Quivira Vineyards and Winery

Surprises await around every bend in wine country.  My sweetie and I had been on a short tasting tour through Healdsburg and along Dry Creek Road as we approached tasting room closing time.  Figuring that we'd tasted our last of the day, we crossed from Dry Creek Road over Yoakim Bridge Road to West Dry Creek to head back to Hwy. 101 and on to the peninsula.  Before we'd gone far, however, we stumbled upon the Quivira Vineyards and Winery sign, with an open gate.  We turned in.  I assumed we'd park and find the doors locked, but they were open and the room was crowded.  We bellyed up to the bar and were treated to some pretty nice wines.  Having not heard of Quivira before that day, we were surprised.

Right off the bat, we were treated to a stellar 2010 Sauvignon Blanc called Fig Tree ($18), named for a 130-year-old fig tree that graces the vineyard where the grape was grown.  Quivera's website describes it as, "The nose of this vintage is strikingly similar to the wines of the Loire, with a notable, yet mild, grassiness reminiscent of 'fresh hay'. A small percentage of the Musque clone adds lifted floral notes with subtle citrus and tropical fruit tones. On the palate, dried fig and a lovely lemon zest quality emerge, and the assertive acidity is nicely balanced by a textured mid-palate."  It was a delightfully fresh and fruity white and a great start to the tasting. Unfortunately, the 2010 Fig Tree is sold out, but I'd bet it will be worth looking for when the 2011 is released.

The real gold, at least for me, was struck when we tasted the 2009 Katz Vineyard Zinfandel ($45).  It seems that I have a really pronounced preference for old vine Zins.  I find the concentration of fruit and the typical smooth finish of a well-made old vine Zin to be irresistible.  The Katz Zin was no exception.  The Quivira website says of Katz Vineyard, "In the far reaches of Dry Creek Valley, it is the ancient Zinfandel vine that is revered. Worn and gnarled, with a century of knowledge and depth, no young planting or modern trellising technique can trump its experience. With root systems that reach deep into the soil, the Katz Vineyard vines literally drink the terroir. Like previous generations who have tended these vines, we take a hands-off approach – letting the beautifully balanced fruit tell its tale. This elder statesman of our portfolio commands respect."  The wine is rich and luscious.  If you love Zins, and old vine Zins in particular, this is a wine you'll want to buy.  Hurry, though, Quivira only produced 172 cases of this wonderful wine.

The winery also produces a few other wines, inlcuding other Zins, a Grenache, a Petite Sirah, a Port, a Mourvedre, and a red blend called Elusive. You can check out all the wines online at http://www.quivirawine.com/.   

The tasting room is located at 4900 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg.  They are open from 11 am to 5 pm daily.  Quivira has two versions of it's wine club, Queue.  Queue Six and Queue Twelve.  As the name suggests, Queue Six includes six bottles, twice a year.  Three wines come in each shipment.  Queue Twelve ships twelve bottles with three to four wines, twice a year.  Six members receive a 15 percent discount on wine purchases and Twelve members receive a 20 percent discount.  Members and up to five guests receive free tastings and tours.  Members also receive discounts on merchandise (5%) and events. Twelve members are eligible for a free, two-night stay in the Quivira guest cottage after a year as a member.  Twelve members are also given the opportunity to customize their shipment from the available wines.

This winery is worth a visit, and take a credit card...you'll want to buy some wine.