Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1037369
{ SOMMjournal.com } 95 Pitch-Perfect Wines As the sun set and lit up the Palisades once more, the SOMM Campers arrived for dinner at the beautiful Dutch architecture–inspired Chimney Rock Winery in the southernmost reaches of the SLD. The group giggled as Vianna mentioned the "single row of Fiano" included in Chimney Rock's 120 acres of grapes, 80 percent of which are planted to Cabernet. "I was an intern here before the Terlato family bought the property, and I can tell you that not much has changed except we have a bit more cash to do things the proper way," Vianna said. "They've really invested in technology and the greening side of things; they built this brand-new winemaker facility, we're Napa Green Certied, 100 percent solar, and we recycle water." As the somms migrated into the chandelier-embellished Chimney Rock barrel room for dinner, they were accompanied by a handful of SLD winemakers as entertaining as they are laudable. Joining Vianna was Celia Welch of Lindstrom Wines, Robbie Meyer of Malk Family Vineyards, Michael Beaulac of Pine Ridge Vineyards, and Maayan Kos - chitzky of Quixote Winery, with each winemaker armed with a favorite selection to enjoy with the meal. Taking advantage of her background in radio, SOMM Journal Publisher Meridith May asked each winemaker an atypical question. We learned that Beaulac would be a "helicopter ski guy" if not a winemaker before Welch described her own path to the wine profession. "I really loved writing and I thought I was going to be a journal - ist, until one day my mother sent me a blurb on how Masters in Journalism start at $12,000. Even in 1978, that wasn't enough," she recounted. "Later, when somebody the different oak treatments (among other winemaking methods) applied to each clone; a pure expression of the fruit would have certainly been prefer - able, but it was interesting to hear the various approaches from each of the seasoned experts nonetheless. For a review on Silverado Vineyards wines from SOMM Journal Publisher Meridith May, see page 129. The wise and esteemed clone panel from left to right: Doug Fletcher, Vice President of Winemaking at Terlato; Ernie Ilsley of Ilsley Vineyards; Silverado Vineyards President Russ Weis; and Dick Steltzner of Steltzner Vineyards. The charismatic winemakers: in the front row, Celia Welch of Lindstrom Wines and Maayan Koschitzky of Quixote Winery, and in back, Michael Beaulac of Pine Ridge Vineyards, Elizabeth Vianna of Chimney Rock Winery, and Robbie Meyer of Malk Family Vineyards.