Dry Creek Vineyard/ Don Wallace/Agave Mexican Cuisine

Have Wine Will Travel Radio

Recently Don Wallace and I met at agave In Healdsburg for some great food to pair with his wines. This is a feature with one of the great wines from Dry Creek vineyard! we will also feature the amazing family behind this great Mexican restaurant In healdsburg. Our wine? 2021 Heritage Vines Zinfandel. Winemaker Notes: To preserve the tradition and “heritage” of old Zinfandel vineyards, cuttings from a pre-Prohibition era vineyard were grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock. Then, for several years we worked diligently to screen and propagate virus-free vines that would ultimately produce a crop. The 2021 Heritage Vines Zinfandel is delicious and wonderfully balanced. This vintage presents alluring aromatics of black cherry, boysenberry and plum with nuances of warm spices, mocha and white pepper. On the palate, brambly flavors of dark berries come forward. The wine is complex, with bright acidity complimented by deeper notes of cedar, fine leather and dark brown sugar. From start to finish, this remarkable wine offers refreshing acidity paired with excellent structure. At Agave Healdsburg, they draw from the artisanal customs and deepest cultures of Oaxaca. It’s more than just food and drinks; it’s a family tradition passed down through generations. Our Mole Negro, an exotic and incredibly fragrant creation made from over 20 secret ingredients, is a testament to this heritage. Executive Chef Octavio Diaz has mastered this recipe with the guidance and culinary expertise of his parents, ensuring the authenticity and depth of flavor in every bite. Mezcal, the smoky spirit of Oaxaca, is another thread woven into the fabric of our family history. Here at Agave Healdsburg, we craft a diverse range of premium cocktails that celebrate this ancestral beverage. Agriculture is a natural way of life for Don Wallace, the product of four generations of a hard-working California farming family. Don’s interest in machinery took him away from the farm for fifteen years while he pursued a career in international construction. While he was on a project in Sonoma County in 1980, Don met Dry Creek Vineyard founder David Stare’s daughter, Kim Stare, whom he married in 1982. With his father-in-law and wife in the wine business, Don’s next move was a stint among the vines at Murphy-Goode Estate Winery to “test drive” his new family’s industry. After one year, Don accepted his father-in-law’s offer to manage ranch operations at Dry Creek Vineyard in 1990. Don’s sphere of influence gradually grew to encompass every aspect of the business, including winery operations and sales, as well as vineyard development and acquisitions. Don took on the role of General Manager in 1999 and in April 2006, he was appointed President of Dry Creek Vineyard. In 2012, Don decided to take a well deserved sabbatical to pursue some outside interests as well as an extended list of honey do’s at home! We have two great features first with Don Wallace and I discussing our feature wine.Then on to our food and wine feature!Please Click on the 2 links below to listen to our audio features1 Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .