Scott Harvey Forte is not just ANY port in the storm

The holidays are behind us, but there is still the prospect of at least a couple more months of winter’s dreary weather before Spring arrives. In most of Northern California, this is shaping up to be a wet year. We need the rain and snow. But the long, cold, damp nights can certainly put a chill on the early part of this new year. A sip or two of Scott Harvey’s Port-style wine, Forte’ will help warm your bones and lighten your spirit.

Port originated hundreds of years ago in Europe’s wine-making and sea-faring regions when casks of wine were necessary to keep a ship’s crew happy and healthy during a long voyage. However, the constant motion, briny air, and variable temperatures in the hold of an old sailing ship would often ruin wine in the barrel. Nothing could lead to mutiny faster than running out of drinkable wine halfway through your voyage. 

They found that adding some distilled spirits to the barrel stabilized the wine so it was still drinkable months later. And of course, it had a little extra kick to it. Over time, Spanish and Portuguese winemakers began producing “fortified” wines specifically to ship to England, because they would survive the long and arduous voyage. And apparently, the English enjoyed the extra kick.

Sea voyages have become a little easier since then, but luckily, Scott Harvey and Mollie's wine-making expertise extends to fortified wines. The Forte’ Port-style wine is a delightful beverage that can keep even the saltiest of sailors happy through the long voyage from here to Spring. 

Forte’ is made from four Portuguese grape varietals grown especially for Scott in Amador County. The wine-making process starts like any other red wine, but at just the right point during fermentation, Scott and his protege Mollie will add in enough high-proof neutral alcohol to stop the fermentation, leaving residual sugar content of about 10 Brix. By comparison, most of our typical red wines are allowed to ferment until there is very little residual sugar left, well under 1 Brix. 

The Forte’s higher alcohol and sugar content are the hallmarks of a classic “Late Bottled” vintage Port-style, but since it is not produced in Portugal’s Douro Valley, Scott won’t call it “Port.” The name “Forte’” embodies the characteristics of the wine, it’s fortified, it’s stronger, and it is emblematic of Scott and Mollie's expertise with a wide variety of wines. 

So while we invite you to enjoy Scott Harvey wines all year round, the winter months are an especially good time to curl up with your significant other, a glass of Forte’ a good movie, a small plate of cheese and fruit, and a fire in the fireplace. Unless you were planning to sail off to Portugal for a couple of months, that’s a pretty good way to get through Winter.

SHOP FORTÉ WINE

You can put a little 1869 on your holiday table

California’s history is steeped in wine just as surely as it is in the gold rush that shaped the California we know today. Gold transformed Sacramento from a sleepy little outpost into a boom-town. It had the same effect on the foothill towns of Auburn, Placerville, Jackson, and the many smaller towns sprinkled in between—including a little burg at the foot of the Shenandoah Valley known as Plymouth. The gold eventually petered out. The wine stayed strong.

 

Imagine what life was like in the Sierra Foothills in the 1860s. The Goldrush really began in 1849 and while there were still fortunes to be pulled out of the soils and streams of what would eventually become Amador County, there was also money to be made providing the things gold miners needed. clothing, tools, food, and…yes, wine.

It was about then that a family named Upton decided to quit mining and start farming instead. They planted what was originally 16 acres of Zinfandel vines in the Shenandoah Valley. We don’t know the exact year they planted, but we do know from a surveyor’s hand-written notes that the property was planted in vines and was producing grapes in July of 1869. Hence the name of Scott Harvey’s flagship Zinfandel “Vineyard 1869.” 

Those vines, now at least 152 years old, are still producing grapes and Scott Harvey has access to most of the harvest. The full story of ownership of those vines gets a little complicated, and there has already been a lot written about that. If you must, google “Vineyard 1869” and you’ll get the details. I’d like to focus on the wine Scott Harvey produces from those gnarled old vines.

 

Let’s start with the 2018 vintage—still available in our library collection. This Zinfandel has the balance, the character, and the Old World style you’ve come to expect from Scott Harvey Wines, but it has something so much…more. 

