Gold Medal Wine Club Newsletter: Vol. 21 No. 11Ca’ Momi Winery

Ca’ Momi operates an authentic Italian eatery in Napa Valley where their celebrated wines are enjoyed with traditional Italian pizzas.

G O L D M E D A L W I N E C L U B - A M E R I C A’ S L E A D I N G I N D E P E N D E N T W I N E C L U B S I N C E 1 9 9 2

Ca’ Momi Winery owner Dario De Canti and his partners, Valentina and Stefano Guolo-Migotto salute the success of their Napa Valley wines.

Ca’ Momi wines are already the recipients of countless national and international awards. Cheers to that!

C a’ Momi Winery

Three Italian immigrants live la

dolce vita making award-winning

wine in Napa Valley.

WINE PRESS

Northern California is full of wineries owned and operated by descendants of the

original Italian families that immigrated to the area over the course of the last 150 years.

Their wineries are the foundation of the modern California wine industry and their wines,

in many cases, are the basis for grand stories and legends.

But, a startup winery in Napa Valley is already causing heads to turn and the history books to be rewritten. The

reason for this is quite simple. The owners of the new winery, Ca’ Momi Winery, are themselves Italian immigrants,

and are definitely here to stay.

Ca’ Momi (House of Momi) Winery’s story begins in 1997, when Stefano and Valentina-Guolo Migotto took the

step of changing their lives and moved from Italy to Napa Valley. They had owned a small winery in Italy that they sold

2009 ZINFANDEL

Ca’ Momi Winery’s 2009 Zinfandel captures the world-class flavors, complexities, and aromatic richness of Napa Valley Zin. The heat of the valley and the diverse soils of the region enhance the aromas and flavors, and contribute to the luscious texture and denseness of the wine. Ca’ Momi’s bottling shows a rich and balanced tannic structure with flavors of blackberry, black cherry, vanilla and spicy beach plum. With black pepper and clove spice, this multi-layered 2009 Zinfandel develops a full mid-palate and a smooth, lingering finish bursting with berries and spice. A Gold Medal Special Selection, the Ca’ Momi 2009 Zinfandel sold out almost immediately upon release, but we were able to secure a small allocation especially for our Gold Series members. Winemaker and Enoteca Chef Dario De Conti recommends pairing this spicy and fruity Zinfandel with a classic Italian Margherita Neopolitan style pizza (recipe included on Page 4). The wine’s spiciness will also cater wonderfully to barbecued foods such as ribs, hamburgers, and sausages. Aged 18 months in oak. 100% Zinfandel. Enjoy now until 2018.

pH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.85Total Acidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 g/100 mLAlcohol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.9%Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 months in oakCases Produced. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,200Drink Now or Up to Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018

Just the facts:

Page 2

a’ Momi WineryC

2009 VINTAGE: GOLD MEDAL SPECIAL SELECTION

prior to the move. Napa Valley was

chosen because the Migottos felt that

the area produced the finest wines in

California.

Six years later, Stefan’s boyhood

friend, Dario De Conti, joined the

couple with the idea of forming a

partnership that would eventually

lead to a winemaking facility. Three

years hence, Ca’ Momi Winery

became a reality when the trio found

warehouse space in the city of Napa

that fit their needs.

Ca’ Momi Winery’s first release

of 4,000 cases came in 2006, just

prior to the country’s first true

recession that officially

began in December of 2007.

In the case of the fledgling

winery, the timing just

couldn’t have been worse.

“We were just starting

and all of a sudden the

ground fell out from

beneath us,” explained

Dario De Conti. “It was a

really hard going for us all.

We were all forced to work

that much harder just to

keep things going.”

Somehow, the owners kept

toiling and managed to pull through

2009 MERLOT

Napa Valley Merlots are famous for their velvety tannins and you are in for a treat with the Ca’ Momi 2009 Merlot. A medium to full bodied, ripe, soft, and silky style Merlot, this delicious bottling is encompassed in plum and cherry, flint and eucalyptus. It’s balanced by earthy tones, soft tannins, and bright acidity that enhance the mouth-filling fruit and spice flavors. This is a beautiful Napa Valley Merlot that is robust yet elegant, and so versatile to pairing with food. Ca’ Momi Winery recommends pairing the 2009 Merlot with

a classic Italian appetizer (antipasto) that incorporates meats and full flavored cheeses. This Merlot is also an excellent accompaniment to mildly spiced soups or stews (try a flavorful turkey chili!). A Silver Medal Winner at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the Ca’ Momi 2009 Merlot is the ultimate crowd-pleasing wine and a delicious representation of Ca’ Momi Winery’s world-class wines. Aged 14 months in oak. 100% Merlot. Enjoy now until 2018.

