Tagged: Mendocino County

Barterra Winery: A Hidden Gem in Half Moon Bay!

Chris Minoletti Opened Just for Us!

THE STORY

Our friends invited us to visit them in Half Moon Bay during their family vacation. We said yes – and their immediate next question was what wineries to visit.  Wineries?  Are there wineries in Half Moon Bay?  The answer is yes! My quick research discovered several – who knew? I wrote to Barterra and they were able to open on very short notice just for our group.

We were hosted by Chris Minoletti who drove over from San Mateo just for our group.  As the great grandson of Angelo Minoletti, he proudly described each wine to us.  No, the grapes are not grown in Half Moon Bay – most of the grapes come from Lodi, with a few wines made from grapes in other regions of Northern California. We are grateful to his hosting us mid-week and we all tried to show our gratitude by buying his wine to share with others.

THE WINERY

From the Barterra website:

About Us: “My Grandfather, Angelo Minoletti, like thousands of immigrants, came to America to make a better life for his family. He settled in San Francisco’s North Beach and made wine for the family with my father, Attilio Minoletti. The making of wine was their simple pleasure, to enjoy with family.  We continue this tradition as a family-owned and operated business.” Paul Minoletti

Tools of the Trade Collected Over the Years by the Minoletti’s

Our Philosophy: “We have a hands-on approach, visiting the vineyards who prioritize growing quality grapes and only harvest by hand.  Our winemakers focus on crafting European-style wines that can be enjoyed now and have the potential for aging.  We meet with our winemakers on a regular basis to stay up-to-date with harvest trends and ensure the quality of our wines.”

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you the 9 Barterra wines we tasted. The notes are amplified by the “Decanting Monterey Wine Pod North” – our friends and their family, one of whom is studying to be a sommelier! Winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the bottle or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2024 Barterra Gewurztraminer, Clarksburg AVA, Yolo County, 13.1% ABV, $29 (#1576)

Winery Notes: “This dry version of Gewürztraminer is full of spice and fruit, with notes of lychee, lime and green apple that all together is bright, savory. fresh, and floral. A medium body carries concentration through to a flinty, spicy lasting finish. Try this pleasantly refreshing wine with soft and fragrant cheeses. such as Munster or gorgonzola, or with an aromatic Asian dish that features ginger and exotic spices.” 

My Review: Pale in the glass. Lychee on the nose. Dry, lean and light palate with a faint ginger finish. Such an interesting little wine – and not something you see around here very often! July 2025

2024 Barterra Vermentino, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 12.5% ABV, $29 (#1577)

Winery Notes: “Influenced by a delta breeze, the vineyard where these Vermentino grapes grow remains cool even during the warm summer. Enjoy this pleasantly tart wine with notes of lemon and tropical fruit while sitting in the sun. Pairs well with seafood, like oysters on the half shell, and with pasta dishes that feature fresh vegetables or pesto sauce.” 

My Review: Sweet honeysuckle, orange blossom on the nose with a touch of citrus. Light flavors on the crisp palate with some green apple, minerality. July 2025

2023 Barterra Chardonnay, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 13.3% ABV, $29 (#1578)

Winery Notes: “This golden beauty has a silky smooth mouth feel enveloping golden apples and yellow peaches, along with hints of pineapple. A touch of vanilla bean emerges on the finish. Enjoy this Chardonnay with a wide variety of food, including seafood, chicken and tomato sauce dishes..”

My Review: Pale gold in color. Caramel with a hint of lime on the nose. Skipped malolactic fermentation and was aged in 20 % new American oak. Buttery mouthfeel without the buttery taste. Crisp and tasty. July 2025

2023 Barterra French Colombard, Mendocino County, 9.5% ABV, $26 (#1579)

Winery Notes: “Natural residual sugar, light and semi-sweet, and balanced with good acidity. Nice vivid aromas of white pears, golden apple, floral honeysuckle and fruit cocktail. Pairs wonderfully with spicy dishes, particularly Thai cuisine.”

My Review: One shade tan in the glass. Faint sweet plum on the nose. Faints sweet cherry, plum and cherry on the palate. Hey, for a semi-sweet wine, it is fine. July 2025

2021 Barterra Carignan, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 12.5% ABV, $42 (#1580)

Winery Notes: “This 100% Carignan expresses itself as eminently elegant. The natural acidity balances mouthwatering, refreshingly tart blackberries, and savory notes of classic mirepoix infused with coffee that builds on the lasting finish. Think Pinot Noir when deciding what to pair with Carignan. Try seared duck breast or any cinnamon-spiced dishes, berry-based sauces, and smoky meats.” 

