Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Bottling 2009 Rose Jolee

Springtime is the time of year when we here at Del Rio are very busy bottling wine. Yesterday we started off the season with Pinot Gris. Today the bottling project is the 2009 Rose Jolee. The Rose Jolee is one of the toughest wines to bottle as it has to be bottled at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This is to ensure that all the co2 is not lost. If we bottle warmer the bubbles in the Rose Jolee will dissipate. Now you are probably thinking – WOW! How does the machinery keep working without freezing? That is the problem. As the equipment is constantly trying to freeze, high percentage alcohol is sprayed on to the bottle line to stop this from happening. And now you know the rest of the story…. Watch the video and see the bottle go from filling to being put on a pallet and everything in-between.


Friday, March 12, 2010

Reading and Wine!

Barrel Room Tasting - Fundraiser for SMART!

Tomorrow, March 13th, Del Rio is partnering with the SMART organization to raise money for the program. SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) recruits thousands of volunteers to read one-on-one with K-3 grade children in need of literacy support. Every week for seven months, volunteers read aloud with kids to help them gain confidence in their reading ability. Since 1992 SMART has served 130,000 children, given away 1.8 million books, and enlisted the help of 90,000 volunteers contributing over 2.8 million hours.

Del Rio will be opening up the barrel room for an exclusive tasting. Join us for a sneak peek of our new vintages and spread a little joy by donating your money or time to helping Oregon students read.

Details:
When: March 13th 2010
Time: 2-5 PM
Where: Del Rio Winery
Tickets: $25 - purchase at Del Rio, at the door or at the Rogue Valley SMART office (541)734-5628.

Please feel free to contact the Tasting Room with questions at (541)855-2062) or email us at taste@delriovineyards.com

Interested in volunteering or learning more about the SMART program visit their website at http://www.getsmartoregon.org/index.html

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Women & Wine

(CBS) New research suggests women who drink a moderate amount of alcohol on a regular basis, particularly when red wine is the drink of choice, are less likely to experience long-term weight gain than non-drinkers. For more information, please click on the link below. Cheers!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/08/health/main6277208.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea

Monday, March 8, 2010

Open House

What a fantabulous weekend! We opened up the ballroom for our wine club members and guests to kick back and unwind. A perfect setting ~ overlooking the Rogue River along with the most beautiful weather you could imagine; all out on Del Rio's own veranda.

Jolee outdid herself once again! Hors' de ouvres that would tantalize everyone's palate were served. The most requested was Jolee's Cheddar, Roast Garlic, and Malbec Fondue. Mmmmm good!

The long anticipation is finally over... our 2007 Malbec was released over the weekend. After being sold out since June of 2009 I was a bit excited, so Jerry, Gloria and I had the opportunity to taste it before the release. Very fruit forward and lush ~ what a delight!

Stop in to get your taste of the Malbec, it is sure to please. By the way ~ we have 2 cases of the 2005 Claret left for only $200 to our wonderful wine club members.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

2010 Grand Harvest Awards - 6 medals!

The Grand Harvest Awards were established in 1990, is the only wine-judging event that is based on terroir - "a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation, and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions, grapes and wine making savoir-faire, which contribute to give its specific personality to the wine."

Del Rio was the only winery to win medals for the Rogue Valley (AVA).The vineyard took home the following accolades:

Gold
2007 Claret

Silver
2008 Pinot Noir
2007 Syrah
2008 Chardonnay

Bronze
2007 Merlot
2008 Pinot Gris

Click here to view other winners.