The 710-acre, sustainably-farmed, Notre Vue Estate is located within the prestigious California winemaking territories of the Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill. The terroir, marked by microclimates, various soil compositions, and multiple levels of elevation create the optimal conditions for crafting fine wines with both character and complexity.
The Estate has been Sonoma Sustainable grower certified since 2014. Its “Forever Wild” nature preserve is host to a wealth of native plants and wildlife, including those that serve as natural pest deterrents, eliminating the need for chemical pesticides.
The history of Notre Vue Estate dates back to 1869 when relatives of General Vallejo, founder of Sonoma county, first cultivated wine grapes on the property. In 1916, leading California winemaker Antonio Perelli-Minetti initiated commercial winemaking on the Estate. The Estate was acquired by Balverne Cellars in 1972.
In the years that followed, Balverne Cellars developed a reputation for excellence. Its wine have graced the menus of award-winning restaurants throughout the country, and have been served to heads of state at the White House.
Bob and Renee Stein purchased Notre Vue Estate in 1992. For the next two decades, the Steins focused on cultivating grapes for sale and distribution to a number of pre-eminent Sonoma and Napa-based wineries. In 2012, Renee established the Notre Vue wine brand and revamped the Balverne label. The Estate currently produces wine under both the Notre Vue Estate and the Balverne labels.
Between 2014 and 2017, the two labels continued to achieve critical and commercial success, garnering awards and distinctions from the Spectator and James Suckling, to name a few.
Winemaker Alex Holman joined Notre Vue Estate in 2019 and laid the groundwork for artisanal and low intervention wine production. In 2021, Notre Vue Estate debuted 16 new wines under the Notre Vue Estate and Balverne labels.
Bob and Renee featured these selections during a media lunch for the Wine Media Guild at Il Gattopardo Restaurant in New York City. The 3-course meal paired seamlessly with the Notre Vue Estate and Balverne white, rose’, and red wine portfolio.
Here’s the list of wines that were presented at the lunch.
Balverne, Chardonnay, Estate Grown, Forever Wild, 2019
Estate grown and bottled
100% Chardonnay
Aged five months in French oak barrels (20% new)
Ripe citrus and orchard fruit, butterscotch, and marshmallow aromas, followed by lemon, apple, and peach, as well as honeydew and sweet spice notes.
Notre Vue, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, 2019
100% Chardonnay
Warm day and cool nighttime temperatures, with occasions of fog, as well as loamy soil are perfect conditions for growing full-bodied Chardonnay with a good acidity and a ripe fruit character.
Fermented 3 months sur lie in barrels
Full-bodied with a balanced acidity, and apple, nectarine, and musk melon, as well as jasmine aromas, followed by pear, baked apple, and lemon meringue, as well as honey and marzipan notes.
Notre Vue, Chardonnay Musque, Russian River Valley, 2019
Estate grown and produced
100% Chardonnay Musque
Chardonnay Musque is derived from the French clone 809. This clone has concentrated aromas typically associated with Alsatian Riesling and Muscat.
Transferred to neutral oak barrels immediately after primary fermentation. (No malolactic fermentation). Aged sur lie for 3 months. (The grapes used to make this wine were grown on the same type of soil under the same climate conditions as the previous Chardonnay.) Fresh white flower, lemon juice, and pear aromas, followed by ripe green apple, nectarine, and Asian pear notes.
Notre Vue, Chardonnay Musque, Russian River Valley, 2020
Estate grown and produced
100% Chardonnay Musque
Chardonnay Musque is derived from the French clone 809. This clone has concentrated aromas typically associated with Alsatian Riesling and Muscat.
Transferred to neutral oak barrels immediately after primary fermentation. (No malolactic fermentation). Aged sur lie for 3 months. (The grapes used to make this wine were grown on the same soil under the same climate conditions as the previous Chardonnay.)
Crisp, with a silky texture, a fresh acidity, and clementine, apple, and herb, as well as salt and toast aromas, followed by grapefruit, pear, and dry grass notes.
Balverne, Sonoma County Wines, Sauvignon Blanc, 2019
Estate grown and bottled
Vineyards located in the Chalk Hill AVA are ideally suited for the cultivation of Sauvignon Blanc. This particular block receives plenty of sunlight during the day, while enjoying the benefits of cool nighttime temperatures.
