This column was originally published in the Benicia Herald on October 19, 2008. Although the event listings are out of date, it is harvest season again in the Napa Valley, so I encourage you to look at the listings in this piece as inspiration to seek out fun events happening this year in the Valley.
This week, I thought I'd talk a bit about the harvest season. Lots of wineries are gearing up for the harvest season and hosting special events to bring customers in to the tasting rooms. It is also around this time that a lot of the vineyards release new vintages.
As for me, I am excited to check out some of the new releases, but I am also excited to learn. It is during these harvest festivals that there are lots of chances to meet wine makers and learn about how wines are made at various estates.
Today, for example, there is a behind-the-scenes tour at St. Supery, a Riesling panel discussion at Copia and a Sunday brunch at Peju. But don't fret, there are plenty more activities coming up if you missed these three.
I'll start with an event on deck for next weekend. Head out to ZD on Saturday, October 25, to check out their 40th harvest celebration. During the normal tasting room hours (10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) ZD will offer up barrel tastings of their 2008 Chardonnay. The celebration will also coincide with the release of the 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The entire event takes place in the winery's upstairs vineyard view room, with views of Rutherford. ZD is at 8383 Silverado Trail, Rutherford. Call them at 800-487-7757 for more information, or drop in on Saturday with your $20 in hand.
November 1, the following Saturday, Luna Vineyards is the place to be. The winery will be sampling its newly-released 2006 Canto, a signature blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese. The wine has yet to be added to the tasting menu and winos who hit the tasting room that day will be some of the first to sample the goods. The tasting room is at 2921 Silverado Trail, Napa and will be open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Call 866-869-5862, ext. 123, for more information.
Finally, if you have ever dreamed of starting your own vineyard, or just love to keep learning about the industry, this event is for you. Wednesday, November 5, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Association is hosting the Viticultural Fair - a trade show for "the premium wine industry." No, this is not about tasting wines. This is about checking out the latest services and products out there for the serious wine maker. The admission price is only $10 - a steal for a trade show - and will be going all day, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., at the Napa Valley Expo Fairgrounds, 575 Third Street, Napa. See you there!
For a really comprehensive list of events coming up in the Napa area, check out the event calendar at www.napavalley.winecountry.com. It has got more listings than anywhere else I can see.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Silverado Vineyards
This article was originally published in the Benicia Herald on October 12, 2008.
If ever there was a place to stop and snap a photo in Napa, it has to be Silverado Vineyards. From the tasting room and the adjacent outdoor terrace, visitors can look out and see vast expanses of vines growing over rolling hills. From the vantage point on top of the hill, where the winery is located, it is almost as though there is no town or building anywhere near the place.
It is this romantic setting that first gave way to my dream-like visit to the estate. Well, that and the grand entrance from the parking area. It was so beautiful as both a winery and a home site, that it caused my boyfriend to start daydreaming about having a place just like it.
Once we reached the tasting bar, we were ready to hear more. Our friendly server made the visit one of the highlights of our trip to the Valley that day. She talked with us about her years working in various tasting rooms and how the Napa area has changed and grown over the years. She never diverted her attention from our service - the tasting room is up a steep road from the main thoroughfare, so it wasn't as busy as some of its neighbors.
The wines were good as well. We started off with a splash of the 2005 Vineburg Chardonnay. The flavors were crisp and oaky, leaving no room for the creaminess I tend to go for in the varietal. It was not too bad on a sizzling Saturday afternoon.
Next, we tried the 2005 Zinfandel - a treat, our hostess explained, because there were only 700 cases of this 76 percent Zin/24 percent Sangiovese produced. The smoky aroma gave way to a cherry-filled flavor. It was delightful and had a high alcohol content of 14.5 percent. If it sounds tempting, you better hurry to the tasting room - the only place it is sold - and grab a couple bottles before they are sold out.
As we continued, we tried the 2005 Tuscan-style 'Fantasia' - a blend of 54 percent Sangiovese, 28 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and18 percent Merlot. The bouquet was lively and fruity - truly a treat for my nose. On the palate, the flavor carried through and lingered. I was a fan of the smooth, lasting quality of this bottle.
