William Cole Vineyards: Passionate Wine Making Family

Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting William Cole Vineyards in St. Helena.  This passionate wine making family creates exquisite Napa Valley wines.  

Winemaker William and Jane Ballentine acquired this sensational vineyard in 1999.  They renovated the original 1873 building and opened in 2004. The property was marked as a historical landmark and became the first stone winery in Napa Valley to be a fully functioning winery.

Their son Cole is William’s assistant winemaker.  They dedicated their fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon to their daughter Claire who works in Sales and Marketing.

Our knowledgeable and passionate host was Marli. We began with the 2021 100% Cuvee Jane Marie Chardonnay named after William’s wife while taking a tour of the facility. It was a wonderful way to start our tasting experience.

We were then treated to an elegant tasting of their great red wine in the renovated stone building complete with a fireplace that warmed the room on this chilly Napa morning. 

We began with the 2019 Stonemaiden perfectly blended with 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petite Verdot that was sensational.

We then sampled the 2020 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Claire named after daughter Claire. It was a rich full-bodied wine that soothed your senses.  We especially enjoyed the Cuvee Claire and took a bottle home with us.

We would highly recommend that you schedule a visit to enjoy these world class creations from this passionate wine making family.

For lunch, we met friends at the iconic Bistro Don Giovanni and enjoyed their deep-fried olives, cool crisp Caesar salad, lamb kabobs on a bed of fresh risotto and Branzini also known as Mediterranean Sea Bass. They have recently opened a second restaurant, La Scala in downtown Napa that will be added to our ‘must do’ Napa experiences. 

For more information and to make a reservation at the winery go to:

https://williamcolevineyards.com/

 

Top Ten San Francisco Bay Area Restaurant List

Recently, we published our Top Ten Winery List. We have enjoyed trying to visit all of the 600 Napa, Healdsburg and Sonoma wineries 400 and counting.

At a recent lunch, I also created a Top Ten  Bay Area Restaurant list having been to over 1000 dining establishments and counting.

For more information and to make a reservation go to their web sites.

Finally, It is always great to finish these meals with a famous Buena Vista Irish Coffee (picture above) brought to the United States from Shannon Ireland in 1952.

In no special order, enjoy our Top Ten  San Francisco Bay Area Restaurant list.

Kokkari

Moussaka, wood fired barbecue lamb, chicken and pork and the  sensational Lemon Soup.

Crustacean

Drunken Crab and Garlic Noodles. A ‘must do’ San Francisco experience.

Pebble Beach Tap Room

Tap Burger, Fries, frosted glass Guinness, and Coconut Cake. Voted Top 19th hole in the United States.

Rutherford Grille

French Dip, Ribs, Fries and Grilled Artichokes. Always packed and full of energy.
No corking fee on your first bottle of wine.

John’s Grille

Home of the Maltese Falcon and serving many foodies and famous people for over a 100 years.

Petrale, San Francisco Sour Dough bread, Perfect Manhattans and Escargot soaked in garlic sauce.

House Of Prime Rib

Succulent Prime Rib sliced at your table serving loyal patrons and famous people since 1947.

Scomas

Serving famous San Francisco Cioppino and Sour Dough bread on the San Francisco Wharf for many decades.

Thomas Kellers World Famous French Laundry and Bouchon bakery.

3 star Michelin Atelier Crenn

Dominique Crenn is known as the best female chef in the world.

Model Bakery 

Famous English Muffins baked fresh daily and a variety of heavenly sugar treats.

Bon Appetite

Heidi Barrett:The First Lady of California Wine

We recently had the privilege of sampling wines crafted by the renowned Napa Valley winemaker, Heidi Barrett. Known as the First Lady of Wine, Heidi has made a significant impact on the California wine industry, producing some of the region's most sought-after cult wines. Her impressive career has seen her work with prestigious wineries such as Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle Vineyards, Paradigm Winery, and Amuse Bouche, earning her numerous accolades, including five perfect 100-point scores from wine expert Robert Parker.

