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Gordon Estate 2013 Syrah Wins Coveted Gold at Decanter Awards 7/1/15

News & Events

One of only four U.S. wines to earn a gold at the prestigous London judging.  "And it was the only American Syrah to win there," Gordon pointed out.

See the full article here. 

Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Pinot Noir

Awarded 88 Points, Good Value

Vigna Magna 2011 Crianza named one of top ten wines to bring to a BBQ 6/16/15

 

Nick Passamore, contributor to Forbes Food & Wine, described the Crianza as baked in rich, dried fruit flavors reminiscent of raisins and prunes tinged with a soupçon of Mediterranean herbs. Read more.

“It’s about passion.”   – William Ballentine, Winemaker.  Read more...

Rued Winery Joins Columbus Portfolio

Columbus Wine and Spirits welcomes Rued Winery of Healdsburg, CA to our portfolio. With six generations of farming and grape growing in Sonoma County, the Rued's are tied to the earth, producing small lots from sustainably farmed grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon from their vineyards in Dry Creek, Alexander Valley and Russian River AVAs.  

Distributor inquiries for these distinctive wines welcome!

Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Estate 

Chardonnay (Santa Clara Valley)

Awarded 92 Points 

Wine Enthusiast, 12/1/15

 

Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Cote de Madonne Blanc White Awarded 

90 Points  Wine Enthusiast 01/16

"Serious line of minerality apparent on the nose as well as pear blossom, pineapple-guava skin and a dairy tang. The palate clings to Meyer lemon pith and Greek yogurt flavors."

AC Cognac Grande Fine Champagne, France

Small independent estate based in the village Salles d'Angles,in the Grande Champagne 1er Cru of the Cognac Region. 

D.O. Ribera del Duero, Spain

Descendants Hornillos and Ballesteros unite their knowledge and passion to produce quality wines.

D.O. Piorat, Spain

Limited production wine produced from estate grown grapes grown in our high altitude vineyards with soils that have a significant slate content. 

Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Central Coast Pinot Noir - 93 Points & Editor's Choice

This amazing wine can match up against wines double the price. Brawny red berries and wild cherries mix with cut sagebrush, eucalyptus and crushed graphite on the nose. The palate combines bright red, acid-driven raspberry fruit with the darker structure of elderberry. Throw in thyme and bay leaf for the complete package. (12/16)

Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Madonne Estate Red (Santa Clara Valley) - 91 Points

There is a lot of herbal and woody nuance to the nose of this blend of 72% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignane and 3% Counoise. Thyme, dried fennel and Earl Grey tea aromas lift the dark strawberry fruit. Shaved cedar flavors frame the palate, where lavender and other purple flowers integrate seamlessly into the soft red fruit.

Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Besson Vineyard Syrah (Santa Clara Valley) - 89 Points

Vibrant lavender, as well as the flowering tips of rosemary and thyme, meet with blueberry on the floral nose of this wine that shows little of the tarry harshness that often comes from the grape. Lavender also marks the sip, as does white pepper, crushed thyme, dried mint, sage and even tarragon, atop a dark purple-fruit backbone.

Sarah's Vineyard 2014 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) - 91 Points

A rich nose of vanilla-bean ice cream, Marcona almond, buttered cornbread and pan-seared pear makes for a very inviting entry to this bottling. The vanilla and caramel flavors extend to the palate, but in a judiciously light way, with candied pecans, baked fruit and honeysuckle flavors, altogether quite delicious.

Sarah's Vineyard 2014 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) - 89 Points

Earthy aromas of potting soil and tomato leaf give nuance to the rose petal and pomegranate fruit that show on the nose of this bottling. It's light and lively on the palate, with cranberries barely showing through the dried sage, oregano, bay leaf and thyme herbs.

Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Reserve Pinot Noir (Santa Clara Valley) - 93 Points - Editor's Choice

This special bottling from a historic winery is full of energy and life, evident because it maintains freshness many days after opening. It's quite light in color, and shows iron, cinnamon, strawberry, crushed sagebrush, coriander, cardamom and curry on the nose. The layered palate packs dried orange peel, rooibos tea, dried cranberry and rose-hip flavors. — Wine Enthusiast (08/2016)

Sarah's Vineyard 2014 Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) - 91 Points

Deeply brooding notes of crushed violets, rose petals, black cherries, thyme and sagebrush make for a manly take on this often feminine grape. Elderberry fruit shows on the palate, as do more violets and lilacs, dried mint, sagebrush, menthol and pine-needle flavors.

— Wine Enthusiast (08/2016)

Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Charbono (Santa Clara Valley) - 90 Points - Editor's Choice

Not just an intriguing wine that geeks will love to find, this bottling of Charbono is intriguing and accessible to lovers of many different styles. Rich but fruity aromas of boysenberry, black plum, hoisin sauce and wood smoke give way to a palate laced with more plum and rounded purple fruit as well as touches of graphite and gravel. — Wine Enthusiast (05/2016)

Sarah's Vineyard 2011 Cote de Madonne Red (Santa Clara Valley) - 89 Points

Fresh-pressed wild berries, cedar, purple flowers, and Jolly Rancher grape candy notes show on the nose of this blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignane and Counoise. More grape candy shows on the palate, along with vibrant lilacs, black pepper, rose petals and a touch of espresso. — Wine Enthusiast (4/2016)

Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Clara Valley) - 88 Points

An herbal-leaning bottling, this shows oregano, pasilla chile and a shred of bell pepper on the nose, giving nuance to the blueberry-fruit base. It's fresh and easy-drinking on the peppery palate, with strawberry cut by more chile elements. It's great for those who enjoy pyrazine influence, but stay away if not.

— Wine Enthusiast (4/2016)

Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Cote de Madonne Blanc White (Santa Clara Valley) - 90 Points

This blend of Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc has a serious line of minerality apparent on the nose as well as pear blossom, pineapple-guava skin and a dairy tang. The palate clings to Meyer lemon pith and Greek yogurt flavors. — Wine Enthusiast (12/2015)

 

Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Estate Chardonnay (Santa Clara Valley) - 92 Points - Cellar Selection

There’s a yogurt-driven dairy element on the nose of this estate wine from western Gilroy, with sleek white peach, light white pepper, lemon blossom and lime-pith aromas in support. The Brie cheese-rind tension carries to the palate, along with grapefruit pith, lime zest and bountiful energy. This bottling is great now but will hold until at least 2022.  — Wine Enthusiast (12/2015)

 

Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) - 91 Points

Fresh dill, dewy herbs and a seared lemon-syrup scent makes for a dense but not treacly nose on this wine by a producer on the fringes of Gilroy. A chive accent holds attention once sipped, with a chalky minerality and a white-pepper finish, altogether proving brisk and elegant.   — Wine Enthusiast (12/1/2015)

 

Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Chardonnay (Central Coast) - 88 Points

Honey butter, vanilla bean and dried banana aromas emerge on the nose of this Chard. The palate shows seared apple slices cut with lemon juice, boosted by minerally tension and a peppery energy.   — Wine Enthusiast  (12/1/2015)

 

Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Reserve Pinot Noir (Santa Clara Valley) - 92 Points

Bright aromas of raspberry and dried rose petals highlight this wine from the southwestern corner of the county, along with black tea, sage and shiitake mushrooms. The flavors are supple and elegant, with light strawberry, pencil shavings and sagebrush making for a fun, energetic wine that really lets the vineyard shine.  — Wine Enthusiast (4/1/2015)

2014 Santa Clara Valley Pinot Noir - 90 points, Anthony Dias Blue
2014 Santa Clara Valley Chardonnay - 92 points, Anthony Dias Blue

2014 Estate Pinot Noir - 90 points, Anthony Dias Blue
2014 Estate Chardonnay - 91 points, Anthony Dias Blue

Read additional press & reviews here.

Recent Press Cut Sheet

Sarah's Vineyard Anticipates High Quality Vintage, First Pinot Noir of "Crush" Due Mid-Sept

2014 Sarah’s Vineyard Pinot, SCM - 91 Points - Very Highly Recommended

Medium-ruby color; attractive, forward, ripe, strawberry and black cherry fruit aroma with a floral notes and hints of Asian spices; medium to medium-full body; forward, rich, deep, ripe, red cherry and red berry fruit flavors with very good balance, bright acidity, and some suppleness in the silky mouthfeel; medium to medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Showed very appealing richness and some complexity as it developed with airing in the glass. Very highly recommended. 14.6% alcohol; 345 cases; 100% Pinot Noir (PN); released May 2016. (Group Score: 16.5 of 20 points, 2 of 10 first-place votes/2 seconds/1 third; My Score: 17 [91 of 100 points], first place) - California Grapevine Review

Gilroy to Gain a Food and Wine Stomping Ground

Jason-Stephens Winery owners Jason and Janu Goelz and Sarah’s Vineyard proprietor Tim Slater on the site of The Stomping Ground, a locavore wine, food and music community coming to Gilroy later this year. Mercury News (Courtesy of Venessa Barnes)

 

Rating California Pinot Noir Vintages by Region

— Wine Enthusiast (9/2015)

 

Top Three Spanish Wine Regions You Should Know

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