2009 VINTAGE: SILVER MEDAL -

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL

WINE COMPETITION

Page 3

pH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.90Total Acidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.51 g/100 mLAlcohol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.9%Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 months in oakCases Produced. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,500Drink Now or Up to Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018

Just the facts:

Ca’ Momi is named for the owners’ family home in Italy, where they once owned a small winery before moving to the Napa Valley for greater opportunity.

the tough times. Their idea of well

made, realistically priced wines took

hold and Ca’ Momi Winery survived.

It now produces around 20,000 cases

per year and is expected to rise to the

50,000 case level in another two years.

Some Italian ingenuity has

followed Ca’ Momi Winery to Napa

Valley. The winery has introduced the

Nova Twist closure for some of its

wines. This makes the product 100%

recyclable as opposed to metal screw

caps and supports the winery’s all green

stratagem.

Also, the Ca’ Momi label features

the original Ca’ Momi house in

Veneto, Italy. It is named in honor of

Momi dea Bionda, a local character

who was famous for his obsession with

the house, its grapes and wines. In his

later years, dea Bionda rode around his

property on an old motorcycle with a

sidecar. He carried a rife across his

lap to scare away intruders and was

joined by his faithful dog, Lidia, who

continued to ride in the sidecar even

after she went blind. This is all true –

who could make it up?

Ca’ Momi Winery sources all of

its grapes from North Coast growers.

About 80% of its fruit comes from

selected vineyards with Napa Valley

and Napa County. The remaining

fruit is purchased from Sonoma,

Mendocino and Lake Counties to

exacting standards set by the winery.

Both Stefano Migotto and Dario

DeVito serve as co-winemakers as

well as co-owners and make all the

important decisions regarding final

blending of wines. Stefano handles

the production end of the winery

and Valentina serves as the marketing

head as well as chief winery decision

maker. Dario

occupies himself

with the sales aspect

of Ca’ Momi Winery

and the institution

of the winery’s

sales distribution

network.

Page 4

See Page 7 for Answers.

Ca’ Momi sources world-class fruit from among Napa Valley and California’s most

celebrated vineyards.

1) What is different about the NovaTwist closure, as seen on this

month’s Gold Series wines?

2) What does it mean for a wine to be termed First Growth?

3) How many sub appellations currently exist within Napa Valley?

The Wine Wizard

About The WinemakerCa’ Momi employs a unique

double winemaker team in the form of Stefano Migotto and Dario De

Conti. Both are formal winemakers, and graduates of the University of Padua in Italy. The team brings a

number of skills together and enjoys the luxury of multiple pallets in

selecting Ca’ Momi Winery’s final blends. Both agree that their

individual tastes vary somewhat, but the pair has always been able

to concur on what should be in the bottle at

decision time. Stefano Migotto oversees the

production of the entity’s wines, but

calls on his boyhood friend at critical

stages of winemaking for his input and expertise. It is a unique working relationship that

really seems to jell for the partners.

“It was a really hard going for us all. We were

all forced to work that much harder just to keep

things going.”

Page 5

The Wine Wizard

Dario De Conti, now 41, feels as if he has been in the winery business all of his life. Since it is the Italian tradition to begin enology studies in high school, the effusive Italian immigrant literally has been in the wine business since his early teens.

“My good friend Stefano Migotto and I both attended the same high school and then went to the University of Padua where we graduated some years later,” he reminisced. “We both worked for some wineries and Stefano would up owning his own prosecco winery in the Euganean Hills just north of Venice. I worked for companies that sold equipment and supplies to Italian wineries so I was able to learn a great deal about winemaking throughout most of Italy.”

When Migotto and his wife Valentina summoned him to Napa Valley in 2003, Dario literally jumped at the chance. “Napa Valley’s reputation is worldwide,” De Conti exclaimed. “Who wouldn’t want to come here and start a new winery?”

An obvious question: Why not make Italian varietals in Napa as a number of other wineries have done? Wouldn’t the pair’s expertise in Italian winemaking give them a foot up on their competition?

“Absolutely not,” De Conti remarked fiercely. “We didn’t come all the away from Italy to make Italian varietals. Consumers expect great Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots and Chardonnays from Napa Valley. We knew we could make really fine wines and we wanted to be compared to the very best Napa Valley had to offer.”

Such forceful feelings might be termed disadvantageous to some, but not to De Conti and his partners, Stefano and Valentina Guolo-Migotto. The very fact they have survived what was arguably the California’ wine industry’s darkest period speaks volumes to the trio’s rugged determination.

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The winery owns no vineyards and

prefers to source its grapes from a number

of different growers, mostly in Napa

Valley. “This provides us with a great deal

of flexibility when sourcing grapes,”

explained Stefano Migotto. “We can

literally go anywhere we want to secure

grapes. We are looking for the very best

we can find and we don’t always need a

great amount (of fruit) to make our plan

for the winery work.” While Napa

Valley is the primary source for grapes,

surrounding counties Sonoma, Mendocino

and Lake County also provide about

20% of the Ca’ Momi Winery’s needs.

