st. helena

Duckhorn Vineyards Wins the Readers' Choice Award for Best Domestic Red Wine

Filed under: Wine

Duckhorn Vineyards, located in St. Helena, Ca., is the winner of the Readers' Choice Award for Best Domestic Red Wine.

Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent nearly 35 years establishing itself as one of North America's premier producers of Bordeaux varietal wines. From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, to its addition of Sauvignon Blanc in 1982, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.

Duckhorn made an early decision to focus on the production of Merlot. Though many Napa Valley wineries were using Merlot as a blending grape in the late 1970's, few were exploring the potential of this varietal as a stand-alone wine. A great fan of Merlot since traveling to St. Emilion and Pomerol, Dan Duckhorn felt that this elegant varietal was under appreciated in North America. "I liked the softness, the seductiveness, the color," says Duckhorn. "The fact that it went with a lot of different foods; it wasn't so bold, didn't need to age so long, and it had this velvety texture to it. It seemed to me to be a wonderful wine to just enjoy. I became enchanted with Merlot."

Gallery: Duckhorn Wine Company

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Joseph Phelps Vineyards: Using Sustainable Vineyard Practices to Produce Luxury Blends

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Joseph Phelps Winery nominated for best domestic red wine

Joseph Phelps Vineyards, an independent, estate-based winery located outside of St. Helena, Ca., is a nominee for best domestic red wine.

Thirty-eight years ago, Joseph Phelps, established the business and built the winery which bears his name. Phelps pioneered a number of "firsts" in the early years of the winery. The 1974 Insignia, which was released in spring 1978, was the first Bordeaux-style blend produced in California under a proprietary label. The release of the 1974 Syrah in 1977 sparked industry-wide interest in a remarkable French varietal whose plantings in California had disappeared and been virtually forgotten for over half a century. In 1990, after years of research, a new line of Rhone-style wines was introduced, which today includes Syrah, Viognier and a Chateauneuf-du-Pape style blend called Le Mistral.

The winery's estate-owned vineyards are found in the premiere growing regions of Stag's Leap, Rutherford, Oakville, Oak Knoll and the eastern foothills of Napa. Joseph Phelps also owns 80 acres of Pinot Noir and 20 acres of Chardonnay planted in Freestone. Additional varietals produced annually at Phelps include Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, several Rhone-style wines and a dessert wine made from Scheurebe. Its Insignia wines are one of California's most successful first growth luxury blends.

Gallery: Joseph Phelps Vineyards

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Shanghai Nights Wine Fundraiser

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Events

Another great wine-themed event is taking place in February. This one is the 23rd annual fundraiser for The Montessori Family Center in St. Helena, Callifornia. Shanghai Nights will take place on February 4, 2006, at The Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena. The fundraiser includes a “What Makes Sparking Wine Great” seminar and tasting conducted by wine book author Karen MacNeil, a sparkling wine reception, silent auction and seated dinner including an all-chocolate course by Woodhouse Chocolates. The auction includes wine lots and a ‘treasure chest’ containing a trip to China and a collection of wines from all of the families whose children attend the school. Guests will purchase a $50 key hoping it’s the one which will open the chest. The keys can be bought online and you don't have to be present to win.Tickets for the complete package are $400 each.

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