November is a perfect time for an excursion to the legendary Napa Valley. This year the Wine Bloggers Conference #WBC17 was held November 9-11 in Santa Rosa, Sonoma. Fortunately I was able to attend a post-conference excursion to Napa, which hosted by Napa Valley Vitners and Visit Napa Valley. The day included a wine tasting of Napa Valley's Three Big Wines at Castello di Amorosa, followed by lunch with Unexpected Napa Valley Wines at Acacia Barn, Las Alcobas. In this post Spaswinefood will share an overview of the day. I will followup later with posts on wine tastings at Castello di Amorosa, and Las Alcobas.
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| Castello di Amorosa, Napa Valley © Spaswinefood |
This was my first time visiting Castello di Amorosa. There is no doubt that this is stunning wine estate. I could easily spend a day here however, we had come for a wine tasting session focusing on Napa Valley's Big Three.
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| November Moments, Castello di Amorosa © Spaswinefood |
Napa Valley's Big Three: Cabernet, Chardonnay and Merlot
After a brief tour of Castello di Amorosa we did a tasting and discussion of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot wines from three Napa Valley producers. For this wine blogger it was an amazing introduction to Napa Valley's Big Three.
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| Wine Bloggers, Castello di Amorosa © Spaswinefood |
Our tasting included Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from J. Moss, Handwritten Wines, and Castello di Amorosa.
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| J. Moss, Handwritten Wines, and Castello di Amorosa Hosts © Spaswinefood |
It was hard not to be distracted by the setting for our wine tasting.
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| Wine Tasting at Castello di Amorosa © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Tasting Napa Valley's Big Three © Spaswinefood |
The time passed too quickly at Castello di Amorosa and soon we were onto our next stop.
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| November Vineyards, Castello di Amorosa © Spaswinefood |
Acacia Barn, Las Alcobas Lunch with Unexpected Napa Valley Wines
Lunch at Las Alcobas Napa Valley featured some unexpected Napa Valley wines.
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| Las Alcobas Napa Valley © Spaswinefood |
The table setting for our lunch was indeed appealing.
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| Las Alcobas Napa Valley © Spaswinefood |
Our La Alcobas lunch menu included:
1. Oyster, with green apple mignonette and verbena oil
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| Oysters, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
Vegetarian option
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| Veggie Version, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
It was paired with 2013 Schramberg Querencia Napa Valley Rose.
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| 2013 Schramberg Querencia Napa Valley Rose © Spaswinefood |
2. Hamachi crudo, with rose vinegar, Asian pear
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| Hamachi Crudo, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
Vegetarian option
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| Fresh Veggies, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
The second course was paired with 2016 Silverado Vineyards Miller Ranch Yountville Sauvignon Blanc.
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| 2016 Silverado Vineyards Miller Ranch Yountville Sauvignon Blanc © Spaswinefood |
3. Striped bass, carrot top chimichurri, charred carrots
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| Striped Bass, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
Vegetarian option
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| Mushrooms and More, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
The third course was paired with 2016 Hess Collection Mt. Veeder Gruner Veltliner.
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| 2016 Hess Collection Mt. Veeder Gruner Veltliner © Spaswinefood |
4. 30 day dry aged beef strip-loin, king trumpets, celery root, & potato gratin, sauce au poivre
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| Beef strip-loin, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
Vegetarian option
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| Pasta, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
The fourth course was paired with 2014 Antica Napa Valley Antinori Family Wine Estate Atlas Peak Pinot Noir.
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Pinot Noir Moments, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood
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5. Local cheese with accompaniments
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| Local Cheeses, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
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| Cheese Plate, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
The final course was paired with 2014 Nichelini Family Winery Chiles Valley Petite Sirah.
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| 2014 Nichelini Family Winery Chiles Valley Petite Sirah © Spaswinefood |
During lunch we were introduced to each of the wines by the wine producers.
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| Las Alcobas Moments © Spaswinefood |
I would like to thank our hosts and the culinary team for an absolutely stellar lunch. The wine pairings were heavenly.
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| Culinary Team, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
Our lunch was followed by a keynote talk on Napa Valley's Agricultural Preserve. Napa Valley's Agricultural Preserve established in 1968 was the first of its kind in the US. The preserve will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2018.
I was delighted to attend this #WBC17 post-conference excursion hosted by Napa Valley Vitners and Visit Napa Valley. What a most delightful day it was in Napa Valley. Moreover, I was happy to discovered that Napa Valley is open for business after the October fires. I invite you to join me in my California wine country explorations in search of the best in Spaswinefood.
Note: Part of the expenses for this #wbc17 post conference excursion was covered Napa Valley Vintners, Visit Napa Valley and others. Special thanks to Patsy McGaughy, Napa Valley Vintners and Jennifer Singer, Visit Napa Valley for organizing this trip.
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