My Review: Ruby in color. Smoke and brown sugar (like a toasted marshmallow) with cranberry undertones on the nose. Plum, dark cherry and berry on the palate. Toasted marshmallow and pepper on the finish. Some tannin on the finish. Good mouthfeel. July 2025

2021 Barterra Wanderlust Red Blend, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 15.3% ABV, $42 (#1581)

Winery Notes: “Enjoy an immense abundance of richness and get lost in the pure darkness of black fruits. This blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Petit Verdot will dazzle your taste buds with gripping tannins on the finish that inspire a sense of adventure. Try pairing this with something from the grill.”

My Review: Dark in the glass. Deep garnet, brown sugar, rib barbecue on the nose. Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, lavender (herby soap), plum blackberry, mocha, and dark berry on the palate, with a slightly stemmy finish. Petite Syrah dominates the palate, while the Petit Verdot comes out on the finish. July 2025

2021 Barterra Sojourn Red Blend, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 15.2% ABV, $42 (#1582)

Winery Notes: “Concentrated savory rich ripe strawberry and cherry are supported by smooth rounded tannins and a bit of oak, finishing with hints of cinnamon and melted milk chocolate. The nice balance of tannin, fruit and acid pairs well with a very wide range of foods, from red sauce pastas to steaks.”

My Review: Increasingly garnet in color. Golden brown sugar melded with dark fruit, like a cherry cordial, on the nose – almost vanilla. The palate displays smoked meats and leather from the Syrah, along with some jammy fruit, with a peppery finish from the Zin. July 2025

2021 Barterra Odyssey  Red Blend, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 15.2% ABV, $42 (#1583)

Winery Notes: “Abundant fruits of strawberry, black currant, blackberry, and black cherry are balanced with supporting tannins framed with balanced acidity. Potpourri and savory cinnamon rolls lead to red rose petals and black coffee on the finish. This wine will hold up to just about any big flavorful food, so a classic pairing would be a grilled ribeye or lamb roasted with sea salt, rosemary and olive oil.”

My Review: Newest release from mid-May. 1/3 each Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Dark garnet in the glass. Dark, jammy fruit with a hint of smoke. Big palate of dark fruit and BBQ, with tannins throughout. Cellar this baby. July 2025

2021 Barterra Exploration Red Blend, Lodi AVA, San Joaquin County, 14.2% ABV, $42 (#1584) 60% Petit Verdot, 20% Zinfandel, 20% Carignan

Winery Notes: “Take your tastebuds on a delicious journey beginning with notes of raspberry sorbet followed by rose petals, tart red plum and sour cherry.  Continue to enjoy the supporting tannins, balanced and medium-bodied, with a lasting finish that pleases the palate.” 

My Review: Dark berry, brown sugar and smoke on the nose. Really big delicious palate. Could be my favorite. July 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

“Barterra Winery is an urban winery with a tasting room in Princeton Harbor in Half Moon Bay. We believe that wine tasting should be approachable and educational. We offer guided tastings in a relaxed atmosphere where you can experience and learn about unique varietals and blends from the finest wine regions in Northern California.”

Location: 151 Harvard Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA

Hours: Saturday & Sunday: 12pm to 6pm, Monday – Friday: By appointment only

Check them out on Instagram here: @barterrawinery.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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Blue Fox Cellars: Blue Bottles, Great Wines

My friend and I were attending an event in Carmel Valley and decided to go early to check out a winery.  We parked near our event and saw the Blue Fox tasting room.  I had been wanting to go there for quite some time, so we dropped in.

Dallas Wright greeted us in the spacious and attractive tasting room.  He was very friendly and walked my friend and me through the wines.  Perfect. 

Dallas Wright, Blue Fox Tasting Room Manager

The tasting room is quite large, a great event venue. We posed doing an event there for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society and have subsequently booked a group tasting there!

About Blue Fox Cellars from their label: “As a small producer based in Medocino County, California, we are dedicated to producing high quality wines tailored to the discerning consumer. Working closely with experienced growers to source only the highest quality of hand selected lots allows us to offer wines of refined distinction. We combine time-tested Old World styles of winemaking with modern technology which are rewarded in an impeccably balanced wine with varietally correct profiles resulting in elegance to be appreciated at any occasion.”

While their website contains little information about the winery or its owners, I found this wonderful article by Laura Ness, a “longtime wine journalist, columnist and judge” in Edible Monterey Bay: https://www.ediblemontereybay.com/blog/blue-fox-cellars-opens-in-carmel-valley-village/. Here is some information from that article:

“…Winemaker/owner, Edward Lovaas, whose heritage is Norwegian, named the brand, which he started in 2012 after many years of winemaking consulting, figured he couldn’t put red wine in a green bottle. Especially since the label sports a perky blue watercolor rendition of a slightly bemused blue fox. So, blue bottles you will find at the newly opened tasting room in Carmel Valley Village, in the former location of Talbott…” All their wines are aged in French oak.

