Rendez-vous Winery
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Not far from Sacramento is the Old Sugar Mill, home to the Rendez-vous Winery. The tag line for the winery is “to share your passion.” The tasting room is in the front by the entrance. The winery is behind the tasting room area.
Rendez-vous Winery is located in the Old Sugar Mill not far from Sacramento. Wines are produced with local fruit. Larry Dizmang is the owner and winemaker at the winery. His first career was as a psychiatrist. During that time Larry began producing wine. In the early 1980s he owned Folie`a Deux Winery in St. Helena but when the winery reached 20,000 cases he sold the company.
His most recent foray into wine is establishing the Rendez-vous Winery at the Old Sugar Mill. Larry chose the name Rendez-vous to reflect a coming together of lovers and wine “to share your passion.”
Larry’s focus is on producing wines with Clarksburg AVA fruit and make white, red and dessert wines. The Chardonnay is sourced directly from the large vineyard across the road from the Old Sugar Mill. According to the Clarksburg Wine Growers and Vintners Association, the Clarksburg AVA is strongly influenced by the Sacramento Delta. The evenings are cool and the days are warm.
Last year Rendez-vous Winery sourced Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Primitivo and Petite Sirah. Larry hopes to add three more grape varieties this fall including Muscat, Tempranillo and Dolcetto. Currently the winery produces 5,000 to 7,000 cases.
The Rendez-vous site, located in an area just inside the mill, includes a tasting room, winery and barrel area. The mill also has a winemaking co-op where Larry rents space. The tasting area has granite-style slabs sitting on old oak barrels. Attractive arrangements of gourmet balsamic vinegars, olive oils and sea salts are displayed and include small tastings.
Rendez-vous Wines
The Chenin Blanc 2011 Clarksburg AVA with 11.5% alcohol was a yellow color with citrus notes. The wine was light to medium-bodied with high acidity. The wine retails for $17. Chardonnay 2011 Clarksburg AVA with 15% alcohol was a yellow color with notes of oak and caramel, tropical fruit and a buttery feel. The wine was full-bodied with medium-high acidity. The wine sells for $24.
Tempranillo 2012 Clarksburg AVA was a translucent ruby color with 14.4% alcohol. The wine had dark fruits and leather notes. The wine offered medium tannins. It was medium /full-bodied. The acidity was medium to high. The wine retails for $24.
Merchandise
In addition to discovering Rendez-vous wines, look for assorted jams and jellies, gourmet salts, olive oils and Balsamic vinegars. The jams and jellies are sourced from local farmers. The olive oils and Balsamic vinegars are from the Santa Ynez area.
Wine Club Benefits
Rendez-vous Winery offers wine club members benefits that include:
- Three shipments per year
- Four bottles in each shipment
- Complimentary wine and cheese tasting tours
- Access to special wines
- Invitations to Release Parties
When visiting the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg AVA be sure to stop by Rendez-vous Winery.
Rendez-vous Winery
35265 Willow Ave
Clarksburg, California 95612
GPS: N38º 25.367’ W121º 32.020’
Article written September 2014
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