Calaveras Winegrape Alliance
2020 Lavender Ridge Roussanne – One of the Best Tasted!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Lavender Ridge Vineyard tasting room is in the town of Murphys in the lower Sierra Nevada foothills. Lavender Ridge specializes in Rhone varietal wines. They include Cotes du Calaveras Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Rolle, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Rose, Grenache, Cotes du Calaveras, Mourvedre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Vin Doux and Anniversaire Blanc. They also feature an artisan cheese selection that is unique and has something for just about everyone.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Roussanne on the eyes is a light radiant and clear golden straw color with medium heavy viscosity. On the nose floral aromatics, hints of pear and apricots waft into the senses. On the palate, you are treated to a silky-smooth mouthful texture. The finish provides a soft nutty almond, compounded with a hint of honey and distinct minerality. This Roussanne is powerful with floral aromatics, with hints of peaches, pears and provided a rich and silky-smooth mouthful texture. The fullness of body, almost a creamy sense, is the key contributor making this a unique wine! Roussanne brings more rounded acidity, elegance and aromatic complexities to the wine. Lavender Ridge Roussanne has consistently won awards at various wine competitions. Rich Gilpin, owner & winemaker, produces Roussanne as a standard varietal and a nice change up from Chardonnay! Today’s vintage is 2025 and it goes for $30/bottle. This wine has made my Annual Best Wines Tasted list for 7 years in a row. It will also make the list for 2026 for wines $50 and less!
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired with sauteed scallops and a creative Mango Salsa this evening. The Mango Salsa included chopped mangoes, seeded and chopped bell pepper, jalapeno seeded and chopped, red onion chopped, fresh cilantro chopped, lime juice, kosher salt and chili powder. Accompanied by long and short grain brown rice and steamed broccoli. The wine provided both refreshment and a tremendous mouth feel to counterbalance any spiciness from salsa.
While several other varieties may have also worked, the mouth-filling and flavorful Roussanne was an exquisite treat this evening.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Two Gems From the Sierra Nevada Foothills – 2020 Mineral Wines Meritage & 2020 Gossamer Cellars Damo
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Had our oldest daughter and family over for a pre-4th of July BBQ. Broke out two wines from our previous residence in Calaveras County to have with a casual dinner. One of our grandsons is into minerals and rocks, so choose the 2020 Mineral Wines with a gold nugget on the label. The other is the 2020 Gossamer Cellars Dame a Graciano wine. Both were in Murphys originally, but recently Mineral Wines moved to Idaho.
The Wines – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Opened both up to compare and contrast as to which wine was better paired with dinner.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The first one poured was the Mineral Wines 2020 Meritage which was 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 6% Malbec. This is a great Bordeaux style blend. First on the eyes a robust and dark coloring with medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose aromas of cedar and cherry were dominating. In the mouth rich dark black cherries and blackberries danced merrily on the palate. Beautiful balance and complexity top off each sip.
The wine is aged two years in oak and another two years in the bottle. The wine is priced between $32 to $35/bottle.
For more on the winery and winemaker, Brett Keller with his recent move to Idaho from Murphys, California, you can read at:
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second wine was the 2020 Gossamer Cellars called “Damo”, a Graciano wine. Damo is named after Gary & Sue’s grandson. Those that follow me know I am a big fan of Gossamer Cellars as Gary is trying to make each of the wines on the DeLong Wine Chart, no small goal!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Graciano is a black skinned grape that provides a deep red wine as seen in the photo. Graciano is one of my favorite wines and is the third most popular grape behind Tempranillo and Granacha in Spain. Graciano typically has a very aromatic aroma and deep coloration. Often on the palate black peppery spice notes appear along with red fruits and noticeable herbaceous qualities. Another key trait is high acidity and strong tannins.
Graciano on the eyes has a very deep and rich coloring. Predominately soft violet aromas waft into the nose. On the palate, peppery spices appeared with delight and flavoring along with blueberry notes. A beautiful and long finish. This wine is listed at $32/bottle on their website.Bottom of Form
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
As a pre-4th of July dinner, BBQ burgers were deemed appropriate. Accompanied by backed beans with ground beef and French fries. Both wines paired wonderfully with the meal. Three of us voted on which tasted best and it was a draw (let that sink in) and rightly so as Brett and Gary are very good friends. Our son-in-law stayed with beer which was also great with the meal.
Both wines should be sought out as the three of us drinking the wines were equally impressed with the quality of each.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2020 Moody Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon – As Rare As Gold!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
While having just moved from California to Arizona with 191 boxes to unpack and some additional 50+ items, we finally found our dishes, pots, pans and wine glasses. We still had not moved any wine from the temperature-controlled wine lockers in Scottsdale to the home. However, the day before we drove to Arizona, attended the Calaveras Foothill Wine Competition, which I have been judging at for the last eight years. At the kickoff dinner held at Hatcher Winery, randomly sat next to Bob Moody, owner and winemaker at Moody Ridge Wine.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Talked all evening on a variety of wine and other subjects this evening and upon departing the dinner, he handed me his bottle of wine. We “brought with us” and felt it only appropriate to open it on our first home cooked meal at our new home. On this day we had our new Napolean BBQ assembled and hooked up to the natural gas line at the house. We were now set to enjoy meals at home!
The Winery – Moody Ridge Wine
Located in Murphys, California in the lower Sierra foothills, this is a family-owned vineyard that was started after the devasting “Old Gulch Fire” in 1992. In 1980 the Moodys settled into their home which took Bob three and a half years of weekends to build. During the evening of the kick-off dinner, Bob reminisce about losing their family home in 1992.
