The Hilltop Winery

Cellar Pruning: A Daunting Task But Someone Has To Do It!

During the week of July 11, 2014 we had two official functions at The Hilltop Winery, A Lawyer Visits The Hilltop and the 8th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner, click the links or scroll down to review those outings.

For those of you who have been to the cellar in the past, you know it could use a good thinning from time to time and when the outlaw from the East Coast comes to town he does his best to play that role.

The wines listed below were pulled throughout the week by the in-house Sommelier, Mike Wojo. Most of these wines were pulled earlier in the week and put on the table for a quick "see something, pull something" mindset.

Please note the table in the middle of the cellar and the amount of wine selected for immediate tasting HERE.

While we tried our best this trip to clear the table, we can never keep up with the new wine that gets delivered each year.

I must also say we didn't have a bad bottle in the list below. May your summer trip/s be enjoyable and may your path/s cross a bottle of white or red of your choosing.

White

2009 Ramey Chardonnnay, Napa Valley
2010 Aubert Chardonnay (multiple bottles)
2011 Staglin Chardonnay, Rutherford, Napa Valley
2012 Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay, Carneros

Red

1984 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Hillside Select
1988 Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1990 St Francis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
1992 Moraga Red Table Wine
2000 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon
2001 Casanova di Neri, Tenuta Nuova
2002 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon
2002 Araujo Syrah
2005 Hunnicut Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2006 Chateau Les Grans Marechaux
2010 Chateau Haut-Surget Bordeaux

For a slideshow of the wines and random pictures of our week long stay at The Hilltop Winery go HERE.

8th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On Thursday, July 17, 2014 Mike and Mav hosted the Institute team at The Hilltop Winery for another great evening of fun and fellowship after a great week at Loyola Marymount University.

We mixed it up a bit this year and decided to stay on The Hilltop for a special pizza party using the relatively new wood fired oven in the backyard. Our friend Edgardo, a specialist when it comes to making pizzas, was making everyone smile with his creations.

And of course, since we didn't make our annual trip to Sam's by the Beach to see our friend Sam and his wonderful staff for dinner, we brought Sam to The Hilltop Winery. He provided us with a Caesar Salad, passed appetizers and a wonderful assortment of dessert items.

Now let's get to the good stuff!

Our very own faculty member and industry wine expert Brian Baker from Chateau Montelena Winery brought three Estate Bottled Cabs from the winery that The Hilltop Winery Sommelier, Mike Wojo, matched with three bottles of Bordeaux from his cellar. Let the comparisons begin.

But before we get to that we obviously had to start with a few white's. So sit back, don't get jealous and enjoy the ride we took on this beautiful Thursday evening with friends and family.

White

2005 Puligny-Montrachet, Domaine Henri Boillot
2010 Julien ColloVray, Saint-Veran
2011 Aubert Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
2011 Staglin Chardonnay, Rutherford Estate

Red

1986 Chateau Olivier, Pessac-Leognan
1989 Caymus Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1989 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2004 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Magnum)
2006 Chase Zinfandel, Napa Valley
2009 Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley
2010 Pedestal Merlot, Columbia Valley

Special Cabernet Sauvignon vs Bordeaux Tasting

1989 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
1995 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled

1989 Chateau Montrose, Saint-Estephe Bordeaux
1995 Chateau Cantenac Brown, Margaux Bordeaux
2002 Chateau Leoville Barton, Saint-Julien Bordeaux

As we all know, all good things must come to an end. So as we packed up, said our goodbyes and took a couple of last minute photos, we got on the bus and returned to the hotel for our trip home in the morning.

Mike and Mav hopes that Brian, the Institute staff and volunteers had a great time at The Hilltop Winery.

A great evening wouldn't be complete unless we captured the memories to hold us over until next year.

Feel free to download any pictures from the entire evening HERE.

A Lawyer Visits The Hilltop

On Tuesday, July 15, 2014 The Hilltop Winery hosted a special tasting for one of Institute's favorite lawyers - and you know who you are, right?

We started in the early afternoon in the wine cellar!

