Napa Valley Life Magazine - Winter 2018 Edition

WINTER 2018

g n i u g i r Int th nual the 17 An

e u s is PLUS+

Tasting Room 24/ Charles Woodson Wines Calistoga Eateries

"Your smile projects to the world your inner joy.

Dr. Lamberton and his team have restored my confidence and given me a fantastic smile. He wants the best for his patients and you are always treated with kindness and compassion."

-Lynn

moc.snrofsneciv.www snroF sneciV :rehpargotohP

COSMETIC DENTISTRY OF NAPA C

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Dr. Cecil Lamberton, DDS www.cosmeticdentistryofnapa.com (707) 257-7771 02

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START YOUR YEAR OUT RIGHT AT TRANCAS STEAKHOUSE OR RED HEN. YOU’LL HAVE A GOOD TIME (according to Norm)

999 Trancas Street Napa, CA • 707.258.9990 TrancasSteakhouse.com

Karaoke Friday & Saturday nights 9pm-1:30am at Trancas Catering available

4174 Solano Avenue Napa, CA • 707.255.8125 redhenbarandgrill.com WINTER 2018

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Sustainable Wines, Luxurious Home-Cooking & Beautiful Gardens

8 0 0 . 4 4 6 . 7 3 5 8 | P E J U. C O M | 8 4 6 6 S t . H e l e n a H w y, R u t h e r f o r d , C A 9 4 5 7 3 Peju Province Winer y Open Daily 10-6

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3341 Solano Ave. (Redwood Plaza) Napa, CA 94558 • (707) 252-8131 • www.creationsfinejewelers.com WINTER 2018

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Contents

F E AT U R E S W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 / / T H E I N T R I G U I N G I S S U E

from 34 Brothers Another Mother:

Tasting Room 24 and Charles Woodson

Annual 38 17th Intriguing:

Napa Valley Residents Worth Getting to Know

Charles Woodson and Rick Ruiz

Majestic Oregon 64 The Wine Trail

Sip, Explore and Stay WI NT ER 20 18

Intrigu ing the 17th AnnuAl

Karen Caldwell / Photo by Margo Moritz

is su e

issue PLUS+

Tasting Room 24 / Charles Woodson Wines Calistoga Eateries

Peener-Ash Wine Cellars

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Minutes from the Silverado Trail... far from the ordinary Since 1983 we have been family owned and operated by the Andersons, and since our first release in 1987, Conn Valley Vineyards has been dedicated to producing world class wines. Our 40-acre Estate is located just south of Howell Mountain in Conn Valley.

When you visit, we provide a personal and highly educational experience. Located just 3 miles or 10 minutes east of downtown Saint Helena, you’ll feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle of busy tasting rooms.

Come meet the owners and wine team, and most importantly taste fantastic wines in our cave.

680 ROSSI RD., ST. HELENA, CA 94574 | 707-963-8600

A N D E RS O N CO N NVA LLEY.CO M WINTER 2018

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NVL contents

D E PA R T M E N T S W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 / / T H E I N T R I G U I N G I S S U E

13 NV Scene

The Napa Valley scene of recent parties, concerts, celebrations and events

18 Calendar 20 Things to do

Celebrate Cabernet Season Napa Valley Truffle Festival

24 Around the Valley Clif Lede's Poetry Inn

28 What’s Hot

Napa Valley Museum Yountville Connolly Ranch offers a New Saturday Farm Camp Restoration Hardware Unveils RH Yountville Domaine Carneros

24 Poetry Inn

Carneros Resort’s Chic Spa Transformation

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Creations Fine Jewelers

56 NVL Wine & Winery Spotlights

Rocky Mountain Spirit

Judd’s Hill Napa Valley Arns Winery Ehlers Estate

Rutherford Ranch Winery

70 NVL Wineries

Lamborn Family Vineyards Spoto Family Wines

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74 People & Art Karen Nagano

76 Travel

Rocky Mountain Spirit

Artist Karen Nogano

80 Money & Wealth Are You Finding Tax Reform Taxing?

82 Health & Wellness Balancing Body, Muscles and Mind Through Pilates

84 NVL Food

Calistoga Eateries Shackford's Kitchen Store

92 Dining Guide 6

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Kenzo Estate

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Calistoga Eateries

Hard to stain. Easy to love.

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Exceptionally stain-resistant natural stone surfaces that clean up in a snap at Affordable Quality Cabinets and Countertops.

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NVL publisher's letter

intriguing G

rowing up in Michigan, the name Charles Woodson would always come up during football season. He was a favorite among many of my sports buddies back home after he won the Heisman Trophy from the University of Michigan in 1997. The retired National Football League player, Woodson’s football career spanned three decades including two stints with the Oakland Raiders and a seven-year run with the Green Bay Packers. It was his time with the Raiders that he fell in love with the Napa Valley after several years of training camp here in the Valley. He also discovered his love for wine and met friend and business partner, Rick Ruiz. The pair along with winemaker, Gustavo Gonzale embarked on a quest to produce a Charles Woodson Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc. Initially they wanted to make wine for philanthropic reasons, but have seen a steady increase in their wine production in the last ten years.

I met Charles five-years ago when his wine was sold at the former Cult Wine Collective in Downtown Napa. He was engaging, approachable and wore a big smile. I’ve been able to spend numerous occasions with him since and he’s always the same nice guy. It’s an honor to tell his story and his intimate connection to the Napa Valley. Please see page 34.

Seventeen-years ago, we had an idea to honor “Napa Valley Residents Worth Getting to Know.” Who would have thought a small community like ours would have so many “Intriguing People?” The people are one of the reasons, the Napa Valley is so inviting. It’s everyone’s passion, commitment and intrigue that has the world wanting to emulate what we have as part of the Napa Valley Life.

Enjoy celebrating with us on this year’s recipients beginning on page 38.

Downtown Napa has been the focus of the resurgence in the culinary scene of late, but we can’t forget our neighbors to the north. We explore the eateries of Calistoga’s historic downtown. Have you been to them all? See page 84.

Happy Holidays from our family at Napa Valley Life to yours. May 2019 be a good year for all. We look forward to sharing the Napa Valley Life to an expanded audience in the coming year.

Charles Woodson with Kari Ruel

Cheers,

Kari Ruel Your Publisher

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT:

www.napavalleylife.com 8

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Derek Wright PRESIDENT Kevin Evans FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Kari Ruel kari.ruel@napavalleylife.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Erin Hayden Seal ONLINE EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA Cecile Nemitz-Ruffino cecile.ruffino@webmediagroup.com ADVERTISING/SALES Kari Ruel – 707-738-9698 kari.ruel@napavalleylife.com

Where Shopping Is An Art! Supporting Local Artists & Hand-Made Wines Since 2002 Napa General Store 540 Main Street - Napa

707.259.0762

www.NapaGeneralStore.com OPEN DAILY 8AM-6PM

Doris Hobbs – 209-207-4876 doris.hobbs@napavalleylife.com TRAVEL EDITOR Robert Kaufman rkaufman717@gmail.com FOOD & FLAVOR EDITOR Dynie Sanderson napafoodgal@gmail.com ACCOUNTING/BUSINESS OFFICE 707-738-9698 CONTRIBUTORS Kari Ruel Lowell Downey Dynie Sanderson Robert Kaufman Janna Waldinger Fran Miller Valerie Owens Laura Larson Paul Franson Dave Robertson Charleen Earley ABOUT THE COVER Retired NVL Player, Charles Woodson, showcases his wine in the Napa Valley Photo by Roderick Cooney Photography

Napa Valley Life Magazine is published six times a year.

We have four quarterly publications and two annual publications.

P.O. Box 865, Napa, CA 94559. Copyright 2018 by Napa Valley Life Magazine.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Subscriptions are available at $12/year by visiting napavalleylife.com and clicking on subscriptions at the top.

Twitter: @napavalleylifem

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Facebook: NVLife

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LOCAL RESTAURANTS PAIR WELL WITH LOCAL WINES It’s a benefit to all of us when we support local businesses. We are proud to recognize the following restaurants for their outstanding selection of Napa Valley wines.

CALISTOGA All Seasons Bistro Bosko's Trattoria Calistoga Inn Restaurant and Brewery Calistoga Ranch Evangeline Johnny's Restaurant and Bar Lovina Sam's Social Club Solbar Veraison Restaurant ST. HELENA Acacia House by Chris Cosentino Archetype Brasswood Bar & Kitchen The Charter Oak Cook St. Helena Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch Gatehouse Restaurant - Culinary Institute of America Goose & Gander Gott’s Roadside Harvest Table Himalayan Sherpa Kitchen Market Restaurant PRESS The Restaurant at Meadowood The Grill at Meadowood RUTHERFORD Auberge du Soleil Rutherford Grill YOUNTVILLE Bistro Jeanty Bottega Napa Valley Bouchon Bistro Brix 12

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Ciccio The French Laundry Lucy Restaurant @ Bardessono Mustards Grill Protea R+D Kitchen NAPA ALBA Angèle Azzuro Pizzeria Bank Café & Bar – The Westin Verasa Napa Basalt Bistro Don Giovanni Blue Note Napa Boon Fly Cafe at The Carneros Inn Bounty Hunter Rare Wines Bui Bistro Ca' Momi Cadet Carpe Diem Celadon Charlie Palmer Steak Napa Cole's Chop House The Commons at The Meritage Resort at Napa Compadres Rio Grille Compline Wine Bar Cordeiro's Bar & Grill Eight Noodle Shop Eiko’s Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley FARM at The Carneros Inn Forge Pizza fumé Bistro & Bar Galpão Gaucho Gott’s Roadside Hop Creek

Il Posto Trattoria Kitchen Door La Toque Mercantile Social at Andaz Mercantile Terrace at Andaz Morimoto - Napa Napa Cigars Napa General Store Napa Noodles Napa Palisades Saloon NapaSport Steakhouse & Sports Lounge Napa Valley Bistro Napa Valley Wine Train Napkins Bar + Grill Norman Rose Tavern Oenotri Pasta Prego The Q R&B The Restaurant at CIA Copia Ristorante Allegria Siena Restaurant at The Meritage Resort at Napa Silverado Resort & Spa Southside Café Stone Brewing Tarla Mediterranean Bar & Grill TORC Trancas Steakhouse VINeleven @ the Marriott

napavintners.com

NV Scene

The Napa Valley scene of recent parties, concerts, celebrations and events LIVE IN THE VINEYARD 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Rita Wilson

Toca Rivera and Jason Mraz

# PHOTOS BY KARI RUEL

Live in the Vineyard’s 10th Anniversary celebration brought music industry personnel and their guests along with 250 winners of the Live in the Vineyard radio station contests to the Napa Valley for three-days of intimate and exclusive musical performances paired with food and wine. www.liveinthevineyard.com

Jewel

Maggie Rose

Matt Nathanson

Ashley Reinhardt

Musicians Michael Franti and Victoria Canal with Founder Bobbii Hac Jacobs

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NV scene Peter Mondavi

HANDS ACROSS THE VALLEY RAISES MILLIONS FOR THE HUNGRY # PHOTOS BY KARI RUEL

The 26th Annual Hands Across the Valley continued to raise over two million dollars accumulative towards the goal of a community without hunger.

This popular Napa Valley fund raiser assists the Napa Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army Napa, the Table and other “Safety Net” food programs in Napa County.

Retired Chef Bob Hurley and Hands Across the Valley Founder George Altamura

The Salvation Army crew were among the many chefs serving bites

Juan Porter, Joanna Lanford, Stacey and Adam Hersley

Local sportscasters Rex Stultz, Ira C Smith and Channel 2's Mark Ibanez

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Discover a fine dining experience, complemented by an ever-changing landscape of lush Napa Valley.

WINETR AIN.COM | 1.800.427.4124 WINTER 2018

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NV scene 8TH ANNUAL NAPA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL # PHOTOS BY KARI RUEL

The Napa Valley Film Festival, held in November honored, actresses Geena Davis and Alice Eve and actors Laurence Fishburn III and Billy Bob Thornton. Several other celebrities were in attendance including the six rising stars who were honored as well. The five-day film festival included over 100 movie showings, parties, culinary demos and VIP dinners. The next festival will be November 13-17, 2019.

Charles Krug Winery owners Peter and Katie Mondavi with Chef Tyler Florence

Actor Laurence J. Fishborne III

Football Great Joe Theirsmann Actress Alice Eve

Actress Geena Davis and Film Festival President Patrick Davila

Rising Star Actors: (from left) Tye Sheridan, Alexandria Shipp, Rosa Salazar, Camila Mendes, Taisson Tarmiga and Billy Magnussen

Vintner Steve Reynolds (2nd from right) with sister, Cathy, brother-in-law, Todd and Actor William Richtner

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NV Calendar The Napa Valley scene of upcoming parties, concerts, celebrations and events For up-to-date calendar listings visit napavalleylife.com and click on EVENTS at the top of the page

Photo courtesy of Napa Valley Truffle Festival

YEAR-ROUND FARMER’S MARKETS Calistoga Farmers Market – Every Saturday, 9am-1pm Located in the Sharpsteen Plaza, 1234 Washington Street, Calistoga. www.calistogafarmersmarket.org

Napa Farmer’s Market – Open year-round on Saturdays, 8:30am – 1pm at the South Napa Century Center.

Vendors include many local fruit, vegetable and flower growers (some organic); fresh seafood and meat merchants; food purveyors offering coffee, baked goods and other ready-to-eat fare; plus, artisanal pottery, jewelry and other hand-crafted wares. www.napafarmersmarket.org

NAPA ON ICE

Now through January 6, 2-10pm Glide into the New Year ice skating in downtown Napa - at the Napa Expo!

The Napa on Ice Rink offers the quintessential winter activity in the heart of beautiful Napa Valley.

Open daily until January 6th, 2019. www.napaonice.com 18

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CALISTOGA’S WINTER PASSPORT –

Featuring tastings at 17 Calistoga Wineries

Now through February 3 Experience every facet of the unique Calistoga wine region, from a towering hillside castle to quaint, downtown tasting rooms. For $60 per person, receive complimentary wine tastings at participating wineries, complimentary corkage at participating restaurants and discounts at Calistoga lodging, spas and shops. The Passport is valued at over $400 in wine tastings alone! www.visitcalistoga.com/ winter-in-the-wineries-passport/

9TH ANNUAL NAPA VALLEY TRUFFLE FESTIVAL

January 18-21 This event features interactive truffle programs at the Westin Verasa and CIA-Copia, truffle orchard tours/dog training demos at Robert Sinskey Vineyards, winery truffle lunches prepared by master chefs, wild mushroom forays, a Truffles & Wine Dinner at La Toque and a Festival Marketplace at Oxbow Public Market. Prices vary. The

Marketplace on the Monday, January 21, is free to the public and features à la carte truffle menu items, cooking demos, specialty food products, local wines and fresh truffles for sale. www.napatrufflefestival.com

RESTAURANT WEEK IN THE NAPA VALLEY

January 20-27 Napa Valley Restaurant Week allows locals and visitors to dine and delight throughout the valley and experience legendary food and wine culture through multi-course prix-fixe menus for lunch ($20) and dinner ($36 or $46), farm-totable practices and Michelin-Star rated restaurants make the Napa Valley an epicurean’s destination. www.visitnapavalley.com/napa-valleyrestaurant-week/ or www.visitcalistoga. com/calistoga-restaurant-week/

AFAR EXPERIENCES NAPA VALLEY

January 23-25 Enjoy Napa Valley alongside the experts who know it best, including local winemakers and artisans, renowned

chefs, and cultural experts who have made the area synonymous with laid-back luxury. napavalleyafar.splashthat.com

27TH ANNUAL BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF NAPA VALLEY CRAB FEED

January 26, 5:30-10pm This fun event features cocktails, silent auction,live auction, crab and pasta dinner, followed by a raffle and dancing. Doors open at noon to decorate your table for the “Best Table Decoration” contest. All guests must be 21 years of age or older. www.thepositiveplace.org/ crabfeed

CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR IN SONOMA

February 17, noon-4pm Welcome the Year of the Pig at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, 24724 Arnold Drive, Sonoma.

Enjoy a multi-course Chinese banquet lunch, including roast pig, prepared by Park Avenue Catering. There will be live and colorful Chinese entertainment, including a dragon dance and a special performance by Morgan Harrington, soprano. Tickets are $88 per person and include wine from Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. www.sonomasistercities association.org

NAPA HIGH ATHLETICS “BLUE FOR GOLD” CRAB FEED

February 23, 5-11pm This event will be held at the Yountville Community Hall, 6515 Washington Street, Yountville. Crab, Steak and Auction. $85 per person. www.nhsathleticboosters.org.

41ST ANNUAL RUNNING OF KAISER PERMANENTE NAPA VALLEY MARATHON/ RUNNING OF THE RUN CONN CREEK HALF MARATHON March 3 Half Marathon: 7:00am; Marathon 7:30 am and Kiwanis Club of Greater Napa Fun Run 5K, 7:30am. Expo: Saturday,

March 2, 9am - 5pm, Napa Valley Marriott Hotel and Spa – Free to attend. Half Marathon starts at Conn Creek Winery and the Marathon in Calistoga and takes place along the beautiful Silverado Trail, from Calistoga, south to the finish line at Vintage High School in Napa. www.napavalleymarathon.org www.conncreek.com

JANUARY 18-21, 2019 9TH ANNUAL

THE LEGENDARY TASTE OF YOUNTVILLE

March 16, 10am – 5pm This popular event is a day of food, wine and music held in the heart of Yountville featuring world-class chefs, wineries, and international recording artists.

Tasting pavilions in downtown Yountville feature top restaurants sampling signature dishes, wineries pouring amazing selections, live musical performances, from emerging stars, chef demonstrations featuring local and celebrity chefs and artists, mixologists, craft beers, customized sponsor activations, and more each day. www.yountvillelive.com/ taste-of-yountville/

ARTS IN APRIL

Month of April Arts in April is a time of countywide celebration of the arts with live music, art fairs and exhibitions, storytelling, theatre performances, culinary arts and hands on activities. www.artsinapril.com

ROTARY OF NAPA PRESENTS THEIR ANNUAL CYCLE4SIGHT

April 20 Their primary beneficiaries – The Pathway Home program and Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind, as well as numerous other local charities. They have three ride courses: 15, 25 and 50 miles—something for every kind of cyclist. Festival-only passes are available for those not riding. Early-bird pricing is available through March 1st, 2019. www.cycle4sight.com/register/

NAPA

Truffle Festival world class cuisine meets cutting edge truffle science MICHELIN STAR/MASTER CHEFS INTERACTIVE TRUFFLE EXPERIENCES

EXCLUSIVE WINERY LUNCHES

CULTIVATION SEMINAR

ORCHARD TOURS/DOG TRAINING DEMOS

COOKING DEMOS

WILD MUSHROOM FORAYS AND ONE BIG MARKETPLACE

DIG TRUFFLES? rare and delectable fungi aka

BLACK DIAMONDS

discuss, demonstrate, pair with wines, and feast upon for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

TRUFFLES & WINE DINNER La Toque

WINERY TRUFFLE LUNCHES HALL and St. Supéry

WILD MUSHROOM FORAYS at the height of the season

INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS lively, enlightening cuisine, science, myth and lore truffle orchard tours dog training demos and more

...and one big TRUFFLE MARKETPLACE Oxbow Public Market cooking demos truffle fare à la carte Free admission!

