Place Matters to
Rodney Strong
Vineyards
By Michelle Winner
W
Taste the "sense of place" in every Rodney Strong Wine. Photo Courtesy of RSVineyards.
brands Rodney Strong and
Today what is remarkable
oceanfront under the stars at
Davis Bynum. Mr. Strong’s
about this winery, now owned
Duke’s Waikiki at the edge of
namesake company planted
by Tom Klein and family, is
the Pacific. We enjoyed
times wonder about the names
grapes of many varietals
that they are continuing to
lovely wines introduced by
of people on the labels. Are
including Sauvignon Blanc,
pioneer innovation in the
Mr. Robert Larsen of Rodney
they real people? Who are
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
industry. Their solar energy
Strong Vineyards who also
they? What was their vision?
in the terroir of Alexander
system is one of the largest in
expertly paired them with
Can their vision be tasted in
Valley. In Chalk Hill he was the
the world and they are
Duke’s executive chef’s
this bottle?
first to plant Chardonnay vines
constantly reevaluating and
menu of salad of Mesculin
in 1965. In the Russian River
applying sustainable practices
Greens and Blood Oranges
Well I know one who was very
Valley much like Burgundy,
to safeguard the local ecology.
with Crisp Fried Won Ton
real. There was a Rodney
France, he found the fog cooled
Mr. Klein favors a well-
and Tropical Vinaigrette, first
Strong. Mr. Strong was the
climate perfect for Pinot Noir
balanced portfolio of offerings
course of Panko Crusted
early visionary in Sonoma
and Chardonnay. From south
to include single vineyard
MahiMahi over Braised Kale
County who had the idea that
San Pablo Bay north to
wines, reserve wines, estate
and Beurre Orange, second
this area and all of its micro-
Mendocino, an even wetter and
wines and the consistent
course of Petite Sirloin and
climates could bring forth
cooler climate created
Sonoma County wines.
Maui Onion and Mushroom
world-class wine.
challenges but many of the
At a Rodney Strong Chef’s
Demi- glaze with Yukon
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Dinner for International Food
Mashed Potatoes, and the
Rodney Strong Vineyards
vines are above the fog line to
and Travel Writers during the
dessert of Kimo's Original
today encompass two major
produce perfect ripe fruit.
annual conference, we sat
Hula Pie®.
hile wandering the
aisles of the local
wine store, I some-