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Steve Rasmussen, the longtime winemaker at Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande (Santa Barbara), has been a big fan and friend of the band Foghat for years when they decided to launch their own label “Foghat Cellars”. Foghat drummer and founder Roger Earl and his wife Linda play an active day to day role in the winery as well, so it is more than just a name. They help with the growing and picking, and adding a classic spirit, while Steve sources fruit from some well-regarded vineyards and turns them into well-priced and delicious wines. 
Foghat Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Halter Ranch Paso Robles
Retail 29.00 – GGWC 26.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code FOGHAT upon checkout
Can mix and match with Foghat Pinot Noir
The 2012 Foghat Cabernet has a dark ruby color with tantalizing aromas of dark chocolate, cinnamon, espresso beans and black cherries, leading to a concentrated palate of blackberry, black raspberry and cassis. The tannins are fine grained and velvety, providing a full bodied wine with a lingering finish of baking spices, vanilla and black cherry. Well balanced and delicious, this Cabernet is perfect for your summer BBQ or your winter beef stew. It should drink well for the next 5-7 years.!
Foghat Cellars Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley
Retail 30.00 – GGWC 26.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code FOGHAT upon checkout
Can mix and match with Foghat Cabernet
The Foghat Pinot Noir is a bold, rich and layered and complex Pinot Noir. Hints of earthiness, a whiff of spice gorgeous red stone fruit with floral aromas accentuating this latest release. Medium to full in body, great finish!
Make sure to check out Foghat on the Stephen Colbert Show –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV76aZE5OI8&feature=youtu.be
Click here or on the links above to order!
Dear Friends,
It was with sadness in my heart to let you know that Sue Pey co-owner of Textbook, Pey-Marin and Spicerack wineries passed away on March 1.
Sue and I have been friends for 20 years. We were tasting partners for the San Francisco Chronicle Tasting panel in the mid 1990’s for many years.
Sue was an amazing individual! A great person, a great wife and mother and a winery owner I loved to work with every day.
Sue leaves behind her husband Jon and three daughters Lauren, Alex and Cameron.
The Pey Family requested not to bombard them with emails, calls or social media.
My heart goes out to the Pey and Korol Families.
My Sincerest Condolences,
Frank Melis
We are excited about the 2013 Vin Perdu. Once again, Heidi Barrett has masterfully blended small lots from some of the finest vineyard blocks on the eastern side of three Napa Valley vineyards to deliver an incredible array of mind-altering aromas and flavors. The composition of 2013 Vin Perdu is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9.% Syrah, 8% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc from the Amuse Bouche, La Sirena, Au Sommet and Lamborn estates. Because the percentages of theVin Perdu components vary year to year, each vintage is truly unique.
Vin Perdu by Amuse Bouche 2013 Proprietary Red, Napa Valley
Retail $95.00 – GGWC 89.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code VINPERDU upon checkout
Robert Parker 94 Points: “With a colorful label, the 2013 Proprietary Red Blend Vin Perdu is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The wine shows rich, saddle-leather-infused coffee and chocolaty blackberry fruit and plenty of robust, bordering on rustic flavors. This is a pedal-to-the-metal, fun wine and very well-made; a big, substantial mouthful of wine that should drink nicely for another 7-8 years.”
Click here or on the links above to order!
We recently hosted our weekly wine tasting at Golden Gate Wine Cellars and filmed a new promo video at the same time. Give it a look and let us know what you think!
A British couple settled in the hills of Mendocino where they found land with schist-like Cote–Rotie soils on a windblown cool mountaintop overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which would become their “estate” vineyard. With the assistance of Justin Smith (Saxum), Crole Meredith & Steve Lagier (Lagier-Meredith), Mike Officer (Carlisle) and Wells Guthrie (Copain) they set out to plant what has become a much regarded Rhone-varietal vineyard. Wells helped develop and maintain the vineyard. Under the tutelage of the great Roar winemaker (Scott Shapley) they have put some very good quality and well-priced wines on the wine map!
