Fortunati means lucky in Italian and
Gary & Ellen Luchtel are very lucky to be able to follow their
passion of making wine in the heart of the Oak Knoll district in
Napa. Gary & Ellen, met in college and soon found themselves
traveling the world tasting wines, but were especially fond of wines
from Napa and Sonoma wine country. Both had successful businesses
in San Francisco, but their hearts were in the wine country.
Gary soon found he had a great wine
palate, especially when he beat out professionals at the State Wine
Tasting Championship in Mendocino. It wasn't long after that Gary
was working harvest with his good friend who had been in the wine
industry for years. And as the story goes, one thing leads to
another and Gary & Ellen made their first home wines in the late
90's. With encouragement of friends and a burning desire to bring
forward quality wines that everyone could enjoy, they both sold their
businesses and searched for a location to establish their own
vineyards. Gary & Ellen found their diamond in the rough on
Salvador Lane in Oak Knoll. The property was over 10 acres of
overgrown field, surrounded by vineyards from Hill Family and
Beringer and with soils diverse enough they could grow a Viogner to
Cabernet. They planted their first vineyards in the early 2000's and
released their first vintages in 2008 when Fortunati became a bonded
winery.
Trying to decide which wines I wanted
to feature was difficult, so I had to go with the ones I seem to
gravitate most often too. All the wines can be drank on their own or
paired nicely with food.
2011 Viogner is definitely the cougar
juice of the year and is so refreshing in the hot summer afternoons.
As soon as you open the bottle the aromas of peach and apricot
permeate your nose making your mouth water just to take a sip. As
you sip the Viogner you can taste the layers of fruit; honeysuckle,
lemon custard and that beautiful finish of lychee that leaves your
mouth just wanting more. You better not wait to buy this estate
grown Viogner because they only produce 65 cases and it is selling
like hot cakes at $28.00 a bottle.
2008 Vinto is a red Rhone blend with
95% Syrah and co-fermented with 5% Viogner (yes I said Viogner).
Both varietals are grown on the estate and Gary & Ellen did an
amazing job selecting the right grapes to blend together. I love the
aromas of black cherry's, blueberry and rich earthiness and the
flavors on your palate are an explosion of chocolate, coffee with a
finish that stays with you. A 100 cases of Vinto were produced and
it was released in the fall of 2011. It is reasonably priced at
$34.00 a bottle.
If you love Bordeaux blends you will
also enjoy their recently released 2009 Fortivo a blend of their
estate Cab Franc and Cab Sauv. The Cab Franc brings out the deep
crimson colors, with aromas of cassis and blackberry and a lovely
finish of sweet French oak, cola and rich tannins. 150 cases
produced and only $40.00 a bottle.
Fortnati also offers 2011 Pranzo a rose
of Syrah which is a great patio wine at $16.00 a bottle. 2010
Chardonnay which is very palate friendly from being aged in neutral
oak at $30.00 a bottle. A yummy 2009 Zinfandel at $36.00 a bottle.
To top it off a 2007 Porto Fino which is almost sold out at $68 a
bottle.
You can purchase their wines or visit
the estate by calling Ellen at 707-255-9300 or email her at
ellen@fortunativineyards.com.
Ellen hopes to launch their website www.fortunativineyards.com
by the end of summer.
As always, wine tasting is about the
people, the place and the wine!
Stacy Su
Stacy's Wine Tours
707-266-6168
