THE STRYKER SONOMA LIFE

Introducing Proprietor's Red

2012-01-10T15:25:00.000-08:00

As a vineyard matures, the winemaker and proprietor begin to notice subtle differences and unique characteristics between blocks and varietals. A sense of place begins to form for those who arduously tend the land and diligently produce the wines. Distinct variations and characters express themselves from vintage to vintage. Weather, maturity and style can play many roles in elevating a vintage from excellent to exceptional. Throughout the highest regarded wine regions in the world, declaring a vintage exceptional is not taken lightly. In the Duoro region of Portugal, declaring a vintage port can make or break a proprietor. They declare selectively, possibly once or twice a decade. In the chateaus of France, a vintage Bordeaux year is only whispered among those who have nurtured the possibility. A vintage of exceptional character and promise should be left to age and develop at the hand of the winemaker, only to be announced when he finds the wine worthy. Stryker Sonoma is no exception to this rule. As the vineyards and character of Stryker Sonoma have matured, certain vintages and varietals begin to shine and show those characteristics that make a wine truly exceptional. When winemaker Tim Hardin strolls through the Stryker Sonoma vineyards, he sees the sense of place that exists upon our estate. Through strenuous hand-harvesting and gentle handling, each block of grapes receives the care required by it’s delicate berries as they slowly ferment into wine. As each new vintage ages in the barrel, Tim learns the slight nuances and balanced character one can expect to find within the finished bottle. It is this continued connection to the land and the wine it produces that allows Tim to see the potential from vintage to vintage. Anticipation builds as each barrel within that vintage is cared for through months of aging. It is not until bottling that Tim may decided to hold back a barrel or two he finds unique, varietals that are an exceptional expression of our sense of place and style. These select barrels become Proprietor’s Red.

Winemaker Tim Hardin first selected barrels for the Proprietor’s Red in 2005, judging two barrels to be of exceptional character and quality. On August 17th, 2007 these barrels were blended and bottled to produce 44 cases of 2005 Proprietor’s Red. The 44 cases then continues to receive another four years of bottle aging in perfectly controlled cellar conditions. This vintage had a growing season and harvest very similar to 1999, recognized as one of the best vintages of the previous decade. The temperatures, only a few degrees below normal, led to a long, cool growing season in 2005. Perfection was created in the Stryker Sonoma vineyard. Complexity, balance and deep rich character developed as the clusters of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit verdot clinged to the vine for just a few weeks longer. Hand-Harvesting and processing the grapes in small vineyard blocks led to an extended fermentation in our 1,500-gallon open top fermentor for a period lasing up to two weeks. Gently hand-pressing the cap of fermenting grapes back into the must repeatedly throughout the days led to the extraction of those complexities that the cool vintage brought us. The result rests in 2005 Proprietor’s Red, an equal blend Estate Clone 15 Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate Petit verdot. It is a truly distinct expression of the art of winemaking, cultivated from the finest grapes, proudly presented by winemaker Tim Hardin and Stryker Sonoma.

Officially released January 1st 2012, this wine is currently available to Club Stryker Sonoma Members. Purchases of 6 bottles or more are shipped in a custom made box for presentation or storage. Club members can purchase this wine by logging onto our website or calling the winery directly.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR SELECTIONS

Our Thanksgiving "One & only picks"

2011-11-04T14:45:00.000-07:00

Fall is in the air in Alexander Valley. WinemakerTim commented this week that the wind has shifted, and with it comes frostcovered mornings and golden hued vineyards. Harvest has quietly come to itsfinal days and the smell of grapes fermenting into wine drifts across thedriveway as you make your way up to the winery. You would think with all thehustle and bustle of Harvest we would be sick and tired of wine but we justcan’t get enough. It’s no coincidence that just as harvest comes to an end the seasonpresents us with an opportunity to share our passion with our families andfriends. This year we asked the very hypothetical question “If you could bringonly one bottle of Stryker Sonoma to dinner what would it be?”. This littlequestion has become a full blown discussion of what wines to serve at thisyear’s gatherings. Everyone has a favorite and here are six of ours to sharewith your friends and family this holiday season.

2010 Chardonnay, Estate

Ashley “Captain of the Shipments”

Wine Club Manager

“Because I LOVE IT” was what Ashley had to say about her top holiday pick and I have to say we all do! 2010 marked the first vintage of Estate Grown Chardonnay and it’s been a favorite of Winemaker & guests alike. A wine of fuller body and balanced oak character this wines golden hue matches the changing colors of our vineyards and adds a touch of warmth to the crispness of fall.

2007 Cabernet franc, Rockpile Vineyard

Jenn “Grape Wrangler"

Assistant Winemaker

The fact that we brought in just 1.6 tons of Rockpile Cabernet franc must of got Jenn thinking about how rare this wine really is. We are still the one and only Rockpile Cabernet franc, and the inaugural 2007 vintage was just a ton more then this years crop. Not only does the rarity appeal to Jenn, but so do the varietal characteristics. Lighter in character then Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc is the delicate Bordeaux, think violets, raspberry, herbs and light tannins. A wine like this belongs with turkey and all the fixings.

2008 Tannat, Estate

Tim “Wine Whisperer”

Head Winemaker

What a wine, what a grape! Tannat? Yes Tim’s pick for this holiday season has to be one of the most obscure grapes in California. Why does Tim love this wine so much? Because of it’s complexity and character, like a chameleon this wine changes character as it breathes. Pour yourself a glass right from the bottle and you get an almost Beaujolais nose of fresh fruit and bubble gum pop. Decant the wine about an hour before dinner and by the time the turkey ends up on the table you have an incredible example of tannic structure, balanced body and deep rich fruit. I may want to change my choice just thinking of how great this wine will go with the heavier dishes this holiday. Smoked turkey? Yes PLEASE!

2007 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard

Michael "Mr. Tasting Room"

Tasting Room Manager

Monte Rosso, that incredible vineyard tucked into the slopes between Sonoma and Napa always shines come holiday time. A glass of Zinfandel that can "take you places" is the best way to put the 07 vintage. Michael knows this wine will inspire passionate tales of vineyard vistas and a winery that is quintessential Alexander Valley. When the family heads out of town for the holidays there is always at least a handful of these bottles to share with friends and family.

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon “3”

Bill “Snake Charmer”

Facilities Manager

It really came as no surprise to me that Bill would pick this wine, he’s quiet, not a big talker but when he does have something to say, it matters. It’s always something funny, quick witted and smart. Hidden innuendos and meaning always make their way into his conversations bringing a smile to those lucky enough to spend the day working with him. Cabernet “3” is just that! What does the “3” mean? Three of what? If you know, you know simplicity is only skin deep with this wine, balanced, bold and in charge and excellent addition to his holiday table I must say.

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Rosso Vineyard

Brian “Social Bumble Bee”

Media/Marketing

I just couldn’t help myself with this pick. Monte Rosso holds a special place in my heart and on my palette. The first wine I ever experienced from Stryker Sonoma was a 2001 Cab Sauv from Monte Rosso, and the 2004 vintage is just as incredible if not better. I poured the wine for an event at Sonoma State recently and a guest made a keen observation “You love this wine just as much as we do” She said, I replied “How do you know!?” her answer, “I’ve been watching you sniff and swirl your wine from across the tent, the faintest smile and longful look comes across your face after every sip.” She winked, and walked away. She’s right, I DO love this wine!

Sémillon?

2011-10-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to be releasing our 2009 Sémillon to our Bordeaux Club this month, we thought we would share a little history about one of the few white grapes that age beautifully over decades.

