When Sara Specter reached out to me to encourage me to visit her winery in Newburg, Oregon, I thanked her but truly had no short term plans to taste in Oregon. I was truly focused on my back yard of Napa.
I was bouncing between wineries like a ping pong ball being hit by Forest Gump.
Fast forward a few months later when I am on a press trip of sorts, driving from Napa all the way up to Portland with little time to breathe in between. I was bouncing between wineries like a ping pong ball being hit by Forest Gump. Most of the time I didn’t know exactly where I was because I am not familiar with the area or what is connected to what.
On my way to an appointment, I pass a sign that says “Bells Up Winery”. No way! I’m going to pop by on my way back for the evening and see if I can connect. Who knows. Sometimes serendipity is the magic we need to pay more attention to.
On my way back, I stop in. Look around and then phone the Specters who graciously came out to talk to me and offer a tasting.
It was truly a delight to meet them and see what is happening with what they call their micro-boutique winery at 400 cases in production. The view is stunning. The juice, worth sipping. And the family one of the most gracious and friendly I’ve encountered. Make it a point. PS. Best by appointment. Bells Up Winery
Bouchaine Winery is the spot to discover great Burgundian varieties made in Napa Valley’s Carneros region. Modern winery meets social hour. Bouchaine Vineyards tasting room
Somm Foundation Receives $25,000 in Support Pouring of Chateau Montelena’s stunning 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Over 200 people descended on Napa Valley’s Meritage Resort & Spa
Sojourn to the apex of Napa Valley with Theorem Vineyards. Adventuring up to Calistoga offers a wide array of wine riches including some boutique & family-owned small lot wineries.
I have a distinct weakness for outstanding Rosé Champagne.
The introduction to this beauty was worth every penny. Every sip. Every moment.
I drank. Yes drank. Not sipped, not tasted, drank in the ethereal elements of this mesmerizing Champagne. Made from 100% Meunier (50% of reserve wine), the Rosé de Meunier Extra Brut took my breathe away. It comes from Vallée de la Marne, in Chavot where the soils are predominately clay.
A luminous example of depth, rich taste and pointed effort. The result is magnificent. There is so much going on in this glass! Voluptuous berries, understated citrus, a bit of mint and minerality. The mousse is elegant and mouthwatering.
The perfect pairing? Duck fat fries.
The vines are approximately 30 years old. Made from 100% Pinot Meunier with 30% maceration, 10% red wine, 60% of reserved wine aged in barrel. Hand picked and fermented in vats, foudres with partial Malolactic, aging on fine lees.
Seven generations have tilled this soil and worked this land. The quest? For the perfect alchemy. It was visionary Jean-Baptiste Lahore who established the estate in the village of Chavost. Later this village would be called Chavot.
Over the years more land was acquired and today two generations are working together to create soulful wine. The latest generation is led by Aurélien Laherte.
#TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #wine
Ready to cruise unchartered waters? The gods have graced Napa Valley with a worldclass Tiki bar. Here on the roof top deck checking out the views.
There are so many surprises inside. Coming to you the end of October! Get ready for some wicked good fun.
For you Mai Tai connoisseurs, these drinks are legend. The food promises to be compelling. I’m all in. Join me!
#TheWineSiren #NapaValley #KellyMitchell
Savoring every ounce of Porto & Gaia.
These captivating towns! This area is where savvy Europeans chill during holiday. It’s relaxed pace, good natured locals and delicious food and wine grace this region . Their beauty is remarkable. It’s history rich.
This day I ran first to the sea. Yet in the wrong direction. So I never made it there. But I discovered new things. Relived past visits and learned from those I spoke to.
The charm here will draw you in. Hold your heart captive.
Don’t look for crowded streets in the mornings.Life begins in the afternoon here. And then it knows no bounds.
A wedding. An hourly trolly. Buildings that have seen more history than we will ever know.
Dinner. A perfectly cooked tentacle of octopus, beyond generous in portion. Paired with a delectable #Alvarinho. An accommodating chef, and attentive service.
This was a day I’ll remember always.
Do you have a destination that you treasure?
Food by @restaurantebacalhoeiro
Wine by #quintadecidro
Vibe by #Portugal
When jet lag hits Porto and collides with a dirty Grey Goose tini up with Nicoise olive and a twist.
Good night.
Self Portrait: Finally changed my profile pic. Removed the one of me at the Eiffel Tower taken on March 12th just before the borders closed in France and the US.
I think the time after the old pic was taken has truly been a time of self reflection.
Each and everyone of us has been through such a crazy year and a half.
I'm grateful for this time since it's given me time to appreciate and spend more time with my family first. And to focus on the friends who truly are part of my life in ways that matter.
It gave me the opportunity to get in the best shape if my life and focus on the things that really matter in this life.
I hope your journey too has been productive, meaningful and takes you where you want to go.
Wishing you a fabulous weekend in moderation, healthy food and great exercise!
To whatever is in your glass! May it be the most delicious sip ever.
Peace✌️And have a fantastic weekend with your loves.
Melka Estates
Precision is the name of the game. And you’ll certainly find the art of it at Melka.
A venture with two incredibly talented and diverse individuals, husband and wife team, Phillipe and Cherie Melka have created an enviable venture at the top of St. Helena’s Silverado Trail.
Precision’s opportunity presents itself in many venues of winemaking and the one wine creators agree upon is what happens in the vineyard is paramount to creating powerful and diverse taste in the glass.
To capitalize on this during harvest, the Melka’s make not one or two passes in the vineyard but several. To capture the spirit of vibrancy, the depth of flavor, the uniqueness of terroir.
It is a tasting that takes every sense and envelopes it completely. The heights of which taste continually excels the more in-depth one gets into the wine. It brings emotion to the forefront. Part of why I got involved in wine in the first place. Those taste that change one’s perception forever. That open the door to possibility and never let it go.
In the wine space it is not difficult to get jaded on occasion my the dearth of decent wine on the market today. There is not shortage of overpriced above average wine.
Here, the senses are in tune with what nature presents, while taking it a step beyond. The memories of this tasting will long be with me. It gave new life to my interest in wine. It gave meaning and dimension to the thought of truly exceptional wine.
This is a start of the story on the Melka’s and what they are doing for their family brand. Can't wait to delve in deeper!
Pictured: The bottle that brought happy tears to my eyes. 2017 Metisse Martinez Vineyards 70% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Cabernet Franc 10% Petit Verdot
Great time tasting with dear friend @vinifera_collection. Thanks for capturing the puppy pic!
#TheWineSiren
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