Freemark Abbey
Inevitably one of the first questions I get when I recommend a wine from Freemark Abbey is, ”Why is it called Freemark Abbey“. No, it is not named after a Monk named Mark who is being held captive in the Abbey and no, it is not because anyone named Mark that goes there is held captive in the Abbey (more about that later). It is simply a combination of the names of the owners in 1939.
Freemark Abbey got its start in 1886 when Josephine Marlin Tychson became the first woman to build and operate a winery in California. In 1881 she and her husband purchased 147-acres north of St. Helena (later known as ”Tychson Hill“) for a whopping $8,500! They moved there in hopes that the Napa Valley climate would help her husband who had tuberculosis. He had a dream to have a winery, but unfortunately he never lived to see his plans take shape. The winery sold a couple of times before Antonio Forni purchased it in 1898. This Italian immigrant named the winery Lombarda Cellars, named after his birthplace in Italy. Lombarda Cellars specialized in Italian style wines to be shipped to Barre, Vermont where there was a large concentration of Italians who worked the quarries.
In 1919 Lombarda Cellars had to close its doors because of the implementation of prohibition. Forni like many other vintners in Napa Valley just couldn’t make it and were forced to cease production.
Years later, in 1939, three businessmen from Southern California, Albert ”Abbey“ Ahern, Charles Freeman and Markquand Foster purchased Lombarda Cellars and combined their names to create Freemark Abbey!
A couple of years ago my partner at Funky Monkey Wine Company, Nicholas Olivieri, and I went to visit Freemark Abbey. We were struck by the fact that the two bartenders assisting us with our tasting and our selection of wines to go were both names Mark. The first thing out of my mouth was, ”Let me guess, you came in to taste and they have been holding you captive in the Abbey ever since?!?“ Apparently they didn’t think it was as amusing as I did. None-the-less, they make a fantastic product which I enjoyed then and still do to this day.
Ok, enough about all of that, Spring is in the air and their wines are a great way to bring it in! Funky Monkey Wine Company has the 2004 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay which is perfect for our namesake. Pale yellow hue with aromas of ripe bananas, pineapple upside-down cake, lemon-lime and floral scream Spring! Follow that with flavors of apples, bananas, creamy butterscotch enlivened by a subtle touch of oak give this Chardonnay a crisp finish. As a Chardonnay lover (watch it all you Chardonnay haters), this one is a favorite.
Another favorite for Spring is the 2000 Edelwein Late Harvest Riesling. This wine is great for after dinner, or for a warm Spring day just to sip on. Late Harvest, just like it sounds, is extended fruit maturity and slow botrytis (go to www.tastersguildorlando.com for a glossary of wine terms) development make this delight what it is. The wine is pure gold (everyone loves gold in the Spring, or any time for that matter) color with intense aromas of fruit blossoms, orange marmalade and honey. The flavors are peach, marmalade, and apricots. This wine has a great sweet-tart kick to it.
It wouldn’t be Spring without the grill! Break that baby out and grill up some lamb, the Monkey is bringing a 2003 Freemark Abbey Merlot to the table! This wine has a rich ruby color with reddish hues. The aroma is appealing with nuances of dried cranberry, red raspberry, cherry, chocolate espresso and hints of mint and arugula (excuse me a moment while I go get a glass… my mouth is watering!). The flavor is crisp with plum, cherry, dark fruit, chocolate and a hint of oak. That makes this perfect for grilled lamb or game.
I have one more I just have to tell you about! If lamb or game are not your style but you still want to grill for your special someone do I have the treat for you. This is a limited supply wine, but it is sure to impress; 2004 Josephine, named after the original owner of the winery in 1886. This wine is very dark ruby in color with aromas of cedar, clove, boysenberry, milk chocolate, black cherry and black currants (there is a lot going on in there!). The flavor is rich black raspberry, black cherry, dark chocolate and a hint of vanilla the Monkey recommends a steak on the grill. Make sure to sauté up mushrooms and onions for that extra kick of enjoyment.
Well, that is all I have time for right now. Make sure to enjoy the Spring, it is bound to be great enjoyed with a special someone and Freemark Abbey!
Cheers!
Eddie Nickell
Funky Monkey Wine Company
© 2007 Tasters Guild Orlando