Handley Cellars/MORE BIG Reds/From Over the Mountain/Randy Schock

We have enjoyed many great wines with Randy Schock lately,but today we have three of my favorites. These are wines that are not sourced from the Anderson Valley.we will get the full story as we spend yet another great day at Handley Cellars. Let's check out the tasting notes and a little history on Handley Cellars before we join Randy at the winery.First we will learn a bit about Handley Cellars. Handley Cellars is a small family-owned winery in California’s Mendocino County. Bonded in 1982, we produce around 12,000 cases of wine a year. Our quality starts with our Estate Vineyards in Anderson Valley. We are located at the northwest end of the Anderson Valley on 59 acres of the original Holmes Ranch. Still standing on the property are the now-refurbished ranch house, barn, and the original water tower. At Handley Cellars, we offer a wide variety of wines that complement today’s diverse cuisines. Founding Winemaker Milla Handley sought to make balanced wines that possess distinctive varietal characteristics, wines that reflect the soil and climate in which they were grown. Handley’s beautiful tasting room is located 6 miles northwest of Philo, California, on Highway 128. We offer tours by appointment, and our garden courtyard is open for picnics. Stop by to try our selections and, while visiting, enjoy our unique display of folk art collected from around the world. We aim to produce fruit-driven red wines with balanced ripeness and acidity, moderate alcohol levels, and minimal oak influence. The Anderson Valley is an ideal growing region for Pinot Noir. We also bottle Syrah and Zinfandel sourced from warmer inland vineyards within Mendocino County, as well as other bold reds and proprietary red blends. The Zinfandel is warming like the golden rays of light of an Indian Summer. Aromas of caramel and anise meld with brambly red fruit in this wine. From Kazmet Ranch, these mature head pruned vines are dry farmed providing concentrated brambly berry, red raspberry, and cassis flavors with hints of spice. Aged for 18 months in 20 percent new oak barrels. It is full bodied and round on the finish. Our Zinfandel BBQ sauce on slow-cooked Pork Ribs is one of our favorite pairings. A glass of this Primotivo is fulfilling like gazing down upon rolling hills from a hill top Tuscan Villa. The grapes for this powerful wine come from Vittorio Vineyard. These older head pruned vines are dry farmed resulting in intense briary fruit with earthy undertones. It features clove and chestnut with aromas of fresh baked blackberry pie. Mouth filling flavors of ripe red plums and wild blackberries coat the palate. Aged for 18 months in 20 percent new oak. It is smooth and persistent on the finish. The Handley kitchen prepared a lovely Portabello Mushroom Stroganoff whose earthy flavors played beautifully with this wine. we will also open the new release of Handley Cellars Syrah.A big bold wine that has a great finish that will convince you that you WILL need another glass of this world class wine. Please click on the link below and join us for a tasting with wine maker Randy Schock!Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy the wines of Handley Cellars .