'The Art of Blending'
The day began with a blending seminar led by Associate Winemaker
Nicki Pruss. After learning about the geological makeup of our vineyards
and the history of our winery, participants were given three wines-Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot-and invited to come up with
their own version of the perfect blend.
Afterwards the group entered the winery caves and strolled by candelight to the Round Room, where they enjoyed a tasting of current
releases and a performance by five members of the cast for this summer's Napa Valley Shakespeare Festival. Next the party moved into
the Great Room for lunch.
Here Vincent Nattress, chef and owner of Roux Restaurant in St. Helena, invited the group to put their newly sensitized and educated
palates to work determining the best match for each course from among the 1995 and 1999 vintages of our estate red wines, S.L.V., FAY,
and CASK 23. As the courses were served, Vincent and Nicki discussed the components and textures of the wine and how these married with
the foods, which included tuna, breast of duck, pear tarts in red wine sauce, and homemade chocolates.
"It was an incredible day," Dave Pitta of Sacramento CA said afterwards.
"The Shakespeare was great, the food was some of the best I've ever
tasted, and the CASK 23 with the chocolate would knock your socks
off."
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Gianni Kelly - Lab Supervisor with members Tom, Stella,
Jen and Tim |
Leslie and Yvonne checking for color and clarity |
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Victoria and Dan pondering over percentages |
Tim's got some serious blending to do! |
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Teresa tasting for flavor components in the wine |
Richard is swirling the wine in his glass to release the aromas |
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(left to right) JC, Leslie, Yvonne and Wes measuring out different varietals |
Jen mastering the pipette |
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Nicki Pruss, Associate Winemaker and Lisa measuring down to the millileter |
Beto Paniagua, Cellar Master works with Tamara reading the pipette |
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Nicki reviewing with Gregg and Caroline textures and flavors |
David (left) and Richard taking notes on their blends |
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Caroline and Gregg making their very own blend |
Evan and Adria enjoy the fruits of their labor |
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Victoria Coleman - Production Assistant works alongside Mary during their
final blend |
Nicki Pruss, Associate Winemaker discussing the finer points of blending |
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Yvonne pointing out to Wes the handmade booklets for the event |
Chef Vincent Nattress of Roux discussing food components and textures
with wine pairing |
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Josh and Dan came all the way from Wisconsin to join us with friend David |
Gianna Kelly, Lab Supervisor and Nancy Burton, Club 23 Manager enjoying
our favorite wine |
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Tamara and Andrew enjoying the moment |
Jeff with wife Lisa is impressed with the different tastes and textures
of food when paired with different wines |
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Evan and Adria - what's the next course? |
Mmmmm - Breast of Sonoma Duck with Wehani Rice |
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Jim and Felicia - we want to see those Hawaii honeymoon pictures! |
Gregg, Caroline and Leslie - what's your favorite wine and food pairing? |
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Wes, David, Victoria and Mary concentrate on the differences and similarities
of the components in food and wine |
Loretta is all smiles today! |
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Leslie and JC sharing a laugh |
Nancy Burton - Club Manager, Vincent Nattress, Chef and member Jim McCaughey
discuss dinner reservations |
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left to right - Leslie, Nicki, Tim, JC, Jen, Stella and Tom sharing a
joke |
Leslie, Stella and JC review their notes |
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