Favia: A Favorite!
Kimberly, Director of Sales and Hospitality
Many times I get asked, “What is your favorite wine?” I glibly reply, “It comes in a bottle." Funny at times when I say it (folks do chuckle at my response), yet it is true. (Discussion of wine in boxes and cans to come later.) A friend of mine once said that every bottle tells a story. It comes from a specific place, grows in unique terrain, experiences different weather, and the winemaker has a specific expression with the varietal or blend. No two winemakers bring their art to you in exactly the same way. That allows you and I to discover what that expression is and what it means to us as we savor and enjoy their labor of love. That is the exploration each time we open a bottle.
With all that said, there are some wines and winemakers that consistently come to the forefront for me. One of those wineries is Favia. This is the labor of love for viticulturist Annie Favia and her husband and winemaker Andy Erickson. This is a marriage made in heaven and the vineyard. These two make a killer team, and the proof is in the bottle. Each time I open one of their wines, I am charmed and love nothing more than to savor each sip of wine.
To gain an appreciation for the wine and taste the line-up, you will need to visit them in Napa. Kimberly is their Director of Sales and Hospitality. She is an experienced professional in the wine business and will welcome you to the tasting room. The tasting room itself is set in an industrial area yet is very welcoming. With Kimberly as your host, it is more like visiting with friends in their living room.
The line-up from Favia includes whites and big red wines that will win you over. On our last visit, Kimberly met us at the door with Viognier to start. It was a soft, yet alluring white that was very floral. They also have a Sauvignon Blanc that will pair well with many summer dishes. It is bright with crisp acidity. The reds start with a whimsical blend called Rompecabezas. This is Grenache, Mouvedre and Syrah (a family favorite in our household). We also tasted the big, rich Syrah called Quarzo, the 100% Cabernet, and the delicious Cerro Sur.
The Cerro Sur continues to draw me in and make me beg for more each time I open a bottle. The 2012 is a blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Cabernet. This is perhaps one of the wines that I would put at the top of my list consistently. We just had a bottle again last night and it was awesome – Floral notes of violets and deep rich berry on the nose along with hints of milk chocolate. The wine on the palate was rich and mouth-filling with dark fruit and mocha flavors. Really great!
I do recommend that you visit when you get to Napa Valley. It is by appointment only, Monday through Friday. You can reach Kimberly via the web site. Also, the way to purchase via the web is to sign up to be on the mailing list. You will get an offer to purchase through the mailing list.
Enjoy!
