Who and What:   Shafer Vineyards with Krista Prillman

Details:

We are huge fans of Shafer wines around here and excited about featuring their wines at our first wine dinner in November.  Their Red shoulder Ranch Carneros Chardonnay will be featured with the first course and this will wow any diner who is unfamiliar with this big bold and complex varietal.  We will move on for the next course with a Napa Merlot that would beat most Napa Cabernets in a blind tasting.  Next will be a couple of One Point Five Stag’s Leap Vineyards Cabernets.  The evening will conclude with an extraordinary Syrah called Relentless.

A Little History:

Shafer Vineyards traces its beginnings to 1972 when John Shafer left a 23-year career in the publishing industry and, with his family, moved to the Napa Valley to pursue a second career in wine.  After purchasing a 210-acre estate in Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District, the Shafer family faced the arduous task of replanting the existing vineyards, which dated to the 1920’s and then terracing the steep and rocky hillsides, eventually expanding vineyard acreage to its current 50 acres.

Evolving from grape growers to vintners, the Shafer’s crushed their first Cabernet grapes in 1978 and began construction on their winery a year later.  Doug Shafer became winemaker in 1983 after graduating from the University of California at Davis with a degree in enology and viticulture.  A year later, Elias Fernandez joined the winery as assistant winemaker.  Together Doug and Elias have worked closely to forge the Shafer style of quality, consistency and elegance.  

Who and What:  Caymus, Belle Glos & Mer Soleil Wines

                                     with Carole Klinke

Details:

The Wagner story goes way back to 1906 when the family arrived in Rutherford District to farm and plant grapes. Charlie Wagner was born on the farm in 1912 and started Caymus Vineyards with his wife Lorna and son Chuck in 1972. 

In 1984 Chuck Wagner took over as winemaker and the accolades started pouring in and have never stopped.  Special Selection Cabernet was named “Wine of the Year” in 1989 and 1994; Caymus is named “Best Winery for Cabernet Sauvignon in 1997 by the Wine spectators readers, and Chuck Wagner received the Distinguished Service award from the same magazine in 2007. 

Who and What:   Cigars, Champagne & Cognac

                          With Hi-Time Wine Cellars

Details:

We are teaming up with Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, Remy Martin Cognacs and Piper Heidsieck Champagnes for a cigar dinner you will not want to miss. 

Hi-Time Wine Cellars is a family-owned retail store located in Costa Mesa. Founded in 1957 by Fritz Hanson and his brother–in-law Jim McVay, the store has over 24,000 square feet of retail space and is the “gold standard” for those seeking fine wines, exotic beers, and of course fine cigars. 

You will receive two complimentary cigars, a Macanudo Cru Royale and a CAO La Traviaba both provided by CAO/General Cigar.  The evening will also include  three special Cognacs from Remy Martin, vintage Champagne from Piper Heidsieck, hors d’oeuvres and a complete dinner with wines. Dessert and coffee will be served on our Mendocino Terrace so you can enjoy that last cigar and reminisce about the wonderful dinner you just finished. The cost is $125.00 inclusive.

Who and What:  Chappellet Vineyards with Cyril Chappellet

Details:

The Chappellets’ romance with Pritchard Hill started when Donn and Molly Chappellet first glimpsed its spectacular vistas.  Perched 1,200 feet above the floor of the Napa Valley, the atmosphere at the Chappellet family’s winery and Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyards is serene and peaceful.  You can’t help but fall in love with the breathtaking views and the gentle mountain Donn and Molly Chappellet made their home.  The gardens surrounding their home are truly amazing. We have Cyril Chappellet coming down for this dinner so we will have some surprise library wines that will show you why “terrior” does make a difference.