Van der Vijver Estate (Back to Previous Page)

Appellation: Fair Play Viticultural Area Location: 7451 Fair Play Rd Fair Play, California 95684 Phone: (530)620-3210 Winemaker: Robert Van Der Vijver Tasting Room: Small Days/Hours: Wed thru Sun, 11:00 to 5:00 Parking: Small Picnic Facilities: Patio Tables available Red Wines: Sangiovese, Pinotage, Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera White Wines: Chardonnay Production: 2500 cases

Map

The Winery

The winery is located on a little knoll surrounded by giant oak trees and vineyards in the rolling hills of the Fair Play AVA. The drive to the tasting room has a definite whimsical feel with all of the yellow wooden shoes and Dutch highlights decorating the fences and gates. The tasting room is small and nicely done with a Northern European flare. The feel may be whimsical, but don't let that lead you to believe they aren't serious about their wines.

The Vineyards

Although the estate does grow some of their own grapes, the winemaker prides himself on getting the right grapes from the right terroir. That means buying grapes from warmer and cooler microclimates as the specific varietal or blend requires.

The Wines

These are truly European style wines. The Sangiovese is made from the Brunello di Montalcino clone, aged in oak for 4 years and has developed into a great sipping wine. The Barbera, made in a ripe and full bodied style, has a great palate of licorice and spice. Both are worth the trip to the winery. The Zinfandel is made with yeast from the Rioja region of Spain and has more of an old world flare than most Zins made from Amador grapes.

The Winemaker

Robert Van der Vijver was born and raised in the Netherlands, and spent much of his earlier years traveling throughout European wine country. He works to make his wines in the style and flavor of the regions where those varietals and blends originated, including his Merlot, which is more in the French style than Napa. 

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