MUGA Day #48: Sonoma and Mendocino Wine Tasting

The Russians were here!  The Russians were here!  The first permanent non-native settlement in Sonoma County was built by Russians.  These were trappers, for otter pelts were prized in those days.  Fort Ross (in 1828 to the left) became their initial base, as an old name for Russia is Ross.  Yesterday we visited the Fort Ross Winery in Sonoma, and last night had their Pinot Noir Reserve for dinner, which was outstanding, the wine, that is, and meal, too.

I'm getting ahead of myself, for prior to dinner, we attended a preliminary wine-tasting event at the Gualala Arts Center:

The big Soroptimist 29th Architectural Tour (of Sea Ranch) and Wine Tasting/Auction occurs tomorrow.  At the Center, a photo was taken of me on their Magical Fairy Ring, meaning something like I'll for sure be back someday:

The pre-tasting only featured Korbel California Champagne, which, I guess, means that in this state the term champagne can be used if the California tag is attached.  Several years ago I stopped by their winery and had a Pinot Noir sparkling wine, which I thought was spectacular.  Turns out that they do market Korbel Rouge California Champagne, and there is a current sale price of $8.39/bottle, a price reduction of $5.  In fact, gazing at their price list of 20 champagnes, the rouge is the cheapest.  The most expensive is a Master's Reserve Blanc de Noirs for $24.99.  Best of all, at their winery, TASTING IS COMPLIMENTARY.  Just about every tasting room in this  State now charges a fee.

We then went to St. Orres for dinner:

You can't quite see those "onion domes," ala Red Square in Moscow, but St. Orres features them, and bills itself as "the magical place."  The bar was hopping, with a folk singer, but we settled in the dining room at their best table.  Nancy, David and Sarah Kyle:

The flan I had was magical, with chanterelle mushrooms in a garlic sauce.  The abalone and scallops on delicate mashed potatoes were excellent:

I don't think this was a Russian meal but the place and the wine (Fort Russia, or Ross, Pinot Noir Reserve), were.

We started Saturday with Nancy's famous blueberry pancakes, where we also had those organic eggs we bought at the Marimar Vineyard.  Doesn't quite show too well, but these are like colored Easter eggs.  That's a green one to the left.  Never had green eggs before.

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