Author: ae3studios

Crux Winery is proud to support the rebuilding of the Anova Center of Education after the school was burnt down in the Tubbs Fire in 2017. We are forever grateful to our friends and family who have contributed along the way, in any way. If you can, we’d appreciate your continued support.

Heidi Adler, who is the Crux in-house photographer and wife to Brian, Crux Partner and GM, has been at Anova for 16-years, the last 15 years of which as the School Director (aka Principle). As a Licensed Educational Psychologist, Heidi has a deep passion for supporting students on the Autism spectrum and other related disorders — a commitment she has upheld over her 30+ year career.

How the Tubbs Fire Affected Anova Staff and Students

On the morning of Monday, October 9th 2017, Brian and Heidi were startled awake around 3am by howling winds, the smell of smoke, and a view of flames on the eastern ridgetops. Over the next few hours the reality of the situation became more clear. In just over 6 hours, a massive fire had raged from the western slopes of Calistoga, over the Mayacamas Mountains and down into Santa Rosa. In its path and over its 23 day existence, the Tubbs fire killed at least 22 people, destroyed or damaged 0ver 6,500 buildings, and burnt over 36,000 acres. Early that morning on Oct 9th, the fire destroyed Anova and the brand new play structure that had been delivered only the week prior.

The school was closed for 3 weeks while Heidi and her team crafted a re-opening plan and dealt with the ongoing fires in the area. It took Heidi’s strong network and hours of work for the school to be able to reopen at the same time as local schools that hadn’t burned down. They had to divide the students and staff into 3 locations, but the school was in session and the kids were showing their resilience.

Since February 2018, Anova’s 150+ students have been learning in portable classrooms in a parking lot of Luther Burbank Center across from where their school once stood. Last year, in October of 2023, six years after the Tubbs Fire, construction finally began at the Anova Center of Education, thanks to community fundraising and hard efforts.

Rebuilding the Anova Center for Education

In a recent interview for the Windsor Connection, Heidi says, “We envision the rebuilt Anova Center for Education playing a pivotal role in the larger community. With expanded facilities, we’ll have the capacity to serve more students, continuing our vital mission of improving the lives of our students, their families, and the communities they are part of. Our goal is to enhance our impact and provide even more support and opportunities for neuro-divergent individuals to thrive and contribute positively to society. It’s about ensuring our students have access to a campus that offers the same opportunities as any public-school campus. They deserve a school environment specifically designed to meet their unique needs and fully support their growth and development. This rebuilding project represents a commitment to providing our students with the resources and facilities they deserve, enhancing their educational experience, and empowering them to succeed in their own unique ways.”

After 7 years of blood, sweat, and tears, Anova is finally ready to rise from the ashes, like the mythical Phoenix, and house students in a home they deserve. In 2025, the Anova faculty and staff, led by Heidi, will finally occupy a school campus that comes close to matching the quality of the people inside.

Crux and our customers have played a big role in fundraising through the purchase of our limited edition 2017 Anova Phoenix Pinot Noir in Magnum.  The school still needs help to achieve its goal and we would like to ask for your help.

Ways you can Help:

Donate directly to the Anova Capital Campaign

Purchase a Magnum of ‘The Phoenix’ Pinot Noir – all proceeds go to the Anova Capital Campaign and you get a lovely Mangum of Pinot Noir.

Anyone who purchases a bottle of The Phoenix or donates $250 or more to the Capital Campaign will be invited to a special Grand Opening Celebration hosted by Crux Winery. For donations made directly to the Capital Campaign, please list Heidi Adler or Crux Winery as the H0naree, so we know to invite you. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

Crux Winery’s 10^th Annual Harvest Lunch

Saturday, October 3rd – from Noon until it’s over

Valette Healdsburg – 344 Center Street, Healdsburg CA

On the Menu

– 1st Course Reception – 

Charcuterie and Cheese
Toasted Focaccia, House Made Mustards, Marinated Olives,
Pickled Baby Vegetables, Fresh Fruit, Candied Pecan, Local Honey

Pairing – 2023 Grenache Blanc and 2023 Grenache Noir

– 2nd Course – 

Hamachi Tataki

Asian Pear, Sorrel Salad, Valette Lomo, Preserved Meyer Lemon, Verjus Vinaigrette

