The world of wine is often described as poetry in a bottle, and the 2023 Grenache from Wood Family Vineyards truly embodies this sentiment. Following up on a previous vintage, this latest offering elevates the experience to new heights, delivering a symphony of flavors that invigorate the senses. Like the spice of life, this Grenache provides a captivating variety that makes every sip a delightful discovery.
A bottle of Wood Family Vineyards 2023 Grenache with two wine glasses, showcasing its radiant purple color.
Visually, the wine presents a mesmerizing radiant purple hue, almost iridescent in its semi-translucence. The aroma is immediately inviting, with bright notes of Bing cherries mingling with exotic, tropical spices like cinnamon and bay leaf. This Grenache is a sensory journey even before the first taste.
Close-up of the Wood Family Vineyards 2023 Grenache bottle label, highlighting the vintage and varietal.
On the palate, prepare to be surprised. Despite its light color, this wine packs a world-class punch. The initial taste is dominated by luscious cherries and strawberries, reminiscent of those coated in powdered sugar, awakening the mouth with their sweetness. These fruity flavors are beautifully complemented by secondary notes of cinnamon and vanilla, adding layers of complexity to the tasting experience. The finish is particularly noteworthy, with a surprisingly pleasant tannic presence that lingers at the back of the throat, accompanied by a hint of herbal sage and a subtle smoky nuance. This Grenache is impeccably well-rounded, offering a complete and fulfilling experience with each sip. Produced in a limited quantity of only seven barrels, this vintage is set to be released in mid-February. While the aging details for this year are not specified, the previous vintage was aged for 18 months in neutral French barrels. This 2023 Grenache boasts a 14.8% alcohol content, contributing to its robust character. It’s a strong contender to be recognized among the best wines of 2025 after a future tasting.
Pairing wine with food is an art, and while classic pairings are often celebrated, sometimes the most unexpected combinations create magic. This week, due to a busy schedule, a complex food pairing wasn’t on the cards. Instead, an unconventional yet surprisingly successful idea emerged: pairing the Wood Family Vineyards Grenache with frozen pizza. This led to a pizza “bake off” featuring two distinctly different frozen pizzas, neither of which had been tried before.
Two frozen pizzas, Porta Pepperoni and Rao's Meat Trio, ready for baking, showcasing the unusual wine and pizza pairing.
The first contender was a Porta Uncured Pepperoni pizza from Canada, featuring pomodoro sauce, mozzarella, and smoky uncured pepperoni on a Roman-style pinsa dough. The pepperoni’s flavor was exceptional, offering a delightful smokiness. However, the sauce, while tasty, was a bit sparse for preference, and the dough remained quite flat even after baking. Fresh basil was added as a garnish to enhance the flavors.
A Rao's Meat Trio pizza after baking, highlighting its generous toppings and sauce, paired with Wood Family Vineyards Grenache.
The second pizza was Rao’s Meat Trio Pizza, loaded with sausage, uncured pepperoni, uncured bacon, and Rao’s homemade pizza sauce, made with vine-ripened Italian tomatoes and whole milk mozzarella. Garnished with fresh basil as well, this pizza offered a very satisfying taste, thanks to its abundant sauce and generous trio of meats. While the Porta pizza had slightly superior pepperoni, Rao’s Meat Trio ultimately won the “bake off” in terms of overall enjoyment.
Remarkably, the Wood Family Vineyards Grenache proved to be an ideal companion for both pizzas. Its fruity notes beautifully complemented the saltiness of the uncured pepperoni, and it possessed enough structure to stand up to the richness of the pizza sauces. This unexpected pairing highlighted the versatility of the wine.
Wood Family Vineyards, nestled in the eastern Livermore Valley, is the creation of Rhonda Wood, owner and winemaker. For over two decades, she has been crafting award-winning wines, transitioning from an airline pilot to a celebrated winemaker. Her journey is detailed in these articles:
Wood Family Vineyards: From Pilot to Winemaker
2020 Wood Family Vineyards “The Captain” Red Wine Blend Review
Rhonda Wood’s wines have garnered numerous accolades, a testament to her dedication and skill. Wood Family Vineyards is a must-visit for anyone exploring Livermore Valley wineries.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines and Wineries