After trying the 2004 SOLO Cabernet Sauvignon - a wine made of grapes only grown at the Stag's Leap area vineyard - we turned back the clock and sampled the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. This limited edition wine was kept for an extra two years in its bottles before anyone touched it. The extra care that was given to the wine was evident. It was delicious! It featured low tannins and that complex flavor that comes from age. The '02 Cab was selected to be produced in a limited quantity after Silverado's wine maker determined the crop that year was particularly delicious. Only 12 times, our hostess explained, has this been distinction been given since the vineyard started in 1981. It carried a distinctive $100 price tag, but it was well worth the splurge.
If you decide to learn more about Silverado Vineyards, check them out online at www.silveradovineyards.com or visit their tasting room at 6121 Silverado Trail, Napa. Call them at 707-257-1770.
If ever there was a place to stop and snap a photo in Napa, it has to be Silverado Vineyards. From the tasting room and the adjacent outdoor terrace, visitors can look out and see vast expanses of vines growing over rolling hills. From the vantage point on top of the hill, where the winery is located, it is almost as though there is no town or building anywhere near the place.
It is this romantic setting that first gave way to my dream-like visit to the estate. Well, that and the grand entrance from the parking area. It was so beautiful as both a winery and a home site, that it caused my boyfriend to start daydreaming about having a place just like it.
Once we reached the tasting bar, we were ready to hear more. Our friendly server made the visit one of the highlights of our trip to the Valley that day. She talked with us about her years working in various tasting rooms and how the Napa area has changed and grown over the years. She never diverted her attention from our service - the tasting room is up a steep road from the main thoroughfare, so it wasn't as busy as some of its neighbors.
The wines were good as well. We started off with a splash of the 2005 Vineburg Chardonnay. The flavors were crisp and oaky, leaving no room for the creaminess I tend to go for in the varietal. It was not too bad on a sizzling Saturday afternoon.
Next, we tried the 2005 Zinfandel - a treat, our hostess explained, because there were only 700 cases of this 76 percent Zin/24 percent Sangiovese produced. The smoky aroma gave way to a cherry-filled flavor. It was delightful and had a high alcohol content of 14.5 percent. If it sounds tempting, you better hurry to the tasting room - the only place it is sold - and grab a couple bottles before they are sold out.
As we continued, we tried the 2005 Tuscan-style 'Fantasia' - a blend of 54 percent Sangiovese, 28 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and18 percent Merlot. The bouquet was lively and fruity - truly a treat for my nose. On the palate, the flavor carried through and lingered. I was a fan of the smooth, lasting quality of this bottle.
After trying the 2004 SOLO Cabernet Sauvignon - a wine made of grapes only grown at the Stag's Leap area vineyard - we turned back the clock and sampled the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. This limited edition wine was kept for an extra two years in its bottles before anyone touched it. The extra care that was given to the wine was evident. It was delicious! It featured low tannins and that complex flavor that comes from age. The '02 Cab was selected to be produced in a limited quantity after Silverado's wine maker determined the crop that year was particularly delicious. Only 12 times, our hostess explained, has this been distinction been given since the vineyard started in 1981. It carried a distinctive $100 price tag, but it was well worth the splurge.
If you decide to learn more about Silverado Vineyards, check them out online at www.silveradovineyards.com or visit their tasting room at 6121 Silverado Trail, Napa. Call them at 707-257-1770.
Goosecross Cellars
Originally published in the Benicia Herald on October 5, 2008.
Although I tend to end up at lots of big wineries when I visit the Napa Valley, I don't actually prefer them. I prefer a small winery with the family business feel. This week, I have a gem to share.
I recently made it out to Goosecross Cellars in Yountville. The winery began in 1985, and produces all organic selections. The grapes are handpicked and the staff at the tasting room is fun, knowledgeable and polite. I would have to think about a reason to complain.
The wine is equally pleasing. Although the tasting menu calls for five pours, out hostess snuck in an extra when she discovered we were fans of Muscats.
The 2007 State Lane Orange Muscat we sipped was a great dessert pick. The wine had a nice acidity to balance out the heavy sweetness of the varietal. The orange blossom and honeysuckle flavors were so delightful, my companion could hardly wait to ask that two bottles of the stuff be put aside for him to purchase.
The 2007 Suvignon Blanc we sampled first was also filled with a favorable citrus. The aroma blended the fruitiness and led to a lemongrass, pear and grapefruit filled flavor. I began to think of it as a sort of wine-lemonade (in a good way).
Next, we tried the winery's signature varietal - the Chardonnay. The 2006 vintage had a creamy finish, but was not overly buttery on the palate. I thought this was a pretty marked trait and one I rarely note when tasting. The chardonnay is the from the vines that Goosecross began with, and it is clear it is where the experience has lent itself closest to perfection.
