Cactus Flowers
Well it’s not a direct vineyard update - but we witnessed this awesomeness right next to a vineyard in Northern Napa Valley. In addition to being grateful for fresh air and blue skies this past week, we had a chance to see these cactus flowers in full bloom.
Backyard Tourist: Checkerboard Vineyards
Note - this post was originally published 04.29.2015
This week we had a chance to visit the exclusive, literally hidden gem of Checkerboard Vineyards. Our kind host, Beth, gave us a tour of the vineyards, winery caves (with their inviting aroma and clinically pristine walls), and tasting space.
Checkerboard's vineyards are all estate and at high elevation. They grow Bordeaux varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Each vintage is expertly crafted and cared for by hand, from vineyard to bottle. This row of barrels holds their 2013 red wines.
Tasting space with a view of the vineyards. Checkerboard's offerings are based around their showcase Cabernet - current release is 2011 and after opening up was a stunning, serious Cab, dark, rich, and lush. Tastings are by appointment only.
Salut!
Backyard Tourist: Bale Grist Mill
Note - this post was originally published 04.28.2015
Last week we went for a walk in the trees. Once the summer weather rolls in and the rains stop for the season, anything without deep roots turns withers away in the sun. So, it's nice to walk among the vines or head to a park and enjoy walking among trees.
The Wine. The Dinner
Note - this post was originally published 04.23.2015
Sauvignon Blanc is the latest grape gaining respect here in Napa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon is still king and commands the highest price. Many of the top or cult wineries in the valley have added a stand out SB to their portfolio.
What I like about this change is the opportunity to taste site-specific SB's that due to selective vineyard sites show unique traits and elegance beyond the crisp, refreshing wine we enjoy. I hinted at this in our post about Rudd's Mt. Veeder Sauvignon Blanc. I also recommend checking out this article published in The Wall Street journal last year about serious SB's.
This leads to me to the SB we enjoyed this week with dinner.
The wine: SR Tonella Cellars Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2014. This wine is unique in that the grapes were sourced from the west bench in Rutherford and that the wine was aged in a combination of neutral French Oak, Acacia, and Stainless steel - resulting in a lovely SB with light aromatics, a round, lush palate, with minerality and acidity on the finish that won't tire your palate.
The dinner: Vegetable curry served with fresh cheese, lime wedges, and tortilla chips.
Salut!
Good Morning!
Note - this post was originally published 04.15.2015
Driving south through Napa Valley one morning, we had this beautiful view of hot air balloons taking flight. Good morning!
Good Wine: Kale Rosé
Note - this post was originally published 04.01.2015
We have a unique opportunity here in Napa Valley - access to small production, high quality wines. From our dinner table to yours, we thought we'd start including some of our recent favorites.
Good wine: Kale Napa Valley Dry Rosé 2013
Juicy, lush, refreshing. This wine was an excellent accompaniment to dinner and enjoyable on its own to sip and relax.
"Who makes wine from kale?" Luckily, the answer to that is still, no-one, that I'm aware. Turns out Kale is the name of the winemaker; Kale Anderson (whose resume includes Colgin, Cliff Lede, and Pahlmeyer) produces wines with his wife Ranko under their own label Kale Wines. "I make wine with my senses, and I use science to gauge risk." - Kale
This Rosé is comprised of 68% Grenache and 38% Syrah. The fruit was sourced from Rutherford and Atlas Peak. The wine was bottled unfined. Only 176 cases produced.
Salut!
Backyard Tourist: Napa Valley
Note - this post was originally published 03.22.2015
It's great when you get a restaurant recommendation based on the wine list. Restaurants should have amazing food and presentation. But what if you want to start your meal with an awesome glass of wine and make your food selection based on the wine?
The Napa Valley Vintners organization released its "2015 Napa Valley Wine List Award" to recognize restaurants that support great local wines (the list isn't short - we are talking Napa Valley). Cheers!
Winter Yellows
Note - this post was originally published 02.01.2015
One of the seasonal wonders of Napa Valley that we look forward to each year is the yellow mustard. After the first serious rains of winter - usually in January - these bright yellow flowers, knee-high in height, bloom throughout the vineyards. Miles of yellow, a sea of flowers divided into waves among the rows of grape vines.
Foraging - Pomegranates
Note - this post was originally published 09.08.2014
Foraging for food is eating local, culinary nouveau - it's so old it's back "in" again. I’m always terrified of the prospect because I live under the assumption that I’ll be one of those who picks a pretty poisonous plant and literally dies of ignorance. Enter my better half, who grew up on a ranch, working and enjoying the outdoors.
Long story short, we’ve savored a number of sweet natural treats, exotic to me, mundane for him. Little treasures hidden in plain sight. This week: Granadas! Pomegranates!
Earthquake
Note - this post was originally published 09.05.2014
As you probably know two weeks ago we had and experienced a 6.0 earthquake in Napa Valley. The epicenter was in the town of American Canyon just south of the town of Napa at the southern end of the Valley. We’re up at the northern end of the Valley and luckily did not experience as much damage, but definitely felt the quake.
So, we weren’t hurt and our home is intact, just a bit shaken up (forgive the pun). In the southern end of the valley, especially near the old part of downtown Napa buildings of all kind were damaged. In a valley that now depends on tourism, especially this time of year, the worry now is that people are canceling their plans to visit.
We’re ok. Wineries are open for tasting and grapes are being picked daily now that harvest has started. It’s still an exciting time to be in the valley. Happy September!
Hot Air Balloons
Note - this post was originally published 08.05.2014
One of our favorite things about Napa Valley in the summer, is the chance to watch hot air balloons pass over head early in the morning. Beautiful colors gliding over the vineyards. One of these days we'll be the people in the balloon at dawn's early light, but for now we're the ones in the vineyard, looking up and enjoying the view.
Mountain View
Note - this post was originally published 05.15.2014
For one reason or another we traveled over multiple mountain ranges this week. Luckily for us, vineyards stretch out in every direction. This photo was one of our favorite views on the north end of Napa Valley, well no longer in the valley but up the side of the slope that hugs the valley at over 1000ft in elevation.
Napa Valley
Note - this post was originally published 04.16.2014
Why is it we rarely play tourist in our own back yard? It seems it's only when we receive visitors from out of town and want to show them the highlights of the area that we stop to see the sights and take a break from all those other things that keep us busy.
A few photos from Napa Valley this week:
Suckering Time
Note - this post was originally published 04.09.2014.
Spring has sprung and so have our schedules. We're finding ourselves busier and busier which is exciting. The Russian River Valley grapes are a little ahead of the Napa Valley vines in growth. We started suckering this week and getting excited about this vintage of grapes. Can you see the little clusters to-be in this photo?
Out here suckers are what we call the new growth. And the vine sends out shouts all over, not just the places we've prepared for during pruning. So, suckering is when we remove the extra shoots. Less shoots leaves more resources (nutrients, water, etc) for the grapes to-be and gives us higher quality fruit.
All this lovely green after the last couple of winter/rain. Here's a photo... making wine in the rain and hail last week:
Lees
Note - this post was first published 3/8/2014.
lees: the sediment of a liquor (as wine) during fermentation and aging > Merriam-Webster
lees: Heavy sediment left in the barrel by fermenting wines; a combination of spent yeast cells and grape solids > winemag.com
lees: sediment consisting of dead yeast cells, grape pulp, seed, and other grape matter that accumulates during fermentation > Wine School of Philadelphia
We took this photo when we racked some of our wine off the lees (just taking the clean wine, taking care).