We were allowed to compare a number of Cabernet Sauvignon's and then moved on to dinner at Sam's by the Beach to try the new pre-fixe dinner advertised in the local Pacific Palisades paper.

Before we left the cellar for Sam's, we lifted two magnums and they were the bomb!

After a perfect dinner with our friend Sam, we put the lawyer in the cab and told him to have a safe trip to the East Coast on the red-eye.

We retreated back to The Hilltop for a little clean-up, the wine of course. Tough life!

Here's the list of wines we tasted in the cellar before dinner at Sam's:

1980 Silver Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1986 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Estate Bottled
1986 Caymus Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cuvee
1986 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
2005 Meursault, Henri Boillot

Here's the two magnums we took to Sam’s by the Beach:

2006 Pedestal Merlot, Washington State
2011 Liquid Farms Chardonnay, Santa Barbara

For a complete slide show of the evenings events go HERE.

California to France: Two Great Venues on The Hilltop!

On Tuesday, December 10, 2013 The Hilltop Winery, once again hosted the wayward relative from the East Coast, and you know the deal, he brought the old and some new folks to enjoy the latest grape to hit the market (the old timers know who you are).

And obviously, they got carried away and went deep into the cellar, and with the Sommelier's permission, were allowed to pull some incredible wines from around the world dating back to 1979.

The evening also reunited the wayward relative with Monrose Catering. Thank you Richard and your staff for taking care of us again with an excellent selection of appetizers for all to enjoy!

Mav was the bomb with her incredible chocolate flour-less tart/cake. I'm not sure what it was or where it came from but it was delicious!

From a Ph.D. on the East Coast to a Ph.D. on the West Coast, "while the economy may go up and down, a visit to The Hilltop Winery is always an up day!"

So from all the East Coast folks Mike, all we can say is thank you for allowing us to enjoy the following wines from your cellar.

White

2011 Golden Slope Liquid Farms Chardonnay
2011 Four Liquid Farms Chardonnay
2012 Kobalt Sauvignon Blanc

Red

1979 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
1982 William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1982 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (bottled 1986)
1986 Chateau LaGrange, Saint-Julien
1988 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1989 Clos du Bois Marlstone Vineyard
1994 Chateau Lynch Bages
1996 Araujo Syrah, Eisele Vineyards
2001 Fratelli Revello Barolo, Vigna Giachini
2002 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
2003 Clarendon Hills Merlot, Brookman
2005 Hunnicutt Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2008 Arns Syrah, Napa Valley
2011 Bjornstad Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

Port

1983 Dow's Vintage Port

For pictures of the evening swirl click HERE.

"I Should Have Drank It By Now" Party

On Saturday, August 17, 2013 The Hilltop Winery hosted two-dozen of their friends and family in an effort to thin out the cellar of bottles of wine that should have already been consumed.

Everyone did their best to thin out the 4,000+ bottles that are housed in a cellar, on top of a hill, buried in a backyard!

The outdoor wood fired pizza oven was once again a major hit with the attendees. Pizza’s made to order was a nice touch to a perfect evening of wine and fellowship.

The sunset was spectacular and we have the pictures to prove it!

The following wines were tasted:

White

1991 Chalone Vineyard Chardonnay
1997 Batar Agricola Querciabella
2005 Chassagne-Montrachet
2006 Staglin Chardonnay
2006 Jayson Chardonnay
2006 Les Corbins Meursault
2007 Macon-Chaintre White Burgundy (two bottles)
2008 Bjornstad Chardonnay
2008 Hubert Lamy Saint Aubin
2009 La Follette Chardonnay, Sangiacomo Vineyard
2009 Luis Felipe Edwards Chardonnay

Rose

2005 Stagliano Rosato di Sangiovese (three bottles)
2011 Bandol La Bastide Blanche

Red

1974 Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
1985 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon
1985 Chateau Olivier Graves Leognan
1986 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
1987 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1988 Chateau Bouscaut Pessac-Leognan
1990 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Bosquet des Papes
1990 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1994 Talley Pinot Noir
1994 Maya
1995 Chateau Marguex, Premier Grand Cru Classe
1996 Rubino della Plazzola
1997 Turkey Flat Shiraz
1998 Spottswode Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2000 Maya
2001 Serpico Del Feudi Di San Gregorio
2003 Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley
2003 Clos du Val Pinot Noir, Carneros Vineyard
2003 Fess Parker Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County
2007 Pets Petite Sirah
2007 Roc Du Bel Air Bordeaux Superieur
2008 Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon

Dessert Wine

2005 Chateau De Cosse, Sauternes

For a complete slideshow of the event go HERE.

7th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On Thursday, July 18, 2013 The Hilltop Winery hosted 26 Institute staff, faculty and volunteer wine enthusiasts to a great wine tasting event.

We even worked with the local chamber of commerce to make sure the weather was as great as the wine. And it was a chamber of commerce kind of day!

This year we had a dozen newbies to the hilltop. The other 14 (and you know who you are) are seasoned veterans who made the annual pilgrimage, once again, to the hilltop. We enjoyed the following wines:

White

2009 Luis Felipe Edwards Chardonnay

2011 Muirwood Chardonnay

2011 Rombauer Chardonnay

2012 Natalie Brander Cuvee Chardonnay

Red

2003 Araujo Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain

2003 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

2003 Frasier Cabernet Sauvignon, Momento

2003 Hunnicut Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Surh Luchtel Cabernet Sauvignon

And once again, our special guest and faculty member Brian Baker from Chateau Montelena Winery brought three special bottles to taste.

1985 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled

1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled

1999 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled

We couldn't help ourselves and then we did a see something, pull something! These wines were added to the list of magnums we took to Sam's by the Beach.

1970 Barolo Marcheri de Barolo

1979 BV Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled

1989 Chateau Lynch-Bages Bordeaux

1993 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon

Now it was finally time to pull the magnums and head off to our favorite restaurant, Sam's by The Beach in Santa Monica, CA with proprietor Sam Elias. He always takes great care of us each year.

The Magnums lifted from the cellar and taken for a ride to Sam's included:

1993 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum

1996 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum

2007 Domaine de Saint Siffrein Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (Magnum - two bottles)

2007 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Magnum

Sam and his incredible staff served us a wonderful three course meal that complimented the wines.

As the evening came to a close we said our goodbyes, piled into our cabs, headed back to the hotel, and were off to LAX airport in the morning.

For a complete slideshow of the event click HERE.

Institute All Stars

On Tuesday, July 16, 2013, The Hilltop Winery hosted the Institute All Stars for a wine reception and pizza party while enjoying the view and the Baseball All Star Game being played in New York.

It was a quick trip and a prelude to our upcoming Annual Institute Wine Reception and Dinner this coming Thursday.

The following wines were tasted along with some great wood fired pizza’s:

White

2010 Aubert Chardonnay
2010 Julien ColloVray Chardonnay
2012 Realm Sauvignon Blanc

Red

1988 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
1998 Araujo Eisele Syrah
2003 d'Arenberg Shiraz
2005 Alto Moncayo
2005 Pahlmeyer

For a slideshow of the afternoon and evening event click HERE.

WPO Wine Reception

On Saturday, February 9, 2013, The Hilltop Winery hosted 19 wine enthusiasts from Canada and the United States. They even let a few locals in, as well as, their brother-in-law from Washington they can't seem to get rid of - get over it!

The reception started with a selection of Chardonnay's, we then proceeded to the backyard for a quick picture or two of the sunset and then immediately ran to the cellar where the fun began on pulling some reds.

Let's not forget to mention our caterers who were fantastic, Monrose Catering Company based out of Malibu delivered on the promise of an exquisite evening of hors d' oeuvres.

The following 25 wines were consumed.

White

1995 Kistler Russian River Chardonnay
1996 Chassagne-Montrachet Burgundy
2004 Alsace Riesling
2005 DR Stephens Chardonnay
2007 Staglin Chardonnay (two bottles)
2009 Ramey Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (two bottles)
2010 San Simeon Chardonnay (two bottles)
2011 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay

Red

1984 Shafer Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillside Select
1985 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
1989 Caymus Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon
1991 Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Blend
1994 Dunn Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
1994 Maya Cabernet Sauvignon
1996 Eisele Vineyards Syrah Araujo
1999 Eagle Rose Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2000 Constant Cabernet Sauvignon
2000 Downing Family Zinfandel
2002 McWilliams Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia)
2002 Muga Rioja Unfiltered (Spain)
2004 Alto Moncayo Garnacha (Spain)
2007 Stagliano Sangiovese

For a slideshow of the evening event click HERE.

