Domaine de la Terre Rouge is located in the Sierra Foothills, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley - just outside of Plymouth, CA. The wine region there has a lot to offer, and if you have the opportunity, I highly suggest a trip down there - I know the Willamette Valley is only about a 3-hour trip, but how many times can you go to the same place? :) It takes about 10 hours from Bend and don't leave without a visit to Domaine de le Terre Rouge. I did end up going to a couple other wineries in the area, but can say that the best wines for my palate came from Terre Rouge (meaning "red earth").
Domaine de la Terre Rouge makes two labels - Domaine de la Terre Rouge and Easton both by winemaker/owner Bill Easton. The Terre Rouge label is used for Rhône-style wines, while the Easton label is used for non-Rhône wines. For me, both of the labels suit my palate, but I do prefer the Terre Rouge label if I were forced to choose. I sit and drink a wine from either label, and wonder if it's possible for Bill to make a wine I don't like! Apparently, so far, it has not been possible.
The grapes (shown right) are this year's Syrah - already fermented and waiting for the barrel. Bill bottle-ages his wines, sometimes for a good chunk of time - for example, this year's Noir (his flagship wine) is a 1999. I also purchased a delicious Zin from the tasting room that is a 1999. You can also get other years of the Noir from the tasting room depending on your tastes and budget.
Bill suggested Amador Foothills and Shenandoah Valley/Sobon to me in my search for another tasty Zin - but of course, mentioned that his were still the best. I'd have to agree - and if you'd like to try one of them, come on into Cork Cellars.
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