Toasting the 4th of July with 4 Stellar Wines – Red Wine With Breakfast
As we celebrate America’s independence, I raise a glass to the core of what makes this country so unique and “great.” It is our diversity, inclusion, kindness, forward-thinking, humility, and democracy that define what it means to be an American. Something to consider while toasting with one of these like-minded wines.
Markham Vineyards is known for its sophisticated and elegant expressions of Merlot. It has been crafting wines in Napa Valley for over 50 years. Today, esteemed winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls produces these wines with the help of her team of other female leads, including her associate winemaker, enologist, and viticulturist, and all who aren’t afraid to step in and help on bottling days. I recently sat down with Kim to discuss her over 30-year career and taste a lineup of wines that are available in distribution and exclusive to the winery. I asked her if the hires she has made in the winery were intentional, and if she intentionally hired women for the roles around her. With a subtle laugh, she kindly replied that she had hired the best people for the job.
Although Markham is a Merlot house, one of the prettiest wines from the winery is its Frenchman’s White Blend. The selection blends 35% Sauvignon Blanc and 65% Chardonnay fruit from the estate’s Little Cannon Vineyard in Napa’s Oak Knoll AVA. The area is cooler than other parts of Napa, thanks to the influence of the San Pablo Bay, which is ideal for growing cool-climate versions of both varieties. The wine undergoes separate concrete fermentations before aging in concrete for 10 months. The vessel ensures constant rotation of the juice with the yeast, giving the wine a beautiful texture and concentrated flavor without weighing down the palate. With fresh green apple, golden citrus, and crushed stone, the bone-dry wine is perfect for sipping on a summertime afternoon.
Husbands Joe Wołosz and Jeff Durham have spent their lives in the hospitality industry, living and working around the wine industry. Joe’s family owned motels along California’s Central Coast near where he grew up in SLO Coast. Jeff’s family farmed grapes throughout his life in Napa Valley. The two began making wine together in 1999 as a fun hobby. The hobby turned full-time in 2005 with the production of the first 80 cases of Gentleman Farmer Wines. The passion and dedication to bringing people together over a meal and a glass led the duo to open their tasting room bungalow in downtown Napa, where they welcome guests to share a meal and a pairing with them throughout the week. Using fruit procured through years of relationships, the couple crafts small-lot Burgundian and Bordeaux-style wines. Gentleman Farmer Sonoma Coast Rosé is a Provence-style wine bursting with ripe raspberry, wild strawberry, and ruby red grapefruit flavors, complemented by hints of wild herbs and spice. It is an easy-drinking wine that pairs perfectly with grilled salmon or shellfish, served nicely chilled.
Founded by Dr. Madaiah Revana, an Indian immigrant who came to America over 50 years ago. Revana has become one of the country’s leading cardiologists, and due to his deep love and passion for wine, he is a wine producer at his Napa Valley winery, Revana, and Corazon del Sol in Mendoza, Argentina. Alexana Estate Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir shines with freshness, delivering a delicate expression of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir fruit. The fruit is from the winery’s dry-farmed Dundee Hills estate vineyards, all of which farm their vines following LIVE Certified sustainable practices. The vineyard is a blend of 11 Pinot Noir clones, each planted specifically to ensure the fruit displays the region’s unique terroir. Barrel fermenting the wines gives it a well-rounded texture, enhancing the wine’s flavors of watermelon, wild cherry, and red berries. There is lovely crushed stone minerality that lingers throughout the wine, enhancing the texture, with a crisp, light, refreshing finish.
Working with environmental consciousness is quickly becoming the standard for many wineries globally. The effects of climate change continue to alter growing seasons, with drought, floods, and temperature swings affecting how grapes are grown. Avivio Winery aims to change this by following guidelines for change and being responsible stewards of the land. Avivio White wine is Certified Regenerative, CCOF Organic, and Vegan, made from 100% Vermentino fruit grown in Lodi, CA. Juicy, bright, and incredibly refreshing, the wine is ideal for summer sipping. Aromas of white flowers, fresh citrus, and white peaches lead to similar flavors of stone fruit, citrus, and orchard fruit. The wine has texture with a well-rounded palate thanks to a brief 9-month aging in neutral French oak and stainless steel, helping at texture without imparting the characteristics new oak would deliver.
