WANTED: Crush Help!

We can always use extra help during crush and for bottling. Please contact Brent or Lanny if you are interested: 925-447-5246

Summer Fanatic Selections

The Summer 2008 Fanatic wine selection is the sensational 2007 Semonnay, Livermore Valley, and the superb 2005 Zinfandel, Livermore Valley.

The pick-up dates for these wines are:

• May 9-11, 12-5 PM
• May 16-18, 12-5 PM
• May 23-26, 12-5 PM   (May 24-26 is our Spring Fling!)
• May 30, 31, and June 1, 12-5 PM
• June 6-8, 12-5 PM
• June 13-15, 12-5 PM
• June 20-22, 12-5 PM
• June 27-29, 12-5 PM

Note: If your wine has not been picked by JUNE 30th, please call & make arrangements for holding or shipping!

Spring Fanatic Selections

The Spring Fanatics Selection features two marvelous wines: the elegant 2005 Tempranillo and the lucious 2005 Mourvedre.

Winter Fanatic Selections

The Winter Fanatics Selection features two marvelous wines: the elegant 2005 Pinot Noir and the delicious 2005 Grenache. These are two great wines for the holidays.

"Orphans of the Fire"

We featured these three outstanding wines at the Fanatic dinner: 2003 Syrah Estate ($24), 2002 Petite Sirah ($22) and 2003 Zinfandel ($28). Most of the cases of these three wines were stored at Wines Central Warehouse and were destroyed in the fire in 2005. These were the only cases of wine stored here at the winery. They are available to Fanatics only, and only for as long as they last. Please call or email for availability (wines are sold out).

Autumn Fanatic Selections

The Autumn Fanatics Selection features two wonderful wines: the popular 2005 Malbec and the impressive 2005 Touriga. These are two flavorful wines that pair nicely with food. Grapes for both selections were grown by Ron Silva of Silvaspoons Vineyards in Galt (near Lodi). Ron has talked us into buying many unusual grapes, and we have been delighted with the wines we have produced from grapes from his vineyard.

Spring-Summer Fanatic Selections

The Spring-Summer Fanatics Selection features two outstanding wines: the luscious Semonnay® (61% Chardonnay, 39% Semillon) and the sensational 2004 Syrah Estate. Both wines are good with summer foods.

Fanatic Dinner
Carol Syriani of Gimanelli’s Deli provided a splendid feast for the Fanatics. The day was warm and the new Verdelho hit the spot. Appetizers were lovely — salmon salad and artichoke-shrimp spread, with olives and bruschetta, accompanied by the new 2006 Verdelho and the 2002 Merlot, LV. Dinner featured Chicken with Artichokes and Glazed Pork Tenderloin, with roasted red potatoes, grilled asparagus and a lovely salad. The wines with dinner were the 2005 Chardonnay and 2004 Pinot Noir with the 2001 Syrah Estate Reserve magnums served as a special treat. Dessert was Lemon Cheesecake Bites to go with the 2006 Sweet Viognier and Fudge Bites to go with the 2002 Port, Lodi. A good time was had by all.

Winter-Spring Fanatic Selections

This is a very interesting selection, featuring two favorite Fanatic wines. The 2004 Tempranillo is a luscious, ready to drink wine-- “my new Malbec” one staff member said. The 2003 Petite Sirah needs time (as our Petite Sirahs do). The 2001 and 2002 Petite Sirahs were victims of the Mare Island fire — we only have a few cases of each vintage left.

Winter Fanatic Selections

This is a very distinctive selection, focusing on grapes from the western edge of the Livermore Valley. The selections represent our estate grapes (the 2004 Mourvedre) and Pinot Noir grapes from Tenuta Vineyard. Both are big, flavorful wines. These wines were featured at the Fanatic Dinner, and both were big hits. They both are young, so open them an hour or so before drinking.