Sémillon, a noble Bordeaux varietal, is a golden-skinned grape usedto make both dry and sweet white wines mostnotably from regions in France and Australia. It is one of the only whitevarietals that have the structure and complexity to be cellared for a decade ormore, achieving a lemon-curd, honeysuckle profile. Try that with your otherwhites and you will quickly find a nice bottle of wine vinegar awaiting you.Here at Stryker Sonoma we produce a single-vineyard, single-varietal version ofthis wine, fermented completely dry and going through full malo-lacticfermentation in French oak barrels, giving it the body reminiscent of Chardonnay.With Stryker Sonoma’s winemaker having spent vintages in Australia and emulatinga Bordeaux-style in Alexander Valley it is no wonder we produce Sémillon.

Botrytis on the vine

InFrance, the Sémillon grape is grown mostly in the Bordeaux Region where it isoften blended with Sauvignon blanc, to create Sauternes, and Muscadelle.When fermented dry, it is frequently referred to as Bordeaux blanc andis produced in a handful of appellations in Southwest France. In this form,Sémillon is generally a minor constituent in the blend. However, when used tomake the sweet white wines of Bordeaux, such as those from Sauternes and Barsac,it is often the dominant variety. In the sweet, late harvest wines the vine isexposed to the noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) which consumes the water contentof the fruit. When attacked by Botrytis, small holes are punctured in the skinsallowing the water moisture to evaporate and the grapes shrivel, concentratingthe acid and sugar levels present. Due to the declining popularity of the grapevariety, fewer clones of Sémillon are cultivated in nurseries, causingproducers of this unique varietal to project a future shortage of quality wine.In 2008, 17 premium Bordeaux wine producers formed an association to grow theirown clones in an effort to keep this Bordeaux varietal thriving.

2008 BotrytisSémillon

Sémillonis widely grown in Australia, particularly in the Hunter Valley Region, where it was mislabeled as"Hunter River Riesling". There are distinct styles of Sémillon-basedwines made there: a commercial style, which is usually blended with Chardonnayor Sauvignon blanc; a sweet style similar to thatof Sauternes, and one of a mineral based complexity from early picked grapeswhich have wonderful longevity in the bottle. A unique difference between Stryker Sonoma‘Oz’ Sémillon and Hunter Valley Sémillon is that the latter is almost nevermatured in oak, while Stryker Sonoma’s version is barrel fermented in neutralFrench oak. A majority of bottle-aged Hunter Valley Sémillon exhibit abuttercup-yellow color, burnt toast or honey characteristics on the nose andexquisite complex flavors on the palate with a lingering finish and soft acid.Young Hunter Valley Sémillon is almost always a dry wine, usually exhibitingcitrus flavors of Meyer lemon, key lime or fresh green apple. Cooler yearHunter Sémillon seem to be the most highly sought after, with some of the 1974and 1977 vintages still drinking well.

With astrong background in wine making, planted firmly in Australia, it is no wonder StrykerSonoma’s winemaker, Tim Hardin, has chosen to create a single varietal Sémillonto complete our Bordeaux-style of winemaking. An often forgotten varietal, Sémillonhas the ability to create wines with extended bottle life while still retainingits bright acid structure. Tim chooses to barrel ferment the Sémillon, allowingit to progress through full malo-lactic fermentation, giving rise to a brighteraroma and stronger astringency. After extensive research with the grape, Timalso feels that with barrel fermentation comes a robust mouth feel un-attainablethrough only stainless steel fermentation. A slight sharpness is present in drySémillon created with only stainless steel silos, whereas Stryker Sonoma’s issmooth as butter on the palate thanks to the neutral French oak barrel. Onething is for certain, Stryker Sonoma will continue to create a barrel fermentedSémillon further setting our wines and style apart from the numerous producersof grassy, mineral Sauvignon Blancs. We look forward totasting it with you, and expanding your pallate to an obscure varietal.

4 wines for Halloween - drink them if you dare!

2011-10-27T09:38:00.000-07:00

This years Pumpkin Harvest

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? Winemaker Tim has been growing pumpkins in the Stryker Garden for a few years now, and winery is now all decked out for fall with harvest pumpkins including a 141 pound MONSTER! Jenn is bundling up, dusting off the camp chairs and dragging the bonfire out to the front lawn for some serious candy distribution...but not without some of her favorite Stryker Sonoma wines nearby. Did we mention her birthday is on All Saints Day? The end of October is when the crew here begins to see the end of Harvest and thoughts move towards the holidays, Thanksgiving to New Years and all the Holidays in between. We have a tradition here at Stryker Sonoma of sharing the wines that will end up on our holiday tables. This year we've included something special so you can help us in cheering Jenn's "thirty-something" and warm-up your Halloween festivities! When you pick up a case or more at the winery you get to choose one of our Stryker Sonoma Garden pumpkins to take home with you!

To place your order online, select the link for the option that best fits your preference. Call or email us Monday - Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST if you would like to place your order with a member of the Stryker Sonoma Crew.

Option 1: Red and White (Click to Select)

Qty	Vintage	Varietal	Retail	Wine Club
1	2009	Semillon "Oz" Alexander Valley	$20.00	$16.00
1	2005	Jen's Red, Sonoma County 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Zinfandel	$31.00	$24.80
1	2007	Cabernet Franc, Rockpile Vineyard	$45.00	$36.00
1	2004	Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Rosso Vineyard	$48.00	$38.40

Jenn filling Barrels with a SMILE!

Option 2: Reds Only (Click to Select)

Qty	Vintage	Varietal	Retail	Wine Club
1	2006	Zinfandel, Alegria Vineyard, Russian River	$30.00	$24.00
1	2005	Jen's Red, Sonoma County 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Zinfandel	$31.00	$24.80
1	2007	Cabernet Franc, Rockpile Vineyard	$45.00	$36.00
1	2004	Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Rosso Vineyard	$48.00	$38.40

Jack 'O' Barrel says "Stryker wine is GHOULISHLY GOOD!"

It's all about that Cab!

2011-10-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the many famous bourdeoux varietals in Alexander Valley. Chris did a fantastic job describing the varietal characteristics, and I want to take this chance to describe two of our Cabernet Sauvignons that you may see poured in our tasting room.

Monte Rosso Vineyard, 1100 feet above Sonoma Valley

Starting last weekend we began pouring our 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon from Monte Rosso Vineyard in the Sonoma Valley AVA. This older vintage holds true many of the famed vineyards characteristics. It is chalked full of that high elevation mineral earthyness from the red volcanic rocky soil that is Monte Rosso. This vintage is known for its bolder characteristics as well as toasted oak, dark fruits with soft tannins and spice. Imagine pairing this Monte Rosso Cab with a proscuitto, brie cheese, and fig spread sandwich from Jimtown or with a butter mushroom cream sauce poured over a grilled steak.

One of our more esteemed cabs is our 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Vineyard; which was the 2010 Sonoma County Harvest Fair Sweepstakes Red Winner! This particular Cab is a wonderful treat! It has great tannins and a smooth body that produce a wonderful smokey finish. One may taste dark fruit, hints of tobacco and possibly dark chocolate. This wine would best be paired with a hamburger topped with smoked bacon and fresh garden tomatoes and lettuce. ~ Lucy

Cabernet Sauvignon the foundation of our Estate

2011-09-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

With the 2011 Harvest upon us we’ve decided to “Over Share” facts on some of our favorite varietals. Chris has done some great research on Cabernet Sauvignon for our first of the series.
~ Brian

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Vineyard

Cabernet Sauvignon, a long established grape varietal that is planted around the world in nearly every grape growing region, is valued for its high tannin content and low yield. Cabernet Sauvignon makes noble, dark-red, long-lived wines with a scent of dark fruit such as blackberry and currant, soft notes of vanillin and oak and bright profiles of black and white pepper. Cabernet's fine and complex bouquet is one that becomes more expressive with age. Wines made from fully ripened grapes tend to show extensive layers that are tannin-rich. A key characteristic to this varietal is that it ripens late, making it suitable to be planted in warmer regions. In regions that are too cool, there is an increased potential for herbaceous flavors from less than ideally ripened grapes. In regions where the grape is exposed to excess warmth and over-ripening, there is a propensity for the wine to develop flavors of cooked blackcurrants. With a medium sized cluster of densely set dark blue fruit with thick skins, it is no wonder so much tannin can be drawn from these grapes.

