A visit to Bent Creek Winery
Friday 25 January 2008, by Bruce Shore

A wet and overcast day tends to draw one indoors; an afternoon in a
winery is a pleasant venue for whiling away such a day, as I observed
during a Friday afternoon visit to the tasting room of Bent Creek
Winery. The trip there from central Livermore takes one past the
flat vineyards along Tesla Road, and the wineries along that scenic
corridor, to Greenville Road, very much in the countryside. There one
turns south towards the mountains, passing on the left the small
asphalt landing strip from which Jim Nissen used to fly his biplane
and then the newer golf course of Poppy Ridge, while on the right one
sees fine new houses embedded in vineyards. As one approaches the
foothills one lettered signs of several wineries appear; to the
right, along a driveway, is the Bent Creek vineyards and
winery.

The tasting room is a modest structure, adjacent to the home of one
of the owners and surrounded by the vineyards from which comes their
wine. On a typical balmy California day one would be standing
outside, imbibing the serenity of the hillsides over which rows of
grapevines lie and through which wanders the Bent Creek from which
the winery takes its name. On the day of my visit an overcast sky
deposited a light drizzle of rain, and the vines glistened with
droplets; it was certainly a lovely scene, but best viewed through
windows.

In addition to the surroundings, which would provide a good
destination for any visitor, two aspects of the little visit were
notable: the wines, of course, and the story behind the founding of
the business, some decade ago.

The history of Bent Creek as a winery begins with the retirement of
Tom Heineman, one of the four owners, from his career in the
Livermore Schools. Looking around for something to provide a
challenge, he accepted the suggestion of his wife Pat (a retired
schoolteacher) to consider growing wine grapes. He studied in the
Enology Department at UC Davis, and became familiar there with
viticulture — the growing of grapes. He sought advice from the
winemaker at Concannon, who agreed to buy Syrah grapes for their own
use. Encouraged by this the Heinemans purchased their dozen acres of
hillside and went into the grape business. Their first vines were
planted in 1996, and the first harvest came in 2000. They were soon
joined by two other retirees, Carol and Rich Howell, and together
they began, aided by further study at UC Davis, to make their own
wine. (Carol was the principal at Jackson Avenue Elementary School
when one of our sons was a pupil there, and Rich was a physicist at
LLNL.) The business remains a two-family concern, with Tom in charge
of the vineyards, Rich doing the winemaking, Carol handling the
business and Pat tending to the legal matters. All four of them now
contribute to the wine blending, one of the key steps toward
producing a satisfactory wine. Friday through Sunday, when the
tasting room is open, one of them is always there to greet visitors
and to explain their wines.

The winery has won their share of awards at the annual San Francisco
Chronicle wine competition, one of the most prestigious competitions
in California. I asked Tom whether they were influenced in their
blending by what wine judges seemed to favor, and he answered that
they were more influenced by what their customers preferred.

They typically offer two white wines and 5 reds plus two ports, but
the output is but a few thousand bottles, so it is not unusual for a
visitor to find a particular wine unavailable. (A few bottles are set
aside for members of their wine club, which you can join , at no
cost, by agreeing to purchase a consignment of wines each year.) The
prices are very affordable, ranging from $15 to $30; there is no fee
for tasting.

The whites are a Sauvignon Blanc (from Mendocino grapes) and a
Chardonnay (from their adjacent vines). The trick to producing a
successful Chardonnay, as Tom explained to me, is to judge how long
the wine should remain in the stainless steel fermenting tanks, and
what portion of the wine should be stored in oak barrels to gain
desired flavors. The two wives, Pat and Carol, are in charge of this
aspect of the winemaking. Both of these wines were agreeable; I
bought a bottle of their 2005 Chardonnay.

They make a very nice Zinfandel, from their own local grapes. From
one of the visitors that day I learned that there is quite a
community of Zinfandel fanciers, and that this weekend they will
gather at Fort Mason in San Francisco for an annual tasting of
several hundred Zinfandels. I was told that Zinfandel, as a varietal,
is particularly suited to California, and that few other places in
the world are able to grow it successfully; certainly I have not
found it amongst offerings of European vintners. The Bent Creek
Zinfandel is, Tom said, a blend of three varieties, all from their
local Hansen vineyard. Similarly, their Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend
of three clones. As with many wineries, Bent Creek produces a house
blend of red wines; called Red on Red it is a blend of 35% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 65% Syrah. Rich is in charge of the red-wine making,
but I gather other members of the team help with the judging of the
blending.

In the past I have particularly relished their Cabernet Franc, good
for an evening of sipping, but their supply is at present exhausted.
Never mind, there are other good reds.