FRESH BLACK TRUFFLES

for sale throughout festival weekend!

Check website for locations and times.

NapaTruffleFestival.com

Presented by American Truffle Company

sign up for updates at napatrufflefestival.com

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NVL things to do

Celebrate

CABERNET SEASON  BY FRAN MILLER

The cycles of wine country, while consistent, are always cause for celebration. No more so than during Cabernet Season, when the pace is slower, the crowds are smaller, and the harvest frenzy of the previous two months gives way to an inviting calm.

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abernet Season starts in November and runs through April. During this time, the valley’s vintners release that for which Napa is most famed – rich, bold, and vibrant Cabernet Sauvignons.

And valley chefs create hearty menus with soul-satisfying dishes that perfectly compliment the season’s viticultural offering. Cause for celebration indeed.

Enhance your enjoyment of Cabernet Season with these special hotel deals and winery experiences that highlight this noble varietal.

Where to STAY Book three nights at the historic Inn on Randolph and receive the fourth night free. Rates start at $239 per night. www.innonrandolph.com Enjoy a ‘Wine Country Uncorked’ package at Milliken Creek Inn & Spa with 20% off existing rates, a $50 spa credit, and complimentary breakfast.

Rates start at $239.20 per night. www.millikencreekinn.com River Terrace Inn located in Downtown Napa offers 15% off on best available rates with the ‘Napa State of

Mind’ package. Rates start at $229 per night. www.riverterraceinn.com

Silverado Resort and Spa offers 25% off best available rate for guests who book two nights or more. Includes a $50 resort credit and one winery tasting pass. Rates start at $127 per night. www.silveradoresort.com

Receive 10% off stays and a complimentary tasting flight of Napa Valley Cabernet wines at The Westin Verasa Napa. Rates start at $239 per night. www.marriott.com

Where to SIP Visit up to 10 different Downtown Napa wine tasting rooms at half the price with the Taste Napa Downtown card at $15 each. Purchase at the Napa Valley Welcome Center located at 600 Main Street, at the Napa Tourist Information Center at 1331 First Street, or online. www.donapa.com

St. Helena welcomes Cabernet Season with the Little Book of Big Experiences, the ultimate passport to Napa Valley. Priced at $150 and valued at $1,500, the book includes VIP access for two to 20 unique experiences at Napa Valley wineries, hotels and restaurants, as well as spa services, guided tours, and more. Purchase at the St. Helena’s Welcome Center, located at 1320 A Main St., St. Helena, or online at www.sthelena.com.

Calistoga offers the Winter in the Wineries passport allowing guests access to complimentary wine tastings at 17 Calistoga wineries.

Cost: $60 per person. www.visitcalistoga.com Burgess Cellars offers 25% off of their Mountainside Tasting: a 90-minute experience set 1,200 feet above the Napa Valley floor featuring selections from the Burgess Cellars Library.

Cost: $45 per person, daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., reservations are required. www.burgesscellars.com Clif Family Winery offers a Howell Mountain Cabernet tasting that

includes a wine pairing experience with bites from the family’s own farm.

Cost: $40 per person. Includes wine flight and food pairing. www.cliffamily.com The Barrel Blending Experience at Conn Creek Winery allows guests to blend any combination of their Cabernets to create their own personalized wine, which is then bottled, hand-corked, and labeled on-site.

Cost: $125 per person, daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., reservations are required. www.conncreek.com V. Sattui Winery offers special weekend events such as ‘Cab & Fondue’ pairings and ‘Short Rib Stew & Cab Fireside’ tastings. Cost: Ranges between $25-75 per person, depending on the selected tasting. Appointment required. www.vsattui.com Vintner’s Collective | Napa Valley offers a tasting of six Cabernets, all of which fall within the $90-$250 price range and are crafted by renowned local winemakers such as Philip Titus. Cost: $100 per person. www.vcnv.com

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, ZD Wines offers special weekend tastings that include sips of current and library selections of Cabernet Sauvignon, plus a barrel sample. Cost: $50 per person.

Reservations are required. www.zdwines.com

Provisions, clothing, furniture, art, leather, custom goods and items of distinction.

Something for everyone

Opening January 2019 1149 First Street, Napa 707.286.9996

www.calamityjanesnapavalley.com WINTER 2018

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NVL things to do

THERE'S Definitely SOMETHING ABOUT TRUFFLES

 PHOTOS AND ARTICLE COURTESY OF NAPA VALLEY TRUFFLE FESTIVAL

B L A C K D I A M O N D S TA K E C E N T E R S TA G E AT T H E N I N T H A N N UA L

NAPA TRUFFLE FESTIVAL JANUARY 18-21, 2019

Truffles, the fungi kind, have captivated the gastronomic scene since the Third Dynasty of Ur, 20th century BCE when “the first mention of truffles appeared in the inscriptions of the neo-Sumerians regarding their Amorite enemy's eating habits...”

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lusive and expensive, the distinctive flavor and aroma of truffles are coveted by chefs and swooned over by diners worldwide.

And for good reason: there's absolutely nothing like real fresh truffles (avoid fake truffle oils or salts see why in Chef Ken Frank's Truffle Tips).

Taking center stage once again for the ninth annual Napa Truffle Festival weekend is the black winter Périgord truffle (aka the black diamond of the kitchen). If you're a foodie with a passion for truffles, or a food voyager with a curiosity about one of the most prized and delicious foods in the world, the festival has something for you with exclusive truffle dining experiences, excursions, and interactive programs that offer opportunities to explore and learn firsthand from experts about the gastronomy, science, history, mystery and hunting of truffles. The exciting festival lineup includes a Scientific Truffle Grower Seminar and a Dig Truffles? Experience, both at the

Westin Verasa; an All About Truffles program at the CIA-Copia; Winery Truffle Lunches hosted by HALL winery and St. Supéry Estate Vineyards; Truffle Orchard Tours/Dog Training Demos at Robert Sinskey Vineyards Truffle Orchard; and a grand Truffles & Wine Dinner prepared by Michelin star/master chefs at La Toque restaurant.

The festival wraps up on Monday with a free Truffle Festival Marketplace at Oxbow Public Market where one and all will get a chance to sample black truffles à la carte prepared in every sort of fabulous way— from wild mushroom goat cheese truffle enchiladas, grilled truffle oysters, truffle arancini and truffle French fries, to chocolate truffles, truffle ice cream, and cookies and cream cupcakes with little pink pigs (as in: they hunt truffles).

There's also wine tastings, cooking demos, truffle dogs (petting allowed), and specialty truffle foods and products. Plus, fresh black truffles for sale and a chance to win a real black diamond (truffle, that is)!

Fresh black Périgord truffles are available for purchase throughout the festival weekend. Check the website for details.

Chef Ken Frank's Truffle Tips

1.

2.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

visit napatrufflefestival.com

3.

EASY-TO-MAKE OVERINDULGENT BLACK TRUFFLE SANDWICH

BY MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF KEN FRANK OF LA TOQUE

4.

This adventurous and deliciously overindulgent, toasty sandwich is oh-so-simple to make!

LA TOQUE'S BLACK TRUFFLE SANDWICH SERVES 1-4 INGREDIENTS:

• Two slices pain de mie (or any good ol’ white bread) • 50 grams fresh black truffle • Sweet butter (soft) • Sea salt PREPARATION:

• Butter both sides of both slices of bread generously and fill the sandwich with sliced fresh truffle.

• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 48-72 hours, allowing the truffle perfume to fully permeate the sandwich.

• When ready to serve, unwrap the sandwich, open it and season the truffle with a little sea salt.

• Put it back together and toast under the broiler, turning a few times until the bread is a golden brown and the truffles inside are nice and hot. Cut in quarters and share—or don’t.

Bon Appétit!

5.

Freshness: Use truffles quickly.They lose their perfume fast, so the sooner you use it, the more flavor it will have.

Store with eggs. Eggs absorb the flavor as the truffle off gases, and the eggs are delicious simply scrambled.

Don’t fall for fake truffle products. Truffle oil and salt get their flavor from a chemical compound.

It will stain your palate, tastes bad and ruins the real truffle experience.

Avoid spicy and acidic foods. Instead, infuse fats like cheese or tuck under chicken skin. Truffles give a sweet earthy flavor to creams and custards, and proteins, like egg yolks or fatty fish (salmon is good) also absorbs the flavor well.

Go Big or Go Home!

Don’t bother with a scrap or a bit of truffle. Really celebrate the season and let the truffle shine as the star of the show.

FOR MORE RECIPES,

visit NapaTruffleFestival.com.

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WINE and VERSE

Poetry INN CLIFF LEDE’S

Eastern Elevation of Poetry Inn

 BY FRAN MILLER

Your introduction to Poetry Inn’s exceptional hospitality begins prior to your scheduled arrival when an email query arrives.

Are you celebrating a special occasion? Do you prefer feather or hypo-allergenic pillows? What is your favorite genre of music? Be specific, because innkeepers Henrike, Marc, Daniel, and Lisa aim to please. These exceptionally gracious hosts are at your service from the moment they greet you with a glass of Cliff Lede Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, to your much-too-soon departure.

Nestled in a hillside along the Silverado Trail, Cliff Lede’s Poetry Inn is one of Napa’s best kept hotel secrets. With panoramic Valley views from every vantage point, a private wine cellar stocked with varied vintages from Lede’s award-winning label, and perhaps the best hotel breakfast offered in wine country, it’s easy to see why Poetry Inn is the insiders’ choice for luxurious Napa Valley lodging.

Best known as one of Napa’s foremost vintners rather than a hotelier, Lede’s love of verse sets the Poetry Inn vibe. Each of the inn’s five sumptuous suites are named after classic poets: Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost,

View from Poetry Inn // Photo by Bob McClenahan

Robert Louis Stevenson, and e.e. cummings, and volumes of their works can be found on the nightstands of each eponymous suite.

Each suite is beautifully appointed with Italian linens, plush robes, marble bathrooms with heated floors, al fresco showers, L’Occitane bath amenities, and gratis mini bar treats. And while it’s true that these sorts of amenities can be found in many of the region’s luxe hotels, what can’t be duplicated elsewhere is the Poetry Inn Wine Cellar. Poetry Inn guests are granted access to purchase, at a fraction of their suggested retail price, rare and impossible to find Cliff Lede wines.

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NVL around the valley

The Cellar features verticals of Lede’s Robert Parker-lauded estate Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as varied vintages of the allocation-status Songbook Cabernet Sauvignon, a bottling in which grapes are sourced from two of acclaimed viticulturist David Abreu’s personallyfarmed properties. Enjoy a bottle in the Inn’s gracious living room, on the communal veranda, or on your private balcony overlooking the vineyards from whence the grapes were sourced.

Relax by the Inn’s pool and hot tub, read a book while lying in the oak treecanopied hammock, or tour the valley in

search of hidden wine treasures. Poetry Inn’s innkeepers can direct you to undiscovered gems and provide access to sought-after eateries. In the evening, return to the Inn’s living room to enjoy a selection of complimentary after-dinner offerings from labels such as Macallan, Hendrick’s, Bailey’s, and Grand Marnier.

Enjoy a sweet nibble made by Poetry Inn’s Chef Lynn Vita who keeps a cookie jar stocked with house made treats.

Vita also prepares breakfast – perhaps Poetry Inn’s most luxurious amenity.

Served in-room, on the veranda, or in the living room (your choice), this is a meal over which to linger. Three courses begin with French Press Equator coffee, followed by fresh orange juice. Bouchon Bakery pastries with assorted jams follow, and then choices must be made.

Do you prefer steel-cut oats with brown sugar, nuts and dried fruit, or house made granola with Straus Organic Greek Yogurt and huckleberries? Next, are you in the mood for buttermilk crepes with whipped yogurt, or eggs and bacon? Or perhaps smoked salmon eggs benedict? The best choice? A multi-night stay allowing you to sample each and every seasonal offering.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

707-944-0646 www.poetryinn.com 6380 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA

RL Stevenson Suite Living Room

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Photo by Fran Miller

Hidden Gem in the Wine Country

Hidden Gem in the Wine Country

Long before “wine country” was synonymous with Napa Valley, there was Napa Valley Country Club, a

Long before “winegem country” was synonymous Napa Valley Country Club, a tucked-away in the bucolic foothills of thewith VacaNapa Range,Valley, located there in the was middle of the Coombsville American Viticulture Area.

Napa Valleyfoothills Country of Club over one hundred years ago, inof 1915, is the only American tucked-away gem in the bucolic thebegan Vacalife Range, located in the middle theand Coombsville private proprietary Country Club in Napa County.

Viticulture Area. Napa Valley Country Club began life over one hundred years ago, in 1915, and is the only private proprietary Country Club in Napa County.

One of the oldest golf and Country Clubs in California, NVCC is a magnificent 18 hole layout, with a sparkling craftsman-style clubhouse, built in 2004, superb tennis facilities and a stunning 25-meter pool, all in a pristine One ofsetting the oldest and Country in California, NVCC is a Napa magnificent 18 holeClub layout, with a sparkling of 181golf acres.

Located just aClubs few miles from downtown Napa, Valley Country exists in the craftsman-style clubhouse, built in 2004, superb tennis facilities and a stunning 25-meter pool, all in a pristine splendid isolation of gently-sloping hills, tree-lined fairways and challenging, inscrutable greens!

setting of 181 acres. Located just a few miles from downtown Napa, Napa Valley Country Club exists in the Napa Valley Country Club is also the place where over 100-Member spendinscrutable their recreational time with splendid isolation of gently-sloping hills, tree-lined fairways and Vintners challenging, greens!

family and fellow Members. The Club boasts a “Member-Only” Wine List filled with special selections and releases privy to its Club Members andthe guests.

Napa Valley Country is also place where over 100-Member Vintners spend their recreational time with

family and fellow Members. The Club boasts a “Member-Only” Wine List filled with special selections and releases privy to its Members and guests.

Full or Single Golf ▪ Social

Junior ▪ Corporate ▪ Non-Resident

Full or Single Golf ▪ Social Wedding Destination ▪ Special Events Membership Opportunites are by Invitation Only.

Junior ▪ Corporate ▪ Non-Resident

Wedding Destination ▪ Special Events Membership Opportunites are by Invitation Only.

Inquiries Welcome

Jeanne Johnston, General Manager 707.603.3486

jeannej@napavalleycc.com Inquiries Welcome

www.napavalleycc.com

Jeanne Johnston, General Manager 707.603.3486

jeannej@napavalleycc.com

www.napavalleycc.com

NVL what's hot

Restoration Hardware Unveils RH Yountville

Napa Valley Museum Yountville The Napa Valley Museum Yountville presents Walt Disney’s Trains Now through March 2019. This familyfriendly exhibition, organized with The Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio in San Francisco, explores the influence that railroad trains had on Walt Disney's life and work, and tells the story of how his railroading legacy lives on to this day in Disney films and theme parks around the world. The exhibition includes a wide variety of artifacts, firsthand accounts, archival videos, images of Walt and his trains, and one-of-a kind items, including Walt Disney's own Carolwood gondola railroad car, a light-up model of Disneyland, and a custom model train created in partnership with the Napa Valley Wine Train by the Napa Valley Model Railroad Historical Society. www.napavalleymuseum.org

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Walt Disney riding solo on his Carolwood Pacific railroad train, pulled by the Lilly Belle steam engine around The Walt Disney Studios, ca. 1950. Photo courtesy of the Walt Disney Archives Photo Library; © Disney

A first-of-its-kind integration of food, wine, art and design, newly opened RH Yountville takes its cues from its luxury lifestyle parent company and kicks things up a notch. Curator of design, taste, and style in the luxury lifestyle market, RH is an ideal occupant of the former historic Ma(i)sonry building and its new adjacent quarters that feature an indoor-outdoor restaurant surrounded by heritage olive trees, and a dramatic fountain. An outdoor wine and barista bar, lush gardens, and two design galleries round out the Washington St. compound. “RH Yountville reflects our vision for creating inspiring spaces and authentic experiences that respect and amplify the local culture,” said Gary Friedman, RH Chairman & CEO. www.restorationhardware.com

Connolly Ranch offers a new Saturday Farm Camp Adults are invited to spend some guilt-free hours exploring the Napa Valley while the kids have fun unplugging on the 12-acre Connolly Ranch. From 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., kids will get to know some of the ranch’s 86 animals, including goats, pigs, donkeys, chickens, horses, sheep and ducks while learning where food comes from in the educational gardens. Plus, seasonal crafts and a natural playground will ensure they have the best day ever while the grown-ups are in their own Napa Valley playground. www.connollyranch.org

Growing family, upgrading your property or downsizing for retirement You will be well represented by Jennifer Klingbeil and her team at Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty. Jennifer combines first-hand real estate investment and development knowledge with her professional background in marketing to assist in your real estate goals.

Skillfully using our international network of resources, Jennifer connects your listing to buyers around the World, helping you transition to the next stage of your Napa Valley life.

Jennifer Klingbeil | Real Estate Professional J.Klingbeil@ggsir.com | m 707.492.0435 NapaLifeProperties.com | Lic.# 02067543 | @jennapavalley

Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated.

NVL what's hot

Photo courtesy of Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros Domaine Carneros opened its Jardin d'Hiver, an Art Nouveau conservatory-style addition to the north terrace of the château, in August 2018. With curved glass walls, skylights, white marble tables, indoor-outdoor fireplaces and new fountain, the Jardin d’Hiver offers guests an inviting and warm, yet elegant space to fully enjoy the sweeping views of the Carneros region.

A new tasting experience, "The Art of Sparkling Wine Pairing: Asian Bites with Bubbles" is available in the Jardin d'Hiver Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. at a cost of $85 per person.

Reservations may be made by calling 800-716-2788 or visiting the Domaine Carneros website. www.domainecarneros.com 30

NAPAVALLEYLIFE.COM

Carneros Resort’s Chic Spa Transformation With rolling farm lands and vineyards as a backdrop, the newly reimagined Spa at Carneros is reason alone to book a weekend at this luxe 28-acre resort. Open only to resort guests, the spacious 5,919 square foot spa features transformed guest reception and retail spaces, an expanded relaxation area, and newly designed treatment rooms and suites – all in a sophisticated modern farmhouse design. New gardens, fountains, and trellised vines complete the relaxed vibe.

Treatments, such as the Body

Botany massage, continue to highlight ingredients reflective of wine country’s natural abundance and Carneros Resort and Spa’s half-acre culinary garden. www.carnerosresort.com

Is concierge medicine right for you?

Find out how to change the way you look and feel with the help of Napa’s newest premier concierge physician, Alex De Moraes, MD.

Now accepting new patients.

3010 BEARD ROAD

| NAPA, CA 94558 | 707. 257.1550 | nvpersonalizedhealth.com

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Creations Fine Jewelers

Helping Napa Sparkle for 42 Years Creations Fine Jewelers is as established and highly regarded as the area’s finest wineries and restaurants. With its rich history of luxury service and unparalleled craftsmanship, the boutique shop has long been instrumental in defining the personal style of its fans both near and far.