Bud Break 2011

For a time, the origin of Cabernet Sauvignon was not fully understood and many a hypothesis was drawn as to the exact beginnings of this noble grape. Until recent years, it was conjectured that the grape had ancient origins, lending to reason that it was not so different from Biturica, a grape used to make wine in the ancient Roman Empire. This belief was widely held during the 18th century, when the grape was also referenced as Petite Vidure or Bidure, a genetic corruption of Biturica. The grape's true ancestry was determined in 1996 with the use of DNA analysis at the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology. Led by Dr. Carole Meredith, the DNA evidence determined that Cabernet Sauvignon was the offspring of Cabernet franc and Sauvignon blanc and was likely a chance crossing that occurred during the 17th century.

Cabernet Sauvignon is suited to flourish in a broad variety of climates, however its suitability as a single varietal wine or as a blend component is greatly influenced by the warmth of the climate, or sun-days, the days it sees bright full exposure to the suns heat. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the last grape varieties to bud and ripen in the growing season, affecting how early the grapes will be harvested. Wine regions in California give the vine an abundance of sunshine, with this sunshine comes consistent fully ripened vintages. In Bordeaux, with an increased chance of inclement harvest season weather, Cabernet Sauvignon will usually be harvested earlier than ideal and is blended with other varietals to fill in the missing characteristics.

Jenn Walking the Vineyards

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape has thrived in a broad variety of vineyard soil types, making the consideration of soil less of concern for New World winemakers. In Bordeaux, the soil aspect of 'terroir' is an important consideration in determining which of the major Bordeaux grape varieties that are planted. While Merlot thrives in clay and limestone based soils, Cabernet Sauvignon has excellent development in gravel based soil, such as that of the Médoc region. The gravel-based soils offer the added benefit of being well drained while at the same time absorbing and radiating heat to the vines, aiding in ripening of the grapes. Clay and limestone based soils are often cooler, allowing less heat to reach the vines, delaying ripening. On the next occasion you are visiting us, take this into consideration when sifting through the structure of our wines. The wines from Rockpile Vineyards vary greatly from those of our Estate. Climate, altitude and soil vary greatly between the two. You may just be surprised as to your findings, and can determine what soil types your palate prefers. ~ Chris

Fall brings us harvest, and the Sonoma County Harvest Fair!

2011-09-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

With fall comes harvest in Sonoma County, and no better way for the wineries to show their best wines than with the Sonoma County Harvest Fair in Santa Rosa this weekend September 30-October 2.

The judging for the Harvest Fair took place from the 21st to 23rd of September with the winners announced during the Wine Awards on the 24th. One of the judges William Allen of Simple Hedonisms had time to share with us his thoughts on how the judging went this past week.

~What were you looking for when judging the wines?
William: “This year at judging I think I was looking for more balanced and well made wines. Wines these days seem to have to high of an alcohol content or too fruity. I prefer wines with an even acidity and proper fruit, I wanted a wine that is drinkable. I do not prefer wines that you would consider ‘a monster in your mouth.'"

~What made this years judging unique?

William: “The categories this year were a bit more interesting. I was especially surprised to see that there were over 66 zinfandels that were priced at $35 or above. I would normally expect a more ‘California Zinfandel’ but was pleased by the elegance of most of the wines.”

~What made it so difficult when tasting the wines?
William: “My biggest challenge, which seems to be a common one, is trying over 100 wines, 66 Zinfandels alone, and giving each wine the attention it deserves. We are trying wines in flights of 10 wines and we must remember to judge the wine by itself. Every wine deserves the time and attention , whether it be the first wine or the last. Also, it is important to stand up for the wines you believe in. You may think a wine has a great balance and another judge may argue it has too much fruit or too much acidity. You may have to go back and re-try that wine and stand your ground on what you think it tasted like. That comes with giving each wine its own chance to prove itself.”

I was also able to talk to Marie Gewirtz, Media Maven and President of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. When I spoke with Marie she happily shared all the great events this weekend. The fair kicks off with a a Grand Tasting on Friday night, and for the first time in Harvest Fair history this event is open to the public. The Tasting offers attendees the chance to experience the best of Sonoma County food & wine!

~ What can we expect from the Grand Tasting this Friday?
Marie: “Anyone in attendance is in for a huge treat this weekend. At the Grand Tasting we will be pairing all the best of show food winners with the wines that won gold, best of class, and sweepstakes. Everyone will have the chance to not only taste the best wines but also have them paired with the best foods. The dinner is from 5:30-8pm and if you pre-purchase 10 or more tickets they are $50 each, if you pre-purchase 1-10 tickets they are $60 each and if you choose to purchase at the door they are $70 each. pre-purchased tickets are good for the whole day as well."

~ Anything special planned for the Fair this weekend?
Marie: The Fair lasts ”all weekend, and there is tons to do for all ages. numerous wineries will be pouring, grape stomping contests, dog, farm & harvest ag-tivities , plus local art shows. Featured on Saturday are the top chefs of Sonoma County and on Sunday at 4pm we are having a Mexican cook-off. As you can tell there will something for everyone to do and enjoy.”

We are excited to be pouring our Gold Medal 2008 Monte Rosso Zinfandel for the Grand Tasting and throughout the weekend. Stop by the fair, purchase a pre release bottle and have FUN! ~AnneMarie

Put your knowledge to the test

2011-09-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

In order to identify wine we use 4 of our 5 senses. Sight to identify the clarity and color of the wine, touch to feel the weight of the wine, taste to determine the body, acidity and balance of the wine and most importantly smell. Don't get me wrong sight, touch, and taste are extremely important to the aspect of each individual wine, but most importantly is smell. Using our sense of smell allows us to further describe each varietal and bottle in more dept.By being able to identify individual aromas one can easily be able to recall the differences between wine varietals just by smell. By practicing playing the essence game one can more easily be able to recall upon different aromas commonly found in wine.

We have began to utilize our VIP room as our essence room. We have set it up to be a fun game where everyone gets at least an A-, just fun learning for everyone. Set up an appointment, bring some friends and play our essence game! And put your wine knowledgeand sniffer to the test! ~ Lucy

A night to remember...

2011-08-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

Take a moment to form a picture in your mind…a beautiful mid-summer night, sitting amongst gnarled Zinfandel vines laden with gorgeous clusters of ripening fruit. Spending the evening with your favorite wine makers at Stryker Sonoma, enjoying the fruits of their labor paired alongside the bounty of Sonoma County. What a great dream right? It’s reality for a select handful of friends and guests of Stryker Sonoma. For the past 7 years Stryker Sonoma has held our Dinner in the Vineyard towards the end of summer, just prior to harvest, coinciding with the full moon. We look to the Dinner in the Vineyard as a chance to give our wine club members and guests a more intimate experience with our winemakers. With the dinner right around the corner I had an opportunity to discuss this annual event with our Co-GM and Asst. Winemaker Jenn Berman and learn how it all began.

What was the inspiration to begin such an event at Stryker?
“We wanted to provide a more personal and intimate setting to our guests. Not only do they get an opportunity to converse and get to know our winemakers and staff but they get an experience like no other, to sit among the vineyards that produce our great wine at Stryker Sonoma.”

What about the Dinner in the Vineyard sets it apart from any other Stryker Sonoma event?
“Well it’s one thing to have a white table cloth dinner, but it is another to be having such a dinner sitting in the vineyard, drinking wine produced from the vines you are sitting next to, enjoying a 4-course meal prepared by top Sonoma County chefs, with the gorgeous sunset and the full moon looming in the background. I cannot think of a more picturesque and romantic setting . Being out in the vineyard is something very few get to experience. There is a sense of pride similar to a son showing his dad ‘look what I can do.’ We are here sharing our wines saying ‘look at this, isn’t this great’ we’re so happy to share it with you.”