Rich Howell, their winemaker, is particularly proud of his two ports
($23), a Vintage Port and a Petit Sirah Port. These very definitely
make a fine way of finishing an elegant meal, perhaps with some rich
chocolate-based dessert.
As Tom explained, the making of a port wine proceeds much as that of
a red wine, but the fermentation of the grape sugar is halted at a
selected moment by the addition of brandy. The art here is the
selection of the brandy and the timing of the fermentation halt;
their Vintage Port is timed to have 9% residual sugar, a bit lower
than many ports, but quite sweet enough for my taste.

Like many of the other small wineries that now comprise the Wine
Country of the Livermore Valley, Bent Creek is an undertaking of long
time residents, very much a (two) family undertaking, where one
senses not only the caring crafting of wine, but one can enjoy a
comfortably homely rural setting for wine tasting.

_ -= The Livermore Independent Wine & Technology Resource BackRoadsWine.com =- _

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This is a fundraiser for the Amador High School Marching Band. Wineries in Livermore are helping. If you want to be a part, please get on board!

Amador Friends of Music

“A Tradition of excellence, the continuation of success . . .”

P.O. Box 602, Pleasanton, CA 94566

To Our Neighbors, Local and Regional Businesses, and Fellow Music Lovers,

The Amador High School band students in Pleasanton, California are actively involved in the advertising and promotion of its Instrumental Music Department’s 4^th Annual “Magic of Music” black tie dinner/dance with live and silent auctions. This festive event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the Pleasanton Hilton.

As you may know, Amador’s band is one of the largest in Northern California and consists of 225 students. The band program provides a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn and experience the dynamics of being part of a team and generates memories that will last a lifetime. The entire band program consists of four concert bands, two jazz bands, two Winterguards and a winter percussion ensemble. Band members have consistently earned awards, invitations and top honors in local, regional and statewide events.

The band and colorguard has more than doubled in size in 5 years. That growth has put a tremendous strain on the infrastructure of the band programs. Costs of running the program have risen and there is little to no money for replacing and regrouping a depleted instrument inventory and worn uniforms.

As members of our community and the surrounding greater Bay Area, we would like to ask you to consider helping us with our fundraising efforts. In order for this to be a successful event, we need donations of goods and services, gift checks, or cash to be used for the silent and live auctions. Donating is mutually beneficial because it provides a wonderful marketing/public relation opportunity and the chance to reach out to consumers who might not otherwise be aware of your business.

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato Your help would be greatly appreciated by music lovers of all kinds, the students at Amador High School, their parents and the local community. Thank you in advance for your support. Please help make the “Magic of Music” 2008 a huge success. You can and do make a difference! Please keep in mind that all donations are tax deductible. The Amador Friends of Music Tax Identification Number: 68-02309044.

Sincerely,

Jon Grantham Dianne Jones

Director of Bands Event Chairman

Amador Valley High School 925-426-5662

925-461-6196 dodijones@comcast.net

The

Magic of Music

“The Great Gatsby” A Celebration of the Roaring 20’s

The Pleasanton Hilton

April 26^th, 20086:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Let us take you back to the time when extravagant parties were the norm, the Jazz Age was in full swing, prohibition was in effect, people danced, lights glittered and unbridled romance was in the air – the roaring ‘20s comes to life at the Pleasanton Hilton on April 26^th, 2008.

The music, cocktails, the food, and Gatsby will set the stage for this lavish party. Upon arrival enjoy flowing glasses of champagne and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres while listening to live music from our very own talented musicians. Bid on a fabulous array of Silent Auction items while sipping a no host cocktail from the Speakeasy Bar. A seated 3-course dinner and Spirited Live Auction will follow. Twist and Tangle the rest of the night away while enjoying the spiraling notes of the Amador Jazz Bands. This event is the Band and Colorguards only major fundraiser of the year. Your attendance and participation is crucial to its success. The money that we raise is usedto meet the ongoing needs of the band program in areas such as instruments, uniforms and the equipment. Funds will also be used to help offset some of the cost associated with representing Pleasanton in the New Year’s London Parade. You will be hearing much more in the coming months.

Deer Ridge Vineyards and Event Center 1828 Wetmore Road Livermore, Ca 20 January 2008 Bruce ShoreSpecial events: a wedding, an anniversary, a birthday (child or adult), a retirement or promotion, often call for celebration with many friends in surroundings that emphasize the special nature of the event. Hotels, churches and community centers vie for use on such occasions, as do some wineries. The newest of these in the Livermore wine region is Deer Ridge Vineyard, billed as a “Winery Estate & Gathering Place”, opening as an Event Center in the fall of 2007.

The Event Center is sited in the green belt of vineyards south of Livermore, on land once part of the Wetmore Estate, where vineyards and winemaking were first introduced to the Livermore valley.

Rows of Deer Ridge vineyards along Wetmore Road abut the combination tasting room, winery and Event Center. Visitors to Deer Ridge enjoy from the outset a view over newly planted vineyards to the south and an unobstructed view of the hills that frame the valley.

