How do wineries battle the coronavirus blues? By being creative, stepping up, helping their employees and keeping you smiling during these sobering times. Many wineries across the country are reaching out through social media with virtual tastings.
Here’s an updated and refined list of what the wine regions are doing in Northern California. I’m also including my interviews with Jackson Family Wines and Spring Mountain Vineyard from my show on April 18th.
This is a shorter podcast that features the Mount View Hotel and Spa in Calistoga, Napa Valley. It’s an historic, beautifully designed art deco hotel that offers many enticing experiences for their guests.
This interview aired on my radio show last Saturday and I wanted you to hear it in case you’re panning a trip to Napa Valley or Sonoma in the coming weeks. On April 1st, The Mount View is offering a one of a kind experience that combines wine tasting, a film, dinner – featuring one of the performers in the film, and a night’s stay at the hotel. Scroll down to see the flyer for this full day of enjoyment.
If you can’t make it that night keep the Mount View in mind for a future stay. I hope to see you there on April 1st!
Young Indie Blue, Michael and Stephanie Woods
The stylish lobby
The Indie Blue Lounge
The Cottage Spa
The Mount View Pool
The Spa Cat
One of their beautifully decorated rooms
https://onthewineroad.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Mount-View-FB-Woods-edit.jpg4251032Jeff Davishttps://onthewineroad.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Podcast-Logo-for-website-copy.pngJeff Davis2020-03-06 16:20:332020-03-09 11:22:04Mount View Hotel & Spa “Cinema and Song” Event
I’m mixing it up on this podcast with Ace Premium Cider and Harvest on Spring Mountain Vineyard.
For you hard cider fans, you’ll get a kick out of hearing from founder Jeffrey House. The former Brit brought his cider knowledge to the U.S. in the 1970s and opened Ace Premium Craft Cider in 1993. With his sons firmly in place Ace is still a family run business, now in it’s second generation.
Then you can join me on Spring Mountain Vineyard during harvest with their longtime vineyard manager, Ron Rosenbrand. You’ll hear about the unique character of this 845 acre property and how this year’s growing season was for their Bordeaux varieties. Buckle up, it’s time to venture out On The Wine Road.
The Ace In The Hole pub
Apparently Ace In The Hole was the first!
The “harvest” moon early on one of many picking mornings.
Bins to fill with harvested grapes
Harvesting the grapes
Full bins waiting to be trucked to the winery
The sun begins to rise on the vineyard following harvest
https://onthewineroad.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jeffrey-Ron.png405720Jeff Davishttps://onthewineroad.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Podcast-Logo-for-website-copy.pngJeff Davis2019-12-28 15:59:082020-01-03 13:29:02Ace Premium Cider & Harvest on Spring Mountain Vineyard
This podcast includes stops at a favorite winery and restaurant; Spring Mountain Vineyard and A16.
As you’ll hear, Spring Mountain Vineyard features three distinct vineyards and a history that makes it a special place. What I love about the experiences are the library wines the offer. In three visits I’ve tasted vintages from 1988, 2001, ’04, ’08, ’10, and ’15. The cabernet sauvignons and their Elivette (reserve) blends are made in the Bordeaux style; meaning not a big, ripe, chewy Cab, but an elegantly complex wine that invites you to enjoy taste after taste. They also bottle a sauvignon blanc. Winemaker Justin Hirigoyen is my guest.
**Update: Wine Spectator just released scores for 2015 Bordeaux Blends in Napa Valley. Spring Mountain Vineyard topped the list with a score of 96. (BTW – 15 of the top 30 are priced higher than Spring Mountain Vineyard). Don’t hesitate, pay them a visit!
A16 Restaurant offers authentic Italian Pizza Napolitana, fresh pasta, and house cured meats inspired by the Campania region. My guest, Wine Director Shelley Lindgren, selects wines that highlight grapes of the Compania and nearby regions. We’ve enjoyed dining there. You’ll find A16 in the Marina District on Chestnut Street and in Oakland in Rockridge. They also operate the Michelin Star restaurant SPQR in the S.F. Fillmore district.
French and Italian wine and food. What’s not to love?
Justin on the day of our interview and tasting
The tasting we did on our first visit. We love those library wines!
The barrel room behind the attractive facade
One of Spring Mountain’s three vineyards
A recent tasting I attended in the beautiful Miravalle Estate
A16 Restaurant on a San Francisco evening
A partial shot of the restaurant. The wood-firing ovens are to the right and the seating wraps around.
