Rick & Ron Lanza of Wooden Valley Winery and Lanza Vineyards are 3rd generation winemakers and growers from Suisun Valley. In partnership with their two brothers, they manage approximately 400 acres of vineyards and operate a small winery. Ron’s primary focus is on administration and marketing, while Rick is head winemaker. The Lanza family supplies fruit to many Napa and Sonoma wineries along with wineries and amateur winemakers throughout the East Coast. The winery has been in operation for more than 90 years.
Rick and Ron will be discussing the history of wine in Suisun Valley along with other attributes of the AVA such as climate, soil, etc., that make Suisun Valley a great place to grow premium wine grapes. Ww will be tasting the different varietals (primarily Petite Sirah & Sauvignon Blanc) that do best in the region produced by Wooden Valley Winery and Caymus-Suisun. Rick will also discuss his winemaking practices for the wines you will be tasting.
With over 40 years of winemaking and viticulture experience, we hope to be able to answer any questions you may have. Looking forward to joining you for a fun and hopefully educational evening!
Bring 2 wine glasses for your use.
Tasting Table – have your wine anonymously evaluated. Bring in a sample (about 375-750 ml) identified with only the varietal / blend and vintage. Find Sue Nemeth at the Tasting Table and she’ll check you in. At the beginning and end of the meeting, members can taste and provide anonymous written feedback on your wine. Before leaving the meeting, pick up your bottle and feedback.
Sentia Testing – wine analysis samples will be accepted at the meeting. See here for the details. Find Jamie Garrett at the Sentia Table.
Jubilee Wine Competition Entries -bring your wine entries to the meeting. Ensure all entries have been registered online with bottle label affixed. Alternatively, wine entries can be delivered to drop-off locations. Entres close on April 22. Find Mike Menard.
Orange County Fair Home Wine Competition Entries – Thad Rodgers will be collecting the OC Fair’s wine entries at the April 15 SHW meeting. Alternatively, you can drop off your entries at Thad’s in Auburn no later than Wednesday, May 13. Contact Thad to make arrangements for drop off: 916-715-3688; thadrodgers1@gmail.com. Only entries that have been registered online and affixed with a bottle label can be accepted.
The meeting begins at 7 pm upstairs at the Turn Verein located at 3349 J Street in Sacramento. Front doors open after 6 pm. Contact VP Donna Bettencourt at donnab1045@gmail.com with program questions.
