New in Healdsburg

There is a new complex in Healdsburg off Westside Road that is quietly opening this summer called Bacchus Landing. We stopped in last week to have a look. There isn’t much signage in or around the facility to direct you but there are in fact a few businesses open and happy to see visitors.

In the huge and empty courtyard of Bacchus Landing we met Whitney who invited us to come in to see the newly opened tasting room for Montagne Russe Wines. She was so gracious and the tasting room so inviting we could not resist her invitation.

Montagne Russe is a small production winery specializing in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah wines created from the grapes of farmer-owned vineyards. Kevin Bersofsky is the owner/winemaker/engineer who, interestingly, once designed roller coasters. He started making wine in his garage in Napa in 2006. By 2015 Montagne Russe wine had scored an impressive 95 points from Robert Parker.

A recent interview with Kevin Bersofky by the Petaluma Gap Wine Growers Alliance gives some interesting background to the man and the wine.

We tasted a 2018 Silver & Gold Chardonnay, 2018 Roberts Road Pinot Noir, 2018 Terra De Promissio Pinot Noir, 2018 Spring Hill Ranch Pinot Noir, 2018 Alder Springs Syrah and the 2017 Claire-Obscure Cabernet.

Our favorite was the 2017 Claire-Obscure Cabernet.

We may have had the tasting room all to ourselves but I doubt that will ever happen again. The wines are too special, the space is terrifically appointed and Bacchus Landing is clearly on its way to becoming a fantastic complex of tasting rooms and more.

Thank you Whitney for a great tasting!