FOXEN Newsletter
November 2016
Dear Compass Club Members, Our 2016 harvest began in the second week of August, and thankfully it was not quite as early as last year. With the exception of a few hot days in late September, we are feeling very thankful for this year’s relatively mild and uneventful harvest weather conditions, which allowed Billy an almost leisurely pace to our picking decisions. Our pinot harvest began at our Block 8 at Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley and finished up in the Sta. Rita Hills with our blocks at the La Encantada Vineyard—with the remainder of the fruit harvested by the first week in October. Overall the yields were nearly perfect (thanks to average rainfall totals earlier in the year), and the quality of the fruit was excellent. I’m happy to say that 2016 looks to be an outstanding vintage! Once again, it was another busy year for Jenny, Kaitlin and me as we traversed from one coast to the other. October was another active travel month with Jenny in Florida for the first two weeks, before meeting up with me in Texas for the annual Beef Steak Alzheimer’s benefit in Ft. Worth on October 15th. Jenny and Kaitlin will finish off their year in San Francisco at Farallon’s PinotFest on November 19th, while I’ll be island hopping for our distributor trade tastings in Hawaii. Recently Jenny began to pull wines from the wine library in preparation for our 2017 Rhône River Cruise July 1623 on Uniworld (see enclosed brochure). During the cruise, we will feature a couple of special vertical tastings-Block 43-Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinots and our Tinaquaic Vineyard Syrahs from our most highly acclaimed vintages. In addition, there will be some library wine surprises as we begin the cruise in Avignon and end in Lyon. For more information and registration, go to foodandwinetrails.com/foxen2017 or call (800) 367-5348. The initial 2014 Pinot Noir reviews are in and they are outstanding! Wine writer Jeb Dunnick of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate reviewed our 2014 Pinots and gave our entire line up 90-95 points, with our 2014 Block 43-Bien Nacido Vineyard (to be released January 2017) garnering a whopping 95 points! Our 2013 Range 30 West (to be released in November) received 91 points, noting it as a “rich, ripe and forward effort...a beauty”. In addition, Antonio Galloni of Vinous summed up his impressions of our new and upcoming releases as, “all capture expression of site and the total commitment to quality that these wines from Dick Doré, Bill Wathen and their families have long embodied.” Our 2013 Syrahs, the Williamson-Doré and Tinaquaic Vineyards, led the pack with scores of 95 points each. And finally, this is a great time to stock up for the holidays on some of our most heralded 2013 vintage Syrahs and Pinots before they sell out. I invite you to come by our tasting room, or contact Holly at
[email protected] to have the wines shipped to you. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Cheers! Dick Doré
November 2016 Payment Detail Compass Club Shipping Members: $75.60 (including your 15% discount, CA state tax, and CA shipping) Compass Club Pickup: $55.08 (including your 15% discount, and CA state tax) Your state tax and/or shipping rate may be different depending on your location. Pick-up members are not charged a shipping fee.
FOXEN Vineyard & Winery • 7600 FoxenCanyon Rd • Santa Maria, CA • 93454 • Tel. 805.937.4251 • foxenvineyard.com
Calendar of Events
November 2016
November 12th - Vino de Sueños - Santa Ynez Valley Marriott
Vino de Sueños, “Wine of Dreams,” is a wine brand conceived by the non-profit human services organization, Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People (PHP) and a small group of premium Santa Barbara County vintners. This group wanted to make a difference in the lives of vineyard and farm workers who are the very heart and soul of the county’s agricultural economy and, more specifically, the vineyard and wine businesses. Founding participant wineries of Vino de Sueños include Alma Rosa, Buttonwood, Clos Pepe, Feliz Noche, Foxen, Longoria, and Presidio. Cost is $50 including logo wine glass. Go to: www.vinodesuenos.com/theevent to purchase tickets.
November 19th - FOXEN @ PinotFest at Farallon - San Francisco, CA
Join Jenny and Kaitlin at PinotFest at the Farallon. San Francisco’s original, all-pinot noir bacchanalia returns to Farallon for its 18th glorious year! The extensive tasting of pinot noir from 60 of Oregon and California’s best producers features sumptuous hors d’oeuvres to complement the wines and an opportunity to meet the winemakers. Cost is $125 per person. Go to: www.eventbrite.com/e/pinotfest-2016-tickets-27112943544?aff=erelexpmlt to purchase tickets.