The entire enterprise is the handiwork of Carl and Sherry Lyle, who brought their vision to Livermore with purchase of land in 1999, the last available open space in the green belt. The 30 acres of Deer Ridge were part of a deal in which a housing developer was permitted to construct new homes with the proviso that a portion of the land would be put to use for vineyards and winemaking. Such regulations have made possible the acres of vineyards that Livermore residents and tourists enjoy and which help establish the area as an increasingly popular destination for those who, in the past, would have headed to Napa or Sonoma valley for their wine tasting.

The Deer Ridge vineyards were planted in the year 2000, and by 2002 the first crush was available; the Cabernet Sauvignon from that year won a double gold medal and awards have continued ever since. The Event Center has been open since August of 07, and wine tasting has been available since September of 07.

A visitor to Deer Ridge will note two aspects of the enterprise: the Event Center, with its associated facilities, and the wines. Owner Carl Lyle is justifiably proud of each of these.

First, some comments on the Event Center, a brief preview of what one might expect to experience on that special occasion. The first impression, as one steps from the car in the parking lot and surveys the mountain horizon and nearby vineyards, is that of being embedded in rural wine country. A very nice backdrop for an outdoor afternoon party, as well as simple wine tasting. The Event Center itself, billed as “Tuscan style,” houses a large hall (capacity 112 occupants at round family-style tables) with a small appended grassy playyard for children (enclosed by a low wall that secures the children without blocking the view). An elaborate sound system facilitates any audio needs. A fully equipped kitchen, used exclusively by their caterer (Hap’s), allows fast service of large banquets.

The wide entrance hallway holds museum-quality paintings by local artists. On my visit this display was an exhibit of landscape paintings by Victoria Ryan.

Central to the building is the tasting room. The ambience of the tasting experience was enhanced by a flow of comments from Carl behind the counter, and was made particularly agreeable by the availability of several chairs — for someone who has to favor his or her back, this little touch seldom found in a tasting room makes possible a wine tasting without the pain that comes from standing.

The Bridal preparation room and overnight cottage, on the site of the former Clarence Wetmore summer home, seen through the doorway to the Event Center

From the interior of the Event Center one can see, under a heritage oak, a small new cottage, now used for bridal preparation or overnight stays. “Bed and wine” rather than “bed and breakfast” sits atop a site once occupied by the brick home of Clarence Wetmore, the brother of Charles, the owner of “Cresta Blanca,” which won the gold medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition..

The barrel room, at the opposite side of the building, is also available for events; one can dine or dance while walled by tall racks of oak barrels, perhaps illuminated by candles. Carl speaks of plans to have a performance of the musical “Cabaret” there, with the adjacent fermenting room as the stage or “wine theatre,” as Carl put it.

Owner Carl Lyle with bottle of 05 Syrah Rosé, my favorite of the day

Their stated aim, says Carl, is “a seamless wine country experience,” one in which they “exceed all expectations” by careful attention to many small details. Carl listed many of these during our tour of the facility, glass in hand.

While the Event Center and its setting alone are an appropriate destination, the wines are even more of a reason for a visit. They make 71 wines (of which 2 whites, a Rosé and 7 reds) were open for tasting during my Sunday afternoon visit. The grapes come primarily from their Livermore acreage plus another 30 acres in Sonoma; the tasting menu includes the expected Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel, with prices ranging from $16 to $38.

My first taste was an admittedly unusual wine, perhaps unique: a 2005 Syrah Rosé ($28). One tends to think of rosé as a rather unsophisticated choice for sipping, the sort of choice that would draw sneers from friends who consider themselves wine experts. Not so. This was an excellent wine, fully deserving all the usual adjectives with which one describes red wines; it was my favorite of the several wines I tried, and justifies the pride that Carl takes in it. The grapes for this wine come from the top three rows of the adjacent vineyard; a microclimate variation along the hillside makes these special for this purpose.

Another very nice wine, 2003 Zinfandel from Alexander Valley ($24) was notable for having come from vines that were 50 years old, as contrasted with 5 and 10 year vines of other bottlings available that day for tasting. This wine really seemed mellow, and I look forward to having it with dinner some time.

The third notable wine I tried was a blend of Cabernet Franc (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (33%) and Merlot (17%), which they call Moonstruck ($38), because they harvest the grapes at the time of a full moon. Very nice, a good choice for roast beef or, in my case, spaghetti. A sense of complexity that seems to come with such blends.

Every winery hopes to establish an identity, a character that visitors will appreciate. One attribute of Deer Ridge that is helping define it is the sense of community that it is establishing — a reaching out to embrace the neighborhood, and to become an active contributor to the life of the region. Very definitely this is a place to bring first-time visitors.

Owner Carl Lyle with bottle of 05 Syrah Rosé, my favorite of the day