Notre Vue Estate was established by Bob and Renée Stein in 1992 on a 710-acre property east of Highway 101 between Healdsburg and Windsor. The picturesque property is home to 250 acres of vineyards and 350 acres of “Forever Wild” protected open space. The winery’s French name, Notre Vue, translates to “our view” and acknowledges the gorgeous views of both rolling hills covered in vineyards and all the wild space.
Grapes were first planted on what is now Notre Vue Estate in 1869 and by 1907 were sold commercially. The Balverne name was famous in the 1980s, when it was made on the estate, and poured at the White House and fancy restaurants in Los Angeles and New York. The Steins re-established the Balverne brand in 2012 as a nod to the label’s history. In addition to making Notre Vue and Balverne wines entirely from estate vineyards, Notre Vue sells grapes to other wineries. The estate vineyards are farmed sustainably and located in both Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill appellations.
We received these wines as tasting samples.
2022 Balverne Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County — light yellow with aromas of grapefruit, pears and stone fruit. Flavors follow the aromas with primarily pear and citrus along with good acidity and a juicy finish. The wine is a bit round in the mouth with stony minerality. 14.3% ABV. SRP $35. Only 245 cases made.
Four different blocks of Chardonnay were picked at varying ripeness over a two-week period to capture a wide range of flavors. The grapes were de-stemmed before going to press; 65% is free-run juice. The wine was barrel fermented, went through malolactic fermentation and aged in French oak, 20% new.
2022 Balverne Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County — translucent ruby with aromas of red and dark cherries with a bit of earth. Flavors include dark cherries, blackberries, hints of earth and toasty oak supported by smooth tannins and great acidity. The body is just-medium. 13.8% ABV. SRP $45. 350 cases made.
All of the Pinot Noir blocks at Notre Vue Estate are located in the southern part of the estate in a sunny location with clay soils. A mixture of clones were harvested at varying ripeness. Fermentation took place in open-top fermenters with aging in 100% French oak, medium and light toast, for nine months. 25% new barrels.
2021 Balverne Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County — medium ruby with generous aromas of ripe blackberries and boysenberries. The flavors follow with boysenberries and blackberries with a bit of earth in a medium body and fresh acidity. Tannins are fine and drying. 14.3% ABV. SRP $30. Only 265 cases made.
Vineyards are south facing with plenty of afternoon sunshine and ancient riverbed soils. Zinfandel was co-fermented with a bit of Grenache and Mourvèdre in open-top fermenters. Petite Sirah was added and the wine aged for 6 months in the barrel. The final blend is 83% Zinfandel, 8% Mourvèdre, 5% Grenache, 4% Petite Sirah.
2021 Balverne Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County — dark ruby with generous aromas of boysenberries, earth and baking spices. Flavors include blackberries, black currants earth and hints of cedar in a medium body with good acidity. Tannins are drying and grippy. 14.3% ABV. SRP $48. Only 415 cases made.
South-facing vineyards get plenty of afternoon sun along with cooling Pacific breezes. Soils in this Chalk Hill location are volcanic. Grapes are de-stemmed but not crushed before an extended cold-soak. The wine is aged in French oak for 18 months. The blend is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot.
The Notre Vue estate is also home to three kinds of olive trees that are used to make extra virgin olive oil; it is perfect for dipping bread or making salad dressing. The flavors are fresh with a peppery heat on the finish. I so appreciate knowing where the fruit is grown that goes into the food that I eat.
Notre Vue’s bucolic location makes the winery an attractive and relaxing choice for a tasting. There are a number of tasting options to choose from on the website.
Cheers!
