About three weeks ago I received an email with an invitation for a two-day post harvest tour of Napa Valley and Sonoma wineries in California. I read it and quickly dismissed the idea that I could take such trip. But I didn’t delete the email… a few days later after reading it more carefully I decided to inquire on what wineries were part of this tour. The response left my eyes wide open… Quintessa, Opus One, Domain Carneros, Rodney Strong, Artessa and so on for a total of 10 wineries and 1 cooperage. This is not the typical winery tour because it includes detailed presentations by winemakers with time allotted for questions and answers.
After talking it over with THE boss, I was all clear. I’ve got the coolest wife in the world ;-)
California here I come…
Since I felt that 10 wineries were not enough fun, I decided to add a couple of days to the trip and roam up and down Napa Valley. 10 became 15 just like that. But wait… still not enough. How could I be in the San Francisco area and not visit Crushpad/Crushnet? As I posted earlier, I’m involved in some long-distance winemaking at Crushpad in San Francisco. This company is the front runner in the new “experience economy” for winemaking and could play a significant role in the future of the entire wine business in America. Like this wasn’t enough… I received an invitation from Crushpad for the first group tasting of the Vayniac group wine which is to take place on the same day that I had already planned to be visiting. I added this to my running list of “Signs from God”.
Last but not least, I will finally be meeting with Ron and Lisa Sutton, owners of Bells Echo Vineyard in Mendocino County. The Sutton family grows mostly well known Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. I hope to be able to buy their fruit for future winemaking projects.
I’m very excited about this trip… can you tell?
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