Pairing – 2024 Viognier

– 3rd Course – 

Mushrooms Duxelles filled Agnolotti
Pork Belly, Porcini Mascarpone, Brown Beech Mushrooms, Toasted Ricotta Salata

Pairing – 2023 Mourvèdre

– 4th Course – 

Roasted Lamb Saddle
Wine Braised Lamb Shanks, Roasted Root Vegetables, Charred Pearl Onion, Lamb Jus

Pairing – 2023 Syrah

– 5th Course – 

Volo Dark Chocolate Mousse Pave

Elderberry, Meringue Shards, Cocoa Nib Tuile, Pistachio

Pairing – 2022 Port Style Syrah

NOTE: Menu accommodations are available

Cost includes food, wine, tax, gratuity, lots of laughs, and good times.

$150 – TWO CASE CLUB Member

$175 – ONE CASE CLUB Member

$225 – General Public (if spots available)

Find Crux around town!

1. Valette Healdsburg,
2. Sea Thai Bistro
3. Baci Cafe and Wine Bar

News & Updates

1. The Gold Medal Wine Club features Crux Winery in their newsletter and offers our Syrah to their exclusive Platinum Club.
2. Crux was featured by Wine Business Monthly in their summary of the most recent Garagiste Festival in Sonoma.  Feb 2020
3. Elizabeth Schneider, the amazingly talented and entertaining host of Wine for Normal People podcast, talks to Steve and Brian about Crux, how it all began and what makes it so special.
4. Napa Food and Vine writes about their recent visit to Crux.
5. See what The Insatiable Vine has to say about our 2014 Viognier.
6. Crux at the Ball Park – Crux continues it’s partnership with the San Francisco Giants for several pourings throughout the 2017 season. See our Upcoming Events page for more details. Crux wines are available throughout the season in the Field Club and at the Gotham Club.
7. SF Chronicle Wine Editor and Social Media Darling, Stacy Briscoe, writes about her Nov 2016 visit to Crux.
8. Read Vino Voyager’s October 2016 blog post about Crux.
9. 2014 Viognier earns a Gold Medal (90 Points) from the 2016 North Coast Wine Challenge.
10. Crux wines garner 3 medals at the 2016 SF Chronicle Wine Competition. Our 2012 Petite Sirah earned a gold, while our 2012 Syrah and 2014 Viognier took home silvers.  Stop in and try them before their claimed to someone else’s cellar.
11. Crux 2012 Syrah – per the Press Democrat (Sept 2015) ‘Gorgeous Syrah with bold, black fruit, toast and a great underpinning of spice. Tannins are firm and in check. It’s robust but not overwhelmingly so. Good bones (structure). Lingering finish. Top rate.’
12. Crux 2014 GSM Rose is a Top Pick according to the Press Democrat (August 2015).
13. Chase your dreams – Crux featured in Peg Melnik’s Tasting Room Blog.
14. 2012 Petite Sirah – 93 Points and a Gold Medal from the North Coast Wine Challenge.  NCWC Winners
15. Crux’s 2012 GSM and Grenache were both rated 91 (Excellent – Highly Recommended) by Wine Enthusiast.  See this PDF file: Crux WE Scores
16. NorthBay Biz Magazine highlights independant wine makers including Crux Winery – Check it out.
17. Santa Rosa’s Press Democrat highlights Crux 2012 Grenache and 2012 GSM.  We agree they are delicious – Read all about it.
18. Crux Grenache is called out as the standout wine at the Rhone Rangers Grand Tasting in Los Angeles – See for yourself.
19. Crux Winery pours at the Pacific Coast Air Museum’s Mustang Round-up Gala Fundraiser – See our picture.

Each offer is available as either:

• 3-Pack: One bottle of each wine (30% off retail)
• 6-Pack: Two bottles of each wine (50% off retail)

Offer 1: GSM Over the Years

Here’s a fun look at our flagship wine, the GSM Red blend, over a 9-year span. There are stylistic similarities between vintages, but each year brings its own perspective to this Châteauneuf-du-Pape inspired blend.

Included Wines:

2014 GSM – 58% Grenache, 22% Mourvèdre, 18% Syrah, 2% Petite Sirah – 14.6% abv

Dusty dark violet color. Fruity aromas and flavors of raspberry liqueur, fruit stripes gum, berry candies, menthol, and anise with a velvety, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a peppery, intricate, medium-long sweet cherry-scented tobacco, chocolate sorbet, slate, and black pepper finish with well-integrated, medium tannins and light oak.

