If there’s a holiday worth celebrating, it’s National Wine Day next Tuesday May 25, arriving as we approach summer — a fun-filled time that means barbecues, beach and plenty of sun. Simi, a winery in Sonoma County, Calif., knows a thing or two about pairing wines with summertime, and as one of California’s oldest wineries, boasts a rich and interesting history as well.
The winery was started by two brothers, Giuseppe and Pietro Simi, who, in 1849, emigrated from the Tuscan hills in Montepulciano, Italy to California, where hordes of adventurers were flocking in search of gold. While the brothers did not find gold in the New World, they did stumble upon the Alexander Valley, eventually purchasing land and making wine in the Italian tradition, producing their first bottles in 1890.
As their success grew, so did their winery, with the expansion of their stone cellars taking place in 1904. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when both brothers passed away from the devastating Spanish flu pandemic that same year, leaving Giuseppe’s daughter, Isabelle, in charge. Only 18 years old, Isabelle proved to be more than up to the task. In 1920 as Prohibition began, she sold all vineyard holdings to keep possession of the cellars, banking on a repeal of the Prohibition law. When it finally came in 1933, Simi was immediately prepared to sell 500,000 gallons of perfectly cellared wines to the thirsty public.
Isabelle retired in 1970, selling the winery to grape grower, Russell Green. Green focused on renovating the existing vineyard as well as purchasing additional land in order to introduce wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Zelma Long, considered another female pioneer in the California wine community, joined Simi as president in 1979, directing a major renovation of the fermentation and barrel rooms. In 2003 Steve Reeder became Simi’s winemaker, celebrating and maintaining the vineyard’s historical properties while continually seeking out modern techniques and equipment in order to stay on top of the evolving world of winemaking. Case in point: thanks to the winery’s eco-friendly practices and dedication to sustainability, Simi became officially green-certified in 2006.
Exceptional wines, like the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley and the 2019 Chardonnay Sonoma County continue to keep Simi in the driver’s seat, and come summer, these two bottles can’t be beat. The cab is both elegant and juicy, and with notes of dark cherry and blackberry, it’s the ideal wine for anything you may be planning to throw on the grill. The chardonnay is playful and expressive, with notes of baked apple, clove, vanilla and citrus that pair fabulously with fresh seafood and salads. Both are lovely options for summertime dining and are available in local wine shops. So whether you’re a proud carnivore or prefer to keep things light with salad, your glass of wine awaits. Cheers!