Dick Arrowood, the winemaker and owner, is one of the pioneers of Viognier in the Golden State. He first planted in 1991 when the grape was diminishing in its birth place of France. Since then, Viognier has made a resounding comeback in both California and France.Aromas: apricot, peach, honeysuckle, light honey
Body: medium
Color: yellow
Good words: 90 Points - Robert Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate, #174 December 2007
From their website: Winemaker's Notes - The cool climate and long growing season of the Russian River are well suited to Viognier. The slow ripening of the fruit results in a powerfully heady bouquet backed by wonderful acidity. Our 2006 is teaming with apricots, peaches, honeysuckle and a dash of honey. The flavors are rich, intense and wonderfully exotic.Viognier made its debut with great fanfare in California more than two decades ago. A handful of winemakers -- including Richard, who produced one of the state's first Viogniers back in 1991 -- proclaimed this nearly extinct grape (only 30 acres were remaining in 1965) had the potential to do grand things in the Golden State. Turns out they were right.
When planted in the proper location, Viognier yields wines that are beguiling and compelling. In France, that location is the town of Condrieu in the Northern Rhone Valley, where Viognier has been cultivated for nearly 2000 years. For us, it's Saralee's Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. This rolling 275-acre site is one of our favorite sources for Rhone varieties in Sonoma County. Viognier was first planted here back in 1989, making it one of earliest cultivations of the grape in California. (Subsequent plantings have since raised the vineyard's total to 7.3 acres.)
Located on a hillside just outside the town of Glen Ellen, overlooking the Sonoma Valley, Arrowood Winery is the real life dream of Richard Arrowood and his wife and partner, Alis Demers Arrowood. Completed in 1987, the winery is modeled after a New England farmhouse. With its winemaking facilities hidden from view, the building sits in perfect harmony with the surrounding countryside.Eat with: cheese & fruit, three selections of cheese, seasonal fruit, house-made fig cake & baguette
http://www.arrowoodvineyards.com