What is your favorite part about the dinner?
“I personally love walking from table to table sharing stories with our guests and relearning why these great people have been a part of our wine club for as long as they have. Additionally I remind myself to soak up all the beauty of the sun setting, take a deep breath and thank my lucky stars for being part of something so special.”

How do you choose what wines to pair with the menu you and Tim select?
“Tim and I meet with the caterer and we usually know what wines we would like to share with our guests and work with the Chef to develop the pairing menu. Sharing a deep passion for wine and food, it’s always wonderful to work with some of the best chefs in the county.”

What involvement do you and the rest of Stryker Sonoma have during the dinner itself?
“We are present throughout the whole meal to explain the food and wine pairing choices and to answer any questions the members and guests may have. The rest of the crew is also present to help pour wine and make the evening unforgettable.

Who can attend this event?
First and foremost our wine clubs members and their guests. Unfortunately due to the size of the dinner we are rarely able to invite general public. Each year the dinner sells out, I guess that’s a good indication we’re doing something right. :)”

Has Stryker Sonoma seen an increase in interest in attendees since the beginning of the event?
“From the debut of this event the interest in attendance has grown. At one point we hosted almost 120 guests at the dinner. Though Stryker Sonoma loved providing the experience for so many people we saw a benefit in having a smaller number of guests. We decided a maximum of 80 guests was the perfect number to provide a private and intimate experience for all our guests.”

I've heard rumors that towards the end of the dinner fireworks are sometimes shot off into the night sky, do you think they may make an appearance this year?
“No, I have no idea what your taking about.” (with a sarcastic tone.)
~ AnneMarie

Reflections on my "Second Living Room"

2011-08-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

As the internship comes to a close it has left me reflecting on the last few months. Hands down working at Stryker Sonoma is the best job I have ever had. I am always extremely eager and excited to come into work. I have some of the best coworkers anyone could ask for. Everyone at Stryker Sonoma is so passionate about our wines and our mission to produce quality wines and provide phenomenal customer service. Stryker Sonoma is far from your typical winery, not only is our view and location breathtaking, but our enthusiasm and team is one of a kind.

It has been an amazing experience to work in the tasting room. I love meeting the people that come into our tasting room. They come to get a taste of Stryker Sonoma’s unique wine style. I love to share my growing passion of wine with our customers. I have not only shared my knowledge, but I have also learned a great deal from them. When I first started working at Stryker Sonoma I was told by Michael Overholt our tasting room is considered by the staff to be our second living room and I couldn’t agree more. From the regulars to the wine club members to the folks traveling from out of town they all get a feeling of comfort as soon as they step in to our tasting room.

I wouldn’t trade this opportunity for the world. Working here has only made me more excited for my future in the wine industry. I think I can speak for Chris and Anne Marie as well when I say that we are extremely thankful for the opportunity as well as the chance to meet and talk with our club members and the guests that come in to our tasting room. I look forward to working with Stryker Sonoma in the future. Thanks everyone for making this summer incredible! ~ Lucy

Stryker Sonoma & Pulled Pork Sandwiches

2011-07-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

The weather here in wine country has been amazing the last few weeks. It makes me yearn for a warm evening on the patio with friends, delicious food and incredible wine. I realize the need to look into investing in a grill because it has been way too hot to cook in the kitchen. Warm weather usually leads folks to the lighter wines, and we are no exception here at Stryker Sonoma. Winemaker Tim Hardin masterfully creates his Zinfandels just for these grilling occasions. Medium bodied, full of bright fruit and balanced character, now the real challenge is finding the perfect pairing.

This past weekend I decided to go with a really easy dinner since it was an especially hot Saturday night. I went shopping at Trader Joe’s, strolled the aisles looking to brainstorm some dinner ideas. Then, I saw the Holy Grail. The sample section was serving pulled pork in smoky BBQ sauce on honey wheat buns. I was immediately sold! It was absolutely delicious and I couldn’t wait to take some home and figure out a wine to pair it with. Most would consider trying to pair pulled pork with wine to be quite the challenge. The smoky sweet sandwiches can really make a wine come across bitter or unbalance. Well I said, BRING IT ON!

I wound up trying to go for a savory sweet pairing. So I paired the pulled pork sandwiches with our 2007 Zinfandel from Monte Rosso vineyard. This particular wine is a very fruity and jammy Zin! With hints of ripe apple, black plums and strawberry preserves this Zin has a terrific balance with smooth tannins. This particular Zinfandel paired perfectly with the pulled pork sandwiches. The pulled pork was extremely savory and when combined with the sweet character of the Zinfandel it created quite a mouthwatering combination. Include a Napa Cabbage coleslaw, sea salt kettle chips and you have a very simple meal that is perfect to share with family and friends. Enjoy! ~ Lucy

Cyrus Alexander, the man who started it all

2011-07-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

Stryker Sonoma is lucky to be located in the beautiful and budding Alexander Valley. Our beautiful location has been known for decades for its beauty, landscape and grapes. Cyrus Alexander, whom the valley was named after, once referred to Alexander Valley as “the brightest and best spot in the world.” Cyrus was a poor ex fur trapper from Illinois. After numerous failures in Santa Fe he knew he had to make a change. In 1833 Cyrus Alexander headed west, and landed in San Diego. Poor with no promise of a job, he began selling his services but nothing ever stuck. After 7 years of odd jobs all over the San Diego area he met Captain Fitch. Captain Fitch was a wealthy San Diego trader, who hunted sea lions and otter. Fitch hired Alexander to work for him once he heard of his skills and previous occupations. In 1840, Cyrus was sent on a mission to Northern California on behalf of Fitch to find unclaimed land north of San Francisco to be used for cattle ranching. After striking out in both Napa Valley and Russian River Valley he finally rode into a valley unknown and unclaimed. Cyrus found this area to be plentiful with the Russian river flowing through it and plenty of tall grasses for the cattle and stock to graze on. Upon arrival Cyrus met a remnant of early settlers in the valley, the Digger Indians. Cyrus was able to negotiate an agreement with the native Americans that he would hire them to man the fields and tend to the cattle in exchange Cyrus would hunt for them. The relationship between them was mutual and turned out to truly benefit both parties. Alexander called the newly acquired 48,800 acres of land “Rancho Sotoyome” in honor of the Indians who were helping them prepare the land for the cattle it would soon be a new home too.

Once Fitch heard word form Cyrus he began filing for a northern grant. By 1844 he was granted eleven-league parcels of land; though Cyrus had been cultivating and working off the land for almost a year by that time. In return for all his hard work Cyrus received an 8,800-acre parcel which was titled Alexander Valley in September 1847. Captain Fitch came to see the property several times but Alexander was the one who oversaw it on a daily basis. He hired several groups of Indians to work for him and was soon joined by former Rocky Mountain trappers as well and began to create networks and bonds with surrounding landowners. After only a short 5 years working under Captain Fitch, Cyrus left his company and put all his effort into his 8,800 acre grant. Along with help of the local labor he built a large adobe house near a prominent spring. He and new wife, Rufina retired in their new home happily in the place Cyrus loved most.

In 1865, at the ripe age of 60 Cyrus suffered a stroke that would eventually kill him. His status was reduced to overseeing the ranch but he would not let his inabilities hold him back. After many years of battling disease and hardship Cyrus died on the ranch on December 27, 1872. His children remained to preserve the land until the 1960’s when it was sold to the Wetzel Family.

Cyrus was a man who loved the Valley at first site. He worked hard and devoted even his worst days to making sure he captured the true beauty that was Alexander Valley. One can still see today even in it’s evolution how majestic and breath taking the Alexander Valley has been and always will be. ~ AnneMarie

Why Trellis?