2006 - Fanatics Fall Dinner
The 30th Viniversary Fanatics Dinner was great, with Pork Tenderloin with apples and Zinfandel sauce, Chicken Breast with a Semillon cream sauce,a tasty salad with pomegranate vinaigrette. The new Fanatic Selections — 2004 Pinot Noir
and 2004 Mourvedre — were wonderful with the meal as were the 2000 Syrah Reserve Magnums and 2003 Petite Sirah. Desserts including Marge Petersen’s Viniversary cake finished the meal — with a little Port

Autumn Fanatic Selections

This is a very special selection, celebrating our 30 years of operation. The selections represent the traditional (2002 Merlot, Livermore Valley) and Lanny's latest interest - Portuguese wines (2004 Touriga, Lodi, Silverspoons Vineyard).

2006 - Fanatics Spring Dinner

The Fanatics”Salute to Spring” Dinner was absolutely wonderful starting with appetizers featuring the delicious “Smoked Salmon Pinwheels”. This was followed by grilled chicken with a ginger/garlic marinade, beef skewers with red peppers and onions, potatoes and asparagus and a lovely green salad, accompanied by the Fanatic wines 2003 Pinot Noir and 2001 Merlot SLH, and a special treat the 2000 Syrah Reserve magnums. For dessert, lemon and chocolate tarts, we poured a treasure from the past, 1978 Late Harvest Riesling, Monterey County. A great time was had by all.

2005 - Fantics Fall Dinner

October 22, 2005: The Fanatics’ Autumn Dinner was impressive—with many interesting Fenestra wines and a delicious meal. The Pepper Parmesan Stuffed Beef
steak was wonderful with the 2003 Tempranillo , and the Chicken Breasts with grapes in a rich cream sauce was delicious with the 2003 Viognier. The menu also featured Orzo Primavera, Autumn Vegetable Blend, and a scrumptious spinach salad with mandarin oranges. The 2003 Touriga was
served as an interlude—to better enjoy this double gold medallist. Dessert featured fruit and two Near-Eastern desserts paired with the unreleased Late Harvest Viognier and the 2002 Port (Portuguese varieties). Great fun was had by all.

2005 - Fantics Spring Dinner

April 24, 2005: Carol Siriani, owner of Gimanelli’s Deli, produced a marvelous repast for the Fenestra Fanatics Spring Dinner. There were bruschetta with dill cream and smoked salmon, Babaghanou (eggplant dip) with pita bread, olives, and cheese for appetizers, accompanied by the new 2004 Semillon, 2002 Chardonnay and 2001 Sangiovese. The olives and 2004 Semillon were a surprisingly good pairing!

The main course was outstanding: chicken parmesan, roast pork tenderloin with a mushroom sauce, roasted vegetables and potatoes, and salad, with 2001 Pinot Noir, 2001 Zinfandel and for a special treat—the fabulous 97 Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon (magnums). Dessert was delicious—Lemon bars, Chocolate and Walnut Bars and seasonal fruit. Lanny brought out two treasures from the library: 1989 Late Harvest Riesling (Monterey County) and 1991 Sweet Semillon, Livermore Valley. Both these wines were amazing!

2004 - "Mediterranean Adventure" Dinner

Fenestra Fanatics gathered at the winery October 23 for a memorable evening. Lanny presented some special wines--including the 2000 Syrah Reserve magnums and the long awaited Port made from Portuguese Port grapes.

Carol Siriani, owner of Gimanelli’s, prepared a fantastic meal. The dinner started with bruschetta, Feta cheese bites and Calabrese sausage pizza for hors d’oeuvres, Chicken with Lemon Caper Sauce, Kafta, Ouzi (Basmati Rice with Vegetables), Green Beans à la Carol, Fatoush (famous Syrian salad) and ended with a lovely selection of house made cookies, melons and grapes for dessert. Great fun was had by all.

2004 - "Salute to Spring" Dinner

It was a lovely night, warm and balmy. The Fanatics gathered early, enjoying the hors d'oeuvres while greeting old friends and meeting new. The dinner was marvelous - Gimanelli's outdid themselves - with grilled chicken, smoked roasted salmon, Jim's famous lamb sausages, roasted vegetables with penne pasta and a special dessert.

It was a nostalgic night, since it was the last Fanatic dinner for Jim Rio, owner of Gimanelli's. He and his wife Ellie, who are original Fanatics, have sold Gimanelli's and are moving to Arizona. We presented Jim with a plaque from Fenestra Winery and a bottle of fabulous champagne from the staff. We welcome the new owners, Carol and Sam Syriani, and look forward to them continuing the same high standards and innovative menus that Jim Rio has provided.

2003 - Autumn Fanatic Dinner

Once again our Autumn Fanatic Dinner was a great sucess.It sold out within a few days of the announcement of the event.  Guests enjoyed a menu prepared by Jim Rio of Gimanelli's which consisted of a mouth watering Turkey Breast Roulade stuffed with fresh herbs, mustard and cheese, Jim's seasonal House-made fresh Bratwurst, pumpkin raviolis with Texas Pecan Pesto as well as sauteed greens with pancetta. Highlighting the evening were two unreleased wines, the 2001 Charbono and the 2000 Syrah, Reserve, Estate.  Both these wines were poured with dinner and were available for purchase that night only.

2003 - True Red Vertical - "The Early Years"

On August 1, an event was held  to give the Fanatics an opportunity to taste and purchase early lots  of True Red, Fenestra's highly successful red table wine. True Red has been a favorite of Fanatics and other visitors, and this event gave the Fanatics a very rare opportunity to try True Red that were 6-12 years old! Many of lots held up wonderfully, giving a treat to those that could attend. Jim Rio of Gimanelli's provided hearty hors d'oeuvres: pizza , chicken wings, roasted herb potatoes, antipasto, fruit and veggie trays as well as cheese dip and breadsticks. Of course, we finished off the evening with Port and chocolate.

Fanatic Membership

Want to be invited special winery events, sample pre-release and special wines available to Fanatics only and get a better discount on Fenestra Wines? Then join the loyal following of Fenestra Fanatics! If you would like to be a Fanatic, you can contact us by e-mail, phone, fax or letter for a Fanatic membership form. Alternately, you can download the form here.

• E-mail: info@fenestrawinery.com
• Phone: (925) 447-5246 or 1-800-789-WINE (9463)
• Fax: (925) 447-4655
• Letter: Fenestra Winery, PO Box 582, Sunol, CA 94586

Fanatics are required to purchase the two wines in their quarterly selection. The wines can be shipped to you  or can be held in reserve for you at the winery. There are no substitutions for the quarterly selections.

2007 Semonnay, Livermore Valley

Our Semonnay is a blend of 61% Chardonnay and 39% Semillon. Both wines were barrel fermented in French and Hungarian oak. This wine has a spicy bouquet of melon, apricot, and pear with luscious flavors of green apple, melon, peach and a hint of toasty oak. This is a complex, full-bodied wine with a lingering finish. Enjoy with shellfish, roasted chicken, pork loin or as an aperitif.

2005 Zinfandel, Livermore Valley
Our 2005 Zinfandel has lots of fruit in the spicy, ripe berry/black pepper bouquet, and an intense blackberry/black pepper/spicy flavor with a hint of chocolate. This big, bold wine is well-balanced with a lingering finish. AGE THIS ONE! Wonderful with barbecue, grilled sausage, marinated flank steak, ribs, kebabs, ratatouille or paella.

Fanatic Bonus Wines:

Sometimes we have more than two wines that would be a great Fanatic Selection.

2005 Barbera
This Barbera is blended with 3% each Pinot Noir, lvarelhao and Merlot, this is the only Barbera wine Fenestra has ever made. This wine has an attractive dark cherry/plum/raspberry bouquet,
with lots of cherry/plum flavor, a nice touch of oak and a lingering finish. This rustic wine, with vibrant acidity, is great with pasta (with ricotta cheese, Parmesan, scallions and bacon), barbecue, salty foods, antipasto, spaghetti Bolognese, tomatoes, or Parma ham.

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon,
Smith & Hook Vyd Magnum

This wine received great reviews from the Tasting Panel. From the earthy bouquet, the great debth of flavor, the dusty tannins to the long, complex finish, this wine is meant to be sipped and savored. Perfect with Porterhouse steak, grilled Portobello mushrooms, buffalo, strong cheese and dark chocolate.

Last “Orphan of the Fire”: 2003 Estate Syrah

There are only a few cases left of the 2003 Estate Syrah. Most of the cases were stored at Wines Central Warehouse and were destroyed in the fire of 2005. These were the only cases of wine stored here at the winery. They are available to Fanatics only, and only for as long as they last. (Please call or email for availability.)