Robert Turner Wines - Harvest 2010
The weather took a toll on this year's grapes as an unusually cool summer followed by two intense heat waves reduced the size of the crop while it delayed full ripening and wreaked havoc on quality. "It's probably one of the worst years that I've seen in the last 40 years. We're going to lose a lot of money," says vintner Joe Rocchioli in Sonoma County, quoted in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat on October 6th. The San Francisco Chronicle says "2010 will go down as a memorable, bizarro vintage. It boils down to one word: Cold."
Because of the uneven ripening of the grapes in 2010 this was probably a very good vintage to skip, and due to injuries sustained in an auto accident in Texas in June I was forced to do just that. However, I'm looking forward to next year and will be back in full production then.
Bottling 2009 Wines
The 2009 wines were bottled at the winery on October 26th using the Boutique Mobile Bottling Truck. There were 56 cases of Cabernet Franc from Stoney Springs Vineyard adjacent to the winery as well as 82 cases of Russian River Chardonnay from a Dutton Ranch vineyard at a higher elevation and closer to the Pacific coast than last year. These chardonnay grapes usually go to DuMol winery and are of mixed clones. The resulting wine was made in 50% stainless steel and has a wonderful intensity and good acidity. Both wines will be released after about 6 months bottle age.
Holiday Special!
Perfect to enjoy during the holidays or to give as gifts, all the 2008 wines and the 2007 Red Table Wine are available for a limited time at 25% case discount with free shipping anywhere in the US. Use this order form and mix or match in any case. Offer good through December 31st.
Emails and Photos
Each year I get wonderful emails and photos from friends who have been enjoying our wines. A current favorite is this photo from Tony and Susan Moses showing a bottle of our Chardonnay on their table with the San Francisco skyline and Bay Bridge towers in the background. Also, I loved the notes and visit to the winery from my new "cousin" Nancy Turner Singh, of Washington. She and her husband, Satinder, said our tasting was the highlight of their visit to the Napa Valley in October. Many thanks!
Brandon Natural Beef
Bob and Lisa Carey are my neighbors in San Francisco and own Brandon Natural Beef, 100% grass fed beef from a single high elevation ranch in Colorado. Almost like capturing terroir in wine, this beef captures the terrior of the high altitude, grass fed environment. In one word, it's delicious, and pairs beautifully with my red wines. As a special to my wine customers you can order this beef through two separate packages:
1. Direct: The Turner Wine Grass Fed Beef Package consists of 4 - 12 oz. Rib Eye Steaks (about 3 lbs) and 3 lbs of ground beef. They offer this to you for $55.00, a 17% discount off retail pricing. Please email Lisa Carey at lisa@brandonnaturalbeef.com or call 415-637-3515 and include code "Turner2010" in your email or voice mail. They will deliver free of charge anywhere in the Bay Area. This offer is good through January 31, 2011.
2. Website: Different steaks or larger quantities or their monthly club program are available on the website, www.brandonnaturalbeef.com. Please use the code "Turner2010" when ordering on the website to get a 10% discount on any order through January 31, 2011.
Shirley joins me in wishing you a joyous holiday season, filled with family, friends, feasts, and fine Robert Turner wine!
Bob Turner
November 2010
2251 WASHINGTON STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94115