Frog's Leap - "Time's Fun When You're Having Flies"

I must confess I am a bit out of fashion when it comes to video gaming.  It's just not really my thing.  Part of that may just be that I don't really have scads of spare time to sit in front of the flat-panel with a controller for hours at a time, and part of it may be that I grew up in an era where board games were still the primary form of mindless entertainment.  In a way it actually makes me a bit uneasy to enter what can be a pretty stressful virtual world just to escape the stresses of the real one.  So when I spend time indoors with my kids on rainy days, apart form the occasional foray into Wii Sports, we still play those simple old board games like Monopoly, Clue, and Life.  I guess part of their attraction is that they allow me to bring back some of  the happier, comforting memories of my childhood.  I also like that they offer the opportunity for direct interaction with other players, which I almost always prefer to staring intently at a TV screen hoping no one interrupts my concentration.

Where am I going with this jabber anyway?  Oh yeah, web-sites!  Fun, interactive web-sites.  Web-sites that keep me entertained while they inform.  Web sites that have the feel of a board game, that let me do fun stuff to get my info.  So, when I run across a winery's web site that has that kind of feel, I get really excited.  If you read my Bonny Doon Vineyards profile Of Flying Cigars and Terroirs back in August, you already know that I got pretty excited about their fun little site.  I really didn't think another winery could top what Randall Graham and his creative team put together, but I think I have finally found a web-site that comes close, if not equals it.  In fact, as was doing my research for today's producer profile of Frog's Leap Winery in Napa Valley, I was so captivated by their clever web-site, that I have decided to simply post their link here, so you can have some fun while you learn.  So just do the clickedy-click below and find out more about this wonderful, organic, and eco-friendly Napa Valley producer and their wines.  For quick reference I have also posted a few highlights and informative videos.  Enjoy!

Frog's Leap Winery  (Link)

• Company Motto - "Time's Fun When You're Having Flies"

• Location: Napa Valley, Rutherford appellation

• 40 Acres organically grown estate vineyards.  Frog's Leap owns an additional 88 acres and farms another 100 acres in Rutherford.

• Organic pracitices emphasize health of soil and traditional farming methods including use of cover crops, complementary crops, and dry-farming.

• Winemaker - John Williams - Masters in Viticulture and Enology UC Davis
• The name Frog's Leap inspired by John's first wine-making gig at Stag's Leap
• Annual production: 60,000 cases

• Wines:
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chardonnay
• Merlot
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Zinfandel
• Rutherford (Cab Sauvignon/Cab Franc blend)
• Petite Syrah
• Pink (Zinfandel/Valdiquie blend)
• Frogenbeerenauslese (Late Harvest Riesling)

• Wine-making philosophy:  Minimal handling, terroir-driven.  Use of Natural Yeasts.

• Committed to Sustainability
• LEED Certified
• 100% Photovoltaic and Geo-thermal energy
• Dry Farming
• Ratings:
• 2010 Sauvignon Blanc  (93)  Wine & Spirits
• 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon  (94)  Wine & Spirits
• 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon  (92 )  Wine & Spirits
• 2007 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon  (91)  Wine Enthusiast
• 2008 Zinfandel  (91)  Wine Enthusiast

Frog's Leap Vids: