There is a story behind every glass of wine, one of dreams and struggle, successes and challenges, epiphany and reality. Notre Vue Estate Winery and Vineyards of Sonoma County has an epic story, one with historically deep roots but many incarnations. You’ve heard the expression, “rising like a phoenix from the ashes”, and this phrase fits today’s Notre Vue Estate Winery perfectly. After a few challenging years that included fire, Notre Vue has reemerged stronger, with a stunning lineup of many different estate wines, and has recently resurrected one of California’s first cult wines through the Balverne label.
At first sight, the 710 acre estate, located just south of Healdsburg, captured Bob and Renée Brown-Stein’s heart. In 1992, standing on the summit, and overlooking the vineyards and wild spaces, Bob and Renée “fell in love” with the property, anointing it “Notre Vue”, which is French for “Our View”. Bob, a yacht builder, and Renée, an interior designer, yearned to develop something special, a reflection of the natural beauty all around them. And they had some really good “bones” to build on. Since 1841, when the property was originally carved from the Rancho Sotoyome land grant, grapes have been the goal, grown here as early as 1869. Commercial winemaking took root in 1916, when Antonio Perelli-Minetti, renowned as the dean of California winemakers, bought the property. Prohibition halted winemaking but in 1972, vineyards were replanted by Balverne Cellars. Balverne, whose renowned wines were all the rage in the 1980’s, was served at the White House and in many famous restaurants nationwide, such as the Brown Derby and Spago. When Bob and Renée arrived in 1992, the estate-grown grapes were being sold to many famous Napa and Sonoma wineries. Twenty years later, in 2012, winemaking came back to the property, when Renée resurrected the Balverne label wines, in addition to christening their own ultra-premium label, Notre Vue.
In the decade since, some serious winemaking has taken place, alongside fleshing out the hospitality part of Notre Vue. And just when it seemed that Notre Vue was on the fast track to realizing their vision, tragedy struck in many forms. In 2019, a fire damaged the tasting room and warehouse, destroying 5,000 cases and 500 barrels of wine waiting to be bottled. Then five months later, the Kincade Fire swept through, impacting 35 acres of vineyards. The following year, 2020, saw smoke taint infect the wines from the Glass Fire. And the final blow, Bob Stein passed away in 2021, leaving Renée to finish their winemaking dream. Estate General Manager Geoffrey Thompson and winemaker Alex Holman joined Notre Vue in 2019, and are instrumental in helping Renée realize Notre Vue’s full potential.
Notre Vue produces many different fine wines, from sparkling, white, rosé and red. Sixteen wine grape varietals are grown across 176 acres of vines, straddling two classic Sonoma appellations, Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill, with many diverse micro climates and terroirs. The ancient riverbeds of the Russian River appellation support Burgundian varietals, the ashy volcanic soils of Chalk Hill suit Bordeaux varietals. To preserve the stunning views, Bob and Renée established a 350-acre nature preserve in the center of the property, dedicated to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space project. The “Forever Wild” open spaces balance the vineyards with nature, sustainable before it was trendy. Home to foxes, bobcats, wild turkeys, geese, deer, rabbits and a multitude of beneficial insects, the ecosystem is the heart of Notre Vue, farmed organically with less pesticides and human intervention. Notre Vue is a Sonoma Sustainable grower, continuing to sell a portion of their estate grapes, of which 60% are farmed with organic practices, to many prestigious North Coast wineries. The Balverne and Notre Vue label wines have been Certified Sustainable since 2014.
Owner & Co-founder Renée Brown-Stein and Estate General Manager Geoffrey Thompson came to Los Angeles a few months ago, and they shared their story and eight wines with the LA Wine Writers at AOC Brentwood. From an ethereal Blanc de Noirs to an amazing Estate Red Bordeaux-style blend featuring Malbec, elegance and finesse marks all of them with style and grace.
We started with an aperitif of the enchanting 2020 Notre Vue Blanc de Noirs Russian River Valley, its delicate bubbles are fragrant with stone fruit and macademia nuts. This is a dry sparkler, with notes of white grapefruit, green apple skins, rose petal and shortbread, refreshing and elegant. This is an inaugural bottling of their new sparkling wine program.
The first course, an Arugula, Blood Orange, Pickled Rhubarb and Fresh Ricotta Salad was paired with two wines. The 2021 Notre Vue Rosé of GSM Chalk Hill, a beautiful salmon colored wine packaged in an elegant bottle, is equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Fruit-forward yet refined, aromas of white peach, tangerine and white flowers yield to flavors of berries, peaches and citrus peel, it’s summer in a glass. The 2021 Balverne Sauvignon Blanc smells of spring, with aromas of pink grapefruit, honeydew sorbet and white flowers, flavors of guava, citrus, and lemongrass dance on the palate.
The second course, a Focaccia with Jamon, Cherry Tomatoes, Caña de Oveja, Marconas and Salbitxada was also paired with two wines. The 2019 Notre Vue Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is fabulous, a blend of three clones, the 828, 667 and 114. Elegant aromas of cherry, wild strawberry, cocoa, black tea and forest floor are captivating, while the flavors of cherry, pomegranate, and spice are interwoven in a tapestry of fine tannins. The 2019 Notre Vue GSM Chalk Hill (51% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 29% Mourvedre) displays dark fruit, cranberry, pepper and wild herbs on the nose, with flavors of red plums, cherry, cardamom and dried herbs on the palate.
The third course, a Hangar Steak with Arugula, Braised Leek Butter and Fried Leeks was served with two stunning Balverne reds. The 2019 Balverne Malbec Chalk Hill (85% Malbec, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot) is impressive, intense with Santa Rosa plum and notes of boysenberry, cocoa and violets, finishing with smooth tannins. The 2019 Balverne Cabernet Sauvignon Chalk Hill (79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 9% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc), so very beautiful in its perfume of black cherry, berry compote, purple flowers and graphite, while the luxurious palate brings forth those aromas with added black current and dark chocolate, structured tannins frame the elegant finish.
The fourth course and finale, a Cheese Plate accompanied the incredible 2019 Notre Vue Estate Red Blend Chalk Hill. Simply wow, what an intensely beautiful wine! A blend of 36% Malbec, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Merlot, this is a true Bordeaux blend. Aromas of Luxardo cherries, chocolate, cedar and nutmeg swirl atop flavors of blackberry, black currents, dark chocolate, espresso, clove and black tea, firm tannins framing the long, lingering finish.
The trifecta of Notre Vue - Our View, Notre Vie - Our Life, and Notre Vin - Our Wine defines Notre Vue’s essence, it’s the driving force toward a very bright future. Just like the mythical phoenix, Notre Vue has made it through difficult times, renewing and regenerating a wine program that is realizing the property’s historic potential. Whether you’re captivated by Cabernet, entranced by a GSM blend, buoyed by bubbles, or seduced by Sauvignon Blanc, Notre Vue literally has something for everybody!
*** Notre Vue and Balverne wines are available for purchase online or at the estate
*** Notre Vue and Balverne wines are available for purchase online or at the estate