CHOUINARD VINEYARDS

What a day. Thanks to Dustin from Battaion Cellars www.battaioncellars.com for the best tip of the day. As the crowds took over the Tesla Rd. area, a much more quiet and intimate trip awaited my wife and I on the Palomares, Sunol loop.

The first winery was Chouinard Vineyards. http://www.chouinard.com/ Open year Round on Weekends from 12-5 (510) 582-9900

Damian Chouinard greeted us personally and showed us the upstairs tasting room. The walls are covered, and I mean covered with ribbions, medals and trophies. This guy knows how to make wine. He personally walks us out and down to the basement to see the new, stainless steel vats he has. We taste a Petite Sirah and it is breathtaking. Wonderful stuff. The grounds are intimate, perfect for a company picknick or family reunion. Along the creek is seating and a small stage. The grounds are in a steep canyon and it adds to the sense of peace and quiet.



http://www.chouinard.com/wines.html
Chouinard Winery Wine List Summer 2004
Red Wines
Chouinard Red Wine
Our latest red table wine is a blend of Zin and Cabernet Sauvignon with light strawberry flavors and subtle toast and oak flavors from aging in small American Oak barrels. Silver-L.A., Bronze-S.F. Bay, Bronze-State, Bronze-Eldorado.
$97.20/case $9.50/btl

2001 Zinfandel, Lodi, Old Vine
Year after year, this 100 year old vineyard from Mohr-Fry Ranches produces a ripe, concentrated wine with strawberry aromas and sweet jammy flavors.
$183.60/case $17.00/btl

2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, San Francisco Bay
Smoky-peppery, cherry flavors and aromas in this Estate Cab complimented with French oak and a hint of mint. Silver-S.F. Bay.
$194.40/case $18.00/btl

2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, Hog Canyon Vineyards
The finest Cab to date from this vineyard. Fruit reduction has concentrated the black cherry and pepper flavors. Ample tannins for aging.
$194.40/case $18.00/btl

2001 Petite Sirah, San Francisco Bay, Gustavino Vineyard
A well-balanced PS that combines fresh and intense fruit flavors with subtle mint and coffee complexities,
$186.30/case$17.25/btl

2003 Petite Sirah, Paso Robles
A long, warm growing season produced an extremely rich ruby-colored wine, with cherry-plum fruit flavors and a lingering finish.
$186.30/case$17.25/btl

2000 Alicante Bouschet, Lodi
A deep concentrated red wine with rich black cherry and pomegranate flavors and aromas nicely balanced with oak and char flavors from aging in small barrels.
$180.90/case$16.75/btl

2001 Alicante Bouschet, Lodi
Aged in American Oak tanks, the 2001 AB is an intense, inky and concentrated wine highlighted by wild blackberries. Best Varietal of Region, State Fair, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals, State, Eldorado, SF Bay and L.A. competitions.
$180.90/case$16.75/btl

White Wines
Chardonnay
2002 Dry Creek. One hundred percent barrel fermentation adds an oak dimension to this rich chard which is dominated by tropical fruit/pineapple flavors and aromas.
$178.20/case$16.50/btl

Chenin Blanc
2003 Monterey. Wonderful fresh pear aromas are the showcase of this fruity, crisp and well-balanced chenin blanc. A delightful summer-time wine, its off-dry style pairs well with cheeses. Last year's was a Best of Show and this one is every bit as good. It should do well in the competitions.
$110.70/case$10.25/btl

Gewurztraminer
2001 Monterey. Spicy and fruity, this wonderful food wine is made in a light off-dry style. Try it with Thai or other spicy Asian dishes or your favorite chicken recipes. Silver-L.A. and S F. Bay.
$108.00/case$10.00/btl

White Riesling
2003 Monterey. White peaches with a hint of apricot--a truly exceptional white. One sip of this fruity, crisp Riesling says Summertime.
$118.80/case$11.00/btl

Granny Smith Apple Wine
Hog Canyon Orchard. Made from 100% Granny Smith Apples, This off-dry table wine captures the crispness of this delicious green apple. Incredible with pork dishes, cheeses or turkey. Silver-L.A.
$97.20/case$9.00/btl

Late Harvest and Ice Wines
2003 Orange Muscat, Paso Robles
Joan’s Vineyard. This lightly sweet dessert wine has fresh muscat flavors nicely balanced with citrus and zest. The orange blossom aromas bring spring to mind.
$172.80/case$16.00/btl 375 ml

2001 Orange Muscat, Paso Robles, Joan’s Vineyard
Produced by using a modified ice wine method, the flavors and sugars of the grape have been concentrated and the resulting wine is a sweet essence of this delightful variety. Best of Show and Gold Medal, SF Bay. Wine Enthusiast rated 93 and Best Buy.
$375 ml $205.20/case $19.00 btl

Sparkling Wines
California Champagne
Brut (Charmat). The aroma is fresh pears with Toasty French oak flavors. This well-balanced wine has a tart acidity, wonderful green apple flavors and the lasting creamy mouth feel of a Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc blend. May be special-labeled in small or large quantities.
$156.60/cs,case $14.50/btl, split $4.75/btl

Fortified Wines
2001 Zinfandel Port, Old Vine, Lodi
Mohr-Fry Ranches. A ruby port with the ripe flavors of raspberry and plum and light French oak. The 100 year old zinfandel vineyard was harvested late to produce a port of extremely long finish and excellent aging capacity.
$205.20/case$19.00/btl 375 ml

The descriptions of our individual wines (see the red, white, champagne, and dessert wine pages) include pricing for individual bottles and cases of 12 bottles. We offer a 5% discount on purchases of 6 or more bottles, and a 10% discount on cases (members of our VIT Club get double discounts). Cases may be mixed. Please read our wine shipping policy for details.

