The Wines

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2007 was a great vintage in California. Low yields (as much as 40% lower than normal at some sites) lead to some deep, concentrated wines. The weather cooperated, so we were able to get big wines with relatively moderate alcohols. For the most part, these wines should be ready to go right away. Maybe a splash decant before drinking within the first year in bottle would be a good idea. In general, drink within 3-4 years - but the wines should hold well for 5-6 years. Sadly, there is no Rancho Ontiveros from 2007. A couple of really bad frosts destroyed all of the fruit.

2007 was a challenging year in Oregon. As such, our Shea isn't as plush and fruit forward as the 2006. It will require some patience, possibly 4-5 years of bottle aging before it's ready to go.

The theme for 2007 the lables is "Vineyard Gates". We took photos of the front gates or vineyard entrances for this year's labels. Hide this content.

More about Label_2007_Aubaine

San Luis Obispo Country
350 Cases

The entrance at Aubaine is really pretty with its ivy covered stone walls. The drive beyond leads up to Sharon’s beautiful house, which sits in the middle of the vineyard.

More about Label_2007_Brosseau

Chalone AVA
300 Cases

The gate to Brosseau leads to a narrow drive between fences of Chalone Vineyard, which takes you to the vineyard and the Brosseau’s bed and breakfast, The Inn at the Pinnacles.

More about Label_2007_Cargasacchi

Santa Rita Hills
275 Cases

Peter’s vineyard doesn’t have a gate right at it’s entrance. Instead, the gate is a few hundred yards away at the edge of their property. I guess it’s there to keep all the row crops from escaping.

More about Label_2007_ClosPepe

Santa Rita Hills
800 Cases

Clos Pepe’s gate is one of the nicest ones around. And they need a gate and secure fence around the property to help keep in all their dogs and sheep.

More about Label_2007_Durell

Sonoma Coast
425 Cases

The attention to detail at Durell is impressive. From the front gate, to the rock walls, to the roses planted at the end of every row... Durell is a beautiful place.

More about Label_2007_Garys

Santa Lucia Highlands
675 Cases

Garys’ gate is rather unassuming. And you can’t see the vineyard from the entrance. This made finding the vineyard REALLY difficult the first time I went there - in the early morning in heavy fog.

More about Label_2007_GrahamFamily

Green Valley (Russian River)
700 Cases

The gate at Graham is another simple, functional gate - much like the gate at Keefer. Once again, don’t let that fool you!

More about Label_2007_KeeferRanch

Green Valley (Russian River)
900 Cases

The gate at Keefer is fairly standard as far as gates go. But don’t let that fool you, it’s what’s behind the gate that matters.

More about Label_2007_Naylor

Chalone AVA
75 Cases

Hey Duncan, got enough padlocks on that gate? :) We thought this shot of the gate was rather amusing. I guess Duncan has a lot of people trying to steal fruit from his amazing little vineyard.

More about Label_2007_RanchoLaVina

Santa Rita Hills
275 Cases

Rancho La Vina doesn’t have a gate - there’s just a wide break in the barbed-wire fence that encloses the vineyard.

More about Label_2007_Rosellas

Santa Lucia Highlands
725 Cases

The gate at Rosella’s is a thing of beauty. The paver stone entrance, ROAR lions that adorn the gate, and the rock walls make this the prettiest entrance of all the vineyards.

More about Label_2007_RussellFamily

Paso Robles
700 Cases

The entrance at Russell is very interesting in that they have a bunch of old winery equipment surrounding it. It’s like a mini-museum.

More about Label_2007_Shea

Willamette Valley
400 Cases

The front entrance to Shea is about as unassuming as it could possibly be. Probably because there’s no house there, like Rancho La Vina. Maybe it’s so incognito because Dick doesn’t want to have to fight off the hoards of people that would be stopping by if they knew where it was!