The vines in vineyard 1869 have been growing so long, the roots reach down 20-25 feet, passing through many different strata of soil, and pulling different mineral qualities out of each one. The result is a wine of amazing complexity and a rich, smooth supple texture. The first sip invites another, and another…

The new vintage, 2019, has all the promises of the previous year. The subtle tannin backbone is tempered by the rich fruit and mineral complexity the Vineyard 1869 rootstock reliably delivers. This is a wine that’s eminently drinkable now, and will only improve with time.

And if you’re looking for older bottles of Old Vine Zin, We do have some in the library dating back several years. Some even in large format bottles. If you want to make a statement at your holiday table, a magnum (or two) of the oldest Old Vine Zinfandel in the state will certainly do that!

So with the holidays approaching, Vineyard 1869 is an elegant “message in a bottle” for your guests or as a gift to your host that you want to share the best. It’s also a great history lesson. Everyone knows about California’s Gold Rush. Not many know that the California Grape Rush was right on its heels.

In Praise of Scott's Balls

If you’ve been to any of our three tasting facilities, you know that in addition to great wines, Scott Harvey also offers some really fun merchandise, too. We usually have clothing and caps, wine paraphernalia and even candles and lip balm. These items provide another way for you to savor and remember your experience with Scott Harvey Wines.

Some of these items are very popular. Men just love the “Inzinerator” T-shirt, emblazoned with a big flashy, superhero “Z.” And the ladies seem to especially like the “Tickle Me Pink” merchandise. We also have some really nice polo shirts with the Scott Harvey Griffin logo, suitable for the front nine at your favorite golf course or the back forty at your favorite vineyard. 

But of all the merchandise we offer at Scott Harvey tasting rooms, the item that seems to get the most attention is “Scott’s Balls.” 

You see, not every winemaker has balls like Scott Harvey, and even fewer of them actually sell their balls. Scott is more than man enough to part with his balls, after they have given their last true measure of devotion to the winemaking process.

OK—for those of you who don’t know, “Scott’s Balls” are real oak balls, milled to about the size of a ping pong ball, and they are an integral part of aging Scott Harvey red wines. Scott, and his protege, Winemaker Mollie Haycock, generally use neutral french oak barrels for aging. “Neutral” means the barrels have been used, and no longer have as much of the oak essence to impart to the wine as they did when they were brand new.

Instead, Scott and Mollie add new oak balls into the barrel and let them steep in the wine as it ages for 24 months or so. They can add as many balls as they want into each barrel and they can remove the balls whenever they want to. It gives them a little more control over that facet of the winemaking process.

Typically, the balls stay in the barrel throughout the aging period and are removed when the barrel is emptied so the wine can be bottled. So, what would you do with several thousand wine-infused oak balls? 

It turns out that Scott’s Balls are great in barbecues and smokers, imparting an oaky, smokey, tangy wine flavor to whatever you put on the grill. So at Scott Harvey, we dry them and then we package them up for sale. Yes, Scott’s Balls can be purchased in their own handy little sack. 

So the next time you visit us in the Shenandoah Valley, Sutter Creek or the Old Sugar Mill, check out our merchandise, take home a T-Shirt or two, and a bag of Scott’s Balls if they’re available, 

And since there is absolutely no Voodoo involved in this, go ahead and light Scott’s Balls on fire anytime you want. He won't mind!

Circle of Life

When my kids were younger, we must have watched the Disney movie “The Lion King” at least 100 times. The classic tale has since been remade as a Broadway musical. The signature song is “The Circle of Life.” Now, the Amador County foothills don’t have a lot in common with the African savannah, but the “Circle of Life” plays out in the vineyards and wineries of Amador just as surely as it does on the Serengeti.

That’s one of the (many) appealing things about wine. Each year, each varietal, each vineyard is different, but just as certainly as the sun rises and sets, the “circle of life” is present among the vines. While there is comfort in the regularity of the seasons, now, during the harvest and crush there is also the usual angst of trying to get 20 things done at the same time. 

