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Hard Labor at the Chateau
About 3 times a year we open up the bottling line to pour our liquid treasures into glass bottles. During these times, our production crew graciously offers other staffers the opportunity to share in the experience. This year I, along with a few other brave (and gullible) souls, offered to help. It’s now two days [...]
My Garden; Amazing Yields…and Zucchini for all!
In our second year of planting a vegetable garden here at the Chateau, we’re finding just how productive a squash plant can be. Every year, the Barrett family is generous to offer some land to any staff who wants to grow a garden. Last year, Gil, our Cellarmaster, and I set off to grow some [...]
Can One Overindulge On Vacation?
The answer is yes. I just got back from the beautiful state of Montana. After driving 6 hours from Billings to BigFork, I understand why they call it “Big Sky.” One can’t appreciate what that means till they look over the horizon of thousands of acres of wheat fields, rolling green hills, or glacier covered [...]
My Friends with Wine
As I conclude the July 4th holiday and get ready to head out for a real R&R vacation in the beautiful state of Montana, I’ve realized that among my many friends, I’ve grouped them into two categories. There are those that are wine collectors, or “snobs,” and those that aren’t. Don’t get me wrong; when I [...]
Support Your Local Farmer’s Markets
I’ve been a big advocate of local farmer’s markets for many years. While I do ponder why the costs of fruit and veggies at these direct-to-consumer venues is as high, if not higher than, some of your finest grocery chains, I’ve also come to realize that it’s still money well spent. Here’s why: *Quality. Just [...]
Vineyard Tours Starting Soon
Most of you know wines from what you buy at the store, read in reviews, hear from friends and enjoy at dinner parties. For those who venture to the regions where it’s actually made, their learning curve goes up exponentially. They get the stories first hand (sometimes, subjective); but even then, that’s a good thing. [...]
Here Comes The Sun
In the famous words of one of the greatest bands of our time, thank God it’s here! I won’t talk much about the weather, as that’s been beaten down in blogs and articles everywhere; so if you’re wondering what it means to vintage 2011, ask us in the Fall. It’s still too early. What I [...]
May 24: Judgement Day
No, not referring to “The Rapture,” nor am I referring to The Governator’s Hollywood glory days; I’m talking about the famous day in Paris, 35 years ago today, when a few “kids from the sticks” beat the French at their own game. A tasting set up by Steven Spurrier, in Paris at the Intercontinental Hotel, [...]
The Gloomy Days of May
Ok, so who said Summer is around the corner clearly is not living in Northern California! Wet, cold, and snow in Tahoe still? Just when you thought it was time to hang up the snowboards and break out the Cargo shorts, hold on there. So the question is, will this affect 2011 harvest? I asked [...]
Luxury in Calistoga: It Does Exist
If you’ve had the pleasure to visit the quaint little town of Calistoga, then you’ve enjoyed a throw back community to the new modern towns of US of A. The town is rich with little shops, bed and breakfasts, casual dining; and most famous for the geothermal geography, which leads way to the mud and mineral baths. [...]
