A virtual tasting with Jeff Meisel, Vice President of Brand Development and Education at Long Meadow Ranch

In these days of Coronavirus, wineries are looking for innovative ways to get their story out, and introduce wine drinkers to their lineup of wines.  What a few weeks ago was to be a wine lunch with Jeff Meisel, Vice President of Brand Development and Education of Long Meadow Ranch at AOC in Los Angeles, turned into a Zoom interview and tasting among the original wine writers invited.  This virtual tasting became incarnate, since samples of the wines were shipped to our homes.  It was a great way to connect, and with a sharp spike in wine sales since COVID-19 has kept many at home, an opportunity to introduce wine drinkers to Long Meadow Ranch.

Long Meadow Ranch of Napa Valley not only talks the talk but walks the walk, producing vibrant wines that reflect a sense of place, while respecting the land from where they come.  Organic and sustainably grown, vivid acidity is the hallmark of the four wines that I sampled, light on their feet, with a purity of fruit and balance that let the wines shine.  But more importantly, they are made to accompany food, and reach their full potential with a meal.  This focal point isn’t an accident, it’s the culmination of a passion for agriculture that has made LMR a pioneer in what we take for granted today, the concept of farm to table.  “Excellence through Responsible Farming” is their motto, and by embracing the whole picture, all their products are elevated as a result.

Laddie Hall at the local farmers market, Courtesy of Long Meadow Ranch

Harvest time at Rutherford Estate, Courtesy of Long Meadow Ranch

Farming forms the backbone of Long Meadow Ranch.  Over thirty years ago, Ted and Laddie Hall purchased the 650 acre ​Mayacamas estate, restoring the neglected property back to its once glorious agricultural roots.  The Halls’ obsession with food and wine drove their desire to farm responsibly, which led to being among the first to practice sustainable, organic farming in the area.  At its core is a family-owned business laser-focused on agriculture, spanning the range of produce, beef, eggs, olives and wine grapes.  The Hall family pioneered what they call “Full Circle Farming” which translates to organic and sustainable, but so much more than that.  Each facet of their farming enterprise contributes to the other, where the interplay of bees, chickens, olive trees, cattle, horses, and sheep, heirloom fruits and vegetables, and vineyards play a part of the health of the whole, it’s truly the circle of life.  Fulfilling their mission, Long Meadow Ranch is still one of less than thirty organically certified vineyards by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) in Napa County.  It’s a multi-pronged approach for LMR, in addition to organic farming, there is an emphasis on sustainable, using solar panels to generate all their electricity, biodiesel fuels to power their equipment, and an efficient winery design to conserve on heating and cooling.

Courtesy of Long Meadow Ranch

Three vineyard estates, Mayacamas, Rutherford and Anderson Valley, in addition to the Stony Hill vineyard in Spring Mountain District, are cultivated with several grape varietals, planted to what is best suited for the climate and soils.  It wouldn’t be Napa Valley without Cabernet Sauvignon, in addition to Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Sauvignon Blanc.  Anderson Valley is where you find the cool-climate varietals, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris.  Six different labels offer two dozen wines that are specific to these vineyard estates, with a wine that will accompany any budget.

These are the four wines that I tasted, considered part of their core offerings:

Long Meadow Ranch Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (SRP $23) -  intense aromas of lemon-lime, kiwi, and grass unfurl in this refreshing white wine, crisp with mouthwatering acidity.  Unripe stone fruit, melon and lime initially on the palate, becoming richer and fruitier once allowed to breathe.  Freshness is key to LMR, each vintage of the Sauvignon Blanc is bottled twice within the year, kept in stainless steel tanks to preserve its liveliness.

Long Meadow Ranch Anderson Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir 2019 (SRP $25) - floral, stone fruit, strawberry and spice notes swirl in this vibrant rosé, again a bit of time in the glass brings the fruit forward.

Long Meadow Ranch Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2016 (SRP $42) - silky and lively, an intriguing melange of black cherry and plum fruit, spice, black tea, rose and earth reveal a generous texture and seductive finesse.

Long Meadow Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (SRP $55) - an elegant 100% Cabernet Sauvignon blend of mountain and valley estate fruit, complex with blackberry, dark cherry, plum, dark chocolate and coffee, with a core of fresh acidity that keeps this wine balanced,  Fine tannins and a savory finish keeps you coming back for more.

Long Meadow Ranch wines are available through their online wine shop, or found at local wine shops, with some offering delivery and curbside pickup options during this time of social distancing.