Blog

Under the Grape Tree - Eye of the Toad Review

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:01:00 GMT

Our soul brother and Bryant sales rep/Jim-of-all-trades Top Jimmy dropped in on Miss Shannon and I with a whole bunch of Italian gems from Winebow, as well as a new Spanish red and perhaps the first 2011 rosé of the year here at the Studio (albeit we are still in the annex):

Zenato Pinot Grigio della Venezie 2010. Grade=Very Good. Yeah, it’s a Pinot Grigio, and low on my hierarchy of favorites, yet this one is a solid effort; light-bodied, pretty with lemon/lime zest and abundant minerality.

Allegrini Soave IGT 2010. Grade=Very Good. With a bit of Chardonnay blended in, this Garganega-dominant white wine is light-bodied, with lemon, almond, chalk, Key lime, Mandarin orange and slight pineapple character.

Zardetto Prosecco Treviso Brut DOC NV. Grade=Outstanding. Impressive and TRUE Prosecco; showing what Prosecco should be – bright, lively, floral fruit characters with hints of rose water, lime, blood orange and cherry notes.

Toad Hollow Eye of the Toad Dry Pinot Noir Rose 2011. Grade=Outstanding. Beautifully made blush, dry and light with raspberry, cinnamon, pomegranate, dragon fruit and underlying notes of cumin and anise.

Zenato Valpolicella Superiore DOC 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Juicy, medium-to-full-bodied red with dark fruits, dried herbs, smoke and mineral components. Finishes really well.

Allegrini Valpolicella DOC 2010. Grade=Very Good. A bit more acidic than the Zenato, there is brighter notes of black cherry, black raspberry, dark plum and hints of black pepper and dried herbs. Finishes with loads of cherry-like brightness.

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese Molise 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Smooth, medium-bodied Sangiovese with good grip, bold tannins, and elements of black and red fruits, spices and slight mocha underpinnings.

Altesino Rosso di Montalcino 2009. Grade=Very Good. Strangely lighter in presence to me than the Di Majo Norante Sangiovese, this lighter-styled Rosso possesses black cherry, Açai berry and elderberry notes, a hint of black olives, rosemary and cedar. Very bright acidity here.

Bisceglia Tenuta di Vulcano Aglianico del Vuture DOCG 2007. Grade=Outstanding. Smoky black fruits, graphite, pepper, chocolate and espresso notes emerge in this bold, full-bodied red from the Basilicata region of Italy. Quite impressive.

Los Dos Grenache Syrah Campo de Borja 2010. Grade=Outstanding. Full of juicy red and blue fruits, various baking spices, rhubarb pie and sassafrass, lots of red flower elements, cinnamon, cherry vanilla cola, and fresh-baked strawberry pie. A lot going on here for an under $10 red.

San Francisco Wine Competition Winners Announced!

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:47:00 GMT

Toad Hollow Vineyards is over-the-top-excited about the awards we just received at the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! This year we had 3 wines take home top honors! The 2010 Mendocino County Chardonnay received a Silver Medal, the 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir received a Silver Medal and the 2009 California Erik's the Red received a Silver Medal as well, we always knew they were good, but it feels so nice to have others agree with us!

The public tasting for this annual wine competition will be held on Saturday February 18th from 2pm-5pm at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Tickets are $65 and are available online now at http://winejudging.com/public_tasting.htm

Stop by and say hi!

Ziggy the Wine Gal "Thanksgiving Picks!"

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:16:00 GMT

275 Wines were entered this year from 8 countries! A panel of 18 judges tasted the wines blindly - each one together with turkey to see what really goes. Of course, the dessert wines were tasted to pair with pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie and as a stand alone dessert wine. In all, the wines were terrific across the board.

There were some big surprises, (like Toad Hollow, not once but twice?!) which is why we love blind tastings! It was a hard decision but the results are really amazing. Noted by each wine are the descriptors for the wine by the judges.

2011 Thanksgiving Wine Picks

Bubbly- Toad Hollow Vineyards, "Amplexus" Crémant Brut, Limoux-Langeudoc, France, Srp $16.99 Citrus, Fun Tiny Bubbles, Rich, Complex, Yogurt, Lemon Zest, Clean, Delicious, Long Finish

Rosé Wine- 2010 Toad Hollow Vineyards, "Eye of the Toad", Dry Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Srp $10.99 Strawberries, Supple, Cherry, Spice, Floral, Watermelon, Pretty Finish

The Blue Reviews- 88 Points Erik's the Red

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:25:00 GMT

Thank you Anthony Dias Blue for the great review of the Erik’s the Red! “Smooth, dense and meaty taste with lush flavor, showing ripe plum, blackberry and spice; rich, deep and balanced flavor; long and concentrated taste.” In May of 2007, Anthony Dias Blue joined forces with Meridith May to create a new publication, THE TASTING PANEL magazine.

