Wine of the week: Sterling Vineyards, 2009 Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc

<p>In Northern California, foodies are crazy about locally produced, sustainable, true food. And now there's a particularly tasty wine to pair with it – our wine of the week winner: Sterling Vineyards, 2009 Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc.</p><p>The wine's front label practically shouts out “Made with Organic Grapes.” Why the bold declaration?</p><p>“Across the country, interest in organic foods and concern for the environment has become a priority for many people and this concern appears to be a growing trend,” said Kim Tomlinson of Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, which owns Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga. “This (bottling) offers a ‘green' wine alternative for shoppers who are serious about sustainable farming and the origins of the wine and food they enjoy.”</p><p>Tomlinson also said there's a growing number of people who like to pair wine with goodwill. For these charitable palates, here's an interesting nugget: Sterling Vineyards Made with Organic Grapes is a member of “1 Percent for the Planet,” an alliance of businesses that donate at least 1 percent of their annual net revenues to environmental organizations worldwide. </p><p>Sterling launched its “Made With Organic Grapes” program in 2008 with three varietals – sauvignon blanc (25,000 cases this year), chardonnay, (12,000) and cabernet sauvignon (7,800.)</p><p>As for producing the sauvignon blanc, winemaker David Nakaji said the most challenging part is the wide range of styles from which to choose.</p><p>“People who are fans of one style tend to dislike the others,” he said. “Personally I love them all. Since we are in a relatively warm climate, our wines tend more towards the melon/tropical fruit flavors. I like to take advantage of the variety of microclimates of our various vineyards to get a little of the mineral/grassy/boxwood character to add complexity.”</p><p>Nakaji said he became a winemaker because he finds it intriguing.</p><p>“It's the satisfaction of making something from the earth that inspires me,” he said. “We've become very removed from where our food comes from and how it gets to our table. For me, making wine is a step back towards nature, and organic wine is yet another step.”</p><p>Staff writer Peg Melnik can be reached at 707-521-5310 or peg.melnik@pressdemocrat.com.</p>