Avenue Vine

The EVENT REPORT: “Napa Valley Appellation Panel Discussion” and “Taste of Copia-Napa-Walk-around wine tasting”--Saturday, October 15th, 2005, 11:00 - 12:00 am, 1:00 - 4:00 pm respectively.

The morning “Napa Valley Appellation Panel Discussion” was quite informative. Was clearly dominated by two of the most outstanding women in the world of wine today.

Michalea Rodeno,(Left) - Janet Trefaten,(Right)

All members of the panel represent family owned wineries–euneque in that all their wines are estate only wines (all grapes in their wine are grown on their own properties.)

The discussion started off with Peter Marks MW, Copia’s Curator of Wine, introducing the panelist and and subject matter–“Diversity in the Napa Valley AVA.”

Panilists included: Hugh Davies, J Davies Vinyards; Sean Foster, Peju Province; Michalea Rodeno, St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery and Janet Trefaten, Trefaten Vineyards & Winery.

Hugh Davies,(Left) - Sean Foster,(Right)

Michalea Rodeno, Wow! What a way active woman, C.E.O. Michaela's fluency in French helped launch her career in the wine business when she joined Domaine Chandon at its inception in 1973. Whenever visitors from France were at wineries in Napa she was called upon to interpret.

Armed with 15 years of experience marketing Napa Valley sparkling wine and a UC Berkeley MBA, Michaela was chosen to lead the fledgling St. Supéry in 1988. Michaela and her family make tiny amounts of great Sangiovese from their own family vineyard. In Napa Valley.

Michaela told us about the history of St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery. How the Skalli family, owners of St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery, have deep roots in Mediterranean culture. They live and work in France where Skalli Family Wines own wineries in the Languedoc region, Chatueauneuf du Pape and Corsica.

Why a third-generation French winemaking family is doing it in the Napa Valley? They turn out exceptional, hand-crafted, estate wines made from traditional Bordeaux grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. The Skalli family started planting grapevines in the rolling hills of Napa Valley in 1982. In 1986, Robert Skalli acquired the estate in Rutherford, a renowned area for growing Cabernet Sauvignon and an ideal site for a Napa Valley winery.

How St. Supery winery combines the latest in winemaking technology with respect for traditional winemaking practices. Our acclaimed visitor programs and winery tour give guests the rare opportunity to experience Napa Valley vineyards first hand and oversee all winery operations.

Michaela explained in depth how they’ve gone about the farming of their award winning Sauvignon Blanc, truly one of the pioneers of this varietal in California especially the Napa Valley.

What an incredible history and knowledge this woman has in the world of wine especially the farming of wine grapes in the Napa Valley. I look forward to hearing her speak again.

Hugh Davies talked about how he has recently crafted Cabernet Sauvignon that is the expression of the historic Diamond Mountain vinyards. How he grew up in the wine business and that in the 1990s he planted Diamond Mountain in Cabernet Sauvignon.

Hugh gave us an historical perspective of his family. How in 1965 his parents, Javk and Jamie Davis began reviving Schramberb Vineyards and the estate’s dormant winery. How they went about fostering sparkling wines in the Napa Valley. How his family challenged conventional ideas and relied on innovation to create some of the finest sparking wines in California today. He explained how fruit from Diamond Mountain, Spring Mountain and the Carneros now bring exciting flavors and divers textures to their wins.

Most impressively they’ve not disturbed the surrounding woodlands, practicing sound grape farming tackiest and environmentally sound land management.

By the way besides developing his own wines, J Davies, Hugh is the President & Winemaker of Schramberb and the father of two very active young boys: busy man!

Sean Foster, winemaker for Peju Province, Sean Foster grew up in Saratoga, California. He learned about wine at home at an early age from his parents who enjoyed California Chardonnay.

After high school Foster enrolled at UCLA to study biochemical engineering. During his first few years there he occasionally brewed beer to enjoy with friends and he began to drink wine, but there was no hint of his future profession. By his third year of study he realized that he didn't want to just be a scientist. Rather, he wanted to find a field where he could use his scientific skills and then enjoy the end product.

It was an "aha" moment, when in 1992, Foster asked his grandfather, who lived in Napa Valley, to help him find a job during the upcoming harvest. That fall, Foster found his calling. He fell in love with the process of winemaking while knee deep in grapes during the harvest at Merryvale. After harvest, he returned to UCLA for a short time, only to leave during his next to last quarter to accept a full time job in the cellars at Merryvale. During his nine year tenure there he was a "cellar rat" for three years, becoming assistant winemaker in 1995, and associate winemaker in 2001. In July 2002, he joined Peju Province Winery as winemaker.