Deciding when to pick is an individual decision for each vineyard based on the sugar content of the grapes, mainly, but several other factors also come into play. And the truth is, winemakers and growers also have to deal with the purely practical variables like, are the picking crews available when you need them? Is there capacity to process the grapes and manage the juice after crush? 

As the harvest ramps up and the “crush” becomes a literal term, Amador County is at its most vibrant. The grape clusters hang heavy on the vines. The leaves are showing a touch of fall color and the picking crews are out early to beat the afternoon heat. Trucks rumble along the narrow roads bringing tons of fruit to crushers.

And the wineries are alive with activity. Grapes arriving daily, the forklift scurries around moving grapes, juice, and equipment. The crusher runs almost continuously and pumps and hoses direct the juice to fermentation vats. Of course, everything must be cleaned thoroughly, too. 

To be very clear, I am not personally involved in the crush, or the intense period of activity. I am comfortable in my niche, pouring Scott Harvey wine at the Old Sugar Mill. But, I have some empathy for Scott, Jana, Mollie, Dom, and the others who are directly involved in the crush. I know they enjoy it, but I also know they are happy when each harvest is done.

Thereare downtimes, too, in the winery’s circle of life. The middle of winter, when the vines are dormant and most of the winemaking has been done, offers a chance to slow down, relax, sip a bit of a previous year’s work and enjoy the circle of life from a different perspective.

So the next time you open a bottle of Scott Harvey wine, think about the year it was made—the vintage. Think about what you were doing in the fall of that year, as the grapes were being picked, crushed, and processed into the bottle you are about to open. Place the bottle into its own arc in the circle of your life, and enjoy.

Forged in the Fire

Like all agriculture, growing wine grapes is subject to the whims of Mother Nature. Most growers and winemakers are used to it—as much as you can get used to something that threatens your livelihood. Wet years might provide a larger yield; more tons per acre, but the wine can literally be watered down from too much rain. Dry years, conversely, often produce the deep color and intense flavors that make for a notable vintage…but, the yield is smaller. 

Most winemakers, whether they own vineyards or not, follow the weather and other variables pretty closely. They want to know what’s happening in the vineyard long before the grapes get to the crush pad. At Scott Harvey Wines, Scott, Jana, and newly promoted Winemaker, Molly Haycock all spend a lot of time in the vineyards talking to the growers, sampling grapes and planning for the harvest. 

The weather at harvest time matters, too. If it’s too cold, the grapes may not develop the sugar content or other desirable components. Too hot and the grapes can get a little raisiny. Rain at the wrong time can cause fungus and other problems. These are the “usual” risk factors that make the wine business both fascinating and a little crazy-making at times. The weather, the temperature, the yield, are the typical risks involved in growing grapes and making wine.

Recently, another risk factor has been a cause for worry in the wine industry. Wildfires have always occurred in California, but lately, we have seen larger, more devastating fires that have destroyed lives, homes, and property. Recent fires in Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino wine country also destroyed vineyards and wineries. The smoke was so heavy that many vineyards not directly threatened by the flames suffered “smoke taint” and the grapes were ruined. 

To really understand smoke taint I think you need a degree in chemistry, but simply put, heavy or prolonged smoke in the vineyard at the wrong time can permeate the grape skins. You can’t wash it off and it isn’t always apparent. Grapes that taste fine in the field and test OK in the lab might still produce an off-flavor during fermentation that ruins the wine. 

Amador County suffered through some smoky days last summer and fall, but Scott Harvey Wines has been fortunate so far. Our wine, like most of the wine produced in Amador County, has not suffered from smoke taint. The 2020 Amador vintages should be just fine.

So now, as they do every year, growers and winemakers are keeping an eye on the weather. 2021 is already noted for being a dry year. Hopefully, the vines will produce the rich, intense fruit that makes for a notable vintage. And hopefully, the yield, though it may be somewhat smaller, will still be good. And also, hopefully, despite the lack of rain and snow, the 2021 fire year will not be as intense as it has been in recent years.

There are already too many other things to worry about.

 

Art of Winemaking and Science

Winemaking embodies both art and science. The winemaker has to decide when to harvest based on the right sugar content, acidity, and tannin. And there are dozens more scientific variables to consider throughout the growing and winemaking process. The artistry is in knowing how these different components will interact with each other in the field, the vat, the barrel, the bottle, and eventually in the glass. In the long run, what really matters is does it taste good? Do you enjoy drinking it?

The history of wine is closely tied to the history of human society. The first “wine” was probably discovered by accident when some early humans ate wild grapes that had fermented on the vine. How long did it take before someone figured out how to improve on that natural process?  

Today, viticulture and enology, the sciences of growing grapes and making wine, are taught at prestigious universities. Wine can be chemically analyzed at every stage of the process and adjusted with additives. Some wineries manipulate some of their products to provide a consistent flavor profile vintage to vintage, regardless of the natural differences that occur in the growing and winemaking cycle. And some winemakers prefer to keep things simple.

And that’s what I love about Scott Harvey Wines. Scott has access to some of the best wine grapes grown in Northern California and he generally lets the fruit speak for itself. Harvest the grapes at the right moment, crush them, ferment the juice, let it age, usually in oak barrels, but maybe stainless steel, and then bottle it. Scott doesn’t usually stray very far from that basic process. Scott’s 45-plus years of experience gives him deep insight into how annual differences in rainfall, temperature, length of the growing season and more will affect the year’s vintage.

That depth of experience also comes into play in the blending process. Many of Scott’s wines are 100 percent single varietal, and some, like the Toy Barbera, for example, are single-vineyard varietals—all Barbera from one very special vineyard. But he does blend some of our wines to provide a different flavor profile and to enhance the year-to-year differences in some varietals.

For example, take a taste of the 2018 Griffin Society Zinfandel sometime. (You have to be a wine club member to buy it.) The 2018 Zinfandel is a great wine on its own. Scott wanted to make a special wine for the Griffin Society so he blended in 24 percent of the 2018 Syrah, also a very nice stand-alone varietal. The resulting wine takes on a whole new personality with a beautiful, rich red color, a fruit-forward aroma, and a hint of cedar on the finish. It is a remarkable wine.

 

That’s the artistry of Scott Harvey’s winemaking. Sure, there’s science involved, too but it’s really his experience, knowledge, and palate that define Scott Harvey Wines. So, as always, we invite you to enjoy our wines with your eyes, your nose, and your palate. Share it with friends and family. Pair it with different food and enjoy it again and again in different settings. Scott Harvey wine is art in a bottle—with a little science to back it up.

Take a trip this summer without the airfare

Scott Harvey is probably best known for lush red varietal wines. Our Zinfandel, Barbera or Syrah are like Scott himself. They are products of Amador County with a hint of worldly sophistication. Scott Harvey reds are equally comfortable on the front porch swing or the best table in a fine dining establishment.

 

But Scott also makes some phenomenal whites and rose’s. These wines speak to Scott’s younger years in Europe learning the craft of winemaking. That is why all of us at Scott Harvey Wines are very excited to have a new release of whites and rose’s to share with you, including Tickle Me Pink, a perennial favorite for the summer season. (Don’t miss the Tickle Me Pink release party coming up on April 25.)

 

In addition to Tickle Me Pink, we also have new vintages of Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Riesling, Vermentino and Rose’ of Barbera. These wines embody the light, crisp, well-balanced European style of wine that Scott enjoyed as a young man. It’s great to have 2020 vintage white and rose’ wines in our lineup.

 

I was planning to offer a description of each of these wines—but I don’t have the palate or the vocabulary to write tasting notes. What I can tell you is that just like Scott’s red wines, these whites and rose’s offer more than just a nice glass of wine. They are passports to the world.