THE TASTING PANEL magazine is the most widely circulated trade publication in the beverage industry, reaching an audience of thousands of key decision-makers every month and growing on an international scale. Manning the ship is renowned wine & spirits veteran Anthony Dias Blue as Editor-in-Chief and longtime wine & spirits publisher and executive editor Meridith May. With their expertise, experience and esteem, they collectively have their finger on the pulse of the beverage industry, making for one of the most informative and cutting edge publications focusing on beverages, the beverage trade and the people who make the industry tick. Regular features include: "Blue Reviews," authoritative scores and reviews of wines and spirits; "Industry Spotlight," highlighting innovators and leaders; "Steven Spurrier's Letter from London," from the world-renowned British authority; "Brief Encounters" and "Brand Spotlight."

2010 Rose Receives 90 Points & Editor's Choice from Wine Enthusiast Magazine!

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:32:00 GMT

Toad Hollow Vineyards is proud to announce that the 2010 "Eye of the Toad" Rose received a score of 90 Points as well as the distinction of Editor's Choice in the November 2011 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine! This issue should hit the shelves in early October!

Stock up now on this pretty little pink wine while it lasts! Not only is the Rose the perfect pair for a summer day, it is also fabulous with fall fare like Thanksgiving dinner. Go ahead and give it a try, we think you'll enjoy it as much as we do!

Verasion for Goldie's Pinot Noir

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 01:00:00 GMT

It's the end of July but finally, a little color is starting to show up in our Goldie's Vineyard Pinot Noir grapes. These multi-colored clusters are pretty to look at only eye candy for now but don't let that fool you, they are quite tart right now. No worries, as it won't be long before the sugars start to rise. This process is called "verasion" and it is the beginnings of grape ripening. Verasion was later than last year here in the Goldie's Vineyard by about a week and it was about two weeks later than usual last year so we are kind of "behind the eight ball". The good news is that the Pinot Noir is healthy and plentiful.

It has been a strange vintage year so far with lots of late spring rain and cooler than usual temperatures. Our Richard McDowell Vineyard Merlot did not fair as well as the Pinot Noir because heavy rain fell in late May when the Merlot was trying make baby grapes. Rain is not a friend to pollination for any plant and those poor tiny grape blossom didn't get a fair fighting chance. There will be some Merlot but it will be a small amount this year and cool weather has put it's ripening behind schedule too. On the other hand, Pinot Noir does not like it too hot so this odd vintage could be a good thing for our Goldie's wine. The next few weeks could be the deciding factor. If Mother Nature will cooperate and provide some warm summer weather, all will be well. We normally harvest our Pinot Noir vineyard in September but maybe October will be the lucky month... We'll keep you posted!

"Eye of the Toad Rose" is Cooking Light Magazines Pick for the 4th of July

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 23:47:00 GMT

It is going to be warm and FINALLY act like summer in Sonoma County this weekend. Cooking Light Magazine suggests popping open a bottle of Rose' for your July 4th celebration and includes our Eye of the Toad on their list of 5 choices (July 2011 issue).

Sounds like a good idea to me... Ice cold Eye of the Toad Rose' and delicious summer fare!

Goldie's Vineyard is in full Bloom!

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:46:00 GMT

Bloom is a magical time in the vineyards. The air is heavy with a sweet fragrance similar to honeysuckle and jasmine but very subtle. That is the smell of grape flower blossoms and you have to get up really close to see what is causing that wonderful aroma. Bloom only lasts a short while in each vineyard,

perhaps only about a week or so and we hope for the best conditions for a good pollination. That means no heavy rain and not too much wind. Of course, plenty of bees, butterflies and small birds can do their part too. OK everybody, get busy - we have Pinot Noir to make here!

Very tiny Pinot Noir flowers - Each one will turn into a grape!

Goldie's Pinot Noir Soon to Blossom...

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 02:13:00 GMT

If you were a grape just waiting to happen, wouldn't you want it to happen here? What looks like miniature grapes are actually flower buds that will soon open for pollination and then after that.... Baby Pinot Noir!

