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Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Harvest is Near

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St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon

St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon

The State of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Harvest

In the artsy photo, we see beautiful clusters of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. More than likely these grape clusters will be picked by the end of September. By all accounts, the growing season for all grapes in the Napa Valley has been in the normal category. These Cabernet grapes are in a secluded area of the St. Helena AVA. It is a small vineyard and family-owned. The resulting Cabernet Sauvignon will sell from upwards of $100 a bottle.

I shot this photo on August 30, 2018. I used a Lightroom Plugin to create the artsy look to the picture.

Stony Hill Vineyard Sells

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Stony Hill Vineyard sells to Long Meadow Ranch

Mike Chelini pours a barrel sample of Cabernet Sauvignon

Mike Chelini pours a barrel sample of Cabernet Sauvignon

Stony Hill Vineyard, one of Napa Valley’s oldest family-owned winery, has sold to another Napa Valley winery. Stony Hill Vineyard is a unique winery in the Napa Valley. Stony Hill is tucked away, hidden from the roadway. Tasting is by appointment only, and only a few visitors are scheduled each day. Wine case production is approximately 5000 cases per year, with Chardonnay the flagship wine. The Chardonnay is noted for its beautiful balance, and not for heavy oak or buttery and creamy flavors like one finds at most Napa Valley wineries. The wines are mostly sold to long-time loyal customers, local restaurants and online.

We have visited Stony Hill Vineyard on many occasions. One of our wine friends, Mike Beltran, knows Mike Chelini well. Mike Chelini has been the winemaker at Stony Hill Vineyard for the past 45 years. He is the longest-tenured winemaker in the Napa Valley. We love taking a barrel sample of all the wines and walking through some of the hillside vineyards. Mike Chelini is also a member of an exclusive lunch club. They call themselves the G.O.N.A.D.S.  What does that mean? I wrote an article back in 2008 on Mike Chelini, Stony Hill, and the exclusive lunch club. Read it here.

Fred and Eleanor McCrea founded Stony Hill 70 years ago. The good news in this sale is that the buyers, Ted and Laddie Hall (who currently own Long Meadow Ranch), and the McCrea family are old friends.  It seems that too often with the sale of a Napa Valley winery, a wine conglomerate or an investment group buys the winery. I’m always disappointed to find a long-time winery selling to the big dealers of the wine industry. Give us the good old days of the Napa Valley!

Joe and Janelle at Stony Hill Vineyard

Joe and Janelle at Stony Hill Vineyard

 

 

 

Sauvignon Blanc Harvest

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Sauvignon Blanc harvest

Sauvignon Blanc harvest begins in the Napa Valley

Sauvignon Blanc Harvest begins in the Napa Valley

August 30, 2018, begins the Sauvignon Blanc harvest in the Napa Valley. From this date through the next two weeks most of the Sauvignon Blanc will be picked and crushed for the 2018 vintage. These Sauvignon Blanc grapes are from a small and hidden winery in St. Helena. The vineyard owner is a famous art gallery proprietor in San Francisco. These Sauvignon grapes are headed to the Cade winery in Howell Mountain. This August was below average in temperature and the cool temperatures delayed the harvest for about one week.

The St. Helena Sauvignon Blanc harvest in these photos was in the early morning hours. Overcast skies enabled the harvest crew to pick easily and without much duress. All in all, this appears to be a fantastic harvest. Time will tell.

Sauvignon blanc harvest 2018

Sauvignon Blanc harvest – early morning rush

 

St. Helena Wine Country

Brannan’s Grill Closes in Calistoga

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Brannans grill closes

A twenty-year run for Brannan’s Grill ended in July of 2018

Brannan’s Grill Closes in Calistoga

It is the sign of the times in the Napa Valley. Another one of Napa Valley’s oldest restaurants, Brannan’s Grill closed in Calistoga. It is a different clientele in the Napa Valley these days, even in the sleepy and laid-back town of Calistoga. We have noticed a steady change in the Napa Valley since 2012 when the economy began to boom. San Francisco Area is a mecca for the wealthy and the sophisticated. This sector brings a new breed of traveler to wine country. Brannan’s is more of the old Napa Valley

Calistoga is our favorite town, and we loved coming to Brannan’s to sit at the 1880’s Brunswick mahogany bar. I don’t know the name of the Brannan’s bartender, but he was a friendly and efficient server. We popped into the Brannan’s bar just a few times a year. Each time the bartender remembered Janelle’s favorite cocktail, the Branhattan, the best Manhattan in the Napa Valley.