2019 GSM – 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre – 14.2% abv

Aromas of dark cherries, plum, and roasted herbs lead into a plush texture of dark fruit, a touch of licorice, and a nice smooth finish. This wine remains our go-to wine pairing champion across a huge variety of dishes.

2022 GSM – 62% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre – 14.1% abv

The 2022 GSM is still young, and it will drink nicely now when opened an hour or two before consuming. Blackberry and dark berry aromatics lead into layers of berry and savory flavors. Some earth and leather are showing now, with more to come with age.

Offer 2: Que Syrah Sirah Syrah

This selection comes from a little deeper in our cellar and features wines that are just beginning to hit their stride. While they still have plenty of life ahead of them, we believe they’re entering a beautiful drinking window, where their complexity and character are really beginning to shine. Not everyone has the time or space to cellar wines, so we’re delighted to offer a few bottles with the added depth and nuance that only comes with age.

Included Wines:

2019 Syrah – 92% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah, 3% Mourvèdre – 14.9% abv

Dusty ruby color. Aromas and flavors of black cherry, herbs, thyme, and baking spices, and vanilla cream with a round, lively, dry medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, long finish with notes of boysenberry, purple flowers, and leather and black cherry with dusty, woody tannins and moderate oak flavor. A beautiful Syrah that benefits from the light influence of blending grapes to give it even more lift and complexity; a lovely example of Syrah that has power and elegance.

2015 Petite Sirah – 90% Petite Sirah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Zinfandel – 14.7% abv

Dusty ruby color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate custard, lavender candy, blueberry compote, and vanilla and baking spices with a round, vibrant, dry medium body and a warming, intriguing, medium-length finish revealing impressions of blackberry, sage and thyme, and black tea and potpourri with medium, chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. Fun and uplifting with vibrant floral tones, should pair well with an herb encrusted beef roast; a big and chewy wine.

2020 Port-Style Syrah – 18.5% abv – 7.4% residual sugar
Made from 100% Russian River Valley Syrah, including a beautiful Syrah grape spirit (191.6 proof), this ruby vintage Port-style wine was crafted using the traditional Port method: adding spirit to stop fermentation while leaving a generous amount of natural sugar. It offers a velvety texture, rich flavor, and a long, lingering finish. Stored properly, it has years of aging potential, though it is drinking beautifully now.

Offer 3: A Grenache Horizontal from 2023

These wines are our current releases from the outstanding 2023 vintage. A cool, wet winter followed by a mild summer created ideal conditions for a long, even growing season, allowing the fruit to develop exceptional balance and complexity. Harvest began—and concluded—nearly a month later than both the 2022 and 2024 vintages, resulting in beautifully expressive wines with remarkable freshness, depth, and character.

Included Wines:

2023 Grenache Blanc – 92% Grenache Blanc, 8% Viognier – 12.2% abv
This is our 10th vintage of Grenache Blanc and what a fun wine it has been to produce! The aromatics are spring-like, with fresh citrus blossoms. The palate has notes of Meyer lemon and a slight touch of herbs. This wine is light, crisp, and easy drinking. Pair with sunshine and light foods like sushi, shellfish, and seared ahi.

2023 Grenache Noir – 94% Grenache, 3% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre – 14.0% abv
Our Grenache is light in body and full in flavor. It opens quickly when cork is popped and is well balanced for early drinking for the impatient. This Grenache is delicious now with the acid structure for ageing 10+ years. Pair it with classic Grenache matchups: charcuterie, roasted chicken, and lamb in any form.

2023 GSM – 62% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre – 14.3% abv
With a typical nose of blackberry and dark fruit, it’s almost enough to make you question the existence of these juices in this wine (don’t get any ideas, its 100% grape juice). Along with the friendly fruit is an earthy connection to the vineyard, a trait that has drawn us to Rhone varietals since day one. Crux GSM is a very versatile wine for food pairings and a favorite for restaurant visits, allowing it to pair with everybody’s food choice.

How to Order

Select your offer on 2026 Library offers from Crux Winery and select any of the bundles described above. Mix and Match is possible, with a little communication and some patience.

Questions? Send an email to Brian.