My wife and I recently took a trip to Washington, D.C.  We stayed at
one of the Embassy Suites and ate in their restaurant.  There we had
the most excellent bottle of chardonnay.  It was a 1999 bottle with
the label "Cedar Grove".  I've searched the 'net and can't find
anything referencing a vineyard with that name, nor can I find wine
with that label on any of the online stores(but you probably won't
want to take my word for that).  My question is where can I get a
bottle of this 1999 Cedar Grove chardonnay?

Hi jaxzin,

Well, this was a difficult search, but thanks to my wonderful
colleague Chromedome-ga the wine has been found!  :)

I had posted an answer late Friday night, and the next morning and
after doing more investigation by phone... I found I was on a wild
goose chase (probably will go down in history as my wild wine chase!)
and asked the Google Answers Editors to remove my answer.

The information is below, and you'll notice on the line following
number of employees... those delightful words:
"Affiliated Labels: Cedar Grove
Varietals Grown/Produced: Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot"

From the Wine Spectator Home website:
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Wineries/Winery_Profile/0,1160,847,00.html

Email: cedarmtn@ncal.verio.com 
Web site: n/a 
 
Bus. phone: 925-373-6636
Bus. fax: 925-373-6694 Hours: 12pm-4pm
Tours: Yes
Tasting Fee: no
 
Owners: Earl & Linda Ault
Winemakers: Earl Ault

Description: Boutique luxury winery. Family owned & operated by Earl &
Linda Ault.

Features: Retail sales, Credit Cards Accepted, Picnic Area, Parking
Available, Gift Shop

Winery events: Barrel Tasting & Future Sales Thanksgiving Weekend and
Presidents Day Weekend.

Directions: East from I 580/ I 680 10 miles to Vasco Road. South to
Tesla Road. Left 0.5 mi. to 700 Tesla
 
Date Established: 1990
Vineyard Acres Owned: 16
Distribution: Domestic Only
Annual Case Production: 4000
No. of employees: 10
 
Affiliated Labels: Cedar Grove
Varietals Grown/Produced: Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot

Select/Specialty Wines: Port, Estate Reserve, Blanches Vineyard
Cabernet

*****

Google search:  Cedar Grove Vineyards, Cedar Grove Chardonnay, Cedar
Grove winery, etc., etc.,

Located by my wonderful colleague: Chromedome-ga (many thanks!)

Warm regards,

tlspiegel

---

Request for Answer Clarification by jaxzin-ga on 20 Jul 2003 21:16 PDT

Thank you for finding that information.  My question now could be
rephrased,  can I buy a bottle directly from them or do they have
distributors?  My quest is to buy a bottle of the 1999 chardonnay.

---

Clarification of Answer by tlspiegel-ga on 20 Jul 2003 21:35 PDT

Hi jaxzin,

Being that it's Sunday night I know I won't be able to answer your
request for clarification.  I will place a call during business hours
on Monday, and will post my findings.

Best regards,

tlspiegel

---

Clarification of Answer by tlspiegel-ga on 21 Jul 2003 09:44 PDT

Good Morning!

I now have an update for you.  I do have a business phone number for
The Ault's, who own the Cedar Mountain Winery, however the only way I
was able to contact them was by leaving a message.  I also have
emailed asking for more information.  It is a fairly small winery with
about 4,500 cases produced per year. In addition, I found a white
pages listing for their home phone, and again... the only way to
contact them was to leave a message.

If you go to the Order Form page:
http://www.wines.com/cedarmountain/cmtnform.html

"Cedar Mountain Winery Order Form
This document is provided as a convenience for Internet users. (It is
not an electronic form.) Please save/print and fax or mail directly to
Cedar Mountain Winery (see address below).

Please send this form with your check or credit card information, and
please sign the form. (Visa and Mastercard). Additionally, your phone
number is important for shipping considerations.

Minimum order of two bottles, please! 
5% discount on 6-11 bottles, 10% discount on 12 or more. 

Mail order form to: Cedar Mt. Winery, 7000 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA
94550
Fax order form to (925) 373-6694. Voice: (925) 373-6636.
Email: cedarmtn@wt.net"

*****

From the following page I have posted the two Chardonnays listed.  I
realize the year on the Chardonnays in question isn't 1999.

Current Releases Cedar Mountain Winery
http://www.wines.com/cedarmountain/cmtnwine.html


____x $25.00 =_______1998 Chardonnay del Sol Dessert Wine
                     (500 ml bottle)

1998 Cabernet Royale Dessert Wine
A luscious dessert wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested
from our vineyard. "This seductive and complex wine complements
chocolate desserts." 4-Star Gold Medal Winner at the 2000 Orange
Country Fair. ($25.00 per 500 ml bottle)



Blanches Vineyard
____x $18.00 =_______2000 Estate Chardonnay


2000 Estate Chardonnay
Blanches Vineyard
Intense apple, pear, honey, and tropical fruit flavors punctuated with
a rich oak finish. This sur lee Chardonnay compliments full flavored
pastas, light meats, and cheeses. ($18.00/bottle)


Subtotal:____________
Shipping:____________
Tax (CA):____________ CA customers only, 
                      please add 8-1/4% sales tax

*****

I am waiting for a reply from them via email.  If I had access to a
fax machine I'd be happy to fax for more details.  And, I'll try
phoning again, to see if I can talk to a live human!

You can visit their Home Page - Welcome to Cedar Mountain Winery...
and read about the history:
http://www.wines.com/cedarmountain/cedarmtn.html


"Cedar Mountain Winery combines the creative interests of Linda and
Earl - wine, food, and art. Earl is an accomplished sculptor,
watercolorist, and large format photographer. Linda is a recognized
amateur gourmet chef. Together they manage the farming activities and
operate the winery. Earl is the winemaker.

