nor cal edition – dec 16, 2011

8/3/2019 Nor Cal Edition Dec 16, 2011

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REE

PRAGER WINER& PORT WORKS

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BALDACCIFAMILY VINEYARD

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JACUZZIFAMILY VINEYARD

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STEIN FAMILY WIN

ON TREASURE ISLAPAGE 60

POPE VALLEY WINERYurn left and go back 100 years

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YOUR GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA WINE, THINGS TO DO & EVENTS www.WineCountryThisWeek.c

DECEMBER 16, 20

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TABLE OF CONTENTS | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

Prager Winery & Port Work

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Jacuzzi Family Vineyard

Pope Valley Winer


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D E C E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 1 1 I S S U E 5 0 V O L U M E 3 0

ON THE COVERPope Valley Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

SPECIAL COUPONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

WINE COUNTRY NEWSNorthern California Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Wineology by Len Napolitano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Wine Country Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-18

WINE COUNTRY GETAWAYSOvernight Accommodations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

SUISUN VALLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Suisun Valley Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

NAPA VALLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35-45Downtown Napa Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

St. Helena Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Napa Valley Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-41

Yountville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42-43Calistoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44-45

SONOMA COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46-59Sonoma County Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46-47Russian River Area Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Healdsburg Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Sonoma Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54-59Sonoma Valley Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Sonoma Plaza Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Glen Ellen & Kenwood Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

TREASURE ISLAND TO LIVERMORE VALLEY . . . . . . . . . 60-61

Treasure Island Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60Livermore Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

MENDOCINO & LAKE COUNTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62-63Lake & Mendocino Counties Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

NORTHERN CENTRAL COAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64-67Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz Mountains Map . . . . . . . . . . 64

Salinas Valley Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

WINERY LISTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68-78

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | TABLE OF CONTENT


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Champagne, and all wines with bubbles, falls under a broad

category known as sparkling wine, but Champagne specifically comes

from the famous wine region in France of the same name. It is made by

the traditional labor and time-intensive method known as mthode cham-

penoise. In addition, the grapes that make genuine Champagne are

limited by French law to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Through international trademark law, it is no longer legal to identify a

sparkling wine that is made outside the Champagne region of France as

Champagne. A few American producers, grandfathered in, are

permitted to label their sparkling wine as Champagne if they choose to.

Some, out of respect to the French, will opt to use the more generic term

sparkling wine. There are no restrictions in the US as to the types of

grapes that must be used in these wines.

Sparkling wines around the world are identified with the countrys own

term for sparkling wine. For example, in Spain it is labeled cava and in

Germany its known as sekt. Italy calls it spumante and in France, outside

of its Champagne region, a sparkling wine is identified as crmant.

When reading any sparkling wine label, it might be helpful to see

whether it includes the words fermented in this bottle. This is an indi

tion that the wine was made using the traditional Champagne-making

method, widely acknowledged to produce a superior style of sparkling

wine, albeit at a higher cost.

Using mthode champenoise, California produces some world-class

sparkling wines that are bright and crisp with a delightful level of acidit

Most offer subtle flavors of apple, pear, and sometimes a mild toastines

that originates from the yeast of the second fermentation that occurs ins

the bottle and creates the bubbles. If the traditional method is not used

the label will usually indicate that either the Charmat method or

Transfer method was used. These are less expensive ways of producin

sparkling wine in larger volume.

One last thing to remember when shopping for Champagne or

sparkling wines: terminology used to describe the level of dryness may

confusing. Particularly unusual is the use of the term Extra-Dry, whic

in the lingo of the Champagne world, actually means a small amount o

sweetness is detectable on the palate. The following guide translates som

common Champagne categories:

Extremely Dry: Brut Nature or Extra Brut

Normal Dryness: Brut

Just a tinge of noticeable sweetness: Extra-Dry Normal Sweetness: Sec

Sweeter than normal: Demi-Sec

Extremely Sweet: Doux

Len Napolitano lives in San Luis Obispo County and is certified in wine by the Society of Wine Educators,Wine & Spirits Education Trust and Chicago Wine School and continually gains knowledge from his frequent con

with California winemakers. More information is on his website, www.wineology.com.Send your questions about wine to: [email protected] or by mail to Len Napolitano in care of

Wine Country This Week magazine. Wineology is a registered trademark of Len Napolitano.

i n t e l l i g e n c e f o r t h e W i n e c o n S U M e r

by Len Napolitano

What is the difference between

Champagne and sparkling wine?


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by Jeffry Ross

The Skinny The Wine Garage is all about the juice. Its also about having funlike a kid in a candy store. The Wine Garage is, literally, a former gas stationTodd, the wine buyer, travels far and wide to find top-shelf, affordably pricedwines. Inside, youll find more than 200 different labels neatly arranged in caon the floor and an engaging staff who are friendly, attentive and most impor

tantly, they know their wines.

Buzz Despite its funky space, the Wine Garage is a wine lovers best friend.Reminiscent of visiting your favorite record store (yes, kids, once upon a timthats where you had to buy your music), the fun is going through all the casand finding something youve never heard of. All the wines have been testdriven by the staff, so, whatever you select, you wont be disappointed.

Value Ultimately, the Wine Garage is about value. Its no secret that in NapaValley, its difficult to score a highly rated red for less than $65, but the WineGarage manages to do it all the time. The staff takes great pride hunting dowunusual and lesser-known, limited-production wines and passing their hagglfinesse on to us.

Ten-second summary With the exception of Wine Garage labeled-awardwinning Cabernets, nothing in this hip hideaway is more than $25! The Wi

Garage is stocked with premium, small-lot wines that you wont find at BevMTrader Joes or your local wine store (plus, they do a better job storing theirwines at the correct temperature).

Best bets In addition to all the labels the Wine Garage represents, they alsoproduce their own lip-smacking blends. My in-house favorites are: 2009 JoyRide (white blend), 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet, 2007 Napa Valley Petite

Syrah, 2008 Napa Valley Chihuahua Cabernet and 2006 Napa Valley Hside Cabernet.

Under-the-radar Go old-school with half-gallon jugs filled while you wait

using their specifically designed service station nozzles. Not only are the windelicious (and affordable), the jug is crazy fun conversation at the table. Its a

a cool gift.

Secrets For the next few weeks, receive an additional ten percent off thealready low prices when you purchase six bottles. Twenty percent on a case.Better yet, the Wine Garage has the BEST wine club in the valley and theyship just about everywhere.

Insider If youre a serious wino, get on the inside track for ultra exclusivedeals by hooking up with the Wine Garage on Twitter and Facebook (wine cmembers get first crack to cream-of-the-crop finds).


WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | WINE COUNTRY NEW

1

Quality Wines All Under $2at Wine Garage, Calistoga


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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | CALENDAR OF EVENT

ONGOINGLive at the Lincoln TheaterYuv, www.a.m, 707-944-9900

D 17-18: t nuak, naa ra Da cmpay w napa

Vay Sympy

ONGOINGWine Tasting at Back Room Winesnapa, 5-9pm, www.bakmws.m, 707-226-1378

D 16: gma rs tas

D 22-23: guw!

D 24: csmas ev A Sa D 30: nw Yas Spak Ws tas

Ja 27: Bak rm Bw ou XlV

ONGOINGdi Rosanapa, www.dsapsv., 707-226-5991

o u fb 18: lk a Yu lk a M

ONGOINGLive at Uptown Theatrenapa, www.upwaapa.m, 707-259-0123

D 16: Bad ca

D 17: t Bd Bys Aabama csmas Sw

D 31: ozma

Ja 15: DeVo

Ja 20: luda Wams

ONGOING FRIDAYS

Friday Night Pulse Tastings

AcMe f Ws, S.ha, 5-7pm, www.amws.m, 888-963-0440

ONGOING

Friday Night Winemaker Events

JV W & Sps, napa, 5-7pm, $2, www.jvw.m, 707-253-2624

D 16: Ps ad Madas

D 23 & 30: n tas Du hdays

ONGOING

Tasting Events at Wineries of Napa Valley

napa tw c, napa, 707-253-9450

www.apavas.m, k wbs ms & ps

ONGOING THROUGH JANUARY 16

Napa on Ice Outdoor Skating Rink

2d & cmbs S, napa

$12/uds ska a. www.apa.m.

ONGOING THROUGH FEBRUARY 3

Calistogas Winter in the Wineries

Vs 15 casa ws s passp pam. $50

www.casaVss.m, 707-942-6333

ONGOING THROUGH MARCH 30Abstract Visions,

A Brett Weston Retrospective at Turnbu

tubu W cas, oakv, A mpsv xb ba

100 bday. www.tubuWs.m, 707-963-5839x15

DECEMBER 18

Holiday Tea at Domaine Carneros

napa, 11am-12:30pm, www.dmaas.m, 800-716-2788

DECEMBER 31New Years Eve DinnerDma cad, Yuv, 6pm

www.ad.m, 707-944-2280

JANUARY 13-152nd Annual Napa Truffle FestivalWs Vasa, napa, www.apausva.m, 888-360-8618

JANUARY 21-22Cooking Classes: Robbie Burns Weekendcda gabs i, napa

www.daabs.m, 707-224-7969

JANUARY 28V. Sattui Barrel Tasting Party

S. ha, www.vsau.m, 707-963-7774


14/8014 Follow us on Twitter @WineCountryT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

JANUARY 28Cooking Classes: Cooking the New Year Awaycda gabs i, napa, 4-8pm, $160

www.daabs.m, 707-224-7969

JANUARY 29Art Exhibit ReceptionPju, rud, 1-4pm

www.pju.m, 707-963-3600

FEBRUARY 11

Love Fest at Merryvale VineyardsS. ha, 7pm, $150, rSVP qudwww.myva.m, 800-326-6069x429

FEBRUARY 11Valentines Day Cabernet & Chocolate atSummers Winerycasa, 11am-4pm, $15/vs 5 ws & a

www.summswy.m, 707-942-5508

FEBRUARY 11Valentines Pickup Party at Judds Hillnapa, 12-3pm, www.judds.m, 707-255-2332

FEBRUARY 11Cooking Classes: Valentines Dinner I

fau Sms Wy

cda gabs i, napa, 4-8pm, $175

www.daabs.m, 707-224-7969

FEBRUARY 12Dusty Bottle Valentines Dinnercs du Va Wy, napa

www.sduva.m, 800-993-9463

FEBRUARY 21-242012 Symposium for Professional Wine WritersMadwd napa Vay, S. ha, www.wwssympsum.

MARCH 434th Annual Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathoncasa napa, www.apavaymaa.

MAY 63rd Annual Wine Auction on the Lawn atCharles Krug

S. ha, 2-5pm, www.asku.m, 707-967-2200

ONGOINGLive Music at Centre du Vinlds h, Sma

www.ds.m, 707-996-9779

ONGOINGPrivate Tastings at Viansawww.vasa.m, 800-995-7470

iaa W & cs Pa,10:30am, 12:30pm, 3pm by appm,

$10/mmbs, $25

rsv W & fd Pa, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 3pm by appm

/mmbs, $45

ONGOINGReserve Wine & Food PairingPrivate Tasting at ViansaSma, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 3pm by appm

www.vasa.m, 800-995-7470, /mmbs, $45

ONGOINGCarneros Bistro & Wine Bar Introduces

Thematic Wine Programh a a w maks. Pus, a tusday, 6:30-8pm by w-

ds. t ld a Sma, rSVP, www.dasma.m, 707-931-2042

ONGOINGVineyard Walk & Photography Workshopat B.R. Cohn Wineryg e, 10am-1pm, $45, $35/mmbs

www.b.m, 707-931-7924x123

ONGOINGExclusive Wine & Cheese Tastingat B.R. Cohn Wineryg e, 11am & 3pm, $25, $20/mmbs

www.b.m, 707-931-7924x123

ONGOINGPrivate Wine Tastings

at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Wineryhadsbu Pk Bu v ws, 6-8 pp, $20-$40pp

by appm, www.a-aa.m, 707-433-6700

Sms ts yu Sm Mmy

W W lvs ws pad w Asa ss

K rds ws pad w dd us ad as

Mamak w ad d pa

PVa tas ws pad w Asa cau pa

cab t tas mpas ws m d vas

ONGOING FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYSTaste with the Count at Buena Vista

A 45-mu u ad w as, 11am & 12:30pm, $20

A 90-mu tas w cu w rsv Bua Vsa ws

cus la by cu. 2pm, $45, rSVP, 800-926-1266

ONGOINGWine and Food Pairingat Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Wineryhadsbu Mamak, a a ad s ma ws w

p d. 6-8 pp, $35pp, by appm

www.a-aa.m, 707-433-6700

ONGOINGFree Guided Winery Tour

at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Wineryhadsbu Mday-Sauday, 10am, by appm

www.a-aa.m, 707-433-6700ONGOING

Group Private Tastings

at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Wineryhadsbu iuds 5 ws, 9-25 pp udud a, by

appm. $20 p ps, www.a-aa.m, 707-433-6700

ONGOINGTerroir & History Tour at Chateau St. JeanKwd, A vs caau S. Ja s a yu sss.

cmpmay, 11am-2pm, www.aausja.m, 707-833-4134

ONGOINGFood and Wine Pairing

at the Mayo Reserve Room9200 Sma hwy, Kwd, Day, 10:30am-6pm, 7 us d/w as

$35, rsvas mmdd, www.mayamywy.m, 707-833-5504

ONGOINGWine Experiences at Chateau St. JeanKwd, t ps mmum, 2 us, $50, by appm

www.aausja.m, 707-833-4134x5258

cq cpas Bd Sma, e ps mmum, 2 us, $75

cq cpas cmp tas, e ps mmum, 1.5 us, $25

Pva ViP W tas, 10:30am, 1 & 3pm, $25, 1 u

Bx lu Pam w tu

ONGOINGTours, Tastings & Seminars

at St. Francis WinerySaa rsa, t ps mmum, ca m ma & svas

888-675-Wine(9463)x255, www.saswy.m

Wy tu & tas, 1.5 us, $25

Vyads tu & tas, 1 u, $20

Bd Sma, 1.5 u, $65

ONGOING

Guided Winery Tours at Gloria FerrerSma, 11am, 1 & 3pm, $10, www.a.m, 707-996-7256

ONGOINGWine & Food Pairing at Kendall-Jacksonfu, Spa sv d & w as, 10am-4pm, $25

www.kj.m, 707-571-7500

ONGOING SUNDAYSDomaine Carneros Sparkling Brunch

at the Fairmont Mission Inn & SpaSma, 9am-1pm, www.am.m.sma, 707-938-9000

ONGOING SUNDAYSSunday Brunch at the Centre du Vin

lds h, Sma, 9am-1pm

www.ds.m, 707-996-9779

ONGOING WEEKENDSWine & Chocolate Pairings at Fritz Winerycvda, 10:30am-4:30pm, $5 as vs pa

www.zwy.m, 707-894-3389

LAST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH50 Mile AV Vintner's Diningg e, Ba as & od V P n & Syas m As Vya

fds sud ay. 4-7PM, asws. m, rSVP, 707-935-3456

ONGOING THURSDAYSThirsty Thursdays at AnabaSma, ejy mpmay s & aks pa w yu w

as. 4-5:30pm, www.aabaws.m, 707-996-4188

ONGOING THURSDAY SUNDAYUnique Food & Wine Pairings

at HKG Tasting Roomg e, 12-6pm, www.pkwy.m, 707-938-7622

ONGOINGMoondance Cellars & Orchard Station Wing e, Pad w W cuy cas tu tass, $10

www.mdaas.m, 707-938-7550

ONGOING THURSDAY-SATURDAYMichel-Schlumberger Winery Green Tourhadsbu, 10:30am, $25, www.msumb.m, 800-447-306

ONGOING MONDAY-SATURDAYRobert Young Estate Winery Vineyard Tours& Tasting in a Remodeled Grape Gondolagysv, 11:30am, $10, bx u pvdd $20

www.yw.m, 707-431-4811

ONGOING FRIDAYS & SATURDAYSCome Crush With Us at Icaria Creek WineryWmak J Sm ads a as bd & bad ws

www.aawy.m, rSVP, 707-486-9623

EVERY WEDNESDAY & SATURDAYSanta Rosa Original Farmers MarketSaa rsa Vas Bud pak , 8:30am-, 707-522-8629

EVERY FRIDAY MORNINGSonoma Valley Farmers MarketDp Pak, Sma, 9am-, 707-538-7023

EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAYThe Art of Winemaking WorkshopP Vyads, Sma, 10:30am-12pm

www.pvyads.m, 707-935-8311

ONGOINGCooking Classes at Ramekins Culinary School450 Ws Spa S, Sma, ck wbs sdu.

www.amks.m, 707-933-0450

ONGOINGWells Fargo Center for the ArtsSaa rsa, wsaas., 707-546-3600

D 16: ty B

D 17: Msw Bas nuak

D 20: Maaa tas csmas

D 22: Dav Kz & fds csmas

Ja 6: gadys K

Ja 7: Mybuss

Ja 8: lay K

Ja 11: fd gab iaab ta

Ja 14: Ja rvs

Ja 15: J edwads Psy Mdum Ja 21-23: Saa rsa Sympy S fu

Ja 24: t nw Saa cus

Ja 27: Mk Bba

fb 1: Sp Uada

fb 5: Ama Pam Sw 3

fb 10: Ay Buda & e rp

fb 11-13: Saa rsa Sympy S fv

fb 21: Muas Bauu Daus

fb 24: D f M i

fb 26: Pps ga Mvs, gad Pa

ONGOINGSpreckels Performing Arts Centerr Pak, 707-588-3400, www.spks.m, 707-588-3400

D 15-18: t Saaad Das

D 16-18: t nuak

SONOMA COUNTY


15/801Look for us on Facebook and become a Fan!


