This year’s wine selections are a plethora of different varietals from the Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Anderson Valley and Sierra Foothills. Some are safe selections and some I chose ass experiments to see how they would pair with Thanksgiving fare. So is there rules for selecting the right wines for your Thanksgiving dinner? There…
Category: Cabernet Sauvignon
Clos Du Val’s Tasting Room Reinvents Itself With Contemporary Flair
Clos Du Val has been a winery staple in Napa Valley ever since their Cabernet Sauvignon won eighth in the ‘Judgement of Paris’ tasting in 1976. Now the tasting room has a fresh new look with contemporary architecture and modern finishes. With all the new wineries popping up in the Napa Valley on a yearly…
AO Collective – Alpha Omega Winery, Tolosa Winery & Perinet
We spent an amazing morning learning about the umbrella brand known as the Alpha Omega Collective and tasting wines from Alpha Omega Winery as well as the two sister properties, Tolosa Winery and Perinet. It was an exciting day with three unique Winemakers, discussing the philosophy behind their wines and what ties the AO Collective together….
Acacia House Revived Into High-End Restaurant & Resort in Napa Valley
Las Alcobas, the controversial resort just north of Saint Helena has revived a piece of Napa Valley history by renovating the old Victorian Acacia House into a comfortable, friendly, fine dining restaurant ran by Top Chef Masters winner and The Next Iron Chef competitor Chris Cosentino. I have only lived in Saint Helena for four years, and…
Durant & Booth Tasting Salon – A Piece of Napa Valley History in Oakville
Durant & Booth has closed their Oakville tasting salon as of June 10th, 2018. However, their wines are still available on Vivino. Durant & Booth Tasting Salon is relatively new to the Napa Valley but the building that houses the tasting room is a historic gem. Located in the small town of Oakville, lies Oakville Grocery, a popular…
VGS Chateau Potelle Tasting House & Gardens – Food & Wine Pairing
Last week I was invited to do one of my favorite things, a food and wine pairing. What could be better on a post-election Wednesday than some exquisite food bites from a Michelin-starred restaurant paired with elegant wines? After a rough week of political rants and a nation on edge, I was certainly looking forward…
Yao Family Wines in St. Helena – It’s Not Just a Name.
I was excited to get a chance to check out the fairly new Yao Family Wines tasting room located off Highway 29 in Saint Helena. If you are or aren’t a basketball fan, you would recognize Yao Ming. Standing a staggering 7ft 6in, Yao Ming played for the Houston Rockets for almost a decade, retiring…
Schramsberg Vineyards – Méthode Champenoise in Napa Valley
When friends come to town, I am always looking for a unique place to start the day; and three million hand stacked bottles of sparkling wine in a 2-1/2 mile cave is an excellent choice. Last Saturday was my second time at Schramsberg Vineyards. About 3-1/2 years ago, before I lived in the Napa Valley,…
Fantesca Estate & Winery – A Close Escape to Tranquility & World Class Winemaking
Not far from downtown St. Helena lies the less traveled path of Spring Mountain Road, encompassing off the beaten path wineries like Fantesca Estate. Only a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Highway 29 lies Fantesca Estate & Winery. Feeling a world away from the tour buses and crowds fighting for a space…
Visit to Venge Vineyards – Small Production Wines with a Relaxing Atmosphere
Venge Vineyards is a small production winery featuring many 90+ point wines and a nice quiet atmosphere for tasting by appointment only. Venge sits on 25 acres off the Silverado Trail about 1-1/2 miles south of Calistoga. The tasting room, located behind the production facility, is a quaint little cottage with a cozy sitting area…