Wooden Valley Winery & Vineyards
by
K.L. Sullivan
Summary: Enjoy a visit to Wooden Valley Winery & Vineyards in Suisun Valley where the family owned winery is friendly and strives to produce quality wines at reasonable prices.
Wooden Valley Winery & Vineyards produces premium grapes for their own use in the winery and to sell to other wineries. Located in Suisun Valley, the winery has an ideal terroir for producing quality grapes.
In 2008, the winery celebrated its 75th year. In celebration, the winery has brought back an old wine label from an early jug wine. Back in 1933, the Lanza brothers’ grandfather joined the Wooden Valley Winery owners as a partner. Years later in 1955, he became the sole owner with the promise that the name of the winery “Wooden Valley” would not change. Today the third generation, four Lanza brothers, are determined to keep that promise. The four brothers have worked in the vineyards since a very young age and when asked why they are here the response was, “We love it here.” The valley is beautiful. Ron Lanza is the general manager, Rick is the winemaker and Larry and Ken are the viticulturists.
Today the vineyards consist of 400 acres including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah as the main grapes. The winery uses ten percent of these grapes to produce their own wine and sell remaining grapes to other wineries. During their early years, the winery sold “jug” wine but in the 1980’s turned to producing single varietal wines. Today the Wooden Valley Winery is focused on producing the finest quality wines at affordable prices. Ron commented that they “try to produce a high quality product at a reasonable price.”
Currently the winery produces just under 10,000 cases of wine and ships out to other wineries 1,500 tons of grapes. California wineries receive 750 tons of grapes and the rest are shipped to the East Coast. Those shipped to the East Coast are shipped in trucks refrigerated at 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The vineyard grapes are a large part of the business with grapes provided to wineries and home winemakers. Juice is also supplied to home winemakers.
White Wines
The tasting room sells several different styles of wine. Sweeter wines account for forty percent of the sales. Sauvignon Blanc 2008 was a light yellow with an aroma and taste of grapefruit. The crisp finish had nuances of grapefruit. Pinot Grigio was a straw color with a sweet aroma and citrus notes. The taste had nuances of citrus. The finish was crisp and smooth. With a residual sugar of 6.9 percent, Muscat Canelli 2008 offered sweet, floral and fruit nuances. The taste was fruity with sweet nuances. The finish was sweet and the fruit lingered. White Gamay 2008 was an orange-pink translucent color. The aroma and taste offered nuances of strawberries. The finish was crisp with light strawberry notes.
Red Wines
Lanza Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, a ruby color, offered an aroma of black fruit with notes of spice. The taste was smooth and fruity. The long blackberry finish had bold tannins. Syrah 2006 was a translucent ruby with an aroma of black fruit and earthy nuances. The taste was of black fruit. The crisp finish was fruity with tannins. Pinot Noir 2007 was a translucent red. The aroma was earthy while the taste was of light red fruit. The finish was crisp with mild tannins.
Wine Club
The wine club at Wooden Valley Winery is very reasonable. According to Ron, they have a very strong following. Three shipments are made each year at a cost of $30 each. Many wine club members stop by the winery to pick up their shipments on the first Friday of shipment. At that time they are provided with cheese and crackers to enjoy.
Tasting Room
Take time to wander through the tasting room. The family history is displayed and offers insight into the legacy of Wooden Valley Winery & Vineyards. In addition, the tasting room offers a comprehensive gift selection. Browse everything including wine journals, floor size bottle holders, gift baskets and gourmet foods. Consider purchasing refrigerated food items and eating them outside the tasting room.
Take your time and enjoy your visit to Wooden Valley Winery & Vineyards. Taste wines, meander through the tasting room and consider a picnic lunch during your visit.
Wooden Valley Winery
4756 Suisun Valley Rd.
Suisun Valley, California 95434
GPS: N38º 16.583’ W122º 06.798’
Visit these California organizations and wineries that partner with Wine Trail Traveler.
 |
 |
 |
 |
