jessicapecota.com

So I am a bit behind my vineyard update posting schedule; I just haven’t been able to make it over to the vineyard in Oakville I’ve been featuring this season.

But as I was driving home, I stopped at this vineyard in Saint Helena so that I could share a bit of what’s going on here in the Napa Valley with you.

According to my winemaker friends, the season is a “bit of a nail biter” but has great potential.
And now that the unusually cool summer has give way to an unusually hot fall, things are getting interesting fast.

Stay tuned–I will get to that Oakville vineyard this week and we’ll get back on track.

We LOVE old-school Mexican food.

The chips & guacamole, the super-cheesy enchiladas, and–yes–even the deep-fried chimichangas (and the “gasoline” margaritas at Sinaloa).
Light & healthy it is not.

We also LOVE “New Mexican” cuisine.

The grilled fresh fish tacos, the unique & unusual salsas, the made-to-order tortillas.

But sometimes the creativity goes to far (Mexican wood-fried pizza?–sorry, I just don’t get it).

Enter C Casa, a new addition to the ever-growing culinary scene at Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa.

I met the owner Catherine a few weeks ago.
I was immediately intrigued not only by her background but also by this new venture she calls “An Innovative Taqueria”.

So when we ran errands down in Napa this past weekend, we stopped in for lunch.

Walking into the market, we were immediately impressed by the wonderful patio.

When we went inside to order, we were equally impressed.

We shared the Spiced Lamb Taco, the C Casa Chicken Taco, the Grilled Mahi Mahi Taco, and the “Nachos Not!”.

Everything was wonderful. The portions were just right, but we ordered too much food for our family of three. Next time, we’ll order fewer items, or a salad or such in place of the nachos. While the food was intensely flavored–in that fresh, perfectly-delicious way–nothing was too spicy for Samantha.

Service is walk-up and the atmosphere is casual. Prices, especially for Napa, are reasonable.

Who: All ages–the market is bustling and just loud enough that families with kids of all ages can relax

What: A fresh, original, and sophisticated take on Mexican cuisine in a hip environment

Where: Oxbow Public Market, 610 First Street Suite 6, near downtown Napa

When: Anytime of year; lunch or dinner (and breakfast on the weekends)

Why: To “do Mexican” in a delicious, innovative, and healthy way

From what I understand, the ripening of most grapes is behind “schedule” this year due to the unusually mild temperatures we’ve been experiencing. So, this will likely be a late harvest–unless we have early rains. Rain pretty much necessitates harvest as the grapes can be damaged.

That said, today it was 100 106 degrees Upvalley. It will be interesting to watch what happens from here on out.

Below you can see that the grapes are well beyond veraison and that the leaf canopy has really developed since Update #5.

That development is particularly notable as I’m told that quite a bit of canopy management–meaning successive cutting back of the leaves–has been occurring in most vineyards. This cutting allows more sunlight to reach the grape clusters, thereby optimizing the ripening process. There has been more of this cutting this year than in past due to this summer’s crazy cool weather.

Towards Nickel & Nickel Winery

Grape Clusters Nineteen Weeks Post Bud Break

Towards Robert Mondavi Winery

Share

Here are shots of the same vineyard in Oakville that I’ve been featuring all this season. You can see the update from three weeks ago here.

From what I hear from my winemaker friends, almost everything this season is delayed–yet growth and development is steady.

I was told this is due to the late rains and the thus-far mostly mild weather.

Of course, everything can change in these next few days…or weeks…or months…

Towards Nickel & Nickel Winery

Grape Clusters Sixteen Weeks Post Bud Break

Toward Robert Mondavi Winery

Just about every weekend here in the Napa Valley, there are many events and activities.

A particular type of event that occurs regularly is a “grand tasting.” In these tastings many local wineries, restaurants, and food artisans get together in a beautiful location and present their best to attendees.

This weekend we went to A Taste of Napa at the Calistoga Ranch, a part of the Festival de Sole.

While we decided to indulge in some much needed grown-up time and dropped kiddo off at her friend’s house, there were several families at the tasting.

I’d never been the the Calistoga Ranch before and it was a treat heading up the eastern hills.

While on the smaller end of the spectrum for events of this genre, it was mellow and manageable with about ten wineries and fifteen food artisans participating.

There was Chilled Avocado Soup from Panevino:

An incredible table from Raymond & Co Cheesemongers:

Spicy Hamachi from the resort’s restaurant:

And there was much more–including a spicy gazpacho from C Casa (now on our list to check out, watch for a feature here on this blog soon), olive oils from Olivier, and Glop.

We tasted wines from wineries we hadn’t heard of including Hunnicutt and Husic Vineyards. We particularly enjoyed the Riesling from Bouchaine and also found another new favorite white wine.

We enjoyed the pleasant people, the sun, and the view.

These events are such a great way to experience bits of Napa that you might not otherwise have the chance to appreciate. You should even consider planning your trip around one.

There are several tastings throughout the year; check calendars such as this, this or this. Of course, the grandest and most famous tasting is Taste Napa Valley, a part of the the premier event Auction Napa Valley.

Who: We didn’t take kiddo to this event, but we both agree we could have done so. There were families with infants, as well as those with ~10 years old. I do think it would be too much work to take the toddler to ~3 year old set.

What: A collection of fabulous wineries and food artisans.

Where: Throughout the valley; find one on any of the calendars above.

When: Usually spring, summer, and fall.

Why: A “one stop shop” if you will, and a lovely way to enjoy the unique experiences and offerings of many different purveyors.

Share

We saw this windchime over at Tudal Winery (a family-friendly winery by the way).

It really struck me with its simplistic beauty, and thrifty means of repurposing materials.

And with all the empty bottles we have around, it’s easily created.

Plus, it’s a great way to showcase that special bottle and delight in the memories of the time you enjoyed it.

You can do one for your home too.

• Collect 16 bottles, ideally in different colors
• Soak the bottles in water until the labels are soft enough to scrape off (or not, if you want to leave them on)
• Remove the capsules (or not, if you want to leave them on)
• Put the corks back into the bottles (or not, but the clear bottles look particularly interesting with corks)
• Using a long piece of hefty twine, tie a loop around the neck of each bottle
• Hang in spot where you’ll get a nice breeze (but not too windy)
• Relax and enjoy the soft sounds of your windchime

Share

Even though it’s just a few minutes from our home, we hadn’t visited Sequoia Grove Winery in years; in fact, it’s been since before Samantha was born.

I suppose we didn’t think it was family-friendly.

But then, in using our favorite winery finder tool, I found that Sequoia Grove fits both of our two main criteria:

1) Family-friendly
2) Picnic area

After tasting through a few wines, we decided on a nice rosé. A perfect pairing with our picnic fare, the wine offers pretty strawberry & raspberry notes and a nice balance.

We settled into a bistro table on the shaded patio and tucked into our charcuterie, cheeses and breads.

Samantha ran around the expansive grassy area, and made some new friends.

Who: All ages, though of course you’ll need to watch those toddlers closely

What: A low-key wine tasting experience in a casual atmosphere (but as the winery is right on Highway 29, I bet it can get quite busy)

Where: 8338 St. Helena Highway (that’s Higway 29)–their website says they are in Napa, but I’d swear it’s more like Rutherford or Oakville

When: Non-peak Highway 29 tourist times, so weekdays in spring or fall, would be best

Why: Nice wines, unimposing tasting room, pretty grounds and convenient location

Share

The most interesting change since Update #4 is the grow of the grape clusters in the second photo below. The leaf canopy hasn’t seemed to have grown much, with the exception of filling out some.

So do you like that this year I’ve been featuring the same vineyard in each update?
Or would you like to see more on other vineyards?

Looking Towards Nickel & Nickel Winery

Grape Clusters Thirteen Weeks Post Bud Break

Looking Towards Robert Mondavi Winery

Share

Below you can see the amazing growth in the month’s time since Update #3.

In fact, the vines have grown so that you can longer even see Robert Mondavi Winery in the background of the last photo.

Looking Towards Nickel & Nickel Winery

Grape Clusters Ten Weeks Post-Bud Break

Looking Towards Robert Mondavi Winery

Last year, a friend of ours started this little thing called Cheers! St Helena.

He calls it a “Friendship Celebration” and a “Main Street Toast to Friends & Wine.” I can’t even imagine all the work he’s put into it, and all of the hoops he’s had to jump through.

See, our little wine country town is very, well, careful. And I am glad it is so.

And Cheers! St Helena, what with the 100+ fabulous wineries pouring their wine in all the wonderful establishments downtown, the live music, the street closures, the street performers, the face-painting, the sidewalk food vendors–and, of course, the Wine Train actually (gasp!) letting off passengers–is rather revolutionary. In a good way. In the best way.

Did I mention you get to walk around town sipping fabulous wines from premier Napa Valley wineries (out of another friend’s govino glasses no less)?

But more importantly you get to really, truly experience our town.

I’d never been in most of our shops and boutiques until Cheers! St Helena. And I most certainly didn’t spend much money in these shops; I always thought we were priced out. But, I’ve found that the prices aren’t really all that much more than elsewhere. Plus, it makes me happy to be spending money–even if it is more–locally and supporting our community.

By the way, Tom bought me the most beautiful locket at Daisy.