Behind every winery name, there is a story. Bluenose Wines. This is a name that definitely catches the eye. Are the wines for blue bloods? Do the owners have blue nose pit bulls? What gives?
Paul Brasset, a gifted winemaker for many local area wineries for years, had the opportunity to develop his own label with partner, John Green, a few years ago. Paul relates the Nova Scotian origins of the word "bluenose" with great relish. His family emigrated from Nova Scotia to Sonoma County when he was a lad of thirteen. Nova Scotian lore suggests that "bluenose" came from "bluenose potatoes" brought by the Nova Scotians to starving settlers in Quebec. Another explanation is that Nova Scotian sailors, dressed in blue jackets, rubbed their runny noses against the blue cloth while they toiled in freezing waters. The result: a bluenose. The most famous Canadian maritime sailing ship was christened "Bluenose" ensuring that the name would live in perpetuity.
When Paul had a chance to fulfill his dream of making his favorite wine, old vine Zinfandel, he knew he had the winery name. Emphasizing the playful humor behind the Bluenose Wines' name, Paul and John offer visitors their trademark "Groucho Marx" glasses highlighted by a blue nose.
Bluenose Wines is located in a historical building in Healdsburg called the Old Roma Station. The building borders the Russian River and houses twelve other wineries. Bluenose Wines, and many of its neighbors, have won awards for excellence. A splendid time to visit is next weekend, January 15 and 16, for Winter Wineland. One hundred forty wineries are open for winetasting, art, and education. Thirteen wineries can be visited in one stop at Old Roma Station, including Bluenose Wines, providing a unique opportunity to taste and compare multiple wines. A particular treat at Bluenose will be Paul's tasty French onion soup, famous in its own right.
Get your tickets now for Winter Wineland. Advance ticket sales end at 9:00 p.m., January 10, 2011. Tickets can be purchased after this date, but it will cost a little more. See Winter Wineland for further details, including a description of what each winery is offering. Make sure that you stop at Bluenose Wines and meet Paul Brasset and John Green, share a glass of award winning zinfandel, and savor the French onion soup.
Comments