2011-07-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

Wine is a product of sunlight, and it follows then that to get the best wine each season the premiere grape-growers like Stryker Sonoma must make the best use of vital hours of sunlight. Trellising, a system of training the grape vine to grow on pre-strung wires or a central support posts to expose its shoots, leaves and fruit to the sun, is a key tool in achieving this goal. Premium, hand-crafted wine is essentially the product of photosynthesis, since great wines cannot be created from mediocre grapes. The vine’s leaves gather sunlight to fuel the process of converting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to sugar and acid in the fruit. Once more, the ripeness, color, sugar and acid content, and flavor characteristics of the grape berry itself are influenced by how much direct sunlight it receives throughout the season. In order to achieve the best possible fruit, we must manage the way in which our grape vine’s leaves and fruit are exposed to sunlight. This is the job that trellising performs.

As with anywhere else in the world, there is no single “best” trellis system for a grape-growing region. Different climate factors such as warmer or cooler conditions, soil fertilities and drainage, vine characteristics, and varietals that may ripen earlier or later all require different approaches to trellising in order to achieve balanced canopy development. Apart from the Estate Old Vine Zinfandel acreage, most of the Stryker Sonoma vines are trellised with Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP). Similar to the Guyot system, the Vertical Shoot Positioned trellis is designed to arrange shoots to grow upwards across guide wires, using them for structural support. Usually two to four fruiting canes are trained to grow in opposite directions along two levels of wire. This canopy system allows fruit to hang 3-4 ft. off the ground, and below the raft of vertically growing leaves. In this trellis system, the canopy is not divided like in the Scott Henry or Lyre systems. The VSP system is traditionally used where there is a higher risk of fungus amongst the vines, as the trellis keeps the foliage away from the ground and allows for good air circulation and light exposure throughout the canopy.

VSP offers many advantages over other trellis systems, including its visual appeal when trimmed, allows for the use of machine harvesters, all the fruit is grown in one zone, and it suits the majority of wine grapes varietals. The VSP system allows Stryker to continue to create world-class wines from the best grapes possible. Achieving the proper acid and sugar content is vital to the successful creation of our small lot wines, and using the VSP trellis system continues to provide us with consistent quality fruit season after season. ~ Chris

Why Cover Crops?

2011-07-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

Legumes, & fava beans enrich the soil

A vital component to any healthy vineyard is of course proper soil. Balanced nutrients are crucial in the support of vigorous canopy development. Effective management of the soil in our estate vineyard is imperative in ensuring the continued growth of strong vines and stunning wines. Achieving a balanced vine is an important goal of vineyard management. Controlling both the growth habits and vigor of vines will always be a moving target, with the “bulls-eye” being the complex, beautiful grapes Winemaker Tim Hardin expects from our vineyards. An analogy of two pipes fueling a vine’s growth can be used to visualize this cycle. One pipe will feed water to the plants and the other nitrogen. When both pipes are flowing at full capacity, there can be some very serious vigor problems producing less than perfect grapes. Soil has the most significant influence in limiting this constant flow in relation to water-holding capacity and nitrogen availability in the vineyard.

Winter grass fends against erosion

Tim uses cover crops to help adjust both water and nitrogen availability through root competition. By allowing crops like fava beans, mustard and legumes to grow between the rows of vines, less water is absorbed by the vines this cover crop helps to “Stress” the vine and limit vigor. Getting a head start on improving soil quality for the next year’s season can be achieved with some simple steps taken in early spring and summer to boost the amount of available nutrients in the soil. Summer cover crops add significant amounts of organic material to the soil, yielding a variety of long term benefits. Organic matter improves the water holding capacity of the soil, increases drainage in clay soils, protects soil from erosion, and provides a wide range of beneficial nutrients and bacteria that optimize plant health. By tilling the cover crop back into the ground nitrogen is added back to the soil, replacing that which was used by the vines during bud-break and canopy development. Cover crops also reduce the need to use artificial fertilizers in the vineyard and chemical herbicides. By keeping our vineyard as natural as possible, free from human influence, the vines will thrive and show the superior qualities of the terroir in their fruit and ultimately our wines. ~ Chris

Where Did these Grapes Come From?

2011-07-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

Stryker Sonoma is very proud of the wine we produce. We have about 25 acres of planted grapes on our estate and as our estate matured our winemakers wanted to create wines from mature, unique vineyards throughout the county.
I have enjoyed learning all about the different AVA’s that Stryker Sonoma deems valuable. Tim and Jenn have really done a fabulous job choosing the vineyards they know and trust to make great wines. I wanted to get to know our higher elevation AVA’s where several of the wines on our current tasting list come from. Our ’05 Cabernet Sauvignon is from Rockpile and our Two Moon Vineyard Merlot is from Dry Creek.

ROCKPILE
Way up there and far away,” is what we said when we first visited Rockpile Ranch. It is a kidney wrenching twenty-five mile drive west of Lake Sonoma. Like many things, however, the reward is worth the effort. Originally an old sheep ranch first planted to vineyard by homesteader Tennessee Bishop in 1872.

It was dubbed an AVA in 2002 as Sonoma County’s 12th wine appellation. Named Rockpile Ranch the site is now owned by former U. C. Berkeley professors Rod and Cathy Park. They farm the property with only solar power and natural spring water. The 2,000 foot elevation and shallow red, rocky soils are similar to Napa's Howell Mountain and so is the fruit: Great acidity, deep color, and the ability to age. The character and complexity of our wines from this AVA has created a sort of cult following with wineclub members eagerly anticipating the release of the newest vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet franc from Rockpile Ranch.

TWO MOON
The current Merlot we are pouring in the tasting room is our ’04 Two Moon Merlot. Two Moon Vineyard is located in Dry Creek Valley just south of Rockpile and Northwest of Healdsburg. A branch of the Russian River; It is 16 miles long and 2 miles wide with about 9,000 acres of vines planted. The AVA was established in 1983 and currently has 167 wineries. Before Prohibition Dry Creek was prominently known for producing Zinfandel but in the 1970’s with the replanting of vines Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel became the most prominiently planted varietals.
Two Moon Vineyard (named from the reflection of the full moon onto the vineyard pond) sprawls across the top of McCray Ridge 1,700 feet above Dry Creek Valley and commands spectacular views of the Mayacamas Range, Healdsburg’s Fitch Mountain, and the Santa Rosa plain below. Situated above the fog line, Two Moon Vineyard begins each day bathed in sunlight.
The vineyard’s terraces "twist and bend, much like an ‘E’ ticket ride," laughed the late Stan Simpson owner and viticulturalist. The imposing terrain may partially explain Stan’s “hands-off” farming style. He rarely interfered with a vine’s natural expression of what it is and where it’s grown. Farming is limited to those practices that best help vines maintain balanced energy: stressed but never distressed. Our Cabernet from Two Moon exhibits Merlot-like roundness with a live-forever tannic structure and our Merlot shows an ageibility and structure that is a pleasant surprise, a Cabernet drinkers Merlot.
It always good to know where your wine comes from, makes drinking it that much more enjoyable. ~ AnneMarie

Island Fever!

2011-07-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a fantastic 4th of July and that everyone got a chance to relax and watch a great firework show! I am currently on Catalina Island where I spent the 4th of July with family and friends. Needless to say after having been here for a week, I have a bad case of the 'island fever'! If you've ever been on an island for more than a few days then you know what I mean.

I brought a few bottles of Stryker Sonoma wine over to the island so that I could share my work and discuss the wine with my family and friends. Needless to say my parents are not the only ones that are jealous of my job anymore. When deciding what wines to bring, I found myself not only trying to pair the wines with the meals, but I tried to bring wines that would pair well with the island and the climate. I brought a Semillon, an Estate Old Vine Zinfandel, and our new addition to the tasting room menu the Cabernet Sauvignon from Rockpile. Needless to say the wines practically got a standing ovation on their own.