ONGOINGLive Shows at Hopmonk TavernSbasp, www.pmk.m, 707-829-7300

D 16: W fudad tm Pay

D 17: Su Wdd Qu

D 18: n Bay Py Sam

D 22: radm rab

D 23: 7 Aua Uy Swa csmas Pay

D 28: t B fa Ya ed Kss o cmdy Sw

D 29: Juk J Vay Busqu S

D 31: P Ma's Wsky Ja 5: Pau tmmma & Dm

Ja 6: es Ba

Ja 7: Jy Dw

Ja 12: Ps Ambassad & Bu

Ja 13: Wdbad 5

Ja 14: D's Umba

ONGOING THURSDAYSWinemaker Thursday Series at Big Bottom Marketguv, 6-8pm, www.bbmmak.m, 707-604-7295

ONGOING SATURDAYSSwirl, Sniff & Sip (aka Wine 101)B 3 W Ba, fam Sma Mss i & Spa, Sma

10-10:45am, www.am.m/sma, 707-938-900

ONGOING SATURDAYSHarvest Concert Seriesladmak Wy, Kwd, 1-4pm

www.admakw.m, 707-833-0053

D 17: Sama Dua, pa & jazz vas

ONGOING THROUGH JANUARY 8Gabrielle Teschner Exhibit: Nothing et al.Va Ma lambx Wy, hadsbu, 11am-5pm

www.vmw.m, 707-431-4404

ONGOING THROUGH JANUARY 15Minutely PersonalQua gay, Duas Ms, www.Qua-gay.m, 707-865-0243


Ann Hollister Exhibitat Charles Creek Winery

Sma, 11am-6pm, www.ask.m, 707-935-3848

ONGOING THROUGH EARLY SPRING 201216th Annual Sculpture Exhibit FINALEat Paradise Ridge Wineryt Supu v a b s u dusk, wd by a ass w

wys vada, w s spaua vw sus. 11am-5pm, day

www.pwy.m, 707-528-Wine

lbad Vyads, hadsbu, 5-9pm

www.badvyads.m, 707-433-3473

DECEMBER 17St. Francis Winery Ode to Crab Dinner

Saa rsa, 6:30pm, $125, $99/mmbs

www.saswy.m, 888-675-Wine

DECEMBER 17Redwood Empire Sing-Along MessiahSaa rsa h S, Saa rsa

www.saasasympy.m, 707-546-8742

DECEMBER 17

Hike & Taste in the VineyardsKud famy esa, Kwd, 10am, $30, www.kud.m, 707-833-550

DECEMBER 17A Festival of Lights Holiday Klezmer ConcertPauma hsa Musum, Pauma

$15, $10/ss & suds, www.jubkzm.m

DECEMBER 17-18Holiday CelebrationDu-gdd Wy, Sbasp

www.dudd.m, 707-827-3600

DECEMBER 17, 24, 31Wine & Food Pairing at Viansa

Sma, 1pm, $15/mmbs, $20

www.vasa.m, 800-995-4740


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ONGOINGWine Cave Tasting ExperienceW Vyads, lvm, 4pm Sa/Su, $10, $5/w ub mmbs

rSVP, www.wvyads.m/avs, 925-456-2405

ONGOING THURSDAY - SUNDAYWine & Cheese Pairingla r Wy, lvm, 12-4:30pm

www.lrW.m, 925-243-6442


Printmaking by Edmee Keeleesa Wy tas rm, W Vyads, lvm

www.wvyads.m, 925-456-2305

DECEMBER 17Mansion Winetaster Dinneres Vyads, Su, www.s.m, 925-862-2377

DECEMBER 18Members Barrel Tasting at Occasio Winery

lvm, 1-4pm

www.asswy.m, 925-371-1987

JANUARY 28-29Soup & Wine SOUPerbowl Weekendfsa Wy, lvm, 12-5pm

www.sawy.m, 925-447-5246

FEBRUARY 18-20

29th Annual Barrel Tastingfsa Wy, lvm, 12-5pmwww.sawy.m, 925-447-5246

ONGOINGSunset Cultural Center-Carmelcam, www.sus.m, 831-620-2048

D 16: Paua Puds

Ja 14: t Ks t

Ja 20: t Pk Abas

Ja 22: c 3: cassus gud iba & r

Ja 29: isa camb Pj

ONGOINGLive at Golden State TheatreMy, www.dsaa.m, 831-372-3800

fb 23: Ba Maa pss hd Pa

ONGOING FRIDAYSFromage Friday at Taste Morgant cssads cam ejy a spa s samp w yu as

Ma & l famy fam ws. 3-5pm

www.mawy.m, 831-626-3700

ONGOING SUNDAYSLibrary Sunday at Taste Morgan

t cssads cam A ppuy as sm d vas m

Ma Wys a. 2-5pm, 831-626-3700, www.mawy.m

ONGOINGLive Music at KRML Radiot easwd Bud, cam, www.kmad.m, 831-624-6432

ONGOING THIRD THURSDAYSSweet Thursdays at Cannery Row

My, famy u, mus, d & a dsus, 4-8pm831-649-6690

ONGOING THIRD THURSDAYSMonterey Museum of ArtMy, ev mus, w ad s d'uvs, 5-7pm, 831-372-5477

EVERY THIRD WEEKEND OF THE MONTHPair Your Wine with Ice Cream at Kirigin Cellarsgy, Pa yu mpmay w as w a V d Ma i

cam Suda! Ad sk a 30% 6 b puass & 50% ass.

www..kas.m, 408-847-8827

EVERY TUESDAYFocus on Monterey County Winescpa W Ba, ra cas, cam, 3-8pm

www.aas.m, 831-625-5646

EVERY WEDNESDAYWine Down Wednesdaysf Wy, gy, 5-8pm, , www.wy.m, 408-842-3305

ONGOING THROUGH DECEMBER 18Every Christmas Story Ever ToldPa rpy ta, 831-622-0100

c ta, cam, www.pap.

DECEMBER 31New Years Eve Celebration

i a Spas Bay, Pbb Bawww.pbbba.m

Saa cuz Muas

JANUARY 14Barrel Tastings & Futures Open Housecaau Ju W esa, cam Vay, 11am-4pm

www.aauju.m, 831-624-2600, $15, mmbs/

JANUARY 15Surf City Wine University:

Bordeaux Wines with Mikael WarginMJA Vyads, Saa cuz, 12-2pm

www.suyvs.m, 831-818-1405

JANUARY 21Winter Passport Day

Saa cuz Muas Wws Assa

Vs papa ws! 11am-5pm, $40

www.smwa.m, 831-685-8463

JANUARY 22Wine & Crab Taste-Off

Saa cuz Muas Wws Assa

Vs papa sauas! 2-5pm, $49

www.smwa.m, 831-685-8463

FEBRUARY 3-12AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-AmPbb Ba, www.pbbba.m

FEBRUARY 11Valentines Passport 2012

rv rad W ta, My

11am-4pm, www.vadwa.m

FEBRUARY 26Surf City Wine University:

History of the Santa Cruz MountainsWine Region & WinesJ emy, Saa cuz Mua Vyad; Jd oB, Sv Mua ad

Ma Ss, Ss cas, 334B ias S, Saa cuz, 12-2pm

www.suyvs.m, 831-818-1405

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS

ONGOINGThursday Night Music SeriesBa Wy, Squ, ejy mus, d & Ba w! 6-8pm

www.ba.m, 831-475-2258x11

DECEMBER 16, 23Fireside Fridays Wine Tastingsh ls gas, ls gas, 5-6:30pm

$15/ 5 ws, 408-354-7700

JANUARY 21

Winter Passport DaySaa cuz Muas Wws Assa

Vs papa ws! 11am-5pm, $40

www.smwa.m, 831-685-8463

ONGOINGSierra Railroadoakda, www.saaad.m, 209-848-2100

D 31: nw Yas ev expss

ONGOING30th Annual Vintners Holidayst Awa, Ysm naa Pak

www.YsmPak.m/Vs, 801-559-4903

ONGOINGChefs Holidayst Awa, Ysm naa Pak

www.YsmPak.m/cs, 801-559-4903

Ja 8-10: Sss 1

Ja 11-12: Sss 2

Ja 15-17: Sss 3

Ja 18-19: Sss 4

Ja 22-24: Sss 5

Ja 25-26: Sss 6 Ja 29-31: Sss 7, A cabav D t M Bav tVs tp c

fb 1-2: Sss 8, A cabav D t Wm Bav tVs tp

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

ONGOINGSacramento River Trainwww.saamva.m, 800-866-1690

D 17-23: csmas ta

D 31: Sus D w Mus

D 31: nw Yas ev expss

ONGOINGMondavi Center for the Performing ArtsU.c. Davs, www.mdavas., 866-754-ArtS

D 18: Ama Ba Sss

Ja 5: Sa fas Sympy

Ja 9: Pa

Ja 14-15: Ax Ky, v & hda hua, pa

Ja 19-20: Sdad Ba & n fama

Ja 25-26: Ad rduz t

Ja 27: rya Pam osa

Ja 29: Axad S Qua

Ja 30: tsa

SUISUN VALLEY

ONGOING SATURDAYS$5 Wines by the GlassWawk Wy, fad W & mpmay pzza 1-6pm

lv mus 2-5pm, www.wawkwy.m, 707-428-6977

DECEMBER 16Barrel Burning & Zinfandel Barrel Tasting

Vz famy Vyad, Susu Vay W cub Mmb evwww.vzamyvyad.m, 888-823-Vine

DECEMBER 26-27SVVGA Anniversary CelebrationSusu Vay Vs & gws Assa

Vs papa ws! 12-5pm

www.susuvayws.m, 707-864-0730

SOLANO COUNTY

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

NORTH CENTRAL COAST

Check the website for more eventswww.winecountrythisweek.com

Email Your Events [email protected]

fo bs suls, sd you mails a las 6 o 8

wks pio o h da o you v. ev lisig

a , ad publishd as spa is availabl ad a

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18/80Follow us on Twitter @WineCountryT

WINE COUNTRY NEWS | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

Rings in Season Long Holiday in the Vines Celebration

Sonoma Valleys Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) has

announced the contestants in the 6th Annual Sonoma Valley Winery

Gingerbread Competition where wineries create edible replicas of

their wineries. This signature event kicks off the Holiday in the

Vines, a calendar of Sonoma Valley winery events including Open

Houses, Winemaker Dinners, visits from Santa, Toy Drives, and

musical events. For the complete list of festivities, visit the Events

Calendar at www.sonomavalleywine.com.

Each year, Ramona Nicholson of Nicholson Ranch challenges the

Sonoma Valley wineries to pick up their spatula and join the fun.This years creation by Tasting Room Manager Charles Whittaker is

taking over the entire Nicholson Ranch Art Gallery overlooking the

Tasting Room and creating a pure gingerbread exhibit of at least six

full-sized gingerbread pieces of art. Some classic artworks will be

created (Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh) and some winery related

art as well (a still life of grapes, the Nicholson Ranch Chapel, a

portrait of the Nicholson family, etc.). It should be a show stopper!

Throughout the month of

December, visitors can pick up

a map and a ballot at any of the

participating wineries and votefor their favorite gingerbread

creation. As an added bonus,

each time voters cast a ballot

either at the wineries or on the

Sonoma Valley Grapes & Wine

Facebook page, theyll be

entered into a raffle to win a

case of fabulous Sonoma Valley

wines.

Larson Family Winery, last

years winner, will again have their structure created by R

Fanucchi of Sweet Treats who plans to depict a Sweet Snapshot B

in Time. The ever creative Kelly Cleaver is taking on B.R. Coh

theme of Gold Records and Gold Ribbons featuring edible gold

well as Chateau St. Jeans structure based on a Classic Christmas T

which promises to be very unusual and colorful. Marina Mayer

Gundlach Bundschu is designing their entry which will depict t

tasting room. The ladies of Kenwood Vineyards are creating a str

ture with a theme of Christmas in the Vineyards. Lori Ferguso

creating A Tropical Paradise (including Santa in a swimsuit!)

Paradise Ridge Winery and the team at Roessler Cellars are creata Winter Wineland-themed structure.

Be sure to visit all the participating wineries and cast your vo

B.R. Cohn, Chateau St. Jean, Gundlach Bundschu, Kenwood V

yards, Larson Family Winery, Nicholson Ranch, Paradise Ri

Winery and Roessler Cellars.

Additional Holiday in the Vines events are being added d

For more information, visit the event calendar on the website

www.sonomavalleywine.com.

6th Annual Sonoma Valley Winery Gingerbread Competitio

B.R. Cohn Winerys Gingerbread Competition entry from 2010

Nicholson Ranch Winerys 2009 entry Larson Family Winerys 2009 entry

Last years entry from Larson Family Winery

18


19/80 1www.WineCountryThisWeek.com



20/8020 Sign up for our email newsletter at www.WineCountryThisWeek.co

WINERY FEATURE | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

by Michelle J. Baker

What could be a more fitting complement

to holiday meals, cheese plates or sweets and

treats than the delicious Ports from Napa

Valleys Prager Winery & Port Works? Port

doesnt have the foothold in the United States

that it does in the Iberian Peninsula, but a

taste through the Ports at Prager will makeyou a believer!

Jim Prager has been a believer since 1979,

when he and wife, Imogene, moved to Napa

Valley and opened the winery after Jims

successful career as an insurance broker in

Southern California. The winerys first vintage

included Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay

and Zinfandel, plus a Cabernet Port, which

gave the winery something unique that its

Napa Valley neighbors werent producing.

For more than 30 years Prager has been a

true family-run winery, with Jim andImogenes five grown children now running

everything from the books to the bottling

line. Son, Jeff, is the winerys general manager;

Peter is the winemaker; John handles wine

sales and distribution; daughter, Katie is the

chief financial officer, and Mary handles the

wine club and special events.

You dont see dad, Jim, around the winery

much anymore since he retired. According to

Jeff Prager, Once we got a computer in here

and then started playing Led Zeppelin, Dad

said, thats it, Im done! Mom, Imogene,

stays busy in the kitchen, making the sweetand savory nuts that go famously with any

Prager Port. Still, on most days youll get at

least a couple of Pragers to entertain you in

the tasting room.

That would be the infamous Prager tasting

room, where since the late 1980s customers

have been leaving dollar bills tacked to the

walls and ceiling. In fact, good luck finding a

piece of wall to fit your dollar bill you may

just have to tack it over someone elses. This

great Napa Valley tradition got started a

Jim Prager received a survey in the mail t

included a $1 bill as enticement to comp

and return the survey. Prager tossed

survey and tacked the dollar to the wall of

tasting room. Customers soon followed su

Currently the Prager Port-folio include

total of five Ports, all of which are distin

balanced and downright delicious. The f

ship Port at Prager is the Royal Escort, a

boy made from 100% Petite Sirah grown ri

in St. Helena. The current release vint

2006 is an intense wine that can be laid do

for a long time or enjoyed in its youth pai

with rich dark chocolate, dried fruit

strongly flavored cheeses.

The 10-year-old Tawny Port, dubb

Noble Companion, was produced fr

Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2000 vinta

The wine was left in French Oak barrels

oxidize as a good tawny does never topup, never racked. The result is an am

beauty with nutty, caramel and vanilla no

great acidity and just enough sweetness

pop its luscious flavors.

In their Toms Port, the Pragers use

traditional Portuguese Port varietals Tour

Tinta Cao and Tinta Roriz grown just up

road in Calistoga. Toms is an elegant, so

style Port that will pair nicely with holi

fruit and cheese plates. The Aria White Po

Prager Winery & Port Works



WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | WINERY FEATUR

quite similar to the Portuguese

version of white Ports, which are

often paired with lunch fare such

as soups, bisques and seafood.

Who says you can only have Port

after a meal? The Aria White Port

makes a great apertif to sit

around the fireplace before theholiday meal.

While Prager may be best

known for its Ports, theres a

Petite Sirah in the house that will

impress folks who love a big red

wine. The Pragers is an old

school Petite Sirah, aged for two

and a half years in American oak

barrels, which gives this wine a

great spicy character and plenty

of backbone. Drink it now with a

juicy steak or sock it away as itssure to improve for many years.

Beyond their great selection of

wines, Prager has lots of other

fun gifts for the holidays. Youll

fall in love with Imogenes Sweet

and Savory Caramelized Walnuts

and Sweet and Savory

Caramelized Pecans, available in

6- and 4-oz. packages. These

delicious nuts, made by Imogene

Prager, make a great accompani-

ment to holiday fruit and cheese

plates alongside a Prager Port.

For the chocolate fanatic,

Prager now also offers a Choco-

late Port Drizzle ($17.95) to pour

over fruit or ice cream (or, shhhh,

drink straight out of the bottle!)

and Chocolate Port Truffles

($13.50 for a box of 12). Both of

these confections are made with

Prager Port.

For a more savory gift, try the

Prager 12-year-old Port Balsamic

Vinegar, made from Prager Port

and aged in cherry and oak

wood.

Visit Prager Winery and Port

Works at 1281 Lewelling Lane in

St. Helena. The winery offers

tastings from 10:30 a.m. until

4:30 p.m. daily. For more infor-

mation, call (707) 963-7678 or

go to www.pragerport.com.


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22

Every year, the Napa Valley Wine Train throws an amazing NewYears Eve celebration. From the caviar and the sparkling wine, to

the gourmet meal and live band, everything is planned andexecuted to perfection. This year though, the Wine Train has

decided that New Years Eve shouldnt just be about a fabulous

party. So instead of simply throwing an amazing celebration, theyveadded a new component: raising money for local breast cancer

patients.

We polled our Facebook fans early this year, and they over-whelmingly voted for a Black, White and Pink ball that included a

donation to support breast cancer patients. The toga party, disco andan End of the World theme (2012) didnt have a chance next to the

run away winner, said Kira Devitt, Wine Trains Social Media Strate-

gist.After the theme was decided, we immediately started looking

for a partner to help us create a successful event and to get the

raised funds into the hands of local patients. The Queen of theValley Medical Foundation was a perfect match. The Foundations

main goals are to serve the community, and provide quality medicalcare.

