Chanel enters the US wine market

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Oct 21, 2015, 10:21 pm

Eastbay1K

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Chanel enters the US wine market

This afternoon, the Skalli family announced that they will sell St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery to Chanel, Inc.

The adult Disneylandization of the Napa Valley continues.

Oct 22, 2015, 5:13 am

travelinmanS

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Chanel enters the US wine market

Coming soon, Chinese tour groups on busses....oh wait.....

Oct 22, 2015, 9:33 am

work2fly

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Thankfully, us folks in the Bay Area have other good appellations nearby that haven't been overly commercialized and still offer a tasting experience similar to what Napa valley offered when I first came to California 15-20 years ago.

Santa Cruz mountains and Amador County immediately come to mind.

Oct 22, 2015, 9:36 pm

lhgreengrd1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by work2fly

Don't forget Mendocino. Parts of Sonoma are also not anywhere near as commercialized as Napa.

Oct 24, 2015, 3:45 am

dodgeflyer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by lhgreengrd1

Don't forget Mendocino. Parts of Sonoma are also not anywhere near as commercialized as Napa.

Going to SFO for the first time this December - probably a few days in Sonoma - would love to hear your suggestions for the less commercialised parts.

Oct 24, 2015, 10:43 am

Eastbay1K

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgeflyer

Going to SFO for the first time this December - probably a few days in Sonoma - would love to hear your suggestions for the less commercialised parts.

My first choice is northern Sonoma County, north of Healdsburg. Tons of little wineries, easy freeway access. Very likely to have the winemakers or family of in the tasting room. Healdsburg proper has turned into a very precious place.

Oct 24, 2015, 7:55 pm

lhgreengrd1

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Originally Posted by Eastbay1K

In addition to this, I would add the Dry Creek area, for several great Zinfandel producers (Quivira, Rafanelli, Sbragia and Ridge are standouts), and the Alexander Valley area for some of Sonoma's best Cabernets (Field Stone, Clos du Bois and Simi are favorites of mine, as is the Zinfandel specialist Sausal). The Russian River Valley is great for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as cool climate Zinfandels, but some of the tasting rooms have gotten pretty commercial as their wines gained in reputation.

By no means is this an exhaustive list of the wineries in Sonoma worth visiting. There are far more than you'll have time for if you're only spending a couple-three days there.

Oct 25, 2015, 7:51 pm

gfunkdave

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgeflyer

Going to SFO for the first time this December - probably a few days in Sonoma - would love to hear your suggestions for the less commercialised parts.

PM me if you feel like staying in the town of Sonoma proper - it's a lovely place, and I have a friend who does AirBnB of her house.