This winery has over 100 acres planted in the Russian River Valley, and another 170 acres in the Alexander Valley. With the assistance of the well-known French oenologist, Michel Rolland, Simi and its New Zealand-born winemaker, Nick Goldschmidt, are producing high quality California wines. The emphasis in Simi's non-reserve program is on capturing the varietal's vibrant fruit in as exuberant manner as possible. The Reserve offerings see more oak, and are designed to be more ambitious, fuller-bodied, richer wines.A more serious and ambitious Sauvignon Blanc cuvee is Simi's proprietary white wine called Sendal. As much as 25% Semillon may be blended in this wine, which displays a strong aromatic and textural resemblance to a top-notch white Graves. The wine is aged in 78% new oak and is meant to be a complex, richer, alternative to straight Sauvignon. It also costs more. The 1993 Sendal possesses an attractive vanillin, spicy, tobacco-scented nose with citrusy, melony, honeyed fruit. This medium-bodied, crisp, precise, dry white wine will offer excellent drinking over the next several years. Tel. (707) 433-6981; Fax (707) 433-6253