A Collaboration with Wine Paths Travel. #Sponsored
Located one and a half miles from Hwy 29 in St. Helena and a thousand miles away from the hustle and bustle of Napa Valley. Fantesca Estates is in the Spring Mountain District AVA. This AVA (America Viticulture Area) straddles both Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley. The Mayacama Mountains separate the two. Climate fluctuates with influence from the sea and fog providing an optimal climate. The mountain starts at 200 feet and goes up to 2,600 feet in elevation at its highest point.
Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for most of the vineyard designation here. The elevation and diurnal shifts lend beautiful acidity & structure to the wines.
Perched on 53 acres rolling hills, Fantesca has dedicated 10 acres to vineyards. The vista framed by sweeping views of the valley below. The winery is a nest of peace and solitude.
Duane Hoff is the co-founder who along with his wife Susanne started the winery as a project 10 years ago. The dream was to evolve into a family business that each member could be a part of. While Susanne joined a start-up of sorts while still in college, Duane came on board later. The start-up would later become Best Buy. Their experience there would fund their dream.
Today the team includes Master Sommelier D’lynn Proctor who came on board as a Director at Fantesca. He’s best known for his roles in the Somm Series movies.
For most guests, the greeting will be with a beautiful glass of Lallier Champagne. A perfect way to kick off this rich laid back experience. As I arrive, a jewel of a Fantesca’s Chardonnay graces my hands. The Chardonnay contains fruit hand-selected by coveted winemaker Heidi Barrett She’s been working with Fantesca from the beginning. A world-class winemaker, she described to the Hoff’s how she envisioned making wine. Her palettes are the parcels in the vineyards and the fruit within. The palette she uses to create the wine, much like an artist paints a painting. Her’s is the guiding hand of elegance and quality that exists in the wines of Fantesca.
Mass production is pervasive in the wine space. Not so at Fantesca. Duane explains how they make the Chardonnay. Using grapes from the Russian River Valley in this case. And how they get that beautiful texture in the wine. On the lees, using the battonage technique (stirring of the lees). This method gives a creamy mouthfeel to the wine while maintaining its vibrancy. A Burgundian style of making Chardonnay.
Sitting on the terrace is the perfect place to taste when the weather is favorable. I’m taking in these sweeping views of the valley floor below and the rolling hills of their vineyards. A stack of cut vines piled high pops out amongst the bright green of the lush ground cover. The vines pruned, stand at ready for bud break after their deep sleep. These vines are old Cabernet Sauvignon. Bearing less with far more complex and intense fruit than its younger counterparts.
My next taste is the 2015 King Richard’s Reserve Pinot Noir in the caves. The caves offer a cool respite from the sun. The barrels carry their treasures of wine while it matures inside. The 100-yard long tunnel serves as transport for the family to go from home to the winery each day. Some tastings take place in the cool stillness of the caves. Others in their tasting room above the winery itself.
Spring Mountain is known for its bright and vibrant wine. At Fantesca it’s got it all. This is an experience with wine you won’t soon forget. A destination with memorable wine, incredible scenery, and serenity. After one visit you’ll feel like part of the Fantesca Family.
For information on visiting Fantesca, contact Wine Paths Travel the luxury destination company.
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.
Fantastic organic alert! Nothing like sunsets and delicious French Rosé from Bandol shared with ones favorite furry friend. Loved this epic bottle!
The 2020 Bandol Rosé is by Domaine Ray-Jane . Bandol is one of Provence’s most famous wine regions. It is located west of Toulon and covers eight communes. Coastal influences this region and its proximity to Marseille & Cassis.
The Bandol AOC requires at least 50% of Mourvèdre grape, with the late harvest grape being perfectly suited to this warm seaside climate.
The Constant Family has been working this property for 30 generations, since 1288.
One third of 100 year old vines thrive on 30 hectares of both limestone & clay soil with terraces built on stone. Primarily Mourvèdre the communes of the domaine include Castellet, Bandol, Sanary sur mer, La Cadière and Le Beausset.
I highly recommend grabbing a bottle if you can find it!
Ray-Jane.fr
Remember, #organic is not enough to save our planet. Ask your favorite producers to : To reduce energy & water usage as well as implementing the reduction of GHG emissions & a winery’s carbon footprint. These are two of the important hallmarks of saving our planet. See @napagreen for more information!
#TheWineSiren
#KellyMitchell
Listen. To the sound. Of the planet.
