2008-07-04
Tasting Room of the Week:
ST. FRANCIS WINERY
by Sue Straight, The Wine Wench
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is a wonderful feast for the senses. You can tell that this is a special place as soon as you see it – the mission style building with the red tile roof sits surrounded by gorgeous landscaping and vineyards and is shadowed by the Mayacamas and Sonoma mountain ranges. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
Your feast for the senses begins in the parking lot, which is well laid out and beautifully landscaped. Cross a stone bridge over a dry creek bed and a statue of St. Francis of Assissi (the patron saint of animals and ecology and founder of the Franciscan order that established missions and vineyards throughout California) greets you with open arms at the front entrance. Just outside, bees hum drowsily in the lavender bushes and a lion’s head fountain merrily splashes cool water into a blue tiled pool.
The mission style visitor’s center is large and airy, with open beam ceilings and large windows to let in the Sonoma sunshine. A long, polished tasting bar, complete with brass foot rail, stretches across the front of the room and the friendly, knowledgeable staff offer welcoming smiles the moment you walk in. An array of wine-related gifts is artfully laid out to tempt the discriminating shopper.
There are a couple of wonderful tasting options at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards – the standard $10 wine tasting flight, where visitors may choose four wines to taste or the $30 wine and charcuterie tasting. Take my advice – go for the $30 tasting! It is fantastic! Here’s how it works – one of the hospitality staff walks you through the courtyard to a private patio, complete with upscale patio furniture and white canvas umbrellas. You are seated at a table, which is pre-set with three glasses, a tasting menu and flatware. A knowledgeable host brings you a selection of three wines and a plate of assorted house-made paté, bread, cheeses, salumi and olives. You are encouraged to experience your own flavor combinations – try the Rosé with the caper berries or the Cab Franc with the Serrano ham, for example. This tasting is fun, educational and absolutely delicious!
Not only is this place beautiful and serene, but the wines are excellent! My personal favorites were the 2006 Chardonnay, Behler Vineyard ($26) and the 2004 Cab Franc, McCoy Vineyard ($45). The Chardonnay was a real treat – aromas of tropical fruit meld perfectly with buttery, toasty notes. These aromas continue as flavors with good intensity in the balanced mouth.
The Cab Franc was one of the best I’ve ever tasted, and I’ve tasted quite a few! It is big, and bold, with intense aromas and flavors of dark chocolate, black cherry and spicebox, all wrapped up in a lusciously textured mouthfeel.
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, located at 100 Pythian Road at Highway 12, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for major holidays. For more information, call 1-888-675-9463 or visit www.stfranciswinery.com.
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