The Aults believe that quality wines begin with the grapes in their
vineyard. They specialize primarily in Livermore grown and produced
wine whose full potential is realized with fine oak cooperage. Their
focus is on Estate Cabernet but also produce Estate Chardonnay as well
as Port wines from their vineyards and from the Sierra Foot Hills.
These hand made wines are available only in limited quantities. Cedar
Mountain produces 4000 cases per year.

Blanches Vineyard
Blanches Vineyard is situated at the east end of the Valley, (Linda
Ault's nick name is Blanche) and lies on a south facing hill of mixed
gravel and clay loam. At a mean elevation of 750 feet and with a
prevailing westerly breeze coming from San Francisco Bay, this Region
II micro-climate ripens the grapes late in the year. Severe pruning
limits the yield of the vineyard to 3 tons per acre giving intense
varietal characteristics to Cedar Mountain wines..."

And this page tells about the current Calendar of Events:
http://www.wines.com/cedarmountain/calendar.html

If I am able to reach someone on the phone, I'll be happy to post more
details.

Best regards,

tlspiegel

---

Clarification of Answer by tlspiegel-ga on 21 Jul 2003 11:10 PDT

Hi jaxzin,

***** Correction Please note!

1998 Chardonnay del Sol
A luscious dessert wine made from ripe Chardonnay grapes harvested
from our vineyard and Carneros Alambic Brandy. This seductive and
complex wine complements cheeses, nuts, and fruit tarts. Gold Medal
Orange County Fair and San Francisco Bay Wine Competition. ($25.00 per
500 ml bottle)

Thanks!

tlspiegel

---

Clarification of Answer by tlspiegel-ga on 21 Jul 2003 11:22 PDT

Hi again,

Well, once again I've run into a brick wall finding the wine!  

I received a reply from Cedar Mountain Winery:

"The wine that was enjoyed in Washington DC was in all likelihood not
from Cedar Mountain Winery. We are currently selling our Chardonnay
from the 1999 vintage but I doubt that it found its way onto a wine
list for the Embassy Suites.
We did bottle a Chardonnay under a second label for us called Cedar
Grove but that was in 1997 and I would be very skeptical that what was
enjoyed was that wine.
There is a Cedar Creek winery in Wisconsin so perhaps that is what was
enjoyed.
Without any details as to what the label looked like I would be unable
to give any definitive answers."


Peter Swift
Cedar Mountain Winery
Livermore, California

Best regards,

tlspiegel

---

Request for Answer Clarification by jaxzin-ga on 23 Jul 2003 07:07 PDT

I was afraid of that.  sublime1 pointed to
this(http://web.specsonline.com/baskets/Grandfinale.gif) image in a
comment but I noticed the label does not look like the wine we had. 
The label was more of a square shape with a golden color.  The words
Cedar Grove were in the center, larger and in a more formal font.  The
closest font I could find was Book Antiqua, which has identical serif
but the letters are a little wider so I'd say I remember the font as
Book Antiqua at 90% width.  Above the name was an illustration of a
vineyard.  I believe the 1999 and the word Chardonnay were below the
title but that I'm not sure of.

---

Clarification of Answer by tlspiegel-ga on 23 Jul 2003 10:38 PDT

Hi jaxzin,

Yes, as a last resort I also spoke to the person in charge at
http://web.specsonline.com/cgi-bin/baskets - and he told me what I was
seeking had nothing to do with their company.  He also suggested Cedar
Creek in Wisconsin as a possiblility!

So, from calling almost anyone and everyone remotely related to the
words Cedar and Chardonnay, the bottom line appears to be it isn't
available.

Best regards,

tlspiegel

---

Request for Answer Clarification by jaxzin-ga on 23 Jul 2003 11:13 PDT

Well I really appreciate all of the time you put into answering my
question. Thank you.

---

Clarification of Answer by tlspiegel-ga on 23 Jul 2003 11:59 PDT

Hi jaxzin,

Thank you for the tip!  :)

tlspiegel

tlspiegel put alot of time and effort into finding my answer and I
appreciate it.  The only reason I didn't give this answer the fifth
star is because my researcher wasn't able to find the answer, though I
did give him 4 stars for the effort.

Are you sure that the label read Cedar Grove?  There is an Australian
Winery Cedar Ridge which makes a 1999 Oaked Chardonnay nad an unoaked
Chardonnay that is a possibility if there is a chance that it wasn't
Cedar Grove.

There is also a Cedar Mountain winery in Livermoor California, which
seems less likely but still possible.

jaxzin...

Spec's online sells a custom gift basket called the 'Grand Finale'
available on the following page, which includes a bottle of 
Cedar Grove Cabernet Sauvignon. This would indicate that the
label does, indeed exist (it's the furthest to the right, in 
the picture of the gift basket):
http://web.specsonline.com/cgi-bin/baskets

Unfortunately, I cannot find any other references to it online.

Spec's, however, notes on their contact page:

"We can also offer you:

 * Wine consultants to answer any questions you may have or
   to help you find a particular wine."

"If you have any further questions, please call or e-mail us at
 sales@specsonline.com
 Spec's Wines, Spirits, & Finer Foods
 2410 Smith Street
 Houston, TX 77006-2398
 Phone: 713-526-8787
 Fax: 713-526-6129
 Toll Free: 888-526-8787"
http://web.specsonline.com/cgi-bin/people#email

I tried calling their toll-free number, but, being that it is
the weekend, I only reached a recording detailing their normal
business hours. Nonetheless, you should be able to reach them
on Monday.

If this leads to information resulting in your ability to
purchase the wine, and you'd like me to post this as an
answer, let me know.

sublime1-ga