Halcon 2013 Prado (White Rhone Blend) Mendocino
Retail 34.00 – GGWC 31.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code PRADO upon checkout.
The 2013 Halcón Prado (White Rhone Blend) is comprised of 50% Roussanne and 50% Marsanne. The 2013 Prado is a hybrid of the two prior years – there is the honey, lychee fruit, creamy notes of the 2011 but also the crisper acids and spicy characteristics of the 2012. On the nose you’ll encounter nectarine and pear. On the palate you are greeted by a touch of natural acidity and a whiff of minerality that is nicely laced by amazing flavors of creamy almonds and vanilla and honeysuckle. Only 8 barrels of this “great white” were produced!
Click here or on the links above to order!
Only 97 cases (4 barrels) of this “Original Chardonnay” were produced by ace winemaker Paul Hobbs. This old Wente Clone, grown in Goldridge clay-sandy soil yields only a few tons per acre, but the fruit is remiscent of a Grand-Cru White Burgundy. Harry Walker planted his first grapes on this estate in 1968 and named itWalker Station after a little town in Kentucky where he grew up.
Walker Station 2013 Chardonnay “Original” Sonoma Coast
Retail 75.00 – GGWC 69.99
FREE SHIPPING ON 6+
Use code WALKER upon check out
Sourced from Harry Walker’s “Walker Station” estate this wine offers up amazing aromatics and flavors. Lively aromas of lemon custard, quince, citrus blossom and peaches jump out of the glass. The wine is very complex, yet extremely elegant. Full in body with subtle richness and the right touch of acidity. The wine finishes long with a slight nuttiness. I’d say enjoy this youngster now to 2022.
Click here or on the links above to order!
Thomas Rivers Brown does not need an intro – He is Mr. 100 Point Cabernet! Everything he touches seem to turn into success. Stone the Crows is an Australian expression of incredulity or surprise, having very little to do with crows themselves. While there are certainly an abundance of crows in the vineyard, they spend most of their day perched on the fence posts or soaring lazily overhead on the breezes off the lake. They do little harm to the fruit, and live without fear of stoning
Stone The Crows 2013 “Estate” Cabernet – Napa Valley
Retail 115.00 – GGWC 109.99
FREE SHIPPING on 4 or more
Use code STC13CS upon checkout
On the nose you’ll encounter deeply layered aromas that draw you in with notes of cocoa, black currents anda touch of spice. On the palate there is a robust, spherical mouthfeel that encapsulates complex notes of brambly fruit, chocolate, cassis with a clean and long finish that does not overstays its welcome. This is a very complex, powerful yet extremely well-balanced wine with purity and richness complemented by elegance. This wine will age nicely for 7-10 years. When drinking you, my advise is to decant a good two hours before consuming.
Galloni 95 POINTS: “The 2013 Stone the Crows Cabernet Sauvignon is fabulous. An intense, wine, the 2013 hits the palate with a compelling array of dark blue/purplish fruit, smoke, spices, mint and sage. The flavors are bold, exotic and constantly changing in the glass as the wine builds to a huge crescendo of intensity. This is a highly promising Cabernet from Stone the Crows.”
Click here or on the links above to order!
You cannot show up with one rose, you need a dozen, especially on Valentine’s Day. Ditto with wine, 1 bottle will not make her happy. We selected a DOZEN VAROZZAS Zinfandel by the Biale Winery for you to share with your loved one(s) and friends.
Varozza – Hard-working farming families that plowed and grinded out a life season by season raising crops, made their livings, paid their bills and raised their children. Napa Valley, which grows only 4% of California wine is surprisingly still 95% family-owned. There still remain a small number of those families that are Napa Valley originals. The Varozzas are one of those.
