This winery is a marriage of Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo's Sicilian and German backgrounds. Sold at: Spec's, limited locations of Randalls and Kroger TOP TEXAS WINEĢ005 Messina Hof "Angel'' Late Harvest Riesling.Served at: Vic & Anthony's, Brenner's Steakhouse, Saltgrass Steak House at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.Pairs with: leg of lamb, beef kebabs, pork roast with a blackberry reduction sauce.Tasting notes: currants, leather, blackberries, nuance of herbs and a hint of mint.It produces pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and Symmetry, a red meritage wine. , this Sonoma County winery has 12 vineyards and is now privately owned by the Klein family. ``Alexander's Crown'' Cabernet Sauvignon Sold at: Spec's Liquor Warehouse, Sam's Club, Le Château Fine Wines & Liquor, Party Pantry Liquors & Fine Wines, Kroger (limited locations) RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BEST OF SHOW.Served at: Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse, Strip House, Taste of Texas Restaurant, Post Oak Grill, Matsusaka Sushi & Grill, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Ruth's Chris Steak House.
Pairs with: T-bone steak, venison chop, grilled sausages.Tasting notes: blackberries, a hint of licorice and tobacco, black cherries, cedar and touch of oak vanilla.
The winery divides its production into three series: Classic, to reflect its winemaking style Appellation Reserve, which highlights specific growing regions and Proprietary, to emphasize varietals. Maria took the reins from Domenica in January 2020 and ultimately achieved her lifelong dream with her promotion to winemaker.Īs lead winemaker for Folie à Deux, Maria crafts wines that reflect her determination and devotion as much as her grapes’ signature Sonoma sourcing across famed Russian River, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Sonoma Coast AVAs.2003 Clos du Bois Marlstone red Bordeaux blend Ĭlos du Bois began making wine in 1974 in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County, Calif. Friend and former colleague Domenica Totty became Folie à Deux’s winemaker in 2017 the pair enjoyed working closely together to shape the quintessential Sonoma brand and further its commitment to sustainability. She began working with Folie à Deux and a sister brand in 2013 and quickly earned a promotion to senior enologist in 2014, then assistant winemaker in 2015. Maintaining her determination to become winemaker, Maria took a leap of faith and joined the Trinchero Family Estates team as an enologist. Her talent caught the attention of sister winery Beaulieu Vineyard, where she honed her skills in BV’s George De La Tour winery until 2013. Maria subsequently balanced returning to school with working full-time, earning her fermentation science degree from University of California–Davis in 2008. She recognized first-hand that winemaking was truly a labor of love, and an art that both captivated and inspired her.Īrmed with classroom training coupled with her signature tenacity, Maria took her first steps into her ultimate career when she joined Sterling Vineyards as an intern in 2006, then as a quality assurance technician in 2007. Winemaking first piqued Maria’s interest in childhood, when she would relish in hearing about her father’s time over the course of more than 20 years in the vineyards. From her aspirations as a young girl, to her achievement of her lifelong dream, Maria embraced every challenge and rose to every occasion. Napa Valley native Maria Cortez’s rise to becoming Folie à Deux winemaker was forged by fortitude and fostered by friendship.