We hope that the restaurant reopens under new owners and that they have the common sense to keep the beautiful mahogany bar. We will miss Brannan’s Grill.

1880's Brunswick mahogany bar

1880’s Brunswick mahogany bar

More on Calistoga in the Napa Valley

At the Crossroad of Two Great Wine Regions – Which One to Take?

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crossroads of napa valley and sonoma which is better

In the Alexander Valley, we can head to Calistoga or Healdsburg

At the Crossroad of Two Great Wine Regions – Napa Valley Vs. Sonoma

We love this backroad intersection in wine country. It is in the Alexander Valley AVA on Highway 116.  It reminds us of how lucky we are to live close to the area where we have two of the greatest wine regions in the world, the Napa Valley and Sonoma.  Which road should we take? If we head to Calistoga, we will travel through the beautiful AVA of Knights Valley along Highway 116. The drive leads to the Northern end of the Napa Valley. From there we can go south to the town of Napa along either the Silverado Trail or Highway 29. Both roads parallel the Napa Valley floor.

If we head towards the town of Healdsburg, we travel through small backroads of the Chalkhill AVA. Healdsburg is the gateway to the West Sonoma area. It includes the wine regions of Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and more.

Either choice is excellent. Napa Valley is smaller and denser.  West Sonoma is large and more diverse. Napa Valley is famous for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.  West Sonoma is famous for Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Because this Sonoma Area is vast, the climate changes are significant from one AVA to the next. Happy Travels!

Additional travel resources for the Napa Valley and West Sonoma

 

Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen to Close

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Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen to close on July 7, 2018

All the locals know about Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, it is the spot to talk about wine, vineyards, and everyday Napa Valley life. Tourists love the eclectic menu and the enjoyable atmosphere of Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen. Sadly, Cindy Palwcyn is closing her beloved restaurant on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The word is that Cindy Pawlcyn was offered a proposal she could not refuse and has sold her restaurant to an unnamed buyer. We have been to Cindy’s on several occasions. The small plates are fantastic and fun to share with your friends and family. The wine list is extensive and the wines priced well below most restaurants. Cindy will continue to operate her first Napa Valley Restaurant, Mustard’s Grill in Yountville. Most of the staff at Cindy’s Backstreet will head over to Mustard’s. We will certainly miss this terrific St. Helena restaurant. Read more about the closing of Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen.

stuffed Piquillo Peppers are a favorite

The stuffed Piquillo Peppers are a favorite at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen

I have two of Cindy’s cookbooks: Mustard’s Grill Napa Valley Cookbook and Big Small Plates by Cindy Pawlcyn  The Piquillo recipe is in Big Small Plates cookbook

Happy Diners at Cindys

Wine Tasting in Morro Bay and Cambria

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We recently explored Morro Bay and Cambria

Morro Rock – Outdoor activities plus wine tasting in Morro Bay and Cambria

Wine Tasting in Morro Bay and Cambria

The Central Coast has many possibilities for wine touring and tasting. The most popular regions are Paso Robles and Santa Barbara. For wine travelers who desire to mix in a variety of outdoor activities with wine country pleasures, the coastal towns of Morro Bay and Cambria offer numerous opportunities. We recently explored Morro Bay and Cambria. We hiked, kayaked, dined, shopped, and we tasted wines in Morro Bay and Cambria.

Chateau Margene Tasting Room in Morro Bay

Chateau Margene Tasting Room in Morro Bay

Morro Bay Activities

Our base in Morro Bay is the Gray’s Inn. The Gray’s Inn is smack dab in front of the waters of Morro Bay. Gray’s Inn has a mini kitchen which is an added plus if you want to eat some of your meals in.  The deck of the Inn provides beautiful views of the water activities afforded by the tranquil waters of the Morro Bay. Take a morning hike or kayak ride, and then spend the afternoon strolling the shops of Morro Bay and wine tasting. There are several tasting rooms in Morro Bay, plus an Albertson’s Market that has a fantastic collection of local wines.

