Anyway, after a grueling series of rolling hills climbing out of Ione, I came into Sutter Creek and dropped into California's smallest incorported "city" Amador City. Right there on the main street (Old 49) was FEIST WINERY. A VERY NICE DISCOVERY.
He poured me an un-oaked Chardonnay from Lodi grapes that was quite delicious...the winemaker said no lees but it had -plenty of tangyness and zip. Very delicious.
The Grenache was the only disappointment of the day...no grenache strawberry funk, seemed spoofy with oak.
The Reserve Syrah, however, had delicious layers of flavor...everything the Syrah should have. As did the Reserve Petit Sirah, which featured a delicious blast of black pepper and plentiful berry fruit. ABV for both of these reds was only 14.2...he is not going for major over-ripeness here! Fantastic! The Zinfandel, from Shennadoah Valley, had a freshness to it I don't always find in Zinfandels.
I was on my bicycle, and this tasting room was "downtown" so there was no place to hide a bottle, but I will definitely revisit this winery.