Past Meeting Notes

July 16, 2025: Matchbook Wine Company

Matchbook Wine Company is a family-owned winery and vineyard located in Yolo County, the county that borders Napa to the East. The Giguiere family immigrated to this area from Quebec City in the 1850’s in search of open ag ground. John and Karl Giguiere are 5th generation farmers who know the region’s soil, climate and true potential of the land. This knowledge combined with their curiosity and drive to innovate has been the force behind their development of viticulture and winemaking in the Dunnigan Hills.

Pursuit of Excellence

As farmers and winemakers, tradition seamlessly coexists with experimentation. From French-oak foudres and concrete eggs to modern trellising and regenerative farming Matchbook’s mix of old-school and innovation is in the pursuit of one goal: create consistently delicious, intensely flavorful wines from the Dunnigan Hills viticultural region.

Our Presenter:

Matt Ronnfeldt - Sales Director of the Western Division=

June 18, 2025: Intercoastal Vineyards

With a passion for people and talent for selling, the experience and knowledge gained through working for “Corporate America” would develop into a business she could call her own.

“When you truly believe in something, and you are passionate about it, it’s not really selling!”

As farmers, Their passion begins in the field farming the land. They are dedicated to the production of amazing wine produced from the highest quality of hand-picked fruit and sustainably certified through Lodi Rules. Producing premium, award winning wines from Napa Valley, Lodi, and Clarksburg, they are Ambassadors of California's finest.

Our Presenters:

Rachele Spaletta - Proprietor, Director of Sales and Marketing

Wines Poured:

2023 Pinotage Blanco
2024 "In Love" White Blend
2021 Reserve Chardonnay
2022 Cinsault
2021 Malbec
2021 Teroldego
2020 Petit Verdot
2020 Petite Sirah

May 21, 2025: Reustle Vineyards

A Blind Tasting Showdown comparing Old-World wines vs. New-World Wines Hosted by Stephen Reustle - Owner and Winemaker Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards

Can Oregon’s Umpqua Valley truly produce wines that rival the best of Europe?

You’ve likely heard about Oregon’s Willamette Valley and its acclaimed Pinot Noir, but the Umpqua Valley remains one of the state’s best-kept wine secrets. With a unique combination of coastal influences, elevation changes, and diverse soils, this region offers a remarkable range of varietals that are garnering international acclaim.

Our Presenters:

Stephen & Gloria Reustle - Owners

Wines Poured:

Grüner Veltliner – Austria -vs- Oregon
Pinot Noir – Burgundy -vs- Oregon
Syrah – Northern Rhône -vs- Oregon
Tempranillo – Spain -vs- Oregon

April 16, 2025: Ridge Vineyards

Ridge Vineyards is proud to have a team of skilled winemakers who bring their passion and expertise to every wine they produce. With decades of experience and a deep love for the art of winemaking, their winemakers are dedicated to crafting exceptional wines for you to enjoy.

At Ridge, they call their approach to winemaking “pre-industrial.” They believe that for anyone attempting to make fine wine, modern additives and industrial processing limit true quality. The philosophy comes from the techniques used in the finest 19th-century California wineries and Bordeaux chateaux.

They ferment their wines using the native yeasts from the vineyard rather than cultured yeast strains.

Our Presenter:

Christina Donley - Director of Sales Western Region

Wines Poured:

2024 Lytton Estate Rose
2023 Grenache Blanc Paso Robles
2023 Chardonnay Estate
2023 Frediani Valdeguie
2022 Buchignani Carignane
2022 Geyserville
2022 Lytton Springs
2022 Estate Cabernet

March 19, 2025: Soban Estate Winery & Vineyard

Dr. Warren Frankel, his wife Kathy and their three children moved to Paso Robles from the San Fernando Valley in 1979 with a vision for a simpler life. The Frankel family first planted 20 acres of pistachios on the ranch, followed by 20 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. After initial success with both plantings, Dr. Frankel expanded the vineyard operation in 1997 with more Cabernet Sauvignon. Ten acres of Zinfandel and ten acres of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Mouvedre, Petite Sirah, and Viognier are the most recent additions to the vineyard.

With the potential for a tasting room and winery that could showcase the estate vineyard fruit and become a destination for wine and art aficionados, Dr. Frankel broke ground on the winery in 2006 and opened for business in October 2007. Sculpterra now features a fine portfolio of ultra-premium wines, fine art and a multimillion-dollar sculpture garden that greets our guests and makes for a memorable wine tasting experience.

Our Presenter:

Paul Frankel - Winemaker

The Wines Poured:

2023 Sculpterra Viognier
2022 Sculpterra Chardonnay
2022 Sculpterra Paso Pink Rosé
2022 Sculpterra Grenache
2022 Sculpterra Primitivo
2021 Sculpterra Statuesque
2021 Sculpterra Bentley Ironworks Cab
2022 Sculpterra Petite Sirah

February 19, 2025: Soban Estate Winery & Vineyard

Shenandoah Vineyards in Plymouth, CA, was founded in 1977 by Shirley and Leon Sobon. Leon's gift for home winemaking led him to leave Lockheed and begin a new career as a Winemaker.

The selection of a winery site in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County was well researched. Leon and Shirley and their six children moved to the old Steiner Ranch, outside Plymouth, CA, planted a vineyard, and converted the old stone garage to the Shenandoah Vineyards winery.

Today ... the winemaking and business aspects continue to be a family affair. Shirley is the Finance & Gallery Manager while Leon contributes his years of winemaking knowledge to every vintage. Sons Paul, Robert, and grandsons Austin and Nathan, continue the family tradition we began all those years ago.

In honor of Valentines Day, we will have some special chocolates to pair with the Sobon wines that we will be tasting! All the chocolates for this meeting were purchased from The San Francisco Chocolate Factory.

The wines poured were:

2023 Shenandoah Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
2023 Soban Estate Viognier
2023 Soban Estate Dry Rosé
2022 Soban Estate Barbera
2022 Soban Estate Zinfandel Fiddletown
2022 Shenandoah Vineyards Zingiovese®
2022 Soban Estate Blue Heron
2021 Shenandoah Vineyards Vintage Port

January 18, 2025: Winter Party

A Toast to Friendships

Silver Gate Yacht Club

Our first annual Winter Party was a great success despite the rain. We hope all 53 who attended enjoyed the evening! We want to thank the Winter Party Planning Committee for all their “over the top” performances. The efforts to theme our gathering added to the enjoyment of all who gathered and shared this experience.