As work continues in the different vineyards of Desert Hills Estate Winery so too does work occur in the wine shop itself. New this year will be an outdoor patio off of the wine shop that will accommodate 30 to 36 people. Desert Hills’ wines will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle to enjoy on the patio with beautiful mountain and valley vistas.
Randy Toor enthusiastically announced that their new Rosé named “Helen” will be released in time for the Spring Wine Festival. Asking where the name came from, he said that when the winemaker was making this wine it was so beautiful in color and taste that it reminded him of the beauty goddess, Helen of Troy. Only 200 cases were made. Desert Hills is also releasing a new port style wine “The Ambassador”.
Desert Hills enjoys rave reviews and medals: The 2008 Meritage received International Double Gold, the 2011 Cactus Series [whites] Silver, and many other medals too numerous to mention.
The popular Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Gamay are comprised of very small lots and these wines go to the Wine Club members first. The Zinfandel has already sold out. The first shipment for the Wine Club was shipped mid April so they encourage everyone to join the Wine Club so as not to be disappointed.
2012, while it started out wet, dreary and not encouraging, turned out to be a banner year. Desert Hills Winery is excited about their new vintages being released this year and they promise not to disappoint! New releases are the Mirage, Malbec, Merlot, Gamay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
~ Dee Newman