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WINE COUNTRY NEWS | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK St. Clement Vineyards & Winery by Charles Neave I must confess that the Napa Valley’s St. Clement Winery has always enchanted me. Set on a rise a couple of miles north of the city limits of the classic Wine Country town of St. Helena, it is a beautiful property. And the winemaker, the charming and talented Danielle Cyrot, is further proof that this is no ordinary winery. When asked what style of music that relates to making wine, she replied, “Good old rock and roll.” You’ve just got to love it. After you have visited the winery, you’ll also remember the hike up from the parking lot to the house, though in reality it’s not really a tough trek, just a minute or so walking up the hill, but then that knoll is part of what makes the setting so memorable. Built in 1878 by Fritz Rosenbaum, a rather wealthy manufacturer and importer of fine mirrors and glass for the opulent homes of San Francisco’s “Gilded Age,” the St. Clement house quickly became a local landmark, and it remains so today. The Rosenbaum family also made Zinfandel and Riesling in the cellar beneath the house. Over the years that followed the Rosenbaum era, the estate was owned by a number of colorful characters, and most continued to make wine in the cellar. The St. Clement name was born in 1976 when William Casey, a local ophthalmologist, bought the house and built the 10,000 case (120,000 bottle) stone winery behind it. The St. Clement name was a tribute to Casey’s ancestors, who were among the founders of the state of Maryland. In fact, the cross that is part of the St. Clement logo and label can be found on the Maryland state flag. Today the winemaker brings with her a long family history of winemaking, though her family roots are French, not California, though she is a graduate of the famous University of California at Davis program that has turned out so many prominent people in the wine industry. Asked if her approach to making wine is more French or California, she says, “It’s a little bit of both. I use it all in my winemaking.” And is she intimidated at all, coming from such a long and distinguished line of French winemakers “No. I just felt 18 like I was born to do it.” Today the roster of wine she and her staff carefully craft is extensive, but well thought out. It includes the tropical, floral and fruitfilled Sauvignon Blanc Bale Lane, and two Chardonnays using fruit from the special microclimate and rolling hills that the Carneros region by San Pablo Bay is famous for. St. Clement’s greatest depth is in the red wines. They include the famous Oroppas Napa Valley, a complex, fruit forward bottling; a subtle, food-friendly Merlot made from grapes from two different vineyards; a personal favorite, the Syrah Stanly Ranch Carneros; and an amazing seven Cabernet Sauvignons. The next step, now that you know all of this, is to head to the winery’s tasting room, where the options include the Main Tasting with two whites and three reds at the tasting bar, a Reds Only Tasting that includes the current release Oroppas, and the exclusive Single Vineyard Tasting on the Terrace that offers a choice of five limited production wines. For just ten dollars more you can also add a cheese or chocolate pairing (four samples of one or the other) to any of the tastings. Picnic tables are also available and may be reserved by Wine Club members. Boxed lunches (a gourmet sandwich, chips, cookie and bottle of water) can be provided given 72-hour notice. When, at the end of the day, Danielle is asked if she has ever tasted the perfect wine, her answer comes in two parts: “No, because there is always something better, from a winemaker’s standpoint. But as a consumer: yes.” And one can imagine that she glances over at a bottle of St. Clement and smiles. The St. Clement Winery tasting room is located on the west side (the left side if you are headed north toward Calistoga) at 2867 St. Helena Highway North (Route 29) just north of St. Helena. They are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, you can call them at 1-800-331-8266 go to www.stclement.com. St. Clement is a small, boutique winery so, for groups of eight or more, phone ahead to make arrangements. Look for St. Clement on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter @WineCountryTW
Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County’s premiere wine country wedding destination, has been selected to receive the 2011 Bride’s Choice Awards for one of the top five percent wedding venues demonstrating excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism, announced WeddingWire Network, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, which includes WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. The annual Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 newlyweds. Vintners Inn is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community. Awards were given to winners across 20 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. “We are particularly proud of the hospitality team here at Vintners Inn,” said General Manager Percy Brandon. “We would not have received this coveted award without the help and cooperation of many of our employees, especially Cathy Reynolds, our Wedding Specialist. We would like to thank all off the newlyweds who voted for Vintners Inn as their ideal, all-inclusive wedding venue.” Surrounded by the scenic Northern California landscape, acres of lush vineyards, and beautifully landscaped grounds with courtyards and fountains, Vintners Inn is located in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, just 50 miles north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Vintners Inn has 44 luxurious rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art Event Center, the renowned John Ash & Co. restaurant, and The Front Room Bar & Lounge. Vintners Inn is located on Barnes Road, River Road exit, just west of Highway 101; (707) 575- 7350, www.vintnersinn.com. www.WineCountryThisWeek.com WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | WINE COUNTRY NEWS Vintners Inn Recently Selected to Receive the Prestigious Annual 2011 Bride’s Choice Award 19
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