2007-08-31
ROSSIO & BIANCO
A New Venture for Francis Ford Coppola
by Millie Howie
For a while the Geyserville winery formerly known as Chateau Souverain had no name. Owner Francis Ford Coppola knew, when he bought the Sonoma County property in March 2006 that it was exactly what he had been hoping to create – a technologically advanced winery and a restaurant where the local families and Wine Country visitors would feel comfortable and welcome. The name came from his own experience as a youngster watching his Uncle Mikey make wines. They weren’t fancy wines, but just everyday drinking wines, red (rosso) and white (bianco). So the tradition continues, with the addition of the creativity that marks each of Francis Food Coppola’s ventures.
The remodeling that will start at the end of 2007 will be undertaken to transform some of the present features into a more homey, warm and welcoming destination where visitors can taste quality wines (the Rosso & Bianco wines will always be offered as complimentary tastes) have lunch (at the Unnamed Café), relax under the poppy red umbrellas and enjoy the sweeping view across Alexander Valley.
“Francis loves this area,” remarks winemaker Corey Beck. “And for a winemaker it is heaven. Sonoma County is so large, with great diversity of soils and climate and our special relationship with our growers gives us access to some of the finest grapes in the county.” Add to the excellence of the fruit the precise winemaking techniques practiced by Corey and his team: Sandy Walheim, Marty Petersen and Lise Blair, and the consumer is assured that each wine in each series produced at Rosso & Bianco shows its true varietal character.
Every facet of the new winery, the cafe and the wines shows the creative touch of Francis Ford Coppola. “He’s the designer,” Corey points out. “Even the labels of the wines show his inventiveness. Francis presents the ideas and the in-house artists take the ideas and move them along.”
A visit to the tasting room, open daily from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m, leaves the guest awe-struck. Everyone knows Francis Ford Coppola as a directorial genius, but his dedication to wine, food and adventure lead him into delightful by-ways including design of an intriguing child’s toy, garments with an exclusive design called “Vinoflage,” and publication of a quarterly literary/art magazine, “All–Story.”
The array of wines behind the tasting bar draws the eye and there is no doubt that Francis Ford Coppola had a hand in their creation. The Diamond Collection, with its spectrum of gem-shiny capsules and labels, the wild “let the letters fall where they may” whimsy of the Reserve bottling and the incredible double wrap of the Director’s Cut label could only have been born where freedom of expression is not just dared, but sought after. Every bottle, says Corey, pays homage to the history of filmmaking. Before leaving the tasting room the visitor’s eye is bound to be caught by a diminutive hot pink can. Called the mini, the can contains Sofia Blanc de Blancs with a straw for easy sipping.
Down the hall from the tasting room is the Unnamed Café, where chef Megan Croom creates her own sort of magic. Hours at the restaurant, until the renovations are complete, are from 11:30 a.m. till 5 p.m. The daily menu choices are ordered a la carte. Megan prepares one of the most outstanding Sunday brunch menus in the county. The Sunday brunch includes a prix fixe selection of three items with a complimentary glass of Sofia Blanc de Blancs. As if all this were not enough, Rosso & Bianco Winery offers tours of the facility at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. daily.
Just when you think “there can’t be anything more,” a member of the staff will hand you an application for the wine clubs. Choose Amante (Lover) or Amici (Friend) membership. With either one you will be astonished to receive a flat $15 shipping fee for wine club shipments, along with a startling 30% wine discount. Add on a remarkably newsy and well-written newsletter and a pair of parties, including one with an invitation to tag a grape vine with your own name and a club membership should prove irresistible.
Just looking around the winery grounds may prompt a desire to hold a special corporate or family reception at the winery. If so, the person to call for reservations is Andrea Ruiz
For more information on the wines or other Coppola-inspired niceties check the website at www.francisfordcoppolapresents.com. Better yet, stop in at the winery 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville. You’ll really enjoy your visit.
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