Today I am presenting 6 Blue Fox Cellars wines from Mendocino. As usual, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the winery website, or discussions with tasting room staff. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2017 Blue Fox Cellars Chenin Blanc, Mendocino County, 13.5% ABV, $25 (#931)

Winery Notes: “Crisp mineral acidity frame notes of lemon verbena, nectarine, and Asian pear.”  No malolactic fermentation, neutral oak, champagne, yeast, two years on lees.

My Review: Straw in the glass, peach and white citrus blossom, honeysuckle, and lychee on the nose. The palate is full bodied with peach, citrus and yeasty notes. February 2023

2021 Blue Fox Cellars Vermentino, Mendocino County, 13.3% ABV, $29 (#932)

Winery Notes: “Flavors of Shin Li pear, white peach, and crushed stone with a rich mouthfeel.” This wine underwent a quick fermentation.

My review: Pale in the glass. Sweet grapefruit on the nose. A tart citrus palate with a lime finish. A bit acidic and not quite balanced. February 2023.

2019 Blue Fox Cellars Rosé of Grenache, Mendocino County, 13.5% ABV, $25 (#933)

Winery Notes: “Robust with exceptional mouthfeel. Peach and strawberry prevail.” A traditional, dry Provençal rosé with earth, oak, and complex flavors.

My Review: Pale salmon in the glass. Sweet nose with strawberry and cantaloupe notes. Balanced, flavorful palate of watermelon, strawberry, and a little licorice with a lime twist on the finish. February 2023.

2012 Blue Fox Cellars Grenache, Mendocino County, 13.3% ABV, $45 (#934)

Winery Notes: “Fruit forward notes of wild strawberry and blueberry with a finish of white pepper.” 3 years in the barrel 30% neutral oak 20%, new 80% old so figure it out what that means.

My Review: Delicious palate of red fruits. Sweetness of strawberry and raspberry on the tongue, balanced by the oak. Yummy. February 2023.

2014 Blue Fox Cellars Syrah, Mendocino County, 15.2% ABV, $47 (#935)

Winery Notes: “Flavors of plum, ripe raspberry, earth, spice and an elegant tannin structure.” 7 years in barrels sur lees.

My Review: Dark ruby in color. A spicy nose, predominantly, nutmeg, mouth, filling, rich, dark fruits. A big, well-aged wine, with dark cooked fruit, bordering on a port. I took one of these home. February 2023.

2014 Blue Fox Zinfandel, Mendocino County, 15.9% ABV, $49 (#936)

Winery Notes: “Fruity deep red berries finishing with spicy pepper and a soft tannin structure.” 30° temperature swing.  7 years in the barrel.

My Review: Translucent dark ruby. Sweet spice, black pepper, and dark fruit with vanilla – a smooth palate. A touch of rosemary on the finish. February 2023.            

The Blue Fox Tasting Room is located at 25 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley: “Experience the hospitality of Blue Fox Cellars in beautiful Carmel Valley.  Enjoy sweeping views of the mountains above from our outdoor tasting patio during a fun and educational tasting experience.  Your tasting will be conducted by our knowledgeable tasting associates or our winemaker.  Or sit and have lunch and a bottle of wine in our expansive courtyard, enjoy a game of Bocce Ball, or just time with friends and family.  We look forward to seeing you!” Open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-5pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-6pm. You can also buy their wines on their website!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Blue Fox: A Relatively New Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village!

When I was at Galante recently, they recommended Blue Fox Vineyards tasting room.  While I haven’t been there myself, a plank-owner of our COVID Wine Pod, brought me this wine, which we enjoyed greatly.

I don’t know much about Blue Fox. It had a tasting room in Cannery Row, but moved in the past year to Carmel Valley Village into the space Talbot used to own, right behind Cowgirl. Edible Monterey published a beautiful article about owners Edward and Julia Lovaas which you can find here. I can’t wait to taste its interesting and uncommon whites like Arneis and Tocai Friulano plus the big reds I enjoy, including Syrah and Zinfandel.

2013 Blue Fox Cellars Syrah, Seebass Vineyard, Mendocino County, 15.2% ABV, $45 (#430*)

Winemaker Notes: “Our Syrah thrives in the gravely clay soils of Seebass Vineyard.  Aged for 33 months in French Oak Barrels the bold tannins are tamed to create an elegant impeccably balanced wine, expressing flavors of plum, ripe raspberry, earth and spice.  Our Syrah goes well with braised meats, wild game, mushroom risotto and hard aged cheeses.  Cheers!” 

Wine Enthusiast – 83 points: “This wine is rustic in flavor and sturdy in texture, showing cedar and dried cherry notes framed by very firm tannins, full body and a dry mouthfeel.” Jim Gordon 05/2019

My Review: This was a delicious Syrah from Mendocino, worthy of a higher score than it received.  Elegant, balanced, flavorful and ready to drink.  While not as rich as some of my Monterey County warmer climate Syrahs, I am intrigued and want to explore more of their wines! July 2021

You can buy this wine on Blue Fox’s website or visit them in the former Talbot tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. 

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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