Tasting notes: Wine, pizza and music

SIERRA KNOLLS: WINE, PIZZA & MUSIC
“What’s Up Friday?” returns April 21 at Sierra Knolls tasting room (10024, Linnet Lane in Auburn) with wine, fresh pizza from a wood-fired oven and music. The winery’s releases include a 2014 Primitivo and 2014 Petite Verdot. SierraKnollsWinery.com

SIERRA STARR’S STELLAR GROWTH
The Grass Valley winery now has three wines in Total Wine & More stores in the Sacramento region: Jack’s Blend, Old Clone Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.

In June, Sierra Starr plans to release a “three pack” of its Sauvignon Blanc wines — one aged in oak, one from stainless steel and one from a new concrete fermenting egg. The limited release will showcase the wines, as well as the different tanks used for fermenting wine. SierraStarr.com

RENO, MEET NEVADA CITY WINERY
The winery now is selling more of its wines in “the biggest little city in the world.” The latest locations include Raley’s, Whole Foods Market, Total Wine & More, Ben’s Fine Wine & Spirits, Morgan’s Lobster Shack & Fish Market, Grand Sierra Resort, Montreaux Golf and Country Club and others. The expansion is well timed, because Reno is booming. NCWinery.com

LUCCHESI’S FLAVORFUL NEW RELEASES
The winery is releasing a 2015 Cabernet Franc and 2015 Merlot Reserve. The Cab Franc is “deep garnet color with aromas and flavors of cherry bonbon, watermelon sorbet, and banana custard; a fruity medium-to-full body; and tropical fruit tart and peppery spice driven finish.” The Merlot Re- serve is “very rich, opulent and ripe with oak driven aromas of vanilla, chocolate and spice.” It matured in French oak barrels. LucchesiVineyards.com

BENT METAL WINERY: “NOW WE ARE SEVEN”
The winery celebrates its 7th year on April 29 at 14364 McCourtney Rd. in Grass Valley. Owner-winemaker Scott Brown will release new varietals. The menu includes tri-tip sliders, potato salad and a dark choco- late brownie, paired with Bent Metal’s wines. BentMetalWinery.com

ANDIS WINES: WINE PAIRED WITH FOOD & ART
The winery has a lineup of the region’s most popular food trucks visiting this spring and summer, including Cousins Maine Lobster, Fuzion Eats, and El Matador Mobile Mex. It also is hosting art classes taught by local artist Anje Olmstead.

The winery plans to release a 2015 Semillon in June that recently received 90 points from The Tasting Panel magazine. “Smooth and juicy with tangy acidity and lush, earthy and elegant fruit; silky and bright with balance, finesse and length,” it wrote. AndisWines.com

KATOA CELLARS: WINE “FOR EVERYONE”
Katoa Cellars plans to release four wines this spring: a 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, a 2014 Zinfandel, a 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon; and a 2013 Barbera. The winery is located on the “Wine 174” wine trail on Hwy. 174 in Grass Valley. KatoaCellars.com