Biale – For 8 decades the Biale family has grown Zinfandel and a variety of produce on their farm located on the outskirts of the town of Napa. A large population of white leghorn chickens once produced a steady supply of eggs that a young Aldo Biale regularly delivered around town to customers. Most of the Zinfandel grapes were sold to Napa wineries but some grapes were reserved so Aldo could make homemade wine for family and relatives. In 1953 Aldo met his future wife Clementina while on a trip to Italy where his mother, Christina was from. Aldo and Clementina were soon married and began raising their family in Napa in 1954.!
BIALE 2013 “VAROZZA” Zinfandel, Napa Valley
GGWC 56.00
FREE SHIPPING ON 6+ INCLUDED
Use code VAROZZA upon checkout
The Biale 2013 Varozza Zinfandel with its dark fruit profile and plush texture has a devout following among the Biale Beloved. The wine offers up dark berries, blackberry, black cherry, purple plum, dusty brown spices – cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, brown bread, cherry cola and toasty vanilla. A tremendous Zinfandel that will live a long life and drink beautifully in the shorter term, too. Limited production!
Click here or on the links above to order!
It woul
d take me a book to tell you the all about this legendary winemaker, but the short version is that Dr. Richard (Dick) Peterson is Heidi Peterson-Barrett’s father. So the lineage should say enough.Make sure to watch this video on Dick Peterson – http://bit.ly/DP-video and read up on Dick’s 50 years in the wine industry –http://bit.ly/DP-NVR-Article (click or paste the links in your brower) for the full story!
d take me a book to tell you the all about this legendary winemaker, but the short version is that Dr. Richard (Dick) Peterson is Heidi Peterson-Barrett’s father. So the lineage should say enough.Make sure to watch this video on Dick Peterson – http://bit.ly/DP-video and read up on Dick’s 50 years in the wine industry –http://bit.ly/DP-NVR-Article (click or paste the links in your brower) for the full story!
It is in the Santa Lucia Highlands where Dick planted his vineyard with a footprint unlike any other. Boasting a cool climate and one of the longest growing seasons in California, the Richard G. Peterson property cultivates two distinct clones – Wrotham and R-4. The Wrotham Clone was discovered near Wrotham Village in southeast England; the cuttings were introduced there by the Romans some 2000 years ago. The Wrotham clone produces a uniquely rich color and a spicy characteristic not often found in other Pinot Noir wines. In 1980, Dick Peterson brought the first and only Wrotham cuttings back to California and planted 2 acres of them on his 10-acre property
Richard Peterson 2014 Pinot Noir “Wrotham Clone” Santa Lucia Highlands
Retail 72.00 – GGWC 69.00
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code RP14PN upon checkout
The Richard G. Peterson 2014 Pinot Noir is elegant in its Burgundian style and offers an energetic profile on the palate with an array of earthy notes and minerality. Flavors of black currants, cardamom, sautéed porcini mushrooms and smoked game meat complement the wine’s uniqueness. This Pinot Noir will be ready to drink upon release and will continue to age beautifully over the next 25 years.
Click here or on the links above to order!
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Rick Mirer, the former stand-out Quarterback at Notre Dame and NFL player with the Seahawks, 49ers, Raiders, Bears & Jets turned another longtime hobby into a profession – wine! This Mirror 2012 Cabernet is his ninth release and I would say the best-effort yet-to-date! His friend Jeff Smith (owner of Hourglass winery) did not need to convince him that there was life after the NFL (New Found Love). He was already a big Hourglass fan, and when they hooked up to discuss his future, Mirror was born – the rest, as they say, is history. The wines are made by Rob Lawson (Ghostblock). The name Mirror comes from the two St. Helena vineyards that “mirror” each other across the Napa Valley. The western half is just of Hwy 29, the eastern half perched above the Silverado Trail. |
Mirror 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Retail 80.00 – GGWC 75.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code MIRROR upon checkout.
The aromas of this Cabernet Sauvignon are an ever evolving blend of dry rose petals, ripe blackberries, dark chocolate and baking spices. The palate offers layers of complexity – a soft, ripe entry of dark cherry with hints of leather followed by a concentrated core of ripe plum, highlights of vanilla, cinnamon and espresso beans. The balanced acidity delivers a seamless harmony of fruit and rich tannins that integrate into a clean and long lasting elegant finish.
Click here or on the links above to order!
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Kenefick Ranch Winery and Vineyard is owned by retired San Francisco neurosurgeon Dr. Thomas P. Kenefick, and his two children Caitlin and Chris Kenefick. In 1978 Dr. Kenefick acquired a 125-acre vineyard property next door to the Eisele Estate (Araujo, now owned by Chateau Latour). This vineyard was head pruned and dry farmed with old Italian varietals. Over the next 20 years these were replaced with Bordeaux varietals on vertical shoot positioning and drip irrigating for higher quality grapes. 95% of the grapes are sold to various wineries and only small quantities are produced from the estate. |
Kenefick Ranch 2012 Cabernet Franc “Caitlin’s Select” Estate
Retail 55.00 – GGWC 49.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code KEN12CF upon checkout
Notes of dark cherry, underlining baker’s chocolate and strong currant notes greet the nose out of the glass. Raspberry preserve, custard and creamy notes are supported by a well rounded tannin profile and finished by integrated red cherry notes mingling with the French Oak spicy notes. Only 350 cases produced.
John Schwartz, owner of Amuse Bouche Winery in Napa Valley, and Chef Bryan Ogden, recipient of the James Beard Award for best restaurant 2003 are the owners ofPharaoh Moans winery. With their combined 35 years in the wine and food industry, they teamed up with winemaker Guillaume Fabre. Their vineyards are located in the West Paso Robles appellation whose sloping hills are broadly exposed to the Pacific ocean climatic influences.
Pharaoh Moans 2013 Syrah, Estate, Paso Robles
Retail 100.00 – GGWC 89.99
FREE SHIPPING on 4
Use code PM13SYR upon checkout.
Robert Parker 97 Points: “A sensational barrel sample from owner/winemaker Guillaume Fabre, the 2013 Syrah (there’s 2% Grenache in the blend) exhibits a killer nose of creme de cassis, white chocolate, melted licorice and sweet spice to go with a decadent, concentrated and voluptuous style on the palate. Despite its wealth of fruit and texture, it never seems over the top, stays lively and balanced and has a great finish. If you’re craving lightweight aromas and flavors, look elsewhere.“
It seems like almost every day another winery switches from using cork to using screw caps to seal their bottles. Advocates of screw caps tout benefits such as protection from oxidization, elimination of cork rot, or the rare but dreaded “corked” flavor that can sometimes ruin a bottle you have been saving for that special occasion. At the same time, wine purists cringe at the thought of something so base and undignified as a metal screw cap being placed on a fine collectible or fine vintage, not to mention the idea that it takes a cork to properly age a wine in the bottle.
WineSpectator recently interviewed Domaine Laroche winemaker Grégory Viennois regarding their recent decision to switch back to cork closures after nearly ten years of sealing their Chablis with a screw cap. It is an interesting take on a long-standing debate that you can view here. (opens in new window.)
Giovanni Grandinetti worked his way up the wine ladder, learning the wine trade literally from the ground up. He operated the crushpad, worked the vineyards, cleaned the barrels, etc. But it was not until he started working for some smaller, boutique wineries that he found his passion – making wine. He went back to school to expand his wine education and landed a job at Herman Story, where he is still the #2 guy behind Russell From. Russell took him under the wings and guided him to his own label “Lost Blues”.Lost Blues 2013 “Walking Boss” Syrah Paso Robles
Retail 47.00 – GGWC 43.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code LOSTBLUES upon checkout
Retail 47.00 – GGWC 43.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code LOSTBLUES upon checkout
This wine is a real stunner sourced from two amazing Paso Robles vineyrads (Terra Bella & Shadow Canyon). This wine excels from the minute you pull the cork. Gorgeous, bold aromas jump out of the glass upon impact. This full-bodied youngster shows full-bodied richness with a silky and elegant texture. The wine is loaded with intense black stone fruit, violets, and a touch of meatiness, anise and hints of dark chocolate. This wine could benefit from a good decanting. I’d suggest to open it in the morning when you brew your pot of coffee and enjoy at night, or double decant aggressively a good 2 hours before dinner. This wine is hard to resist now and will only evolve into its next phase with some time in the bottle. Only 3 barrels (70 cases) were produced.
Click here or on the links above to order!
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No need to drive to Napa in this stormy weather. Just come to Golden Gate Wine Cellars instead.
Check out our newly remodeled store, and experience a phenomenal selection of hard-to-find Napa Cabernets!
Join us TODAY from 1-5 PM
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
High-End Napa Cabernet Tasting
$15.00 per guest
Pax Mahle has been at it for a few decades now. It started out on the East Coast as a sommelier. After taking a position as a wine buyer on the West Coast, it did not take long for the winemaking bug to hit him and that was the end of one career and the beginning of a very interesting new one. The Barrel & Ink venture is unique as each varietal is made by a different winemaker. For instance their Cabernet is made by Aaron Pott. Only 175 cases of this great Syrah were produced, which was sourced from two well-regarded vineyards Griffin’s Lair and Alder Springs, both sources of tremendous wines.
Barrel & Ink 2013 Syrah
Retail 42.00 – GGWC 39.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6+
Use code INK13 upon checkout
This wine explodes from the start. Loaded with bright and bold blue and black stone fruit, a touch of lychee and fresh flowers jump out of the glass. On the palate this youngster will blow you away with a Cote Rotie like quality and flavors of exotic fruit. The Wine is rich, full in body and very complex awith layer upon layer of lush fruit that is well-refined. The finish is long and complex and not too tannic for such a bold wine. The 2013 Barrel & Ink is a blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Grenache. Sadly only 7 barrels were produced, so this wine will go fast!
Click here or on the links above to order!
News Flash:
Golden Gate Wine Cellars is remodeling our store
to make it “earthquake safe.”
On TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY we are offering 10% OFF on ALL wines
in preparation for remodeling work.
Use code REMODEL10OFF upon checkout.
This code cannot be used with other discount codes.
The grand re-opening will be on Saturday January 23rd.
We will celebrate with a High-End Napa Cabernet Tasting
that you will not want to miss!
FYI, All of my existing solid redwood wine racks are for sale!
If you are interested in sprucing up or expanding your wine cellar, be sure to call me ASAP!
Jericho Canyon was created some 25 years ago by Marla and Dale Bleecher, but it was not until they hired “hot shot winemaker” Aaron Pott and the in-demand consulting winemaker Michel Rolland that the winery received some notice from the wine world.
From the Winemaker: The Chimera is a mythical beast enjoying the wings of Pegasus, the body of a lion, the tail of a serpent, and the fire breathing head of a dragon. OurChimera is a proprietary blend harnessing the individuality and strengths inherent to each of our estate grown Bordeaux varietals; the result is a wildly imaginative, dazzling representation of the property.
Jericho Canyon 2012 “Chimera” Cabernet, Napa Valley
Retail 120.00 – GGWC 109.99
FREE SHIPPING on 4 or more bottles
Use code JERICHO upon checkout
Retail 120.00 – GGWC 109.99
FREE SHIPPING on 4 or more bottles
Use code JERICHO upon checkout
Benefitting from 2012’s near perfect growing season, Aaron Pott, & Michel Rolland gently guided the fruit for the inaugural Chimera into a flawless release. The wine has an intense dark color with stunning aromatics of black cherries and blackberries jumping out of the glass accompanied by hints of fig, vanilla and a touch of dark cocoa beans. On the palate this complex wine serves up a dose of black stone fruit, figs, crème brulee and a whiff of cedar and earth. The lush palate leads into a long intense finish with velvety-like tannins.