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.

Chamber Hilltop Wine Reception

On September 25, 2012, The Hilltop Winery held a special wine reception for their friends in the chamber industry. The format was - see something, pull something!

The following bottles of wine were tasted throughout the afternoon and evening with the exception of:

The Pedestal and Feather Magnums;

The Araujo Syrah;

The HDV Chardonnay; and

The LaFollett Chardonnay.

...they were properly packaged and taken to dinner at Sam’s by the Beach, one of our favorite boutique restaurants in Santa Monica, CA.

Thank you Mike and Mav for a wonderful wine tasting afternoon!

White

1995 Kistler Cuvee Cathleen
2006 HDV, Chardonnay
2009 Copain Chardonnay
2009 LaFollette, Chardonnay

Red

1982 Heitz Cellar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1984 Insignia, Joseph Phelps Vineyards
1986 Cain Five, Napa Valley
1986 Chateau Lagrange, Saint-Julien
1986 Groth, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1989 Chateau Lynch Bages, Pauillac
1989 Brander Bouchet, Santa Ynez Valley
1990 Chateau Pichon Longueville, Pauillac
1993 Von Strasser, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
1994 Talley, Pinot Noir
1995 Araujo, Syrah, Eisele Vineyard
1998 Dunn Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
2003 Raymond, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, St. Helena
2006 Surh Luchel, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
2006 Pedestal (Magnum), Merlot, Columbia Valley
2006 Feather (Magnum), Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
2008 Alto Moncayo, Veraton, Garnacha
NV, Barbi, Brunello, di Montalcino

For a complete slideshow of the wine tasting go HERE.

6th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On July 12, 2012, we held our 6th Annual West Wine Reception at The Hilltop Winery. And of course, we finished with our annual dinner at Sam’s by the Beach with our good friend Sam.

What a special evening. Upon arrival on a hot and humid day in Los Angeles, we started off with a quick cup of Sangria. Attendee choice:

Traditional Red Sangria
Strawberry Mojito Sangria

After a quick taste, we moved on to our official wine tasting. The following three conducted tastings were incredible.

First Conducted Tasting:

10 Year Old California Cabernet Sauvignon

2002 Araujo, Eisle Vineyard
2002 Dunn, Howell Mountain
2002 Dunn, Napa Valley
2002 Staglin, 20th Anniversary
2002 Dalla Valle
2002 Chateau Montelena
2002 Silver Oak, Alexander Valley
2002 Brander

Second Conducted Tasting:

A comparison between 2000/2001 Barolo and 2006/2009 Barolo

2000 Marchesi di Barolo
2001 Stefano Farina
2001 Fratello Revello
2001 Paolo Scavino
2006 Argiano
2006 Camigliano
2009 Lughere di Frassinello

Third Conducted Tasting:

Chardonnay

1996 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
2001 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
2006 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
2009 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay

Cabernet Sauvignon

1999 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
2002 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
2009 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled

For a slideshow of the evenings event go HERE.

California in February

On February 10, 2012, I visited The Hilltop Winery and had the opportunity to watch my sister-in-law and niece run the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Run.

They both did exceptionally well placing high in their age brackets.

After the race we visited Empress Pavilion, a dim sum house, and enjoyed some great food with great friends. Yes, that’s me eating chicken feet. They tell me it’s a delicacy. I don’t know about that, but never again! And I thought peer pressure was a thing of the past for me.

Well, the trip wouldn’t be complete without visiting the cellar and pulling a few bottles. On this trip we tasted the following at a private dinner party:

1990 St. Francis, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
1991 Opus One, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1993 Von Strasser, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2004 Realm, The Tempest, Napa Valley
2006 Alto Moncayo, Garnacha, Spain

What a night! Good food, great family and friends and some incredible wine!

For the slideshow of the events click HERE.

Last Day and Final Sunset on the Hilltop

On January 9, 2012, my last day of sunsets and views at The Hilltop Winery for at least a month, we broke out a bottle of 2008 Ramey Claret, Napa Valley.

It was an incredible bottle of wine and the sunset is etched in my mind forever!

For more information on Ramey Wine Cellars click HERE.

For a slideshow of the final sunset click HERE.

Sunset on the Hilltop

On January 8, 2012, the sunset was beautiful and especially so with a nice glass of Chardonnay.

For the slideshow of the sunset 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.

Jared on the Hilltop

On July 31, 2011, we celebrated Jared’s last road trip with the team in Pennsylvania.

At our traditional Thursday night dinner we presented him with a special slideshow (see below) of his past five trips to The Hilltop Winery for the annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner event.

At this dinner, we enjoyed a Feather (Randy Dunn) and Pedestal (Michal Rolland) - two wines we first tasted at The Hilltop Winery the previous year.

These two wines have an interesting background. Basically, they’re made from Washington State Columbia Valley grapes by famous winemakers from other parts of the world (Randy Dunn from Dunn Vineyards - Feather and Michal Rolland from Pomerol winery Le Bon Pasteur - Pedestal).

Good luck Jared in your new gig!

For a complete slideshow of the past five reception and dinners with Jared and friends click HERE.

5th West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On July 14, 2011, we held our 5th Annual West Wine Reception and Dinner at The Hilltop Winery.

What a special evening. We did a vertical tasting of Silver Oak and a horizontal featuring Pinot Noir from 2005.

Check these out, we tasted:

1984 Silver Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1989 Silver Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
1995 Silver Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
1999 Silver Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
2002 Silver Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Then we started our 2005 trip around the Pinot Noir varietal:

2005 Demetria, Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley
2005 Pahlmeyer, Pinot Noir, St. Helena
2005 Sea Smoke, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara
2005 Macphail, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
2005 Alcina, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
2005 Tandem, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

Thanks to our family and friends at The Hilltop Winery for being such gracious hosts.

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

The Hilltop Before Ojai

On September 24, 2010, Bill and I had the privilege of making a trip to The Hilltop Winery before our major conference in Ojai.

We were treated very well by our hosts and the following bottles were tasted before dinner at Casa Nostra.

1981 Pahlmeyer, Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
1995 Havens Bourriquot, Napa Valley Red Table Wine
1997 Araujo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Eisele Vineyard, Napa Valley
2003 Pahlmeyer, Red Wine, Napa Valley

For a slideshow of the evening click HERE.

4th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On July 15, 2010, we held our 4th annual West Institute Appreciation Dinner at The Hilltop Winery.

We were treated to a vertical tasting of Chateau Montelena and a horizontal of 2000 wines from around the world.

In addition to that tasting, you’ll see by the pictures we also revisited the Dunn collection and tasted a Staglin for the first time.

The main attraction was the Chateau Montelena wines:

1988 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon
1997 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon
2000 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon
2002 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon

At the dinner with Sam (Sam’s on the Beach) we had a Titus, Livingston and Staglin. Sam prepared us an incredible four course meal with exceptional customer service.

What a great evening!

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

The Hilltop

On June 29, 2010, the Sweede family and a few special friends from work came to visit The Hilltop Winery.

Our time is always too short, but we made the most of the time we have with our friends.

Amongst the many wines we tasted the following stood out:

1990 Chateau Grand Mayne, Grand Cru Classe
2003 Surh Luchtel Mosaique, Red Wine, Napa Valley
2004 Staglin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley
2005 Alcina, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
2006 Kosta Browne, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

The weather was intense to say the least, sometimes you couldn’t see across the pool. That’s life when you’re up in the clouds, literally and figuratively speaking.

For more information on Alcina click HERE.
For more information on Chateau Grand Mayne click HERE.
For more information on Kosta Browne click HERE.
For more information on Staglin click HERE.
For more information on Surh Luchtel click HERE.

For a slideshow of the actual bottles tasted and the rest of the evening click HERE.