Wine Spotlight Toad Hollow Chardonnay

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:44:00 GMT

Hunterdon - Purveyors of Enjoyable Fermented Beverages

Lovers of crisp, unoaked Chardonnays, rejoice! Toad Hollow's 2009 "Francine's Selection" Chardonnay is rich and full-bodied yet sparkling with acidity. This perfect everyday sipper is fermented in stainless steel tanks for nine months allowing for the real essence of the fruit to shine through. The creamy characteristic in this chardonnay is the result of it resting on its "lees" for eight months and undergoing 100% malolactic fermentation.

Notes of mango, citrus, melon and green apple are plentiful in this delightful California Chardonnay which is the seventeenth vintage for Toad Hollow! Along with information about great brews, our friends at Hunterdon include reviews of our wines often. Please check them out! Hunterdon Brewing

Bud Break 2011

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:41:00 GMT

Flooding, snow and bud break all within 24 hours? Mother nature has been a busy gal! But look what Goldie did out in the rain while we weren't looking. After a long winter's slumber, the Pinot Noir buds in Goldie's Vineyard have started to burst open and our 2011 vintage Pinot Noir is now in progress. Generally speaking, even a light dusting of snow on the hills in Northern Sonoma County is a rare occurrence but we have seen snow on multiple occasions this winter.

With the colder temperatures and what seemed like endless rainfall, you might think that bud break would arrive a little late this year but Goldie set her alarm clock and woke up right on time. It won't be long now before new shoots develop and vines and leaves take over. Stay tuned and we will keep you posted on the delicious and juicy details to come!

Snow in Sonoma County? Actually, yes!

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:47:00 GMT

It's not often you see vineyards and white capped mountains in the same view but here it is! This shot was taken from the upstairs deck of the Toad Hollow office on Westside Road, just outside of Healdsburg. Our recent wild and wet weather turned cold and the rain became snow on Thursday, February 17th here in Northern Sonoma County. Grapevines are all dormant right now so none of this weather will effect the health of the

vineyards but it sure is a fun and rare sight. Rain will be coming back in a few days and we need the break as the Russian River is looking pretty full but not yet in danger of flooding. We hope it stays that way. Most amusing were the beautiful rainbows that graced our skies later that same afternoon. It was like Mother Nature was smiling after playing a silly joke on us. Nice eye candy for February though - we'll take it!

The Wine Chic is picky about Pinot but loves our 2008 Goldie's Pinot Noir.

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:13:00 GMT

The Wine Chic is picky about Pinot but loves our 2008 Goldie's Vineyard Pinot Noir. Thank you once again, Kelly Stargaard - for your nice review of our wine,

kind words about our Toad family and the holiday message. Cheers to you Kelly! See the Wine Chic's review of our Goldie's Pinot here:

A Risqué Tutorial

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:36:00 GMT

If you love our Risqué (and you know who you are), this article will explain why you enjoy it so much!

We like to think of our libations as "Fine Wines at an Affordable Price" but if CheapWineFinder.com finds our Risqué to their liking, we will gladly receive their kind review. Thank you Champion Dave and CheapWineFinder.com!

See Review Link Here

"Toad Hollow Vineyards are from California, but the Toad Hollow Risqué is crafted in Limoux in the Languedoc, France using the Mauzac grape and imported to the US by Toad Hollow. Made with the Methode Ancestrale style, which differs from most Sparkling wines since there is no second fermentation. The wine is bottled before the first fermentation is complete, as the fermentation is completed in the bottle, the carbon dioxide being released by the sugar being turned into alcohol gives the wine much softer, less intense bubbles. A low alcohol content of 6%.

Light golden yellow, with decent bubbles. Some lemon and limes on the nose, floral and pretty. The Toad Hollow Risqué feels slippery in your mouth, it’s a little sweet, but just a touch. It tastes of apricots and pears, the bubbles are very soft, it is a very light and refreshing Sparkling wine.

A nice, tasty and unique aperitif, you probably won’t find two Methode Ancestrale wines on the store shelf. The Toad Hollow Risque is the perfect Sparkler for the times that you want a sensuous wine, but can do without the alcohol content. The perfect drink for after dinner or for before something Risqué."

A Review of our Friendly Tasting Room from HealdsburgPatch.com

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:25:00 GMT

In case you have never been for a visit, here is a nice write up about our tasting room from HealdsburgPatch.com. This website is kind of a local bulletin board but a nice place to find out what is happening in and around our town.

Thank you to the folks at Healdsburg Patch for including Toad Hollow and providing such a thorough overview of things to do and see here.

See our Tasting Room article here.