Echelon Creates Headlines

"For a lovely white wine, chill a bottle of Echelon 2010 California Chardonnay. This Chardonnay has no oak but does have a creamy texture that makes it smooth and refreshing at the same time. The sumptuous flavors of pineapple and peach make this wine perfect for burgers smothered in sauteed onions and mushrooms and topped with Swiss cheese. Yummy!" Full Article

"In the $11 to $20 range, you won’t go wrong gifting any one of the lovely wines in Echelon Vineyards’ California Series. There’s Chardonnay (juicy pear flavors) and Pinot Grigio (crisp, clean and refreshing) at $13 each and Cabernet Sauvignon (ripe black fruits), Pinot Noir (soft tannins with rich finish) and a lovely little Red Blend (Merlot and Cabernet blend with lots of fruity flavors) for $14 each." Full Article

"The Collection Series features an Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Chardonnay and Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. A bottle of the Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon retails for approximately $17.99; a bottle of the Napa Valley Chardonnay has a suggested retail price of $14.99; and a bottle of the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir retails for about $24.99. The company also offers the California Series, which features grapes from the cool, coastal valleys for their concentration and structure, and grapes from the warm, interior valleys for richness and suppleness." Full Article

"For the Chardonnay lover, Echelon, a California icon recently re-launched, pays homage to classic California Chards without going full-on oak and butter with their Collection Chardonnay. The color is a little darker than many of the current crisp Chardonnays, the nose fruity and floral, but still lean and clean. On the mouth, it is round and full, with a good balance of fruits and acids, and a bit of weight on the mid-palate. A hint of spicy minerality reminds you this is 2011, not 1985, and will cut heavy Thanksgiving fare beautifully." Full Article

"{For appetizers} Echelon Collection Series Napa Valley Chardonnay (2010): If you don’t like big, buttery chardonnays, this is the white wine for you. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, this crisp wine has notes of pear and vanilla, with a touch of honey and creaminess, perfect for a salad or light hors d’oeuvres." Full Article

"After acquiring the Echelon Vineyards brand from Diageo Chateau & Estates Wines early this year, Novato-based Winery Exchange has revamped the brand inside the bottle and out. The Novato-based producer of private and national wine, beer and spirits brands for a number of major retailers released a new Collection Series for Echelon, the first of the company’s own national brands." Full Article

"Echelon, 2010 Russian River Valley Collection Pinot Noir. 13.5 percent, $25. A juicy pinot noir with concentrated fruit. Notes of cranberry, plum and spice. Smoky." Full Article

"Originally started in 1998, Echelon Vineyards was created to showcase fruit from the Central Coast region of California. Today, Echelon has expanded its roots beyond the Central Coast to showcase the characteristics unique to several of California's diverse appellations by introducing its "California Series" of wines. Echelon sources fruit for its new brand from a mixture of winegrowing regions." Full Article

"The new national brand division of Winery Exchange announces the relaunch of Echelon Vineyards, a proven and trusted brand with a legacy of strong trade equity and consumer pull; wine lovers have purchased more than 18.5 million bottles of Echelon Vineyards wines since its original launch in 1998." Full Article

"The Collection Series includes a Napa Valley Chardonnay, an Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. All three are being released in limited volumes of 3,865 cases, 8,002 cases and 5,978 cases, respectively. At the same time as the roll-out, Echelon is relaunching its California Series, which was released in 1998." Full Article

"Their new limited edition Collection Series will highlight a number of California sub-appellations, while the California Series will present a narrower varietal selection and updated label. Notice a trend yet? It's all California-focused." Full Article