The DREYER FAMILY has been involved in California agriculture for fifty years growing grapes, olives, tree fruit, cotton and tomatoes. The Dreyers branched into the premium wine grape business with the purchase of Grand Cru Vineyards in Glen Ellen, Sonoma Valley, California. The family sold this brand to another winery but continues to produce high quality and high value wines under the Dreyer Sonoma and Compass brands.
Walter Dreyer has extensive experience in the consumer food products industry managing Oroweat Foods thirty plus years. He has served as president of the Sonoma County Wineries Association, the Sonoma Valley Vintners Association, and has served as a director of the Wine Institute.
Bettina Dreyer brings her epicurean skills to the business. She has focused attention on the creation of pairing meals that combine the flavors of Dreyer Sonoma wines with fine food. She currently works with the family orchards creating her Bettina's Olives available in gourmet delicatessens and grocery stores in the United States.
Jonathan Dreyer is general manager of the wine and grape operations. In addition to working sales and marketing for the family winery, he received a degree from the University of California Davis after studying viticulture and enology and agricultural economics.
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DREYER 2004 SONOMA CHARDONNAY
Following up on the much enjoyed previous vintages of the Dreyer Sonoma Chardonnay, comes once again a value priced Sonoma County Chardonnay from the Dreyer Family. This 2004 release is comprised of grapes from selected mature vineyards in Sonoma County, with its fruit coming from vineyards in the Russian River, Alexander Valley, and Knights Valley sub-appellations. This wine was 60% barrel fermented under a French and American Oak regimen and aged sur lie for nine months. Golden in color, the grapes were picked with perfect ripeness and natural acidity. This wine has good balance between its Sonoma County fruit combined with the oak influence resulting in a rich wine showing varietal character and value for the price.
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DREYER 2003 SONOMA MERLOT
The grapes used for this Merlot come primarily from Mendocino County where this grape excels in a slightly cooler climate. This Merlot is dry, rich in flavor and smooth at its finish. Possessing a great mouthfeel and balance, the Mendocino and Sonoma County grape blend has a deep garnet color and a rich, silky texture. The tannins are firm and smoothly integrated, and the fruit shows ripe berry notes balanced with influence of oak aging. The addition of the Cabernet Sauvignon results in the softening of the mouthfeel while at the same time providing a firming backbone to a lovely wine and an excellent value.
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2002 DREYER SONOMA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This 2002 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrates rich fruit character balanced with medium tannins. This wine is comprised of 87% Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon coming from Sonoma County’s appellation where the absence of a marine influence creates long, warm days allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon grape to excel. The wine has a dark garnet color and a nose of black cherry and plums. Full bodied in the mouth with blackberry fruit complemented with new American oak, this wine can be enjoyed now or aged for the next several years. This wine is truly value priced for its strength of appellation, and another in a line of truly great values.
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COMPASS ® 2003 MERLOT NORTH COAST
Compass ® , the Dreyer Family’s brand known for high quality, high value wines from “all points of the compass” is pleased to show its 2003 North Coast Merlot. This release is full of abundant, ripe fruit character. Possessing a great mouthfeel and balance, the Mendocino and Sonoma County grape blend has a deep garnet color and a rich, silky texture. The tannins are firm and smoothly integrated. Very complex for the price, this release continues the expression of complete quality and value under the Compass ®
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SEABISCUIT RANCH 2002 CHARDONNAY, REDWOOD VALLEY APPELLATION
The grapes for this wine came predominantly from a terraced hillside vineyard along the mountainside of Reeves Canyon, part of the original Ridgewood Ranch, Seabiscuit’s home. Its gravelly soils and proximity to cooling influence of winds and fog off the Pacific Ocean make a distinctive style of fruit that defines our Chardonnay. Packed with concentrated fruit flavors, this Chardonnay demonstrates the intensity that results from sustainable natural farming and mindful winemaking techniques.
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2003 TRIFECTA (BORDEAUX BLEND), MENDOCINO COUNTY APPELLATION
This is an exceptional red wine blend of three classic varieties. It is the first release of Seabiscuit Ranch TRIFECTA. Our objective is to produce a proprietary true “reserve” quality wine comprised primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon with nuances gained with the addition of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. All these varieties develop mouth-filling fruit flavors and finesse in Mendocino County.
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