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A Week of Ups
No downs; just ups over here at the winery. Harvest is around the corner, and for the first time in 3 years, we might actually have what most would call a “normal” one! We enjoyed a nice summer with no major spikes one way or the other. We have a cellar crew that isn’t stressed, [...]
Advice On Your Trip to Napa
Ok, now seems to be the time that EVERYBODY wants to come visit. And it’s not just fans or interested consumers or even tourists, but friends and family too. Inevitably, they all want to come on Saturday afternoon. Well, at the risk of repeating myself from last year’s blog…it’s worth repeating. Pick any other day! [...]
I Really Am Back
But have been remiss in posting…I’d give you all the usual excuses, but you’ve heard them all….busy, busy, busy…. And I know I promised some Italy pics, but I still haven’t organized them. It’s coming, promise…. As for the Summer season at the Chateau, we’ve been experiencing good weather so far. My tomatoes plants are [...]
I’m Back!
After two weeks in Italy. It was a wonderful trip, but I’m happy to be home. The one thing about traveling overseas, as great a vacation as it may be, it certainly makes you appreciate home (easier said when you live in one of the most beautiful places in the world!). Anyways, as I continue [...]
Upcoming Sabbatical
As I gear up for a trip to Italy (I depart on Friday), I’m getting excited to venture into some of the best food and wine in the world! It’s been a while since I’ve been there and I’ve indulged in all things Napa Valley/Chateau Montelena for the last few years. We all should realize [...]
Summer’s Here!
Well, it felt like Summer was in high form this past weekend as we hit triple digits in the Napa Valley. According to the seasonal calendar, summer doesn’t actually start until tomorrow but that’s California for you! It’s not a very predictable state. I remember many years ago watching weather reporters on the local news [...]
A Great Week In The Bay Area
Is Napa still considered Bay Area? I’ll say yes. Some define the Bay Area as the outreach of BART (for those unfamiliar with the acronym, that’s our train system here). Napa County still touches part of the Bay waters – the San Pablo Bay waterway that borders the Carneros District – and provides a nice [...]
My Friend Brett
Brett (aka brettanomyces) has been a great friend of mine for a long, long time. But some people misunderstand and steer clear of it, thinking Brett can only be a dominating, ruinous stinker that smells like wet barnyard. Some get scared, even paranoid, and want no trace of Brett in their lives. Not I, because [...]
Montelena in the City
I’m sure by now most of you know we have a tasting room in San Francisco at the Westin St. Francis. But, did you know we have a great presence throughout the city in other venues where you can enjoy CM wines? Here’s a list of few standouts you need to visit: 5A5 Steakhouse on [...]
Post Event Hangover
Well, it’s not what you think – not from the alcohol, but from the end of another Movable Feast. After a year of planning, it came down to a four-hour party. By my calculations, that’s about 520 hours of planning for every one hour of partying….wow! Ok, ok, I didn’t spend the ENTIRE year planning, [...]
