Another Hopland Passport is in the books.  I think this was probably one of the most fun, kudo’s to Destination Hopland.

Rather than share a lot of words this time, I’m just including images.  If you’d like words, please refer to Fall Hopland Passport 2011 <

Here are some images of the Town of Hopland-

Nelson Family Vineyards-

McFadden -

Sip Mendocino-

Parducci Wine Cellars-

 Weibel Family Winery -

 Milano Family Winery -

Terra Savia -

Jeriko Estate -

Brutocao Cellars -

 McNab Ridge -

 Cesar Toxqui Cellars -

 Rack & Riddle -

Graziano Family -

Jaxon Keys -

 McDowell -

Campovida -

Piazza Campovida -

Saracina -

Saturday, April 22, 2012 was a huge day in Hopland.  There were at least four different events happening in that bitty town all in one day.  We managed to get to four of them and also  pop into Cesar Toxqui Cellars, too. Our first stop of the day was at Real Goods.  The Real Goods property is located at the South end of Hopland.  On the site is a store that sells environmentally friendly products and products that support living off the grid, including bedding, appliances, solar systems, and lots of other very fun things.  You can browse that store for hours and still not see everything. Also on the property are a series of ponds, gardens, environmentally friendly structures. In addition, there are classes, workshops and chances to work on the property.  If you visit, don’t miss a tour of the restrooms- I won’t ruin the surprise, but don’t forget to visit.

Our next stop was at Cesar Toxqui’s, always a must when you go to Hopland.  Cesar is not only an excellent winemaker, he is an excellent host and more fun to talk “wine” with.  These are some of his visitors while we were there, very friendly and welcoming.

We ran across the street from Cesar’s tasting room to Campovida‘s new project, the Campovida Piazza.   In addition to the beautiful lodging, they have added a tap room and a pizza oven.  It is always a treat to see what Gary and Anna create next.

Then it was back across the street to Bernadette Byrne’s tasting room, Sip Mendocino.  There was a really nice write-up on Bernadette and her little wine shop in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat today.   On Saturday, Bernadette was hosting a pouring of the Coro Mendocino flights.   The Coro Mendocino is unique to the Hopland wineries and has a great story they share on their website.

The final event of the evening was a winemaker dinner with Rich Parducci of McNab Ridge Winery sharing the “backstage” of the wines that were served.  Kudos go to North State Cafe’ for their delicious five course dinner expertly paired with McNab Ridge Wines.

Seats for the event are very limited. If you miss us in person, Gary will be joining other fine presenters online Thursday, July 26th.

Can you be there? RSVP ASAP HERE for your ticket.

They rescue hundred’s of animals every year, all volunteer- more than volunteer because they take money out of their own pocket to make the rescues happen, as well a dedicate untold hours every day and spend every weekend at adoption events.

So, my birthday favor is to ask that you all donate fifty-three cents today.  Thank you!

I dare say most have even thought about what their label would look like on their bottle and how it would feel to present their own wine at a dinner party or as gifts to their treasured clients.

So what if that dream could come true?  It CAN!

We have arranged for you to create your own special wine blend, have a helicopter tour of the Napa, Sonoma, Lake & Mendocino Wine Country (and probably a peek at the ocean), a barrel of your own special wine blend (with YOUR label and YOU as the winemaker) and VIP treatment!  How does it get better than that?  Well, you will also get tickets to the ReverbCON Social Media Conference for 6, including rooms and meals!

Interested?  Details are here. 

There are only two experiences available, so book yours today and choose between a day with the Daniel Fetzer of the Fetzer Family or Rich Parducci of the Parducci Family!  Can’t Wait?  Call me right now at 707-367-0270.

ReverbCON is the end of a trail that turns into a super highway, and it is most exciting.  This is a bit of the back story behind the project.

And as an extra great surprise was the blog post that John on Wine generously shared in which he complied the series of Hopland Fall Passport 2012 stories.  Thank you, John.

I’m very humbled and excited tonight.  Hopland, ReverbCON is coming!

When visiting Campovida, it is important to remember there are rules.  The first is rule is to never visit if you are in a hurry, there is too much to see. The second rule is to come back often because you will definitely miss some things and want to re-vist others- there is just that much to see and the third rule is that the property will always be changing, so you need to visit even more often to make sure you don’t miss the seasonal magic that is enhanced by the dragonflies, hummingbirds and other fascinating creature that make Campovida their home.

Campovida is always a favorite for the Hopland Passport.  It is a great place to visit about halfway through the day because you can sit under the arbor and drink in the scenery while you sip the delicious wines that Campovida pours.

The variety of experiences at Campovida are reason enough to put it on your “must visit” list, maybe it should be the only think on your list that day.

For Passport and other events, the red wines are poured in an ancient grove of redwood trees that form a mini forest surrounded by grape vines. It is a serene place where you can almost hear the elves and fairies whispering their secrets. The white wines are poured on the patio that overlooks one of the most stunning views in the valley.

The treat for Passport is always the homemade/handmade/organic pizzas that are baked in a portable brick oven and assembled right before your eyes. The anticipation for the pizza is rewarded by flavors that you swear don’t exist anywhere else on earth.

Visiting the Nelsons winery is like going to your best friends house where the family is so genuinely happy to see you. You have a bit of small talk and then out to the backyard for a picnic, fun, friendship and top it off with a toast featuring the exceptional wine by the Nelson Family.

Inside the cave the Fetzer’s have assembled a group of art objects they named the choir. The objects are wine jugs that are at least five feet tall made of clay like those used in China to make wine with metal heads on them. The heads all have different faces on them with different expressions. This is video of the band Brown Chicken, Brown Cow playing in the caves and then John Fetzer telling the story of the choir.

The Fetzer legacy of fine wines is safe with John. The wines are perfect and the experience is magnificent, from the cave tours to sitting by the pond surrounded by Weeping Willow trees, olive trees, and the animals.

Jaxon Keys is the only winery in Hopland (to my knowledge) that has a brandy still. The still and brandy tasting used to be a part of the Passport experience, and a stunning one it was. The still is a huge copper configuration of a bowl shaped tank, pipes and dials that gleam with confidence at the brandy it creates.

Though no longer a part of the Passport experience, Jaxon Keys still produces some exceptional brandy with their fine selections of wines. Stopping in the Jaxon Keys tasting room is a chance to put your feet up and drink in the beauty of the valley as you sip their wine.