A great time to learn…

January 19th, 2012

Lanza Kids Pruning Wooden Valley's Grape Vines

Lanza Kids Pruning Wooden Valley's Grape Vines

Lanza Kids Pruning Wooden Valley's Grape Vines

Lanza Kids Pruning Wooden Valley's Grape Vines

Lanza Kids Pruning Wooden Valley's Grape Vines

Lanza Kids Pruning Wooden Valley's Grape Vines

With the combination of unseasonably warm weather and our kids on winter break from school my vineyard managing brothers took the opportunity to teach the next generation of Lanzas the art of pruning a young vineyard. This time in a young vines life is critical and the decisions made during pruning a new developing vineyard can be difficult because it sets the structure for the vine. For these kids, pruning the young vineyard is one of the best ways to learn how a vine produces fruit and how it functions. After day two, the boys were well educated on grape vines and were set out to work on their own. They claim that it was the best job they’ve had at Wooden Valley but I think that had more to do with the crazy, sunny 65 degree, weather we’ve been experiencing thank the somewhat boring job pruning can be. Salute’

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Big Toys….

December 8th, 2011

Larry Lanza operating 615 Scrapper

Ken Lanza operating a D-8 Bulldozer

One of the biggest joys in preparing a new vineyard for planting is getting to use very large earth moving equipment or “Big Toys”. In these photos, my brothers Larry and Ken are operating a 615 Scrapper and a D-8 Bulldozer. Larry is on the Scrapper leveling the fields so the water can drain properly while Ken is using the Bulldozer to deep- rip the soil in order to give the young vines a head start in establishing a strong root system. I’m very fortunate to have family members that are heavy equipment operators, because I’m definitely not one. I think my brothers would admit that they have fun operating these “Big Toys”. Land preparation is only the first step in a long three-year journey to bring a new vineyard to its first harvest. I’ll keep you posted along the way!! Salute’

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Suisun Valley Celebration…

November 11th, 2011

Ron Lanza offering a barrel sample at a SVVGA event

SVVGA event Wine & Food...A Love Story Event Sigh

Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in the planning and participation of several valley wide events presented by Suisun Valley Vintners and Growers Association. These annual events are Anniversary Weekend, Passport Sunday, SVVGA’s Harvest Celebration and Fun Family Farm Days.  Each of these events has its own special theme and meaning and highlights what Suisun Valley has to offer. On November 18th, next Friday, the Association will launch another very special celebration, Wine & Food…A Love Story. This particular event will be similar to Passport Sunday but all the wine producers will be in one convenient location and includes not only familiar Suisun Valley wineries but also some other wine labels using Suisun Valley grapes. The venue, The Clubhouse at Rancho Solano, was chosen for its perfect location overlooking our beautiful valley. The evening will feature wine, food, music and both a silent and live wine auction. Auction items will be exclusive to what Suisun Valley produces including wine, produce, olive oil and a few very special live auction items. My family has offered a polenta feed in our tasting room as one of the live auction items. This traditional Italian meal will be made by my brother Rick, Wooden Valley’s winemaker, using our Nonna Lena’s recipe and will be served by my brothers and me. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about this event.  I hope this celebration will become as popular as all other events the Association has created over the past few years. Hope to see you there!

Salute’

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2011…What a crazy year!!

October 27th, 2011

Suisun Valley Koch Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Suisun Valley Koch Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Suisun Valley Koch Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

This past Monday was the final day of one of the most challenging and unusual growing seasons in recent memory. Mother Nature kept us on our toes from bud break to the final days of harvest with some very temperamental weather. We experienced an incredible hailstorm in April, record cool summer temperatures and let’s not forget those early October rains. I have to admit that it’s a great feeling to be finished with the 2011 harvest season. Despite the obstacles this year presented, I’m very excited to report that wines having already completed fermentation are tasting really nice. Most likely, the first wine to be bottled will be the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, with release set for some time in February.

These photos were taken Monday at the Koch Ranch vineyard and I believe it’s safe to say that we saved the best for last. This vineyard is normally harvested in late September but because of cooler temperatures the fruit was able to enjoy the longest hang time ever which is every winemakers dream. We’ll keep you posted on how the 2011 wines are coming along but for now I’m just glad the grapes are off the vines.

Salute’

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Baseball, Ice Skating & Wine…..

September 22nd, 2011

Wooden Valley wines at Raley Field wine tasting

Wooden Valley wines at Raley Field wine tasting

Gary Falati at Lake Tahoe wine tasting with Ron Lanza

August and September 2011 held two of the best wine tastings I’ve ever attended!! I just never imagined they would be in a baseball stadium and an ice skating rink. Anyone who really knows me understands my close connection to wine and baseball but I never expected both would come together in such an entertaining fashion.

On August 26th, I was able to attend the Junior League of Sacramento’s annual Wine & Dine event, featuring the region’s best wineries and restaurants. The event, held on Raley Field’s concourse, proved to be a tremendously spacious and accommodating venue for a wine and food tasting. On that beautiful and warm evening, I had the pleasure of visiting with many friendly wine enthusiasts who were all very interested in Suisun Valley wines.

Exactly two weeks later, I found myself in North Lake Tahoe pouring wine at the 26th Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival held at The Village at Northstar . This time the event was held in and around the ice skating rink. Of course, there was no ice but once again, the venue provided an incredible location for a wine tasting event.

I highly recommend both of these events for anyone who enjoys wine and the great outdoors!! I can assure you I’ll be attending both next year.

Salute’

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