Harvest in the Napa Valley!
Harvest is a special time in the valley. It is the culmination of diligence and oversight of the vines and the evolution of the fruit. This year we were in the vineyard with our friend as his grapes were picked and hauled away to the waiting winery. It was especially sweet since last year his entire crop was lost to smoke taint from the Tubbs Fire. For the vineyard owner, it was a truly remarkable harvest experience.
The process of picking customarily takes place in the cool of the evening. The reason for this is so the process of fermentation does not begin. The cool evening hours provide a measure of assurance that the process does not start without the oversight of the winemaker. There is much to be done before the fermentation begins to bring that lovely bottle of Cabernet to your table.
Amici Cellars: A New Find!
A few friends who loved Napa Valley wine decided to make their own — and started Amici Cellars in 1991. With that quiet beginning, they named the winery Amici, which means “friend” in Italian. The winery itself is located in Calistoga just a couple of miles past the center of town on Old Lalley/Toll Road. It is a rural setting with gorgeous views of the Palisades Mountain Range and sitting directly under Mount St. Helena. Easy to get to, it’s only a five minute drive from town and a delightful wine experience.
The tasting we experienced was set up outside in front of the guesthouse on a pleasantly warm Sunday afternoon. With the mountains in the background, our host Shawn took us through seven wines.
Keplinger: A Favorite!
This is exciting news! For years, I have followed and loved the wines made by Helen Keplinger. My first taste of her wine was the 2006 Red Slope, a Grenache based wine that I can still recall. It was lush with mouth watering fruit – so much so that I needed to join the mailing list. It was a great decision!
I’ve written about Helen’s wines several times in the past out (check it here and here). The challenge has always been how to introduce the fine art of her winemaking to my friends. There was no tasting room, and the busy schedule of Helen and her husband/business partner, DJ, made it hard to schedule a tasting. The wait is over. This is the email they sent me! Read on, and…
Schramsberg Vineyards: A Sparkling Occasion
Many people reserve sparkling wine for special occasions, and others allow it to make any occasion special. However you approach it, there is a great experience waiting for you at Schramsberg Vineyards in Calistoga.
This property was one of the first wineries in the Napa Valley, second only to Charles Krug. With that, they have developed a rich history of producing fine sparkling wines that have been served at official State functions by every U.S. Presidential administration starting with President Nixon. Schramsberg produces excellent sparkling wines that are crafted with several of the old practices through a history that spans over 50 years.
Favia Wines: Worth Mentioning Again
I’ve posted about Favia Wines before, here and here; and this wine is worth mentioning again.
Winemaker Andy Erickson and viticulturist Annie Favia (a husband and wife team) bring together the art and science of winemaking to deliver a quality product that can be enjoyed on any occasion. Favia Wines holds a favorite spot in my collection, as it is a wide portfolio that can pair with many foods and be savored by themselves. These wines can brighten up any day or special event with great balance, aromas, flavors and mouthfeel.
Summer Sippers
Bright, crisp, and clean with floral and fruit notes that rise up from your glass and beckon you in for a sip. The wine hits your palate and washes over it with refreshing, bright, stone fruit notes and mouthwatering acidity. The wine speaks to you like a welcome friend of summer and leaves you with a cool respite from the heat.
We have rolled into summer with a rush of heat. The temperature is rising with record heat in some areas. Refreshing white wines are on the list of items to buy to help cool off and lighten the spirit.
The Taste of Howell Mountain 2018
The Taste of Howell Mountain was created to raise money for the elementary school on Howell Mountain. The vintners and winemakers gather to donate their wine to support the educational needs of the kids who go to school on the mountain. The funds that are raised will provide needed resources, and the kids are the biggest winners of the day.
This event remains one of my favorites. There are several reasons for this, starting with the wines of the AVA (American Viticultural Area – a designation within the United States that denotes shared characteristics for the growing area). The altitude of Howell Mountain provides warm days and cool nights that afford the grapes an opportunity to develop fine phenolics (chemical compounds that affect taste, color and mouthfeel of the wine) and produce deep, rich red wines with bright acidity. They are lush on the palate with tannins that are sometimes big and yet refined. When you start with this quality of wine, you have set an excellent day in motion.
Calistoga Food and Wine 2018
Calistoga is a small town at the northern end of Napa Valley. Population, at the last census, was around 5500. It is known for its hot springs, mud baths, and relaxing mineral water along with its wine. Just a few weeks ago, production teams were filming for a Netflix movie starring Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and other Saturday Night Live alumnae. That is a lot for a little town; and, this past weekend, the big draw was the fabulous Calistoga Food and Wine event, which culminated in an event held at the Solage resort.
Saturday afternoon, the stage was set for delicious bites from local restaurants accompanied by lovely wine. This was the culmination of a 3-day event, and it was very cool. There was music, food, and wine! The food ran the gamut from Korean BBQ ribs (they were excellent) to crab cake bites, pulled pork, and lovely desserts. You would have to work at going hungry at this event. The local restaurants were well-represented and welcomed everyone with their fare.
Ashes & Diamonds: A New Napa Valley Sparkler
This was our first experience at Ashes & Diamonds, a new winery in Napa Valley. What we found was a very young, eclectic vibe. The setting was mid-century modern, which translated to it being very upbeat and open - beckoning in new tasters. We sat among a refreshingly diverse group in our tasting room. One group sat in the corner with a bottle of wine, playing cards. Another group sat, looking at their phones together, and clearly the only thing missing was a charging station! This property is 6 months young and marching to a different beat.
One of the most notable differences up front is the hours. The tasting room opens at 11 AM and closes at 7 PM. This, in itself, is not the norm in a valley where you are challenged to find many properties open past 5 PM. Additionally, the intent is to serve lunch paired with their wines. They currently serve a menu of small plates. Of course, it is by appointment only, yet I am unaware of any winery tasting room that is set up to serve a full meal with their wine. This is an interesting approach.
Markham Merlot
Early on in my career, I was introduced to Markham Merlot. I was told it was the very favorite of our CEO; so, I thought, it must have been good. Many years have passed, and my wine journey has taken different roads; yet there is always a place for modestly priced wine that is good. This is one of them.
Markham is one of the oldest wineries in the Napa Valley that makes Merlot. It’s the 4th oldest continuously operating winery in Napa County. The vineyards were bought and brought into production in 1972. Today, the vineyards for Markham total 350 acres, which allows for a large production and a wide choice of grapes for blending.