Rewa: Classic Coombsville Cabernet

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Recently, we had the pleasure to visit Rewa Vineyards crafting world class wines in Napa’s Coombsville District.

Owner GS Sareen is an entrepreneur and fine wine collector. He was born and raised in India and came to the Coombsville AVA to fulfill his dream of owning a vineyard. REWA is his wife’s name.

Our host was Brian Kulich Rewa’s National Sales Manager. He is a former sommelier enthusiastic and knowledgeable about wine. He also has his own brands of wine called Brian David, Lish, and GlassMan wines.

We had our tasting on the patio of this beautiful house with sensational views of the vineyard and Napa Valley.

Rewa winemaker Celia Welch is known as one of Napa’s top winemakers. Her experience at Scarecrow, Staglin, Kelly Fleming, Hollywood and Vine and her own label Corra has continued at Rewa creating these world class wines.

We began with the 2022 Rewa Sauvignon Blanc that soothed your senses on this warm summer day. We then sampled the 2021 “Khanda” Red wine. We especially enjoyed the blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.

We then were treated to a 2016 Rewa Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2021 Rewa Cabernet Sauvignon. Both were 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and elegant expressions of excellence.

For more information about tasting or buying these outstanding wines contact: Brian@Rewavineyards.com

 

Sensational Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Recently, we visited Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars winner of the 1976 Judgement of Paris. The 1973 SLV Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded the highest honor at this prestigious blind tasting.

This award quickly vaulted Napa Valley  to be recognized for making outstanding world class wine. It established  Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars as an international superstar.

This Napa Gem was founded in 1970 by Warren Winiarski. It was situated on 44 acres of pristine beauty next to a vineyard owned by wine growing pioneer Nathan Fay.  In 1986 he doubled the size purchasing the Fay Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard.

In 1996, he purchased a Chardonnay vineyard named Arcadia owned by winemaker Mike Grgich.

Mike was the winemaker at Chateau Montelena.  His 1973 Chardonnay was the winner at the 1976 Judgement Of Paris.

In 1986, a law suit with Carl Doumani owner of Stags’ Leap Winery was decided by the California Supreme Court.  The two wineries were founded in the same year and both claimed first use of the name Stags Leap.

The court decided  the wineries were named after the area and both were allowed to use the name. The judgement included that Winiarski would keep the apostrophe before the ‘s’ and Doumani  would keep the apostrophe after the ‘s’.  

In 2007 Winiarski sold the winery to Chateau Ste. Michelle and Marchesi Antinori for a reported $185 million.  It included the winery facilities and SLV and Fay Vineyards. The Arcadia vineyard was kept by the Winiarski family and provided fruit to the winery.

In 2023, Marchesi Atinori bought Ste. Michelle’s 85% stake and became the sole owner.

The Estate was designed by Spanish architect Javier Barba. The Fay Outlook and Visitor Center was built with stone gathered from the property and combined with sapphire glass showcases the serene beauty of the vineyards and Stags Leap Palisades.

The 35,000 square foot wine cave offers a memorable experience for any private event. The cave showcases extraordinary architecture, art and design pieces throughout the Arcade, Great Room and Round Room.

Since 2013,  Winemaker Marcus Notaro and his team continue the legacy at Stag’s Leap producing world class wines. 

We began our tasting with our passionate host, Patrick, and enjoyed the 2023 Elia Rose with a touch of Cabernet Franc.

We then had a side by side tasting of the 2021 Fay Cabernet, 2021 SLV Cabernet  and 2021 Cask 23. The tasting was outside in the members lounge overlooking the sensational vineyards.  

The wines were all very special and we took home a  couple bottles of the 2023 Elia Rose and a 2021 bottle of the Fay Cabernet.

In conclusion, Stag’s Leap has a rich history and a ‘must do’ Napa experience.

For more information and to make a reservation go to:

https://www.stagsleapwinecellars.com/

Little River Inn: 5 Generations Hosting Guests Wanting to Unwind, Play Nine and Drink Wine

 

When you talk about the top 100 Golf Courses in the world names like Augusta, Pine Valley, St. Andrews, Cypress Point and Pebble Beach are always mentioned and discussed. Having been on all these courses, one that should be included in the conversation is a 9- hole course perched proudly on the deep blue Pacific Ocean called the Little River Inn.

