The Rhone Rangers organization just announced plans to join the celebration of International Grenache Day, September 21st, 2012. The festivities will include regional events in Paso Robles, Sacramento, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa and a live twitter tasting hosted by Rhone Ranger pioneers, including Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard and Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard.
“Grenache, in all its forms, is one of the most exciting grapes in America. New plantings of Grenache Noir have topped 1200 acres in California alone in the last decade, and Grenache Blanc is the fastest-growing white Rhone variety in America,” said Josh Bendick, Rhone Rangers Board President. “We enthusiastically join our friends and colleagues at the Grenache Symposium in this growing movement of global recognition and appreciation for Grenache.”
Rhone Rangers events will feature Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Grenache rosés and Grenache-based blends. The schedule includes four regional events:
- Paso Robles, Cypher Winery and Farmstand 46 15 Rhone Rangers wineries 5 – 7 PM Info: pasorobles@rhonerangers.org
- Sacramento, Caverna 57 Crystal Basin, David Girard, Holly’s Hill and more 5:30 – 8 PM Info: 530-344-0227
- Santa Cruz, Le Cigare Volant at Bonny Doon Vineyard Big Basin, Birichino, Bonny Doon, Clos de la Chance, Martella, Ridge & Storrs 5 – 7 PM Info: 831-332-1815
- Santa Rosa, Sheldon Wines Donelan, Mounts, Quivera, Ridge, Sheldon, Stark, Two Shepherds 4 – 7 PM Info: 707-865-6755
Events are free of charge, with donations to the Rhone Rangers Scholarship Fund encouraged. Grenache enthusiasts are also encouraged to join on twitter (#grenacheday) September 20th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM (PDT). Rhone Ranger guest wineries will include Ridge (5:30 PM) Bonny Doon (6 PM) Two Shepherds (6:30 PM) and Tablas Creek/Tercero (7 PM).
The Rhone Rangers are a group of about 150 wineries dedicated to making wines from some of the twenty two grape varieties originally made famous in France’s Rhone Valley. These varieties range from the better-known Syrah and Viognier and Grenache to the up-and-coming Mourvèdre and Roussanne, to the less known grapes like Counoise and Picpoul.
The Rhone Rangers started from an informal gathering of American vintners back in the 1980s. As the group numbers grew they organized under the name “Rhone Rangers.” The Rhone Rangers is a non-profit organization focused on promoting the enjoyment of Rhone varietal wines produced in the United States. These grapes include the 22 traditional varieties approved by the French government for the Côtes du Rhone, as well as Durif (Petite Sirah).
In order for a winery to join the Rhone Rangers, they must produce at least one wine that contains 75% of any single approved varietal (or combination of these varietals). For more information, please visit www.rhonerangers.org.
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