 

 

 

 

Sip the Dry Riesling, and be transported to Alsace and the banks of the Rhine River.

 

 

 

Taste the Vermentino—and you’re on the isle of Sardinia enjoying a Mediterranean sunset.

The Sauvignon Blanc is your ticket to the Loire Valley. 

And the Rose’ of Barbera? Dinner al fresco at a lakeside villa in Como…or, your own back patio.

These wines offer a sense of adventure, a taste of Europe, and wonderful accompaniments for a wide variety of cheese, bread, fish, poultry, and other foods

 

 

 

 

 

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And…the Tickle Me Pink. The best description I’ve ever heard for “TMP” is “It’s a giggle in a glass.” I’m not sure who said that first…it wasn’t me but I wish it was. This Rose’ blend has just a hint of effervescence, and beautiful blush color. It’s floral, fruity, fun, and refreshing—especially when sipped ice cold on a hot summer day. And on top of all that, it has a pin-up girl on the label.

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Please join us for the Tickle Me Pink Roll Out Party. Come dressed as our Tickle Me Pink model and enjoy free tasting for two people! Or, wear pink and enter to win fabulous raffle prizes!!!  (Reservations required for our Sutter Creek and Shenandoah Winery locations, no reservations necessary at our Old Sugar Mill tasting room.)

 

So, as the weather warms up and gathering together becomes OK again, (hopefully) take a taste of our new white and rose’ wines. They offer the best of European and Amador County wine-making. At least one of them is sure to tickle you pink.

 

 

 

 

 

Spring has sprung at the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, CA

Springtime in Amador County and the Shenandoah Valley means grape buds are beginning to break on the vines, wildflowers are blooming. The warmer weather makes it an idyllic setting to sit outside with a glass of wine and enjoy the annual renewal of life. The same things are true in Clarksburg at the Old Sugar Mill where Scott Harvey Wines has a third tasting site open on Saturdays and Sundays. 

 

The Old Sugar Mill was built in 1934 to process sugar beets. It closed in 1993 and sat vacant for about a decade. The beautiful, cavernous brick buildings have now been repurposed for wine production and tasting. It sits just off the levee road along the Sacramento River among Yolo County vineyards that replaced the sugar beets many years ago. The Old Sugar Mill is home to more than a dozen wineries and lots of open space. 

 

Yolo County recently moved into the "Orange Tier" and after so many people have been sheltered in place for so long, an open, inviting space to enjoy the spring renewal is especially welcome. There are usually some food trucks available on the weekends and visitors can purchase a variety of food items to go with the wine. There are tables and chairs, bench seating and an ample lawn area that allows for casual dining and sipping with plenty of social distance.

 

The Scott Harvey tasting site is in "The Boiler Room" a huge open building that is also used for weddings and other events. The tasting room staff sets up tasting tables outside as well and patrons can enjoy the spring weather as they sip Scott Harvey's spectacular wines. The site is also open for wine club members to pick up their allocations. 

 

The Old Sugar Mill is just 15 minutes from downtown Sacramento and offers easy access to Scott Harvey Wines. The tasting room staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always happy to see Scott Harvey fans or people new to wine altogether. The setting also makes it an attractive stop for bicyclists, boaters, and day-trippers from almost anywhere in Northern California. 

 

 

The swallows have just returned to The Mill, as they do every spring to nest, giving bird watchers another reason to visit. It's fascinating to watch them flying to and from the river as they build their mud-nests in the exterior nooks and crannies of the brick buildings

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Of course, Scott Harvey fans are always welcome at our Amador County winery and tasting room in the Shenandoah Valley and our second site in Sutter Creek. However, we also invite you to check out the Scott Harvey tasting room and the Old Sugar Mill. The same great wine and attention to detail in another idyllic setting.

Scott Harvey tasting rooms:

 

Old Sugar Mill, 

35265 Willow Avenue, Clarksburg CA 

11-4 Saturday and Sunday only

 

Shenandoah Valley, 

10861 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth CA, 

11-4 every day reservations required 

 

Sutter Creek,

79 Main Street, Sutter Creek CA

11-4 Tuesday-Sunday reservations required

Wine and Chocolate for Valentine's Day - the perfect pairing

Chocoate and wine don't really share much of the same "terroir".

Most cacao trees are grown in West Africa, Asia, and South America.  Most South American cacao is grown in Brazil and Ecuador, not wine producing countries like Argentina and Chile.  That's because cacao trees grow best in heat and humidity.  Vines, on the other hand, do not.

Think wine goes with just any chocolate? Think again! The richness, sweetness, and center palate of any type of chocolate pairs best with wines with equal richness. They also pair best with wines that have some perceived sweetness, either from residual sugar or alcohol, and a structured tannic center and finish to help draw out the extractive nature of both the chocolate and the wine. 

With that, we’ve broken down the three most popular types of chocolate and paired them with the perfect Scott Harvey wine for you to enjoy year-round. Whether you use this for a virtual wine and chocolate tasting, a girl’s night, dinner party, or date night, these pairings won’t disappoint!

White Chocolate & Tickle Me Pink Rose

It’s no secret white chocolate is sweeter than dark, and a great rule of thumb is the sweeter the chocolate, the sweeter the wine. 

White chocolate isn't technically "true" chocolate because it doesn't contain cacao (the brown part with all the flavanols)

Since white chocolate is delicate enough to match with white wines, our sexy, sassy Tickle Me Pink delivers flavors of peaches and cream with floral notes of rose and a touch of spritz.  Sparkling wines make the pairing have extra creaminess.

 

Milk Chocolate & Forte Port-style Wine

Milk chocolate requires something a touch heavier, and our Forté Port-style wine is the ticket. Flavors of candied red fruits, raspberry, and cranberry melt into flavors of red licorice and chocolate, while the soft tannins flow into a long, sweet plum finish. This hint of sweetness coupled with earthy undertones rounds out the chocolate beautifully.

While our Port is a touch sweet, it won’t overwhelm the palate with too much sugar, meaning it can also pair perfectly with fudge and chocolate chip cookies. This wine is complex enough to make the tasting experience intriguing, but won’t clash with or overpower it.

 

Dark Chocolate & Just One Last Kiss Red Blend

Last but not least, bold and savory dark chocolate is the perfect excuse to explore a dryer wine. The polyphenols in dark chocolate mirror those in wine which can give both a somewhat bitter taste. It's also the part of the chocolate that gives you all the health benefits.The bitterness in dark chocolate is what you want to balance out with a properly selected wine pairing. 

Our first recommendation is the Just One Last Kiss Red Blend, which has 11% of our Forte Port-style wine blended in to add to the complexity of this pairing. The base of this fruit-forward red blend is Zinfandel, while the Forte laces through the wine to make up the full-bodied finish. Made with a mouthwatering balance, the wine is full of spicy cloves and blackberry fruit.

Because dark chocolate is such a show-stopper, our pairings don’t end there! Our Jana Cabernet Sauvignon hails from three vineyards all very close together off of the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley. This wine was aged for 21 months in French Oak creating a flavorful experience with well-rounded tannins, structure, and aromas. This dark chocolate works with this wine because it mellows the tannins, but also has enough fruit and structure to withstand the boldness of the chocolate. This is the ultimate classic pairing!

Finally, if you’re feeling “zin-ful”, our InZinerator Zinfandel - which has 9% of our Forte included - is also a wonderful option because it’s full of bold black cherry flavors. This wine is a lone warrior in the world of Zins, and Oak aging contributes to its rounded complexity with just a hint of sweetness.

No matter your chocolate preference, we have a wine for every type and every occasion!

Effects of COVID-19 on the Business

Listen as Scott discusses the effects of COVID-19 on wine production and how it financially impacts both our winery and wineries alike. Simply click the photo to watch the video!

​Learn about the impacts on wine production:

Learn about the financial impacts on the winery: