Tour Vin Monthly Feature: Patz & Hall Winery and The Sonoma House

Published on: February 10th, 2014

Exploring the Napa Valley is a necessary addiction for Tour Vin and we love to share our experiences! This month, the Napa Valley concierge Tour Vin features the Patz & Hall winery. Donald Patz, Heather Patz, James Hall and Anne Moses founded Patz & Hall in Napa in 1988. In less than 30 years, Patz & Hall has become one of California’s most highly regarded wineries with a prized portfolio of single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.

The winemakers show continued commitment to handcrafting small-lot and single-vineyard wines produced with grapes from vineyards in Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Mendocino County, Sonoma Coast and Santa Lucia Highlands. Patz & Hall’s zealous winemaking approach embodies the diversity of topnotch California wine production. Patz & Hall partners with premium vineyards and customized French oak cooperage to age small-lot Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. In their contemporary winery, a steady winemaking style allows them to fully explore each vineyard and vintage, and achieve superb quality time and again.

After a recent move from Napa to Sonoma in January 2014, The Sonoma House at Patz & Hall is now located just north of the Eighth Street wineries, near the Sonoma Square and the downtown Sonoma shops. The Sonoma House offers visitors a one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience – an amazing tasting room affords a chance to enjoy unique wine and food pairings. The setting also affords guests the opportunity to relax while looking out over the estate vineyards along the edge of the Mayacamas Mountains.

The new Sonoma House of Patz & Hall was originally a residential home that the winemakers have coverted into a comfortable wine and food tasting experience. The luxurious space can easily accommodate large parties (reservations required), as well as individual tastings in the tranquil wine bar. Guests are welcome for private, by-appointment seated tastings Wednesday through Sunday at 10:30am, 1:00pm and 3:30pm. Casual, seated (drop-in) tastings are welcome in the tasting bar Wednesday through Sunday, 10am – 4pm.

Tour Vin attended the soft opening of the Sonoma House in January. We were incredibly impressed by Heather Patz and her knowledge of the wines they produce, the delectable tasting experience and overall inviting ambiance. We’ll definitely be going back!

To book an unforgettable food and wine experience at Patz & Hall’s new Sonoma House and other world-class vineyards, contact Tour Vin today! We’ll guide you to the best wineries, finest restaurants and most romantic accommodations the Napa Valley has to offer. Remember – our concierge service is our only business; we take pride in customizing your trip through the wine country!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin Napa Valley Vacation Destinations: Featuring the Goose & Gander Restaurant

Published on: January 15th, 2014

Located in St. Helena, Goose & Gander restaurant is a favorite local hang out, as well as a favorite dining spot for vacationers. With the lodge-like atmosphere in the main dining room, an inviting patio and downstairs pub/bar, you will surely find the experience to be a memorable one.

The food is excellent and the seasonally driven, American classic menu has something for everyone. We tried their famous burger and duck fat fries – WOW! Goose & Gander also offer scallops, halibut, chicken, salmon, many salad options and flat iron steak. Don’t worry if you have dietary restrictions – the menu includes up to six vegetarian dishes, as well as a couple of gluten free choices.

While you are enjoying your meal, don’t forget there are more than 100 wine selections, heavy on the cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir. You can’t go wrong with this many choices! The corkage fee is reasonably set at $20.

Did I mention Goose & Gander has no dress code? Give these folks a try. We know you will certainly enjoy the experience!

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin: Napa Valley Vacation Destinations, Featuring Signorello Estate Winery

Published on: January 7th, 2014

This month Tour Vin’s featured winery destination is the Napa Valley’s Signorello Estate Winery. Founded in 1985, the wines produced from this vineyard consistently score in the 90’s for their Padrone, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Seta. Tour Vin believes that your vacation experience should be a memorable one! Give us a call today and let us help you plan a Napa Valley tour to this world famous winery to create lasting memories.

Signorello Estate specializes in estate-grown wines, exquisite food and wine pairings. The estate, located on the Silverado Trail just north of Napa, sits atop its own hill and offers guests one of the most breathtaking views in the valley. The extensive food and wine program has been rated 3.5 stars by the San Francisco Chronicle, and is considered “One of the ten best tasting room experiences in California.”

The rigorous vineyard program begins with the soil. Signorello Estate’s Chardonnay vineyards are now more than three decades old and were planted on the forward loam valley floor. The red varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot) are all planted in shallow soil on the rocky hillside. One vineyard benefits from an eastern exposure while, the other appreciates a western exposure. The fruit for the Pinot Noir comes from the Carneros appellation located in the cooler, southern part of the Napa Valley, which is better suited for growing this varietal.

Signorello Estate makes limited quantities of premium varietals that blend classic French wine making characteristics with California fruit. Their style of winemaking is directly tied to the specific vineyards. The estate strives for lush, concentrated fruit flavor, and good acid balance in all wine produced. The goal is to have wines with early accessibility, as well as the potential to develop additional complexity as they mature.

Tour Vin has explored Napa Valley from top to bottom and we’d like to share our expertise in planning a food and wine experience customized to your personal preferences. From dining and hotel accommodations to unique activities and wine tasting, Tour Vin will plan a tour package tailored to your needs!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin Features Bistro Jeanty

Published on: December 13th, 2013

In the heart of Yountville in Napa Valley, the French-inspired Bistro Jeanty offers excellent cuisine in a quaint, cozy atmosphere. Open for lunch and dinner (reservations recommended), the folks at Bistro Jeanty also present a wine list that offers a wide selection of California and French wines. Need help with food and wine pairings? The staff is knowledgeable and ready to help!

Did I mention Bistro Jeanty received the Award of Excellence for their extensive wine list? The classic menu at this restaurant offers items not necessarily found at other dining establishments. If escargots, rabbit pate, mussels and cassoulet are to your liking, this is the place for you! If you are more interested in traditional French cuisine, try the crème of tomato soup, duck confit, steak tartare, coq au vin or steak frites.

Thinking about a cocktail before your wine selection? You should definitely order the Hemingway Daiquiri or the La Vie en Rose. For dessert, think about trying the aged goat cheese with port poached pear or a creamy blue cheese with sundried fruit compote.

There are many great Napa Valley restaurants to choose from. Call us to help select the best Napa venues for you!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Napa Valley Vacation Destinations, Featuring Chateau Montelena Winery

Published on: December 5th, 2013

Season’s greetings wine enthusiasts. Looking for a California getaway to a world famous winery during the holidays? The Chateau Montelena winery, best known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, is the winery that put California on the map.

Resembling an old European castle, the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay took first place in the famous 1976 Paris tasting. To book a customized tour to a historic vineyard, or any other Napa Valley vacation let us build a customized Napa Valley Tour customized to your individual preferences.

A must for wine lovers seeking excellence, the setting is one of the most peaceful in the Napa Valley – a stone castle carved into a hillside overlooking a Chinese garden, lake and vineyards reaching out to the base of Mt. St. Helena. Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay, rated above all other wines. The results proved that Chateau Montelena could produce some of the world’s finest wines, and that California’s wine industry had come of age.

In 1976, Chateau Montelena put California’s Napa Valley at the forefront of the wine world. Potter Valley Riesling, Napa Valley Chardonnay, Estate Zinfandel, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon’s are all produced on site. The winery’s motto of “make the best, period” continues to ring true to this day.

Available activities at the Chateau include Cellarmaster Tasting, an exclusive benefit of club membership, offered to those that visit Napa Valley often and tour through the vineyards. On your tour you can experience the beautiful, natural surroundings that encapsulate the flavors of this region. Otters, ducks, a black swan and Chinese garden are some of the sights you will encounter on your visit.

Tour Vin is here to guide you to the best wineries, finest restaurants and most romantic accommodations Napa Valley has to offer. This month’s Napa Valley Vacation destination, the World Famous Chateau Montelena Winery is one of these destinations. Treat yourself to the winery that got it all started and book your tour today!

Tour Vin Explores Napa Valley in the Winter

Published on: November 29th, 2013

Winter in Napa Valley offers world class events as well as amazing off season discounts. Napa Valley visitors can take advantage of easy access to the best wine, food and arts experiences at a slower pace November through April. Top wineries, restaurants and hotels welcome guests with off-season packages, spa experiences and special event offerings.

Here are some of upcoming events in the Napa Valley:
* Winter in Wineries (Calistoga AVA): Provides wine lover tours and wine tasting with winemakers you don’t want to miss. (December 1-February 9)
* The fourth annual Napa Valley Truffle Festival showcases the black winter Perigord truffle, leading truffle cultivation experts and scientists with special guests from the food and wine world. These connoisseurs will prepare and demonstrate how to pair truffles with wine and food. (January 17-20)
* January is Napa Valley Restaurant month! During January, you can enjoy the unique dining experiences the valley has to offer. Special menus, fresh food and, of course, excellent wines will be showcased for all to enjoy!

Call us at Tour Vin to help plan your trip!

Cheers,

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin’s Recap of the 2013 Vintage

Published on: November 13th, 2013

Above average yields and excellent grape quality bode well for this vintage!

