De La Montanya Winery

Many times I've been on Westside Rd and passed the turn to Foreman Lane and the sign for this winery, until this year.  This year I said, "damn it, it's time to check it out."  Just remember to take the hard left under the bridge, as there are some turns that could detour you.  But, right below the bridge, it is there.
Outside has a cozy outdoor patio, with an outdoor kitchen, and a view of the Zinfandel vineyards, facing east.  You can literally sit on the patio and touch the vines.
The lady that poured for me and my friend was awesome.  Jet black hair and sparkling eyes, and a personalty that made you want to listen to her talk about the wines.
There were a lot of wines to taste that day.  All were good and worth trying.  Most were from Sonoma County and a few from Lake County.  But the wine that literally moved my spirit, lifted me, elevated my palate and placed a halo over my bald head, was the 1812.  What is special about it?  No, it is not vintage 1812.  This is a Zinfandel.  How the story goes, is that owner Dennis (my name brotha) attempted to make a late-harvest Zin and the yeast strain reacted differently than normal and kept eating the sugars and pushing up the alcohol.  So, instead of a late harvest wine, you have a whopping 18 percent alcohol, stand up and fire some cannons, Zinfandel.  Even though this has a high alcohol content you don't get it...it doesn't burn your palate...you get berries, cinnamon spices, and complex tannins.  But, a word to the wise, do not make this your third bottle, do not make it your second bottle, make it your only bottle for the night.  That 18 percent will creep up on you.  I saw it at the winery.  This big group of wild wine women had two bottles during a lunch stop on their wine tour and were happy and giddy walking back to the limo.
At the end of my tasting, after purchasing my bottle of 1812, the owner Dennis comes out.  He walks up to me and I introduce myself as Dennis, he says "I already know" and we both laugh.  I guess a Dennis can spot a Dennis.   It is fitting that he is named Dennis, as Dennis also means "god of wine" (from the greek Dionysis, the origin of the name Dennis).  This cat is something else.  I had a great conversation with him regarding his wines, the story of the 1812, and the challenges of picking grapes.
I came away kicking myself for not having made that turn sooner.

Check them out.  Tell them Dennis sent you.  ;)

http://www.dlmwine.com/