by Fred McMillin
for March 4, 1997
Bradford Mountain Memories
If only Sonoma's Bradford Mountain could talk, what tales it could tell. Located in Dry Creek Valley, one of the mountain's creeks was far from dry 70 years ago during Prohibition. Hearing that Federal agents were on their way, back-woods "vintners" pulled the plug on their vats. The adjoining creek flowed with wine; hence its name, Wine Creek.
Today, the Wine Creek Vineyard is owned by Bill Hambrecht. Bordeaux varietals dominate.. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. But that's not all. Bill has another Cabernet-friendly vineyard on Bradford Mountain. It's snuggled into a bowl-shaped canyon southwest of Wine Creek. The deep red volcanic soils of this Tarman Vineyard produce some very deep red Merlots and Cabs.
Now, if you want to taste what the Bradford Mountain has to offer try the Belvedere Winery's 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is rounded out with some Merlot and Cabernet Franc as well.. all from Hambrecht vineyards. It's a steal at $12.
1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County
Belvedere Winery
Owners—Bill and Sally Hambrecht
Healdsburg, Sonoma County, CA
Contact—Jo Diaz, (707)433-8236, Ext. 46
$12
Category: Recommended
Postscript: Better hurry. Production was only 1800 cases.
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About the Writer Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College and is Northern California Editor for American Wine on the Web. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers. |
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