Michael Holmes, renown local designer and owner of Michael

Holmes Designs has graciously agreed to create the ambiance in theWine Train station. These types of events are so very important to

me, he said, It is very meaningful to be a participant in the fight

against cancer. Holmes contributions dont end with the stylinthe station, he has also agreed to contribute one of his highly sou

after events as one of the prizes for the evenings drawing.There have also been a multitude of magnums donated for on

the evenings benefit drawing items. Some lucky winner will w

away with delicious Napa staples like Whitehall Lane, JeriCanyon Vineyard, Amuse Bouche, Calistoga Cellars, ZD Win

Judds Hill, Grgich Hills Estate, Benessere Vineyards, Tudal Fam

Winery, Schramsberg Vineyards, Duckhorn Vineyards, T-Vine Ceand more. And of course the Wine Train is contributing to

drawing and has teamed up with the Napa River Inn to create a tnight, get away package for four people.

Drawing tickets are three for $25 and can be purchased onlin

WineTrain.com/holiday/new-years-eve. You do not have to attthe gala to win, nor do you have to be present at the drawing.

The Wine Trains New Years Eve party is always a great time

has become known as one of the Bay Areas best New Years events. This year, it is going to be even more special.

Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m., the after party begins at 10 p.m., dancing goes until 1 a.m. Ticket prices are $235 per person

dinner and party; $50 per person for the after party only.

The in-station reception will begin at 5 p.m., the dinner train board at 6:30 p.m. and depart at 7 p.m. The after party will begi

10 p.m., and entertainment will continue until 1 a.m.

Napa Valley Wine TrainThe Black, White and PinkBall: A Party With a Purpose


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www.WineCountryThisWeek.co


24

The Meadowcroft Wines music series, Songwriters in Sonoma, will

end its first year on a high note with a Christmas Spectacular featuring

many of the performers from throughout the year in a benefit show to

raise funds for F.I.S.H. (Friends In Sonoma Helping). The show will

be hosted by Jim Mr. Music Corbett who will lead many of the

returning songwriters in a round of Holiday music in a variety of

combinations. Some of the returning songwriters attending the special

Holiday show include Jon Williams, Tom Martin, Amber Snider, Jeff

Falconer, Adam Traum, Dawn Angelosante, Sean Carscadden, Arann

Harris, Coalmine Spindle, Darwin Meniers and Mike Lounibos. The

show takes place on Thursday, December 15th at 7 p.m. at the Mead-

owcroft Wines tasting room located at 23574 Arnold Drive in the

Cornerstone Sonoma community. Admission is $15 per person andincludes a glass of wine.

We are extremely delighted to have so many of the talented song-

writers from throughout the year returning for our Holiday show,

said Tom Meadowcroft, winemaker and owner of Meadowcroft

Wines. Our first year of Songwriters in Sonoma proved to be much

more successful than even we anticipated. We appreciate the support

of all those who have played the show and all that have attended

throughout the year, and truly appreciate the support for the F.I.S.H.

organization.

A percentage of the evenings wine and food sales will be donated

to FISH by Meadowcroft Wines, and attendees are encouraged to

bring canned goods, clothing and or toys to be collected at the door

and presented to FISH. Giving assistance since 1971, all F.I.S.H.

services are given free of charge, without respect to age, race or creed

to persons in Sonoma Valley. The organization provides groceries,

clothing, rides to medical and social services appointments, access to

rental assistance and information and referral services.

Musical host for the evening, Jim Corbett is well known in the west

county music scene, and hosts his own singer-songwriter event in

Sebastopol. Hes played with most of the top musicians in the North

Bay including the late Norton Buffalo, also producing both of Buffalos

memorial concerts in Sonoma. He has also developed a music

program for children and spends a lot of time entertaining students inthe various schools throughout the county.

Cheese plates with charcuterie will be available during the show

along with glasses and bottles of wine. Additionally, Meadowcrofts

Chef Darby has fired up the Hot Pot in the tasting room with some-

thing special and tasty for this special Holiday show.

Songwriters in Sonoma is produced by Meadowcroft Wines

(www.meadowcroftwines.com) and sponsored by MusicNomad.com

(www.musicnomad.com) a website created by musicians to assist all

musicians at every level of the recording and performance arena. The

monthly show is booked and hosted by Gerard Serafini, owner of

Sonoma Valley Music store (www.sonomavalleymusic.com).

Meadowcroft Wines includes the Meadowcroft and Thomas He

labels. New releases being poured at the tasting room include the f

recent Sonoma County Harvest Fair award winning wines: the 20

Meadowcroft Sonoma County Zinfandel, the 2010 Thomas He

Sonoma County Pinot Noir, the 2010 Sonoma County Sauvign

Blanc, and the 2008 Meadowcroft Sonoma County Cabernet Sau

gnon. The tasting room is located within the Cornerstone Sono

(www.cornerstonesonoma.com) complex that features 24 world c

gardens, a gourmet caf, art galleries and cutting edge design shops

set among acres of vineyards.

Meadowcroft Wines is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. T

venue is available for private parties, private tastings, wine dinn

and other events. With plenty of free parking at Cornerstone Sono

the area is a perfect setting for any type of event, both indoors

outdoors. For information or to make reservations, call (707) 93

4090.

MusicNomad.com (www.musicnomad.com) is where musici

go to find a home. Music Nomad is a musicians advocate organtion that strives to help make sense of the vast and fragmented mu

industry by researching, interviewing, reviewing and ranking th

sands of companies within the music industry and filtering the o

that can truly be of help to musicians. MusicNomad.com is a

service and focuses on fighting for the independent musician.

Sonoma Valley Music (www.sonomavalleymusic.com) is Sonom

retail music store providing instruments, service, rentals and repa

They also have support equipment such as sound systems and PA g

for shows and events. Their personal service is what sets Sono

Valley Music apart from the rest.

Songwriters in Sonoma Christmas Spectaculato Benefit Sonoma Valleys F.I.S.H.

Meadowcroft Wines Tasting R

located at Cornerstone Son


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2




A first encounter with the Candlelight Inn is a bit like love at first sight! As you approach the

beautifully maintained and landscaped Tudor Mansion built as a residence in 1929 it appears to

straddle Easum Drive, a modest residential area. The street not far from Napas Town Center

ends as you park in the welcoming front courtyard. Right here, in the bustling epicenter of every-

thing that makes the wine country so desirable, the luxurious ten-room inn sits on its own private,

one-acre, secluded park. It is bordered by Napa Creek and nestled beneath towering redwoods.

Here, a spacious pool/cabana is surrounded by meticulously landscaped flowering shrubs, bushes

and rock gardens. Noticeable sounds are birds and rustling leaves.

Originally designed for an active familys enjoyment, Candlelight Inn is now a private retreat for

discriminating visitors to the wine country. Many guests, who were smitten by that first impression,

now return year after year to relax and renew their enjoyment of all the region offers. On each visit,

there is more to do. In recent years, Napa has become a hub for world-

renowned chefs, and each year brings more restaurant openings. At the

inn, guests can enjoy complimentary wine and hors doeuvres as well as

snacks and drinks at all hours. A three-course breakfast featuring local

and seasonal foods is served each morning. Most rooms have a deck orbalcony, a two-person marble Jacuzzi tub and a fireplace. All have air

conditioning, TV, telephone and wireless internet access. Each is unique

and tastefully designed. An on-site concierge provides personalized

dining and wine country touring recommendations. The concierge also

helps guide you to the numerous attractions of wine country hiking

and bicycling, kayaking, bird watching, cultural attractions, balloon

rides and spa services. The inn has received numerous awards and been

featured in USA Weekend and National Geographic Traveler.

The Candlelight Inn is located at 1045 Easum Drive, Napa. For

reservations, call 1-800-624-0395 or visit www.candlelightinn.com.

Candlelight Inn


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2


28/80

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Along a winding country road, up an unpaved

drive and past Gus, a big, friendly, chocolate lab and

Bella a German shorthair, youll find one of the most

unpretentious, down-to-earth tasting rooms around.

The Pope Valley, one of the California wine regions

hidden treasures, is home to the Pope Valley Winery.

This serene, bucolic setting offers a wine tasting

experience far, far away from the ostentatious fare to

be found at some of the more well-known winecountry destinations. Here, you will be treated less

like a visitor and more like a friend. To reach the

Pope Valley Winery requires a leisurely country drive

that is, in itself, a significant part of the experience. Wending through

picturesque fields, undulating vineyards and oak-studded hills, one

gets the feeling of being transported back in time. The pace here is

slower, more peaceful than the flurry and commotion found along the

main thoroughfares of the Napa Valley. Photo opportunities present

themselves around every bend in the road.

A visit to Pope Valley Winery allows wine lovers to step back in

time and experience 40 acres of history. The bubbling sounds of Haus

Creek can be heard as you roam the grounds of this historic winery.

The original farmhouse still graces the property, as well as a black-

smiths workshop, complete with the tools of the trade. The winery

itself is housed in an historic building that was designed; before elec-

tricity was brought to the site. It was fashioned as a three-story grav-

itational flow winery with a hand-dug cave, to allow the wine to flow

from crusher, to press, to barrel.

The Pope Valley Winery was founded in 1897 by Ed Haus as

Burgundy Winery & Olive Oil Factory. A century later in 1997, the

Eakle family, purchased the historic winery and gave it a new life as

Pope Valley Winery. In 2009, the next generation

Eakles stepped in to continue building and furthe

the familys vision for Pope Valley Winery as a

winemaking establishment. Currently siblings, Da

Eakle as winemaker along with consulting wi

maker Shaun Richardson and Diana Eakle Hawk

as general manager, are making great strides

bringing Pope Valley Winery to the next level.