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wned by third-generation proprietors Melissa and Brian Doughty, the married duo’s warmth and expertise have helped solidify Creations’ reputation as a premier destination for lovers of baubles, jewels, and gemstones. No more so than during the holidays, when the shop is transformed into a glittering winter wonderland with dazzling gifts any heart might desire.

“Creations features big city brands, with knowledgeable, experienced staff who provide small town personal service with integrity,” said Melissa, in explaining a large part of the shop’s appeal.

“Our families have always been heavily involved in the community which has led to close personal relationships and a genuine trust from our clients,” said Brian, who adds that whether that client is a longtime customer or first-timer, he is confident that he and his team can help source the perfect gift.

And while top quality service is indeed a draw, it’s the sparkling goods that provide the wow factor. The shop now carries more than 15 different designers, including Mikimoto. The brand, known for its lustrous, finest quality cultured pearls, has never before been represented in the Napa Valley. As a world leader in the design of exceptional Jewelry, Mikimoto’s arrival is a coup for Creations. Each beautiful Mikimoto piece reflects supreme dedication, passion, and care.

Also new to the store is Heather B. Moore. This collection, which documents personal stories using a freehand technique where each character is hand stamped, is considered one of the finest personalized collections in the luxury market. Heather B. Moore

charms reflect the happiness, laughter, and achievements behind each individual’s story.

Creations also offers a comprehensive selection of Swiss timepieces, such as OMEGA, Raymond Weil, Tissot, and Swiss Army.

Additional notable fashion brands such as Roberto Coin, Marco Bicego, Fope’, John Hardy, and Memoire each offer beautiful selections of fashion jewelry, while bridal selection brands such as Hearts on Fire, Simon G. and A.Jaffe have earned the store its reputation of “Where Napa Valley Gets Engaged.”

Creations is also where Napa gets into the holiday spirit. Resplendent with tradition, the shop is at its liveliest during the holiday season.

“It’s fun during the holidays because we get to see so many of our customers,” said Brian. “And so many of our customers know each other, so it becomes a party. The atmosphere is really festive.”

“We evolved into what we are today by always honoring the traditions and values of our family business while constantly striving to enhance the service experience for our customers,” said Melissa.

One thing that Melissa promised will never change is their passion for truly well-crafted jewelry and the privilege they feel in being able to offer such beautiful brands, unique designs, and personal service to the community.

Remember Creations Fine Jewelers for all your special occasions and holidays in 2019.

Melissa Doughty

FOR MORE INFORMATION

3341 Solano Ave, Napa, 707-252-8131 creationsfinejewelers.com

Brian Doughty

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T A S T I N G R O O M 24

 BY KARI RUEL | PHOTOS BY RODERICK COONEY PHOTOGRAPHY

, Charles Woodson

Gustavo Gonzalez

and Rick Ruiz

The football player, the winemaker and a cellar rat. Their friendship was instantaneous, and based on a deep admiration for each others’ talents. While winemaker, Gustavo Gonzalez envied the athletic prowess of NFL powerhouse Charles Woodson, Woodson in turn respected the viticultural mastery of Gonzalez and Rick Ruiz. And thus, a friendship was formed.

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T

he trio met nearly 20 years ago when Woodson trained with the Oakland Raiders in Napa. Ruiz noticed Woodson in a restaurant drinking one of his wines, and he introduced himself as the cellar rat. A friendly chat resulted in a mini wine seminar with Ruiz introducing the Merlot-wedded Woodson to additional varietals.

“I didn’t drink wine before my time with the Raiders,” said Woodson. “Training camp was in Napa, where we stayed at the Marriott. My teammates and I would go out around town and visit various restaurants.

Everyone was drinking wine. I noticed people bringing in their own bottles and I thought that was weird. I watched all of the swirling and sipping and thought to myself, ‘what is this all about?’

I was intrigued by the whole scene. I tried a glass of Merlot and became a big fan. It was all I drank for a long time.”

After Ruiz and Woodson’s restaurant meet-up, Ruiz invited the NFL star to his then place of work – Robert Mondavi Winery.

“I invited him to come have a glass of wine and he showed up with a bunch of guys from the team,” said Ruiz. “Charles fell in love with how we wine and dine people here in the Napa Valley. I knew we would become friends, but I never would have predicted we would become so close – like brothers.

“Rick had this bright idea for us to make a barrel of wine for charitable causes,” said Woodson, who claims that Ruiz still has a secret stash of that 2001 vintage. “He humored me with a Merlot blend.”

Soon after that effort, they formed a partnership and started creating wines together on a commercial basis.

The first official vintage was a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.

It was at this time that Woodson, was lured from the Bay Area with the Green Bay Packers contract, but the duo continued their joint winemaking.

“Because of Charles’ popularity, our wine was instantly embraced by Green Bay residents who bought most of our production during the first couple of years,” said Ruiz who

reminisces fondly about his ties to the Badger state. There were many memorable moments, but one in particular stood out.

“It was 2009 when the Packers coach finally figured out it was me sending wine to Charles’ hotel room before games,” said Ruiz. “One particular game was the Super Bowl. I told the coach that ‘Charles is going to win Defensive Player of the Year; let him drink his glass of wine.

It’s working.’ And Charles did win. It was also during this time that we both started having kids and raising our families. Our joint seven year run in Wisconsin was a great time.”

Woodson return to the Raiders in 2012. He and Ruiz opened Cult Wine Following in Downtown Napa showcasing Charles Woodson Wines, but after the 2014 Napaquake, their building was heavily damaged and they were forced to move.

Today, the two own and operate Tasting Room 24, named for Woodson’s NFL jersey number with the Raiders. Located in the Crusher District at Napa Valley Corporate Park, it’s one of the most unconventional wine tasting rooms in the valley. Part sports bar, part fine wine emporium, Tasting Room 24 is – in honor of Woodson’s career - a certified Green Bay Packer, Raider, and University of Michigan Football bar where fans of those teams easily find camaraderie. And like any great sports bar, they showcase other sports and teams as well.

The 4,000-square foot tasting room (available for buyouts and private events) features a central H-shaped bar allowing guests to sit in a circle and converse, commiserate, and cheer together. The H represents the Heisman trophy Woodson won in 1997 while at Michigan. Six large televisions mean six different games can be viewed at the same time. An additional lounge area emulating Woodson’s home living room is equipped with big comfy chairs and is a comfortable spot in which to relax.

“Once you step foot into Tasting Room 24, you won’t want to leave,” smiled Woodson. “It’s like being in my living room. Relax and watch the game of your choice and enjoy a great glass of wine.”

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Throughout Woodson’s NFL career with the Raiders and Packers, he and Ruiz continued to make wine together. They started in 2005 with 150 cases and are now up to 3000 cases. The Charles Woodson label includes Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc with plans to expand to 10,000 cases and three more varietals in 2019.

Also new is their barrel tasting facility located within football-throwing distance to their tasting room, where wine connoisseurs, neophyte wine drinkers, and sports fans can enjoy tasting flights and barrel tastings.

Bowl in three different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s).

He is currently tied for fifth on the all-time interceptions list with 65. In 2015, he announced his retirement from the NFL and signed with ESPN as a sports commentator.

Tasting Room 24 is filled with Charles Woodson memorabilia for his fans to enjoy.

“Charles is a blessed man and he’s passed those blessings to me and now I can pass them to our staff the best staff in the Napa Valley,” said Ruiz. People come here because of our staff, many of whom have been with us since the beginning. No place in the Napa Valley is doing what we are doing. We are a sports bar that serves, beer, wine, and bubbles, and delicious food on Sundays. Because of our great gateway location, guests can start or end their wine tasting experience at Tasting Room 24. Being on the south edge of town we are the first or last tasting room you will see.”

And if you wonder how many varieties of beer, wine, and bubbles are served at Tasting Room 24, the answer is in the name, and on Woodson’s jersey. It’s 24 of each, of course.

“ I love Napa Valley,” said Woodson. “And it’s not just because of my label. I’ve met so many great people here.”

“The Marriott Hotel will always be near and dear to my heart. Don Giovanni’s, Rutherford Grill, Mustards, and Brix were all my staples. We tried to spread the love and visit them all. I believe anyone who comes to the Valley will fall in love with this place the same way I did. The wine, the people, the scenery, and the food – together it creates a captivating atmosphere. Napa is a very laid back and relaxing place where you can come and just be. That appeals to me.”

Relaxation is a concept that Woodson welcomes.

After a star-studded career in American Football that spanned more than three decades, Woodson’s accolades and accomplishments are numerous. He led the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship in 1997 where he played both offense and defense. He was selected as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1998 by the Associated Press. He was named to the Pro Bowl and earned All-Pro recognition three consecutive times. He was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the 2009 NFL season, and he is one of the few players in NFL history to play in a Pro

FOR MORE INFORMATION

902 Enterprise Way, Napa, CA 707-252-3112 / www.tastingroom24.com

Guillermo Corona, Gustavo Gonzalez, Amy Jabin, Rick Ruiz and Charles Woodson

WINTER 2018 Charles Woodson and Rick Ruiz

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17 th Annual

g n i u g i r t n I issue

in•trigu•ing adjective 1. engaging one's curiosity or interest; fascinating “an intriguing story”

Napa Valley Residents

WORTH GETTING TO KNOW  BY KARI RUEL, FRAN MILLER, PAUL FRANSON, LAURA LARSON, LOWELL DOWNEY AND DAVE ROBERTSON

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EDUARDO DINGLER INTRIGUING SAKE EXPERT

H

ow did a guy from Mexico end up in Napa as one of the world’s experts in sake and wine? It happened in an unlikely way.

Eduardo Dingler has long been interested in wine. He comes from a region in northeastern Mexico that’s home of the oldest winery in the new world: in 1597, Casa Madero was founded in the town of Santa María de las Parras (Holy Mary of the Grapevines). This area of Coahuila soon became a major wine producer due to its climate and good supplies of water.

Dingler’s mother had Northern Italian heritage, so they drank wine with meals and entertained often. His uncle would slip him sips, much to her annoyance.

In 1999, Dingler migrated to Napa Valley, first studying toward a career in psychiatry at Napa Valley College while waiting at local restaurants including Bistro Don Giovanni, then Tra Vigne for five years with Michael Galyan. He followed him to Piero where he became a supervisor and manager, and when Galyan went to Morimoto in 2010, Dingler became assistant general manager and beverage director when it opened.

Throughout this path, Dingler learned more and more about wine, beer and spirits sake, taking classes, tastings and seminars and judging at competitions and becoming an expert in sake as well. He is certified as a Sommelier with the Guild of Master Sommeliers as well as a Sake Specialist with the World Sake Council.

He now consults with restaurants and producers, gives educational dinners and classes, serves on tasting panels and represents sake companies. This has also led to a new career – writing about wine and sake.

Photo by Bob McClennahan WINTER 2018

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CARLO MONDAVI INTRIGUING OUTDOORSMAN

T

he surname provides a hint at his chosen profession, yet Carlo Mondavi is not solely defined by his winemaking vocation. Indeed, he follows in the footsteps of his grandfather Robert and his father Tim in crafting fine wines. His label RAEN, founded with brother Dante, produces Sonoma coast Pinot Noir, and he also works with his family’s Continuum Estate to produce Continuum’s unique Napa Valley Cabernet blend. But beneath the vintner exterior lies an athlete and outdoorsman – a skateboarder turned professional snowboarder whose love of nature has propelled his winemaking philosophy. As a high school student at Colorado Rocky Mountain School near Aspen, Mondavi joined the Aspen Valley Snowboard Club where he competed in Slopestyle and Big Air events. “Snowboarding really intensified my love for the outdoors,” said Mondavi, who also climbs and surfs. “I love the outdoors - the hills, forests, the Vaca and Mayacamas ranges and our proximity to the coast. I love being in nature.” That love led to a keen interest in farming. “Farming is the most incredible and important part to making world class wines,” said Mondavi, whose ethos is showcased in every bottle of RAEN, an acronym representing his dedication to Research in Agriculture and Enology Naturally. “Dante’s and my focus at RAEN is in producing Pinot Noir at the highest quality level. He and I have been working together our whole lives; he’s my best friend and someone I really respect and admire. We have pretty much zero definition of roles at RAEN. We are both the founders and winegrowers. And we share the belief that the world’s greatest wines come from incredible places, and this is one of them.”

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KATIE HAMILTON SHAFFER INTRIGUING ENTREPRENEUR WITH A HEART

T

he ultimate entrepreneurwith-a-heart, Davis native Katie Hamilton Shaffer spent several years helping to establish Napa-based fundraising initiatives before launching her own dream. She co-founded the Erika Van Giesen Foundation, helped to establish Katie’s Clinic at Children’s Hospital Oakland, and was instrumental in the creation of Wine, Women & Shoes prior to creating her own lifestyle brand-with-apurpose, Feast it Forward. Fusing wine, food, and philanthropy, Feast it Forward offers entertainment and inspiration via online network programming. Shaffer and her crew have filmed shows around the country for the past six years, and now, with a new flagship brick and mortar studio in the Oxbow District, Shaffer brings to life her network and Napa Valley goodwill. The Studio expands Feast it Forward’s offerings to include kitchen demonstrations and performances by famed chefs, actors, tastemakers and musicians, as well as design motivation. With a goal of opening studios in major cities across the U.S., Shaffer hopes that Feast it Forward can become the go-to network for socially responsible programming. She and co-founder Rebecca Gouveia also established a foundation funded by wine sales, event proceeds, direct donations, and profits from Products with a Purpose – a proprietary collection of gourmet spices and home goods sold online and in studio.

Shaffer could likely have launched her juggernaut brand anywhere, but she found Napa’s culture of social consciousness to be her ideal home.

“There is so much to love here,” she said. “From the diversity, to philanthropy, and of course food and wine. I could never grow tired of the beauty that surrounds us in the wine country.” www.feastitforward.com

Photo by Richard Wood

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CHRIS INDELICATO INTRIGUING LEAST-VISIBLE BIG WINE COMPANY

M

ost Napans probably don’t know that Delicato Wine Company, the sixth largest and fastest-growing top-10 U.S. wine company has been headquartered in Napa since 1999 and its President and CEO Chris Indelicato, lives here.

It has 100 employees in Napa and the company owns Black Stallion Winery in the Oak Knoll District with a boutique winery under construction.

Delicato acquired Black Stallion in 2010 and the company is building Sam Jaspar Winery named after the family’s first post-Prohibition winery on 10.5 acres nearby to produce high-end wines with the help of winemaker Thomas Brown.

Indelicato is the grandson of founder Gasparé Indelicato. His family has been making wine for more than 75 years and owns more than 7,000 acres of vineyards along the Central Coast including Santa Lucia Highlands and near Lodi.

Their best known brands are Bota Box, Gnarly Head, Noble Vines and Z. Alexander Brown, but they also import Santa Rita wines from Chile and market luxury wines such as Merryvale, Starmont and Bouchaine. They shipped 10 million cases last year, and have been growing a million cases a year.

Indelicato’s brother focuses on growing and production and Chris spends most of his time on sales and market development, ironic as he’s a CPA who worked outside the family winery before returning to the fold.

He and his family moved to Coombsville in 2011 and his daughter is in school here.

The company is also looking to acquire premium property to add to its portfolio, a challenge at Napa prices but Indelicato is optimistic.

“Conditions change” he says.

Photo by Rocco Ceslin 42

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SUZANNE BESU TRUCHARD INTRIGUING RENAISSANCE WOMAN

I

t sounds like a fairy tale: The pretty daughter of oppressed refugees takes a tour of a famed Napa Valley winery, meets the owners’ son, falls in love, and they marry, have two children, and a rewarding future.

But in this case, it’s true.

Additionally, that young woman possessed a Harvard education and a law degree and was already a successful lawyer in her home town of Miami before that fateful trip.

Suzanne Besu Truchard’s parents fled Castro’s Cuba and went to Miami, though she was born in Puerto Rico where her father was stationed with the Navy. Visiting a friend in San Francisco, she loved the area and vowed to find a job and relocate. And like many tourists, she also ventured to Napa Valley where she took a serendipitous tour of Truchard Vineyards led by Anthony Truchard, son of founders JoAnne and Tony Truchard.

The two clicked, and shortly afterward he contacted her during a Miami business trip.

“A few Mojitos, two kids, and almost ten years later, here we are,” said the outgoing Cuban-American.

She has plenty on her plate, including two children ages two and four, and she still practices law, though her focus has switched to vineyard and winery brokerage. She teaches yoga and participates in her husband’s wine business, providing marketing strategy and social media expertise, and she serves on the board of Ole Health Clinic. And as if that’s not enough, she celebrates her culture as an expert Cuban food chef and salsa dancer.

It’s not a bad ending for a fairy tale.

Photo by Paul Franson WINTER 2018

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MAAYAN KOSCHITZKY INTRIGUING WINEMAKER

I

n just seven short years, winemaker Maayan Koschitzky has made an indelible imprint within the Napa Valley.

Born and raised in Israel, Koschitzky ventured to Napa in 2011 after landing a coveted internship with Screaming Eagle.

He had no idea at the time the reputation of the winery, or his luck. He simply desired to learn more about winemaking, farming, and technology and felt that the Napa Valley was the best spot for his continuing education. Now, as winemaker for John and Stacy Reinert’s Brilliant Mistake Wines and director of winemaking at Atelier Melka, Koschitzky consults on Philippe Melka projects in the valley as well as around the world. He also has his own brand – La Pelle Wines, a collaboration with Silverado Farming Company. His first harvest was in 2016. “My biggest achievement will be to have people enjoy La Pelle wines and really understand what we are trying to capture, which is the unique story and the beauty and complexity of Napa Valley terroir,” said Koschitzky. “I believe that it’s not the winemaker who makes great wines but rather it’s the vineyard and the terrior.” Koschitzky loves his new home. “I love the views, the weather, and the food.

I really enjoy the diversity; within minutes in any direction you can walk an amazing vineyard, see mind blowing views, visit a state of the art winery, or enjoy a Michelin star restaurant. The wine culture and knowledge that Napa Valley offers to a guy like me is amazing.”

Photo by Suzanne Becker Bronk 44

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KORINNE MUNSON INTRIGUING PR PRO

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an you be new to Napa Valley but still be an old hand? Korinne Munson is. Though recently appointed Communications Director for the Napa Valley Vintners, she has long worked with Napa Valley wineries and spent so much time here that she seems like a native. Munson was born and raised in Manhattan, where she was most recently director of communications and digital for Moët Hennessy.

There she created highly successful PR, digital marketing and strategic communications campaigns for 11 wine and spirits brands in the group’s portfolio including locals Domaine Chandon and Newton, which she visited almost monthly. Before working for Moët, she held marketing and communications positions with New Wines of Greece/Wines from Santorini and had her own marketing and public relations consultancy in San Francisco. Appearance on a wine panel with Bill Harland and Jean Arnold led to a key position with J. Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg, where she became deeply involved with the regional Russian River appellation association. She was earlier communications and marketing manager at Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (Cliquot Inc. Division) in Manhattan where she worked with Champagne Mumm, Mumm Napa, and iconic Krug Champagne. Munson has an M.S. in Journalism and a B.A. in International Studies from Boston University.

