Audelssa Rocks
I have long said that the Audelssa Winery in Glen Ellen produces Cabernets as good as anything in Napa. They share terroirs with the famous Monte Rosso vineyards across Hooker Canyon from their perch at the top of the Mayacamus Mountains just north of downtown Sonoma. Their vineyards cascade down the hillsides in strands and terraces above the fog and soaked by southwestern sunshine. Getting there is not the easiest ride in the Valley of the Moon.
The other day I had a wine tour that didn’t cover even fifty miles, spent most of the time at two wineries but took six hours. In comparison a tour from San Francisco will take eight hours, touch in at five to six wineries and I’ll cover over 250 miles starting from my base in downtown Sonoma. What made this tour unique was that most of it was spent in the mountains. The clients were staying at the Moon Mountain Retreat, all the way at the top of Moon Mountain Road. So first I drove up that winding narrow road to pick up this lovely couple from Pacifica.
As I drove up I could see our next two destinations across the deep Canyon. Through the thick brush lining the road half way up were the vineyards and olive groves of the Petroni winery. At the top of the mountain where the road curves around the ridge I saw the cascading vineyards of Audelssa. After I picked up my clients we drove down the mountain, went north two streets and went back up the mountain on Cavedale Road. If there is ever a competition for the worst mountain road in the Maycamus Mountains Cavedale may not win, but it will give a good run for the money.
Not only is it winding, narrow and pot holed, but it’s long and confusing. Most guides don’t like going up there. Due to the nature of our tour company I spend more than my fair share of time on mountain roads so my description is probably kind in comparison. There are parts that are downright scary. Amazingly enough both Petroni and Audelssa make the ride worth it. Check out our videos keeping in mind that they don’t do these beautiful locations justice.
Audelssa is opening a new tasting room in downtown Glen Ellen in October 2010 so you won’t have to hire a driver to taste their wine, although if you’re going to drink then get someone else to drive.
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