Dont let this be your halloween costume!

Drink and party responsibly!!!

GET READY FOR THE SCARY!!!

Ghoul-Ade Punch Recipe

1 quart bottle sparkling apple cider
1 quart bottle cranberry juice cocktail
1 liter bottle ginger ale 2 cups pineapple juice
750ml of Lonestar Vodka or Tropic ilse palms Rum
Ice cubes and dry ice

mix all ingredients in large bowl and serve!!!

ROBERT MONDAVi

TURNS 90 YEARS YOUNG

A  L O O K B A C K O N A L I F E T I M E O F I N N O V A T I O N

“To understand wine, interest is not

enough - you must be passionate,”

The winery has replanted much of their Napa Valley vineyard property to ideal rootstock

and clones.Since 1993, the Mondavi’s have collaborated with NASA to apply

advanced remote sensing technologies in vineyard management.

In 1966, Robert Mondavi purchased initial acreage in

Oakville, Napa Valley and built his winery. It wasn’t long before

he was showing the world just what California was capable of

with the introduction of oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc, his own

invention which he named “Fumé Blanc” in the late 1960’s. “I

have learned that it’s important to create wines that have your

style and are unique to you, regardless of what others are doing,”

he says. “I traveled the world and spoke with many of the great

winemakers of the world. Then I formed my own opinions about

what made great wine and what our style should be. After learning

everything I could about wine, I was able to decide what was

right for us. Then it was important to excel in what I did, to

devote my whole life to it.”

He introduced cold fermentation in the 1960’s, and began

experimenting with stainless steel tank fermentation and using

small French oak barrels for aging. Soon, California winemakers

everywhere were learning from Mondavi and adopting his winemaking

techniques, but he managed to always stay ahead of the

curve with a new innovation. In 1979, he formed the first international

joint venture with the Rothschild family of Chateau

Mouton Rothschild of Bordeaux to create the highly-acclaimed

Opus One.

Robert Mondavi is now Chairman Emeritus of the company

and the second generation has taken the reins, lead by Robert's

first born son, Michael Mondavi, Chairman of the Board. Robert's son Tim

Mondavi, Vice Chairman and Winegrower, has lead the winemaking team at

the winery for the past 27 years and under his direction, the winery has continued

its commitment to research in the winery and vineyard. The winery

has replanted much of their Napa Valley vineyard property to ideal rootstock

and clones.Since 1993, the Mondavi’s have collaborated with NASA to apply

advanced remote sensing technologies in vineyard management. In 1991, the

Robert Mondavi Winery launched the To Kalon Project, the first major renovation

in its history. Completed in 2001, the facility features gentle gravityflow

winemaking, and basket presses to enhance the personality of grapes from

the To Kalon vineyard. It is here that Tim Mondavi has taken the wines in a

new direction with the practice of oak fermentation; the resulting Cabernet

Sauvignon reflect an enhanced complexity and depth of color and flavor that

provide both power and finesse.

The Story Behind Alexander Valley Vineyards

Cyrus Alexander
1805–1872

Alexander Valley is named after a man who arrived here on horseback in 1840. Pioneer Cyrus Alexander had ridden from San Diego, hired by Captain Fitch to look for unclaimed, frontier land suitable for ranching. A Pennsylvanian who sought adventure and fortune as a trapper in the Rocky Mountains and later as a gold miner in California, Alexander identified 48,000 acres of land which Fitch then acquired as a grant from the Mexican government. Fitch hired Alexander to set up a working ranch and promised to award him with land of his own. The Mexican land grant became Rancho Sotoyome, and when Cyrus Alexander settled there in 1841, the as-yet-unnamed valley was the northern frontier of Mexico.

In the eyes of Cyrus Alexander this land had tremendous potential – good soil, temperate climate, plentiful water and abundant timber. As caretaker of Fitch’s property, Cyrus was responsible for guarding the owner’s 1,000 horses,14,000 cattle and 10,000 sheep. Cyrus was well acquainted with this ranch, and when it came time for him to collect on Fitch’s promise of land, he selected the 9,000 acres he described as “the brightest and the best”. Located on the eastern side of the Russian River, the land had an ideal homesite - atop a prominent knoll, near a large spring, alongside a brook. On this site Cyrus Alexander built his family home; it now belongs to Alexander Valley Vineyards and is the heart of the Wetzel Family Estate.

Cyrus built the valley’s first schoolhouse. Today
the building is a guest house on the Wetzel Family Estate.

While still overseeing Fitch’s Rancho Sotoyome, Cyrus built adobe and redwood buildings(sometimes without nails), planted fruit trees, grew wheat and took care of livestock. A vigorous, skillful outdoorsman, he gave more of himself than his contract with Fitch required. Industrious Cyrus built a lime kiln, erected a grist mill and developed a tannery. He planted the area’s first grape vines in 1846. He thought nothing of traveling great distances by horse and cart - to Sonoma to buy building supplies; to Fort Ross to trade for fruit tree seedlings; to Cache Creek, 100 miles east, to court Rufina Lucero who, at age 14, became his wife.

In 1847 Cyrus began developing his homesite, first constructing an adobe building with walls two feet thick and a foundation 80 feet long, 20 feet wide and 12 feet high. In 1863, just to the north of the adobe, Cyrus built his family home, the largest residence in Alexander Valley at the time. Outbuildings included barns, stables, granaries and a smoke house, all built of the best material.

Alexander became the community’s leader, building the valley’s first schoolhouse and founding three local churches. He continued to develop his orchard, always obtaining the best stock available. A fig tree planted by Cyrus in 1850 is still bearing fruit in the 21st century on the Wetzel Family Estate.

