Nickel & Nickel

When one drives onto the grounds at Nickel & Nickel you feel as though you are traveling back in time. It is a must to have an appointment before you arrive. The gates swing open, you park and walk into an old Victorian Farmhouse. We were greeted by Brendan Roane who had, prior to working in the valley, visited from the East Coast so many times, he decided to move here. Brendan began our tour with a taste of Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley. Here we sit, Fran, my friend and co-worker at Baldacci, Cathy, myself, our new friends from Oklahoma and Brendan, enjoying the conversation. Very peaceful and serene....

That's what you get at Nickel & Nickel - a very comfortable setting and a warm feeling (along with great wine!)

As we toured the grounds and learned the history of the winery, we all got to know a little more about each other. Pictured above are Bill and Sandy Brazil who own SophaBella's in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Homemade italian food... If your passing thru be sure to look them up! www.sophabellasrestaurant.com

As we walked the grounds, Brendan talked about all of the many Cabernet's that they produce from single vineyard lots and the French Oak that they only use twice to get the quality that we have come to love from them. We looked at soil samples from the areas surrounding us and walked down stairs to an underground "cave" where all of their wine is in barrel's aging for its alloted time (pictured above - Fran and Cathy in the "cave"). At the end of the tour we were back in the Victorian Farmhouse with 4 very different Cabernet Sauvignon's to taste. We tasted from Rutherford, Oakville and Howell Mountain. All with their own uniqueness and amazing qualities that come from each district. Nickel & Nickel is an amazing place to visit....

www.nickelandnickel.com

The Rutherford Grille

No trip is ever complete without a quick stop into the Rutherford Grill! If you want to taste the best French Dip you've ever had, go there! Cathy and I were hungry after the first part of the day and we were headed to Nickel & Nickel so we decided we'd stop and share a sandwich. The best part about the Rutherford Grill, and there are alot of great parts to it, is that as busy as it always is, I don't think I've ever waited more than 15 mins. for a table. This time we sat at the bar, ordered the artery clogging Blue Cheese Potato Chips and the French Dip. Hmmmmmm Hmmmm Good... We had great conversation and a great Bartender to go along with the experience...
What more can I say?! Visit them.... No Reservations required, the food is always great AND you never pay a corkage fee!
www.hillstone.com

Alpha Omega

The last time I was at Alpha Omega they were doing a complete remodel on the place.... The wine was spectacular and the people were incredible. Cathy and I decided to make a quick trip in, making sure ONLY the surroundings had changed. I wasn't suprised when, infact, that WAS the only change! We were greeted by Jackie Henkelman, Empress of Hospitality as we walked in. Jackie does more there than just greet guests and pour wine, she also helps with the gardens, which look like they are going to be amazing after all the rain ends! We tasted a Chardonnay, that is so wonderful I think that Rombauer has a lot more competition than they want to believe.... Anna Martin is Alpha Omega's shipping coordinator (pictured above also) and came out to say hi and join our discussion about the tasty Paella that Jackie makes. Which, I might add, Alpha Omega's Rose' would be perfect with! Cathy will make it this weekend... Ill let you know how it was and if we should hand out the recipe! I love this place! There tasting room is amazing, the grounds are spectacular and you can picnic there with the sound of the huge fountains by your side.... If you want more infomation, please go to their website at www.aowinery.com.
Drop in anytime... if you are a party of 6 or more, give them a call - they are above and beyond! Rick Patton is Alpha Omega's tasting room manager and will always greet you with a smile and a hand shake...

From Old World Castle to Italian Varietals

I will tell you more than one time there is certainly more to this valley than one can imagine! After we left the Castle (Castello di Amorosa) in Calistoga we made our way down a Big Tree Road in St. Helena and found ourselves at Benessere Winery. The tasting room was full when we walked in and Eric, Benessere's do it all guy, greeted us with amazing enthusiasm. Benessere has an incredible history also. John Benish purchased the property in 1994 from the man we all know as, Two-Buck-Chuck.... Charles Shaw. The name says it all: Benessere - "well-being and prosperity" isn't that what we all want... drink some Napa wines and your luck is sure to improve... The only varietal not grown on their property is their Pinot Grigio. The other varietals, from Sangiovese to Muscat are all grown in small lots on the property... Even varietals I'd never heard of: Aglianico and Sagrantino. Hmmmmmmm Delicioso! Eric is a sommelier and with prior notice will sit you down to some sensory tasting of food and wine in the house. Prior appointment is suggested but not necessary... Go see them! Our newest friends, pictured above (Erik and Tamara) from a little south of Napa did and we all left very happy! Thanks Eric!

www.benesserevineyards.com

Until next time!

Jessica

www.mypamperedtraveler.com

Castello di Amorosa

what an experience... And an amazing accomplishment for Dario Sattui who for years collected and brought back bricks from all over the world to build this amazing feet of old world architecture! We had our appointment set for noon and thankfully they were easy going about us being a couple of minutes late.... Joe greeted us with huge enthusiasm and taught us the REAL meaning of the waving finger.... "its the freebie finder" he tells us... always look for that leaking barrel! We took the whole tour around the beautiful grounds and learned some pretty amazing things about Dario and his life. Its an absolute must see in the valley! If you drive to it on Hwy 29 without reservations you will be welcome to take the self guided tour but the suggestion that I make to you is - make reservations! Its truly worth the experience.... At the end of the tour we had the opportunity to meet some of the other tour guides, as well as the tasting room manager, Damian Uirarte. Thank you Dario, Joe and Damian for such a great experience at your beautiful castle! www.castellodiamorosa.com

The weather outside is frightful!

But, don't think for a minute that that stopped us from our weekly ritual of networking in the Valley! Today it was pouring outside with no brake in site - My first stop was at one of my favorite wineries in the Napa Valley, Hartwell Vineyards. Hartwell is on the Silverado Trail (which to those of you who don't know, parallels Highway 29) and is nestled in the hills amongst some of the "great ones" in the Stag's Leap District. We were greeted by my friend Jona who is always a treat to see and taste wine with! He always has some new place to share with me and some new endeavor he's participating in. The wine is spectacular! Bob and Blanca Hartwell own the vineyard and it is run by their beautiful daughter, Linda. I don't think I have EVER tasted a Sauvignon Blanc as spectacular as the one that Hartwell makes. It is full bodied like a Chardonnay but light and crisp like a Sauv Blanc should be. I could drink it at every meal.... sometimes it seems like I do. You can get info on the winery or make reservations by visiting the website

www.hartwellvineyards.com

Hitting the big ones!

So sorry - its been a busy couple of weeks... This past week I went out with my friend Brigid to Schramsberg. WOW!! What incredible history that place holds! We were greeted at the door by the very fabulous Kelly Duarte. She was so incredible it was hard to leave - even though we knew there was another tour on its way in.... The property is on Diamond Mountain and has been a part of the Valley sinse 1862! Absolutely a must visit during your stay in Napa! Louie and I left there with 6 bottles of there ever-so-fabulous (and famous) Blanc de Blanc Sparkling. Schramsberg also makes a still wine from there property on Diamond Mountain called J. Davies. Named after the man who bought the property and continued on the name and tradition for the original founder. Beautiful stuff.... BUT... don't forget, if you come here to visit Schramsberg, please make a reservation! They are by appointment only and have no tasting room.. all is done in the amazing caves.... Ill let them tell you the story!
www.schramsberg.com
After leaving there we were off to another great place in the valley - The Solbar in Calistoga! The Solbar is nestled in the middle of one of the newest hotspots on the Silverado Trail, the Solage Resort. This place is a fantastic place to rest your weary feet and refresh yourself during your wine tasting adventure in Calistoga. Ramon, our waiter, brought all of us a little sparkling to sip on while we looked over the amazing menu.... Thank you Adrienne! "How does one choose?" was the question of the moment. Marcus, (Brigids other half) came over to the table to say hi and gave us some excellent pointers on all the goodies to choose from on the menu. Check it out on there website: www.solagecalistoga.com. I want to be the one to tell you - its an absolute must to order anything that has Solage's 10-hour onions on it! No words can describe them - only WOW!!! I want to shout out a special thanks to the Solbars Sous Chef ZACK! He sent us out some fantastic sliders topped with those onions and a pizza with maitake mushrooms and gruyere that was AMAZING!! My mother-in-law ordered the tandoori spiced chicken - incredible...
Thank you Marcus! We had a special visit and I can't wait to spread the word about such an amazing destination on the Silverado Trail!
After leaving the Solbar, Marcus joined us across the street at the Silver Rose Winery. This was an unexpected find! I had no idea that this little winery in the front housed such an amazing place to have your wedding venue in the back... They make a Cabernet and a Cuvee blend and they make them both very well. We did our tasting outside on the deck over looking the Koi pond... If wine is not what you want during your visit, Derrick Dumont, General Manager, would be more than happy to pour you one of several beers they also offer in the room! It is true - it takes a lot of beer to make a good wine! www.silverrose.com
Off to another adventure..... talk to you soon... thanks for following!

Another great day in the valley!

Hi all!
When I got into the car yesterday to head to NCDL (Northern California Diagnostic Laboratories) with Louie to stand by him while he worked for "a minute," I had no idea that my day would be so fantastic! Thinking back, I wonder why I was questioning it, I was, however, heading into the Wine Country to do some more networking! The key phrase being - heading into Wine Country....
Our day in Wine Country began at Arger-Martucci Family Vineyards on Inglewood Lane across from V. Sattui on highway 29 just south of St. Helena. I LOVE this place! We were greated by Kat Martucci, who informed me that her and Vince were expecting there first baby in June! (Yeah - how exciting for them!) Louie and I did a little wine tasting there and found that they have a new wine out this year called the Iliad. This wine is a fantastic addition to their already spectacular list! It is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Viogner, Gewurtztraminer and Muscat. With very low residual sugar it is crisp and clean and a perfect "pool/hottub" wine. We also were privy to one of my favorite red blends as well as a gold winner, called the Odyssey. This wine is the perfect blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc and this month, for the new year, this wine that usually has a price tag of $75 is selling for $40! We told all of our friends and I think we filled the back of our Smart car up! www.arger-martucci.com
After leaving Arger, Louie and I headed further North thru St. Helena, shared a quick sandwich in the car (always important to eat during your day in the Wine Country!) and found ourselves at a winery I had been excited about visiting for close to a year. Madrigal family Winery. I have been excited about this one because, although not new to winemaking in the valley, the winery itself is new. We were greeted by Mike Needham, who has worked for the family for close to a decade, and had so much information to share with us about the beginnings of this great place! We tasted thru there entire flight! Another winery that makes under 5000 cases a year and makes every wine beautifully! My favorite wine is, and you will hear me say it alot, Petite Sirah and Madrigal's winemaker, Bruce Regalia, makes it beautifully! They also make a Petite Sirah Port! YUMMMY.... I can't say that I didn't want to finish my "taste" of any of their wines... After tasting them Louie and I got a tour of the facility and had the pleasure of meeting Bruce Regalia in person. Hope to see more of Madrigal in the near future! www.madrigalvineyards.com.
When Louie finally pulled me away from Madrigal we drove across the valley and onto the Silverado Trail and found ourselves at the Solage Resort. I didn't realize it but we were about to taste the most wonderful drink ever experienced! We stopped into the Solage to meet up with their concierge, who, unfortunately went home sick. (Its just that time of the year!) It actually worked out well.... we decided to stop into the Solbar on the property to see our friend Marcus. We sat at the bar and met a wonderful bartender named Adrienne. Adrienne has made her own AWESOME drink called the Lavender Drop made from her own fresh picked lavender infused into an oil and added to Napa's very own Meyer Lemon Charbay Vodka..... WOW! I suggest we all try it.... but be careful - its tasty but lethal. While drinking at the bar we had the pleasure of meeting Elen Lawrence who is a realtor in Lake County (North of Napa near Clearlake - beautiful!). elen@countrair.com She was celebrating her birthday with a friend, Debby Meagher, owner of Coffee Katz in Sebastopol. Debby and her daughter, Kelly, run this internet cafe, with a Baby Grande, which also hosts wedding venues as well as parties and gatherings. Not only that, the cafe is right next door to the Sebastopol Inn! Want to getaway from Napa for an evening? Why not head to Sonoma? A quick trip West and so much to do and see in downtown Sebastopol. Shops and restaraunts galore.... Phone number is: 707-829-6600.
Well, I think Ive said enough today... I need to get my info into the spreadsheet! Until next time...

What a week!

WOW!!! what more can I say than that? The past few weeks of getting the website up and schmoozing with the "Nap"kins (as they like to be called) has been exhausting! But well worth it so that I can tell all of you about it!

Last week I had the most fortunate pleasure of having home cooked Elk spaghetti from Napa's very own Janice Ilsley of Ilsley Vineyards. (ilsleyvineyards.com) Not only was the pasta incredible so were the older vintages of Ilsley Stag's Leap Cabernet that went so well with it! Along for the night were some other incredibly special people with more incredible wine to share! Thrace from GustavoThrace Wines (also known from BottleShock, the movie. gustavothrace.com) joined us and we started our evening with their classic French style Chardonnay that paired so incredibly with my lobster quiche appetizer. Recipes always available - just write me at jessica@mypamperedtraveler.com and I will be happy to send you all the info! Another very special guest were the Parker's... They joined us in the Al's "Man Room" (very much like an upgraded version of the ManCaves we hear so much about!) for some 9-ball and old fashioned pool - and of course lots of Napa wine!



Yesterday, January 3, Lou and I met our very good friends the Wilcoxin's at the Raiders Stadium for the final game of the season! Whew.... hate to see it end! We are so fortunate because we get to participate in the tailgate party of the professionals! Its an amazing sight if you've never seen it! A lot of black and gray facepaint! Yesterday was different for us. instead of the usual tailgate we had the golden opportunity to have brunch with some of the older Raiders players like Jim Plunkett, Jim Otto and Fred Balitnacoff. While eating some great food under the stadium we also had the opportunity to spend a minute with Amy Trask (We all should know this one! She is, however, the first woman in the NFL to be a Chief Executive - You go Miss Trask!) What a great day! Go Raiders! Hopefully next year will be better for them! Being at a game live is always an experience! Especially the Raiders. Thank you Anne and Rick!

Hi all Fans of My Pampered Traveler!
This is the first blog of many that I will write to inform of all the happenings in the valley! Its going to be fun!