Drinks with Les Dames:
Christine Hanna, Hanna Winery

Wine Skinny Managing Editor Robyn Tinsley is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, an international organization of women in the food, beverage and hospitality professions. Les Dames (or LDEI) is a great community-based group that offers a supportive network to its members and participates in local educational and philanthropic efforts like the LDEI Civic Agriculture & Garden Initiative.

These are also some women who can really get into a wine tasting, if you know what we mean! Each issue, we'll bring you the results of a Drinks with Les Dames tasting -- what they liked, what they didn't, food pairing ideas, and more.

Christine Hanna came into the wine business naturally enough -- her father, Dr. Elias Hanna, purchased 12 acres in the Russian River Valley in the 1970s. Within a decade or so, this world-renowned cardiac surgeon had founded the winery, and his children were beginning their home-schooling in winemaking.

Today, Hanna Winery includes some 600 acres of land, with approximately 250 acres planted to vines in the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, and its Bismark Ranch in the Mayacamas Mountains. Eldest daughter Christine (who goes by Chris) is at the helm, and with winemaker Jeff Hinchliffe, the winery produces a baker's dozen wines.

And speaking of baking, Chris is also quite skilled in the kitchen. She learned about authentic eastern Mediterranean food from her Syrian-born mother and grandmother, and now updates some of those traditional recipes with the fresh, organic produce and artisan foods available in Sonoma. Her dishes are often served at winery events, and her recipes have been featured in food magazines and television shows. Husband Jake Whiteley is owner of Flying Goat Coffee in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, and Bungalow Coffee and Tea in Larkfield.

And as if all of that is not enough to keep her busy, Chris is also quite involved in the Sonoma County wine scene. She is the immediate past President of the Sonoma County Vintners, and helped reposition the organization with its current focus on strategic marketing. She has been on the Board of Directors since 1997. She has served as Chairperson for the Sonoma County Showcase and Auction for 2003 and 2004, directing the popular consumer food and wine event, Taste of Sonoma.

We recently tasted three of Hanna's recent releases. Here are our notes:

Hanna 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley ($17). Fresh, smooth and aromatic, with juicy key lime, sweet clover and a touch of tangy grapefruit, with a round, creamy finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Hanna 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley ($30). Dark plum and cherry aromas and flavors are laced with spicy oak, sage, mint and a touch of cedar, with a long, smooth finish. Nice complexity and balance. Ready to drink now and over the next six or seven years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Hanna 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley Bismark Mountain Vineyard ($50). This is a big, rustic, mountain fruit Cab -- and if that speaks to you, you are going to love this wine. Deeply concentrated black currant and wild blackberry fruit is supported by dusty tannins and plenty of structure. Picks up layers of clove and anise, fresh tobacco and herbal notes, and minerality through the finish. Needs decanting now, but should age beautifully for 10+ years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

To learn more about Chris Hanna and the winery, visit www.hannawinery.com.

A bientôt!