Napa Valley’s Sustainable Wine Movement
March 8, 2022
No Comments
We sat down with CEO of Napa Green Anna Brittan to get down to earth on sustainable wine and how the program works. Vineyards of
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.
We sat down with CEO of Napa Green Anna Brittan to get down to earth on sustainable wine and how the program works. Vineyards of
Use the Best Dark Chocolate Made for Wine Pairing. Chocolate and wine pairing has never been easier. #Sponsored With an intriguing history, chocolate has garnered
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
It’s a New York kind of night.
#sunset #bloodmoon #TheWineSiren #nyc #newyorkstateofmind #skyline #kellymitchell #winetravel #sustainablefuture #sunlight #streetstyle #sunsetphotography #beautifuldestinations #damtraveler #goodvibes #getoutside
Capturing a sense of place, the nuances of the dynamics of terrain, rich history and unique attributes are just a few of the things making a wine something to celebrate. In this post as promised I wanted to share a few of the Rose of Bardolino that made an impact on my palate. Hats off to the new generation of Chiaretto Rose !
Each of these wines offer something unique beyond the typical profile of red berries, minerality and freshness.
In no particular order, these are the Chiaretto that come to mind when I am celebrating a Rose playing a leading role. None of the wine I tasted was created as an after thought. An oh well, I have some extra grapes, let’s see if we can make rose. The people of Bardolino and its three distinct zones, Monte Baldo, La Rocca and Sampo Campagna see Rose as key expression of their celebrated terroirs and the variety Corvina.
If you are living life without Chiaretto Rose you are missing an incredible expression of a distinct land, a historic region and an indellible slice of life
In order of appearance
1) Le Fraghe Rodon
2) Casaretti Rose Dei Casaretti
3) Villabella Chairetto di Bardolino DOC Classico
4) Zeni 1870 Chiaretto Bardolino Amphora
5)Villa Cordevigo 2018 Gaudenza
6)Poggio Delle Grazie Chiaretto
7) Gentili Chiaretto
8) Monte Del Fra Chairetto di Bardolino
Speaking of hats. After 12 years, I am rethinking my hat situation. What was once unique is no longer. And with that, I ask you, what should replace The Siren’s typical hat? In the last photo I replaced it albiet temporarily on top of the Mayacamas… What say you?
PS Had to take a break after a broken nose, and popped cap after my Italy excursion. What a long strange trip the last week has been.
#Bardolino #TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #Wine #rosé #chiarettodibardolino #bardolinocru #lakegarda #Verona #winetravel #toprosé #DrinkPink #qualityrosé #winelife #Travelblogger #winesofitaly #winejudge #travelblog
A return to Bardolino to celebrate Rosé and its most important variety. Corvina!
A tasting of a weighty magnitude and profiles of exceptional expression. Traditional notes that express this food friendly, titillating palate provocateur of Rosé.
The vintage is showing incredibly well. Due to temperature variation the vintage is showing an increased level of acidity adding to the already exceptional presence of salinity & vibrancy.
The featured tasting of Chiaretto from the subzones of Monte Baldo, La Rocca, and Soma Campagna…
With flavors ranging from crunchy nectarines to red berries and beyond, this is Rosé for a palate that enjoys something beyond poolside fare, diverse in its pairing abilities.
Exceptional. Phenomenal values. Stay tuned for my top 5 recommendations.
More to come!
#TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #Wine #chiarettodibardolino #bardolinocru #corvina #lakegarda #roseallday #rosé #sipitalian #breaktherules #sipoutsidethebox #greatfriends #drinkpink
Chablis oh how I love thee. Let 💋🍷💋#TheWineSiren count the ways.
⭐️Your racy adventurous soul, always ready to compliment a multitude of foods and celebrations .
💫Your exceptional length and perseverance in the name of good taste.
🌟The impressing mid palate acknowledgement.
✨And above all, the resounding celebration of the senses.
🍽 Paired to perfection with black truffles tossed with pasta, freshly grated parmesan cheese, sea salt & freshly ground pepper.
🌏You are made in the name of our planet’s future with sustainable practices. Always an eye on the future and setting a precedent for others in taking care of the planet. What is next?
🍇Almost 1/2 of their 78 hectares are dedicated to Premier Cru and Grand Cru classifications.
🍾William Fevre’s first harvest was in 1959 with just seven hectares and a legacy of descendents who resided in this illustrious region for some 250 years .
🛢The wine is aged in older oak barrels of 6 + yrs. It preserves the expression of freshness of minerality but also highlights the evocative floral notes.
💚* Practicing sustainable growing in its vineyards for nearly 10 years now, Domaine William Fèvre has just obtained “High Environmental Value” (HVE) status, the highest level of environmental certification (February 2015).
#TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #giveasip #earthmonth #everdayisearthday #chablis #frenchwine #whitewine #winelovers #memorable #liveforthestory #premierecru #grandcru #winelife #winetasting #winetravel #wineinfluencer #travelblogger
Hard to imagine I’d never been to Rombauer. It took an industry event and an invitation from @mvino1 to get me there.
This family-owned @napagreen certified #winery was founded in 1980 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer. They own and sustainable farm over 650 acres of vineyards from Carneros, Stags Leap, Atlas Peak, St Helena, the Sierra Foothills and of course Calistoga.
I was pretty blown away by what I experienced. From their flagship Chardonnay, served from a nine liter Salmanazar to the Carneros-grown Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, delicious sips were everywhere.
A Napa Valley staple, paired with paella and light bites was a great way to get in on a first time experience here.
Still visible, some burn scars that almost consumed the property from the Glass Fire two years ago. What shook me were both the mind-blowing views and the astute hospitality of every team member on the property. This is a place you must visit. In the name of great wine and indelible experiences.
Pictured on slide ten l to r, @mvino @erinscally @lshariati and moi .
Thank you to the leadership and team @rombauervineyards
#TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #napagreen #sustainable #climateaction #napacru #truecru #napavalley #visitnapavalley #wine #winetasting #wineexperiences #wheretonext #Winestyle #chardonnay #sauvignonblanc #merlot #zinfandel #wineblogger #travelvlogger #winetasting #bestviews
On this windy and stunning day we welcome the owners of Alpha Omega Winery, Robin and Michelle Baggett. We’re talking about sustainable wine growing and winemaking.
They joined forces creating Alpha Omega in 2005. Their position & work on sustainability makes them a True Cru Napa Valley winery.
Robin was a former cattleman and had his eye on sustainability and was involved in sustainable for well over 20 years.
His focus has always been on water reduction. His goal today is zero emissions and they are actively doing this today. The goal? To leave this planet better than it was found.
Please listen in to this delightful experience on sustainability with @aowinery …
#Sustainable #climateaction #sustainablewine #netzeroemissions #certifiedsustainable #napavalley #visitnapavalley #gogreen #napacru #truecru
Learn about new products, wine travel tips and the latest on wine, food and fab.
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!