Napa Valley is well known for its wines. While most know Napa for its Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon there are some unexpected wines that thrive here as well. Fortunately after our Wine Bloggers Conference #WBC17 held November 9-11 in Santa Rosa, Sonoma I attended a post-conference excursion to Napa. The excursion hosted by Napa Valley Vitners and Visit Napa Valley featured a lunch with some of those Unexpected Napa Valley Wines at Acacia Barn, Las Alcobas.
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| Unexpected Napa Valley Wines, Acacia Barn © Spaswinefood |
Acacia Barn Lunch with Unexpected Napa Valley Wines
Our lunch at Acacia Barn, Las Alcobas Napa Valley was indeed a food and wine adventure to rave about.
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| Las Alcobas Napa Valley © Spaswinefood |
Acacia Barn restaurant offers wine pairings with seasonally inspired dishes. This was the perfect place to discover some of Napa's lesser known wines.
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| Acacia Barn, Las Alcobas Napa Valley © Spaswinefood |
During our lunch at Acacia Barn we were introduced to some lesser known, or unexpected Napa Valley wines, such as sparkling rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Vetliner, Pinot Noir and Petite Sirah.
Our La Alcobas lunch menu included:
1. Oyster, with green apple mignonette and verbena oil
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| Oysters, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
The Vegetarian Option
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| Veggie Version, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
First course was paired with 2013 Schramberg Querencia Napa Valley Brut Rose.
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| 2013 Schramberg Querencia Napa Valley Brut Rose © Spaswinefood |
I think the following description at the Schramberg website best articulates why this sparkling wine was created:
Querencia Brut Rosé was created to honor the memory and spirit of our cofounder Jack Davies. Jack Davies was a pioneer in the early days of the Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve, and fought for environmental issues with dedication and vigor. To insure that Jack's work was kept alive, Schramsberg established the Jack L. Davies Fund. Proceeds from the sale of Querencia contribute to the Jack L. Davies Fund, which supports agricultural preservation and education efforts in Napa County. Jack Davies encouraged the community to support the preserve that became a model for conservation of agricultural lands across the country. James Hickey, then the Napa County Planning Director, and architect of the agricultural preserve, named the wine. The name is a Spanish word "meaning the deep and abiding affection one has for the place one calls home."
2. Hamachi crudo, with rose vinegar, asian pear
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| Hamachi Crudo, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
Crudité with hummus (vegetarian option)
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| Crudité with Hummus, 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 |
Silverdao's Miller Ranch Vineyard in Yountville has become noted for its Sauvignon Blanc. The soils here are perfect for growing aromatic white wines. Moreover Miller Ranch is described as being a climate sweet spot for growing Sauvignon Blanc.
3. Striped bass, carrot top chimichurri, charred carrots
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| Striped Bass, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
The Vegetarian Option
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| Mushrooms and More, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
The third course was paired with 2016 Hess Collection Mt. Veeder Grüner Veltliner.
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| 2016 Hess Collection Mt. Veeder Grüner Veltliner © Spaswinefood |
These are Hess Wines from their small block series. While Grüner Veltliner dates back to Roman times it is believed that the grape is indigenous to Austria. In recent years however, Grüner Veltliner has been planted in the New World wine regions, such as California.
4. 30 day dry aged beef striplion, king trumpets, celery root, & potato gratin, sauce au poivre
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| Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
Lemon Spinach Rigatoni, with Toasted Pine Nuts
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| Lemon Spinach Rigatoni, 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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This Pinot Noir offers a unique perspective from the Atlas Peak District of Napa Valley. While Napa is typically not known for this mix of variety and location however, the Antinori vineyards at 1,500 to 1,800 feet makes it possible.
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 |
Nichelini, the oldest family owned winery in Napa Valley, was established in 1890. Today the winery focuses on making small batches of wine, such as their internationally acclaimed award winning Petite Sirah. The vineyard is located in the idyllic Chiles Valley at 600 to 800 feet. Here the grape vines benefit from the unique terroir, high-altitude breezes, milder climate, and extended growing season.
It was indeed a most delightful lunch. During lunch we were introduced to the wines from each winery. Yes, those unexpected Napa Valley wines are oh so good!
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| Las Alcobas Moments © Spaswinefood |
I would like to thank our hosts and the culinary team for a stellar lunch.
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| Culinary Team, Las Alcobas © Spaswinefood |
Our lunch was followed by a keynote talk on Napa Valley's landmark 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 Wine Bloggers #WBC17 post-conference excursion hosted by Napa Valley Vitners and Visit Napa Valley. After lunch we returned to Santa Rosa, Sonoma Wine Country. What a most delightful November day it was in Napa Valley. I was so happy to say 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.
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| Wine Bloggers, Acacia Barn © Spaswinefood |
Note: I would like to note that part of the expenses to complete 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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