UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

A Rainy Day In Napa Suits Me Wine…

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Even the inclement weather doesn’t keep the wine aficionados at bay in the iconic Napa Valley!  Sometimes the rain can work in your favor with reduced crowds in some of the most popular wineries, with wine hosts eager to serve the weary and soaked traveler.

A must stop, rain or shine, is Hall Winery in St. Helena.  Look for the enormous animated Bunny Foo-Foo metal sculpture leaping over the historic Bergfeld vineyards on Highway 29.  Touted as one of the oldest vineyards in the valley, grapes were first planted here in 1859.  Hall Winery is definitely a main player in Napa, with a second tasting room in Rutherford.  Kathryn and Craig Hall have put their heart and soul into Hall Winery, making it a top wine destination spot.

Besides the mind-blowing Cabernet, Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Walt Pinot Noir, there are over 150 pieces of modern art to behold with wine glass in tow. The service is stellar, albeit somewhat corporate, but the wines speak volumes and will hold you captive.

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BOOK REVIEW: A Glass Full of Miracles

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A Glass Full of Miracles is an inspiring autobiography written by Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, Vintner and Co-Owner of Napa Valley’s Grgich Hills Estate Winery.

Fleeing his native homeland of war-torn Communist Croatia in 1958, with only a stack of viticulture books, a wooden suitcase and his life savings of $32.00 sewed into the soles of his shoes, Grgich set off to America in search of a better life. His dream was to become a winemaker in the rugged Napa Valley.

While his journey was riddled with setbacks, Grgich always saw his “glass as half full” and would be showered with much good fortune and “miracles” along the way.

The book reads like a Hollywood script, with all the major Napa Valley players of the day ~ Noted 1960’s Winemakers Robert Mondavi, Andre Tchelistcheff, Lee Stewart, August Sebastiani, Joe Heitz, Lee Paschich and Jim Barrett were a few of the early working friendships formed.

Fast forward to 1972, where Grgich was now at the helm as the new winemaker for Chateau Montelena in Calistoga, at the north end of the Napa Valley.  Another “miracle” in Grgich’s life.  With the financial backing of Paschich and Barrett, Grgich outfitted the ghost winery with the necessary presses, crushers, hoppers, tanks, pumps and oak barrels and replanted the abandoned vineyards with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.

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Dry Creek’s Sbragia Family Vineyards Sono Molto Belle

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Driving through the scenic Dry Creek Valley AVA reminds me of Tuscany with very similar climate, topography and grape varietals.  As a matter of fact, there is a collective of Italian immigrants and wine growers that have settled in Dry Creek for that very reason.

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Soft rolling hills and long meandering roads lead to Sbragia Family Vineyards at the far end of Healdsburg’s Dry Creek Road.  Climbing up the steep driveway, the panoramic view spans from the Rockpile AVA and Sonoma Dam to the Alexander Valley.  Sbragia Family Vineyards is truly one of the prettiest views in all of Northern Sonoma County.

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The Sbragia family has deep roots, literally, in Dry Creek Valley, having farmed the area for over 100 years.  Grapes are sourced from the family vineyards located in Healdsburg, Alexander, Sonoma and Napa Valleys.   [Read more…]

Goldeneye Winery’s Idyllic Setting & Pinot Noir Is Pure Bliss

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Rugged and remote, yet majestic Anderson Valley in Mendocino County is said to produce some of the very best Pinot Noir.  Driving over the windy, high-banked two lane Highway 128 from Cloverdale, I was in hot pursuit of the most revered Pinot Noir.

Imagine my bewilderment when I stepped out on the patio of the Goldeneye Winery ~ acres of impeccably groomed picnic grounds led down to the path of the Confluence Vineyard set amongst a majestic backdrop of towering redwoods and steep rolling hills.

Goldeneye Winery is perfectly situated in the heart of the Anderson Valley adjacent to the headwaters of the Navarro River, which run through the redwoods down to the Pacific Ocean.  Pinot Noir thrives in this unique marine-influenced climate, with long, mild sunny summer days and cool foggy mornings.  [Read more…]

Bottle Shock Movie Set ~ Chateau Montelena Winery

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Tucked ever so gently in the deeply wooded hillside in the fertile Napa Valley, lies the  stately Chateau Montelena Winery.  The 254 acre estate was established in 1882 by San Franciscan entrepreneur Alfred Tubbs.  Tubbs was convinced that the loose, stoney soil at the base of Mount Saint Helena near Calistoga was ideal for growing grapes.

IMG_6235A French wine maker was brought to the estate and Tubbs’ dream soon became a reality.  The château was built soon thereafter and was aptly named Chateau Montelena, which is actually a contraction of the name “Mount Saint Helena”, the nearby noble peak.

Chateau Montelena Winery prospered until the Prohibition Days.  In post-Prohibition days, Tubbs continued to grow and sell grapes to local family winemakers.  However, the vineyards  fell into disrepair over the following years and the property was sold in 1958.

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Chateau Montelena’s new owners were Yort and Jeanie Frank, who were merely seeking a quiet place to retire.  As a tribute to Frank’s homeland of China and to his wife Jeanie,  the beautiful Jade Lake was created.  Today, Chateau Montelena‘s Jade Lake is known as one of Napa Valley’s prettiest lakes, a wildlife refuge which is also available for private winery events.

In the early 1970’s,  the estate was purchased by Jim Barrett, who replanted the vineyards  and started the California wine industry as we know it today, showcasing California wines,  specifically Napa Valley wines. [Read more…]