But the bottle that really got my attention was the 2005 Syrah. The scent had a very smoky, peppery quality to it that made the dark chocolate flavors of the wine a nice balance. The earth and spice notes rounded out the flavor well. Its $34 price tag made purchasing such a good wine easy enough on the wallet.
I wanted to note that Goosecross impressed me for another reason. Between June and October, the winery offers a FREE wine basics class for those just getting their start in wine appreciation. The course is only an hour long and is held at the estate every Saturday. The program was created by Colleen Topper, Goosecross proprietor and Vice President of Public Relations. Not only did Colleen develop the class, she also wrote a class guidebook that's free for all students to take home.
The winery is a great place to check out for a couple other reasons. They offer their wines in a couple of ways that make giving a bottle a little more fun. First, they sell etched bottles, designed for a special touch at an event or for companies to order as giveaways. Simple etchings wishing the recipient a 'happy birthday' or 'congratulations' can be purchased with or without personalization. As well, companies can have their logo and whatever other info etched into the glass.
Second, the winery works with a local chocolatier to produce bottles of wine dipped in chocolate. Pick a red varietal and then select either milk or dark chocolate and you'll get the bottle with everything but the label covered! It's a great combo and our hostess told us it made quite a splash with her friends when she brought it a Sex and the City movie premier party.
Goosecross Cellars does not distribute their wines to stores. To get your own bottles, you have to visit them or order online. Goosecross Cellars is located at 1119 State Lane, Yountville. Check them out online at www.goosecross.com.
Although I tend to end up at lots of big wineries when I visit the Napa Valley, I don't actually prefer them. I prefer a small winery with the family business feel. This week, I have a gem to share.
I recently made it out to Goosecross Cellars in Yountville. The winery began in 1985, and produces all organic selections. The grapes are handpicked and the staff at the tasting room is fun, knowledgeable and polite. I would have to think about a reason to complain.
The wine is equally pleasing. Although the tasting menu calls for five pours, out hostess snuck in an extra when she discovered we were fans of Muscats.
The 2007 State Lane Orange Muscat we sipped was a great dessert pick. The wine had a nice acidity to balance out the heavy sweetness of the varietal. The orange blossom and honeysuckle flavors were so delightful, my companion could hardly wait to ask that two bottles of the stuff be put aside for him to purchase.
The 2007 Suvignon Blanc we sampled first was also filled with a favorable citrus. The aroma blended the fruitiness and led to a lemongrass, pear and grapefruit filled flavor. I began to think of it as a sort of wine-lemonade (in a good way).
Next, we tried the winery's signature varietal - the Chardonnay. The 2006 vintage had a creamy finish, but was not overly buttery on the palate. I thought this was a pretty marked trait and one I rarely note when tasting. The chardonnay is the from the vines that Goosecross began with, and it is clear it is where the experience has lent itself closest to perfection.
But the bottle that really got my attention was the 2005 Syrah. The scent had a very smoky, peppery quality to it that made the dark chocolate flavors of the wine a nice balance. The earth and spice notes rounded out the flavor well. Its $34 price tag made purchasing such a good wine easy enough on the wallet.
I wanted to note that Goosecross impressed me for another reason. Between June and October, the winery offers a FREE wine basics class for those just getting their start in wine appreciation. The course is only an hour long and is held at the estate every Saturday. The program was created by Colleen Topper, Goosecross proprietor and Vice President of Public Relations. Not only did Colleen develop the class, she also wrote a class guidebook that's free for all students to take home.
The winery is a great place to check out for a couple other reasons. They offer their wines in a couple of ways that make giving a bottle a little more fun. First, they sell etched bottles, designed for a special touch at an event or for companies to order as giveaways. Simple etchings wishing the recipient a 'happy birthday' or 'congratulations' can be purchased with or without personalization. As well, companies can have their logo and whatever other info etched into the glass.
Second, the winery works with a local chocolatier to produce bottles of wine dipped in chocolate. Pick a red varietal and then select either milk or dark chocolate and you'll get the bottle with everything but the label covered! It's a great combo and our hostess told us it made quite a splash with her friends when she brought it a Sex and the City movie premier party.
Goosecross Cellars does not distribute their wines to stores. To get your own bottles, you have to visit them or order online. Goosecross Cellars is located at 1119 State Lane, Yountville. Check them out online at www.goosecross.com.
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