🌚While we all know what’s happening the demise that we are facing head-on is completely avoidable. It all starts with you & me.
🤩In the wine arena those who imbibe have great power. Take your purchasing power to those who are doing the most to move our planet forward & away from the demise of climate change.
It begins with a clear understanding of the meanings behind some viticulture (wine growing practices).
🌝Biodynamic - it is an “ethical” holistic & ecological approach to growing. A solid approach, but not a comprehensive approach to what needs to be done, to grow in a way that will stop our sharp decline.
🌝Biodynamic certification is viable, but is only part of the approach needed to address the urgent concerns of our global community.
🌝Organic, soil has to be free of pesticides at least three years before becoming certified. Again it is a partial play in the grand scheme of things.
🌝🤩🌝This is where Napa’s Superstars in climate change thrive and drive the efforts of planetary good. @NapaGreen is the most comprehensive approach to the well being of our planet.
🌝Comprehensive, astute, well directed & monitored action…. See slide 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌝The opportunity: Napa Green is a certification is just one of 4 nationwide sustainable programs that offer a comprehensive approach from dirt to bottle certification guiding both the vineyard and hospitality practices of a winery. Reducing energy & water usage as well as the reduction of GHG emissions & a winery’s carbon footprint are two of the important hallmarks of this certification
For more: NapaGreen.com See a full list of participating wineries n learn more about the program.
🌝Remember who you support & what they’re doing about climate change is the most important decision!
🌝Featured 4 of the Herbicide n Neoniconitoid Free: @SpottswoodeEstate @OpusOne @RaymondVineyards @DominusEstate @ClifFamily @TresSabores
Comment below to support efforts to CURB CLIMATE CHANGE & FOLLOW @NapaGreen. Tell producers they need to get certified, support those making a difference in#ClimateCHANGE
The best is yet to come! But such a stellar opening party for @liveinthevineyard at @nickelandnickelwinery . Great music by @tenilletownes opening act, @mattstell and the crowd really went wild when @olddominionmusic took the stage (see slide 10).
So fantastic to be back in the swing of things!
Looking forward to @dariusrucker ‘s performance @roundpondestate today. Stay tuned!
#LiveInTheVineyard #TheWineSiren #NapaValley #WineCountry #CountryMusic #NapaCru
Exceptional Pinot Noir
As we prepare to breeze back into the holiday season, I’ve started culling the wine that has truly exceptional impact on meals. After all wine is not just for drinking. It’s for creating beautiful experiences, meals and memories. To achieve this I choose the 2019 Bucher Vineyards Merry Edwards Pinot Noir.
Not only is this beauty highly rated it holds everything you want in a holiday season wine. Versatility, appeal, bright rich flavors known to the Sonoma Coast.
What is the difference between a good Pinot Noir and a great Pinot Noir? The latter leaves an indelible imprint on the experience. The Bucher Vineyards Merry Edwards Pinot Noir exceeds expectation.
On the nose, The classic notes of the forest, mushrooms, forest floor and an earthiness and minerality that speaks to the voluminous tannins. Lush, pronounced and barely tamed by the generous black fruit that stands as the signature of this unique wine.
Paired with roasted free range chicken and a hearty bowl of red curried lentils this wine is perfect for your holiday table.
The tannins make this a great one for cellaring as well. You’ll enjoy tasting this beauty for years to come as it evolves.
$63 and worth every cent. Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden.
MerryEdwards.com
#wine
Simplicity.
Withering grapes lead to a high concentration of sugars. In Italy it is known as apassimento. While drying, concentration of several aspects of the wine evolves. From increasing the sugar to the alcohol, this process also develops more intense flavors.
The objective is to reduce the chances of botrytis cinerea aka noble rot.
Grapes undergo a drying process of several weeks to as much as half a year. Only after this process are they fermented. The fermentation process can be weeks or years.
Finally, sediment is removed and then ages for several years in barrel or tank before it is bottled.
Here one of my favorite producers of Passito, @donnafugatawine and their loveky Ben Rye. Rich in color, well balanced in taste. Perfect for sipping before a fire...
#TheWineSiren
#WineEducation
#passito
#wine
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2 Responses
Looks like a great visit, and love that they greet you with Champagne!
Isn’t it the best!? You are going to love their wines Ryan. It is absolutely a lovely experience. Some of the best views in The Valley!