Beauty in the Garden - Flavor in the Cellar; VML Winery Opens in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA

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Apr 21, 2011, 06:00 ET

RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, SONOMA COUNTY, Calif., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A light hand in the vineyard and gentle coaxing in the cellar brings a feminine touch to VML Winery in the Russian River Valley as it opens its doors at 4035 Westside Road in Healdsburg, Sonoma County.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110421/SF87199)

Enjoying a long standing passion for Pinot Noir, the winery namesake and winemaker, Virginia Marie Lambrix now has the platform to expand her expression of stylistic single vineyard designated Pinots and Chardonnays from sustainable and organically grown vineyards.

As part of the new partnership with Bill Hambrecht, Phil Hurst, Mark De Meulenaere, Paul and Heath Dolan, Virginia Lambrix' winemaking joins a melding of experts in farming, hospitality, and distribution. Virginia remarks, "I pinch myself as I stand by our winery sign, feeling so lucky to be part of this sensational team who support my enduring fascination with the vineyards in Russian River Valley."

Winery Direction -

A female sensitivity high touch and hands on is the vision that supports everything at VML Winery from vineyards and winemaking to the hospitality experience. Guests are encouraged to take in the organic garden, an experience analogous to Virginia's when walking in the vineyard – roaming the beds of flowers, fruits, and herbs specially selected to invoke the aromas of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The garden in full bloom teams with benevolent hummingbirds, butterflies, and honeybees. The tasting room is appointed in moss green and blush bringing the outdoors in and the hospitality staff will be wine knowledgeable and offer a warm and inviting experience.

The New Label -

The VML label's imagery tells a whimsical story of the woman winemaker as sorceress, blending natural elements through images resplendent with life forms in a utopian backdrop. The label appears to move with all manner of insects, flowers, and even human kind, all in sync with an astronomical sowing and planting calendar. Created by London design group, Stranger and Stranger VML's label is utterly unique including its horizontal placement on the bottle.

VML Wines -

The focus of VML wines will be their organic and sustainably farmed vineyard sources. Virginia's involvement in viticulture is inspired by the interrelationship of the soil, plants, and animals as a self-nourishing system. She is an ardent student in the study of these farming methods specifically in the vineyards of Russian River Valley with turns in winemaking and viticulture at La Follette Winegrowing, Lynmar Estate, and De Loach Vineyards. Wines from VML include two series of wines all from Russian River Valley appellation. Limited production "Russian River Valley" Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from multiple vineyards including some from the Hambrecht owned Floodgate Vineyard in the Middle Reach of the region. The wines are fairly priced at, $25 for the 2010 Chardonnay and $30 for 2010 Pinot Noir.

The "Single Vineyard Series" beginning with vintage 2008, these wines are 100% Single Vineyard wines and initially available in the tasting room only. Expect the Single Vineyard Series wines to be big, buxom, full flavored wines, and a signature of the partnership's family of wines. Fruit for the Single Vineyard wines are sourced from such acclaimed vineyards as; Boudreaux of Sebastopol, Ivywood and Swicegood in Green Valley/Sebastopol in the Russian River Valley.