The Vintners have always been superb at promotion, but she’s vowed to increase their presence on social media to members, the media, the trade, and the community. She found a house within walking distance of downtown Napa, and plans to take courses at both UC Davis and the CIA to enhance her expertise.

ADAM HERSLY INTRIGUING MAN OF MANY TALENTS

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dam Hersly always wanted to be a chef. But family plans led him another way – to pursue an Ivy League Engineering degree at Cornell, (while also on the ski team). Upon graduating, Google beckoned where he still works as an Operations Engineer, obviously landing well in his original chosen path.

But something lingered while he worked in the sciences - the spirit of a chef. His love of food, (he is truly one of Napa’s better unsung home chefs), led him to a love and deep investigation of wine. It was at the crossroads of science and art that Hersly found the magic of winemaking.

He first went through a full internship at Joseph Phelps, where, under the tutelage of that storied house’s team, as well as Joseph Phelps directly, that he fell for the winemaking process wholly and knew then that he’d be moving from his native New York to wine country to chase his dream of bottling his own.

That was just a few years ago. Since then Hersly Wines has grown but has remained small enough to be managed by Adam and his wife Stacy. Small production almost always goes hand in hand with a high level of curation, attention to detail and rock solid quality control. That’s certainly true at Hersly Wines where his outstanding expressions of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet are of the caliber that they’ve landed not only on the best of the local Napa Lists, but at such iconic restaurants as the French Laundry and New York City’s Eleven Madison. Google engineer, Cornell athlete, chef, winemaker. Intriguing indeed.

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KIM BLACKSETH INTRIGUING ADVENTURE SEEKER

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Photo by Lowell Downey/Art & Clarity

s a certified access specialist, Kim Blackseth is an expert on the complexities of California Building Codes, Title 24, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Act and HCD regulations.

His proficiency comes as the result of 24 years in the business. The research and coordination necessary to advise consumers, employers, business owners, architects, municipalities and the legal community on ADA compliance has become a highly-specialized task, and Blackseth’s eponymously named firm has advised and consulted with more than 2500 companies nationwide. His expertise also comes from personal experience. Gravely injured in a 1979 motocross race, Blackseth is a quadriplegic intimately familiar with the challenges of physical limitation. Yet he hasn’t let his own limitations restrict his active and adventurous life. An airplane pilot, he’s in the process of buying a new plane, an ICON A5, which lands on both water and land. He has designed some of the flight panel controls to suit his particular needs. And he continues to race, having graduated from motorcycles to the super cars he collects. In his garage - a 355 Ferrari, a McLaren 12C Coupe, 2 McLaren 12 C Spyders, a GT3 Turbo Porsche and a 2018 458 Ferrari ESPECIAL. Blackseth has been married for 44 years to his wife and ‘best friend’ Tammy Blackseth, a Napa native who lured him to the area eight years ago. Their daughter Emily also lives in Napa.

SUMMER HEARTT DIRECTOR OF THEATER AT AMERICAN CANYON HIGH SCHOOL

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any taxpayers think high schools should focus on job-oriented education like technology. They consider music and drama fluff. Summer Heartt begs to differ. The director of theater at American Canyon High School points out that entertainment is big business in California. “Only a few people become stars but there’s a demand for writers, technicians and other people who work out of sight.” Mare Island has a sound stage, for example.

Jobs aside, Heartt and her 85 students love theater and they’re adapting a play about teenage life for production.

Last year, they presented Bye Bye Birdie and she vowed to produce a musical each year. This year, they’re doing a Bring It On the Musical by a co-writer of Hamilton.

Fortunately, the school won a $10,000 grant from a TV series, Rise, and her students were invited to watch the pilot episode. There they received another $10,000. More recently, Heartt was able to reserve 90 tickets to Hamilton for her students. That experience is doubly significant for her students as they’re a very diverse lot. “Seeing people of color in those roles is life-changing for them,” she said.

The school is only 12 percent white with many Latinos and Asians as well as mixed race students. Heartt herself grew up in Berkeley, but graduated from Vintage High School.

Bitten by the theater bug, she got a theater arts degree from UC Santa Cruz with one year at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and an M.S. in Theater.

She decided she didn’t want to act and taught elementary school in Los Altos Hills before returning to Napa to teach, then joining American Canyon five years ago.

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XULIO SORIANO INTRIGUING COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

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ulio Soriano is a grassroots community organizer and poet from Napa, California born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico.

A descendant of the Mixteca Indigenous people, he moved to Napa and began learning English in fourth grade at Shearer Elementary School. His work is centered on the intersection of education, art, and socio-ecological impact. He is the Executive Director of the Movimiento Cultural de la Unión Indígena (MCUI), a small but mighty non-profit that advocates for and serves indigenous immigrants throughout the North Bay. Locally, MCUI has supported local indigenous dance groups in St. Helena and Napa with funding or other resources to preserve their cultural dances. Soriano graduated from Leadership Napa Valley, Class 27.

He was also honored by the Napa County Hispanic Network with the Friends of the Network Award for outstanding community service.

A 28-year-old son of farm workers, Soriano never lets language, class, or age be a barrier. He earned the 2008 Vintage High World Language Award for completion of honors and AP college level Spanish and French courses. That same year he took first and second place in the high school poetry category for the Jessamyn West creative writing contest.

Soriano is a co-founder and a board member of multiple local grassroots and non-profit organizations. In early 2018 he co-presented at the United Nations in New York City on the conditions of Indigenous farmworker women in rural areas of Napa Valley and California and the effects that climate change has had on them.

Photo by Lowell Downey/Art & Clarity WINTER 2018

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BRIAN DOODY & LAURA LARSON/ 601 CELLARS INTRIGUING LOCAL VINTNERS

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roprietors Brian Doody and Laura Larson founded 601 Cellars based on the firm belief wine is at its optimum peak when shared with family and friends. Named after the date of their June 2001 elopement in Italy, 601 Cellars was inspired by their love of Sangiovese discovered on that trip, their affinity for California style wines and the lifestyle they came to treasure enjoying wine among friends.

From the very beginning, 601 Cellars evolved around support from a close-knit circle, beginning with the acquisition of the first ton of grapes all the way through harvest and production. Keeping true to their plan, they decided to present their wines with works of art from local artist/friends on their labels.

Penelope Moore- Rossignoli’s artwork is showcased on their first vintage of 2015 Napa Valley Sangiovese, which was recently awarded a gold medal in the SF International Wine Competition. After meeting Penelope in 2011, they became good friends, and over the years acquired six of her paintings for their personal collection. The painting on the label was

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commissioned from her Palette of the Palate series where she translates the taste and aroma of the Sangiovese into a large scale abstract canvas. The painting was reproduced into a numbered series of twelve iterations which showcase the bright flavors and deep textures of the wine.

601 Cellars 2016 label series (releasing spring 2019) is a reproduction of oil paintings commissioned through renowned Napa artist, Tim Howe. After hitting it off at a dinner party, Laura & Brian became collectors of Tim’s artwork, acquiring five of his paintings in the eight years since. Two of their favorites from his whimsical vine series were selected for their bright hues and textures which offer a perfect complement to the wine inside the bottles. So much so, the series will evolve with ongoing vintages.

601 Cellars exemplifies the belief that wine is about community and best when shared among friends, whether it be the creation of the wine or exuberant indulgence in the finished product. www.601cellars.com

FRANCES GONZALEZ / VEGAN WINES INTRIGUING WINE CLUB

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rances Gonzalez, a long-time vegan and wine lover can still remember the day she told her family she was never eating meat again.

Her journey to becoming a vegan did not happen overnight, nor has her mission to integrate her plant-based diet into her love for wine. After learning some winemakers use egg whites and that some fertilizers and products used for filtering and fining could contain animal products, she began her journey to search for wineries that produced wines using environmentally-conscious, animal-friendly methods. Soon after, while traveling in Europe, Frances discovered several vegan wine clubs. It was then she decided she wanted to spread awareness and help wine lovers in the USA gain easy access to wines free of animal products. That’s when Vegan Wines was born.

Based in Sonoma, the Vegan Wines research team focuses on doing all the on-site research and vetting high quality, boutique winemakers committed to the vegan winemaking process from soil to glass. The wines are selected and presented in a subscription club model where members have the wines delivered to their door on a rotating basis.

While using the words “vegan” and “wine” in the same sentence may give the impression something might be missing, there are many small winemakers already committed to the practice today. Vegan Wines offers a diverse portfolio of animal-friendly wines from Europe and the USA, including local producers Allora Vineyards, August Briggs, Joseph Jewell, Grist, and Ehlers Estate to name a few.

An avid oenophile, Frances understands the nuances of a wine lover’s lifestyle. She includes vegan recipes designed to pair with the wines in each club selection, and this summer she partnered with Sonoma based Miyokos Kitchen, to add a fresh vegan cheese option for her club members. www.veganwines.com Photo by Leticia Velasco WINTER 2018

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CARISSA ASHMAN INTRIGUING DRINK

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esiring to be part of the wine and food scene, Carissa Ashman escaped the tech savvy world of Silicon Valley and found her ‘happy place’ in the Napa Valley. Her specialty is promoting high end luxury brands, wine auctions, and independent films.

However, while enjoying the good life, Ashman lived secretly in pain. For as long as she could remember, she experienced stomach issues that intensified over the years. She finally learned she’d been living with Celiac disease, a long-term autoimmune disorder caused by intolerance to gluten. Recognizing that health comes through the gut, Ashman embarked on a journey of education and research to counter her condition. Not a fan of the taste of Kombucha, she began a quest to create her own symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.

She partnered with Chef Daniel Gomez Sanchez to create a chef-driven, premium, sparkling probiotic beverage crafted with biodynamic green tea, organic raw honey, and their proprietary culture. Just more than a year ago they launched Junity, a probiotic with less acidity and sugar than its sister Kombucha. Junity offers more complexity and a taste – that according to Ashman – is similar to wine. Those seeking life balance in a wine dominated environment can fill a wine glass with Junity and fit in with the crowd. Ashman adds that Junity is also great for hangovers. Still limited in production, Ashman sells mainly to winemakers and sommeliers, but Junity is available in downtown Napa at Miminashi, the Kitchen Door, and JCB Atellier in Yountville as a stand-alone or as a mixer with gin, vodka, and wine. www.drinkjunity.com

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EMBRACE CALISTOGA INTRIGUING B & B

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ne of Napa Valley’s many charms is its array of distinctive overnight accommodations. A variety of resorts, hotels, and intimate bed and breakfasts are scattered throughout the Valley, each possessing unique amenities.

At the north end of the Valley sits a 2400-square foot European style gem built in 1873 that marries antiques with modern amenities and where yesterday meets today. Restored and rebranded in 2010 by Brent Riedberger and Chris Johansen, the former tech industry employees fulfilled their 30-year dream of owning their own B&B. Known as ‘The Boys,’ the duo embarked on a four-month odyssey to transform the former Luxe Calistoga into a luxurious and romantic inn where adults can relax, rejuvenate, and nurture relationships. During the remodel, The Boys joked that they ‘deflowered the old girl’ and brought in their own taste and style. Each of the five suites is uniquely designed with whimsical elegance, and each features a working fireplace. Both Riedberger and Johansen enjoy the art of entertaining and mingling with guests. Riedberger makes the breakfast and Johansen is the baker. Each evening at 5pm, they invite their guests to join them on the genteel wrap around porch for a celebratory glass of wine and to share in some storytelling. “Calistoga is quirky and we like that,” they said. “Our guests arrive as strangers, and leave as friends.”

1139 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga / 707-942-9797 / www.embracecalistoga.com Closed for the month of January, Embrace will re-open in February, 2019 Photos by Tim Carl WINTER 2018

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ALLEN MILUSO INTRIGUING NUT GUY

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is children may be running the business now, but Napa Nuts’ Allen ‘Big Al’ Miluso will forever be Napa’s nut guy. It was 1990 when he and his wife Maxine purchased Rosenthal’s Dried Fruit & Nuts and changed the name to Napa Nuts, etc. (eventually dropping the ‘etc.’) The duo took their business from a mom and pop operation to a local business with national reach. Clients now include restaurants, bakeries, wineries, gift shops, and individuals from all over the United States. Daughter Bonnie is now the CEO and son Schecky is director of sales and marketing, and though Allen has retired from the company’s day to day activities, he still enjoys talking about his company’s products whenever he can and to whomever will listen. Born in the Bronx, New York in 1945, Miluso was a teenager when his family moved to Burbank, CA. He ended up in Napa after taking a position as volunteer coordinator at the Veteran’s Home of California, and after acquiring Napa Nuts, he remained active in the community, serving on the Park and Recreation Commission and on the Napa County Board of Education. These days, Napans are likely to find him painting, cooking, gardening, working out at the gym, at Kiwanis meetings, singing in the choir at Congregation Beth Shalom, or playing with his 6-year-old grandson Elliott. He and Maxine have been married for 44 years. “Life is really, really good,” said Allen. www.napanuts.com

JULIEN FAYARD INTRIGUING WINEMAKER/SURFER

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ew winemakers can boast a successful migration from a home in France to the ‘maverick’ Napa Valley, throwing off the tethers of France’s restrictive winemaking laws to test the marriage of New World fruit with Old World methods. Fewer still can say they have gained their winemaking ‘chops’ by coupling the legacy of five generations of family winemaking with making time at the renowned Chateau Lafite Rothschild, and finally touching down with Napa hallmark winemaker Philippe Melka.

It’s this level of cred that lands relative young gun Julien Fayard in rare company. Julien is principal owner of Azur and Empriente wines and co-principal at Covert Estate, champion wines all. He’s quickly become a force in the wine world, crafting sincere and accurate benchmarks of the grapes and the land that grew them. It’s a force that also carries him through his many consultant works - a myriad of projects to which he holds both himself and his team to incredibly high standards. But his intrigue comes from humbler origins – he surfs. Okay, it’s not just the surfing; it’s surfing’s great axiom that Julien follows: balance - he holds true to his winemaking roots while embracing new ones; he deeply engages himself with everyone he meets with a sincerity of speech and a ready smile, regardless of how busy he is. Heck he’s even into martial arts. It’s the kind of balance that made him a subject of the recent movie Decanted. Most importantly he makes family life with Elan and his three children his main priority, all while achieving his particular level of winemaking stature. And he surfs. He really does. Just watch the movie.

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KAREN CALDWELL COSTUME DESIGNER

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laying dress up has always been a passion for Karen Caldwell. The self-taught fashionista was a theatrical child who used to design dresses out of tissues for her Barbie Dolls and stage puppet shows for the neighbors while growing up in Los Angles. Caldwell never lost the joy of playing dress up, and now she designs costumes and attire for television and movie stars, and red carpet walkers. Her flare for transforming simple to glamorous with a special piece of jewelry or just the right shade of lipstick has made her the ‘go-to’ fashion queen of the Napa Valley. She and her husband Oliver were San Francisco residents when they married at Meadowood in 1995 and fell in love with Napa. Determined to one day live and work amongst the beauty of the valley, the duo moved to St. Helena with their two children in 2001. With her child-like approach to life, Caldwell morphed her love of design and fashion into helping others to look fabulous. She possesses a collection of vintage clothes from the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s along with more than 1000 period-accurate jewelry pieces that she uses to style clients for special occasions. She encourages ladies ages 12 to 100 plus to play dress up once in a while and enjoy who they are. A self-proclaimed goofball, she claims her tall stature once made her the odd duck as a teen, but she embraced her quirkiness and won people over with her best accessory – an infectious smile. www.karencaldwell.com

Photo by Margo Moritz WINTER 2018

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THE SPEAKEASY INTRIGUING COMEBACK STORY

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ecember 2018, marks the eighty-fifth anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, known as “America’s Dry Spell.”

Unfortunately for the Feds, abstention from alcohol and all of its guilty pleasures did not die hard. Soon after the Volstead Act took effect, many saloons went underground and continued to sell illegal alcohol and entertainment to trustworthy patrons. These secret operations acquired the name “Speakeasy” referring to staying quiet or discreet when ordering alcohol. Mostly funded and operated by wealthy businessmen and Mafia bosses, Speakeasies were associated with wealth and glamour and frequented by celebrities, movie stars, and showgirls. Insiders could gain access by exclusive invitation or a secret password.

Speakeasies disappeared after Prohibition ended in 1933, but their clandestine appeal still survives. Some of the era’s original Speakeasies stayed in operation including the Cotton Club in New York City and San Francisco’s own - Bourbon & Branch and Wilson & Wilson, the latter of which, in true Speakeasy form, is disguised as a Detective Agency, and requires two passwords to get inside.

Over the past five years, distilled spirits, craft beer, and specialty cocktails have found their way to crack the code among Napa Valley’s wine sipping crowds. Driven by the area’s burgeoning demographic demanding more elevated and memorable experiences combined with the on-trend mixology movement, Napa Valley has started to embrace the demand. In summer 2018, St. Clair Brown Winery and Brewery began a summer weekend Speakeasy series. It commenced late-night, showcased local music, craft beer specials and required a password posted on their website several days inadvance.

Calistoga’s Tank Garage Winery also kicked off a Speakeasy event series this year. Hosted in a side room of their tasting room, a renovated 1930’s gas station, live bands play for intimate crowds seated under old black and white photos of bootleggers engaging in illegal alcohol-related activities. Napa Valley Distillery is the newest entrant on the Napa Speakeasy scene. They will be hosting private events for club members featuring their distilled spirits in their newly built 1920’s themed bar starting in2019.

Lamar Engel, Founder of The Wine Militia, caught on to the allure of exclusive, off the grid wine and spirits events early. In early the 2000’s, during his years working for Francis

Story and photos by Laura Larson

Ford Coppola running the hospitality program at Rubicon Estate, he launched an invitationonly get together in the underground barrel rooms. The word of mouth monthly gatherings revolved around sharing stories from Coppola ’s magazine publication ‘Zoetrope: ALL STORY’, about a particular wine release or vintage from the Coppola collection. Their mystique and exclusivity became popular among wine aficionados, celebrities, and an inner circle of locals, and over time, became hard to get in.

Lamar realized he was on to something and wanted to take the concept to market. In 2008 he launched The Wine Militia, now lauded for creating and producing some of the Bay Area’s most memorable and educational wine and spirits-related event experiences. The events focus on telling the “story of the bottle,” and Speakeasy themes are most popular. Recreated to be authentic and interactive, Engel and his event staff pay attention to every detail. They set the stage with “Gatsby-esque” flavorings including dim lighting, props depicting card games, betting scenes, and even burlesque dancers. Venues are selected to create a vibe of mystery and intrigue, and location permitting, may be situated with a hidden door that opens up to a swanky lounge scene alive with 1930’s style bands, dancing, and libations served in coffee cups. The Wine Militia caters to both individual and corporate clients, is known for hosting events inobscure venues, one of the most notorious being a celebration of the Repeal of Prohibition staged at Napa’s own Melted Sandwich Shop.

While much of Napa’s grape farmers were impacted by the thirteen years of Prohibition, many actually thrived. Some found ways to bootleg wine through scrupulous connections, while others gained great wealth producing sacramental wine for churches and synagogues.

