But, not until every guest had ample time to taste ample wines.
We were greeted with Champagne flutes of 2006 Schramsberg sparkling wine and tray after tray of paired appetizers from Chef Daniel Otto’s kitchen. Guests lingered over their bubbly, not as other wines hadn’t already been laid out, but because the atmosphere was electric.
Normally, being the first at a wine event to outstretch a hand in greeting, I found myself pleasantly surprised when Jo Grant, and her daughter, Stephanie Laney, outstretched theirs to us. Soon, like a group of old friends in a celebratory mood, new friendships were being made. I introduced myself to the electric-green-eyed Monica McClafferty, perfectly coifed Ginger LeVang, make-up artist Lynn Sevy Schutz (both from Salon
Seven), and a couple of transplanted Carpenters: Kevin and Erica. We also saw the usual suspects too like Ramon Rebel, Bill and Maureen Farrar, Marshall and Shelley Hann.
Of course at this point we were well into the wines of the evening. The Elizabeth
Spencer wines, both a Chardonnay and a Cabernet, seemed to be general hits. But in between guests thoroughly enjoyed a Chappellet Chardonnay, Peju Syrah, Coppola Cask and tastes of Bond Estates Matriarch blend owned by the famed winemaker William Harlan, also a founding partner at Meadowood.
Then I sat down with Meadowood’s sommelier of the evening: Rom Toulon.
“The restaurant reopened 4 years ago.” Began Toulon. “You’ll find we’ve received two stars from the Michelin Guide and Chef Christopher Kostow gained 4 stars from the San Francisco Chronicle, among many other accolades.
We enjoy doing small wine pairings of 20 wines with 20 items at Meadowood. Our clientele appreciates our 80% Napa and north coast varietal wine cellar, as out of 1000 members, 250 are in the Napa wine industry. At 11,000 bottles we’re not the biggest cellar in Napa but we have ‘one of the highest percentage of Napa Valley wine available to our guests’ (Napa Valley Vintners, Linda Reiff, executive Director) and cover at least 14 countries.
Our master sommelier, Gilles de Chambure, is on the property while I’m here tonight.
But, unique for a Napa property, is that either of us can provide 90 minute to full day educational Napa tours with wine tastings. We start with the basics, like the flavors you find in wine, and then sit down for a pairing.”
Meadowood is the host property for Auction Napa Valley, the annual 12 Days of
Christmas event, Meadowood Vintners Collection wine club, lodging, 250 wooded acres, health spa, and championship croquet lawns are only the beginning in outdoor activities such as golf, tennis, hiking, bicycling and swimming. Meadowood Napa Valley, is located at 900 Meadowood Lance, St. Helena, CA 94574. 707-963-3646. http://www.meadowood.com
Highlights from the SCV Wine Calendar:
- Local Tip: Taste of the Town is Sunday 5/2 from 1-5pm at Mann Biomedical Park benefits Child & Family Centers. Buy Ticket Link.
- Wine Tasting: Grape of the Night: Paso Robles will be 5/10, Valencia Wine Co. at 7pm. All are invited. Tariff: Buy a bottle. or bring your favorite Paso wine and buy a bottle to take home. I host the event and this month’s guest expert is Denise Lowe.
- All Corked Up tastings: 5/4 “What makes a good wine”, 5/5 “New wines” and 5/6 “Wines of Australia”. All are 6-8pm, call: 661-799-7979
Yours, in wine and out,
Eve Bushman- commentary
Eve Bushman is a local writer that specializes in writing about wine. You can find great articles by Eve on her blog at http://www.evewine101.blogspot.com or email her at [email protected]. Her commentaries represent her own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization she may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon. She is also now on Facebook and has a monthly column in http://scvelitemagazine.com
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