Taste of Howell Mountain: A Wonderful Annual Event for a Great Cause
Howell Mountain rises up on the east side of the Napa Valley floor. It is a distinct appellation in the valley that presents characteristics that contribute to the flavor profile of wine made from Howell Mountain grapes. The vineyards rise up to as high as 2200 feet, and this gives rise to temperature variations that range from 10 degrees cooler in the early summer to 10 degrees warmer later in the season. The fog is a big contributor, as it will hang on the valley floor yet the mountain will be bathed in warm sun. The red volcanic soil is full of minerals and not a lot of water. The vines really have to work hard on these mountain slopes. All this and more contribute to depth of flavor and a great fruit profile in the wine that will entice you back for more.
This is more than a wine-growing region though — it is a community. It is one that strives to contribute and has its eye on taking care of the children who attend Howell Mountain Elementary School. Each year, the Howell Mountain Vintners & Growers Associationpresents Taste of Howell Mountain. It is charitable event that supports the elementary school on Howell Mountain to ensure that the kids who attend have the opportunity to grow and learn in the best possible way.
Melissa Etheridge at Mondavi
When folks think about visiting the Napa Valley, visions of great wine, informative tours, fun wine tastings, and great food immediately spring to mind. Of course, all that is valid. The Napa Valley is one of the most visited sites in California, and those thoughts should come to mind. The setting is gorgeous with a vast array of grapevines dotting the landscape. Mountains surround the valley, which is only 30 miles long and 5 miles across at the widest point. The beauty is undeniable.
But it’s good to remember that there’s also a lot of great entertainment in Napa Valley. We were recently reminded of that when we attended a Melissa Etheridge concert at the Robert Mondavi Winery, as part of the winery’s summer concert series during July. The concert series also included performances by such notables as the Wallflowers, Phillip Phillips, Lyle Lovett, and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue.
Auction Napa Valley 2015
The tents are down, the confetti has been picked up, and yet the memory still lingers. Auction Napa Valley was a phenomenal event that took place over four days, yet its impact will be felt throughout the year. This event is one that funds many, many charities throughout Napa Valley. The Napa Valley Vintners contribute proceeds from Auction Napa Valley to community health and children’s education throughout Napa Valley. This is an event that not only makes a difference for days, weeks, and throughout the year, but which can also make a difference for a lifetime for many.
Mending Wall: The New Kid on the Trail
“Mending Wall” is a poem by the twentieth century American poet Robert Frost (1874-1963). The poem is about two men who mend the fence that separates their properties, yet it brings them together. This is part of the inspiration for the Mending Wall, a new winery located on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley. Wine is that wonderful beverage that brings people together, and the Mending Wall is the vision of three families who come together in an endeavor to make wine of great quality and flavor. There are excellent beginnings here on the Trail, since this is an endeavor of talented vintners and a highly-regarded winemaker.
None of those involved is new to the winemaking business, but this is a new beginning to “press the boundaries” in an effort to produce the best expression of the grape. At Mending Wall, Frank & Kathy Dotzler (of Outpost Winery and Vineyard) and Donna Walker & Mark Pulido (of Pulido-Walker) come together with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown to craft a new set of quality wines. They are off and running!
Gandona Winery: Scenic Views and Lovely Wine
Pritchard Hill is a special place within Napa Valley. Some have called it the “Rodeo Drive” of the wine country. Why is that? It starts with the soil, which is compacted volcanic rock. This plot of land sits on the eastern ridge of central Napa Valley and rises to heights of 1800 feet overlooking Lake Hennessey. The region produces mountain fruit that leads to profoundly deep, flavorful wines that are rich and polished. Located here are some fine wineries, and this includes Gandona Winery.
Gandona is the vision of Manuel Pires, a driven vintner dedicated to producing world class wine. He bought this property and delivered his first estate wine in 2010, enlisting the support of talented, world class individuals to bring his vision to life. The winemaker at Gandona is Phillipe Melka and managing the vineyard is Jim Barbour. These are highly talented and sought after partners in the valley. This represents the commitment that Manuel brings to the quality of his wine.
Favia: A Perfect Blend
Favia Wines is a marriage that sings beautifully. This winery is the work of husband and wife team Andy Erickson and Annie Favia, and it is a pairing that works extremely well.
Just recently, I had the chance to visit and taste the current releases from Favia. I had discovered their wine back with the 2006 vintage. My first introduction was the Cerro Sur Red Wine. This is a blend of predominately Cab Franc and Cabernet. (The Cerro Sur is a blend – for a wine to be characterized as a certain varietal, it must contain at least 75% of that grape.) I am a big fan of Cab Franc, and this one was done splendidly. I was hooked.
Through the Eyes of the Winemaker: Rosemary Cakebread
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Rosemary Cakebread, winemaker and owner of Gallica Wine. This was a chance to gain insights into the “drivers,” the perspective and spirit, of a great winemaker. Rosemary holds a degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California at Davis and has put her education to work for over 30 vintages in Napa Valley. Her background is rich and varied, from a harvest in Bordeaux to working with sparkling wine at Mumm Napa Valley. She was the winemaker at Spottswoode, one of the iconic wineries of Napa Valley. Rosemary led the winemaking effort at Spottswoode from 1997 until 2007 and consulted through the 2012 vintage.
In 2007, Rosemary launched her own label. Gallica 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon was introduced to the wine buying public in 2010, and it was a stunner. The very first vintage of her wine was well-received, to say the least. Robert Parker gave it 99 points, truly a great beginning. While Cabernet is a varietal Rosemary is very familiar with, in more recent vintages, she has explored other wines. I have enjoyed her Grenache blend called Suzuri; and, with the 2012 vintage, she released a Syrah.
A Tasting to Be Remembered
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a tasting that was pricey but well worth the time and money. It was in St. Helena at the wine store located in Dean & DeLuca’s. Being in the heart of the Napa Valley, there are many gems that are worthy of note. This tasting opportunity arrived, and I jumped at it.
Here is the line-up of wines that I was given the chance to taste:
Mi Sueño — My Dream
While Napa Valley has grown, there is still an interesting fact that remains true: 95% of Napa Valley wineries are family-owned. This is an amazing fact when considering that the number of wineries in the valley is over 400. In an even smaller number of wineries, the owner and winemaker are one and the same. Such is true for Mi Sueño: Rolando Herrera is both proprietor and winemaker.
I first drank Rolando’s wine when visiting Vintner’s Collective – a small boutique tasting room in the heart of the city of Napa. It is here where I was impressed with the richness, lushness, and balance of his big cabernets. The cabernet, though, is only one of the excellent wines that Rolando crafts. The line-up of Mi Sueño includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. All are well-structured and a pleasure to drink.
Chappellet Winery on Pritchard Hill: Come for the Wine and Stay for the View
Just recently, I visited Chappellet Winery. Chappellet is located high on Pritchard Hill and was the second winery to make its home there. This winery is truly a family affair, as the Chappellets have resided and grown vines here since 1967. They are most known for their cabernets, which have great depth and concentration.
Pritchard Hill is situated in the Vaca Mountains, which are on the eastern side of Napa Valley and have elevations of 700-2,000 feet. This height allows the vines early morning sun with more moderate temperatures. For the grapes, it provides a wonderful environment to develop deep flavors. For us – it is a setting that provides great views.