Chouinard Winery Wine List Summer 2004
Red Wines
Chouinard Red Wine
Our latest red table wine is a blend of Zin and Cabernet Sauvignon with light strawberry flavors and subtle toast and oak flavors from aging in small American Oak barrels. Silver-L.A., Bronze-S.F. Bay, Bronze-State, Bronze-Eldorado.
$97.20/case $9.50/btl
2001 Zinfandel, Lodi, Old Vine
Year after year, this 100 year old vineyard from Mohr-Fry Ranches produces a ripe, concentrated wine with strawberry aromas and sweet jammy flavors.
$183.60/case $17.00/btl
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, San Francisco Bay
Smoky-peppery, cherry flavors and aromas in this Estate Cab complimented with French oak and a hint of mint. Silver-S.F. Bay.
$194.40/case $18.00/btl
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, Hog Canyon Vineyards
The finest Cab to date from this vineyard. Fruit reduction has concentrated the black cherry and pepper flavors. Ample tannins for aging.
$194.40/case $18.00/btl
2001 Petite Sirah, San Francisco Bay, Gustavino Vineyard
A well-balanced PS that combines fresh and intense fruit flavors with subtle mint and coffee complexities,
$186.30/case$17.25/btl
2003 Petite Sirah, Paso Robles
A long, warm growing season produced an extremely rich ruby-colored wine, with cherry-plum fruit flavors and a lingering finish.
$186.30/case$17.25/btl
2000 Alicante Bouschet, Lodi
A deep concentrated red wine with rich black cherry and pomegranate flavors and aromas nicely balanced with oak and char flavors from aging in small barrels.
$180.90/case$16.75/btl
2001 Alicante Bouschet, Lodi
Aged in American Oak tanks, the 2001 AB is an intense, inky and concentrated wine highlighted by wild blackberries. Best Varietal of Region, State Fair, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals, State, Eldorado, SF Bay and L.A. competitions.
$180.90/case$16.75/btl
White Wines
Chardonnay
2002 Dry Creek. One hundred percent barrel fermentation adds an oak dimension to this rich chard which is dominated by tropical fruit/pineapple flavors and aromas.
$178.20/case$16.50/btl
Chenin Blanc
2003 Monterey. Wonderful fresh pear aromas are the showcase of this fruity, crisp and well-balanced chenin blanc. A delightful summer-time wine, its off-dry style pairs well with cheeses. Last year's was a Best of Show and this one is every bit as good. It should do well in the competitions.
$110.70/case$10.25/btl
Gewurztraminer
2001 Monterey. Spicy and fruity, this wonderful food wine is made in a light off-dry style. Try it with Thai or other spicy Asian dishes or your favorite chicken recipes. Silver-L.A. and S F. Bay.
$108.00/case$10.00/btl
White Riesling
2003 Monterey. White peaches with a hint of apricot--a truly exceptional white. One sip of this fruity, crisp Riesling says Summertime.
$118.80/case$11.00/btl
Granny Smith Apple Wine
Hog Canyon Orchard. Made from 100% Granny Smith Apples, This off-dry table wine captures the crispness of this delicious green apple. Incredible with pork dishes, cheeses or turkey. Silver-L.A.
$97.20/case$9.00/btl
Late Harvest and Ice Wines
2003 Orange Muscat, Paso Robles
Joan’s Vineyard. This lightly sweet dessert wine has fresh muscat flavors nicely balanced with citrus and zest. The orange blossom aromas bring spring to mind.
$172.80/case$16.00/btl 375 ml
2001 Orange Muscat, Paso Robles, Joan’s Vineyard
Produced by using a modified ice wine method, the flavors and sugars of the grape have been concentrated and the resulting wine is a sweet essence of this delightful variety. Best of Show and Gold Medal, SF Bay. Wine Enthusiast rated 93 and Best Buy.
$375 ml $205.20/case $19.00 btl
Sparkling Wines
California Champagne
Brut (Charmat). The aroma is fresh pears with Toasty French oak flavors. This well-balanced wine has a tart acidity, wonderful green apple flavors and the lasting creamy mouth feel of a Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc blend. May be special-labeled in small or large quantities.
$156.60/cs,case $14.50/btl, split $4.75/btl
Fortified Wines
2001 Zinfandel Port, Old Vine, Lodi
Mohr-Fry Ranches. A ruby port with the ripe flavors of raspberry and plum and light French oak. The 100 year old zinfandel vineyard was harvested late to produce a port of extremely long finish and excellent aging capacity.
$205.20/case$19.00/btl 375 ml
The descriptions of our individual wines (see the red, white, champagne, and dessert wine pages) include pricing for individual bottles and cases of 12 bottles. We offer a 5% discount on purchases of 6 or more bottles, and a 10% discount on cases (members of our VIT Club get double discounts). Cases may be mixed. Please read our wine shipping policy for details.


I didn't want to leave. The place is magical. While the big boys pack in the huge tour buses, this place had ample parking and the staff was friendly and helpful.
A close friend was there, Roger Kardinal who is a wonderful guitarist. He plays intimate concerts and is a heck of a nice guy http://www.rogerkardinal.com/