Back from our trip in Napa Valley, the buzz was an even and excellent growing season should translate to consistent quality and an abundance of wine. The harvest began August 1 — the earliest in history — starting with the whites and moving to the reds in September. The winemaker at Rocca Family Vineyards indicated that the vintage has allowed vintners to pick the best grapes at the peak of ripeness. Other wine makers have gone so far to say the vintage was nearly perfect.

Here are some pics from our clients’ visits to Napa Valley in 2013.

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin, Napa Valley Tours, Features Pine Ridge Vineyards

Published on: November 8th, 2013

Napa Valley concierge and tour expert, Tour Vin, highlights Pine Ridge Vineyard established in 1978.  Famous for their diverse Cabernets the unique landscape, spanning over 200 acres, reflects the expressive wines born from this world famous estate. Stags Leap District, Rutherford, Oakville, Carneros and Howell Mountain appellations all fall under the umbrella of this world famous winery producing treasured wines from five renowned regions.

 

At Pine Ridge Vineyards, careful and continuous attention to detail and quality is paramount in their vineyards. In tending their vineyards, harvesting the fruit and crafting the wine, no effort is too great, and no detail is unimportant. From the rootstock and clonal selection to the weather, canopy management, and harvest, the vintners at Pine Ridge Vineyards take painstaking measures to ensure that every bottle of wine show case the true characteristics of each varietal and respective terroir in which it was grown.

 

An exceptional example of the vintage wines produced here is their 2010 Epitome Cabernet. Drawn to the fruit bestowed by block three of their Cornerstone Vineyard, set along the northeastern border of the renowned Stags Leap District, this intense, opaque ruby wine is unique in character and rare in number. “Teeming with aromas of red raspberry, fresh blackberry and cassis woven beneath elegant layers of fine baker’s cocoa, spun sugar and subtle ground clove” the wine has a smooth opening that has a lasting finish. Epitome is a little taste of heaven in your mouth.

 

Experts at producing some of Napa Valley’s most famous wines, the vintners at Pine ridge Vineyards are also experts at pairing your next meal with a wine that reflects the embodiment and flavor of any culinary delight. Your Napa Valley Tour of the Pine Ridge Vineyard would not be complete without their 5×5 food and wine experience.

 

Featured in the October issue of Marin Magazine, there is an article recommending wineries to visit with food and wine pairings. The article highlights the Pine Ridge website that provides  an interactive food and wine recipe filter which shows  they  take the food and wine pairing experience seriously.  The days of cubed cheese and crackers no longer suffice when it comes to pairing a full flavored wine that compliments your next meal.

 

When planning your next Napa Valley Vacation don’t forget to include the Pine Ridge Vineyard.  The Tour Vin believes that your vacation experience should be a memorable one. Tour Vin will guide you to famous wineries like Pine Ridge, the finest restaurants and most romantic accommodations in Napa Valley. Our concierge service is our only business, so we take pride in customizing Napa Valley tours to your individual preference. Let us plan your itinerary to include the best wineries that the wine country has to offer.

Tour Vin Explores New Places in Napa Valley

Published on: October 29th, 2013

Accompanied by our guests, Tour Vin recently visited new wineries and restaurants throughout Napa Valley. We barrel tasted; strolled through wine caves; enjoyed a food and wine pairing prepared by a well-known winery chef; toured a newly constructed wine facility atop Pritchard Hill; and learned firsthand about the gravity-flow process of wine making.

After a great day of wine tasting, we sat down at some of the best restaurants in Napa Valley. We enjoyed steak at Press; California cuisine at Farm; Italian food at Redd Wood and Bistro Don Giovanni; and French cuisine at Bistro Jeanty and Angele.

And, you ask, where did we stay? We kicked back and relaxed at the North Block Hotel in Yountville. The staff was great and the accommodation luxurious. This place is a definite do again!

All in all, this was a great Napa Valley vacation for our tour guests. Give us a call so we can help you plan your next trip to Napa Valley!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin Reviews the 2013 Napa Valley Harvest

Published on: October 16th, 2013

Tour Vin just spent a week in Napa Valley talking with vintners and owners about the 2013 harvest. Here is a recap of our trip:

* The end of grape picking is near, although the northern part of the valley is just beginning to harvest cabernet sauvignon (it’s cooler up there, so grapes ripen more slowly). Most people say 2013 will be a fantastic vintage including great tastes and flavors with high yields.

* Most of the winemaking activity has moved from the vineyard to the winery to press the grapes that have been fermenting and to transfer juice from the tanks to the barrels.

 

Don’t miss the fall activities – this is a great time to visit Napa Valley! The weather is incredible and, of course, the wines are excellent! Tour Vin is ready to help plan your Napa Valley vacation.

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge