The Wines

Rita’s Block

Rita’s Block is an exotic field blend from a plot within the Alegria Vineyard in the Russian River Valley with 20 different varietals creating this complex wine. This special wine is tended to by friends and family throughout the entire year, leading up to hand harvesting by this group. Harvest begins in the wee morning hours to optimize their acidity. The grapes are then quickly destemmed and crushed to preserve their flavors and aromas while still cold from the overnight chill.

Cellared 18 months in 30% new American Oak (Virginia).

Appellation: Russian River Valley, Alegria Vineyard
Cases Produced: 200 annually
Click here for the 2017 cepage composition (18 varietals)
Click here for the 2018 cepage composition (20 varietals)

Rose of Syrah (Notre Vue Vineyard, Russian River)

This Rhone style Rose made from 100% Syrah. They were early morning picked and whole cluster pressed immediately on receipt to the winery. So, even with no skin contact time, the flavorful wine produced is light red in color and shows the wonderful flavors of Syrah while still being a light and refreshing Rose wine. This makes the wine very versatile – perfect for enjoying chilled on its own or paired with a wide range of foods that will complement each other.

Varietal: 100% Syrah
Appellation: Russian River Valley, Notre Vue Vineyard
Cases produced: About 200 Annually

Reuben, Mengler’s Director of Hospitality

Sangiovese (Alegria Vineyard, Russian River)

This Sangiovese is an elegant representation of a classic Chianti style wine. Aged for 20 months on American oak (30% new), this Russian River Valley Sangiovese has wonderful dark fruit flavors and great aromatics that make it a superb, food friendly wine

Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Appellation: Russian River Valley, Alegria Vineyard
Cases produced: About 170 annually

Mengler Family Wines

SUSTAINABLE (CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED)

After a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, Chris Mengler and his wife Rita decided to turn their lifelong passion for wine into a vocation, and moved to Sonoma to found Mengler Family Wines. Founded in 2014 and working exclusively with Sonoma fruit sourced from several top vineyards and select American oak, they produce a range of wines including a Chard, a Viognier, Dolcetto, Sangiovese and their amazing Rita’s Block, a true field blend of 18 different grape varieties.

Chris & Rita believe in working close to the land, and handle all aspects of vineyard work and winemaking themselves with help from family and friends. Their production of only about 1500 handmade cases annually showcases a range of unique and compelling styles, all designed to express the fruit and the terroir with minimal manipulation. All fruit is sourced from California Certified Sustainable vineyards. The wines routinely garner 90+ scores from the Advocate, Enthusiast, and Spectator, as well as multiple Golds and “Best in Category” in the SF Chronicle’s annual wine competition.

Chardonnay “Christine’s Selection” (Unoaked) (Stuhlmuller Vineyard, Alexander Valley)

Clean and focussed Chardonnay fruit fermented and aged in stainless steel, brilliant and elegant with medium body and good acidity leading into a crisp finish.

Varietal 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Alexander Valley, Stuhlmuller Vineyards, Block 2
About 240 Cases Produced annually

Viognier (Hool Owl Creek Vineyard, Alexander Valley)

This Viognier was aged 10 months on neutral American oak and exhibits classic floral aromatics tart green apple notes and guava nectar flavors. This wine tastes great chilled as a refreshing way to start the evening and pairs well with lighter foods.

Varietal: 100% Viognier
Appellation: Alexander Valley, Hoot Owl Creek Vineyard
Cases produced: 250 annually

Dolcetto (Alegria Vineyard, Russian River)

This take on the Piedmont’s Dolcetto is deeply colored with spicy aromatics and complex dark fruit flavors reminiscent of dark berries, pomegranate and chocolate. Despite its name, this wine is full-bodied, completely dry and pairs well with a wide range of food including pastas, pizza, or steak and can also be enjoyed on its own!

Aged 12 months in a variety of oak barrels; 35% new.
Varietal: 100% Dolcetto
Appellation: Russian River Valley, Alegria Vineyard
Cases produced: 100 annually