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W ine C ountry I nternational
W ine W orks
The Food and Wine Chain
Wine by the Numb ers-
The Barrel
Balistreri Vineyards of Denver produces very limited amounts of Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and American Port...about 3,000 cases total. Winemaker John Balistreri handcrafts small lots of his favorite varietals with a
unique fruit- forward style. His wines are aged in oak and served up fresh and frisky. Each wine is crafted by the barrel and labeled with its barrel number on the back label. This allows for restocking your cellar with your favorite barrel lot. At a recent sneak preview barrel tasting, Balistreri delighted customers with his soon to be released 2005 vintage. Balistreri’s customers are drinking up all the wine that the family operation can bottle ever year. Bravo to fresh and crisp wine! Balistreri Vineyards 1946 E. 66th Ave Denver, CO 80229 Tel. 303 287-5156 www.balistreriwine.com (see our review of Balistreri Syrah on page 32)
Photos by C.J. Davies
Numbers
Chef Natress shows off a delectable banana split
Meadowood-Napa Valley’s Good-Life Resort
Napa Valley Wine Country is loaded with premium wineries. If you are looking for a premium quality resort with a country club setting, this is it. Real estate mogul and cult wine producer Bill Harlan is the managing partner of this 250 -acre private resort. Meadowood is located in St. Helena, east of The Silverado Trail. The resort offers 41 rooms and 44 suites that feature California king beds, wood-burning fireplaces and spacious, modern bathrooms. Many of the suites include private terraces. Meadowood has been a highly esteemed Relais & Chateau property since 1987. The resort offers a full service spa, 25-lap pool, tennis, croquet, and a nine-hole executive golf course. As one would expect, the wine & culinary offerings are exceptional. The resort has a wine center and offers weekly wine tastings and frequent vintners’ dinners. The wine cellar showcases almost every winery in Napa Valley. Executive chef Vincent Natress helms the kitchens and provides creative cuisine for pairing with California’s most revered vintages. Natress has mastered the use of slow smoking chicken as well as seafood. Fresh wine country cuisine; smoked chicken ravioli You can stay at Meadowood from $300 to $4000 per night. Check their website for off-season packages. The restaurant offers three courses for $59, with wines paired $85; four courses $72, with wines paired $100; five courses $85, with wines paired $115; Chef ’s Tasting Menu $95, or $135 with wines paired. Meadowood 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574 Tel. 800 458-8080 www.meadowood.com