What would Gary Vaynerchuk be doing speaking to a class of 8th grade students at V Sattui winery? First, a little about Gary for readers of this blog who have not heard of him. Gary Vaynerchuk just published “Crush It,” a book about how to cash in on your passion by using social media tools. After one week of its release, the book is #2 on the New York Times bestseller list. It all began for Gary when he started Wine Library TV, some 800 video segments ago. In most of the segments he rants and raves about wines with a totally different approach to wine speak that almost everyone gets. Gary has vaulted himself into the wine and business world because of his passion and by broadcasting his message through the use of social media tools. Lately, he has been taking his message mainstream with appearances on CNN News, the Today Show, CNBC News and many others. Gary has become quite the celebrity and a phenomenon. Read the rest of this entry »

Harvest Ups and Downs
At the annual Napa Valley Vintners Association Harvest Report, jubilant vintners gave glowing reports, touting the 2009 vintage to be perhaps one of the best in recent years. But that report came the day before the big rains of Tuesday, October 13. The Valley had 3 inches of rain in areas and many growers were worried that the heavy rains would cause mold and perhaps ruin this so-called perfect vintage. But then, Mother Nature did an about face and heated things up on Friday. Winemaker Cathy Corison on twitter: “Sun out and 80 degrees. Lots of Cabernet still out in the valley- this should bring it home safe and sound.” But Cathy also reported the challenge was getting tractors into the muddy vineyards to pick grapes. Read the rest of this entry »

Two Contrasting Family-Owned Wineries

Now that we have visited the wineries on the north side of Carneros in Napa County, we can head over across Highway 121 and to Old Sonoma Road and visit Artesa and Truchard Vineyards. Both are family-owned wineries but that is about the only thing they have in common. There are other wineries in the area but these two are not to be missed.

Old Sonoma Road enters Highway 121 on the north about a quarter mile east of Domaine Carneros. Go up Old Sonoma Road and watch for Dealy Lane. Take a left onto Dealy Lane and a slight right onto Henry Road to arrive at Artesa. This winery belongs to the Codorníu Family of Spain, a 450-year-old sparkling wine producer in Spain’s Cava region near Barcelona. Artesa was completed in 1991 and like many of the new Spanish wineries, this is big, bold, and beautiful winery both outside and inside the winery. Plan on spending a good amount of time at Artesa; there is a great deal to see in addition to tasting wine. The outside views span Carneros, the Napa Valley, and the San Pablo Bay. There are beautiful sculptures by artist Gordon Hunter and just the most amazing views of the Carneros vineyards. Inside, you can sit at a table to taste wine and when done visit exhibits on the Carneros wine region and one on the history of winemaking. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking For Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in all the right places, Part One

Why take the tourist route? Here is a backroad gem of a tour where you can see some fantastic views of Carneros and the Napa Valley and avoid busloads of tourists. This trip starts by heading across the Golden Gate Bridge but one can certainly come from other directions, just use the Google map below or your car’s GPS. We are going to begin this trip in Carneros on the Sonoma County side, where Ramal Road on the north meets Highway 121. Coming west on Highway 121, drive about 3.5 miles from the main intersection of Arnold and Highway 121. If you do come from the other direction take good care when you make a left turn onto Ramal Road; Highway 121 is busy and many drive way too fast on this road. Read the rest of this entry »

A small group of wine bloggers were invited by the Wine Hiker, Russ Beebe, to a tour and tasting at two well-known and famous Napa wineries. We met at Smith-Madrone on Spring Mountain and then went back down to the Valley floor for an exquisite lunch and tasting at Spottswoode in St. Helena. Visiting Smith-Madrone is always a kick because the Smith Brothers are so laid back and unpretentious. They both make you feel like you are an old friend. I have blogged previously about Smith-Madrone so if you want to know more about them read this post.

This was my first time to visit Spottswoode and to taste their wine. Spottswoode is all about Cabernet Sauvignon, not your ordinary Cab but one to be shared with family and friends for special meals and celebrations. The wine is some of the best Cabernet I have tasted in recent memory. The story began when Mary Novak and her late husband Dr. Jack Novak purchased the property in 1972. The vineyards behind their 1882 Victorian house consisted of a field blend of French Colombard, Gamay, and Syrah, all purchased in those days by Gallo. The Novaks ripped out the vineyards and replanted them with Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. When phylloxera hit, all the vines were gradually replanted beginning in 1988. Originally, the Novaks sold all their Cab grapes and the word was out in the Napa Valley that these grapes were truly special. Read the rest of this entry »