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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WINERIES Easy-to-Use Maps & Listings Feature Stories, Wine-Related Events

JUNE 2, 2017 | WEEKLY SINCE 1981

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WINEMAKERS IN CONVERSATION

JAXON KEYS WINERY & DISTILLERY

PRAGER WINERY & PORT WORKS

AUGUST BRIGGS WINERY

SUTTER HOME TASTING ROOM

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THE JOY OF ROMBAUER Chardonnay, Sure, But So Much More Here’s the thing: You think you know Rombauer, but you probably don’t. Not to worry, it just means you’re about to have a welcome surprise.

Chances are you know Rombauer from its Chardonnay, a fixture on restaurant lists and a favorite of those who favor a classic California style. But guess what? There are just as many people who love Rombauer Zinfandel, and plenty more who adore Rombauer Cabernet, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, introduced with the 2014 vintage.

Rombauer is on the quiet side of Napa Valley, near the northern reaches of St. Helena on Silverado Trail North. It’s well marked, but don’t rely on your GPS map service. Like many address based systems, it’s likely to tell you to look right when you should be looking left if you’re traveling North toward Calistoga from down Valley.

Right away, you can sense this will be a special visit. Pull off the Trail and you face a meandering lane that climbs a hillside. As soon as you enter you’ll see a well-worn steel-wheeled tractor that speaks to the family’s devotion to sustainably farming 520 acres of vineyards in St. Helena, Los Carneros, Atlas Peak, Calistoga and the Sierra Foothills. Alongside the hillside trek to the tasting room is Joan’s Vineyard, a beautiful section of gnarly old Zinfandel that graces the Napa Valley bottling and contributes to that Zin fan club.

And please note: Reservations are required all week long. The tasting room is intimate, the parking lot even more so. In fact, on 22

weekends complimentary valet parking is used to maximize limited parking space. In this case, reservations make the visit easier on everyone.

As you arrive at the top of the hill, you’ll find the tasting room, basically a cozy U-shaped space with multiple tasting bars. You’re going to experience Napa along with other enthusiasts, and it’s impossible not to notice that everyone is very glad to be here. So relax and make friends. Personally, much of the Rombauer joy (there’s a method to this joyness, just wait) can be found on a covered patio that stretches alongside the tasting room. You can sit on stools and enjoy your wine (there are by the glass offerings) on a wide overlook that frames a wonderful view of the Napa Valley looking westward toward the Mayacamas that divide the Valley from Sonoma County. Vineyards make for terrific photo backgrounds, the kind of “wish you were here” tableaus that make the folks back home just a bit jealous.

From the parking lot, notice a sculpture of a head pruned vine so realistic you may touch it just to make sure. There’s one of the biggest owl boxes in the Valley perched on the hillside, a raptor roost that provides for some natural pest protection.

Trails lead through the gardens and down a slope to a gazebo of sorts, another lucky space to enjoy the view and the Rombauer wines.

Throughout the gardens and property, there are picnic tables, if you’ve brought along something to munch on, and an eclectic collection of sculptures, including a flag painted cow and a regal looking stag. The

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Open Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Reservations required for all experiences Flight Tasting $25 (maximum group size six) Wines available by the glass (includes a souvenir glass, max. group size 10) Cave tour and tasting $60 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily (max. group size 10) No smoking throughout the winery and winery grounds

winery garden and grounds boast more than 100 different plants and flowers. The winery is dog-friendly too, but please be respectful with a leash and keep pets on the porch.

So yes, the wines are notable, but this is a stop apart from the hustle of the highway, and well worth taking the extra time to plan a visit.

New for visitors is a Cave Tour, deep into the hillside and paired with a tasting of some of the limited-production wines aged in the caves.

Founded nearly four decades ago, the Rombauer family is truly a pillar of Napa Valley. And all that joy? Well it dates to something else you may actually have on your bookshelf at home: founder Koerner Rombauer’s great aunt is none other than Irma Rombauer, the author of the perennially popular Joy of Cooking cookbook. Hard to believe this influential guide to enjoying home cooking at its finest dates back over 80 years, but some things are timeless. And in just four decades, the Rombauer wines can make the same claim.

Three generations of the family are involved with the winery, an increasingly rare touchstone. Come for a visit, and share the Joy.

WINES Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Zinfandel Dessert Selections Limited-production and single-vineyard wines available only at the winery.

Strictly by Appointment Reserve online or by calling (707) 963-6606 www.rombauer.com 3522 Silverado Trail North St. Helena, CA 94574

>> BY JAMES CAUDILL

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CONTENTS TABLE OF

June 2, 2017 ISSUE 22, VOLUME 36

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FEATURES 22

22 >> ON THE COVER: ROMBAUER VINEYARDS

Chardonnay and so much more!

21 >> OAKLAND WINE FESTIVAL

Schedule of Events 24 >> TWIN PINE CASINO & HOTEL

Play in Luxury and Comfort 26 >> JAXON KEYS WINERY & DISTILLERY

Ambience Galore 30 >> MARGRIT MONDAVI

Summer Concert Series 32 >> PRAGER WINERY & PORT WORKS

Living the “Sweet Life” 34 >> AUGUST BRIGGS

Leave Pretention at the Door

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39 >> SUTTER HOME TASTING ROOM

You‘ll Feel Right at Home at this Iconic Napa Valley Destination 40 >> HUGE BEAR WINES

Ursa Gigantes Recipe 41 >> BROADWAY UNDER THE STARS

Transcendence Theatre at Jack London 48 >> RODNEY STRONG VINEYARDS

Summer Concert Series 50 >> MICHAEL DAVID WINERY

Acquires Historic Geyserville Winery 54 >> LAKE SONOMA WINERY

Just Off the Sonoma Square 57 >> SCRATCH

A New Tasting Room in Carmel

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Download WineryGeek app on your iPhone or Android!

Download WineryGeek app on your iPhone or Android!

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