Leisure Street Winery – 2017 Cabernet Franc
Leisure Street Winery located in Livermore, California participated in the December 2nd, 2020 National Cabernet Franc Wine Competition. The Competition was hosted by California Wines and Wineries at The Golf Club at Copper Valley in Copperopolis, California. This was a blind competition with two sets of judges (Professional and People’s Choice) in different areas of the facility. Leisure Street Winery Cabernet Franc 2017 won a Silver Medal from the Professional Judges. And from the People’s Choice Judges, they won a Gold Medal. For their first time entering an extremely impressive showing!! Wines were submitted from 14 states and numerous AVA’s from around the United States. For more on the wine competition sponsored by California Wines and Wineries see:
The Winery
Leisure Street Winery is owned by Rick & Kelly Volpatti and they started in March 2016 in Livermore. Their new tasting room is located at 8953 Tesla Road. Again a small artisan and boutique winery making only 1,500 cases a year but handcrafting each barrel of production. Today besides the Cabernet Franc, they also produce Barbera, a red blend and Zinfandel.
The Wine
Have never had any wine from Leisure and was looking forward to tasting this wine which did so well at the event. First on the eyes, a light red brick color and bright purple hues with medium viscosity. On the nose this wine announced itself with gusto with a bouquet of aromas. One of the most aromatic Cabernet Franc’s that I can remember! On the palate, it provided all the vigor of a Cabernet Franc – raspberry, cherry, dried herbs, bell pepper and black pepper spice. On the finish it was delicate like a Pinot Noir, long and beckoning you to take another sip. Soft tannins made this an extremely comfortable wine to enjoy. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc from the Clarksburg AVA (south of Sacramento). 75 cases were produced and currently sells for $35 at the winery.
The Food & Wine Pairing
Paired with a BBQ’ed beef filet mignon, country style potatoes, beans and a roasted assortment of vegetables. With any good steak, Cabernet Franc is an excellent choice, but especially Leisure Street for the aromatics. Personally I tend to lean towards a more “chewy Cabernet Franc” but this was especially good with the meal.
Looking forward to tasting this again and other wines at Leisure Street Winery in the near future.
Sláinte
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 
March 6, 2021 at 11:48 pm
On Sat, Mar 6, 2021 at 3:48 PM California Wines & Wineries wrote:
> mkellywine posted: ” Leisure Street Winery located in Livermore, > California participated in the December 2nd, 2020 National Cabernet Franc > Wine Competition. The Competition was hosted by California Wines and > Wineries at The Golf Club at Copper Valley in Copperopolis, Cal” >
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