Morro Rock is spectacular both morning and evenings. The nearby Morro Bay State Park offers camping and hiking trails. You can rent paddleboards and kayaks for excellent exercise. There are cruise tours as well as chartered fishing opportunities. There are several dining spots to choose from that have excellent cuisine and views of Morro Bay.

Here is a list of the wine tasting rooms in the town of Morro Bay

  • Chateau Margene – High-end Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Morro Bay Wine Seller – wine shop and wine bar, pairings and music
  • MCV Wines – boutique Paso Robles winery offering Petit Sirah and other wines
  • STAX Wine Bar and Bistro – wine bar, local wines and food pairings

The best resource for Morro Bay trip planning

Rent a Kayak in Morro Bay

Rent a Kayak in Morro Bay

Cambria Activities

Cambria is about a 30-minute drive north from Morro Bay, a pretty drive along the coast. The big attraction in Cambria is Hearst Castle, but hiking, wine tasting, and boutique shopping are also favorite activities. Most people will take Highway 46 West from Paso Robles to get to Cambria. Along the way, there are several Paso Robles wineries to visit. The views of the vineyards along the route are stunning.

The coastal town of Cambria has many activities, but wine tasting is a big plus. We suggest that you stop in at the Stolo Family Vineyards. In town, you will see signs directing you to Stolo Family Vineyards. The winery and tasting room are on Santa Rosa Creek Road, a couple of miles east of Cambria. The wines are excellent!  Pack a lunch and enjoy the views at Stolo while sipping a cool glass of white wine. Pinot Noir is also excellent at Stolo.

The wineries in this area have formed the Pacific Coast Wine Trail.

Stolo Vineyards

Cambria has many restaurant choices. We dined at the Harmony Cafe. The place was packed with locals, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The food is terrific. The pace is very relaxed and pleasant.

Harmony Cafe

Harmony Cafe

In the town of Cambria, these wineries have tasting rooms

The best resource for Cambria trip planning

If you have the time, you can easily spend 2-3 full days or more in these towns.  If you plan to visit Hearst Castle, you’ll need more time. Let us know what you enjoy the most if you visit Morro Bay and Cambria.

 

 

Stolo Family Vineyards has a Niche

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A Visit to Stolo Family Vineyards – Why you should go

Paso Robles is a hot spot for wine country travelers. The downtown is booming with high-end restaurants and boutique shopping. There are enough tasting rooms in and around the famous City Park to spend an entire day. To the immediate west and east are backroads leading to numerous wineries attracting wine enthusiast in droves. So why do we suggest that you drive 30 miles to the coastal town of Cambria to visit the Stolo Family Vineyards?  We think Stolo Family Vineyards has a niche that offers a unique wine country experience.

We visited Stolo a week ago, first stopping in Paso Robles for lunch. The temperature read 88 degrees in Paso. When we arrived at the Stolo Family Vineyards tasting room, the temperature was 68 degrees. The temperature is what sets Stolo apart from the inland Paso Robles wineries. The winery is only a couple of miles from the Pacific Ocean. Besides the cool temperatures, a moist breeze from the ocean provides a freshness to the air. On most summer days, the area is drenched in fog until the late morning or early afternoon. This is a cool-climate grape growing region. Stolo vineyards include Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and surprisingly, Syrah. The growing season is very long because of the cool climate. Harvest can last all the way to the first week in November.

The Stolo Family has two estate vineyard locations. The oldest is on the hillside, where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir flourish. This vineyard has an origin date of 1998. The Stolo Family took over what was an old dairy farm in 2002 and soon established their wine business. Later, the Creekside Vineyard was planted. It is located across the road and in the flatlands. Nicole Pope is the winemaker. She studied Chemistry at nearby Cal Poly and traveled to Australia and South Africa to hone her winemaking skills. Nicole also did a stint at Domaine Carneros. The Carneros region is another wine area known for its cool climate and marine factors.

Stolo Chardonnay

Stolo Hillside Chardonnay Vineyard planted in 1998

We sampled through all the Stolo wines. We were fortunate to taste with Nicole and general manager Diego Aquirre. Case production is  2000, so the supply is limited. We started with the Sauvignon Blanc. It gave us a clear indication of the Stolo wines. For whatever reason, the soil or the closeness to the ocean, the Sauvignon Blanc is distinctive. It is bright, lush, and with a stony characteristic. All the other wines followed suit, each with subtle attributes demonstrating the terroir of the Stolo Family Vineyards.