The Wetzels purchased a large part of the Cyrus Alexander homestead in 1962, including the old adobe and the family home. Ravaged by time and the 1906 earthquake, the buildings needed restoration. From 1967 – 1968 the Wetzels restored the adobe, keeping the original glass, window placements and surrounding wisteria and trees. In 1972, they purchased the old Alexander Valley schoolhouse and moved it to a hillside north of the family home and gardens. Several years later, they completed the restoration of the Cyrus Alexander family home, now the principal residence on the Wetzel Family Estate.

Cyrus and Rufina Alexander are buried in their family cemetery on the Alexander Valley Vineyard property. Five of the ten Alexander children are also buried there.

El Destilador Tasting!!!!

Are you ready to try the new El Destilador Premium Tequila?

This weekend only we will be sampling this new premium tequila.  Come in between 3-7pm Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd and HAVE YOURSELF A SHOT...

Welcome to The Taste of Napa Valley

 

Generations 3

Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Napa Valley

Whitehall Lane is a small, family owned winery in Napa Valley's historic Rutherford appellation. Founded in 1979, the history of the soil cultivation at the winery dates back two centuries. In the mid 1800's, Napa Valley settlers were drawn to the deep, loamy soils and ideal climate, planting high quality grape vines at the Whitehall Lane Winery site. In 1993, the Leonardini Family of San Francisco took control of the Whitehall Lane estate, and their Generations 3 marks three generations of Leonardini's creating this full-bodied and expressive Napa red.

Generation 3 ..."More upfront fruit in this second release from Whitehall Lane! Big, rich, complex and full bodied with lots of black berry, black cherry and plum flavors. Nice depth with a touch of mocha, spice and vanilla on a long finish! 52% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah." The Wine Buyer, 95 Points

Staff Pics

A rich, complex cabernet sauvignon with core flavors of boysenberry, black cherry, chocolatey current and a hint of spice. The mid-palate is plush and full with nice harmony and finesse leading to a long concentrated finish.

awesome new tequila

   

 Tequila El Destilador

Exceptional quality premium tequila,  it is 100% pure blue agave.  It has an intense yellow color with straw-colored tones, and a clear nose with agave and fine wood notes.  Its pleasant flavor recalls wood and raw agave notes.  It is a full bodied with legs.  Aged in fine white oak casks, it is ideal for drinking straight though it mixes well with grapefruit soda.

Bacio Divino Wines

Jen's Picks
for the
Month of September

Bacio Divino – Divine Kiss
In the California custom of working with the new to improve the traditional, I looked to achieve a way of broadening the distinctly majestic flavors and aromas of the king of Napa Valley's varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon. With the 1993 vintage, I was able to determine a blend that married the elegant, yet rich and softly oaked Cabernet Sauvignon with the long and linear tannins and cherry, berry qualities of Sangiovese. To embellish the color and acid levels of the Sangiovese, I added some inimitable Petite Sirah. The resulting wine showed that a whole can be greater than its individual parts. And so...'Bacio Divino', a divine kiss, was born.

2007 Bacio Divino

An Artful Cabernet Sauvignon Blend incorporating ‘wee bits’ of, Sangiovese, Syrah and Merlot…

Tasting Notes

Bacio Divino shows a bright dark ruby color when poured, releasing aromas of blackberry

and current (cassis) fruit, with nuances of sweet vanilla. The palate is rich, yet elegant, and

mildly fruit-forward. Yet tannins, acid, oak and fruit are finely balanced in this wine. Bacio

Divino is as individual as its name – ‘divine kiss’. We believe you will enjoy this vintage over

the next decade or two.

Reviews

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December, 2009.

Perhaps the finest example I have ever tasted of the flagship offering, the 2007 Bacio Divino (Cabernet

Sauvignon and small quantities of Sangiovese, Petite Sirah, and Merlot) boasts copious aromas of sweet

creme de cassis fruit intermixed with wild strawberries, spice box, loamy soil, pepper, and roasted herbs. In

the mouth, the wine reveals pure, rich, opulent fruit, medium to full body, no hard edges, and a luscious, fleshy

style that is difficult to resist. It should age easily for 5-10 years, but it is already irresistible. Interesting wines

are produced by longtime winemaker, Claus Janzen. . Rated ’94, Outstanding…

Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, April, 2010.

4% Sangiovese; 3% Syrah; 1% Merlot. Interesting for its mix of sweet berries and currants along with hints

of green olives and a slight tangy twist, this full-bodied bottling is very nicely balanced overall even if a bit

fleshy at the front of the palate. Like its mate bottled under Janzen (see below), this wine has an outgoing and

easily tasted personality yet boasts sufficient underlying structure to reward cellar aging. Rated 91, 2 puffs

(out of 3), Outstanding…

Connoisseurs Guide ‘Featured Choice’ from 100+ Cabernet Sauvignons reviewed…

Pazzo —Call me crazy...

The immediate and consistent popularity of Bacio Divino led me to believe that wine consumers were indeed ready for new blends.  Working primarily with Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, in inverse proportions to those of Bacio Divino, and small additions of other varietals such as Zinfandel, Merlot, and Viognier, we created Pazzo. Pazzo (which means 'crazy' in Italian) is a 'funky', unpretentious blend - an ingratiating wine that is wonderful to drink in its youth. In addition to its good looks, it displays a nose of red berry aromas and follows through with spirited, sweet, lingering, fruit flavors. We have enjoyed incredible success and growth with this unique blend .