Most contracts are written on short

two to three year contracts that have

become popular during the recent

recession-plagued years. Such a supple

business environment provides elasticity

for both growers and wineries according

to Migotto.

Continued on page 7

Dario De Conti

The Wine Region

Italian AntipastoMargherita Napoletana Pizza

Page 6

food for thoughtPair with 2009 Ca’ Momi Merlot Ingredients: 3 ounces of Prosciutto Crudo di Parma

3 ounces of Creminelli Salame

4 ounces of Parmigiano Reggiano

Handful of Castelvetrano Olives

Preparation:Have your Butcher thinly slice the Prosciutto Crudo Di Parma and Creminelli Salame (or buy pre-sliced). Find an authentic “from the wheel” Parmigiano Reggiano and break off bite size crumbles. Place the Castelvetrano Olives on the center of the serving plate. Spread the Prosciutto Crudo di Parma in a fan around the olives. Spread the Creminelli Salame around the olives. Spread the Parmigiano Reggiano around the olives as well.

Antipasto (in Italian) means “before the meal.” This beautiful array of classic Italian treats is the perfect start to any meal and should be wonderfully enjoyed with a glass of your 2009 Ca’ Momi Merlot.

Pair with 2009 Ca’ Momi Zinfandel

For the Dough: 638 grams* flour, grade 00**

15 grams sea salt

10 mL extra virgin olive oil

1 gram dry yeast

336 grams lukewarm water

For the Pizza: 230 grams dough

40 grams organic tomato sauce

40 grams fresh sliced mozzarella cheese

Fresh basil

Makes about four 12-inch pizzas

Dough Preparation:Dissolve the yeast in the water and let sit for 10 minutes to activate it. Mix flour, salt and olive oil for 2 minutes. Then start to add the water with the yeast slowly and let the mixer knead it for 20 minutes. Cover the dough with a clean wet towel and let it rest for 10 minutes. Break down the dough in pieces of 230 grams each and roll them into balls. Let them rise for about 12 hours in a warm place.

Pizza Preparation:Heat the oven to 550 degrees and let a pizza stone get hot for about 10 minutes. Stretch the dough into a round, thin crust, leaving the outer edge slightly thicker. Each round should be about 12 inches in diameter. Place each round, one at a time, on a flour-dusted pizza paddle and spread the tomato sauce evenly, leaving a half inch rim. Place the mozzarella slices evenly on top of the tomato and add a sprinkle of basil. Repeat with each of the rounds. Slide the rounds on the pizza stone and bake for 4-5 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Enjoy!

*We have left the measurements in the metric system and not translated the amounts into cups as that can distort the proportions.**In Italy, flour is classified as either 1,0, or 00, and refers to how finely ground the flour is. The finest grade is 00, found in many local grocery stores including Whole Foods)

Find these recipes and all of your favorites online at www.GoldMedalWineClub.com/recipes. We have a delicious collection of entreé recipes to pair with your favorite Gold Medal wines.

A n s w e r s

The Wine Wizard

1) The NovaTwist is one of the latest wine closures on the market, a spinoff of the traditional twist closure in a sleeker, more environmentally friendly presentation. Opening and closing is done with ease and comfort and the caps remain airtight (they can be applied and reapplied repeatedly withought loss of effectiveness). Not only are they extremely effective wine bottle closures, but they are fully recyclable with reduced impact on landfills and less initial energy required during the manufacturing stage. It’s a win-win, and a great new product!

2) The First Growth status refers to a classification of wines from the Bordeaux region of France. This need to classify the best Bordeaux wines came about in 1855 and a list of the top producers was released – to be classified carried a mark of incredibly high prestige. Today, these “best of the best” Bordeaux wines are classified as First Growth and include Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, Château Haut-Brion, and Château Mouton-Rothschild. There are also a number of First Growth sweet wines being produced in Bordeaux, but their status isn’t nearly as high as the red wine producers.

3) Within the Napa Valley, regions have emerged that possess distinct microclimates and terrains, promoting distinct and recognizable characteristics on the grapes grown within them. These sub appellations are boundaries within the larger appellation and are often mentioned on wine labels to give a more specific designation of where the wine is from. Napa Valley is home to fifteen sub appellations, some of the most well known including Stags Leap District, St. Helena, Calistoga, Yountville, Mount Veeder, and Los Carneros.

to your next wine delivery!add a plus! bottle

Page 7

The art of fine wine

“I have never worked so hard in my life,” De Conti admitted. “It was like taking small, small steps. I tried to find distributors for our wines, but few were interested. Luck was with me and I managed to find a couple and several became successful with our wines. That initial success has led to more distributors and today we are in twenty states. I am out now trying to sign up a few more, because we need representation to grow our winery. We have set a goal of 50,000 cases in the next two years, and that will take some real doing to reach.”