The 2009 Semillon from 'OZ' vineyards is the perfect 'Summer Island Wine'. It's crisp clean taste paired with breath taking views over looking Avalon harbor, Catalina is one for the books. Our Semillon is best known as our 'secret pour' in the Tasting Room. We like to start off each tasting with a glass of Semillon. Not only does the wine help cleanse your pallet, but it is also a very refreshing wine. Our 2009 Semillon is from the Osborn vineyard in Alexander Valley. The wine has enticing aromas of honeysuckle and a fantastic crisp lemon zest finish. The body is well rounded and finishes smooth. This wine would pair great with a smooth cheese platter or a nice light olive oil and balsamic salad with fresh heirloom tomatoes.

Chill and enjoy (and no I'm not just talking about the bottle!)

Cheers! ~ Lucy

A Vineyard Walk to Remember

2011-07-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

Driving through Alexander Valley, one can’t help but admire the rolling landscape adorned with ever changing shades of brilliant greens. Covering the framework of this scene is of course acres of grape vines in full summer growth. Lush, complete canopies run through the trellises as far as the eye can see and surround the Stryker Sonoma Estate beautifully. Recently we had the opportunity to take a walk through our vineyards, and follow the self-guided tour we have for visitors to our tasting room. All of us were anxious to get started as we looked over the map, eager to see the vines.

The first stop on the tour takes you to the sign from the Sonoma County Wine Grape Commission at the upper fountain, welcoming guests to the estate. From here you turn toward the entrance and proceed down from the crest of the road, taking in the view of all the vineyards. It’s breathtaking to be able to have such a panoramic view. Guests stroll down the road to the first set of vines, noting from the guide map that it was Cabernet Sauvignon. On this adventure you will be able to compare the different leaf and canopy growth patterns of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Tannat, and Petite Sirah; all of which are made into delicious estate wines. Being able to see these vines up close is a real treat, you are really able examine the subtle differences between each varietal from the structure of the leaf to the rootstalk and even the cover crops planted in between the rows. On this vineyard adventure we took fellow intern Lucy along for the vineyard tour, she “had no idea you could plant different varietals all within the immediate location and not affect the berries in their development.”

Visitors complete the tour with a grand view of both the 93 year old estate old vine Zinfandel and the estate as a whole. All one needs is a chase lounge chair and a glass of the Semillon and you will be in a state of complete bliss. Come join us at Stryker Sonoma for an exciting tasting and tour of our estate, highlighting the natural beauty of our surroundings complemented by our premiere wines. ~ Chris

Two great wines for a limited time!

2011-06-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

We have just recently added two new wines to our tasting menu.

The first is a 2007 Zinfandel from the Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma Valley. This is a bold Zinfandel with enticing aromas of dark chocolate and mocha with hints of cherry. The cherries carry through to the mouth and are backed up with cracked black pepper and slight hints of tobacco, plum and violets. Fresh acidity and dry medium tannins finish of this well balanced wine. This Zinfandel would pair well with steak as well as a gorgonzola or brie cheese.

The second is a 2006 Petit Verdot from Speedy Creek Vineyards in Knights Valley. Typically one would see Petit Verdot blended with any of the Bordeaux varietals. Very rarely do you see bottles of 100% Petit Verdot. This wine has a lovely deep ruby red color with hints of black licorice, blackberries and smoked spices on the nose. This particular Petit Verdot tastes very earthy and has a strong tannin structure rounding out the fruit and spice. The wine is fairly dry with a full body and excellent balance and check out those legs!! This Petit Verdot would pair well with a big juicy steak.

Both wines are available to taste in the tasting room, or online for purchase for the next few weeks.

Enjoy! ~ Lucy

Historical Alexander Valley

2011-06-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

Alexander Valley Circa 1905

If you ever get the chance to head up north come by and get to know the area we all have grown to love and enjoy. The Alexander Valley has some great history behind how it has been cultivated and nurtured over the past 100+ years to grow some of the world’s best wines. Alexander Valley is located in Northern California just north of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. The Valley was named after Cyrus Alexander, who was part owner of the Rancho Sotoyome Mexican land grant from 1847. Though grape growing in the region stems back over a hundred years the Valley did not join the rest of wine country as an official AVA(American Viticulture Area) until 1984.

Cyrus Alexander 1877

Alexander Valley is the largest and most bountiful planted wine region in Sonoma County. The boundaries stretch from the banks of the Russian River in the east all the way to the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. The area is nicely sheltered from the, sometimes, harsh winds and temperatures of the Pacific Ocean by the nearby western hills. With that protection Alexander Valley has been known to reach some of the highest temperatures in Northern California but bring significant cooling at night to the vines. This offers an ideal growing platform for the rich, meaty wines that the Alexander Valley produces.
The warm climate and variety of cooling techniques allows the valley to produce their world-renowned wines. As made obvious by Stryker Sonoma, the land offers the ability to grow a plethora of varietals from Chardonnay to Sangiovese. The soil and temperature give winemakers the ability to experiment and dabble in grapes they may not have otherwise had the chance to work with and push themselves to new limits. Tim and Jenn, Stryker’s A+ winemaking team, enjoy the freedom in being progressive and mixing traditional techniques with the modern.

Historical Map of Alexander Valley 1877

We encourage one and all to visit the beautiful land of Alexander Valley to witness first-hand the intoxicating beauty of its landscape and the delicious wines. ~ AnneMarie

Prosciutto Pizza & Zin Bliss

2011-06-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

I decided to go a little over the edge this week and try to do a food pairing. The initial blog welcoming the interns left out a tiny detail about my cooking ability. That is, I cannot cook. And by I cannot cook I mean the most ambitious food I’ve tried to make is Teriyaki marinated chicken. Coming from an Italian family my inability to cook is a sin in and of itself. This blog has pushed me to break out of my comfort zone and to attempt to dare I say, cook? So I grabbed a bottle of our Stryker Sonoma 2007 Old Vine Estate Zinfandel; asked for a couple of food pairing suggestions from everyone in the back office and headed straight to Trader Joe's.

I picked up sliced mushrooms, pizza dough, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce & prosciutto. I know this seems easy to pretty much everyone, but when you consider the college student budget along with minimal cooking skills; it can be quite a challenge. Once I got home I opened the dough and let it rest for 20-30 minutes, this is a great time to pour the first glass of Zinfandel, letting it open up as you prepare your meal. After a couple sips of wine I rolled out the dough and put a generous amount of marinara sauce over it, then covered the dough in mozzarella, mushrooms and tomatoes. Pre-heated the oven to 450˚ put the pie in and was all set to go! 10-15 minutes later once the pizza was almost all the way cooked I put on a nice helping of prosciutto, and placed the pizza back in to the oven for another minute or two to heat the prosciutto. When finished, I took out the pizza, sliced it and poured a hearty glass of Estate Zinfandel! I had invited over a friend of mine to share the pizza and Zin. Much to my surprise not only was the pizza edible, but it was really good!!!

Rule #1 in food pairing is that heavy wines go with heavy foods and vice-versa. Zinfandel tends to be medium bodied wines that come across soft and earthy. For this reason our Zinfandel tends to compliment almost any pizza or pasta dish. Both the Estate Old Vine Zinfandel and the prosciutto pizza have their own robust flavors. The prosciutto is salty and fatty; which softens the Zinfandel and makes the prosciutto melt in your mouth. The Estate Old Vine Zinfandel has mild tannins with a nice long velvety finish and when combined with the rich earthy flavor of the prosciutto and mozzarella pizza; you have a match made in savory wine pairing heaven.

Lessons learned & notes to self:
1. Make sure to flour hands before attempting to work with pizza dough. Huge mistake!
2. Borrow neighbors oven next time to ensure even cooking!
3. Purchase cutting board!
4. Purchase sharper knife or a pizza cutter

Overall, I would say mission accomplished! The pizza was a hit and the Zin was perfect compliment!!!