Sean discoursed in-depth the soil profiles within the various Paju vineyards–how the fluvial soils ripen slower in Pope Valley, how the vine stay dormant longer; that the alluvial sub-straight plots are warmer and ripen much earlier; how soil and sub-straight variation within plots give subtle differences in how you learn to farm the land. He told us why they have planted Zinfandel in areas and Cabernet Sauvignon in others–the art of farming wine grapes.

"I was fortunate to be exposed to so many concentrated, extracted wines made for others. There is only so much a winemaker can do in the cellar," states Foster. "The quality of the fruit sets a stage for the quality of the wine. At Peju we have elegant, bold fruit flavors with soft and supple tannins from two distinct viticultural areas. We harvest our grapes purely by their flavor, waiting for the tannins to mature."

Foster lives in Napa with his wife and new son, Fynn. He is a member of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, and is currently attending UC Davis to complete his MBA (Masters of Business Administration).

Last but defiantly, in no way, not least the infamous Janet Trefaten of Trefethen Vineyard Winery, Inc--Janet is very involved in the vintner community and lead active lives. Janet is a top-ranked equestrian in the sport of "cutting" She and her husbend John were honored in 1998 as "pioneers" in the Napa Valley at the Wine Spectator's California Experience, quite a feat for a couple of kids just out of college when this adventure began.

Janet reminded Peter Marks that the topic for discussion was “diversity.” The entire panel and audience laughed and a sense of place and people discussing their lives and life work settled over the discussion there in the expansive yet communal in nature theaters of Copia.

Janet took us through a short history of the 500 acre Trefaten estate–started in 1886, (I encourage you to delve deeper into this wonderful place via their web site), now a national historic monument. We viewed aerial photos delineating the various plots within the property. Janet explained how and why thy can grow so many different varietals. By viewing these photos and listening to Mrs. Trefaten’s understanding of the geology concerning “Oak Knoll Alluvial Fan” that dominates the old Eshcol–you could really see how the soil defines the varietal. This is a winery worthy of the better part of a day to visit. All of the vineyards and wineries connected to these four panelist were made more inviting to visit. I came to understand how each has resigned themselves to farming grapes–after all good wine is made in the vineyard not the winery!

The discussion wound down with explinations of differences between "Glassy-Winged Sharpshooters” and “Blue Green Sharpshooters.” All in all a great way to get yourself oriented for the wines waiting to be tasted out in the floors of Copia.

ON TO THE--Taste of Copia-Napa, Walk-around Wine Tasting:

We were afforded the opportunity of meetings with Napa Valley vintners at Copia as they served hundreds of reds, whites, rosé and sparkling wines accompanied by tastes of bread and cheese–really good, too!.

Available out back in the”River Concert Terrace” you could purchase grilled sausages or burgers to further indulging your appetite--Yumm! All while sipping delicious Napa Valley wines, overlooking the scenic Napa River and its accompanying riparian habitat. Note: great bird watching, also.

An outstanding way to experience hundreds of wines all in one place–Copia. A great alternative to driving all over the Napa Valley for what no doubt would take days to accomplish.

Of note, missing a few of the wineries affected by the huge Vallejo warehouse fire on Wednesday last, October 12, 2005.

Wineries and Wines Tasted With Short Description:

Baldacci Family Vineyards: 2004 Merlot–deep and dark; ripe fruit, coco; good body nice tannins; good finish.

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon–rich in color; easy nose full of cherry, fig, and chocolate; good structure well balanced; layered and complex on the finish.

Bighorn Cellars: 2003 Napa Valley Chardonnay–very light straw; ripe citrus, rich tropicals–spice; good balance; nice length, crisp and refreshing.

2003 Merlot–fruit forward, berry and chocolate; healthy tannins; good body, balanced; moderatly long finish that echos fruit.

2001 Cabernet Sauvignon–deep garnet; ripe berrys raspberry, chocolate, vanilla; toasted oakleads you into this well structured and balanced cab; moderately long and smooth on the finish.

Black Coyote Wines: 2004 Napa Valley Chardonnay–good nose full of fruit, citrus, tropical, toasted oak; fine acidity good balance; clean finish.

2002 Cabernet Sauvignon–fruit forward; good structure; long finish.

Bouchaine Vineyards: 2003 Carneros Chardonnay–citrus, apple, dried golden fruit, spice; a big creamy wine; fruit laden lingering finish.