Recently, we had the pleasure to stay and play golf at this warm and friendly refuge. Cally Dym is a 5th Generation Innkeeper. Marc Dym has been Executive Chef for many years.  According to Cally, “The Inn sits on our original home built by my great grandfather Silas Combs in 1863. My grandparents Ole and Cora Hervilla turned our house into an Inn eight decades ago and the family is still happy on the job doing what it takes to make you feel more than welcome.”

Situated on 225 Acres, there are sixty-five ocean view and Ada rooms, a dining room and bar, and a nine-hole golf course with pro shop and day spa. The Inn also offers free lodging for kids 16 and under and will provide pet-friendly accommodation.  This is also a beautiful place for a romantic getaway, executive retreat, or wedding.

From our home in Danville, California, it is a 3.5-hour drive unless you stop at one of the many wineries in Sonoma, Alexander Valley, or Anderson Valley.

We took our time and began in Sonoma at Viansa. This beautiful winery overlooks the valley with an extensive gift shop, deli, and some nicely priced wines. The Viansa Italian Cherry Chutney is a must purchase. The winery also has a library that offers private parties, tastings and filled with some great wines. It is a wonderful place to celebrate a special event. We especially enjoyed their Sangiovese Reserve.

Next, we visited Jacuzzi Family Vineyards that offered tastings of a variety of pressed olives. We also enjoyed the Fig Balsamic Olive Press and sampled their various wines.

Husch was our next stop on the winding and picturesque Highway 128. The Husch property has picnic tables and a small wooden tasting cabin that accommodates up to ten people. We especially enjoyed their Mendocino Zinfandel.

Across from Husch was Roederer Estate. The elegant tasting room sits high on a hill and has panoramic views of the valley. They produce over 100.000 cases annually and we sampled their sparkling wines. We took home a couple bottles of Rose that was recently served at a White House dinner with the French President,

Our nicely stocked wine van was now ready for the balance of the Grand Prix like drive through the stately redwood trees. The combination of the various tastings and afternoon sun glistening through the massive trees was like being on the highway to heaven.

Arriving at the Little River Inn, a special feeling of calmness surrounds you as you enter the circular driveway of the moon Ray white painted Inn perched high above the deep blue Pacific Ocean.  The rooms are clean and spacious and the first thing you notice is the large windows with a fireplace, deck and rocking chairs to soothe your soul watching the beauty and sound of the ocean right out your door. Our room also had a refrigerator to stock some of our wine purchases.

Breakfast is served daily in the restaurant, and you can also have it delivered to your room.

The famous Ole’s Whale Watch Bar opened in 1939. When the bar opened, beer sold for 10 cents and scotch and bourbon for 25 cents Today the bar is famous for Bloody Mary’s and Martini’s.  It is also the best place on the Mendocino coast to watch for whales. It opens at 4 pm and is full of energy and feels like you were in a pub in Ireland full of lots of happy, friendly people enjoying life.  After some of their hand shaken martini’s, many claim to have even spotted some whales.  They have outstanding calamari, and a few other items to snack on before dinner.

Nearby the Inn is the iconic town of Mendocino with shops, restaurants, and the Botanical Garden walking tour. The tour is a relaxing way to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Coast.

The Little River Inn Golf Course is a place where God would choose to play. Like everything at the Little River Inn, it has a colorful history. Ole Hervilla was watching Arnold Palmer on TV in the 50’s and decided a golf course would draw more patrons. He opened the course in 1957. It is an Audubon-certified sanctuary with deer wandering around the greens and blue heron, frogs, rabbits, raccoons, enjoying life in the pastoral setting of regal redwoods and pine trees. There are also 2 lighted tennis courts next to the golf course.

The challenging 9-hole course is friendly for all skill levels. It can play like 18 with 3 tee placements and dual greens on number 7 and 9.  Number 8 and 9 overlook the Inn and have a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean for a memorable finish. Green fees are $30 for 9 holes and $45 for 18. A fully stocked pro shop with golf carts, pull carts and rental clubs are also available. It is a terrific way to start your day at the Inn.

