A View From The Hilltop

On February 8, 2013, The Hilltop Winery welcomed me back for a quick visit and dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Casa Nostra.

We began the tasting at the house with the Chardonnay and moved on to the Petite Sirah from Howell Mountain. We took the Zinfandel to dinner.

Tasting details on the wines:

• 2003 Downing Family Vineyards, Zinfandel, Oakville, Napa Valley, CA
• 2007 Retro - Petite Sirah, Howell Mountain
• 2009 Ramey Chardonnay, Hudson Vineyards

For a few pictures of the wines and a view from the hilltop click HERE.

The Hilltop and Alma’s 75th

On January 7, 2012, I had the opportunity to slip over to The Hilltop Winery after a west coast business trip to celebrate my mother-in-laws 75th birthday.

Oh, and of course, I had to taste a few selections from the cellar including a:

• 2003 Raymond, Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena
• 2004 Ladera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

With those two wines and the views from The Hilltop Winery what could be wrong in the world, all is good!

For the complete slideshow of the entire evening with friends click HERE.

3rd Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On July 12, 2009, we held our 3rd Annual West Appreciation Dinner at The Hilltop Winery with our dear friends on the west coast.

This was the first year we did a theme when it came to the wine. We did a vertical of Dunn from Napa and Howell Mountain.

The actual wines we tasted were as follows:

• 1985 Dunn, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1990 Dunn, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1995 Dunn, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
• 2007 Feather, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington State

Bill was our chairman this year and he brought his friend Perry. This was also the breakout of Jared and his new love affair with red wine.

Gary was our West Board chair and we were so glad he could join us for this annual tradition along with a couple of special friends, you know who you are, from the pictures.

For a complete slideshow of the evening click HERE.