Some wineries like Beringer sold more grapes than they did before prohibition by selling pressed grape bricks, a concentrated solution that gained popularity because of their package design reverse-disguised with step by step instructions on how not to make wine at home.

Eighty-five years was a long time ago, and those who possessed sentiments for alcohol either for business or pleasure had to adapt to survive the times. While many are not around to retell their stories, the intrigue of that roaring decade will live on—as long as you know the password.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

The Wine Militia: www.thewinemilitia.com; St. Clair Brown Winery www.stclairbrownwinery. com; Tank Garage Winery: www.tankgaragewinery. com; Napa Valley Distillery: www.napadistillery.com

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NVL winery spotlight

AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE:

JUDD’S HILL NAPA VALLEY  BY VALERIE OWENS

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roducing wine since the 1970’s, The Finkelstein family has created a legacy making exquisite wines while approaching the business with charisma and artistry.

For 29 years, Judd’s Hill has been a culmination of love, dedication and adventure. Offering a selection of oneof-a-kind tasting experiences and a custom MicroCrush program, the family and professional talent behind Judd’s Hill has created an everlasting footprint in the Napa Valley.

Crafting wine for over 30 years, Art Finkelstein ‘s creative genius inspired his passion for winemaking. A retired architect, Art honed his talents while producing award-winning wines from home. After an unforgettable visit to the Napa Valley in 1971, Art and his wife Bunnie, purchased a little vineyard south of St. Helena where he built, designed and made wine commercially for over eight years. The immediate success of Whitehall Lane Winery was pivotal for the Napa Valley, and marked a turning point for 56

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the Finkelstein’s. With a desire to hand-craft small production wines, Art and his brother and partner in business, Alan Steen sold the winery in 1988.

Committed to quality, experience and a passion for making wine, Art and his wife embarked on a new journey. After purchasing a vineyard in the hills east of St. Helena, Art and Bunnie built Judd’s Hill, named after their son, Judd Finkelstein. In 2005, the Finkelstein’s moved their passion project to the southern end of the Silverado Trail, north of downtown Napa, where the winery remains to this day. Judd’s Hill embodies all of the hospitality, creativity and beauty found in the Napa Valley.

Producing under 3,000 cases annually, the

boutique winery offers a wine portfolio full of longevity, elegance and balance.

“There is a bounty great wine in the valley, so beyond quality in the bottle, we want to connect with people by showing them a good time while they enjoy our wines in a beautiful setting,” expressed Proprietor, Judd Finkelstein.

“It’s about creating wonderful memories for our guests."

With the motto of, “having a good time, making good wine with family,” Judd, his Mother Bunnie and wife, Holly have continued to produce premium wines following in the footsteps of Art Finkelstein. Offering guests the opportunity to create their own Napa Valley journey, Judd’s Hill provides an intimate, wine experience for guests to enjoy. Offering one-on-one customized sit down tastings, a wine and food in balance experience, bottle blending day camp and exclusive custom crush services, exceptional hospitality sits at the forefront of the Judd’s Hill experience.

“I am very proud of our hospitality, and our staff,” said Judd. “We enjoy showing people a good time. Bringing joy to people truly fills my heart.”

Whether savoring their limited production wines or diving into one of their hands-on wine programs, Judd’s Hill is committed to producing premium wines while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

JUDD'S HILL WINERY

By Appointment 707-255-2332 www.juddshill.com 2332 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA

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Now Accepting New Patients 707-927-3508

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Napa Dermatology & Laser provides comprehensive dermatology services to people of all ages in the Napa Valley and North Bay area. We maintain a patient-centered approach while offering compassionate and the most up to date care.

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WINTER 2018

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NVL winery spotlight

Uniquely Graceful Wines from

ARNS WINERY  BY CHARLEEN EARLEY

Sandi Belcher

John Arns

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ust a hair below Howell Mountain sits 160-acre Arns Winery, east of the City of St. Helen and yielding beautiful grapes from ten planted acres of old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, where its owners farm organically, everything by hand and with love.

Arns Winery started as a team in 1985 with Sandi Belcher and John Arns, both owners of the boutique winery, with Sandi at the helm as their winemaker.

“What is there not to love about growing grapes and making fine wine,” she said.

“It gives you a connection to the rest of the wine growing regions of the world. We have worked in China, Australia, Europe, Thailand, etc. and have made lifelong friends. It takes a special person to be a grape grower and winemaker. It is not a business for everyone, but when it is, it is in your blood and it lives with you every moment.”

Customer and wine-lover Steven Kam is a huge fan. “Arns Winery is located in a beautiful setting, very private and quiet,” he said. “Sandi is a pleasure to talk to about her wines, grapes and especially

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about the area surrounding her vineyards.

Arns wines are delicious, so you will want to stay and talk to her and linger awhile.”

While their yields are low, one to two tons per acre, Belcher said, “you can’t miss the flavors of rocky, hillside Cabernet – it’s very distinctive.” Producing 500plus cases of their estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the property, they also make an outstanding French Wine Burgundy style Chardonnay from Sonoma County, grown by Charlie Heintz – which yields around 200 cases and is the second oldest Chardonnay vineyard in Sonoma County. “For 10-years we produced a Syrah from Pritchard Hill, grown by John Arns for Melanson Vineyards,” said Belcher.

“Each one of our wines are very unique in style, texture and flavors,” said Belcher. “I have always thought – for the 40 years I have been making wine – that a wine should taste like the grape variety and capture that flavor in the bottle. It is a feat, because our Cabernet is aged for two-plus years in 100-percent new French Oak as the Syrah sees four years

in older French Oak. The Chardonnay is aged in 100-percent new French Oak. All this aging, wood, time, stirring, etc., reflect on the character of the varietal character. The plan is long-term aging going into bottle bouquet later years down the road.”

Arns Winery recently opened their 1998 Cabernet and were stunned at how beautiful the wine had held up, offering a savory, mint, chocolate, sweet long rose petal finish, Belcher said. “They are all my favorites for what they have to offer.”

Their business philosophy is simple.

“To carry on the tradition of making fine wines that will age gracefully over time,” said Belcher. “Sharing your talents with others is very important in the styles in which your wines are made. Our style should not be universal, as that is impossible to do, but unique.”

ARNS WINERY

707-963-3429, www.arnswinery.com

C'est La Paire V Marketplace Yountville 6525 Washington St. 707-947-7015

I-ELLE V Marketplace Yountville 6525 Washington St. 707-944-2282

Simplicity

By I-ELLE 492 First St. East Sonoma 707-938-5422

Introducing:

Where one great moment folds into the next 9 Tasting Rooms Cooking Classes Fivetown Grocery Picnic Services Concerts and More Open 11:00am to 7:00pm daily.

Walk ins welcome!

850 Bordeaux Way • Napa, CA 94558 VillageNapaValley.com @villagenapavalley

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WINTER 2018

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NVL wine spotlight

EHLERS ESTATE  BY VALERIE OWENS

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ith a history rooted in viticulture and enology, Ehlers Estate is an example of passion and the dedication to the craft of making wine.

In the late 1800s, Bernard Ehlers' interest in winemaking inspired him and his wife, Anne, to purchase a small vineyard in Saint Helena, California.

With 10-acres, Ehlers replanted the vineyard and established an olive grove that remains on the property to this day.

Composed of world-class terroir, the property also included a stone barn and Bale Mill Winery, which lured French entrepreneurs and philanthropists, Jean and Sylviane Leducq, to the winery a century later.

Captivated by the enormous potential of the property, the Leducqs set out to craft wines that showcased balance, structure, and vitality, reminiscent of the Bordeaux style wines that they loved.

With a dream to build a contiguous wine estate which paid homage to their French heritage, the Leducqs partnered with renowned enologist, Jacques Boissenot, to acquire individual local vineyards and replant with the appropriate clones and rootstock suitable to the region. By 2001, 60

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Ehlers Estate had grown into a 42-acre estate comprised of the original name, stone barn and vineyard.

Today, Ehlers Estate continues to thrive and carry on the tradition and philosophies set forth by visionaries, Anne and Bernard Ehlers, and Jean and Sylviane Leducq.

Producing 100% organic, estate driven wines, the wine portfolio showcases the numerous soil types and microclimates found on the estate. With a full time vineyard crew and deep respect for terroir driven wines, the love and dedication that went into creating the Estate can be experienced within each vintage.

With 100% of the proceeds returned to the Leducq Foundation in support of international cardiovascular research, the passion behind the estate and wines can be experienced within each visit. At the helm of the estate, lies their newly appointed Winemaker and Director of Operations, Laura Díaz Muñoz. Born in Spain, Laura’s multi-cultural winemaking experience and

education has enabled her to implement her own style while respecting the legacy of the Estate.

“This is a great opportunity,” expressed Muñoz. “I will always be respectful of what has been done, while showcasing my own signature, which is to bring old and new world styles together.”

Focusing on premium wines and creating a warm and welcoming experience, Laura attributes the tremendous success of Ehlers Estate to the incredible team, and unwavering support of their customers.

“We have a family environment here. With only 20 incredibly dedicated employees, we have the opportunity to have meals together, work together and share this amazing place with our wonderful customers,” said Muñoz.

With a legacy of producing beautiful, estate grown wines, the historic California winery has created a haven for wine enthusiasts to experience for years to come.

EHLERS ESTATE

707-963-5972 www.ehlersestate.com 3222 Ehlers Lane St. Helena, CA

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NVL wine spotlight

RUTHERFORD RANCH WINERY  BY VALERIE OWENS

F

or three generations, Rutherford Ranch Winery has built a reputation for producing elegant and expressive wines. Family owned and operated for 40 years, the winery is located on Napa Valley's iconic Silverado Trail. Nestled in the heart of the valley, lies their hidden gem, overflowing with character and charm. The estate features beautiful oak trees, a 100-year-old olive grove, and provides visitors with a relaxing and memorable experience.

Dating back to 1978, Ernie Van Asperen, Virginia Van Asperen and Charlie Abela purchased the Rutherford property. Formerly the site for the original Round Pond Winery, the desirable parcel invites guests to unwind in a country setting amongst one of the most coveted appellations in the Napa Valley.

Upon retirement of Ernie Van Asperen in 2000, long-time shareholders, Marko and Theo Zaninovich along with the Van Asperen family, acquired the winery.

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A collaboration composed of passion, talent, family and friendship unveil the story behind their success. In partnership with Winemaker, Jay Turnipseed, Rutherford Ranch produces exquisite wines that represent the true character of the region. Offering, a Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Merlot along with Two Range Red Wine, a proprietary blend of red varietals from the Napa Valley, the cabernet dominate wine portfolio showcases the strength and finesse of the region.

“All fine wines begin with outstanding fruit but great wines also require an artistic touch. My passion and my challenge, is to use the palette of flavors from the vineyard to craft delicious wines that uniquely express their origins as well as my own personal style,” said Winemaker, Jay Turnipseed.

Committed to sustainability, Rutherford Ranch Winery is dedicated to producing the

finest wine by safeguarding a sustainable future through their farming initiatives.

A member of the Central Coast Vineyard Team, the winery works tirelessly to establish sustainable guidelines and provide education.

“In many instances, we are sharing farming practices that our family has employed for three generations.”

Celebrating their 40th harvest this year, Rutherford Ranch Winery has created a sustainable footprint that will live on for generations to come.

Commemorating 40 years of hard work, and 40 years of dedication to the land, future and exceptional wine.

RUTHERFORD RANCH WINERY

By Appointment Only 707-968-3200; www.rutherfordwine.com 1680 Silverado Trail South St. Helena, CA

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742 California Blvd., Napa (California & Third) • 707-927-3652 www.brickandmantel.com WINTER 2018

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NVL wineries

The Majestic Oregon Wine Trail

vintners with napa valley roots stake their acclaim in the willamette valley sip , explore , and stay  BY DYNIE SANDERSON

Peener-Ash Wine Cellars 64

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U

p until 1979, the Willamette Valley and the presence of vineyards and winemaking in Oregon were somewhat of a fledgling undertaking. The tides turned soon after Oregon vintner David Lett gained notoriety by submitting the first American Pinot Noir from his 1975 Eyrie Vineyard vintage to successfully compete in the Gault-Millau French Wine Olympiades, a blind tasting hosted in Paris. Lett stunned the judges finishing among the top 10 out of more than 330 entrants, including distinguished wines from Italy, Germany, and the prestigious French Burgundies and similar European varietals.

The following year, renowned French Burgundian winemaker Robert Drouhin asked Gault Millau to recreate the Pinot Noir tasting for a rematch at his cellars in Beaune. This time around, to even greater acclaim, Lett’s Pinot finished second to Drouhin’s Chambolle-Mussigny by only two-tenths.

Years later, when acreage abutting his property became available for sale, David Lett reached out to Robert Drouhin, and it was no surprise, in 1987, impressed with the wines Lett introduced years before, Drouhin crossed the pond to plant vineyards and launch the stunning Domaine Drouhin in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Lett, fondly referred to as “Papa Pinot,” left an impressive stake on the map as the first to cultivate Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris and paved the way for Oregon-made FrenchStyle Pinot Noir producers. Acting on a hunch, against the advice of his colleagues at UC Davis, he left Napa Valley to plant his stake in the terroirs of the Pacific Northwest.

He never imagined he would become the founding pioneer of the ‘Oregon Story.’

Fifteen years after the famed competition in France, Oregon exploded on the wine scene bringing some of Lett’s doubtful

Monks Gate Vineyard

colleagues from UC Davis and other eager winemaking pioneers, many from the Napa Valley, to jump on the bandwagon and lay roots in the rich Oregon soils.

The richness of the valley’s soils is attributed to the Glacial Lake Missoula Floods which impacted the region more than 40 times at the end of the ice age over 13,000 years ago. Floodwaters swept into the region bringing rich volcanic and glacier soil. A good majority of the area’s wineries are perched on knolls or hillside vineyards where the most optimum soils for grape growing are found.

The Willamette Valley and its six sub-appellations - Chehalem Mountains,

Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge, and YamhillCarlton - lay claim to more than two-thirds of Oregon’s Vineyards, home to more than 700 wineries, vineyards and vintners who found their way from the Napa Valley.

The region known initially for their outstanding Pinot Noir production now features several notable and successful varietals such as Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Sauvignon Blanc. Additionally, sparkling wine production in the méthode champenoise style is burgeoning. Lesser produced varietals in the region include Syrah, Cabernet, and Merlot.

Dr. Madaiah Revana of Alexana Winery

Alexana Winery

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Alexana Winery

NVL wineries

Where to Sip: SOTER VINEYARDS Tony Soter, the creator of Etude Wines, was a well-known Napa Valley Vintner and a 30 plus year veteran of the Napa winemaking scene when he left the valley in 2007 to work full time at the winery he owned since the mid-1990’s with his wife Michelle, Soter Vineyards. He was a lauded consulting winemaker for Napa Valley wineries such as Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Shafer, Sequoia Grove, Viader, Robert Pepi, Etude, Chappellet, Spottswoode, Dalle Valle, Spring Mountain, Niebaum Coppola, and Stonegate.

Michelle and Tony formed a dynamic team with a philosophy to consistently produce the highest caliber of wines while treading softly on the earth. Utilizing four decades of expertise and dedication, his technique allows the character of the land to resonate in his wines.

Their stunning winery, located in the Yamhill-Carton AVA on a 240-acre biodynamic farm, is in an architecturally recrafted 1943 barn with vast open spaces, views of the surrounding hills, and a state-of-the-art kitchen for wine events.

The vineyard is planted to 32 acres - 30 of Pinot and two of Chardonnay, which they use in their award-winning Brut Rose. In addition to their Mineral Springs location, they also have a second property which showcases their North Valley Vineyards Label and their Planet Oregon wines where $1 from the proceeds of every bottle sold is donated to the Oregon Environmental Council.

TASTINGS BY RESERVATION

Mineral Springs Ranch 10880 NE Mineral Springs Road, Carlton 97111 www.sotervineyards.com / 503-662-5600

Tony Soter

MONKS GATE

ALEXANA WINERY

Originally from the Napa Valley, the Moore family also migrated to the Yamhill Carlton AVA several decades ago. Ronald Moore was a cargo pilot, and his wife Linda was a software consultant. In search of a retirement venture with the mission of getting back to the land, they were drawn to the Willamette Valley and its rolling hills, cool climates, and notoriety for growing outstanding Pinots. Their 50-acre family farm is adjacent to land owned by a Trappist Abbey whose monks helped to clear the Moore’s land for planting in 2000. The winery name was inspired by the Trappist Abbey estate gate entrance which was built to allow the monks to access the land. Today, a statue of St. Francis of Assisi sits near the gateway, commemorating the monks’ frequent passages across the lands.

The vineyard is sustainably dry-farmed to ensure environmental and economic viability for generations to come. It is a two-generation operation; daughter Rebecca Moore, also a former Bay Area resident, serves as hands-on chief for every winery aspect, from driving the tractor to pouring in the tasting room. Of the 50 acres, twenty are planted to Pinot Noir and Riesling.

Dr. Madaiah Revana, proprietor of St. Helena’s Revana Family Vineyards, loved the great wines of Burgundy and in 2005 began searching for the ideal location for his Oregon winery. In addition to seeking out the perfect parcel of land, he was also in search of a premier Willamette Valley winemaker of Burgundian-style wines. His quest led him to Lynn Penner-Ash, who had transplanted years before from Napa Valley to this Pinot Noir abundant region.

Both Penner-Ash and Dr. Revana held the same philosophy and a commitment to producing world-class wines. They came upon the perfect location in the Dundee Hills which offered 80-acres, sixteen of which were meticulously planted to Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The following year they launched Alexana Winery with their first estate 2006 vintages of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Today, in addition to their stunning Pinot Noir Collection, they also offer Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, a Bordeaux Blend, and a Rhone Blend.

Keep an eye out for the touring helicopters which frequently deliver wine tasting guests.

CARLTON: TASTINGS BY APPOINTMENT

NEWBERG: RESERVATIONS PREFERRED AND REQUIRED FOR PARTIES OF 6 OR MORE

Open Thursday to Monday 12-5 www.monksgate.com / 503-852-6521 66

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www.alexanawinery.com 503-537-3100

We don’t make beautiful wine... We make wine beautiful

Penner-Ash Wine Cellars

PENNER-ASH WINE CELLARS After getting her kick-start in the wine business at Domaine Chandon and Stags Leap in Napa, Lynn Penner-Ash left for Oregon in 1988 to work at Rex Hill Winery as one of Oregon’s first female winemakers.

Thirty years later, she and her husband Ron celebrate the success of their mutually collaborative Penner-Ash brand, founded in 1998.

In 2005, they designed and built their sustainable, gravity-flow estate winery in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, though their portfolio of wines also includes varietals from seven major Willamette Valley AVAs. Their winery, tasting room, and perfectly landscaped grounds offer majestic 360-degree views from a hillside perch overlooking the stunning vineyards of surrounding Newberg area. In addition to their award-winning Pinot Noirs, they also produce Viognier, Rose, Riesling, and Syrah.

