We ambled into the tasting room at Kunde Family Estates in Kenwood, California after about forty guests exited for their winery tour. This was good planning on our part except that we didn’t actually plan it – for once, we just arrived at a winery with a que sera sera attitude!
After a short wait, Sandrew Montgomery, Tasting Room Representative, invited my two daughters and me into the lovely Wildwood Room for a private tasting of Reserve tier wines, proprietary blends, and wines based on our preferences. Yes, please! Sandrew (who also had a fleeting part in the movie, Bottle Shock of which many scenes were actually shot at Kunde, and whose father graduated from the same university as me) was friendly, talkative, well informed, and made us feel welcome just as I knew he has been for other visitors who appreciate good wine. He stressed three very important facts about Kunde Estates (and please check out their website for details)…
**Kunde is family owned and operated for five generations.
This 1850 acre estate in Sonoma Valley was founded by Louis Kunde who emigrated from Germany and purchased the original Wildwood Vineyards in 1904. The family is committed to moving forward with innovative techniques, state of the art facilities, and making fantastic wine.
**Certified sustainable farming practices are inherent in their viticultural practices.
Kunde Family Estates is “Certified Sustainable” by the Certified Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance for grape growing and winemaking enterprises which include energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and viticultural techniques.
**All wines offered are from Estate grown grapes.
Each bottle of wine from Kunde contains grapes grown on the Estate – 100% exactly. Let’s just say that they have taken incredibly good care of the grapes from their beginning and know where those grapes have been…Just like a good family should!
The Wildwood Room where we had our tasting features an expansive window which allows for viewing of the entrance to the beautiful Syrah hillside, wine aging caves, and dedicated/busy workers engaging in that day’s winemaking punch list. It also let us view Zach Long, Director of Winemaking Operations, making sure all was right in the wine world at that moment. And when I mentioned “Wouldn’t it be great to talk to Zach about wine?”, Sandrew was nice enough to hail Zach and ask him to share a bit of his time with us. Thanks, Sandrew! Zach sat down with Jessica, Stephanie, and me and answered the question “What is your favorite wine?” with the response “That’s like asking a mother to choose her favorite child!” And what we all know Zach meant and what he explained was that each wine expresses its own differences based on a variety of factors and is appreciated for what they are now and what they will become with age (Zach will be an awesome dad, by the way, already knowing that!). He also shared his serious breadth of experience in the biz and innovative winemaking techniques at Kunde. Further, Zach took time to show us into the bottling area as well as the caves where barrels were housed for fermenting…and where dinner parties, receptions, and other events are held. Seriously Nice/Smart Guy!
So what wines did we love at our tasting? Brief tasting notes offered, but I was too busy sipping and chatting to write more!!
**2011 Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc – This wine is a delicious Sauvignon Blanc with some minerality to it combined with white peach, grapefruit, mango, and some melon. $17.00
**2010 Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley Family Estate Series – Notes of pear, green apple, vanilla, and some cloves make this Estate grown Chardonnay a favorite. $18.00
**2007 Sonoma Valley Family Estate Series Syrah – I ordered two bottles of this one…I love raspberries on the nose and palate, kudos from Wine Enthusiast (91 points), and a price of $10.00! FYI-Kunde is running a special on a case of this good stuff right now so check out the website~
**2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Wow! With aromas of blackberries and black pepper and with flavors of raspberries and some toast French oak, this wine is one of Kunde’s best. $45.00
**2008 Reserve Century Vines Zinfandel – From vines planted in 1882, this amazing Zinfandel (yes, I have a bottle) has aromas of boysenberry and black pepper with that smooth, spicy red mouthfeel that I crave from a really good Zin. Wine and Spirits gave it 91 points and their designation of “Year’s Best Zinfandel” and “Best Buy”. $35.00
I feel quite honored to have spent time in such a lovely winery and have the opportunity to talk to Sandrew and Zach. Thanks, guys…the Kunde family is fortunate to have you on their team. And the wine we loved (and purchased) exhibits that approachability and comfortable feeling that we received – with some delicious surprises as well!
Next time I’m at Kunde Family Estates? ~ Lunch and wine tasting at the Mountain Top!
Sandrew, Jessica, Stephanie, Cindy, Zach in the Wildwood Room – Great afternoon at Kunde Family Estates!
Cheers~ Cindy
