By Rick Riozza
If the Open Range Red Blend bottle wine from Casey Flat Ranch could sing, I already know the tune it would be crooning: ‘round ‘round, get around, I get around—yeah get around ooh ooh…
How a group of Capay Valley wines have already made their mark here in the desert is remarkable! Of course we know it has to do with both the talent of the wine distributor, and, our wine savvy community who are quick to embrace premium world class wine when they taste it.
But in and around our Palm Springs area, it’s gone way beyond simply tasting. Just last month, at Restaurateur Ed Moore’s 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro in Palm Desert, patrons met the new executive chef and were treated to a four course meal that was superbly paired with an array from Casey Flat that included Rosé, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Red Blend and “Estate” Red Blend.
At a prior venue, the same portfolio of stellar wines were matched and paired with the creative and inventive cuisine of famed Executive Chef, Gerard Brunett at the Palm Desert Classic Club’s Italianesque Bellatrix Restaurant.
And before that soirée, CFR wines were featured at a private dinner event at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. Speaking of Rancho Mirage, at the Pavilions store where my role is the wine steward, the aforementioned Open Range Red Blend sells out every week!
Since CFR wines are the latest quaffing rage in our own valley, why not be the first one on your block to be wine savvy on this vino production: Casey Flat Ranch is based in the hidden gem destination of the Capay Valley ( pronounced CAY-pay) AVA, in the Vaca Mountains bordering the eastern side of Napa County.
Originally part of the Berryessa Spanish land grant, area settlement began in the 1850’s with the California Gold Rush. Valley locals at the time named the property Casey Flat for legendary frontiersman and early homesteader John Casey.
Selected for the moderately rocky soil composition, gentle hillside mountain slope, and 2000-foot altitude, the site provided for excellent growing conditions. The vineyards are sustainably cultivated, using materials and farming techniques that emphasize water and soil conservation. Weather data records indicate climate conditions at the Vineyard to be parallel in almost every respect to the Oakville / Rutherford appellations of the Napa Valley. Remarkably, average daily daytime temperatures are cooler than St. Helena, located 22 miles to the west.
The working ranch is defined by its award-winning Rhone and Bordeaux-style blends, stunningly rugged location, and the purebred Longhorn cattle that roam the estate that own a rich homesteading heritage. Casey Flat Ranch’s two brands, the Estate wines and Open Range, “serve as the perfect way to ignite the frontier spirit in any wine lover.” And of course you love their inspiring wine label.
I met Brenda Bullington a couple of years ago at the Escena Lounge & Grill where she was hosting a winemaker’s dinner. Her flight from wine country got a bit delayed, but when she arrived decked out in black suede and wearing her iconic black cowboy hat—well she just riled & rounded up the crowd in seconds flat for some tasty festivities. And that is Brenda!—full of energy and spunk. She’s one of California’s wine wise gals as she’s been in the wine marketing business representing many high-end wineries for quite a while now.
In 2013, she was brought on at Casey Flat as Vice President of Sales and Marketing where she oversees the company’s distribution network, consumer outreach programs, strategic planning, and all other sales and marketing related areas. Associating with our own local wine guy, Bruce Jastremski, in just one year, they have covered the wine waterfront here in the desert—as evidenced by all of the wine venues that Brenda and her wines are appearing.
The Open Range Red Blend—that keeps selling off the shelves, is predominately a Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah blend. I tell the customers that this is one of the tastiest wines in town with its chocolate, plum, cherry, and vanilla spice flavor profile. And the prices are honestly the lowest in this red blend category. Swing by the shop and see for yourselves.
The CFR Estate Wine is an elegant and stately wine with dark fruit aromas of blueberry, plum, and cassis that carry into the palate. A blend of Cab Sauv, Syrah, Cab Franc, and Merlot. It sells for under $35, but it impresses and quaffs like one at twice the price. It’ll be my mission to get this at my wine department.
So are you sold yet? Any wine lover should be thirsting right about now. I’ve written in these pages previously about the CFR Syrah Rosé with its aromas of strawberry and blood orange that open up to raspberry and spice flavors with fresh & lively acidity. Check out their beautiful website at: www.caseyflatranch.com and be amazed at their array of wine and great prices.
At the aforementioned Bellatrix/ Casey Flat Ranch dinner, Chef Brunett utilized the winery’s own beef, olive oil, and honey products throughout the night’s courses. And he wonderfully paired the Estate Red with an Herb-Dijon Filet with Peruvian mashed potatoes, Capay Valley olive oil, with sautéed seasonal vegetables, and a demi-glaze made from the Open Range wine.
And mentioned earlier, at the 3rd Corner Wine Shop and Bistro, new executive chef, Reuben Reyes, adeptly matched both the Estate Red and the Open Range to a Spiced Boar Loin along with red wine braised lentils & eggplant.
It’s nice to get around—Cheers!