In addition to her winemaking prowess, Heidi is also an avid scuba diver, painter, and helicopter pilot, adding to her allure as a multifaceted and talented individual.

Under the guidance of our knowledgeable host, David Schulze, we were treated to a tasting of Heidi's own label, La Sirena, which translates to "The Mermaid." The 2022 Moscato Azul and Rosato were both exceptional, showcasing Heidi's signature touch of elegance and finesse.

The 2020 Aviatrix Grenache, a unique collaboration between Heidi and her daughters, proved to be a bold and courageous expression of winemaking artistry, breaking through societal barriers with its strength and innovation.

We also had the pleasure of sampling the 100% 2019 Malbec and the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, both of which were outstanding examples of Heidi's winemaking expertise.

The highlight of the tasting was undoubtedly the 2019 Studio Series, a flawless blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) Syrah (35%) Petite Sirah (3%) Cab Franc(2%} presented in a stunning bottle adorned with a beautiful flower arrangement painted by Heidi.

We would highly recommend adding La Sirena to your Napa ‘must do’ list. We took a few bottles home to share with our wine friends.

For more information and to schedule a tasting go to:

https://www.lasirenawine.com/

Sicilian Italian Restaurant Opens in the Heart of Danville: Isola Osteria

Angelo Dalo, the owner, is thrilled to open Islola Osteria in the heart of Danville. Happy Hour is from 4 to 5:30 Tuesday through Sunday, and dinner is served from 5-9. Lunch and brunch service are planned for the near future.

According to the website, Angelo aimed to create a place that captures the spirit of a Sicilian family gathering, where laughter is abundant, glasses are raised, and memories are made.

The restaurant exudes warmth and hospitality from the moment you walk in. During our visit for happy hour, we enjoyed a wide selection of drinks, beer, and Italian and California wines. The outdoor seating area is spacious, with heaters, an outdoor bar, and live music. The dinner menu features a variety of Sicilian dishes, including the fresh catch of the day prepared Sicilian style.

The happy hour menu offered a fantastic selection of Sicilian specials, including Arancini rice balls, prosciutto, mozzarella, and tomato basil sauce, as well as Zuppe di cozze mussels in a garlic, white wine, and tomato basil sauce with garlic crostina. The Bruschetto Tonno Connetellni, featuring Sicilian tuna, connetellini beans, and aioli, was also excellent. We highly recommend this fantastic addition to your Danville dining scene.

For more information and to make a reservation, please visit https://isolaosteria.com/

Silver Oak: 2019 Napa Cabernet Release Party

The 2019 Silver Oak Napa Cabernet Release Day was a delightful event held at their impressive facility in Oakville. This annual tradition featured two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each offering a fantastic experience for patrons.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted with a glass of Twomey Sauvignon Blanc, served in a special commemorative glass. The event was filled with a variety of food bites, music, photo booths, and tasting stations, all overseen by Silver Oak CEO David Duncan, ensuring a memorable celebration of their iconic wine.

The highlight of the day was the release of the 2019 Napa Cabernet, which continued Silver Oak's legacy of excellence spanning over 50 years. The wine was paired with delectable food bites prepared by renowned chefs, including Elliot Bell, former Executive Sous Chef at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry and now owner of St. Helena’s Charlie's, and Rogelio Garcia, the Executive Chef of Michelin-starred Auro and Truss restaurant and bar at Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley. The Silver Oak Culinary team and vendors like Journeyman Meat Company and Caviar Company also contributed to the day's culinary delights.

The 2019 Silver Oak Napa Cabernet Release Day left all attendees thoroughly impressed and satisfied, capturing the essence of Silver Oak's rich history and commitment to quality. It was an event that truly celebrated the winery's legacy and dedication to excellence.

For more information and to purchase wine or make a tasting appointment go to:

https://silveroak.com/

Chateau Montelena: Renown Napa Treasure

 

Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting Chateau Montelena, most famous for winning the historic 1976 “Judgement of Paris” wine competition.