Throughout it all, De Conti has maintained a remarkable sense of humor. On the subject of buying land in Napa Valley: “We just can’t. It’s too expensive. I would die before it would all get paid off and I don’t intend on dying anytime soon.”

On making wines that would complement his particular taste (big and full bodied): “No way. I want to make wines that fit the American palate. I can go out and buy great big Cabernets and big, buttery Chardonnays. It cost much less to it that way.”

And on the role of Valentina in the makeup of Ca’ Momi Winery: “It’s quite simple. Valentina calls a meeting of the partners and we discuss the topics that affect the wines. Everyone gets their say and then she decides. She knows that important decisions, like good wines, can’t be made overnight. They must be decided right now!”

All kidding aside, Dario De Conti relishes his role in the emerging winery. As the accolades have evolved, he knows his role as sales director is made a bit easier. “It is great to get high makes on our wines,” he agreed. “And when great things are written about us, it is also good. But, I still need to get our message out and develop our distribution network and that’s still an incredible challenge.”

Gold Medal Wine Club feels Ca’ Momi Winery’s exceptional rise during hard times is also remarkable. We know you will agree.

Napa Valley was painted by acrylic artist Jennifer Allio who enjoys painting vineyard landscapes throughout Napa and Italian wine countries.

Spotlight, continued from page 5

Dario De Conti

Plus! wines are all highly-rated, very small production wines with availability too limited for all regular club members to receive. Only

Plus! Program participants receive these rare gems!

The Plus! Program automatically adds on a special wine to each regular scheduled wine delivery, or as often as you like!

Don’t miss out on another shipment! Join the Plus! Program today!

$18-$22 each delivery

This month’s Gold Series featured Plus! wine:

RustRidge 2005 ReseRve ZinfandelGold Medal + 88 Points — Just 392 Cases Produced

Learn more at: www.GoldMedalWineClub.com/plus or Call 1-800-266-8888

At Ca’ Momi Winery, three Italian immigrants find a unique blend between old world family traditions and new world Napa Valley winemaking. Named for their family home in Italy, Ca’ Momi (and us at Gold Medal Wine Club) are happy to bring these latest achievements literally from their home to yours. We hope you enjoy these special features from Napa Valley’s newest rising star, offered to our Gold Series members at an incredible value.

Reorder Online: www.GoldMedalWineClub.comToll Free: 1-800-266-8888 Fax: 1-800-266-8889

Gold Medal Wine Club – 5330 Debbie Road, Suite 200 • Santa Barbara, California 93111

*Availability is extremely limited Note: Shipping and tax (if applicable) not included in the above prices. Call for details.

The Gold Series features wines from only the best small wineries of California. The selected wines have earned medals in the top wine-industry competitions or have been highly rated by respected national wine publications. On occasion we feature a wine of high medal-quality with very limited availability that

may not be submitted to these venues for review.

Save up to 31% off Winery Direct

the grapevine

Retail Price Club Price Club PriceCa’ MoMi Winery Winery-Direct 2-Bottle Members 4-Bottle Members And Multiple Series Members

2009 Zinfandel * $24.00/btl. $18.00/btl. Save 25% $16.50/btl. Save 31% 2009 Merlot * $18.00/btl. $14.50/btl. Save 19% $13.50/btl. Save 25%

“We’re not big fans of Merlot, generally, but this one was very good. More character and complexity than we expected! If we’re going to re-order any Merlot, this would be it [Highway 12 2007 Sonoma Merlot]!” – R. Smith

“Very nice! Not too heavy, not too light. Very drinkable now…definitely a Gold Medal winner [Highway 12 2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay]!” – R. Smith

ReordersThe gold medal wine store

NewNew

If you are also a 2-bottle member of

another Series, you are now eligible to receive the 4-bottle

member prices above!

NewNew2 bottle minimum, per wine, per order

The Holidays are just around the corner...

are you ready? (honestly, who is?) From the gift giving to the out of town guests and the

countless dinner parties and celebrations, it’s hard to plan for everything. One thing you

can plan on though is needing some extra wine around the house. Here’s where we can

help. This year, we thought we’d make it easy for you and put together some of our most

popular (and highly awarded) wines into a range of case packs. The case packs (12 bottles

per pack) feature wines from our different wine clubs and we offer them at a range of price

points to fit everyone’s budget. From 93+ rated wines from our Diamond Series to mixed

party packs of medal-winning California wines from our Gold Series, we have you covered

for practically any combination of wines you’re looking for. While these case packs are

perfect for stocking up on wine for the holiday months, they also make

wonderful gift ideas for those wine enthusiasts in your

life. Visit our wine store online and peruse the various

options, or give us a call us at 1-800-266-8888 for

details on the latest case packs available. Cheers!