Fermented for 21 days in stainless steel tanks
Fresh and crisp, with lively citrus and tropical fruit, and grass aromas, followed by ripe lemon and grapefruit, and subtle spice notes.
Notre Vue, Rose’ of GSM, Chalk Hill, 2020
Estate grown and produced
Classic Rhone Valley style rose’ blend of 41% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 28% Mourvedre
The grapes were cultivated on volcanic soil that typically drain quickly and produce small berries with concentrated flavors that do not need a lot of canopying. Afternoon temperatures are moderated by cooling Pacific breezes coming out of the Russian River Valley. These grapes are grown on clay-rich soil. Some are harvested from vines cultivated on soil located at a slope of 30 degrees.
Fermented in stainless steel tanks with six hours of skin contact
Low intervention winemaking process produce wines with low sulfite and alcohol content that preserve the purity of the wine’s aromas and flavors.
A light minerality and acidity, and citrus, orchard and tropical fruit aromas, followed by lemon zest, nectarine, and orange blossom, as well as lychee notes.
Notre Vue, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2019
100% Pinot Noir
Aged one year in combination light and medium toasted French oak barrels (40% new oak)
Balanced tannins, ripe strawberry, cherry, and chocolate, along with forest floor, and black tea aromas, followed by pomegranate, cherry, and spiced caramel notes.
Notre Vue, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Chalk Hill, 2019
Estate grown and produced
Classic Rhone-style blend of 51% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 29% Mourvedre
Fermented in stainless steel tanks
Low-intervention, sulfite, and alcohol wine
The grapes were cultivated on volcanic soil that typically drain quickly and produce small berries with concentrated flavors that do not need a lot of canopying. Afternoon temperatures are moderated by cooling Pacific breezes coming out of the Russian River Valley. These grapes are grown on clay-rich soil. Some are harvested from vines cultivated on soil located at a slope of 30 degrees.
Strawberry, cherry, and herb, as well as baked bread and black pepper aromas, followed by cherry, plum, and cardamom, along with dried herb notes.
Balverne, Sonoma County Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019
Estate grown, bottled, and produced
The grapes for this wine were grown on blocks situated at 1000+ feet above sea level.
Blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 9% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
The processing for this wine was interrupted due to the Kincade Fire in California that began on October 23, 2018. As a result, the wine underwent a prolonged cold soak for sulfite reduction and anthocyanin extraction.
Fragrant and full-bodied, with structured tannins, black cherry, preserved berry, and graphite aromas, followed by violet, mixed berry, and dark chocolate notes.
Balverne, Sonoma County Wines, Malbec, 2019
Estate grown, bottled, and produced
Blend of 85% Malbec (from the French clone 595 that can yield small single-seed berries resulting in richly colored wines with concentrated flavors), 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Grown on clay-rich soil with marine components
Aged in 100% French oak for 18 months
Round and balanced, with a fresh minerality, elegant and smooth tannins, and a ripe plum, and subtle violet and boysenberry as well as scented wood flavor profile,
Balverne, Sonoma County Wines, Pinot Noir, 2019
Estate grown and bottled
100% Pinot Noir
Aged in light and medium toasted French oak barrels (25% new oak) for 9 months.
Delicate, fresh, and lively, with strawberry, cherry, and earth aromas, followed by pomegranate, mixed berry, and red stone fruit, as well as herb notes.
Balverne, Sonoma County Wines, Zinfandel, 2019
Estate grown, bottled, and produced
Grapes grown on rocky and volcanic soil at a slightly lower elevation than the blocks on Chalk Hill AVA.
Blend of 79% Zinfandel, 9% Petit Syrah, 9% Mourvedre, 3% Grenache (Grenache and Mourvedre add spice, and
Petit Syrah, structure).
Full-bodied and smooth, with balanced alcohol, and preserved berry, sweet spice, and scented wood aromas, followed by cranberry, roasted hazelnut, and peppercorn notes.
You can learn more about Notre Vue and purchase these wines directly at:
Notre Vue Estate
11010 Estate Lane
Windsor, California
1 (707) 433-4050
Be First to Comment