The 2009 Pinot Grigio displays a hint of honeyed citrus and light to medium body. It is fresh, lively, and again, a wine to drink in its exuberant youth. Long-time veteran winemaker Nils Venge continues to turn out an enticing group of essentially unoaked or minimally oaked white wines from Saddleback that emphasize their varietal character. They are delicious to drink from the get-go and are very food-friendly. Moreover, they offer considerable value.Tel. (707) 944-1305; Fax (707) 944-1325

Crisp and clean in acidity, and sweet, this wine tastes like a mixture of grapefruit, pineapple and peach juices. ——S.H.(12/1/2009)—— 83

The 2007 Pinot Grigio reveals crisp apple butter and melon-like fruit, zesty acidity, medium body, and a dry finish. This dry white is best consumed during the first 1-2 years of life. This is a two-tiered operation with the Saddleback Cellars wines generally made from blends of estate fruit from their 20 acres in Oakville as well as purchased lots. The Venge Family Reserve cuvees are made from nearly all estate grown fruit with small amounts of purchased fruit utilized as well. The Venge Family Reserve wines tend to be the more esteemed, and consequently, are higher priced. This is a fun estate to visit as there is no shortage of personality from the father and son team of Nils and Kirk Venge. The flagship offerings appear under the Venge Family Reserve label. Some enticing wines are produced, largely from estate vineyards in Oakville, but occasionally supplemented by purchased fruit.Tel. (707) 944-1305; Fax (707) 944-1325; Venge Family Reserve: Tel. (707) 942-9100; Fax (707) 942-9121

The 2006 Pinot Grigio was pleasant as well as fairly priced. The two Venges, father Nils and son Kirk, look like two Vikings who somehow ended up in Napa Valley, with Nils taking the cowboy route and Kirk following a more conservative path. They own over twenty acres of estate vineyards, six of which are dedicated to the Venge Family Reserve operation in Oakville, and the balance to the Saddleback label. They supplement their estate production with some purchased fruit that forms the backbone of their white wine program, all light, non-malolactic whites that are meant to be drunk during their first several years of life.Tel. (707) 944-1305; Fax (707) 944-1325; Venge Winery tel. (707) 967-1008

The light, crisp, Italian-styled 2005 Pinot Grigio possesses zingy acidity, attractive grapefruit and orange zest characteristics, along with a hint of green apple skins. Enjoy it over the next year. Previously recommended: 2002 Venge Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (97), 2003 Venge Family Reserve Merlot (90).Saddleback Cellars tel. (707) 944-1305; fax (707) 944-1325; Venge Winery tel. (707) 967-1008