Youll enjoy the drive to the Winery, but the prize comes when you arrive at Pope Valley Win

This isnt just a pretty place; this is where some tr

amazing wine is made. Pope Valley Winery produ

high-quality, handcrafted, single-varietal wines. The winerys viney

include more than 80 acres planted to Sangiovese, Cabernet Sau

gnon, Chenin Blanc, Zinfandel and Merlot. The rich, intense

flavorful wines are created by combining superior fruit and oak ba

aging in the century-old cave. Although located off the beaten tr

Pope Valley Winery has definitely been discovered by wine critics

fact, five medals were awarded to Pope Valley wines at the 2010

Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition alone, including a double g

for the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve.

Come visit Pope Valley Winery and experience more than

years of history. The winery has picnic grounds, a bocce ball co

and a horseshoe pit for guests enjoyment as well as cheese baskets

sale.

To visit Pope Valley Winery, turn left and go back 100 years

6613 Pope Valley Road in Pope Valley. Complimentary and rese

tastings are Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For m

information, visit the website at www.popevalleywinery.com or

(707) 965-1246.

Pope Valley Winery




UPCOMING

January 20

Hall Napa Valley

February 17 Kendall-Jackson

Winery

March 16

Ferrari-CaranoVineyards & Winery


30/80



New San Francisco venue for Grand Tasting and Epicuria

On January 28, The Grand Zinfandel Tasting (held

during the 21st Annual Zinfandel Advocates &

Producers Festival in San Francisco) will take on a fresh

personality with a new home the carpeted, stylishexpanse of The Concourse at 8th and Brannan a

vibrant SoMa neighborhood easily accessible by public

transportation. The move to the spacious Concourse

will allow winery stations to be spread out on different

levels, enabling friendly, interactive conversations

between winemakers and attendees.

Epicuria, ZAPs Zinfandel and food pairing extravaganza, will also

relocate to The Concourse in 2012. The Concourse is conveniently

located in downtown San Francisco, offering not only the ease of

public transportation and lots of cabs, but also ample parking. The

Concourse is ideally suited to the scope and purpose of this magnifi-

cent annual event, says Rebecca Robinson, Executive Director of ZAP.The change from the two warehouses at Fort Mason in past years to

bringing all the Zinfandel winemakers and avid fans under one roof is

wonderful, she adds. We all agree the energy and quality experi-

ence will be amazing.

Also new in 2012 are coordinated tasting events during the days

before the Festival at Beverages & More, K & L Wines, Ferry Plaza

Wine Merchants, Piedmont Grocery, Napa Valley Winery Exchange

and The Press Club.

The 2012 Zinfandel Festival encompasses four compelling events

in San Francisco from January 26, through January 28.

GRAND ZINFANDEL TASTING

on Saturday is the largest andmost enthusiastically received single varietal tasting in the world, with

over 200 wineries pouring more than 600 different Zinfandels. The

new venue at The Concourse allows ZAP to offer more workshops

than ever before on a range of topics such as the differences in the

regions where Zinfandel is grown and different approaches to

Zinfandel winemaking. ZinTracks, an innovative quick-reference

tasting guide, will offer lists of wines by appellation, barrel samples,

old vines, price point, vintage, vineyard designates and farming prac-

tices as well as a few fun and whimsical tracks, such as wine-

makers pets. This allows each attendee to personalize their tasting

experience and leave the Tasting having made numerous discoveries

about the uniqueness of Zinfandel.EPICURIA is the new name for the extremely popular Thursday

evening Zinfandel and food pairing event, which will also take place

at The Concourse. This is an intimate way to explore the magic of

matching food and Zinfandel, whether its Swan Oyster Depots shrimp

cocktail or lamb lollipops from Ruths Chris Steak House. Epicuria is

a way to meet and converse with 50 Zinfandel vintners and 50 San

Francisco Bay Area chefs and restaurateurs whove worked together to

offer very specific food-wine matches. There is no better way to expe-

rience the wide range of Zinfandel styles and the broad scope of food

that Zinfandel can be paired with in a more intimate setting, explains

Robert Biale, President, Zinfandel Advocates

Producers. Epicuria also includes The ZinKitch

where chefs will demonstrate how to prepare t

dishes and explain why it synchronizes so well w

Zinfandel. The ZinKitchen chefs include Chef MDommen and Sommelier Tonya Pitts from One Mar

Restaurant and Chef David Taylor and Somme

Shelley Lindgren from A16.

FLIGHTS is a seminar and tasting during whic

panel of Zinfandel experts will taste along with part

pants and explore the superior quality, terroirs and distinctive cha

teristics of the varietal. For 2012 Flights will take place at the We

St. Francis Hotel in San Franciscos Union Square.

WINEMAKERS DINNER is the lively benefit auction and wi

maker dinner with a Las Vegas theme. Winemakers from 28 renow

wineries pour their Zinfandels for guests during a reception follow

by a live auction of one-of-a-kind Zinfandel-related items ranging frspecial VIP winery experiences and travel, unique Zinfandel-them

art works and rare and large format bottles. At dinner, guests

seated with the winemakers and enjoy the opportunity to conve

ask questions and interact with those responsible for making

worlds finest Zinfandels. Proceeds benefit ZAP programming, edu

tion and Heritage Projects, including UC Davis, Sonoma State Univ

sity and City College of San Francisco Culinary Arts. For 2012 T

Winemakers Dinner will take place at the Westin St. Francis Hote

San Franciscos Union Square.

Tickets and a complete schedule for all four Zinfandel Fest

events are available online at www.Zinfandel.org. Most events sell

weeks before the Festival, so you are encouraged to purchase th

early.

ZINFANDEL

Zinfandel is considered Americas heritage wine because of its

history; plantings of Zinfandel in California represent some of

oldest vineyard plantings in the world adding further to Zinfan

critically important role in the world of fine wine. While the Zinfan

grape originated in Europe, the Zinfandel name is truly America

the earliest documented use of the name was when a Boston nur

owner advertised Zinfandel for sale in 1832. Zinfandel was introdu

to California during the Gold Rush at some point between 1852

1857 and became widely planted because it thrived so well in

states climate and soil. Today, Zinfandel is the third leading wine gr

variety in California, with nearly 50,000 acres planted, according

the 2010 California Grape Acreage Report.

ZINFANDEL ADVOCATES & PRODUCERS

As The Association of Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (Z

celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2011, ZAP looks back upo

profound legacy while anticipating a revealing future for Zinfan

Together with historians, growers, producers, researchers

consumers, ZAP is dedicated to preserving the heritage of Zinfan

ZAP Enhances Zinfandel Festival Tasting in 201

Z I N F A N D E L

A DV O C A T E S

& P R O D U C E R S


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while promoting its prospects. ZAP also has funded a number of other

projects, including the development of the Zinfandel Aroma Wheel,

publication of Resource Guide To Zinfandel as well as other educa-

tional events and materials.

JOIN ZAP!Zinfandel Advocates & Producers welcomes Advocate members

as well as wineries! Members come from all walks of life educators,

wine trade, students, professionals, wine drinkers, wine collectors and

those who just love Zinfandel! ZAP members have unique opportuni-

ties to explore Zinfandel, meet other Zinfandel enthusiasts and

discover new wineries. An annual membership is $44 (for two people)

and includes numerous special and behind-the-scenes events and

resources. Members have early entrance to the Grand Zinfandel

Tasting at ZAP's Zinfandel Festival, plus winemaker workshops held

in the exclusive Members' Lounge, as well as ticket savings for

Festival and other events, including cruises, invitations with spe

pricing to wine events, a seasonal eNewsletter with news artic

member stories, recipes, discounts and special offers at selec

wineries and more.

Look for us on Facebook and become a Fan! 3


Continued


32/80



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32

Bottle to be part of history exhibit at Napa Valleys first winery

In time for the 150th anniversary of Napa Valleys first winery this

year, the Peter Mondavi Sr. Family announces a search for the oldest

Charles Krug Winery bottle in existence. Founded in 1861, Charles

Krug Winery is the birthplace of the Napa Valley wine industry and

has been in the Peter Mondavi Family for nearly 70 of its 150 years.

Peter Mondavi Jr. puts his family winerys history in perspective:

Charles Krug was founded the year President Lincoln was inaugu-

rated and the year the Civil War began. At the time, Napa Valley was

essentially the Wild West. Charles Krug first planted Mission grapes

on his St. Helena estate but he soon replanted to European varietals

which he felt would make better wine. Wines made at the time would

have likely included claret, sherry, Madeira, sweet tokay and riesling,

the latter hugely popular with many of the German immigrant

winemakers in Napa Valley in the late 1800s.

Readers are encouraged to scour their wine cabinets, cellars, closets

and caves for Charles Krug wine bottles, empty or full, dating either

from pre-Prohibition or the Peter Mondavi Family era which began

with the 1944 vintage. Bottles deemed contenders will be authenti-

cated by experts in the wine department of Sothebys auction house in

New York. The Peter Mondavi Family may purchase the winning

bottle for display at the winery.