Nicole Pope, winemaker Stolo Family Vineyards

Nicole Pope, winemaker Stolo Family Vineyards

Two Chardonnays and two Pinot Noir wines are produced, one from the hillside vineyard and the other from the Creekside Vineyards. The Syrah grown in this climate takes on a whole different flavor profile than its warmer counterpart in Paso Robles. It is spicy, medium bodied, and has that smokey bacon flavor just like the Northern Rhone Syrahs. Fantastic!

The winery is open daily, and one can make a full day out of a visit. Cambria is full of good restaurants and boutique shopping. The Stolo winery has a large picnic area and benches. The folks here are very accommodating, so bring your picnic lunch and relax among the vineyards.

The six wineries in this area have established the Pacific Coast Wine Trail. Besides Stolo, one can visit Harmony Cellars at 3255 Harmony Valley Road. In the town of Cambria, these wineries have tasting rooms: Black Hand Cellars, Moonstone Cellars, and Twin Coyotes. Nearby in Cayucos is the tasting room of Cayucos Cellars. There is a movement afoot among the six wineries to promote this coastal area as its own AVA. Right now, the wineries are in the larger geographic area known as the Central Coast AVA. No doubt the proximity to the Pacific Ocean warrants its own AVA designation.

More Information on Paso Robles wine country

Jimtown Store

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Jimtown Store in the Alexander Valley AVA

Jimtown Store in the Alexander Valley AVA

Jimtown Store – Alexander Valley AVA

A wine country getaway to Sonoma County and Healdsburg would not be complete without a stop at the funky Jimtown Store in the Alexander Valley on Highway 128. It is one of the most popular places for stocking up a deli lunch and picnic supplies. Carrie Brown and her late husband John Werner purchased the historic Jimtown Store many years ago and turned it into a landmark destination.

Whenever we are in Healdsburg, we always make a stop at the Jimtown Store for our picnic lunch. We enjoy perusing the store and never mind waiting while the staff prepares our order. One of our greatest life pleasures is to picnic and sip wine among the vineyards. The Alexander Valley is one of the most beautiful settings in any wine country in any part of the world. Traveling along Highway 128 are many options for wine tasting and picnicking. Most of the wineries along this route have picnic facilities. The tasting rooms, for the most part, are low key, casual, and fun.

To get to the JImtown Store from Healdsburg head north on Healdsburg Avenue and make a right turn onto Highway 128. Within a few miles, you will come to the Jimtown Store. Here is a link to the Carrie Brown’s Jimtown Cookbook featuring the delightful concoctions available at the Jimtown Store.

More information on the Alexander Valley and Jimtown Store

Russian River Valley in May

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Russian River Valley

View from Westside Road in the Russian River Valley in late May

Russian River Valley AVA – Pinot Noir Wine Country

This scene is of Sonoma County’s beautiful Russian River Valley AVA. The vineyards are most likely Pinot Noir grapes. I shot this photo from Westside Road, a few miles to the east where Westside Road ends at River Road. The Russian River (which flows from Mendocino County through Sonoma County), plus the breeze and fog supplied by the Pacific Ocean, provide the perfect climate for growing Pinot Noir grapes and Chardonnay grapes. There are many excellent producers of high-end Pinot Noir in this region. To discover these wineries, take a ride from the town of Healdsburg to Westside Road. It is a dandy wine country backroad drive. Pack a lunch or stop on River Road at the Korbel Winery deli. Even better, head to the resort town of Guerneville. Guerneville has some fantastic and unusual stores and restaurants. It is also the location of Armstrong Grove State Park. Take the lovely nature hike trail, and you will be awed and inspired by the breathtaking Coastal Redwood Trees.  Bring home a few bottles of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to open and contemplate this famous wine region of California.

More information on the Russian River Valley

CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY REGIONS:

Carneros • Livermore • Lodi • Mendocino • Monterey • Napa Valley • Paso Robles • Santa Barbara County • Santa Cruz Mts. • Sierra Foothills • Russian River • Sonoma Valley