NEWBERG: RESERVATIONS PREFERRED AND REQUIRED FOR PARTIES OF 6 OR MORE

Open 7 Days 11 am to 5 pm www.pennerash.com 503-554-5545

GRAN MORAINE Eugenia Keegan, estate manager and winemaker at Gran Moraine (part of Jackson Family Wines), continued her wine career in the 80’s in Napa Valley after working in Burgundy for several years. Upon her arrival back in Napa, she became Bouchaine's business manager at their Carneros location and was later promoted to president and CEO. In the late 90’s she moved to Oakville’s Vine Cliff Winery in Oakville as president.

In 2003, she moved on to the Henry Wine

Lynn Penner-Ash

The perfect pour

Group in Oregon planting her own seeds on Oregon soil. Before taking over at Gran Moraine in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Eugenia managed her own wine brand on two different continents, Keegan Cellars in Russian River and Roussillon, France.

Keegan teams with winemaker Shane Moore and vineyard director Ken Kupperman at Gran Moraine where 220 sustainable acres are planted to the classic Burgundian varietals of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

YAMHILL:

Open Daily 11am to 5pm www.granmoraine.com / 855-831-6631

ARCHERY SUMMIT Gary and Nancy Andrus, founders of Napa Valley’s Pine Ridge Winery, expanded their wine world and opened Archery Summit in 1993. Now owned by the Crimson Wine group, Archery Summit lays claim to an expanding vineyard portfolio which includes six vineyards across 120 estate acres in Dayton in the Dundee Hills. They are known for producing some of the most luxurious New World Pinot Noirs.

They celebrate more than two decades of crafting estate grown Pinots and recently introduced their newest estate vineyard, Archer's Edge. Winemaker Ian Burch worked harvests across Sonoma County, Barossa Valley, New Zealand, and South Africa before settling in the Willamette Valley in 2008. Many of their Pinots have received outstanding marks from both Wine Spectator and Robert Parker.

Now back in stock at:

www.tribellawine.com

DAYTON: CALL TASTING ROOM FOR APPOINTMENTS AND AVAILABILITY

Open Daily except for Holidays: 10 am to 4 pm 503-714-2030 / www.archerysummit.com WINTER 2018

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Black Walnut Inn and Vineyards

NVL wineries

Domaine Drouhin

DOMAINE DROUHIN A visit to Domaine Drouhin is a must when visiting the Willamette Valley, as its roots are stemmed from the old vines in Burgundy, France where it all started 130 years ago when Maison Joseph Drouhin introduced their outstanding Pinot Noirs to the world. Run now by fourth generation Drouhins, Veronique Boss-Drouhin, and Philippe Drouhin, Domaine Drouhin Oregon was built in 1988 for $10,000,000 in the Dundee Hills by then patriarch Robert Drouhin. Their elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays continue the family legacy and tradition of fine French winemaking. As the saying goes, “French Soul, Oregon Soil.”

DAYTON: FOR LARGER GROUPS, CALL THE TASTING ROOM FOR APPOINTMENTS AND TOURS:

Open Daily 11 am to 4 pm www.domainedrouhin.com / 503-864-2700

(Please note that when visiting many of the Wineries in Willamette Valley, picnicking and outside food may not be permitted)

The Allison Inn and Spa

Where to Stay: THE ALLISON INN AND SPA Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, The Allison Inn and Spa offers guests a casually elegant and luxurious option in the heart of the Willamette Valley. No other place in the area offers this kind of unique guest experience where no attention to detail is overlooked. Featuring 77 sumptuous guest rooms and eight suites – each with gas fireplaces, spa-like bathrooms, and terraces or balconies with views of the luscious landscape. The Allison can also personalize each visit, be it a helicopter tour, a luxury private car, a hot air balloon glide, a horseback ride, or prepare customized picnic baskets. Tastings can be arranged at the more than 200 area wineries.

Take time to relax at Allison’s awardwinning spa where an extensive treatment menu utilizes the energies and ecological elements of the fertile soils of the Willamette Valley. Dining at the Allison’s

Jory Restaurant at The Allison Inn and Spa

Jory Restaurant provides another memorable sensory experience with menu items that include seasonal locally sourced ingredients and farm to table products.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

2525 Allison Lane, Newberg, OR www.theallison.com / 877-294-2525

BLACK WALNUT INN AND VINEYARDS If a luxury bed and breakfast is what you seek, look no further than the exquisite Black Walnut Inn and Vineyards in the Dundee Hills. This majestic Inn is nestled amongst 42 acres on a knoll surrounded by rolling vineyards. Each of the nine inviting guest rooms are unique, and some feature balconies or private patios from which to enjoy spectacular sunsets and vistas while enjoying a glass of wine from their expansive wine cellar.

Before rushing out to a full day of visiting the region’s wineries, indulge in Black Walnut Inn’s signature breakfast where each dish is made to order with the freshest local ingredients. What a perfect way to start your perfect day in Oregon wine country. Owners Rick and Erika Miller are hands-on hosts who look after your every need.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

9600 NE Worden Hill Road, Dundee, OR www.blackwalnutvineyard.com 503-538-8663 68

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WINTER 2018

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NVL wineries

Lamborn Family VINEYARDS QUALITY GRAPES AND TASTES FROM THE SOILS OF HOWELL MOUNTAIN  BY CHARLEEN EARLEY

Unlike so many wine producers in Napa Valley today Mike Lamborn, his wife Terry and his father, the late Bob Lamborn never dreamed of being in the wine business or owning a vineyard. Coincidence, timing and good luck created what would eventually become Lamborn Family Vineyards with deep roots in the special soils of Howell Mountain in the heart of Napa Valley.

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B

ob Lamborn was a private investigator, but as his son Mike would find out in 2004 at his father’s memorial service in St. Helena, his father was much more than that. “Unbeknownst to me, he also worked with the FBI and CIA, shocker!” said Lamborn. “He was also the lead PI hired by Patty Hearst’s mother after her abduction by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). My father was born in British Columbia, but from early on, he grew-up in Berkeley. In 1969, an old Berkeley buddy invited my father to come visit him at his weekend property on Howell Mountain.”

That’s where and when history took root for the Lamborn family, because it’s when Bob came home that afternoon he had purchased a oneacre parcel from his pal Dave. Dave went up the road and bought 20 acres, which Bob eventually bought from Dave. From there Dave went up the road again and bought 40 acres. “See a pattern here?” said Lamborn. “The 20-acre parcel had remnants of a vineyard planted by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s, primarily Zinfandel.

“My father, in his typical fashion, watered, pruned and fertilized these vines, which hadn’t been tended since the beginning of prohibition,”

Lamborn added. “Most of them revived and went on to produce fruit, which prompted my father to do some research. He discovered that wines from Howell Mountain had won medals in France in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These would have been Zinfandel wines.”

With 20 acres of prime grape growing land, Bob decided he’d become a farmer. And, in 1973, convinced his son Mike with wife Terry and their baby ( the couple was in their twenties ) to purchase a parcel of land across from Bob’s 20 acres. “Somehow we agreed to borrow the money and buy the parcel,” said Lamborn. “Having a full time corporate job, only weekends and holidays allowed us to slowly develop this ‘wild’ piece of land.”

“I am 72 and have been working our property since the day we bought it in 1973,” added Lamborn. “Our sons Matt (45) and Brian (43) literally grew-up on the property and have been actively engaged in our small family business for many years now. Matt (his wife Lori) and Brian (his wife Adi) have six children between them, ranging from 11 years to 17 years, all of whom participate in harvest and crush and often skip school to do so. Lamborn Family Wine Company is a Limited Partnership of Terry, myself and the boys.”

Their wines are sold in fine dining establishments and select wine shops throughout California, and in the U.S., but primarily through their wine club and web site (www.Lamborn.com). The Lamborn Family Wine Company produces estate grapes for four wines, Zinfandel Rosé, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and a new Red Blend, which they are releasing March, 2019, called ‘2200.’ “It’s named for the vineyards’ altitude,” said Lamborn. “This new wine is all estate fruit and a blend of Cabernet and Zinfandel. Our total annual production of all wines is around 2,000 cases.”

Curtis Cribbs of Huntington Beach, CA, is a huge fan of the Lamborn Family Vineyard wines.

“I love earthy cabs and their Cabernet is always a big wine; their Zinfandel is very good also,” said Cribbs. “The Cabernet is my favorite with the Zinfandel about a length behind. I like their wine with tri-tip, prime rib, baby back ribs, pasta with marinara sauce and it’s even good with a nice burger. I have poured their wine for friends who hadn’t tried it before and every one of them have raved about the wine. Most of them now order their wine.”

Lamborn believes there are four main reasons why their wines are popular. First they receive regular recognition because of Heidi Barrett (famous for Screaming Eagle), she has made their wines since 1997. Second is the Howell Mountain AVA, which Bob was instrumental in establishing in 1983, and was also the first subappellation in Napa. Third is the quality of their wines year in and year out. Last but not least, is their authenticity.

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“ We have no layers of employees – you need or want something – a Lamborn will provide it!” said Lamborn.

Lamborn said their business philosophy is simple. “We grow the very best grapes we are capable of (we are organic, but not certified) so that Heidi has the best possible raw materials from which to work ” said Lamborn.

“With Heidi at the winemaking helm (and, by the way, we have nothing to do with winemaking), we taste the wine for the first time at bottling.

Wine quality is never an issue. We provide our customers with the best value we can, both in product and service.”

Dynie Sanderson

Realtor Associate CRS, GRI, CDPE Luxury Home Specialist RE/MAX Hall of Fame RE/MAX Gold Napa Valley

529 Soscol Avenue, Napa, CA 94559 707-337-1487 dyniesanderson@remax.net www.remaxgoldofnapa.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.lamborn.com

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Spoto Family Wines

A FRENCH GARAGISTE INSPIRED, ULTRA-BOUTIQUE, ARTISANAL WINERY  BY CHARLEEN EARLEY

I

ntense attention and dedication to detail is what makes the ultra-boutique winery, Spoto Family Wines, an award-winning winery that stands out among all the rest.

Their wines rise to the top in the sea of Bordeaux inspired Napa Valley wines. “One of the most gratifying experiences is when someone tastes our wines and a look of astonishment comes across their face, as if their taste buds have never experienced something so wonderful,” said Christy Spoto, owner of Spoto Family Wines with her husband Stuart.

“Our attention to detail is far beyond most wineries in that every aspect of our wine-making process is personally addressed. Attention to detail is top-notch. We are an artisanal winery, modeling that of the French in many ways, from hand punch downs to gravity feed wine movement.”

Bonded in 2004, the family has worked tirelessly to create a Cuvee (Bordeaux-style blend), Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Viognier, and after dinner offerings of a Syrah Port and Late Harvest Viognier. Their grapes come from Napa but their winery is located a little over 70 miles east in Sacramento, where they de-stem, press, produce, age and bottle. “Our grapes are from the Oakville Station, which is part of one of the most historic and highly acclaimed vineyards in Oakville,” said Christy. “Our 72

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vineyard neighbors are Far Niente, Opus One and Harlan Estates. Our model is different in that we don’t have the overhead of a Napa winery and can produce high-end wines right here in Sacramento. Our family is nearby and we wouldn’t think of moving farther away from them.”

Family includes their two grown daughters. The oldest, Arianna, works in the business, in barrel sales and has made wine all over the world including Tasmania (Australia), Mendoza (Argentina) and Stellenbosch (South Africa), as well as locally in Napa and Paso Robles. Their youngest, Alexi, has a degree in biochemistry. “This is greatly advantageous since she assists with our day to day production as well as our wine club parties,” said Christy. “At any given time, there are three generations of Spotos working at the winery!”

Christy loves everything about winemaking. “All aspects of the winery provide us with personal enjoyment,” she said. “Making the wine can be challenging especially when mother nature throws a curveball, however figuring out how to maintain our level of quality through difficult scenarios is very rewarding.

“Stuart Spoto grew up making wine starting around the age of seven with his father, who was a home winemaker for many years.

By 2010, Stuart and Christy were making wine full time, having quit their day jobs to

focus on winemaking. In addition to making award-winning wines, the family also contributes to several charities. “We did a beautiful Vintage Vertical Magnum auction and gave the proceeds to the Sacramento SPCA. We also donated to leukemia/lymphoma research with the sales of our Cuvee Judy Ann, named for my aunt who passed away from lymphoma,” said Christy.

“Primarily, I raise service dogs for an organization called Canine Companions for Independence, which raises service dogs for individuals with disabilities at no cost to the recipient,” added Christy. “One year we raised over $17,000 for the organization. I am currently raising my second service dog that will leave us soon in the hope of changing someone’s life.”

Yet with all the activity surrounding the winery, it all comes back to a few simple things – good family, good friends and good grapes. “We intentionally keep our winery small so that we can ensure a top-quality product. But more importantly we know each of our wine club members personally,” said Stuart.

“Enjoying your labor of love with friends is the most satisfying part of the job!”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.spotowines.com

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NVL people & art

KAREN NAGANO Napa Artist  BY APRIL SASAKI | PHOTOS BY LOWELL DOWNEY / ART & CLARITY

“I’ve drawn and painted since I was three,” says Japanese American artist Karen Nagano. “I became serious about my art at fourteen. I loved color; full, round forms, joy, beauty and radiance.” We sit in her lightdrenched studio in Browns Valley sipping tea.

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PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE

K

aren Nagano’s work shimmers with those qualities. Her World of Lady M, is a series that honors the Japanese Heian Period court women. Karen’s World, which followed this series, are paintings that express the love and joy of motherhood. Her other mini-series include still lifes, fish, birds, toys, plants and gardens that all focus on the joys and beauties of life.

Nagano’s story is complex and also includes a dark side of recurrent depressions that no amount of therapy, spiritual seeking or healing could dispel. “I

We believe money is a vehicle to achieve what truly matters in life:

think it was moving to Napa and living in this incredible beauty, feeling the power of Napa’s geology and culture that has allowed me to relax in a way I couldn’t before,” Karen reflects.

With that relaxation, dark memories and images surfaced. “‘To grasp your joy, you must embrace your suffering.’

Those words from my Zen master friend years ago repelled me,” Karen recalls.

As the darkness threatened to swallow her, Karen realized that she had to embrace her suffering. This led to her current Hungry Ghost and #MeToo series.

The unexpected result of Karen’s embracing her suffering was a surge of joy, freedom and creativity. “And a feeling of stability that says: “No more tumbling into dark holes. You slay the dragon. Welcome to lasting joy and freedom,” she said.

Karen Nagano received her B.A. in Studio Art at Stanford University and studied at the Kofukai Art Institute, Tokyo, Japan, UC Berkeley and UC Santa Barbara. Her work is in private and public collections in the U.S. and Europe. For more information: read her blog at karennagano.com where you may discover Nagano’s #MeToo Journey-- Five Steps to Healing and Transformation: Kintsugi for Survivors of Sexual Harm.

Having security and peace of mind

Helping family pursuing life passions giving back

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Call today to schedule a free financial review Jacobson Wealth Management 1030 Seminary St., Suite A Napa, CA 94559 (707) 224-7424 info@jacobsonwealth.com www.jacobsonwealth.com

Best Financial Planner Investments and Financial Advice offered through United Financial Services (UP), Member FINRA, SIPC. 76Planners NAPAVALLEYLIFEMAGAZINE.COM JWM and UP are independent companies

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NVL travel

ROCKY MOUNTAIN

Spirit

Colorado’s homegrown craft distillers are paving a trail of libation stations around the Centennial state at which visitors and residents can sip  BY ROBERT KAUFMAN

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Photo courtesy of Coppermuse

Photos courtesy of Stranahan's

The Wild West and whiskey will forever be synonymous.

A

fter all, “John Wayne never walked into a bar and said, ‘Hey pardner, how about a mango-infused vodka and make it a double,’” joked Jess Graber, founder of Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey.

Whether in Hollywood or books, Colorado has played a major role during that foregone era and nowadays the 38th state is on a mission to reinvent that flavor of history in a big way.

Examining Colorado’s DNA conjures some key images: Rocky Mountains, the Mile High City of Denver, craft beers, world-class skiing, and yes, cannabis, which, after the state legalized in 2014, gave birth to the original ‘pot trail’ to join the existing adventurous list of Colorado’s hiking trails, ski trails, brew trails, and golf trails.

Booze lovers rejoice. Welcome the newest route on the state map - the Colorado Spirits Trail.

With more than 300 breweries throughout the mountains and plains of Colorado, it’s not a surprise the state has been dubbed the ‘Napa Valley of Beers.’ But in recent years with the steady flow and popularity of distilled libations fueling the essence of Rocky Mountain high, that catchphrase may need to be appended with ‘Spirits.’

Whiskey fanatics know no bounds when pursuing a wee dram, a major reason why whiskey tourism has boomed as far as Tasmania in the Southern Hemisphere, through Japan, and into several soggy corners of the U.K., including Old Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland, the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. With the added potions of vodka, gin, rum, agave and bourbon being fermented by a growing number of licensed moonshiners, craft spirits are pouring at rapid rate.

“I once read an article about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and how it generated more than a billion dollars in tourism revenue for the state,” said Dawn Nudell Richardson, who, along with her husband, Sol, own and operate Rising Sun Distillery in Denver where they produce Certified Organic spirits. “We feel Colorado is a nicer place to visit, there are more tourists in general, we produce a bigger variety of spirits, and we have more distilleries than Kentucky.”

Correct! Colorado’s homegrown distilleries outnumber those in the state that thrives on its bourbon culture.

The American Craft Spirits Association

Photo courtesy of Stranahan's

indicates the number of active craft distillers in the U.S. rose 26% between 2016 and 2017, with the total number now exceeding 1,500. California leads with 148, followed by New York, Washington, Texas, and Colorado with 92 licensed distilleries now siphoning more than $30 million into the state’s annual economy.

Capitalizing on the growing trend, Dawn rallied a few of her Colorado Distiller Guild comrades and, with a $25,000 grant assist from Colorado Tourism, they formed the intoxicating trail system that was launched February 2018, to create an identity and awareness for Colorado spirits. The Trail currently includes 51 distillers from

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Photos courtesy of Coppermuse

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Durango Craft Spirits in the south to the north in Loveland at Spring44 Distilling taking advantage of their Rocky Mountain artesian mineral spring to produce a honeyinstilled vodka. The majority of spirits outposts reside in the greater Denver region

where distillery tours have blossomed into the number one activity on Yelp with credit to one entrepreneur who wasted no time jumping on the bandwagon.

“When I moved here in 2014, 80 distilleries had already sprung up around Colorado suggesting something was going on in this industry and I wanted to be part of it, so I got a bus and named it the Whiskey Wagon,” said Rick Tyson, owner and designated driver of Centennial Tours, Denver’s first whiskey tour company chauffeuring guests around town to three or four distilleries for a high-spirited education.

Still in its inaugural year and with so many distilleries on the Colorado Spirits

Photo courtesy of Coppermuse

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Photo courtesy of Stranahan's

Trail a big challenge is discerning which are worthy of your PTO hours and which aren’t.

The association does not yet offer any formal guided tours, so craft spirits enthusiasts can cruise on their schedule with the comfort of knowing there is no wrong turn.

