Category Archives: Uncategorized

Domaine Chandon Winery Review Napa Valley California

Posted on June 6, 2016 by waywardwine

Winding down our eight year anniversary trip to Napa Valley, we start our last day with bubbly for breakfast. Yesterday, Stags’ Leap stained us with their cabs (read here). So we may be a bit biased with fizz in our future.

Our rainy drive South finds Yountville and Chandon’s first vineyard: Continue reading →

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Happy Memorial Day Champagne

Posted on May 30, 2016 by waywardwine

In memoriam to those who died so we could enjoy Champagne at 9 am on a Monday. Nothing quite says breakfast and freedom like enjoying a Blanc de Blancs from the oldest Champagne house, Ruinart: Light, pale gold, with a … Continue reading →

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Stags’ Leap Winery Review Napa Valley

Posted on May 23, 2016 by waywardwine

Back to beginnings this week with one of Napa’s originals: Stags’ Leap Winery (not to be confused with Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars).

The Chase family built the stone Manor House in 1890 and planted vineyards in 1893.

Stags Leap PatioOur visit feels part historic home tour, part winery tour. We enter and get a glass of 2014 Viognier (dry, pale, soft pear, white peach, lemon blossom: very good 4 of 5 $32). Stags’ interior oozes Victorian oak and moodiness. I feel like I forgot my top hat, pipe, and misogyny.

Stags Leap Victorian StaircaseIn 1913, widowed Mrs. Frances Grange bought and turned Stags’ into a resort for Hollywood elite. Prohibition halted wine-making but didn’t halt Frances. She sold fruit to other producers and turned Stag’s basement into an underground speakeasy with a trap door.

Stags Leap Prohibition CellarTo absolve patrons’ sins, both lawbreaking and religious, widow Grange built a non-denominational church. Today, church Grange serves as winery: Continue reading →

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Some Never Learn: Wine Don’t

Posted on May 19, 2016 by waywardwine

One of my restaurants was excited about tasting a sparkling rosé. But it would have to be today. So I grabbed a lonely bottle of Cavicchioli Sparkling Rosé languishing in my office and popped it in the freezer. After my … Continue reading →

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Winery Review Mumm Napa Valley

Posted on May 16, 2016 by waywardwine

These weekly(ish) recaps of our Napa Valley, eighth anniversary, wine whirlwind tour continue to Mumm. We already enjoyed a light breakfast of Pinot Noir at Etude (read here), but actually hungry now, and already late for lunch reservations, we bomb North. Then something surprises our bleary eyes… Continue reading →

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