tight spacing, the winery has invested in new, smaller John Deere equipment and with the replanting they were also able to eliminate the overhead sprinkler system and replace it with new drip emitters which will easily provide any necessary frost protection.
As Mary and Michael walked the vineyard rows and watched the vineyard take shape they came up with the perfect way of sharing the vineyard beauty, the potential wines and the loveliness of the site with others. Thus was born the Landmark Vineyards’ “Friends of the Vineyard.”
Starting with a list of 100 members of the Landmark Wine Club, Michael invited those interested to become founding members of “Friends of the Vineyard.” “As a Friend,” he said, “you will be intimately involved with Landmark’s new estate vineyard with your own row of vines, marked with a personalized plaque and an additional plaque marked with your name, row number and variety of grape to hang in your wine cellar, office or other place of honor. You will be kept informed of the progress of your vines by a special “Vineyard Report” giving vineyard updates and current news of the progress of your row along with photographs of the vines.
There is a one-time initiation fee of $2,000 per row, and once the vineyard is in production there will be a yearly maintenance fee of $500. When the vines reach full production in 2010, Friends will be the first to receive exclusive shipments of the wines with their names on the label of each bottle. “Welcome” letters present another dozen special benefits for the Friends.
But this is not all the news at Landmark. Movie buffs will be delighted to hear that plans are now being finalized for two Dinner and a Film evenings. The first is May 3rd and will feature dinner and the film “Some Like It Hot,” introduced by guest host Jan Wahl of KCBS.
Between visits to the winery consumers whose wines of choice are made by Landmark, can visit the new tasting room below the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco to do some judicious sipping in the “Press Club.” Tasting at the winery will continue as always, daily from 10 a.m. till 4:30 p.m., and the modest tasting fee includes a handsome logo glass to carry home as a souvenir.
In the tasting room at the winery the changes are subtle, but charming. By the huge fireplace a pair of cozy sofas invite tasters to settle in for a few relaxing moments. Before you leave take a walk around the room to note the new items on display. In June it’s Dad who gets special attention at a Father’s Day Family BBQ, and everyone is sure to enjoy the vineyard exploration tours by horse-drawn carriage featured each Saturday from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m.
Visitors are invited to plan a picnic by the bocce courts and everyone should be sure to stop for a moment in the administrative offices to say hello to Spanky the winery’s own spunky Jack Russell Terrier and his new friend, Finnagan, a Tipparary Terrier from the land of the shamrock and leprechaun.
Landmark Vineyards is located at 101 Adobe Canyon Road. From Highway 12, turn east toward Sugarloaf State Park and turn left into the colorful grounds of Landmark Vineyards.
For a preview of your visit, click onto the excellent website at www.landmarkwine.com.