The fun begins with an interactive map (available online or at the Denver International Airport, Colorado Welcome Centers, or local tourist information offices) of all the participating distilleries and then it’s time to hit the aromatic road. A minimum of ten unique distillery stamps (no purchase necessary) on the map earns a Colorado Spirits Trail t-shirt. Had you been one of the fortunate first 24 trailblazers during 2018 to get stamped at every distillery, 51 bottles (one from each distillery) would be part of your home bar.

In hindsight, according to Sean Smiley, President of the Colorado Distillers Guild and owner of State 38 Distilling in Golden, Colorado, that hefty bonus award is being adjusted for 2019.

On the flip side, the great news for all participating distillers is the Trail is already paying dividends in its infancy.

“We’ve kept track of people who specifically purchased our spirits as a result of the Trail and it’s generated a lot of additional revenue in-house, not counting any residual revenue from our brands sold at restaurants and liquor stores,” said Smiley, a chemical engineer who started State 38 almost six years ago.

“It’s a win for the distilleries, a win for Colorado Tourism and a win for the trailblazers that do things they wouldn’t normally.”

Making all these wins possible was the distillery that lit the flame for the Colorado spirits industry, Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, the state’s first (2004) legal whiskey distillery since prohibition ended in 1933. Located in Denver, Stranahan’s is best known for producing hand crafted single-malt whiskies but the most coveted bottle appears only in December.

“Snowflake is a specialty cask released once a year,” said Rob Dietrich, the master distiller at Stranahan’s. “It’s made from a variety of cask finishes in barrels and then I marry them together by nose and taste, so they’re always going to be different. It has a huge following attracting people from all over the country lining up days in advance to purchase two bottles at $100 each. Once the 1,600 bottles are gone (typically, six hours), that’s it.”

Regardless of the time of year, visitors arriving at Denver International Airport can get their first dose of the Colorado spirit 15 minutes away at Leopold Bros., the 2014 Distillery of the Year (American Distilling Institute) and home to the world's only operating Three Chamber Still. Here, as with all the independently owned craft distillers in Colorado, aside from tasting, the best reward is the personal engagement with an owner or employee.

“I can be having an intense technical conversation one minute and then switch to introducing Whiskey 101 explaining why it’s so magical and guiding guests how to taste properly,” said Taryn Kapronica, who handles sales and development at Leopold Bros. “Although, my one little pet peeve is when people have built up such a protocol that whiskey can only be tasted this way, in this type of glass, at this temperature, with

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MOXY Denver Cherry Creek Located in Denver’s most walkable neighborhood, Cherry Creek North, Marriott’s new boutique hotel brand targets free-spirited travelers who are treated to a free cocktail during check-in at The Moxy Bar.Featuring 170 guestrooms, 3,000 feet of communal space, and beer garden, the hotel’s minimal design elements combined with communal play spaces promotes interaction, vibrancy, and fun. www.marriott.com/hotels/ travel/denox-moxy-denvercherry-creek/

or without ice, or only two drops of water. You really have to be open-minded because not all whiskies react the same way.”

From its earliest days Colorado has had an affinity for the hard stuff. The only difference today is there’s more to choose from and the friendly competition has made the experience so much better than when it was served 150 years ago.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

1075 California Blvd, Napa

www.coloradospiritstrail.com WINTER 2018

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NVL money & wealth

YOUR WEALTH

Are You Finding Tax Reform Taxing?  BY RICH JACOBSON

T

his is the time of year that many Napkins puzzle over tax strategy. This year will probably find vastly more taxpayers, along with a good share of the accounting community, perplexed by the many changes that went into effect as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The single biggest change for those of us in Napa Valley will, undoubtably, be the limitation on State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction to $10,000. Living in one of the most expensive areas in the nation with housing prices triple many other locales and a State tax burden that is among the highest in the country, the SALT deduction limitation will affect many taxpayers in the Valley. With a Median Napa home price of about $650K, the average taxpayer is likely to have Property Taxes alone in the range of about $8,000.

For a married couple with the average Napa household income of $90,000, State Income Tax would be over $2000, bringing the “average” couple right up to the $10,000 limit. Anyone with a more expensive home or higher income will obviously be faced with losing some of the benefit from itemizing. Another change affecting those who itemize; the mortgage interest deduction is now capped for new loans at a maximum of $750,000. Also, the Home Equity Line of Credit interest deduction can now only be deducted if proceeds are used for “substantial improvements” in the Primary Residence.

Offsetting this will be two favorable changes in taxes that might help some taxpayers. The Standard Deduction for Married Filing

Jointly is going from $12,700 to $24,000 and almost all tax brackets have been reduced by 1-4%.

These changes mean that far fewer individuals are expected to use Itemized Deductions to reduce their taxable income going forward. The IRS states that they now expect 85% of all taxpayers to take the Standard Deduction, up from 70% previously.

Of course, there are a many other significant tax changes, as well. A new IRS Code Section 199A allows small business earners engaged in a Qualified trade or business to deduct 20% of Qualified Income from taxable income. This benefit helps those with “pass-through” income; such as Sole Proprietors, S-Corps, LLC’s and Partnerships.

The final change I’ll mention is the huge increase in the Estate Tax exemption. This has gone from almost $11 million for married couples in 2017 to $22.36 Million in 2018. The net impact is that far fewer estates will now be subject to estate tax.

This will be particularly beneficial for the Valley’s many agribusinesses that own large amounts of land and would otherwise have to come up with significant cash to pay estate taxes.

One last point: most of these changes are due to sunset and return back to 2017 levels by the end of 2025. So, speak to your financial advisor now to take advantage of these tax changes before they become just a faded memory!

Rich Jacobson is a Registered Principal Offering Securities and Investment Services through United Planners Financial Services, Member: FINRA, SIPC. The views expressed are those of the presenter and may not reflect the views of United Planners Financial Services. Material discussed is meant to provide general information and it is not to be construed as specific investment, tax or legal advice. Individual needs vary and require consideration of your unique objectives and financial situation.

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NVL health & wellness

Balancing Body, Muscles and Mind Through Pilates  BY CHARLEEN EARLEY | PHOTOS BY JASON LEE

J

ust when she thought she’d never dance again, Pilates came along and changed everything for Jill Hoff, owner of Calistoga Pilates. After helping a friend with her business, Hoff bent down, pulled something and incurred a debilitating back injury.

“I went to a local physical therapist and she had the Pilates equipment in her office. She slowly aided me back to a self better than before,” said Hoff, who grew up in South San Francisco and moved to Calistoga in 1992. “I found the Pilates work increased my performance and endurance in my dancing, yoga practice and everyday activities. I first had to learn to trust that I could move my spine again and was able to do that with guidance through basic Pilates mat work and utilizing the Pilates equipment. The strength and knowledge I gained inspired me to get certified so I could teach this work. I originally trained with Madeline Black through Physicalmind Institute and much later also studied with Polestar Pilates.”

“I love the intelligence of the Pilates work,” she added. “It’s safe, it makes sense, and it’s for everyone and all ages. There is so much variety and various ways to work and always more challenge if you are ready. I like the mindfulness of the work and the way it makes my body feel.”

In addition to the fitness-focused clients, some of Hoff’s clients include those with post knee or hip replacements, shoulder surgeries, Parkinson’s and other diseases. “Pilates is great for post-rehabilitation once you’ve finished your work with a physical therapist or sometimes while still working with a physical therapist,” said Hoff. “In other words, the work can be very therapeutic as well as fitness-oriented.

It can even get your heart rate up if you keep it going and flowing!”

Truly for all ages, Hoff’s clients range in ages 15 to 92-years-old.

She loves dispelling myths about Pilates. She says Pilates is not just for “women” or all about getting a “six- pack” set of abdominal muscles, like some believe. “Pilates helps with strengthening the whole body,” she said. “It strengthens the deeper layers of abdominal muscle as well as the smaller muscles in the back, which helps decrease back pain. It helps to lengthen and create more flexibility in the spine, to strengthen and mobilize the major joints like shoulders, hips and ankles; it helps to improve your balance and have more control of your body. Pilates is a wonderful way to help balance your body, muscles and mind.”

Mind and body alignment is so important to Hoff and achieving it through exercise is the perfect foundation. “I think many injuries happen when people are thinking about something else while doing physical exercise,” she said. “They are listening to their mind and not listening to their body. If something hurts, it’s good to stop and adjust. When your mind is present with your muscles, they can respond more efficiently and more in a relaxed way which is also conditioning for the brain and nervous system.”

If you want to experience private or small group Pilates training, Hoff’s boutique studio is a great place for that. She has all the Pilates equipment consisting of reformers, chairs, trapeze table, ladder barrel, towers and various other fun props to play with.

Hoff’s studio offers its clientele different modalities in addition to Pilates, which include Nia Technique, yoga, TRX-based conditioning, and Hendrickson Body work. “Nia Technique is a sensory-based workout incorporating dance, martial arts and yoga,” explained Hoff.

“It’s a holistic movement practice using a unique combination of movements and music that condition and energize the whole body.”

1336-B Lincoln Avenue Calistoga, CA 94515 www.calistogapilates.com

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DOWNTOWN EATERIES of CALISTOGA  WRITTEN BY DYNIE SANDERSON

It’s natural to think of the Napa Valley as one ‘place,’ but the 30 north to south miles that comprise this verdant valley feature distinct towns, each with individual personalities. There’s Yountville with its chic tasting rooms and Michelin-starred cuisine, Rutherford with its concentration of Cabernet producers, and St. Helena with its quaint downtown shopping district. And to the north, Calistoga encourages its guests to slow down a bit and unwind.

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All Seasons

Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery

T

he small town’s official motto is ‘Relax, you’re in Calistoga,’ a directive easily followed, thanks to its famous mud baths, gracious inns and resorts, and variety of restaurants that promote a laidback vibe.

It was California’s first millionaire, Sam Brannan, who in the late 1800’s first envisioned the area as a healthful gathering spot for the rich and famous. Main Street featured resorts, inns, and hot springs catering to visitors from the big city. And while much has changed since Brannan’s time, his inspiration continues to fuel Calistoga’s popularity as a relaxing retreat. Many of the original buildings from Brannan’s time along historic Lincoln Avenue are now home to popular eateries that comprise Calistoga’s ‘food row.’ Each has its own unique history, and each is instrumental in helping to set the casual and warm tone for which this pocket of Napa is so well known.

ALL SEASONS For the past 35 years, this favorite up valley restaurant has offered creative seasonal dishes to both regulars and out-of-towners.

This charming bistro serves inspired food and wine, classic to contemporary. Their relaxed atmosphere, excellent service, and outstanding cuisine have made this iconic restaurant a Lincoln Avenue mainstay. Must try menu items: ahi tuna carpaccio, Mary’s Organic chicken breast, Angus rib eye steak, and seared duck breast.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

BUSTERS ORIGINAL SOUTHERN BBQ Busters, showcased in National Geographic, is referred to as having the ‘Best BBQ West of the Mississippi’ and is voted ‘Best Barbeque’ by the Bohemian year after year. Busters’ patio is the perfect stop for authentic southern BBQ dishes made with recipes from the heart of Louisiana: pork and beef ribs, pulled pork, tri-tip, BBQ chicken, savory baked beans, and corn of the cob. Be sure to stop in for great jazz and blues on Sunday afternoons.

1400 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga www.allseasonsnapavalley.com; 707-942-9111 Open for lunch and dinner daily except Tuesdays.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

BOSKO’S TRATTORIA

CAFÉ SARAFORNIA

Calistoga’s longest tenured restaurant (36 years) continues to serve quality, authentic, made-fresh-daily Italian cuisine including house-made pastas and woodfired pizzas. Step into the old Bosko's Trattoria country of Italy with home-style Italian cuisine and a generous selection of moderately priced California and Italian wines.

Their sumptuous variety of pastas are made from scratch daily. They also offer antipasti, soups, and salads. Don’t miss out on happy hour every day from 4:40pm to 6:30pm when all wines listed are $8 and all appetizers are half off.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

1364 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga www.boskos.com; 707-942-9088 Open 11:30am to 9:30pm

1207 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga www.busterssouthernbbq.com; 707-942-6505 Dine in or take out. Open for lunch and dinner daily.

This restaurant was named after California’s first Millionaire Sam Brannan who mistakenly said, “The Calistoga of Sarafornia when he meant to say “The Saratoga of California.”

Hence the name of the town and the name of the diner. The owners, the Dierkhising family, have been in Napa Valley since 1976 and have owned the restaurant for nearly that long. This is a wonderful place for breakfast, offering dishes like their famed braised pork tostada, the Brannan Benedict, and the best in the valley huevos rancheros. Lunch is equally impressive with classic burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Their popularity is tremendous; they serve more than 91,000 people per year; that's 250 per day. The line is worth the wait!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

1413 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga www.cafesarafornia.com; 707-942-0555 Open Daily from 7am – 2:30pm WINTER 2018

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Evangeline

CHECKERS RESTAURANT Evangeline

CALISTOGA INN RESTAURANT & BREWERY It's a brewery, hotel, and restaurant on this stately historic property in the middle of downtown Calistoga. The restaurant has been one of the most popular outdoor dining venues in the Napa Valley with its patio stretching along the Napa River. In the adjacent historic water tower, you will find their award winning micro-brewery, The Napa Valley Brewing company. It is a popular place for sports enthusiasts as it boasts five large flat screen TV's. Weekend brunch enjoyed on their spacious patio is a must.

Two lunch favorites are the Shrimp Louie salad, the heirloom tomato and fig salad and their Best Burger. Dinner highlights are the country paella or choose from one of their prime cut steaks.

This simple, understated café has been serving Italian classics and pizzas to Calistogan's for several decades as an unpretentious neighborhood meeting place for a quick lunch, family dinner, or a festive happy hour. The Mediterranean inspired cuisine includes a variety of pastas, pizzas, and calzones as well as Chicken Marsala, pan seared salmon, and braised lamb shank. Don’t miss the house made cheesecake with chocolate sauce for dessert.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

1414 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga 707-942-9300; 11:30am to 9:30pm

EVANGELINE This now locally owned French bistro with Creole soul is a Solbar spinoff offering fun versions of French bistro favorites such as Coq au Vin, Croque Madame, Beef Tartare, and Shrimp Etouffee, along with inventive cocktails, craft beers, and an extensive wine list. Their intimate, polished interior and inviting terrace patio deliver a memorable dining experience. They are primarily an outdoor restaurant with limited indoor seating. Reservations are not available for inside seating.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

1226 Washington Street, Calistoga www.evangelinenapa.com; 707-341-3131 Dinner Daily from 5:30pm to 10pm Brunch on Saturday and Sunday 9am – 2pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION

1250 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga www.calistogainn.com; 707-942-4101 Open 11:30am to 9:30pm 86

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All Seasons

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Over 15 years of experience 707-781-9440 • SALES@CCHTS.COM CALIFORNIACUSTOMHOTTUBS.COM

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SAM’S SOCIAL CLUB With its stylish bar and unpretentious vibe, Sam's – at Indian Springs Resort - is a popular Calistoga hangout. Named after famed resort founder Sam Brannan, it offers a vibrant and inviting atmosphere. This new American Eatery & Bar is the place to meet for food that is seasonal, creative, thoughtfully prepared, and reasonably priced. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails, guests can enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating. Try the grilled octopus endowed with a peppy Romesco sauce, pan-seared duck, or a burger on a homemade bun. Kids love it too, especially the mac & cheese!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

1712 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga www.samssocialclub.com; 707-942-4969 7:30am – 9pm

Hydro Bar & Grill

Johnny's Restaurant & Bar

HYDRO BAR & GRILL This restaurant’s historic building (originally a carriage house and stable) dates to 1906 - just after the 1901 fire which destroyed most of the original town of Calistoga. It has been home to Hydro since 1996. Hydro’s sister business, All Season’s Bistro, has been a Calistoga favorite since 1983. Alex and Gayle and their two dining establishments have been serving quality food, inspired drinks, and great local hospitality for almost 40 years. Pop in, grab a bite, share a drink, and enjoy a little HYDROTHERAPY! FOR MORE INFORMATION

1403 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga www.hydrogrillnapavalley.com; 707-942-9777 8:30am – 11pm Open Every day except Thursday morning until noon for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

JOHNNY’S RESTAURANT & BAR Johnny's initially opened in the Mount View Hotel in 1933 by Johnny Ghisolfo who served on the Calistoga city council 88

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Veraison

and later became known as ‘Mr. Calistoga.’ The original Johnny’s closed in 1984 and then in 2016 reopened in honor of former owner John Ghisolfo.

This resurrected pub and bistro offers the perfect place to enjoy good times with friends and family whether it be breakfast, lunch, dinner, or happy hour (which they claim to be one of the best in town.) Their house Mud City Brews are worth the stop. For breakfast, try the Huevos Montelenos, for lunch, the local fish and chips and for dinner, try the oysters on the half shell and the Jagerschnitzel. Sunday special is always a hit with their Slow Roasted Prime Rib. FOR MORE INFORMATION

1457 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga www.johnnyscalistoga.com; 707-942-5938; Brunch Daily 7:30a to 2pm; Dinner opens up at 4pm; Happy Hour 4pm to 6:30pm

VERAISON

A relatively new addition to the Calistoga dining scene Veraison arrived in 2016 to deliver French-inspired farm-to-table cuisine in an intimate environment. As a recent recipient of the Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” for 2018, this is one to put on your list when visiting the Napa Valley. Owner Dan Kaiser

Sam's Social Club

and Executive Chef James Richmond took Calistoga by storm with the opening of Johnny’s in March 2016 and later transitioned Johnny’s Tableside to its own entity as Veraison. Both of Kaiser’s restaurants are a huge success. Must try menu items: oysters from their raw bar, house made charcuterie and artisan cheeses, and items from the daily changing Chef’s Tasting Menu.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

1457 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga www.veraisoncalistoga.com; 707-942-5938 Opens 5pm Every Day

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WINTER 2018

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Kitchen Gifts PERFECT FOR FOODIES A L L Y E A R LO N G  BY PATRICK MERKLEY

Holiday shopping is always difficult.

Stores are crowded, delivery trucks are blocking the driveway, cardboard is everywhere.

Should I buy online or offline, gift certificates or a gift, wrapping or no wrapping, send holidays cards to all your friends now or wait and send Easter cards.

W

hat are the newest and coolest gifts, what do you get for the person who already has everything, Where do you treasure hunt for the perfect gift, pan or knife?

Shackford’s Kitchen Store has a 43-year tradition of offering the widest selection of cooking related products in Napa. For 43 years, Shackford’s has been the place to go for the interesting, the obscure and the prized find. No one can leave without finding a fun treasure tucked in the shelves.

Shackford’s also stocks a full range of cooking pans, utensils, pots, skillets and knives for the holiday meal.

Shackford’s supplies the novice newlyweds cooking their first family holiday, the experienced baker making sugar cookies and the overworked professional chef this time of year. Shackford’s resident Chefs can help talk you through a recipe, give you a few short cuts and guide you to exactly what you need.

Everyone at Shackford’s loves to cook, and loves to eat! The staff has used products from the store in both home and commercial kitchens. Also, Chefs and staff test all new items before they are put on the floor to ensure quality in product.

What are Shackford’s “must-haves” for gifts and cooking supplies this year?

