Ledson Winery and Vineyards - WineCountryThisWeek.com

LEDSON

WINERY & VINEYARDS

by Millie Howie
Mother Nature has put all her talents to work to make this a perfectly beautiful spring leading into what promises to be a delightful summer. In the vineyards fat buds unfurl into pale green leaves and wildflowers dot the roadsides with color. Joining in the salute to this colorful season Steve Ledson, owner and winemaker at Ledson Winery and Vineyards has just released nine young wines from the 2005 vintage. “You can’t visit our winery,” says Steve, “without finding something you really like. I make 80 wines- small, hand-crafted lots that reflect the genuine diversity of our select vineyards and appellations. We draw from vineyards in several different counties. In this collection of new releases we have Merlot from Knights Valley and Russian River Valley as well as our Estate Merlot from the 12-acre vineyards in front of the winery. The grapes are dry-farmed and pruned to limit the number of shoots on each cordon to increase the intensity of flavor, and, as the numerous gold and silver medals the wine has earned testify, we have reached our goal.”
With so much sunshiny weather, the great out-of-doors calls with a siren voice, and Ledson responds to that voice by setting out the barbecue grills and staging a series of great parties. Kicking off the season is the annual Memorial Day Celebration May 24th and 25th from 11:00 am till four pm each day. Enjoy meats hot off the grill with delicious side dishes. Saturday the music is rock and pop offered by Mersey Beach and Sunday the Cruisetones serve up rock, pop and R&B.

Next on the calendar is just for Dad on his day, June 15th. The mouth-watering selection of meats is joined by a selection of freshly-made side dishes from the Ledson Marketplace Kitchen. Reservations are not needed, and the cost is a modest $25 per person ($20 for Club Members) and live jazz by In Disguise, from noon till four pm will set Dad’s toes to tapping.
Independence Day calls for rock, pop, Motown and Disco music by the Mixed Nuts, from noon till four pm, wine tasting and a barbecue. It’s such a festive occasion it takes two days to enjoy the most fun. The cheering for the U. S. of A starts at 11:00 am both days and continues till four pm. $25 is the cost for adults: $20 for Club Members, and no reservations are necessary.
The working man and woman get Labor Day salutes in August, with two days August 30th and 31st, commemorating the contributions of the country’s workers to the strength of the nation. Saturday’s music by Dave Matthews Blues Band starts at noon, and Sunday will be filled from noon to four with the country and pop music of the Kyle Dunson Band, entertaining while guests enjoy tasting fine wines. Once again the meats go on the grill and a delicious choice of side dishes completes the feast. The cost is sensibly low at $25 and $20 for Club Members and the event both days runs from 11:00 am till four pm.
September 27th and 28th are the BIG dates for car buffs to mark for a visit to Ledson Winery. Saturday’s sleek beauties will be vintage Corvettes showing off their elegance while aficionados sip wine and select picnic makings at the Gourmet Marketplace. Sunday is set aside for the eighth showing of vintage Porsches at the Palace. Both days’ viewings start at 11:00 am and conclude at four pm. Taste some wines as exciting as these automotive superstars and create the perfect wine country picnic from the broad menu in the Gourmet Market. Admission both days is free.
Of course it doesn’t take a special event to draw visitors to Ledson Winery. Often it is the magnificence of the 16,000 sq. ft. French-Normandy winery architecture that tempts the traveler to turn into the drive and take a closer look. Once inside, the grand staircase off the main foyer adds to the feeling of having entered an enchanted castle, and the feeling gets stronger as they visit one of the Castle’s ten tasting rooms, look over the boutique clothing and gift shop and enter the world of gourmet cookery in the Marketplace. Since the wines are only available at the winery, on the website (www.ledsonwine.com) or at the Ledson Hotel and Harmony Lounge in Sonoma, a wise visitor picks out a few favorite wines to carry home.
For another opportunity to be treated like royalty, the visitor may want to become a Ledson Club member and tailor a membership to fit his/her tastes. And like frosting on a cake, Club Members are treated to a Harvest Party each fall. This year’s theme will be the Roaring Twenties with a band playing melodies from that fabulous era.
There’s even more going on at the Castle and you can find out all the details on the website or by making a call to 707-537-3810, or simply stop at Ledson winery to enjoy some of the amenities right then. Open hours at Ledson Winery and Vineyards, 7335 Sonoma Highway (Highway 12), Kenwood are from ten am till five pm daily.