Wine is a luxury and as a luxury it was one of the first to feel the effects of the recent economic downturn. The industry is facing a situation similar to the economic recession of the early seventies. At that time, business was so bad that there was a standing joke in California; “if you see an expensive car coming down your road, try to sell them the winery and not just wine.”
There have been many changes in the industry since then and one fact still comes to the fore; if a winery is still in business, their wines must be good; and such is definitely the case with the wines of Glen Ellen. The winery has consistently kept up with the taste preferences of the American people and has produced wine specifically directed toward the American palate and American food trends.
To further increase their desire to produce quality wines at reasonable prices, the Glen Ellen vintners offer their wines in the money saving 1.5 liter bottles at $9.99 each or for traditionalists, they still come in 750ml bottles at $5.99.

Glen Ellen Proprietor’s Reserve 2009 Chardonnay. Chardonnay, is Chardonnay, is Chardonnay, and with all of the Chardonnay around they can get a bit boring. With everyone and his brother out in California making Chardonnay, for one to stand out is rather rare. This wine strays from the rest of the pack by centering its interest on the true fruit flavors of the grape. Glen Ellen Proprietor’s Reserve 2009 Chardonnay glories in the myriad of flavors that Chardonnay grapes are famous for; expansive tropical fruit flavors with an undertone of lemon and a long fruity finish. It is the perfect, light drinking Chardonnay that will compliment sea foods, the lighter meats of almost every type and even (well why not) pizza.

Glen Ellen Proprietor’s Reserve 2007 Petite Sirah. Petite Sirah is rapidly overtaking the rest of the red wine pack in popularity among wine drinkers. Glen Ellen has for many years been a champion of this variety and is probably responsible for its increasing popularity. They have, since 1961, continuously produced exceptional wines from this often misunderstood grape variety. This offering holds true to the wines of the past, a medium-full body, brilliant ruby color and a full fruit flavor that accents red berry and dark cherry flavor with the traditional and memorable peppery undertones. It is very smooth in the mouth with a nicely defined aftertaste. The wine will age exceptionally well with four or five years being the optimum. Try the Glen Ellen Proprietor’s Reserve 2007 Petite Sirah with any of the popular highly spiced foods or red-sauced pastas and your venture into this variety will be amply rewarded.
Glen Ellen Proprietor’s Reserve 2008 Old Vines Zinfandel. Do geriatric vines make better wine, or at least different wines, than there juvenile compatriots? In the case of zinfandel, it sure does. It seems that the grapes from these older vines produce wines that are more intense in flavor and aroma and a longer, smoother aftertaste than their younger brethren and some of the grapes came from 120 year old vines. This is a glorious wine, resplendent with the aroma and flavor of big ripe blackberries and the undertone of oak and cedar. There is also a peppery component, which assures that this wine can accompany even the spiciest of foods.

Glen Ellen Proprietor’s Reserve 2009 Pinot Grigio. This is a fine example of what the Pinot Grigio grape can do when the grapes are American grown and in the hands of the expert winemaker. The Glen Ellen winemakers have produced a wine that crosses all of the lines of the foreign pinot grigio while making excellent use of the great depth of flavor endowed to California grow grapes. This wine is alive with the aromas of pear, melon, flowers, cinnamon and nutmeg. These aromas carry over to the flavor and linger in the mouth long after the wine has been finished.