Chateau Montelena's 1973 Chardonnay was in competition with nine other wines from France and California under blind tasting. Our personal friend, Mike Grgich, was the winemaker who crafted the 1973 Chardonnay. A bottle of that vintage is in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. A fictionalized version of Chateau Montelena's historic victory was featured in the 2008 film “Bottle Shock.”

For the past 50 years, Chateau Montelena has been making ‘outstanding’ wine operated by the famous Barrett wine family. Bo and his wife Heidi Barrett are held in high esteem in the world of winemaking,

We enjoyed tasting their great wines in their charming and regal Chateau.

Our knowledgeable and gracious host was John. We began with a vertical tasting of 2021 and 2015 Chardonnays. We then tasted the 2018, 2017, and 2007 Cabernet Sauvignons. Finally, we tasted the 2019 Zinfandel. The Zin is a deep garnet in color, medium body, with a silk finish. We liked it so much we took 6 bottles home to Danville to share with our friends.

In conclusion, this is a sensational winery with a fascinating history, overlooking Jade Lake in Calistoga, that is a ‘must do’ to add to your wine bucket list.

For more information and to make a reservation go to:

https://montelena.com/

 

Ink Grade Winery: Senses Wine Tasting Experience

 

Recently, we had the pleasure to visit Ink Grade Winery and experience their ‘senses’ wine tasting. 

 

Ink Grade has a rich history starting in 1873 when Theron Ink planted the first vines on Howell Mountain. In 1989 Heitz Cellars purchased Ink Grade.

 

In 2018 Gaylon Lawrence Jr. purchased Heitz that included Ink Grade. He appointed Carelton McCoy Jr. as President and COO. Carelton became a Master Sommelier at 28 years old in 2013 and the second African American to earn this prestigious title.

 

In 2020 McCoy and Lawrence Wine Estates launched Ink Grade as a stand-alone project led by winemaker Matt Taylor.

 

Today the wines include Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

 

We enjoyed these great wines at their ‘senses wine tasting experience’.

 

From the web site, “Senses by Ink Grade is the first immersive wine tasting experience in the world that fuses art, nature and cinematic storytelling to present our collection of single- estate wines.”

 

Our knowledgeable host Balkis navigated us through this unique cinematic wine tasting experience. The tasting was based on elevation. The first wine was 2021 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc with grapes grown at 700 feet. The organic process produced wine crisp and smooth to the palate.

 

The second wine was 2019 Ink Grade Napa Valley with grapes grown at 800 to 1200 feet high. The 2020 Ink Grade Cabernet Sauvignon was made with grapes grown over 1200 feet high. Finally, the 2019 Howell Mountain Ink Grade Cabernet Sauvignon were from grapes grown at 2200 feet elevation. All of the wines were great.  

 

The latest news is that Ink Grade will build a new winery with awesome views of Howell Mountain. The groundbreaking will begin this spring with a goal to open in 2025. We would highly recommend visiting this unique winery producing world-class wines.

 

For more information and to schedule a wine tasting go to:

https://inkgrade.com/about/

Top 10

We have been very fortunate to visit over 400 wineries in Napa, Sonoma and Healdsburg. Each one is unique. 

Many have asked us what are your favorites?

At lunch one afternoon we tried to select 10 of our favorites. That was not an easy task. We considered the wine, the terroir, the passion of the winery members and several other points. Each winery has an interesting story and is an experience. 

One of our favorite visits was blending our own wine at Raymond Vineyards. Not only did we learn a lot about blending but the wine we made came out great and made us happy. This is another fun and ‘must do’ wine experience.  “McColgan Private Reserve”.  It is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. 30% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc.

In no special order, we would recommend visiting these 10 Wineries. Some are well known, and others are top secrets. The good news is that all of them are close to Danville. You may read in-depth details on each of these wineries on my blog at mikemccolgan.blogspot.com.

Vineyardist-Diamond Mountain

Lokoya- Spring Mountain

Aperture-Healdsburg

Constant-Diamond Mountain

Cultivar-Whitehall Lane in the Mayacamas Mountain Range

VGS Chateau Potelle- Mount Veeder

Palmaz-Coombsville

Gandona-Pritchard Hill

Lithology-Howell Mountain

Melka Estates-St Helena

 

Go to their web sites and make an appointment. You will not be disappointed. 🍷

Discover Hendry Vineyard: Crafting World-Class Wines Since 1939

During our recent visit to Napa, we had the pleasure of experiencing Hendry Vineyard, a remarkable winery with an eight-decade legacy. Nestled on a breathtaking 203-acre property, boasting 114 acres of vines, this family-run establishment is a hidden gem in the Napa Valley.

We were delighted to meet George Hendry, the 86-year-young owner and winemaker. George's commitment to his craft was evident as he passionately discussed the recent harvest during his lunch break. With 13 varietals gracing this picturesque estate, George's dedication to perfection shone through.

Our gracious host, Theresa, guided us through a tasting of the vineyard's impressive selection, made exclusively from grapes grown on-site. Our journey began with a delightful Zinfandel Rosé, a perfect introduction to the "Hendry" wine experience.

We then savored the refreshing and enjoyable 2022 Albariño, followed by the exquisite 2022 Uncorked Chardonnay and the barrel-fermented 2021 Chardonnay, both of which were truly exceptional.

Continuing our tasting, we indulged in the 2020 Pinot Noir, the 2020 Primitivo, and the 2019 Block 7 and 22 Zinfandels. Among them, the Zinfandel stood out as a favorite.

You mustn't miss the 2019 "Red," an exquisite blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec that has garnered great acclaim from wine judges and received numerous high ratings.

To conclude this sensational experience, we were treated to the remarkable 2019 Cabernet Franc and the extraordinary 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, both showcasing the winemaking genius behind Hendry Vineyard.

Impressed by the quality of the wines, we purchased several bottles to bring home: four bottles of the delightful Albariño, three bottles of the exceptional Zinfandel from Block 7, three bottles of the captivating Cabernet Franc, and two bottles of the acclaimed "Red." We were fortunate enough to have George personally sign them.

After this heavenly wine tasting, we enjoyed a delectable lunch at the iconic Rutherford Grille, savoring their grilled artichokes and renowned cornbread.

Please note that these exceptional wines are exclusively available at the winery or select high-end restaurants, such as John's Grille,(famous for the Maltese Falcon Movie)near Union Square in San Francisco.

We highly recommend adding Hendry Vineyard to the top of your wine bucket list. To learn more and make an appointment, visit their website at: https://www.hendrywines.com/

Chotto Matte: Must Do Rooftop Japanese Peruvian Cuisine Arrives at Union Square

Recently, we had the pleasure of dining at Chotto Matte. This new San Francisco restaurant opened on the top of the previous Macys Men’s Store at Union Square. It offers great views from its rooftop terrace and an extensive selection of unique and delicious Japanese Peruvian dishes.

Chotto Matte translates “to wait a moment” or “hold on a second”. The concept is deeply integrated in Japanese culture where patience and thoughtfulness are highly valued virtues.

We took our time at this elegant restaurant with views of the “city by the bay” on the top of Macys on a sensational crystal-clear day.

You know it is going to be a special experience when you check into the black marble entrance before taking an elevator to the rooftop terrace.

Service is very attentive with an extensive selection of cocktails and wine. We enjoyed a variety of appetizers including calamari, sushi, and Perfect Manhattans made with Angels Envy. We also enjoyed chicken and salmon donburi bowls graced with deep fried finely ground red sweet potatoes garnished on top that made for an impressive presentation. For dessert, we shared a freshly made apple cobbler that was a heavenly ending to a fantastic dining experience. 

This restaurant is the 5th in their collection with others in London, Toronto, Saudi Arabia, Miami and more planned.

It is a great addition to San Francisco’s famous Union Square. We would highly recommend it. 

For more information and make reservations go to:

https://chotto-matte.com/