Lauren

Lauren is in charge of the wine club at Medlock Ames. She doesn't look old enough to drink wine much less be so knowledgeable about it. We went to a pick-up party there to claim our case of wine, taste of the new spring wine releases, and enjoy pate, smoked trout, salad greens grown on the ranch and local artisan cheeses and cured meats.

Everyone we have met at Medlock Ames from the people pouring wine in their tasting room in the Alexander Valley to the winemaker, Ames Morrison, is friendly, ernest and dedicated to running an environmentally friendly, sustainable business.

Although these events all take place at their Bell Mountain Ranch, each one is different.
Once the tables of food and wine were set up outside so we could watch the sheep grazing in the vineyard while eating skewered grilled lamb! Another time there was handmade pizza with sauces and roasted vegetables from their own gardens and an olive curing demonstration.

Today they opened their giant tank warehouse and in addition to tasting the new releases, thre ws a blending demonstration where we could make and drink your own blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot Malbec and Petite Verdot. Another earnest young man was there to give advice and guidance to the uniniated., which was no doubt most of us. A musician sitting beside the grape crusher with his guitar leaning against a fork lift provided the music of the day.

It was a lovely day and people sat around on the lawn outside watching small children and dogs running around in the sunshine. Many of the dogs were of the small, fluffy variety, although there was a skinny, wise looking whippet with an equally skinny man, a small black dog with a pink jacket and matching bows, and a very bored worldly looking Border Collie. Because we had noticed on previous occasions that the majority of the guests were young and not terribly friendly interested in the older generation, we recruited several of our own friends of a certain age to come. All in all, a most pleasant way to spend an afternoon in wine country.