F: Is for Fermenting!

There is a new wine in town and it makes you shout hurray for California and fermenting. Christopher Donatiello has created a new organically-farmed wine estate, C. Donatiello Winery, on the former Belvedere Winery property owned by investment banker Bill Hambrecht on the west side of the Russian River Valley. Hambrecht's fine wine ventures have included Gary Farrell, Ravenswood and Ridge, among others. This collaboration is winemaking that is dedicated to a small-lot Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that is specially chosen. Chris was raised on the East Coast and spent his entire career in fine wine sales and marketing in New York City. Building brands in the worlds most demanding and discriminating market. His quest for knowledge took him to West Coast and his dream began. In 2007, Hambrecht and Chris took the first steps to build their own winery. The wines of C. Donatiello reflect the organically-farmed Russian River estate along with the region’s distinctive Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

One of my favorite wines has always been been Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and that included thier wine maker. The first C. Donatiello wines that have been released are two Chardonnays and three Pinot Noirs, all from the 2006 vintage. Opening to the public this spring, each wine is expressive of the unique terroir of its vineyard. The Russian River Valley has long been considered to have superior soils and climate to produce some of the New World’s most coveted and distinctive wines. With two distinct wineries, Maddie’s Vineyard is 3.5 acres of a Pommard clone Pinot Noir with an adjacent one-acre block of thirty-year-old Chardonnay vines. The Floodgate Vineyard has approximately 10 acres of old vine Martini clone Pinot Noir, 35- to 40-years-old, and just under 12 acres of hillside vines, which are predominantly Dijon clones 777 and 667. Intensely focused on pure wine quality Donatiello works closely with Winemaker Troy McEnery and Associate Winemaker Webster Marquez in every aspect.

Not only do they harvest wine but on the estate they provide out door concerts. The most intriguing detail is the Aroma Garden: Created specifically with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in mind. Filled with fresh floral, herbal and fruit scents that mirror the notes found in these wines. Just as the world’s best chefs use specific flavors to enhance and reveal complexities in wine, winemakers rely on their most acute sense, the sense of smell, to detect a range of wine characteristics. A stroll in the one-acre Aroma Garden introduces one to the natural affinity for the aromas found in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Have I made you crave a taste of what they have to offer? Here is a list of what is available:
2006 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $28 3,400 bottles
2006 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Orsi Vineyard $38 225 bottles
2006 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Christie’s Vineyard $38 210 bottles
2006 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley $48 2,750 bottles
2006 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Floodgate Vineyard, Old Vines $58 175 bottles
2006 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Maddie’s Vineyard $62 185 bottles

To learn more about these exquisite additions to the world of wine log onto www.cdonatiello.com. Right now these wonderful compliments to a meal are available at fine eating establishments, but if you log onto this site you can order directly. That information makes this a convenient F.A.C.T.