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Shackford’s Kitchen Store Recommendations for Gift Giving throughout the year:

1

MELLOW COOKING SYSTEM, THE BLUE TOOTH ENABLED SOUS VIDE SYSTEM The Mellow Sous Vide system is an all in one “Water Oven” which takes the mystery out of cooking like the pros. The Mellow Cooking system is slowcooking at it’s best!

2

LAMPSON, MORIMOTO, MAC, HENKEL OR WUSTOFF 10-INCH CHEF’S KNIFE

We always recommend a high-quality American, German or Japanese steel knife to make any kitchen task a breeze. Make sure to hold the knife in your hand to check balance and fit.

3

WHITE TOWELS AND WINE AWAY

A necessary tool for holiday cooking and entertaining! Keep plenty on hand to avoid any unfortunate party mishaps.

4

5

CLASSIC COCA-COLA POLAR BEAR COOKIE JAR

Cuisinart, a brand synonymous with quality kitchenware, has introduced a compact griddle, which function as a flat griddle or Panini press. Perfect for an open-faced tuna melt, or grilled cheese!

Truly a holiday icon, our Coca-Cola Polar Bear cookie Jar is a classic gift for the collector on your list! Just one of the items in our extensive cookie jar collection.

COMPLETE SET OF NESTING METAL BOWLS

CUISINART GRIDDLER 5

6

An absolute kitchen staple! Any bowl, any size, all organized nicely in your cabinet. A must-have for any home cook. Extra impressive if wrapped individually!

7

COOKIE MOLDS, SPRINKLES + FROSTING Why settle for boring Christmas Cookies! Fun molds, sprinkles and frostings to add holiday flair to all your baking. Make sure to pick up disposable cake boxes for easy transportation and storage!

9

FONDUE POT FOR FAMILY DINNER

Fondue is a festive meal to share with friends and family during the holidays. Make sure to try out the different variations. From Chocolate to cheese, everyone will be happy!

Top Pick

8

CHEF JACKETS + PANTS

Chef Jackets + Pants are a mainstay in all professional kitchens. Machine washable, stain-resistant and impressive, these elevate the ordinary apron for the home Chef.

10 NON-STICK OMELET PAN

Almost anyone can scramble an egg but the perfect omelet requires the right tools. A great non-stick pan makes it easy to impress your entire family.

For 43-years, Shackford’s has been a family-owned and operated kitchen store in Napa, California. The Shackford Family spent years making the store a one-stop shop for the perfect holiday gift. Over the years, they have fostered a special sense of community during the holidays, which will be continued for years to come.

SODASTREAM

Have soda water any time you want with your very own Sodastream! Bonus: decrease your plastic use and help save the planet!

FOR MORE INFORMATION & STORE HOURS:

707-226-2132; 1350 Main Street, Napa

@Shackford’sKitchenStore @ShackfordStore

made pastas, pork tenderloin and the signature Marinated Teriyaki Skirt Steak is not grilled prawns, crab, micro greens, goat cheese, chipotle aioli and to be missed!

Allegria offersfresh a great assortment of delicious desserts, including the Serrano salsa.

And, we tiramisu. offer interesting small plates and salads, rotisserie meats and poultry and classic homemade seasonal entrees with a C CASA twist.

menu that offers something for everyone. Dine on classics such as biscuits and gravy, like-minded businesses across Napa Valley. eggs benedict and fried chicken, or branch out and try our chicken and waffles or one of our signature burgers. A fun spot to meet up with friends or enjoy a meal with the whole family!

1122 First Street, Napa, CA 94559 1141 First Street Napa CA 94559 707-812-6853 | jaxwhitemulediner.com (707) 257-4992 | www.camomienoteca.com/

1026 1st St, Napa, CA 94559 707-254-8006 | www.ristoranteallegria.com 610 1st St #B, Napa, CA 94559 / Oxbow Market

NVL dining guide

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707-226-7700 | www.myccasa.com

special special dining dining sec sec

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WINE COUNTRY EL FRESCOITALIAN TRADITIONAL MEDITERRANEAN

MEDITERRANEAN COMFORT CUISINE AMERICAN GRILL & BAR TARLA - True to our namesake, the Tarlacomfort Grill aims to and yieldisnourishing, creative, and CELADON offers award-winning food located in the Napa River DOWNTOWN JOES - global An American style grill united with quality andtheir freshness.

Our culturally eats originating Turkeyon and Greece, lands heralded for Inn. Enjoy exciting an unforgettable dining from experience our heated outdoor patio or in our menu is locally resourced then cooked with the flair that is true Napa Valley. We cuisine and a culture that takes pride in the relationship between mankind and the intimate indoor dining area.salads, The seasonally influenced menu features flavors from the proudly feature burgers, sandwiches, steaks, decadent land! We take our responsibility of ensuring the origins ofseafood, our ingredients seriously house made Mediterranean, Asia, and more the Americas. desserts, and modern pub grub. and pride ourselves on using local, seasonal and organic fare whenever possible.

MOMI a traditional Italian & organic food restaurant premium, locallyLA TOQUE’SCAChef KenisFrank’s landmark Napa Valley restaurant is the serving proud recipient SMALL WORLD - ingredients A world flavor awaits at Small Restaurant, where theand sourced, organic whenever possible inWorld support of localevolves purveyors of both a Michelin Star and The GrandofAward from Wine Spectator.

The menu menu the vibrant cuisine of the Mediterranean andofthe Middle East. Falafel, like-minded businesses across Napa Valley. constantly to showfeatures off each season’s finest ingredients from a network local farmers Hummus, Babaus Ganoush, Schwarma, Pitafoods Sandwiches, Garden and purveyors who supply with some of the finest in the world.

OurFresh wineSalads, and pairings areFresh-Made considered Baklava. by many to be the ultimate food and wine experience.

500 Street, Suite G, Napa, CA 94559 1480Main 1st St, Napa, CASt, 94559 902 Napa, CA 94559 707-254-9690 |Main celadonnapa.com 707-255-5599 | www.tarlagrill.com 707-258-2337 | www.downtownjoes.com

Street (Downtown Napa, CA 94559 The Westin 928 Verasa Napa, 1314 McKinstry St,Napa), Napa, CA 94559 1141Coombs First Street Napa CA 94559 707-224-7743 707-257-5157 | www.latoque.com (707) 257-4992| SmallWorldRestaurant.com | www.camomienoteca.com/

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JAPENESE CUISINE AMERICAN CUISINE EIKO’S - Eiko’s delivers imaginative twists on traditional Japanese cuisine. Our vision NAPKINS - An American restaurant withJapanese an exciting sceneincluding for locals and travelfor the menu combines modern andcuisine authentic traditional cuisine ers who happen fish upon them.Weekend brunch (11 amfrom to 3our pm)local and markets one of the best seasonal, fresh sustainable and ingredients delivered daily happy hours in Napa (food and drink fromour 3 tochefs 7 pm).

Weekend and purveyors.

In addition to traditional raw fish specials preparation, creates a nights the bar turns electric entertainment livetaste performances and dancing to DJs selection ofarea innovative dishes with inspired by our localincluding culture and profiles featuring Napa as influence and inspiration.

1001 2nd St, Napa, CA 94559 1385 Napa Town Center, Napa, CA 94559 707-927-5333 | www.napkinsnapa.com 707-501-4444 | www.eikosnapa.com

ITALIAN AMERICAN GRILL & BAR BAR + GRILL DOWNTOWN JOES style grillexperience united withthrough quality food, and freshness. Our IL POSTO TRATTORIA - We offer- An theAmerican traditional italian TAVERN &the PIZZERIA isNapa acooked cozy, brick-walled with table & barWe seating menu is locallyinresourced then withOur themenu flairgastropub that is true Napa Valley. served in a COOK casual setting beautiful Valley. offers a variety slecfor seasonal American and Italian dishesmade and seafood, neapolitan-inspired pizza .house Perfectmade for proudly feature salads,along burgers, steaks, decadent tion of antipasta’s, salads, pizza’s withsandwiches, freshly pasta dishes. friends and families can stoppub in after work and enjoy a true tavern atmosphere. desserts, and more modern grub.

4211 Solano Ave, Napa, CA 94559 707-251-8600 | Main www.ilpostonapa.com 1304 St,Napa, St Helena, CA 94574 902 Main St, CA 94559 707-963-8082 707-258-2337 || www.cooktavern.com www.downtownjoes.com

special special dining dining section section NAPAVALLEYLIFEMAGAZINE.COM NAPAVALLEYLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

FOODSPRING & WINE2017 2017

TRADITIONAL ORGANICITALIAN ITALIAN

CA' MOMIisOSTERIA is downtown Napa's food Obsessively Authentic experience, CA MOMI a traditional Italian & organic restaurant servingItalian premium, locallyserving locally-sourced, ingredients, Pizza Napoletana, local sourced,up organic ingredientsorganic whenever possible certified in support of local purveyors and& Italian wines,businesses garden-to-glass house-brewed organic beers & live music like-minded acrosscocktails, Napa Valley. each weekend.

1141 First Street, Napa, CA 94559 707-224-6664 www.camomi.com 1141 First Street| Napa CA 94559 (707) 257-4992 | www.camomienoteca.com/ 92

NAPAVALLEYLIFE.COM

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AMERICAN CUISINE MEXICAN / TEX-MEX GASTROPUB & NANOBREWERY

NAPKINS - An American restaurant withatan exciting scene for locals and travelaapproach casual dining destination aimed providing localsorder with an experiC CASA - WeHOP offerCREEK a fresh tocuisine tacos and much more.

Fresh, made-toers who happen upon them.Weekend brunch (11 am to 3 pm) and of the best ence built around a warm welcoming atmosphere, they can enjoy aone locally sourced white corn tortillas topped with ingredients like seasoned buffalo, rotisserie lamb, happy hours Napaunique (food and specials from 3 toand 7Valley pm).

Weekend nights hours the bar menu, coupled with craft beers, spirits and aioli Napa wines.

Happier grilled prawns, fresh crab,inmicro greens, goatdrink cheese, chipotle Serrano salsa. area turns electric with entertainment including livelarge performances and dancing Monday-Friday 2pm-6pm.

Family and rotisserie dog friendly, parties welcome inside to or DJs on And, we offer interesting small plates and salads, meats and poultry and our relaxing side patio. Cheers! seasonal entrees with a creek C CASA twist.

1001Browns 2nd St, Napa, 3253 Valley CA Rd,94559 Napa, CA 94558 | 707-257-7708 | hopcreekpub.com 707-927-5333 | www.napkinsnapa.com 610 1st St #B, Napa, CA 94559 / Oxbow Market 707-226-7700 | www.myccasa.com

made pastas, pork tenderloin and the signature Marinated Teriyaki Skirt Steak is not menu that offers something for everyone. Dine on classics such as biscuits and gravy, to be missed! Allegria offers a great assortment of delicious desserts, including the eggs benedict and fried chicken, or branch out and try our chicken and waffles or one classic homemade tiramisu. of our signature burgers. A fun spot to meet up with friends or enjoy a meal with the whole family!

St, Napa, CA 94559 1122 First Street, Napa, CA Napa 94559 Valley Wine List Award winners are recognized1026 for1st their outstanding selections of Napa Valley wines.

707-254-8006 | www.ristoranteallegria.com 707-812-6853 | jaxwhitemulediner.com

special special dining dining sect sec

special special dining dining sec sec

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RL mediterranean grill

TRADITIONAL ITALIAN WINE COUNTRY EL FRESCO TRADITIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN STEAKHOUSE CA MOMI is a traditional Italian & organic food restaurant serving premium, locallysourced, organic ingredients whenever possible in support of local purveyors and - When you want a delicious Prime ribrecipient dinner, steak or fresh CA MOMI a traditional Italian & organic food restaurant serving premium, locallyLA TOQUE’STRANCAS Chef KenisSTEAKHOUSE Frank’s landmark Napa Valley restaurant is the proud like-minded businesses Napa Valley. seafood, the place to goacross isAward thewhenever Trancas Steakhouse.

Many called their bar the sourced, organic ingredients possible in support of local purveyors and of both a Michelin Star and The Grand from Wine Spectator.

Thehave menu evolves

MEDITERRANEAN TARLA - True to our namesake, the Tarla Grill aims to yield nourishing, creative, and culturally exciting eats originating from Turkey and Greece, lands heralded for their cuisine and a culture that takes pride in the relationship between mankind and the land! We take our responsibility of ensuring the origins of our ingredients seriously and pride ourselves on using local, seasonal and organic fare whenever possible.

of the west.

The across barstools areValley. occupied locals every night of the week. The like-minded businesses Napa constantly toCheers show off each season’s finest ingredients from abynetwork of local farmers walls aresupply covered photosofof happy (you know who you are somebody and purveyors who us with some the finestcustomers foods in the world.

Our wine you make the wall.)

Theyultimate do havefood pictures of celebrities including owners pairings are when considered by many to be the and wine experience.

1141 Napa CA 94559 NormFirst andStreet Christy Sawicki.

(707) 257-4992 | www.camomienoteca.com/ The Westin Verasa Napa, 1314 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559 1141 First Street Napa CA 94559 707-257-5157 | Trancas www.latoque.com (707) 257-4992 | www.camomienoteca.com/ 999 Street, Napa, CA 94558 707-258-9990 | trancassteakhouse.com

1480 1st St, Napa, CA 94559 707-255-5599 | www.tarlagrill.com

MEXICAN / TEX-MEX JAPENESE CUISINE C CASA - We offer a fresh approach to tacos and much more. Fresh, made-to- order EIKO’S - Eiko’s delivers imaginative twists on traditional Japanese cuisine. Our vision white corn tortillas topped with ingredients like seasoned buffalo, rotisserie lamb, for the menu combines modern and authentic traditional Japanese cuisine including grilled prawns, fresh crab, micro greens, goat cheese, chipotle aioli and Serrano salsa. seasonal, fresh sustainable fish and ingredients delivered daily from our local markets And, we offer interesting small plates and salads, rotisserie meats and poultry and and purveyors.

Inwith addition to traditional seasonal entrees a C CASA twist. raw fish preparation, our chefs creates a selection of innovative dishes inspired by our local culture and taste profiles featuring Napa as influence and inspiration.

610 1st St #B, Napa, CA 94559 / Oxbow Market 1385 Napa Town Center, Napa, CA 94559 | www.myccasa.com 707-226-7700 707-501-4444 | www.eikosnapa.com

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AMERICAN GRILL & BAR AMERICAN CUISINE ITALIAN AMERICAN GRILL & BAR DOWNTOWN JOES - An American style grill united with quality and freshness. Our NAPA GENERAL STORE Refreshing locals and visitors since 2002.

Our riverside menu is locallyJOES resourced then cooked with the flairwith that quality is true Napa Valley.

WeOurpatio DOWNTOWN - An style grill united and freshness.

IL POSTO TRATTORIA - Wefor offer theAmerican traditional italian experience through food, is an ideal spot enjoying a meal with friends (including four-legged friends) and proudly feature salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, steaks, decadent houseWe made menu is locally resourced then cooked with the flair that is true Napa Valley. served in a casual setting inforthe beautifulorNapa Valley. Our menu variety slecfamily. Join breakfast lunch weekoffers - and aour award-winning weekdesserts, andusmore modern pub grub.during the proudly feature salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, steaks, decadent house made tion of antipasta’s, salads, pizza’s withstay freshly pasta dishes. end brunch. Come foralong the food, for made the great wines and artisan gifts! We support desserts, more modern pub grub. local foodand purveyors and locally source our ingredients.

4211 Solano902 Ave, Napa, CA 94559 Main St, Napa, CA 94559 707-251-8600 | www.ilpostonapa.com 707-258-2337 | Napa, www.downtownjoes.com 540 CA 94559 902 Main Street St, Napa, CA 94559

Reserve online| www.downtownjoes.com at NapaGeneralStore.com or by calling 707-259-0762 707-258-2337

NAPAVALLEYLIFEMAGAZINE.COM NAPAVALLEYLIFEMAGAZINE.COM THE

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MEDITERRANEAN AMERICAN EATERY SMALL WORLD - A world of flavor awaits at Small World Restaurant, where thebreakTHE GRILL AT SILVERADO, is a one-of-a-kind Napa Valley restaurant, serving menu features the and vibrant of the Mediterranean and theWine Middle East. Falafel, fast, lunch, dinner bar cuisine appetizers.

The restaurant features Country Cuisine, Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Schwarma, Pita Sandwiches, Garden Salads,Napa, and the emphasizing fresh and sustainable products.

Just minutes fromFresh downtown Fresh-Made Baklava.

Grill overlooks one of the most beautiful golf courses on earth and offers a respite from the daily routine for everyone who visits.

928 Coombs Street (Downtown Napa), Napa, CA 94559 1600 Atlas Peak|Rd, Napa, CA 94558 | 707-257-5400 | www.silveradoresort.com 707-224-7743 SmallWorldRestaurant.com

AMERICAN CUISINE AMERICAN CUISINE NAPKINS - An American cuisine restaurant with an exciting scene for locals and travelers who happen upon them.Weekend brunch (11 am to 3 pm) andfor onelocals of theand best NAPKINS - An American cuisine restaurant with an exciting scene travelhappy hours in Napa and drink specials 3 to nights the bar ers who happen upon(food them.Weekend brunch from (11 am to73pm). pm) Weekend and one of the best area turns electric with entertainment including live performances and dancing to happy hours in Napa (food and drink specials from 3 to 7 pm). Weekend nights the DJs bar

area turns electric with entertainment including live performances and dancing to DJs

1001 2nd St, Napa, CA 94559 707-927-5333 | www.napkinsnapa.com 1001 2nd St, Napa, CA 94559

707-927-5333 | www.napkinsnapa.com

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1147 1st Street CA 94559 www.napacigars.net 1147Napa, 1st Street Napa, CA 94559 www.napacigars.net FOOD & WINE 2017

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MOVE-IN OPPORTUNITIES

a GOOD blend Of SOnOMa LIvInG Stylish residences inspired by Sonoma living and sustainability. Two new communities. One Santa Rosa way of life.

Single-Family Residences | Quick Move-In Opportunities | LiveSantaRosaCV.com FOX HOLLOW

RESERVE

1,568 to 2,485 Sq. Ft. Up to 5 Bedrooms & 3 Baths From the Mid $500,000s (707) 210-4926

2,570 to 2,910 Sq. Ft. Up to 6 Bedrooms & 4 Baths From the Mid $700,000s (707) 321-5630

All renderings, floor plans, and maps are concepts and are not intended to be an actual depiction of the buildings, fencing, walkways, driveways or landscaping. Walls, windows, porches and decks vary per elevation and lot location. In a continuing effort to meet consumer expectations, City Ventures reserves the right to modify prices, floor plans, specifications, options and amenities without notice or obligation. Square footages shown are approximate. Broker/agent must accompany and register their client(s) with the onsite sales team on their first visit to the community in order to be eligible for any broker referral fee. Please see your Sales Manager for details. Š2018 City Ventures. All rights reserved. BRE LIC # 01979736.

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Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Luxurious. Experiential. Theatrical. Sustainable.

Napa’s most diverse and dynamic destination, dedicated to inspiring passion, creativity, and discovery.

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