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In March of this year, I had the pleasure of visiting my friend Jacques in Sacramento. Prior to arriving, Jacques mentioned to me that there were quite a few wineries and tasting rooms in and around the Sacramento area. So, when I arrived one Friday night in March, Jacques and I enjoyed a great bottle of wine with a great dinner consisting of fresh produce and salmon from a local restaurant that showcased a farm to table menu.
The following Saturday morning, we got up early and had breakfast at one of Sacramento's cool local spots that included a huge, satisfying, country breakfast. Afterwards we made our trek to the first of three wineries. After a reasonably short but picturesque drive of 15 minutes from downtown Sacramento, we arrived at the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg. California.
The Sugar Mill is a large building that houses approximately 15 wineries and tasting rooms to sample some of the area’s great wines. I noticed the place was crawling with oenophiles from all over.
My friend Jacques initially whisked me by an unassuming section of tables set up for tastings. Although there were plenty people crowded around the area it didn't seem like much was going onto.
We instead started imbibing at Due Vigne Winery, several feet away from the entrance.
After tasting some really good wines at Due Vigne, we made our way back to the first tasting area. Unbeknownst to me this tasting area belonged to Todd Taylor of Todd Taylor Wines. I was greeted by Mrs. Gloria Taylor at the tasting table. A very personable woman, Gloria poured my first tasting of their local Primitivo, followed by a Tempranillo and a Cabernet Franc. Much to my surprise, I was caught off guard by these wines. They each had their very own composition and each stood on its own. They were full bodied, bright, and fruit forward but not overwhelming. Many of the wines I tasted had a bright, full finish which left me wanting more. I guess Gloria noticed me salivating for another taste of this fine nectar kissed by the sun and nurtured by the cooler weather and caring nature of Todd Taylor’s workers on California’s northern region. After my fourth pour, I was hooked. I think I was hooked at the first pour, but I needed a little reminding by having a few extra sips.
I joined Todd Taylor’s wine club on the spot and began to wonder what my first shipment would look like. My first shipment arrived May 24th. Anticipating this day I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting impatiently for Santa Claus to come and leave me something, anything! As I ripped the shipping tape from the cardboard box, four bottles of Todd Taylor’s great red wines greeted me. Unsheathing each from its separate protective egg carton and slowly picking each bottle up to examine its color, shape and weight made me feel like a proud papa picking up his newborn for the very first time.
Not wanting to wait a minute more, I took out my cork screw and opened the Vineyard View Zinfandel. I did not taste this one during my visit in March but couldn’t even put the bottle down before I was pulling out my laptop to inquire with Gloria and Todd about sending a few additional bottles. The Vineyard View Zinfandel is a beautifully crafted wine. It starts out sort of tart with a bright burst of berry and dark red fruits of blackberry and plum. This wine was aged in Oak and takes on much of the barrel’s smoky flavor.
Given the wine industry, Todd Taylor’s wines are relatively inexpensive when compared to many other wines on the market. Todd’s and his wife Gloria’s personalities present as very laid back, approachable and unassuming. They are a wine drinker’s couple and are making many of us oenophiles very happy as they grow some of California’s greatest wines. I will continue to enjoy the Zen in Todd Taylor’s Zinfandel. Remember to drink enthusiastically and responsibly!