Plans are for an exhibit of historic artifacts from Charles Krug

Winery, which will include a towering 9000-gallon vintage redw

fermentation tank and Charles Krugs original basket press, which

used to crush the first harvest at his fledgling winery. The esta

Redwood Cellar will house the exhibit. The huge structure with

many-gabled roof and impressive belvedere was built by Charles Kin 1873 after his original cellar burned to the ground. On the Natio

Register of Historic Places and a California Historic Landmark,

Redwood Cellar was restored recently to hold the Peter Mond

Familys reserve barrel aging room. The Cellar will eventually ho

the winerys new tasting room and visitors center with construct

beginning in early 2012.

To submit an entry, visit Charles Krug on Facebook expl

about your bottle and post a photo, or send it in an email it

[email protected] by December 31, 2011. Contend

for the oldest bottle will be contacted with next steps.

Charles Krug Winerys 150-year history traces the transformatof the Napa Valley from Wild West to Wine Country destinati

With a legacy of nearly 70 years at Charles Krug, the Peter Mond

Family is dedicated to ecological stewardship in order to preserve

land for their children and future generations. Those efforts

steward the land and preserve the winerys historical legacy are earn

new respect for a family long identified with California wine. To le

more about Charles Krug Winery and the vision of the Peter Mond

Family, visit Charles Krug Winery online.

Search for Oldest Charles Krug Wine Bottle Announce


33/80

The Napa Valley hangs its hat on crafting great wine and food from

farm-fresh ingredients, and in January, more than 50 of the regions

famed restaurants and hotels invite diners to celebrate Napa Valley

Restaurant Month and welcome the new year with 30 days of hand-selected menus and offers.

Michelin-star menus from the Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil, La

Toque, Solbar and Bouchon cast a spell that adds to offers from culi-

nary greats like Fish Story, Bottega Napa Valley, Coles Chop House,FARM, Brix, Brannans Grill and Mustards Grill to create a magical

culinary adventure worthy of extended exploration.

Highlights of the restaurant offers include prix fixe menus at theRestaurant at Auberge du Soleil, Boon Fly Caf, FARM and Kitchen

Door for $20.12; an indulgent All Truffles menu at La Toque; a two-course lunch with a glass of wine at Brix for $19; half-off all bottled

wines at Fish Story and $1 oysters at Pearl Restaurant.

Whats more, special Dine, Stay & Play lodging packages make iteasy to stay longer. To start your mouthwatering adventure and

explore all of Napa Valley Restaurant Months exciting offers, visit

www.LegendaryNapaValley.com.Following are some highlights of creative collaborations that serve

up both convenience and value for travelers this January:River Terrace Inn presents a Stay and Dine package with Cuve

Restaurant. In addition to dinner at Cuve, guests booking this

package are offered romantic potions fireside, a blankets on thebalcony amenity, cheese board and a bottle of Cabernet. The

following day Indulge Your Senses with a wine tasting at Monticello

Vineyards. Room rates start at $349 per night/double occupancy.

Four Sisters Inns Maison Fleurie and Lavender properties areoffering a Bon Appetit package, starting at $175. The packageincludes a one-night stay; $50 gift certificate to one of the innkeepers

favorite restaurants: Hurleys, Bouchon or Bistro Jeanty; complimen-

tary VIP tasting at V. Sattui Winery; signature Four Sisters Inns break-fast as well as afternoon wine and hors doeuvres. Sister property

Blackbird Inn is offering a Downtown Napa version of the pack

with $50 dining certificate to Allegria or Bounty Hunter, breakfast

afternoon wine and hors doeuvres.

The Grill at Meadowood Napa Valley welcomes guests to enjothree-course lunch with Napa Valley wines paired for $38 per peror a four-course dinner with paired wines for $68 per person. Din

booking a stay at Meadowood on the same evening will enjoy a gu

anteed upgrade to a guest room with a fireplace, a complimenbottle of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon upon arrival and com

mentary sports (tennis, golf or croquet) during their visit.

Napa Valley Opera House welcomes theatergoers to visit Dowtown Napas cultural capital with 25 percent off of January tickets, p

25 percent off of pre-theater dinner across the street at Carpe DWine Lounge. The nearby Napa River Inn also offers preferred pri

for Opera House ticket-holders throughout the month.

The Harvest Inn celebrates with A Taste of Winter Romanpackage. The offer includes accommodations in a King Vineyard V

room with fireplace; $100 gift certificate to Tra Vigne Restaur

welcome bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon; two 60-minute massages; bof chocolate truffles; wine country breakfast delivered in-room;

complimentary wine tastings for two and more. The package start$469 per night. Minimum two-night stay required.

The historic and comfortable Brannan Cottage Inn has teamed w

several local Calistoga restaurants and wineries to offer two spepackages during Napa Valley Restaurant Month. Both include lod

(one or two nights), and dinner at Flat Iron Grill or Barolo Restaur

and a special wine tour and tasting at either Vincent Arroyo Winer

Lava Vine Winery. The two-night package includes additional winactivities and dining. Rates start at $219 for one night/$459 for nights, per couple.

For additional Napa Valley Restaurant Month offers and lodg

specials, visit www.LegendaryNapaValley.com. Napa Valley RestaurMonth is part of California Restaurant Month.



3

Second Annual Napa Valley Restaurant Month PutsMichelin Stars, Lodging Packages Beyond Par on the Men


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The Napa Back Road

S U I S U NV A L L E YW I N E R I E S

S U I S U N V A L L E YIf this is one of your many visits to the wine country, you are no doubt

looking for something a little different. So why not change things up and

take the road less travelled through Suisun Valley The Napa Back Road.We all no doubt have our favorites, but we are always looking to one up

our friends back home. Yes, that never ending search for something new

and refreshing, but still preserving all that made you first fall in love with

the whole Wine Country Experience.

If you are staying in Downtown Napa, do you realize you are just

approximately 15 to 20 minutes away from a valley that preserved what

Napa was in the 1960s? However, the wines at such places like Vezer

Family Vineyard and the Blue Victorian Winery take advantage of both the

old traditions, such as 100% hand punched down wines, along with

implementing the important new techniques learned from those great

California winemakers over the last 50 years.

This Suisun Valley has been a long-time held secret in the winecountry. In fact, many of the locals try to continue this secret, simply

because it is where they go to still experience those old feelings of days

gone by. Suisun Valley is where you can find wines that would sell for

over $150 a bottle at the popular better known tourist destinations in

Napa, for $30 to $60. These same wines have 94, 95 and 97 point rank-

ings and medals from the greatest national and international competi-

tions!

Visit Suisun Valley Wine Country


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Add Jarvis to the Napa Valley

stations for electric car charging.The new charging station,

offering both 220 and 110

charging options, is free for all

visitors to the winery. It is run

completely off Jarviss solar panels

that are hidden in the hills along-

side the winery. The charging

station is located in the parking

meadow with unobstructed views

of the natural beauty of the prop-

erty.

Jarvis Estate Winery, oftenreferred to as the original cave

winery in California, is

completely underground. Most

wineries build caves just for wine

storage but here at Jarvis the

entire winemaking facility isunderground: fermentation tanks,

wine storage and even the admin-

istrative offices. An underground

waterfall and stream keep the

moisture in the cave which is

great for barrel storage.

Green has not replaced red or

white as the most important color

in deciding which wines to buy,

but our wine friends have started

to think about the color green.

Words like bio-dynamics, naturaland sustainable are increasingly

resonating with consumers, not

just because they are only

concerned about health and the

environment, but because they

believe these green methodsmake better wine.

Jarvis is certified Green. The

Jarvis program, administered by

the California Land Stewardship

Institute, has the right to use both

the Napa Green Certified and

Fish Friendly Farming Environ-

mental Certification logos. Jarvis

Estate Winery is always looking

for more ways to protect the envi-

ronment and lead the way in

eco-friendly practices. So, stop

by, charge-up and enjoy some

remarkable Napa Valley wines!

For more information about

JARVIS or its green practices, call

1-800-255-5280, extension 154

or go to www.jarviswines.com.1

3Sign up for our email newsletter at www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | NAPA VALLE

Hungry?Sa h Qr od wih you

SmaPho app o

Pd rsauas

i napa Vally!

N A P AD O W N T O W N

Jarvis Estate Winery Installs New Electric VehicleCharging Station Adding to its Green Practices

William Jarvi

Chevrolet Vo

at the

charging

station


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PRESS Restaurant, St. Helena, makes history as the destination for

the most extensive list of Napa Valley wines to be found at a restaurant

anywhere, with two recent acquisitions led by sommeliers ScottBrenner and Kelli White. Over the past several months PRESS haspurchased more than 2,000 bottles, going to auction twice, to acquire

more than 250 new selections of vintage Napa Valley wines, making

for a total of more than 1,200 different Napa Valley wines available.Selecting the best Cabernets, as well as some whites and sparkling

wines from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Brenner and White have

taken PRESS one giant leap closer to being the repository for rare andolder Napa vintages that PRESS owner Leslie Rudd has envisioned.

