Task 05 - Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

(05) Visit a winery or brewery & take the tour

Winery/Vineyard: Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
Location:               24724 Arnold Drive
                               Sonoma, CA 95476
                               (866) 522-8693

Website:                www.jacuzziwines.com

Rating:                  4-Stars

The name Jacuzzi is best known and associated with spas and hot tubs, but in the Sanoma/Carneros region of Sonoma, California, it is also known for great wines. The Jacuzzi Vineyard and the Cline Vineyard across the street are owned by Nancy and Fred Cline. Fred is the grandson of Valeriano Jacuzzi. He began making wine at the tender age of 13 and his grandfather taught him everything.  In 1982 Cline received his $9,000 inheritance from his grandfather and promptly started Cline Cellars. Their operations started with 161 acres but today they own a total of 940, mostly in the Petaluma Gap of the Sonoma-Carneros Region. By 2001, they were practicing sustainable farming using the “green string” method, and A few years later opened Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. The vineyard located on CA-121 is lead by winemaker Charlie Tsegeletos whose family has a history of growing grapes and making wine in Sonoma since the 1930’s.

Our tour started in the driveway where we were greeted by our tour guide. After a quick introduction we were lead to a courtyard with a view of the vineyard beyond a marble fountain on a glorious sunny day. We got our first wine sample and a lesson on how to really appreciate both the scent and flavor of wines. We were taught the proper way to aerate the wine and how to smell then taste the wine.  After that first sample we moved on to the first of the two tasting rooms offered at the estate.

The first tasting room is adorned with European style and the Italian heritage is obvious. Marble sculptures surround the entry way and the walls are lined with barrels of wine. Located in the center was a table with several wines we would taste. Our guide began explained each wine composition and its processing. He spoke in simple terms with enough detail to educate the serious student while maintaining interest from the casual taster.  All their wines are available for sale and can only be bought directly from the vineyard. While I really enjoyed each of the wines I sampled I wouldn’t describe myself as someone who can really appreciate a fine wine. As a result I couldn’t bring myself to make a purchase and ship it cross country because generally I am satisfied with the 2-buck chuck I pick up from home at Trader Joes. While I made no wine purchases even my poorly tuned taste buds could appreciate the quality wines they produce.

The second tasting room is home to The Olive Press which was created in 1995 by Ed Stolman and Deborah Rogers.  Known as the Olive Queen Deborah has been making the finest Extra Virgin Olive Oils in California for the past 17 years. They produce a line of Olive oil for the Jacuzzi family which has won several local awards. I sampled many of their flavored olive oils as well as their balsamic vinegars. With limited space I simply couldn’t take home a large bottle and settled on a small bottle of Fig Balsamic. I am looking forward to pairing it with some quality ingredients and making a special meal when I return home. Maybe I’ll splurge and order a bottle of their wine when I get home.