November 15, 2006
Napa Talent Heads to Sierra Foothills Wine Spectator
...In choosing Rhône varieties, Cappelli is following in the footsteps of the region's pioneers. Local vintners Frank Latcham, John McCready and Brian Fitzpatrick planted Syrah and Grenache in the 1970s and early 1980s; McCready later planted white varieties Viognier and Roussanne.

Their successors are also choosing to plant Rhône varieties. Cappelli says the Rhône wines from Jonathan Lach's Cedarville Vineyard are some of the best in Fair Play. At Sierra Vista winery in nearby Pleasant Valley, John McCready coaxes a rich Roussanne bouquet out of the volcanic soil. Other up-and-coming winemakers are Lance Campbell at Mount Aukum winery in Fair Play and Carrie Bendick at Holly's Hill, next to Sierra Vista.

While the gold long ago played out in Fair Play, the boom in Rhône plantings is just getting started. It's a long way from the Côte-Rôtie, to be sure, but definitely a region on the move.

View the entire article here:  (you may need to subscirbe to Wine Spectator Online to view the article)
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Archives/Show_Article/0,1275,5751,00.html

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