2007-12-14
Tasting Room of the Week:
GALLO FAMILY VINEYARDS
by Michelle J. Baker
Back in 2002, when the Gallo of Sonoma Tasting Room first opened on the Healdsburg Plaza, it struck a lonely pose on the corner of Center and Plaza streets as one of only a few places to taste wine on the plaza. It was an upscale spot where tables were neatly arranged under crisp white linens and crystal stemware. As you walked in and before you could say “fill’er up!” a doting Gallo attendant had done just that, and then you were seated with a tasting menu and your sample of Pinot Gris still chilly from the ice bucket.
Fast forward five years, and other than the doting staff, everything has changed in and around the Gallo Family Vineyards Tasting Room. Gallo of Sonoma became Gallo Family Vineyards. Inside the tasting room, the tables and white linens are gone, replaced with a sleek bar, some open space to mill about, and splashy displays with unique holiday gift ideas. Outside, there are now more than a dozen wine tasting venues within a block of the plaza, making for plenty of competition for your wine tasting time. After all these years and all the changes, the Gallo Family Vineyards Tasting Room is still a must-stop for Wine Country visitors.
For wine tasters, start with a few wines from the Sonoma Reserve tasting, which is complimentary. The 2006 Sonoma Reserve Pinot Gris is clean, crisp and fruity, just the perfect starter to wake up your taste buds. Among the many wines in the Sonoma Reserve lineup is a terrific Syrah, a steal at $15 and just the right complement for any holiday dinner.
The most exclusive wines at Gallo are part of the new Winemaker Signature Series, a selection of wines made in tiny 100- to 200- case lots and only available in the tasting room. The new 2005 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Gallo’s Two Rock Vineyard (the beautiful, rolling vineyard on the west side of Highway 101 near Cotati) is Burgundian in style, with bright acidity and earthiness that balance the red berry flavors. This series also includes some varietals seldom bottled individually, including Tempranillo, Barbera and Petit Verdot.
To end your tasting, the Winemaker Signature Series includes an après-dinner wine perfect for winding down a winter evening in front of the fireplace. The 2003 Petite Sirah Port offers luscious blueberry and blackberry flavors with hints of spice and chocolate.
For holiday shopping, consider the possibilities at Gallo. No matter your budget, there’s something for everyone on your shopping list. For less than $20, find a great assortment of cork pullers and corkscrews, cork pens, sleek copper pourers and bottle stoppers. For foodies, bring home some of Gallo’s hand-crafted Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a blend from the family’s Dry Creek and Alexander Valley properties. The tasting room also carries a wide range of glassware (including the hard-to-break and dishwasher-safe Bottega del Vino titanium crystal), wine carriers, picnic accessories and housewares.
The Gallo Family Vineyards Tasting Room, located at 320 Center Street in Healdsburg, is open daily from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. For more information, call (707) 433-2458 or visit the website at www.gallofamily.com.
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