It has become quite a common proverb that in wine there is truth. - Pliny the Elder (A.D. c. 23–A.D. 79)

New Kids on the Block - Hudson Street Wineries
by Tim Hayes & John Koetzner
Photos by Margie Koetzner

Okay, we've been busy making wine, drinking wine and just having fun. The Russian River Wine Road's Barrel Tasting on March 6-8 and 13-15 was no exception. While we have often focused on wineries who provided barrel samples in advance, this year we decided to focus on some wineries that have provided sound wine and that might get ignored if not for our venturing to seek them. Plus, we were able to taste at ten wineries all within walking distance of less than half a block. You can't beat that without going to a major tasting event under one roof.

So, we proceded to visit the Hudson Street Wineries, located at 428 Hudson Street in Healdsburg, where one can visit six different vintners all in one location. The group consists of BluenoseWines, Shippey Vineyards, Grove Street Winery, Sadler-Wells Winery, Owl Ridge Wines, and Teira Wines. Their new tasting room opened recently and it is definitely worth the visit. There are some excellent wines from small producers who craft wines with care.

Our first stop was at Bluenose Wines. Winemaker Paul Brasset, who formerly made wines for White Oak, Pezzi King, Sidney Frank, Roshambo and was a consulting winemkaer at Christopher Creek Winery, offered us a sample of a 2008 Zinfandel. It was rich with great berry fruit, nicely deveolped tannins, and layered complexity. We then mosied over to the table where Kent Mitchell, a partner in Bluenose Wines, let us taste the 2005 Zinfandel (which has been one of our local favorites this past year) as well as a preview of the 2006 Zinfandel that been recently bottled. Both were winners.

(Paul Brasset pours a barrel sample of Bluenose 2006 Zin and Kent Mitchell is ready to pour already released wines.)

We tasted wines from five other wineries, including Teira (which has a great Sauvignon Blanc and nicely balanced 2005 and 2006 Merlots), Shippey Vineyards (which has a killer Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from Dry Creek Valley), Grove Street Winery (which had a very nice 2006 Merlot), Sadler-Wells Winery (which had a nice Chardonnay), and Owl Ridge Winery (a very nice Cabernet Sauvignon).

Around the corner at the Front Street Wineries such as Sapphire Hill Vineyards, you can catch some amazing Zinfandel, Syrah, and Chardonnay by Tim Meinken, and at Camellia Cellars, you can always count on Bruce Snyder to produce a great Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel.

As we are noticing, small wineries are teaming up to compete against the larger corporately-owned wineries to have brick and mortar locations by sharing space, thus helping them move beyond just a web presence to give consumers a chance to actually taste wines rather than just rely on reviews. The next time you are in Healdsburg, the Hudson Street Wineries are worth a visit. Take the few extra steps around the corner and catch the Front Street Wineries too. Your palate will thank you.