2003 Carneros Pinot Noir–floral, cherries, coffee; soft tannins; lingering finish.

Cartlidge & Browne: 2004 Rabid Red California Red Wine–fruit forward, good nose, hints of Syrah, Cabernet and Zinfandel; easy body; pleasant finish–great “Dog Faced” lable!

2004 Sauvignon Blanc–bright light straw in color and hue; citrus and pineapple; clean refreshing finish.

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon–good berry fruit and cassis both nose and taste; interesting finish.

Chappellet Vineyards and Winery: 2003 Napa Valley Chardonnay–great fruit, apple, pear, melon, spice and nuts; good body leading to a fruity, long complex finish.

2003 Napa Valley Merlot–dark; layers of plum, black berry, chocolate, and cedar; the fruit comes right through an impresive finish.

2003 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon–blackberry, black cherry, spice, herbs, oak; great mouth feel--super structure; rich, long, full of flavor and texture on the finish–Yumm!

Charles Krug-Peter Mondavi Family Winery: 2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon–chocolate and raspberries on a lingering finish.

2004 Carneros Chardonnay–great color; intense flavors; good acidity.

Elkhorn Peak Cellars: 2002 Napa Valley Chardonnay–great nose, apple, vanilla; light gream on a warm finish.

2002 Napa Valley Pinot Noir–strawberry and cherry greet the nose; good balance good length.

Farella-Park Vineyards: 2004 Sauvignon Blanc–great balance; nice acidity; good finish.

NV Alta Red Wine–nice ripe fruits; good body; a new release.

Franciscan Oakville Estate: 2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon–rich, dark fruits, black berry, cherry; well framed anple tannins; long and lingering–Wow!

Galleron: 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon–great nose of fruit, spice, pepper, berry, cherry, cassis, cedar, vanilla; firm body good tannins; layered and long on thefinish.

2001 Napa Valley Morisoli Cabernet Sauvignon–bouquet, plum, spice, dark fruits; good body concentrated finish–Good Stuff!

Hagafen Cellars: 2004 Napa Valley Pinot Noir, Estate Bottled–great color, strawberry, cherry, coffee; fruit follows through to a warm lingering layered finish–Good Stuff!

Heitz Wine Cellars: Ink Grade Port–rich, sweet, fruity–a bold Port!

Hill Family Estate: 2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon–dark; black current, spice, good nose; good body ample tannins; long oaky finish.

J. Davies Vineyards: 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon–super none, bib ammounts of blackberry, boysenberry, cherry, spice and oak; soft tannins great balance; smooth and intriguing on a long finish.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards: 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon–nice color, fruit; body and structure; fine lengthy finish.

Louis M. Martini Winery: 2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon–great nose, ripe fruits; solid structure; interesting long layered finish.

Mahoney Vineyards: 2004 Carneros Chardonnay–fresh and full, fruit and oak; long and clean.

2002 Carneros Pinot Noir–intense nose, cherry and black pepper, spice and oak; ample tannins, good body; long and lush on the finish.

Napa Valley Grape Growers:

“The mission of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers is to promote and protect the interests of Napa Valley’s premium grape growers through education, advocacy on grape commodity issues, and outreach to the community to maintain Napa Valley’s reputation as one of the premiere wine grape growing regions in the world.”

Peju: 2003 Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Zinfandel–deep in color; ripe fruits aromas of cherry, raspberry, blackberry and cranberry, fall spice; jammy and rich; silky tannins; big, bold and long on the finish–Great Stuff!

Rocca Family Vineyards: 2000 H. Gray Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville, Napa Valley–black cherry, raspberry, cocoa, vanilla, light oak; excellent body, silky tannins; layered and long on the finish.

ZD Wines: 2003 Napa Valley Chardonnay–well balanced between fruit and acidity; clean, full and crisp on the finish–A Great Wine!

I was bummed I totally missed the afternoon: “Special Spring Mountain District Seminar & Tasting,“ offered at two different times on Saturday, October 15--1:30 – 2:00 pm and 3:00 – 3:30 pm. That’s right--missed ‘em both!

What did I miss: Winetasting and seminar, an exclusive in-depth tasting and seminar featuring fabulous wines from Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley. Learn from vintners John Guilliams (Guilliams Vineyards), Michael Marston (Marston Family Vineyards), Fred Schweiger (Schweiger Vineyards) and Chris Becker (Peacock Family Vineyard). I was signed up had my ticket, but got the time all wrong–dang! You snooze you lose, or you sip you slip? One of those is applicable I’m sure.