Tasting Notes: Naggiar, Smith, Nevada City Winery and Sierra Starr

NAGGIAR: WINE, MUSIC AND VINEYARD TOURS
The winery’s new releases include a 2016 Viognier; 2016 Rosé, 2015 Root 49 (a blend of tempranillo, grenache and mourvèdre), a 2014 Sangiovese (a gold medal winner at the 2017 Pacific Rim wine competition), and a 2014 Petit Verdot. Naggiar’s Winefest concerts continue July 29 with a Steely Dan tribute band, August 26 with an Earth Wind & Fire tribute and September 30 with a Chicago tribute. The winery also offers fully guided tram tours of its vineyard. NaggiarVineyards.com

SMITH’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY
The winery celebrates its 39th year on September 21 at its vineyard with wine, food, and music. Bring a lawn chair. Dr. Wayne Smith planted the first vineyard block in 1980, and the winery began operation in 1987. Wayne’s grandson’s, the third generation, work alongside their parents, Gary and Chris, in the operation of the vineyard and winery. SmithVineyard.com

NEVADA CITY WINERY’S NEW ZIN
The winery’s new releases include a 2013 Dolcetto, 2014 Barbera, 2015 Zinfandel, and 2015 Sonata. The Zin is “balanced and complex, great with food or for sipping.” As for the Sonata, “the addition of a small amount of the Symphony grapes gives a floral character, while still remaining balanced and crisp.” NevadaCityWinery.com

SIERRA STARR’S WINS DOUBLE GOLD
The winery continues to win high honors for its wine. Its 2014 Rising Starr Cabernet Franc won a double gold and “Best of Show” at the El Dorado County wine competition; its 2015 Cosmic Reserve Chardonnay won double gold and “Best of Sierra Foothills” at the California State Fair; and its 2013 Phil’s Selection Zinfandel received a gold medal at the State Fair and 91 points from Wine Enthusiast. Sierra Starr released a 2015 Barbera in June and is releasing a Riesling this summer. SierraStarr.com

LUCCHESI CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY
Celebrate the 4th of July at Lucchesi’s magnificent View Forever vineyard and its “Reds, Whites, and Blues” soiree. The winery will be pouring wine and barbecuing from 4-10 p.m. For $15 per person, guests receive a burger or hot dog, chips, watermelon, and a glass of wine or other beverage. Johnny 2 Morrow will be playing from 6-10 p.m. View distant fireworks displays from the top of our mountain after dark. LucchesiVineyards.com

AVANGUARDIA’S NEW RELEASES
The winery is relocating its tasting room in downtown Grass Valley to 163 Mill Street, a bright and cheerful space next to the Del Oro Theatre. This summer, Avanguardia will release Fiano, the first white varietal in its new Varietal Select Series. Fiano grapes are grown in southern Italy. In 2018, the winery will release a red wine made with the teroldego grape from north-central Italy. AvanguardiaWines.com

MONTOLIVA ROSÉ
Owner-winemaker Mark Henry’s 2013 Nebbiolo won “Best of Class” at the 2017 California State Fair wine competition. The winery also released its newest vintage of sangiovese rosé. The winery’s movie nights on July 8 and 22, August 5 and 19, and Sept. 9 feature movies in the vineyard, pizza and a glass of wine. Montoliva.com

SUMMER SOIREES AT BENT METAL
The winery will host three parties this summer: “Sangria, Salsa & Souza” on July 8, from 4-7 p.m., with music from George Souza; food, wine and music by Stardust Highway on July 29; and “Tropical Dinner” on August 18 from 6-9 p.m. with music from Dream & The Dreamer. This summer it also is releasing a blend of petite sirah, merlot and syrah. BentMetalWinery.com

SIERRA KNOLLS’ WINE & PIZZA
The winery offers “What’s Up Friday” and “Sip & Grove Sundays” with brick-oven baked pizza, wine and music. Bear River Red table wine is back, a Bordeaux blend in returnable one liter bottles. Sierra Knolls’ new releases include 2014 Reserve Primitivo, estate zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and syrah. The winery’s pavilion and grounds are ideal for private parties. SierraKnollsWinery.com

(Photo: Dan Senkbeil)