Wine notes
Grgich’s suitcase exhibited
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History on The National Mall in Washington, D.C., reopened Friday after a two-year renovation. It took $85 million and a horde of curators, builders, architects and advisers to reframe space for the museum’s three million historic objects.
The newly configured museum displays some very ordinary objects, which makes clear, narrative points about the American experience. Just inside the museum’s broad glass front doors, a visitor finds a wall of artifacts, which includes Mike Grgich’s beat-up suitcase, in which he carried textbooks on wine from Yugoslavia to America in 1954. Grgich runs Rutherford’s Grgich Hills Cellars.
Open house at Spring Mountain
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, Spring Mountain Vineyard is having its first-ever free open house to the public. It will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. No appointments are needed and no tasting fees will be charged.
Those attending are invited to sip Spring Mountain’s estate bottled wine at the source, stroll through the caves, gardens and winery. Spring Mountain Winery is at 2805 Spring Mountain Road in St. Helena.
For more information call 967-4188 or visit www.springmountainvineyard.com.
Hanukkah Hootenanny is Dec. 7
Judd’s Hill Winery is hosting its second annual Hanukkah Hootenanny from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the winery, 2332 Silverado Trail in Napa.
The event will be a lively celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah — focusing on the winery’s limited production, award-winning wines. Hanukkah, also known as the holiday of lights, takes place Dec. 22-29 this year.
There will be entertainment by Meshugga Beach Party, who play traditional Jewish folk songs in an instrumental “surf music” style. There will be, in Judd Finkelstein’s words, “a latke bar unlike any other,” with normal accouterments such as sour cream and applesauce and other toppings created by Pat Burke, the winery’s chef and national barbecue champion.
All of Judd’s Hill’s current release wines will be available as well as library selections.
Partial proceeds from the event will benefit Fair Housing Napa Valley. In addition, the winery is supporting other charitable causes: guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped (in the box) toy with a value of $10 or more which will benefit Toys for Tots; guests can also bring cans of non-perishable food which will be donated to Napa Food Bank, or lightly worn shoes which will be donated to Soles For Souls.
All are welcome to join the festivities. The event is free for Judd’s Hill Wine Club members and $40 per person for non-Wine Club members. There is no charge to join The Wine Club. To sign up, visit www.juddshill.com. To purchase tickets, call 255-2332.
Van Staaveren named top winemaker
Wine Enthusiast Magazine has chosen Margo Van Staaveren from St. Helena’s Chateau St. Jean Winery & Vineyards as its “Winemaker of the Year.”
The magazine’s Annual Wine Star Awards for 2007 recognizes excellence in the wine and spirits industry. The recipients will be honored at the gala dinner and awards ceremony at the New York Public Library on Jan. 26.
There were 50 nominees, five in each of 10 award categories, and the winners were selected for their outstanding contribution to the world of wine and spirits, with special attention to achievements in the year 2008.
Van Staaveren began at Chateau St. Jean back in 1980, as a laboratory technician, fresh out of UC Davis. By 1989, she was named assistant winemaker, and later associate winemaker. She became the Winemaker and Director of Operations in 2003, continuing a rich legacy of winemaking as the fourth winemaker in the winery’s history.
Woodbridge addresses CIA graduates
Rutherford winemaker Jayson Woodbridge delivered the commencement address to associate degree students at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, N.Y. on Nov. 7.
Woodbridge, who is the founder and chief executive officer of Hundred Acre Wine Group, said, “The CIA has taught you skills, discipline, teamwork, and — most importantly — problem solving.”
He advised the 71 recipients of associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts that entering the workforce in these troubling economic times will be a challenge, but can also be an opportunity. “This is when you are going to have to make the decision to work harder than you’ve ever worked.”
Woodbridge, 44, was an investment banker until his passion for winemaking led him to a new career in 1998.
Dappen releases two zinfandels
St. Helena’s Duane D. Dappen of D Cubed has released its 2006 vintages of its St. Helena Zinfandel and Napa Valley Primitivo.
The 2005 St. Helena Zinfandel received great reviews — a 92 from both The Wine Spectator, and Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine. The 2006 is a nice follow-up to that wine, and comes from Korte Ranch an old head-trained vineyard.
Dappen said, “The 2006 Primitivo shines with great fruit and a little more structure that makes it more ‘rustic’ than my zinfandels.” Its grapes come from the organically farmed Cypress Ranch.
For more information visit www.dcubedcellars.com.
Martin Estate releases Bacchanal
Just in time for the holiday season, Martin Estate Winery’s 2005 Bacchanal has been released. It is a wine made from a special lot of estate-grown 2005 cabernet sauvignon grapes and blended with grapes from the estate’s half-acre of merlot vineyards.
Bacchanal, at $48 a bottle, was made by Greg Martin and winemaker Frederic Delivert.
A limited number of chocolate covered bottles, at $75 a bottle, are available at the winery and at The Bounty Hunter in Napa. This unusual gift was created by the holiday loving and creative women at Martin Estate, including Petra Martin.
She suggests opening the bottle with the outer wrap in place, so the dark Guittard chocolate does not get fingerprints. When you’re ready to enjoy the sweet treat, remove the gift wrap, place the bottle on a dinner-size plate and tug on the shrinkwrap that will peak out around the neck of the bottle, and the chocolate will come off in big chunks. The actual wine bottle will be perfectly clean, as the underlying shrink wrap forms a barrier between bottle and coating.
For information call 967-0300 or visit www.martinestate.com.
VinRoc offers holiday 3-pack
Earlier this month, Michael Parmentier and Kikky Lee of Atlas Peak’s VinRoc Wine Caves “pressed off” the last two tons of grapes. Parmentier writes, “So, 2008 is now safely tucked away in barrels and quietly aging.”
The two are offering a holiday special for $135, a savings of $19. The three-pack includes one bottle each of 2005 VinRoc Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Enjoie RTW and Enjoie Dry Rosé. For more information call 265-0943 or visit www.VinRocNapa.com.