Dennis Cakebread

Aboard Delta Flight 945 from Atlanta to Sacramento

 Atlanta is an hour and a half from Fort Myers.  Sacramento is four and a half hours from Atlanta.  And Napa is an hour and a half further on.  But it’s worth the trip (and the time) for lots of reasons.

 First, California is a lot closer than Bordeaux, Burgundy or Tuscany.  Second, everybody speaks English.  Third, it’s the home of many of the winemakers who will be participating in the Wine Fest in February. 

 That’s why we’re here…to meet with friends at six of the 12 wineries that will be offering their wines at the Friday night dinners, and pouring them for you during the Saturday Grand Tasting.  Starting this afternoon, Debi and I will be visiting the generous folks at Cakebread, Verite, Fisher, Silver Oak, V Madrone, and Andrew Geoffrey.  No doubt we will be invited to sample their latest vintages, perhaps even barrel taste some of them, but it’s a price we’re willing to pay to bring the finest, most interesting California and Oregon wines to the Wine Fest.  Some are very well known, while others may be new to you.  But we’re sure you’ll make some very exciting discoveries whether you attend the dinners, or the Grand Tasting and Auction.  Naturally, we hope you’ll join us at both events.

 By the way, we’re also taking the opportunity to visit with some old friends, including winemakers and chefs.  More about them later.

Harvest is over--vines are going south for the winter

Friday, October 24 – 8:05AM
Calistoga

 We’re trying not to let the time difference bother us, but it’s not easy.  We’re up early for an 830 breakfast, then off to meet Dan Cohn at BR Cohn Winery.  They’re another of our featured vintners, and we’re looking forward to tasting through the wines. 

 The weather is clear as glass, and cool.  Yesterday afternoon it was about 80 degrees at lunchtime, and by the time we finished dinner it was in the low 40s.  (Our friends, winemakers Stephen and Sue Parry, brought a bottle of 1989 Beychevelle to dinner, and it was very nice of them.)  Hard to figure out how to dress, but it’s just the kind of weather that the grapes love.  Unfortunately, there are no grapes.  Most of the harvest is finished, and the vine leaves are starting to turn, like the trees.  Once in a while, it’s nice to be in a place that has seasons. 

Entry to BR Cohn Winery

Friday, October 24 – 4:05PM
Calistoga

 The good news is that where we’re staying is very cute, quaint, and comfortable.  The bad news is that chronic Internet problems will not let me log on and post to the blog.  I’m hoping this will be cleared up and that all this mess I’m writing will get to you before we return home. 

 Today was busy.  We started with a meeting at BR Cohn over on the Sonoma side, and started making arrangements for the wines they will feature at the vintner dinner and the Grand Tasting.  (Little known fact:  Bruce Cohn, the founder of the winery, is the manager of the Doobie Brothers.  The office lobby is decorated with gold and platinum albums).  Then it was back over the mountain to Dean and DeLuca, where we picked up a delicious and hideously expensive assortments of cold cuts, cheeses, salads, and breads to bring up to our friend Peter Thompson, the owner of Andrew Geoffrey wines.  He will also be pouring at a vintner dinner.  His 13-acre vineyard is at the very top of Diamond Mountain, at around 1800 feet, and the drive up there is a real experience.  Mostly vertical, and the proverbial long and winding road.  I discovered the use of the low gear on the ride.  Then you walk up another quarter mile to a deck that commands a heartstopping view of Napa Valley down below, and Mount St. Helena on the other side.  Spectacular.  We sampled three vintages of the Andrew Geoffrey Cabernet blend, some of which Peter will be pouring at the dinner and the Grand Tasting.

Jerry and Peter Thompson

View of Napa Valley from Andrew Geoffrey vineyard...altitude 1800 feet.

Busy, busy, busy…back down the mountain to meet with Gayle Bartscherer, who represents the highly-regarded Verite label.  Their three wines, La Joie, La Muse and La Desire, sell for around $200 each, and they’re worth it.  Master Sommelier Luis Reyneri will be pouring them for the dinner in February.

 Tonight it’s dinner at the Culinary Institute of America with Chris and Pauline Tilley.  They’re relatively new to the wine world, though not to Napa Valley.  Chris went to school at St. Helena High.  Now on their third vintage of the V Madrone label, they’ve already received a 93-point rating from Wine Enthusiast magazine.  We’re looking forward to a barrel tasting of their 2006 vintage at the winery next door to their house.

 Saturday, October 25 – 8:40AM
Calistoga

 Weather is once again spectacular, and bracingly cool.  We’re looking forward to lunch at the home of Gary Ochwat and Ricardo Cajulis, owners of Garric Cellars.  They make about 250 cases of a spectacular Cabernet, and sell every drop directly to friends.  However, they’ve reserved several cases for our dinners and the Grand Tasting.  Here’s a shot of us at lunch at their log cabin in Calistoga.

Late afternoon at the home of winemaker Delia Viader. Left to right: Me, Tim Mondavi, our California friends Tony Beck and Miles Grant

Spent the morning on Saturday at Fisher Vineyards.  They will also be pouring some of their select wines at dinner and at the Grand Tasting.  One of the great things about wine is the opportunity to meet new people.  These folks are very involved in children’s charities in the Dallas area.

Morning tasting at Fisher Vineyards 'way up on the mountain. New friends from Dallas.

 All in all, it was a very productive trip.  We discovered some new wines, made some new friends, but most of all were able to meet with the very generous people who will be participating in the Wine and Food Fest. 

Please check back on the site often for more updates!