After golf, you can arrange for a massage to insure you look and feel great. The spa service is available from 10-5 each day and a perfect way to relax, indulge and rejuvenate your aching bones and tired mind overloaded with the high-tech communications in our modern world.

Dinner is served every night in the spacious dining room.  We enjoyed a great bottle of Rafanelli Zinfandel to go with our dinner that included clam chowder, rigatoni. fish stew, fish and chips, and a delicious fresh berry dessert.

We would highly recommend that you add the Little River Inn to your “must do” bucket list.

For more information and to make a reservation go to:

https://www.littleriverinn.com/

 

Zakin Wines: Crafting World-Class Wines with a Spectacular View of Napa Valley

Our recent visit to Zakin Wines was nothing short of extraordinary. Nestled atop 150 acres of Howell Mountain terroir, the estate offers a stunning panoramic view of Napa Valley that takes your breath away.

We had the pleasure of sampling the exceptional wines, skillfully crafted by renowned winemaker Philippe Melka and proudly presented by owner Jan Zakin. Jan's passion for winemaking shines through in every bottle, reflecting her dedication to creating world-class wines.

The estate, where Jan and her husband Jonathan realized their dream, is a testament to their commitment to excellence. Their daughter Tatiana, who shares their passion for wine, is poised to carry on the family legacy.

We were treated to a unique private tasting of their exquisite wines in the elegant dining room, overlooking the picturesque property. The 2021 Russian River Chardonnay was a delightfully smooth start, and we couldn't resist taking a bottle back home. The 2021 Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2019 Howell Mountain blend were both outstanding, showcasing the unique terroir of the estate.

Our experience at Zakin Wines was truly exceptional, thanks to the combination of breathtaking views, exceptional wines, and the warm hospitality of Jan and her husband. We left eagerly anticipating our next visit and the opportunity to discover more of their incredible creations.

For more information and to schedule a memorable tasting contact Jan directly at jan@zakinwines.com.

Chimney Rock Rocks

Recently, we had the pleasure to visit Chimney Rock Winery located on the beautiful Silverado Trail in Napa’s Stag Leap District.

Chimney Rock’s history dates back to 1980 when Hack and Stella Wilson purchased the 180-acre parcel which included a golf course. They brought their passion for wine and South African winery architecture to the Napa Valley. In 1990, the Cape-Dutch style winery and tasting room were added to the estate. Shortly after phylloxera caused the property to be replanted with only red Bordeaux -variety grapes recognizing the unique terroir of the Stags Leap District. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot were planted to produce world class Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2004, the Teralto family purchased this sensational estate. Today there are 119 acres of vineyards divided into 28 district blocks.

Winemaker Elizabeth Vianna crafts these grapes into world class wines. One of our favorite chefs Gordon Ramsey featured Elizabeth as a special guest filming a segment of his Food Stars series at the winery. After a blending class with Elizabeth, contestants were asked to create their own blend and food pairings. Elizabeth and Gordon carefully evaluated each of the contestant’s creations. This was a brilliant and fun way to get national exposure to the Chimney Rock Wines and the fabulous Napa Valley.  

We enjoyed tasting these wines with our knowledgeable host Tyson. The tasting was held on the outdoor patio overlooking the pristine beauty of the famous Stags Leap district.

We began with a splash of 2022 Sauvignon Gris chilled perfectly to open our tasting senses. We then tasted the 2021 Elevage, a super expressive blend of 55%Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petite Verdot and 3% Malbec.  

We then tasted the 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. We especially enjoyed this graceful and elegant blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Petite Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. We took a few bottles back home to Danville to share with our friends.

We also tasted the 2019 Alpine Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 Ganymede Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Arrowhead and 2021 Tomahawk that were all graceful full-bodied world-class creations.

In conclusion, this winery is a “must do” to add to your Napa bucket list.

For further information and to make a reservation go to: https://www.chimneyrock.com/index.cfm?method=homepage.showpage

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/