Review of Dinner:
Gary the Critic: "I was a little nervous at first about Lucy cooking because I know cooking isn't her strong suite, but the pizza tasted great! Amazing flavor and cooked to perfection. The Stryker Sonoma Zin was bomb and a new personal favorite of mine."

Buon Appetito & Cheers!! ~ Lucy

Editors Note: Do you have a favorite pizza and wine pairing? We would love to hear about it!

2010 in review, and the mystery of 2011

2011-06-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Rockpile Ranch, Harvest 2010

It's finally here, but will it stay for good?...the sun that is. With the 2011 growing season starting off very similar to 2010, the coolest summer on record for Sonoma County in recent years. Many vineyard managers and winemakers alike are scratching their heads. As shown in the 2010 Grape Report for Sonoma County, much of the fruit grown was lost to shattering when the canopy was heavily trimmed in hopes of greater exposure to the sun….only to be dwarfed by the rain. The cool summer forced many growers to adjust their practices to reach a crop that would express all the fine nuances of the vineyards. Some were met with great success while others were not so lucky. What did come from the season was increased quality and concentration of must, lower alcohols, great color and preferred acidity structures. The lengthy, cool growing season of 2010 allowed for greater acid retention in the berries and extended the time for flavor development, all without the higher sugar levels associated with warmer conditions. This slower ripening at a cooler temperature resulted in the harvest being physiologically ripe with fully matured tannins, but with lower sugar and alcohol levels overall making them more food-friendly and suited to an ample array of pairings.

Zinfandel, Estate Oldvine Bud Break 2011

We won’t be able to see the true fruit of our labor until the vintage matures in upcoming years, but we are optimistic 2010 will result in very balanced wines with great potential. Will the 2011 vintage follow in the challenging footsteps laid before it by the previous year? Alternatively, will this summer turn out to be another exceptional vintage like that of 2005 or 2007? With it already being the second week of June and this is the first real glimpse of summer we have seen thus far, optimism is running high in the county and the jury is still out. One thing is for sure, it will be interesting to see how this growing season will undoubtedly change vineyard management practices, but in which ways and will it benefit the fruit? These are questions we will not fully be able to answer until the season progresses, so here's to hard work, high hopes and a successful 2011 Vintage! ~ Chris

Start the weekend off right in Alexander Valley

2011-06-16T17:10:00.000-07:00

Our "Living Room"

Alexander Valley is the place we call home and Stryker Sonoma has quickly become our “second living room” as Michael Overholt calls it. Our little sanctuary on the hill has gorgeous views of all that Alexander Valley has to offer, great wine and great hardworking people. The Valley itself is vast stretching 22 miles from Healdsburg to the border with Mendocino county. It is where we can enjoy the land we work, rain or shine. Thankfully Alexander Valley gives us plenty of opportunities to spend as much time here as we can. Throughout the valley you will find a plethora of locations that offer great summer entertainment with a variety of activities to enjoy including weekly concerts, BBQs, tastings, and events. Let Stryker Sonoma keep you up to date on all the buzz in Alexander Valley and be on the lookout for a winemaker sighting or two. ~ AnneMarie

Our pick of the week is a staff favorite! Don't be surprised to see a handful of the crew relaxing with a cold frosty Scrimshaw

June 17th:

The Easy Leaves

Enjoy the music of The Easy Leaves beginning at 7pm.

Alexander Valley Bar

3487 Alexander Valley Road

The Alexander Valley Bar offers a variety of fun cocktails and wines starting every night after 5pm.

Weekday Wine Flights

2011-06-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Stryker Sonoma is well known for not only our wines, but our stunning location. In the heart of Alexander Valley our tasting room portrays spectacular views of the surrounding area. The experience provided in Stryker Sonoma tasting room is unlike any other. We strive to engage every person that walks in. Each guest walks away feeling they have a better understanding of our wines and our winery than when they stepped through our doors. We wish to give you an experience like no other in Alexander Valley.

With this in mind we have recently introduced a unique tasting experience for our guests who visit us on weekdays. Inspired by the leisurly tastings our winemakers enjoy we have decided to introduce our very own “Weekday Flight.” Guests are presented with all the wine selections on the tasting menu at once, giving yourself a chance to taste each wine on the menu side by side at your own speed.

This wine flight is designed to make it easy to take notes and remember which wine was special to you and what characteristics make the selection unique. We encourage you to come in on weekdays to enjoy this one of a kind experience in the Stryker Sonoma tasting room!

Cheers!
Lucy

Welcome Interns!

2011-06-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

Starting the beginning of June we brought on board three fantastic individuals from the Sonoma State Wine Business program. Many of you may have already met Chris, Lucy and AnneMarie in the Tasting Room. The three of them will be learning about direct to consumer sales, hospitality and marketing during their summer internship here at Stryker Sonoma. The passion for wine, and the wine industry runs deep with these three, and we all felt they would make a fantastic addition to our team. One aspect of the internship that we are really excited about is the blog! Each of our interns have decided to write a weekly blog post about different aspects of Stryker Sonoma, and our amazing Valley.

Chris will be sharing a behind the scenes look at how Winemaker Tim Hardin creates those incredible wines. Following him from "grape to glass" Chris hopes to learn what makes us such a unique winery!

Lucy has decided to really challenge herself this summer, it is up to her to share the wines being poured in our tasting room. This may seem like a simple feat, but there is a reason why we pour what we do, and she is going to share that with you. Look for posts about our new tasting menu, wine flights, and more. Along the way Lucy hopes sharpen her food & wine pairing skills, enjoy some fine wines and have fun with our guests here at the winery.

No visit to Alexander Valley is complete without some history, events and community support. Our Valley has been producing wine grapes since the 1860's and the farming tradition of the valley can still be seen today in the events, communities and unique character that makes Alexander Valley the premier wine region it is today. AnneMarie is going to tackle the valley from top to bottom, she will be sharing local events & happenings throughout the summer. Her hope is that when you visit us you stay for more than just the wines.

Join us in welcoming our new crew! When you see them in the tasting room, say hello, give them a topic or two to talk about and ask plenty of questions! Welcome to the Stryker Sonoma Life!

Stryker Sonoma Celebrity Club Member: April Medley Club

2011-04-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

Members since 2002

For the April Member of the Month, we travel to the state of Illinois to catch up with Wine Club Members Dick and Judy Brady. Wine club manager, Ashley Hirt caught up with Dick and Judy earlier this week, below is a snippet from their conversation.

Ashley: We are so lucky to have club members from all over the country who represent their state. Where are you from?

Judy: We live in Roselle, Illinois, which is a suburb about 25 miles northwest of downtown
Chicago. Dick grew up in the Detroit area and I in the Chicago suburbs. We met in a sailing club in 1989 and first visited the Wine Country in September of that year. Since that first trip, we have been back about ten times.

Ashley: It’s always fun to hear how our members first came to discover the winery. How did you find Stryker Sonoma?

Dick: We discovered Stryker Sonoma in September of 2002. We were visiting wineries and saw flags and a sign announcing a Zin/Harvest fest for Wine Club members as we drove by. Since we were not familiar with Stryker, we decided to go in and check it out. We sampled the wines in the tasting room, signed up for the Wine Club and joined the party. The rest is history.

Ashley: We are often asked, “what is your best wine?” That’s an easy one. ALL of them!
Everyone definitely has their own favorite. Could you tell us a little about your favorite Stryker Sonoma Wines?

Judy: Picking a favorite wine is very difficult. On that first visit, we tasted the 2000 Russian River Zin. We loved it and bought a case. There have been so many memorable wines over the last nine years. Two recent favorites are the 2003 Monte Rosso Cab and the 2007 Estate Old Vine Zin.

Ashley: It’s no secret the crew at Stryker Sonoma loves to have fun. What has been your favorite experience at the winery?

Dick: Since we live so far away, our favorite experiences have been enjoying the tasting room when we visit. Last September we were lucky enough to be there for the Harvest fest where we were introduced to tri tip sandwiches. We had never heard of tri tip before, so we looked it up and discovered that it is a cut of meat popular in the Western states. The sandwiches were
delicious, as well as the salads that were served and of course the wine!

Ashley: There’s no question that our club members are the ones who make Stryker Sonoma a success. What does being a Stryker Sonoma club member mean to you?

Judy: We enjoy being Wine Club Members because we are able to sample a wide variety of excellent wines. We just regret that we don’t live closer so we could visit more often and attend the many events!

As the recipients of this month’s celebrity member of the month honor, Dick and Judy will receive a signed bottle of their favorite 2003 Monte Rosso Cabernet! Thank you for sharing

Stryker Sonoma Celebrity Club Member: March Zinfandel

2011-03-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

Stryker Sonoma Celebrity Club Corner: March Zinfandel

We understand distance sometimes keeps us apart. In an effort to know you better, we’d like to use this forum as a way for you to tell your story and share your Stryker Sonoma experiences with the like-minded recipients of this highly sought after newsletter. Ashley Hirt, our wine club manager caught up with Richard earlier this week. Below is a snippet from their conversation.

Ashley: We are so lucky to have club members from all over the country who represent their state. Where are you from, tell us a little about yourself?
Richard: I am a marketing consultant and live in Flower Mound, Texas, a suburb of Dallas just north of DFW International Airport.

Ashley: It’s always fun to hear how our members first came to discover the winery. How did you find Stryker Sonoma?

Richard: It was about 4 or 5 years ago that my wife and I were touring around Alexander Valley and northern Sonoma, and we just happened to stumble across Stryker. We remember it well because we loved everything we tasted, and so, had to join the wine club right away! Since then we’ve been back a number of times (though not as often as we would like!)

Ashley: We are often asked, “what is your best wine?” That’s an easy one. ALL of them! Everyone definitely has their own favorite for which is the best. What is your favorite Stryker Sonoma wine and why?

Richard: What a loaded question! My wife and I both love Stryker’s Zins the most, I’m not sure we could pick one favorite among them all.

Ashley: It’s no secret that the crew at Stryker Sonoma love to have fun. What has been your favorite experience at the winery?

Richard: Without a doubt, it’s having a picnic on the front lawn with sandwiches from Jimtown Store, dessert from Costeaux Bakery in Healdsburg, and of course, wine from inside the tasting room. We did that most recently on President’s Day 2011. It was a little cool and cloudy, but for a while we were the only visitors there, so it was like having the place to ourselves. Plus, there was still snow on the hills behind the winery, so the view was fantastic!

Ashley: There’s no question that our club members are the ones who make Stryker Sonoma a success. What does being a Stryker Sonoma club member mean to you?

Richard: First, great wines that we can’t get here in Texas. And second, feeling a bit like an insider. We get access to some great events, and get to learn more about the wines we love. Plus, we have several friends here in the Dallas area that are also members, so it’s nice to share Stryker wines with them as well as stories about our wine country travels.

As the lucky winner of this month’s celebrity member of the month, Richard will be receiving a special pre-release bottle of our 2004 E1k. Thank you for sharing your Stryker Sonoma experience Richard! We’ll certainly look forward to your next visit out!

Thank you for sharing your Stryker Sonoma experience Richard! We’ll certainly look forward to your next visit out!

Stryker Sonoma Celebrity Club Member: March Bordeaux

2011-03-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

Peter Guerrini
Bordeaux Club

Celebrity Club Members: Peter & Selma

We understand distance sometimes keeps us apart. In an effort to know you better, we’d like to use this forum as a way for you to tell your story and share your Stryker Sonoma experiences with the like-minded recipients of this highly sought after newsletter. Ashley Hirt, our wine club manager caught up with Peter and Selma earlier this week. Below is a snippet from their conversation.

Ashley: We are so lucky to have club members from all over the country who represent their state. Where are you from? Tell us a little about yourselves.

Peter: I grew up near Philadelphia and Selma came from Oregon. We met in the Bay Area when I was flying for the Navy. After moving all over the country, we finally settled down in Santa Rosa. Wine Country is the best place to live!

Selma Guerrini
Bordeaux Club

Ashley: It’s always fun to hear how our members first came to discover the winery. How did you find Stryker Sonoma?

Peter: We were searching for good Malbecs and found Stryker. We loved all of their other reds too, and never left.

Ashley: We are often asked, “what is your best wine?” That’s an easy one. ALL of them! Everyone definitely has their own favorite for which is the best. What is your favorite Stryker Sonoma wine and why?

Peter: It’s a toss-up between “E1K” and the Rockpile Cab. We like bold reds from the higher elevations. We’ve never had a Rockpile red that we didn’t like.

Ashley: It’s no secret that the crew at Stryker Sonoma loves to have fun. What has been your favorite experience at the winery?

Peter: We brought some friends to Stryker and had a great tour and an aroma competition. Some of us did better than others; but Michael still gave each of us an “A”.

Ashley: There’s no question that our club members are the ones who make Stryker Sonoma a success. What does being a Stryker Sonoma club member mean to you?

Peter: We love to drive around Wine Country to take photos (Peter) and get ideas for art quilts (Selma). Stryker is a great destination. Great wine and great people. What more could we ask for!?

As the lucky winner of this month’s celebrity member of the month, Peter and Selma will be receiving a special pre-release bottle of our 2004 E1k. Thank you Guerrini’s for sharing your Stryker Sonoma experience! We’ll certainly look forward to your next visit out and more beautiful pictures from your travels!

Stryker Sonoma Celebrity Club Member: February

2011-03-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

Kathryn Richards
Red Medley Club

Stryker Sonoma Celebrity Club Corner
We understand distance sometimes keeps us apart. In an effort to know you better, we’d like to use this forum as a way for you to tell your story and share your Stryker Sonoma experiences with the like-minded recipients of this highly sought after newsletter. Ashley Hirt, our wine club manager caught up with Kathryn earlier this week. Below is a snippet from their conversation.

We are so lucky to have club members from all over the country who represent their state. Where are you from?

Kathryn: I was born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA.

Ashley: It’s always fun to hear how our members first came to discover the winery. How did you find Stryker Sonoma?

Kathryn: I found Stryker Sonoma Winery during a barrel tasting event and fell in love with the winery and its wines.

Ashley: We are often asked, “what is your best wine?” That’s an easy one. ALL of them! Everyone definitely has their own favorite for which is the best. What is your favorite Stryker Sonoma wine and why?

Kathryn: I have quite a variety of Stryker Sonoma wines, but my favorite is the Estate Old Vine Zin. I am a fan of old vine zins, and I like the way it pairs with so many of my favorite foods.

Ashley: It’s no secret that the crew at Stryker Sonoma love to have fun. What has been your favorite experience at the winery?

Kathryn: My favorite experience at the winery is the Dinner in the Vineyard. Last year, I was able to bring my bosses and their wives out from Colorado to enjoy the beauty of the summer evening in Alexander Valley, together with some excellent food and wines. We all enjoyed the event and I have been asked to invite them again next year.

Ashley: There’s no question that our club members are the ones who make Stryker Sonoma a success. What does being a Stryker Sonoma club member mean to you?

Kathryn: I enjoy being a Club Member for a couple of reasons. First and foremost is the ability to enjoy outstanding wines that are not available other than at the winery. Second are the events the winery hosts on a regular basis. Being a resident of Sonoma County, I make a point to find enjoyable destinations right in my own backyard. Stryker Sonoma is at the top of that list.

As the lucky winner of this month’s celebrity member of the month honor, Kathryn has been invited to join winemaking team Tim Hardin and Jenn Berman for a winemakers luncheon at the winery with 3 guests. Thank you for sharing your story and we look forward to continuing our mutual love of wine and food!

Ashley: