The Cellar: Toast to the Crushpad Cleary Ranch Release Party

My dear friend, a vinum fanaticus and lover of all things wine-related (otherwise known as V.F.), has offered to guest blog on her wine adventures. This week she was fortunate enough to attend the Cleary Ranch Wine Release Party at Crushpad in the City.

One wish I have is to make my own wine. Regardless of whether I would achieve this by having my own vineyard or just making my own blend with grapes I purchase, I would love the opportunity. One place in San Francisco (soon to move to Napa) that allows individuals to do precisely this is Crushpad (http://www.crushpadwine.com/). I went there for the first time last night to attend the Cleary Ranch Vineyards Inaugural Release Party (http://clearyranchvineyards.com/).

From the outside, Crushpad looks like a warehouse, but once you walk inside you see rows and rows of stacked barrels strategically placed to make room for events. It’s a little chilly inside since it’s the storage area for the aging wine, but after a glass of wine the temperature is just fine. What better way to warm up!

I’ve never actually been to a wine release party at Crushpad (only at actual wineries) or to one for a vineyard that has only released one wine, but this event was very well done and their 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, was outstanding! It’s a great wine to drink alone and would also pair well with food. It is drinkable now; it was not too dry, fruity or tight and it was a bit heavier than your typical pinot, which I enjoyed (being a huge cab drinker). I look forward to their 2009 vintage next year, and to see how their Chardonnay turns out as well.

Because Cleary Ranch Vineyards has only bottled their 2008 Pinot, they had barrel tastings of their 2009 Pinot and a 2009 Chardonnay as well as a sparkling wine to begin the night and cleanse our pallets. They also had some nice appetizers out… meat, cheese, fruit, mini brownies and shrimp cocktail… yummy!

Overall, I was very impressed by the event and would definitely recommend Cleary Ranch to others. I can only dream about the day when I can have my own release party!

V.F.

More about V.F.: Passionate about food and wine, she is constantly searching for the next great wine, winery, dish and restaurant. Moving to San Francisco from MN in 2005 opened her eyes (and nose and mouth) to what life is like when she has amazing food and wine at her fingertips. Not only does she love enjoying food and wine in and of themselves, but she also appreciates how they bring people together. She believes that sharing time with friends/family over dinner with great wine is one of the best things about life.