by Sue Straight, the Wine Wench
Nestled in a dell between the gently sloping hills of Geyserville, sits a magical place. Dusted with whimsy, completely functional and totally unforgettable, Rosso & Bianco beckons. I recently had the pleasure of touring this fantastic place in the midst of its metamorphosis.
Strains of David Bowie’s “Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes” were running through my mind as I toured this fabulous property with Director of Retail Operations, James Luchini. There are huge changes in the works at Rosso & Bianco right now – the East wing renovation should be completed by spring of 2009 and the entire renovation project should be completed by the end of next year. Some changes include adding a concierge/visitor’s check-in area in the front, replacing the tile roofs of the towers with a strong, clear, glass-like substance called Kalwall, extending the redwood-shaded picnic area, adding a huge organic garden and adding a sparkling new restaurant, which will be open daily for lunch and dinner. The courtyard will also get a major face-lift, so visitors can enjoy the stunning views in style.
The winery once known as Chateau Souverain was purchased by Francis Ford Coppola in March of 2006, and for a while had no name. The winery’s new name, Rosso & Bianco, comes from Francis’ own experience with his family’s home-made wines. His uncle Mikey made wines, red (rosso) and white (bianco) for the family’s enjoyment. They weren’t anything fancy, just a part of the family’s daily lifestyle. This happy tradition continues today at Rosso & Bianco. In fact, the vibe at Rosso & Bianco is all about family (kid friendly), food and wine pairing (healthy lifestyle), and unexpected adventure (just plain fun!).
Speaking of food and wine pairing, the new interim tasting bar has seating available so guests may relax and enjoy their choice of wine and food pairing flights, priced from $10-$24. During my interview and wine tasting with Director of Retail Operations James Luchini, and Winemaker, Corey Beck (great guys, by the way!), the chef brought out a freshly made pizza to pair with our wines. Wow! If that pizza is any indication of what’s in store, you truly don’t want to miss out on the food and wine pairings available at this place!
All this and the wines are great, too!
Even without the yummy pizza to pair with them, the two wines I tasted were absolute standouts!
The 2006 Director’s Cut Chardonnay is like a tropical vacation in a glass! Aromas of tropical fruit and flowers are complimented by toasty, buttery notes. This classic Chardonnay is rich, creamy and balanced in the mouth, with consistent flavors and a long, delicious finish. A steal at $20.
The 2005 Francis Coppola Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a $120 bottle in a $40 dollar dress! It is dark, rich and luscious through and through, with aromas and flavors of dark-chocolate-covered-cherry, black currant, spice box and cedar. One sip, and you’re gonna want more!
Let’s talk some more about the wines. There are five wine brands-within-a-brand at Rosso & Bianco:
The Diamond Collection offers a wide variety of delicious varietals, grown in some of California’s best vineyards; Francis Coppola Reserve wines are produced from some of the best Sonoma County vineyards; Director’s Cut wines are also produced from top Sonoma County vineyards; Rosso & Bianco wines are tasty, easy-drinking every-day wines and Sofia (named after Francis’ daughter) is the sexy pink brand, “a tribute to women everywhere” that is offered up as a delicious Blanc de Blanc bubbly and also as a Rosé sans bubbles. There is truly a wine for every taste at Rosso & Bianco!
The man in charge of all this deliciousness is Winemaker, Corey Beck. He and his team carefully craft each wine to reflect the style and vision of Francis Ford Coppola. Raised in a wine growing family in Knight’s Valley, at the southern end of the Alexander Valley, Corey has winemaking in his blood. He is passionate about winemaking and it shows.
As we were sipping wine and munching on pizza, he told me “My job is never dull – working for a creative man like Francis
is always exciting. We are constantly coming up with new ideas. Stay tuned for more!”
Take my advice on this one – don’t miss a visit to Rosso & Bianco! It truly is a one-stop adventure! Have a taste, linger over your food and wine pairing, check out the movie memorabilia, drink in the gorgeous views from the back terrace and be part of the “ch, ch, ch, changes!”
Rosso & Bianco is located at 300 Via Archimedes in Geyserville. Even during renovation, the winery is open daily for tasting.
For more information, call 1-877-767-7624 or visit the website at www.rossobianco.com.

Related Information

• Rosso & Bianco