December 10th and 11th - Christmas on the Trail - Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, CA
Come celebrate the holiday season with FOXEN and other participating wineries! This is sure to be an exciting weekend with great wine and food. $45 gets you 20 one ounce pours from 13 participating wineries on the famous Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. On Saturday, each winery will provide delicious small bites for you to enjoy. Your ticket also gets you a commemorative GoVino glass and special gift. Each winery will also offer special wine deals for Passport holders. Participating wineries include: Andrew Murray, Cambria, Cottonwood Canyon, Fess Parker, Firestone, FOXEN, Kenneth Volk, Koehler, Martian Ranch, Rancho Sisquoc, Riverbench, Tres Hermanas, and Zaca Mesa. For tickets, go to: fcwt2016xmas.eventbrite.com
A Note From The Wine Club Team
Moselle was recently promoted to Assistant Wine Club Manager and we have now added a new member to the wine club team. Sean Hite is our new Wine Club Ambassador and is available Tuesday through Thursday for any needs you may have. Now, between Sean, Moselle, and myself there is always someone to directly help you in a timely manner. Sean is reachable by calling FOXEN at 805-937-4251 ext 113. His email is
[email protected]. Moselle can be reached at ext 107 or
[email protected] and I can be reached at ext 112 or
[email protected]. Cheers! Katie Longoria, Moselle Barnett & Sean Hite | Wine Club Team
FOXEN Holiday Tasting Room Hours Thursday, November 24th 2016 Thanksgiving Day - CLOSED Saturday, December 24th 2016 - Christmas Eve - Close at 3pm Sunday, December 25th 2016 - Christmas Day - CLOSED Saturday, December 31st 2016 - New Year’s Eve - Close at 2pm Sunday, January 1st 2017 - New Year’s Day - CLOSED
Billy’s Winemaker Notes
November 2016
2015 Chenin Blanc, Old Vines, Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley:
I feel like Alice in Wonderland whenever I visit this vineyard, where vines look enormously oversized compared to every other vineyard in its surroundings. The Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard was planted in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley in 1966, when the viticulture was “old school” and I was 14 years old. The vines are starting to feel their age (50 years old this year), showing some “aches and pains” that are common with vines this age, but they are still happily producing beautiful fruit under our care. The 2015 vintage yields were down 30-40% due to an abnormally cool and wet May and June, as well as the three year drought. However, this 3.5 acre vineyard weathered better than other sites, perhaps due to its deeper roots. 2015 was our earliest vintage ever, and we started picking on August 29, which was three to four weeks sooner than normal. 25% of the juice was barrel fermented in Acacia wood barrels, giving the wine a floral lift to the aromatics. The remainder was tank fermented long and slow for six weeks--allowing the wine to show the classic quince, Comice pear and honeysuckle notes for which it is known. For me, this Chenin Blanc has always been the perfect oyster wine, but it also matches up well with many other seafood dishes. Other pairings I’ve enjoyed include a ginger-soy scallop ceviche on Crenshaw melon and sole piccata with a side of parmesan orzo. Drink this now through 2022. PRODUCTION: 707 cases | RETAIL PRICE: $25 | COMPASS CLUB PRICE: $21.25
2013 Guillermo Grosso, Santa Ynez Valley:
The “Fat Billy” is our hearty “Super Tuscan-style” blend--62% Sangiovese (Faith Vineyard) and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon (Vogelzang Vineyard). The blend was conceived after a year in barrels, where it then spent an additional year in barrel as one wine. The wine is reminiscent of Southwestern Tuscan wines that I drank with hearty dishes on the Maremma coast while traveling central Italy. The Sangiovese portion brings rose petal aromatics along with tart cherry, leather and brick; while the Cabernet Sauvignon complements those elements with violet and pencil lead aromas, and deep flavors of black currant, blackberry, plum cake and tobacco. As you can see by these descriptors, this wine has a lot going on, and its substantial tannins will carry it for many years. I suggest that you match this up this wine with heartier fare. It goes beautifully with braised lamb shanks in tomato/garlic/oregano sauce on a bed of creamy polenta. In addition, it goes extremely well with wild boar Ragu on pasta. I recently enjoyed it with a Chicago-style deep dish pizza with hearty meat sauce. Drink now through 2024. PRODUCTION: 320 cases | RETAIL PRICE: $34 | COMPASS CLUB PRICE: $28.90
FOXEN Vineyard & Winery • 7600 Foxen Canyon Rd • Santa Maria, CA • 93454 • Tel. 805.937.4251 • foxenvineyard.com
FOXEN
V I N E YA R D & W I N E R Y
November 2016 Current Releases
FOXEN Retail Anchor (15%) Master (20%) Qty 2015 Chenin Blanc, Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard** $25 $21.25 $20.00 _____ 2014 Chenin Blanc, Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard $25 $21.25 $20.00 _____ 2013 Chardonnay, Tinaquaic Vineyard $37 $31.45 $29.60 _____ 2014 Chardonnay, Block UU - Bien Nacido Vyd $32 $27.20 $25.60 _____ 2014 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley $35 $29.75 $28.00 _____ 2013 Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills $38 $32.30 $30.40 _____ 2013 Pinot Noir, Julia’s Vineyard $64 $54.40 $51.20 _____ 2013 Pinot Noir, La Encantada Vineyard $62 $52.70 $49.60 _____ 2013 Pinot Noir, Solomon Hills Vineyard $58 $49.30 $46.40 _____ 2013 Pinot Noir, Block 8 - Bien Nacido Vineyard $62 $52.70 $49.60 _____ 2013 Cuvée Jeanne Marie, Williamson-Doré Vyd $40 $34.00 $32.00 _____ 2013 Syrah, Toasted Rope $44 $37.40 $35.20 _____ 2013 Syrah, Williamson-Doré Vineyard $46 $39.10 $36.80 _____ 2013 Syrah, Tinaquaic Vineyard $48 $40.80 $38.40 _____ 2013 Sweet Ending, Late Harvest Wine (375ml) $30 $25.50 $24.00 _____ foxen 7200 Retail Anchor (15%) Master (20%) Qty 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Vogelzang Vineyard $28 $23.80 $22.40 _____ 2013 Guillermo Grosso, Santa ynez Valley** $34 $28.90 $27.20 _____ 2013 Range 30 West, Happy Canyon of SB $44 $35.70 $33.60 _____ 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mamére Vyd $100 $85.00 $80.00 _____ 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Star Lane Vineyard $50 $42.50 $40.00 _____ 2013 Cabernet Franc, Tinaquaic Vineyard $48 $40.80 $38.40 _____ 2013 Sangiovese, Williamson-Doré Vyd $42 $35.70 $33.60 _____ 2013 Mission, Barbarena Vineyard (375ml) $30 $25.50 $24.00 _____ **included in shipment** TOTAL: ______ ______ _____ TO PURCHASE WINES Order Online Today store.foxenvineyard.com Email
[email protected] Fax | Phone 805-937-0415 | 805-937-4251 x107 Mail Katie Longoria c/o FOXEN Vineyard 7600 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria, CA 93454
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