Brenner and White who make up the sommelier team for PRESS have attended the two most recent Bonham and Butterfields wine

auctions in order to find the rare and older vintages theyve been

seeking. Before attending the first on June 18th, 2011, the auct

house allowed them to sample some of the wines in advance a

finding them to have excellent provenance, the duo has swept auction twice over the summer. They have acquired legendvintages such as the 70 Mayacamas, 74 Freemark Abbey Bosch Vi

yard, 74 Caymus, 82 Mondavi Reserve and the 62 BV Georges

Latour, upon which both Andre Tchelistcheff and Mike Grgworked, and White describes as in beautiful condition, drinks incr

ibly well. Just magical. However, even with the auction lots,

majority of PRESS verticals have still been sourced directly from wineries themselves, since there is no better guarantee of provena

than the wine coming straight from the winery.The pair also purchases a great deal of older wines from Blic

Pierce in St. Helena (also known as BP wines), who are brokers b

for current market releases as well as private cellars they hpurchased. Stefan Blicker states, As specialists in older vintage wi

of excellent provenance to the countrys top restaurants, we kn

immediately that the addition of Kelli and Scott at Press was a gamchanger. In less than one month, they became BPWines single lar

purchaser of older California wines. Their commitment to buildinglist to this new level is impressive, to say the least!

When asked to explain the characteristics people should look

in aged Cabernets White says Balance, perfume, tastes of earth. Ttannins should soften and integrate into the wine. Young Cabern

are delicious but sometimes the amount of fruit and alcohol

tannin can be too intense for a lot of dishes. Older, dialed back Care often more food-friendly.

Additionally, some claim that with the manipulation and styltion in wineries and vineyards that began in the 1980s such as d

irrigation and picking later for increased ripeness (often resulting

higher alcohol levels) quality has shifted. Now the emphasis is mon immediate drinkability. All I know is there are wines made fr

unsorted bunches of grapes fermented in giant redwood tanks fr

the 40s and 50s that are still drinking beautifully today, while a stling number of big scorers from the high-octane, ber-ripe,

expense-spared vintage of 1997 are already falling apart, states WhBesides Cabernet, Brenner and White also acquired older wh

such as Stony Hill 77 Chardonnay and 78 Gewrztraminer, as wel

other red varietals such as Etude 91 and 99 Pinot Noir and Mar

78 Zinfandel. Admittedly harder to find than Napa Cabs, the somliers say they still had a lot of fun tracking them down.

When asked if she thinks some diners might feel intimidated

such an extensive wine list, featuring so many rare and older vinta

White declares, Yes I do. But thats what sommeliers are for! Trufully, the flavors and aromas that characterize wines of age sim

arent for everyone its up to a wine merchant or sommelier to de

mine what the right fit is for the guests palate, level of interest budget. If you are curious about older wine, lean on the expert

first. Soon you will gain enough knowledge and confidence in whyour tastes lie that you can strike out on your own.


Look for us on Facebook and become a Fa36

S T . H E L E N A

PRESS Restaurant Makes Remarkable Vintage Wine AcquisitioSecures Standing as Most Extensive All-Napa Valley Wine List


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3


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NAPA VALLEY | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

Tasting Room of the Week:

Sequoia Grove Wineryby Michelle J. Baker

Quiz time, Napa Valley fans! What

winery is fun and festive, with a

friendly, engaging staff and some really

staggering wines that will make you

oooh! and ahhh! your way though

whatever tasting you choose? Yes,

indeed, its Sequoia Grove, and if you

havent been by there lately, the time

has come!

Sequoia Grove has been known for

its great Cabernet Sauvignon since the

winery first started in 1978. The Napa

Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which

comprises two-thirds of the winerys

fairly small production, is considered a standard bearer for great NapaValley Cab year in and year out. The winery also produces a couple

of knock-out single vineyard Cabs, particularly the Stagecoach Vine-

yard Cab, which is currently available on the Reserve Tasting menu.

The tasting room is new and old all at once its a recently reno-

vated 150-year-old barn with large oak casks flanking the entrance.

Visitors can just drop in at Sequoia Grove (groups of six or more,

please call ahead) and choose from two tastings, Greatest Wines

Youll Have All Day Tasting for $15, or Greatest Reserve Wines Youll

Have All Day Tasting for $20.

Opt for the $15 tasting if youre interested in both whites and reds,

as youll have a chance to taste so

great tasting-room-only wines like

Glorious Gewurz, Chardonnay and

Rebellious Red.

The $20 Reserve Tasting curre

features a library-release Cab as we

two of the winerys wonderful sin

vineyard Cabs.

Whats really cool at Sequoia Gr

is the opportunity to enjoy a g

of a mind-blowing single-viney

Cabernet Sauvignon for just

under magnificent Sequoia tr

Choose your table and get comfort

in the beautiful gardens outside

tasting room where youll enjoy

relaxing sound of the water fountains in the beautifully landscacourtyard.

The Sequoia Grove estate vineyard is 24 acres in the heart of

Rutherford appellation. The property is planted to the five Borde

varieties Cabernet Sauvginon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec

Petit Verdot. The state-of-the-art winery has Napa Valleys

completely subterranean cellar that maintains a constant tempera

of 58 degrees.

Visit Sequoia Grove at 8338 St. Helena Highway between Oakv

and Rutherford. The tasting room is open daily from 10:30 a.m. u

5 p.m. (except major holidays).

38


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4089SilveradoTrail

Open10am-5pm

(707)253-1

400

Funandeducationalwineseminars.

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1091LarkmeadLane

4milesnorthofSt.Helena

OpenDaily10-5(707)942-0

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Welcome toY O U N T V I L L E

by Josh Stein

When you come to Napa, you come for

reds; the Stags Leap District is the heart of

Cabernet Country, and Baldacci Vineyards

produces some of the best to be had

anywhere in the Valley. The winery was

founded in 1997 when Tom and Brenda

Baldacci settled on their seventeen-acre

Silverado Trail property with an eye toward

the Cabernet Sauvignon vines which would

grow on its hills; in 2001, the 7,000-square-

foot production cave system was added in

the hillside behind the tasting room. Theestate vineyard has since been added to with

the acquisition of a twenty-acre Carneros

vineyard in 2003, planted with the intent of

matching grape varieties to the right location.

That desire for the viticultural best is

reflected enologically in every bottling of

Baldacci wines. Known for affordably excel-

lent Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvi-

gnons there are three, the single-block

Brendas Vineyard, the Black Label ambas-

sador blend of various estate blocks, and the

IV Sons, which has estate Cabernet Franc

blended in to create a more rounded

Cabernet expression Baldacci Vineyards

also produces Ruppert Cabernet from

Coombsville and a range of Carneros wines,

including the Sorelle Chardonnay, the Eliza-

beth Pinot Noir, and the Frederich Gewrz-

traminer (all named in honor of family

members); theyve also just released a new

wine, their Harmony Zinfandel, which bene-

fits music programs with each sale.

Winemaker Rolando Herrera has applied

his philosophy of small-batch fermentations,dividing each vineyard into many blocks and

then fermenting them separately, allowing for

blending to become key in producing the

estates best wines. What has been the result?

Lots of amazing reviews and 90+ scores, but

thats not what truly matters its whats in

the glass that does. Among the most impres-

sive of results have been the range of Caber-

nets Rolando has produced for the Baldaccis:

the Brendas Vineyard block-designated

Cabernet; the all-Stags Leap District es

Black Label Cabernet; the IV Sons Cabe

and IV Sons Fraternity, with its Stags L

Cab and Carneros Merlot and Syrah;

Ruppert Cabernet from Coombsville; and

Diamond Mountain Cab with its mount

side fruit. Its not just big reds where hes s

success for Baldacci Family Vineya

though. Indeed, the Elizabeth Carneros

Mathilde Russian River Pinot Noirs show

same attention to winemaking detail, a

also seen in the individual small bottling

Chardonnay and Gewrztraminer the win

only makes available directly. Oh, and byway, Rolando was just named Best L

Winemaker, for the second year in a row

the Valleys wine media.

What makes Baldacci Family Vineyar

place of true note in the Valley isnt just

wines but the unique hospitality featur

providing tastings that accommodate a ra

of wine experiences. If you enjoy same-

appointments coupled with true warmth

great wines, then the classic tasting at

Baldacci Family VineyardsGreat Things in the Stags Leap District



Continued

cozy tasting bar is for you. You get to try a range of

Baldacci releases, including frequently changing

limited-production wines like their Gewrz and Allwin

Syrah. As everyone around the winery will tell you,

theres always a friendly face, an open bottle of wine, and

great stories to share in the tasting room. Or, as Tom

Baldacci is oft-noted to remark, Wine pairs best with

family and friends.

Conversely, if you are looking for something special, a

sit-down tasting tailored specifically to your tastes, the the

Cellar Reserve Tasting is for you. The new, limited-access

Cellar Reserve Tasting in the 1923 Farm House presents a

rare opportunity to enjoy reserve- and limited-production

wines in a setting which evokes a time many decades agobefore the valley was Napa Valley and wine was simply

about the best land and man could give.

nor cal edition – dec 16, 2011

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