Photo from Moody Ridge Wine
With help from his neighbors and friends, they rebuilt the homestead in four months. What a contrast to how much time and red-tape permitting is required today after the devasting fires in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Paradise, etc., in California recently. That was one of the topics of discussion during our dinner at Hatcher Winery.
Photo from Moody Ridge Wine
After rebuilding and farming the charred land covered with 18 inches of ash, they started with 300 vines which has now grown to 1600 vines that produced over 10 tons of fruit a year. This began the origins of Old Gulch Vineyard.
Photo from Moody Ridge Wine
Bob cannot technically call their wines “organic ”nor does he want to go through the certification process, but he stands by the minimal use of chemicals and pesticides. He even uses lambs to keep the weeds out of the vineyard.
Attending the dinner this year was his first time, and he did not even enter his wine into the competition but was there supporting the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance and friends.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Bob and other wine makers brought wine to the kickoff dinner for the competition held at Hatcher Winery. He brought an open bottle back to the table for us to taste. I was impressed by the first sip.
The wine, besides tasting great, the story of literally rising from the burning ashes, was a fairy tale of hard work and determination. Truly a Phoenix story. The respect and admiration of his effort made one appreciate the wine even more.
First on the eyes a very deep ruby red coloring and medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose, soft fragrances of blueberries and mocha arise from the cup. On the palate, a refreshingly mellow and subdued Cabernet Sauvignon yet with fruit dancing merrily in the mouth. At the long-lasting finish, tannins arose that were firm and gripping but not as intense as some of the heavier Napa Cabernet Sauvignon brethren. A very solid wine that was extremely enjoyable. This wine came in at 14.2% alcohol. Additionally, he only uses French oak and typically ages it for two years.
So now some “oddities” about this winery. First Bob and his wife really enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon, so he simply only makes this varietal. Secondly, and a fact that simply eludes common understanding in the wine world, he sells his wines for around $10-12 dollars a bottle! This is not a typo! He has been making wine for 31 years and is currently about to release his 2022 vintage. When that happens, I will be the first in line!
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For our first meal at our new home, we searched out and found a local meat market/butcher who obtains his beef from corn fed cows in Nebraska. Since we just had the BBQ set up by Gilbert Fireplaces and BBQ’s, this was the optimal way to kick off the dinner. The filet mignon steaks were seared at 1500 degrees and served medium rare the way we both enjoy the meat. This was actually more of a fluke as we still had not found the meat temperature probe!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Accompanied by fresh sweet corn lightly BBQ’ed on the grill and a fresh garden salad. A great meal with a most heartfelt and tasty Cabernet Sauvignon. While still eating on a folding table with folding chairs (dinning room furniture is on backorder) we finally got our home cooked meal. Knowing the background on Bob’s story, made the meal even more enjoyable being thankful for a home!
I hope you, the readers, get an opportunity to taste and buy his Cabernet Sauvignon as it is a gem found in Calaveras County foothills as is as rare as gold at $10-12/bottle. The only thing more rare than gold is Bob himself!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
“First Taste of the Year” Fundraiser Was a Tremendous Success
The 39th annual “First Taste of the Year” event was held on Saturday February 21st, 2026 at the Armory on Main Street, in Copperopolis, California. It was sponsored by the Copperopolis Community Center, a volunteer staffed organization that restores and preserves the two publicly owned historical buildings in town. 2026 marks the 39th Annual wine tasting event and coincides with the 166th anniversary of Copperopolis. The two buildings are the historical brick Congregational Church and the Armory. Both buildings were constructed during the copper rush in the mid 1800’s, the Armory in 1863 and the church in 1865. Copperopolis was the center of the “Copper Rush” (after the gold rush). These are two of the four buildings in town on the National Register of Historic Places: Copperopolis Armory and the Congregational Church. From 1860’s to the time the mines closed in 1945, 72,598,883 pounds of copper were mined in Copperopolis and the copper used in the Civil War, WWI and WWII for ammunition casings.
Photo Calaveras Community Center
Photo Calaveras Community Center
With advance purchase the cost was $30 which included a commemorative wine glass, hors d’ Oeuvres, a raffle and of course many wines to enjoy. Wineries pouring were Ironstone Vineyards (Murphys), Indian Rock Vineyards (Murphys), Frog’s Tooth Winery (Murphys), Gossamer Cellars (Murphys), Indigeny Reserve (Sonora), Jessie’s Grove (Lodi), La Folia (Murphys), Newsome-Harlow (Murphys) and Prospect 772 (Angels Camp). Two others were scheduled to pour being Jazz Cellars (Murphys) but was snowed in from recent storm and Bodega del Sur.
The attending guests voted for Best White Wine and Best Red Wine tasted during the evening.
For the Best White Wine, the 2023 Prospect 772 Tatum’s Grace won. It is a blend of 50% Roussanne and 50% Viognier. A beautiful wine with hints of apple, pear and honeysuckle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For the Best Red Wine, there was a tied between Frog’s Tooth Winery and La Follio. The Frog’s Tooth Winery 2024 GSM was a wonderful and refreshing wine of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Smooth, jammy, savory spices with rustic notes. It recently won a Gold Medal at SF Chronicle Wine Competition.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
La Folia tied for first place with their Barbera possessing gorgeous aromatics with cherry, cranberry with a modicum of spices and a candied finish.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Additionally raffle tickets were available to purchase. Winners were announced for prizes of various gifts, gift certificates and baskets announced towards the end of the evening.
The turnout was outstanding this year with the community supporting the Community Center fundraiser. All the attendees applauded the wineries participating and appreciated their attending.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Noticed while tabulating the votes, every winery received votes for their wines!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This was a classic small town America fund raising with the community helping to support a worthy cause! The volunteer committee hosting this event worked tirelessly in making it successful.
Sláinte,
Michael