Washington DC Wine-Sonoma Wine & Beer Tasting

Sonoma County is over three times the size of Napa county and over ten times the size of the Napa watershed (the valley that produces the wine). There are 12 distinct appelations in the county, 200,000 acres of vines with wine production on a region-by-region basis. To pick just a few examples, cool Sonoma-Carneros and the Russian River Valley are best known for Chardonnay and Pinot, while the warmer Dry Creek Valley and Rockpile boasts some of the state's best Zinfandel and the Alexander Valley is noted for its excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

We have also paired these wines with the exceptional beers from Bear Republic from Cloverdale, California

So please join us to celebrate California Wine Month from 1PM-7PM, Friday and Saturday, to taste the wines of Sonoma and the Bear Republic.

Setpember 21 & 22: South of the Bay

September 28 & 29: South Central Coast

2004 Chardonnay, Ch. Souverain (Sonoma County)

Price: $15.99 Special Price: $14.39 Case Price: $13.59

The history of Souverain began in the Napa Valley in 1944 when J. Leland "Lee" Stewart harvested his first crop of wine grapes from his Howell Mountain property in the northern part of the valley. This Chardonnay has vibrant aromas of honeysuckle, pear, tropical fruit, and toasted almonds in the bouquet give way to a flavor profile boasting a creamy, round and rich mouth-feel.

2005 Chardonnay, Ferrari Camano (Alexander Valley)

Price: $26.99 Special Price: $24.29 Case Price: $22.94

Starting in 1985 Don and Rhonda Carano have been a guiding force in the renaissance of Sonoma County, and have been on the fore-front of sustainable agriculture on all their vineyards. This Chardonnay is a fruit-focused offering with tropical overtones of papaya and mango supplemented by toasty almond flavors. It is a wonderfully complex wine with impressive balance and length.

2005 Pinot Noir, De Loach (Russian River Valley, CA)

Price: $19.99 Special Price: $17.99 Case Price: $16.99

Famed winemaker Greg La Follette (of Flower's Vineyards fame) crafted this 2005 using traditional Burgundian techniques. It is rich in color and flavors, offering aromas of cherry and black berry complimented nicely by hints of savory spice. On the palate, dried cherry and cranberry mingle with classic brown spice flavors.

2003 Merlot, Ch. St Jean (Sonoma, California)

Price: $23.99 Special Price: $21.59 Case Price: $20.39

This merlot has aromas of sweet black cherry, black plum and toasted almonds burst from the glass of this Merlot. These bright fruit characters carry over onto the palate and mingle with notes of blackberry, dark chocolate and clove. A rich and full mid-palate, with polished tannins, leads to a lush finish with cassis on the close.

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Ferrari Carano (Alexander Valley)

Price: $27.99 Special Price: $25.19 Case Price: $23.79

The 2003 Cabernet is a powerful wine with great finesse. The wine is a deep, glowing garnet color with a concentrated nose of vanilla, cassis, and black fruit accompanied by spice, blackberry and dried cherry flavors on the palate. It has a rich mouth-feel and a long finish.

2005 "Plungerhead" Zinfandel Sebastiani (Dry Creek Valley)

Price: $19.99 Special Price: $17.99 Case Price: $16.99

Robert Parker called this wine a "Sensational Value" from one of the older wine families in California. There are extroverted notes of ground black pepper, raspberries, black cherries, and spice. All of this accompanied by an impeccably pure, clean, medium to full-bodied Zinfandel.

Bear Republic Brewing Company (Bear Republic) was founded by third and fourth generation Sonoma County residents Richard R Norgrove, his wife Sandy, his son Richard G Norgrove (Brew Master), and his wife Tami. Located in historic Healdsburg, California, where hop kilns from another era are still visible, their products are brewed and aged using the traditional "art" of the masters. Bear Republic was named the 2006 "Small Brewing Co. of the Year" at the Great American Brew fest.

Red Rocket Ale - $4.49 (22oz)

This fiery red ale is not for the weak at heart. It originally started out as a Scottish red ale but has taken on flavors of its own. This is a very complex recipe using five different grains to achieve its unique flavor.

Pete Brown's Tribute Ale - $4.49 (22oz)

A rendition of a traditional American brown ale with the addition of molasses and brown sugar for more body and a slightly higher alcohol content. Just the way Pete would have wanted it... Here's to you, Peter Brown!

Big Bear Stout Ale - $4.49 (22oz)

Big Bear, as the name implies, is a hefty, black, Russian Imperial-style stout. This strong stout boasts a rich, caramel sweetness lavished by a robust, deep-roasted heartiness you can sink your teeth into.