Robert Whitley
San Diego Union Tribune
   March 22 , 2000

     This winery perched on the northern slopes of Spring Mountain is renowned for its unusual chardonnays, which have bucked the trend toward more oak flavors in the wine and less fruit. The riesling often gets short shrift and that's a shame. One of the few remaining riesling vineyards in an area increasingly planted to cabernet sauvignon and merlot, this special place consistently yields a crisp, fresh, flavorful riesling that rivals any in California. This vintage has excellent backbone and delicate fruit aromas that are not masked by oak, subtle flavors that develop in intensity as the wine opens in the glass. Excellent as an aperiftif, served with soft cheeses or paired with almost anything spicy.
    Rating: ***

   Sunday, January 30, 2000

     Riesling. Yeah, right. Sweet, simple and s-o-o-o boring. Grape juice for Bud drinkers. Perfect with Hamburger Helper and green bean casserole. To serious wine what the Marx Brothers are to Ingmar Bergman.
    Wrong.
    Check out the newest release from St. Helena's Stony Hill Vineyards. The 1998 Napa Valley White Riesling, made from grapes grown on cool hillside vineyards surrounding the winery, is one riesling that isn't sweet or simple. And it's definitely not boring. Instead, it's a crisp and refreshing blend of green apple, citrus and pineapple flavors welded to a steely acid backbone. Rich and full in the mouth, it finishes with real resolve - tangy and fruity and lingering plaintively on the palate. Only $13, too.
    An excellent food wine; try it with Duck Soup or Animal Crackers.

                                    - Bill Citara

           March 2000    

Retro wine, soft and amply fruity, lightly sweet, undemanding, amiably attractive.

                                    - The Editors

The Sacramento Bee
                March 29, 2000

Pretty, pretty, pretty, light in hue and body, but with a tantalizing smell and flavor suggestive of apricots, peaches and melons. Wine just doesn't get any more refreshing than this, and one more proud plea from Stony Hill for consumers not to give up on Riesling from California. If quesadilla with smoked chicken, buttery avocado and a tingly salsa is on the menu, a glass of this balanced, fruity Riesling should be next to it. Look for it in restaurants, or head over to the winery.

                                    - Mike Dunne