California Dreaming: Wines We Drank From The Cellar

It's Monday morning, July 18, 2016 and it's time to catch my flight home to reality.  The past week was filled with memories of Institute, family and a variety of grapes from around the world.  It’s important to have fruit in your daily diet.

Mike and Mav opened their home and wine collection and the juice did not disappoint!  And did I mention the new VIEW?

Some of the wines listed here are also mentioned in the 10th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner blog post which was held the evening of the July 14, and can be found HERE.

In addition to the daily tastings throughout the week, I was able to visit some of my favorite restaurants, including Casa Nostra (to dine on the Branzino), Nagao (to enjoy some sushi), and C&O Trattoria II (for the garlic balls and pasta).

And keeping with tradition, the last evening in California, Raymond makes his spaghetti.  This year Alma and Chip joined Raymond, Mike and Mav for a great evening of fellowship and a shared appreciation for wine.  By the way, any dinner with these wines would be a great dinner no matter what was served.

Whites

• 2011 Donkey and Goat Late Harvest Chardonnay, El Dorado (half bottle)
• 2013 Groth Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
• 2014 Liquid Farm Chardonnay, Golden Slope, Santa Rita Hills
• 2014 Aubert Chardonnay, Napa Valley

Reds

• 2002 Salus Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2006 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
• 2007 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2013 Hunnicutt Cuvee Equite, Napa Valley

The weather was great and the wine was even better!  Here’s the list of bottles that were removed from their resting place and consumed over the course of the week.  I’m sure I missed a bottle or two or three.

Whites

• 2005 deiuliis Semillon, Hunter Valley
• 2006 Chateau Ste Michelle Gewurtztraminer, Columbia Valley
• 2010 Chateau Montelena Riesling, Napa Valley
• 2011 Donkey and Goat Late Harvest Chardonnay, El Dorado
• 2011 Liquid Farm Chardonnay Golden Slope, Santa Rita Hills
• 2011 Staglin Chardonnay, Napa Valley
• 2012 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Napa Valley
• 2013 Groth Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
• 2013 Liquid Farm Chardonnay, Bien Bien, Santa Maria
• 2014 J Lohr Chardonnay
• 2014 Ceritas Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains
• 2014 Liquid Farm Chardonnay Golden Slope, Santa Rita Hills
• 2014 Liquid Farm Chardonnay, La Hermana (two bottles)
• 2014 Liquid Farm Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills
• 2014 Aubert Chardonnay, Lauren Vineyard
• 2014 Aubert Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
• 2014 Aubert Chardonnay, East Coast
• 2014 Carmenet Chardonnay, Napa Valley
• 2014 Ceritas Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
• 2015 Liquid Farm Rose, Vogelzang Vineyard (two bottles)

Reds

• 2002 Salus Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2003 Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley
• 2005 Favia, Cerro Sur, Napa Valley
• 2005 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
• 2006 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Guigal
• 2006 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
• 2006 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2006 Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley
• 2006 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley (two bottles)
• 2006 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2007 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2010 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2010 Marac Bourdeaux
• 2012 Torrin Bourdeaux Blend
• 2013 GeekZ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2013 Hunnicutt Cuvee Equite, Napa Valley (two bottles)

For pictures from the week go HERE.

10th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On Thursday, July 14, 2016 the Institute team celebrated 10 years of tasting grape from The Hilltop Winery with a special trip to the Bel Air Bay Club.

This year was special since we were able to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Karyn MacRae, IOM, CMP, CAE, Institute’s Director with a special 2006 Magnum of Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, delivered by one of our favorite Institute faculty members, Brian Baker.

We didn’t taste the wine, we all signed the bottle as a present to Karyn and she will be able to open it at a later date, in Virginia, with Travis and friends.

The wine reception started with a special wine tasting in the Wojo Cabana, just a couple of feet from the Pacific Ocean.  After a quick swirl, we retreated to the dining room for a special dinner created by chef David Summers.

Charlie, our waiter, was a great host and treated us like family.  Thank you Charlie!

The following wines were consumed by all and we had an enjoyable time at the Bel Air Bay Club.

Whites

• 2010 Chateau Montelena Riesling, Napa Valley
• 2011 Liquid Farm Chardonnay Golden Slope, Sta. Rita Hills
• 2012 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Napa Valley
• 2013 Liquid Farm Chardonnay, Bien Bien, Santa Maria
• 2014 Ceritas Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains
• 2014 Liquid Farm Chardonnay, La Hermana (two bottles)
• 2015 Liquid Farm Rose, Vogelzang Vineyard

Reds

• 2006 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2006 Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley
• 2006 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
• 2006 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Mike and Mav, thanks again for hosting the Institute team and introducing us to a new venue allowing us to see a different view of the Pacific Ocean, in Southern California.

For pictures of the evening go HERE.