2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Montoliva Vineyard & Winery 2014 Aglianico - Best of Class |
|
I've won Best of Class honors at competitions before. Not so many to make it humdrum, but a few. What make's this one so special? First, the SF Chron is the most prestigious wine competition held in California. Second, this was the first year that Aglianico had its own class. In previous years I had to enter it under "Other Italian Varietals". Aglianico has gotten enough entries in recent years to finally warrant its own Class. And our Aglianico won "Best of Class". The best Aglianico in California. Come by this weekend and sample it! I think you will agree that it is a stellar representation of the varietal.
|
"Over the past decade, Montoliva has developed a fiercely loyal following. Henry likes richness and mass in his wines, but also freshness and buoyancy. One of his few white wines, the 2014 Falanghina, is richly textured and fruity, not far removed from gewürztraminer or riesling in its floral aroma, but it is light on its feet. His 2011 Nebbiolo is sweetly fruity and leanly built, without the grippy tannins often associated with the variety. His proprietary blends show careful attention to mutually flattering compatibility and balance. The 2013 Mark’s Magia is a dark, juicy and anise-laced blend of Primitivo and Negroamaro, while the 2012 Sierra Bella is a fully grown and solidly structured mix of Sangiovese, Teroldego, Barbera and Nebbiolo."
~ Mike Dunn, Sacramento Bee, 12 January 2016 |
"Entertaining and Informative."
~tastingroomreview.com
Montoliva is "Putting Us On The Map."
~ Rod Byers, The Grass Valley Union, March 2015
"Epic"
~ Sarah Miller, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 July 2015
"Mark Henry is a courageous winemaker"
~ Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences, 2010
"Great wines. Wonderful owner. Mark takes the extra time to make sure the customers understand the variety and styles of wines he makes" |
~ Rob P., February 2016
Tasting Room Dates
January 25, 26, 27, 2019
Friday - 1 to 5pmwith last pouring starting at 4:30 pm
|
Saturday - Noon to 5pm with last pouring starting at 4:30 pm
|
Sunday - Noon to 5pm with last pouring starting at 4:30
|
|
As anyone who has ever visited us will tell you, sampling wine at Montoliva is a unique experience, as we go into a great deal of detail about the grapes we grow and the wines we make. This takes some time, and for this reason, we cannot begin a pouring session after 4:30pm (otherwise we are wrapping up at close to 6, which cuts into family time). We are pouring 2017 Falanghina, 2017 Sei Ore (Sangiovese rose), 2017 Nuovo Sangiovese, 2016 Mark's Magia (a classic Puglian blend of Primitivo and Negroamaro), 2016 Sierra Bella (a Sangio/Barbera/Teroldego/Nebbiolo blend), 2014 Teroldego, 2014 Nebbiolo, 2015 Barbera. Whew, that's a lot of wine! Saturday, September 15th marks the return of our always popular Late Harvest Barbera. Wine writer Mike Dunne has described our Late Harvest Barbera as being very "port-like". I don't fortify it or add sugar like you do a port, so it's not as high in alcohol, or quite as sweet. |
Looking for an All Day, All Wine Experience? You are in the right place. Wine writer/critic Mike Dunne calls Chicago Park the "newest, shortest, yet most diverse" wine trail on the planet. Yes, that is what he said..."on the planet". |