January is the month where my jeans and finances are both a little tight. Too much spinach dip, Christmas cookies and fudge combined with the joys of gift-giving have put me back on a diet and looking for creative ways to save money – especially on wine.
So, I’m going to kick off the New Year by recommending three great wines at budget-friendly prices. The first is the 2010 Epicuro Primitivo from Italy, found at Trader Joe’s for $4.99. It’s a smooth, medium-bodied zinfandel with loads of black cherry, blueberry and notes of violets. With soft tannins and a long finish, it drinks more like a wine in the $10 to $15 range. Perfect for sipping on a cold, rainy night while curled up on the couch.
The 2010 Shoofly Shiraz (the same as Syrah) from Australia represents all that I love about a Shiraz/Syrah. It’s a bold, full-bodied wine – tasting of juicy blackberry layered with black pepper, toasty oak and a long spicy finish. If somehow there’s any left, it’s just as good on day two. It’s a great deal for $9.99 at BevMo.
Chardonnay lovers will find a steal-of-a-deal with Kendall Jackson’s Avant Chardonnay. Made from 100 percent Chardonnay grapes, it’s rated number 89 on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Best Buys of 2012. With Meyer lemon, green apple flavors and a creamy mouth feel, this wine is a great buy at Nob Hill for $10.99.
Local Winery Buzz
Frank Léal, of Léal Vineyards in Hollister, has done it again – this time in Morgan Hill. Providing another romantic destination closer to the South Bay area, the Willow Heights Mansion is a glamorous event venue that has everything you could possibly want to host your weddings and other special celebrations.
Jerrod Porteur, director of sales and marketing, invited me to attend the recent Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce mixer held at Willow Heights Mansion, to see the Hollywood-style glamour in action. Upon arrival, I drove through a gate, which led to an expansive tree-lined parking area with twinkling lights and a bubbling fountain. The mansion was all aglow in holiday lights and festivities as local business owners enjoyed an array of fabulous Léal wines and networking opportunities. Mark Johnson, their full-time executive chef, was on hand to provide platters of gourmet hors d’oeuvres.
Jerrod, along with David Cox, in charge of Léal’s community events, took me on a tour of the multi-leveled mansion. The main floor (which is really the second floor) has a wine-tasting bar leading into a great room with a cozy fireplace. Beyond is a reception/dinner area lighted by crystal chandeliers and holding up to 175 people.
The top floor boasts six master suites, each named after a white grape varietal – complete with private bath and fireplace. Like the rest of the mansion, the suites’ décor of hardwood floors and a palette of silver, gray and black make any other theme colors “pop” against the neutral background colors. The fixtures and furnishings are ultra-modern and opulent, but are designed with comfort and relaxation in mind.
We trekked downstairs past an exquisite “melted” chandelier and down a spiral staircase to the ground floor to see the mirrored cocktail bar and cigar room. Here is where guests are received as they arrive for the cocktail hour. A few steps out from this room is the lawn area where couples can say their vows under a wedding arch, overlooking 2 1/2 acres of Pinot Grigio vines and surrounding foothills – making for an incredibly romantic wedding.
A winding walkway along the well-manicured grounds takes you to several lanes of bocce ball located under a grand oak tree. A perfect day would include a glass of Leal’s flagship Godsend Cabernet while relaxing with friends and family.
“Wine, music, great food and friends are our gateway to having fun – and what Willow Heights is all about,” Cox said.
The coming year will bring a daily wine tasting room and a weekly farmer’s market.
Give Jerrod a call and he’ll be happy to show you around and help you plan a wedding or celebration you’ll never forget.
