Javy

Napa Meets Texas. An Elevated Culinary Experience Crafted by VillaMontez

by Javy on 2023-06-05 in Filed Under: Charity

We are overjoyed to extend a special invitation to you, as a prelude to the highly anticipated Tyler’s Cattle Barons’ Gala. Join us for a fantastic evening of exclusive wine pairings and tastings, featuring luxurious Napa wines, hosted by VillaMontez and key Napa insiders. Prepare to elevate your wine appreciation and discover limited new releases that will leave a lasting impression.
Date: Friday, June 9th
Time: 5:30 PM
Venue: Villamontez Bar
At this exclusive event, you will have the pleasure of a guided tasting led by sommelier Javier Calderon, accompanied by esteemed winemaker Alex Llamas and Napa hospitality expert Flako Calderon. Immerse yourself in the world of fine wines as you sample four meticulously selected hand-picked wines, expertly paired with handcrafted Latin-inspired bites.
As you savor each sip and bite, your taste buds will be treated to an exquisite journey:
Terraces Chenin Blanc paired with a black garlic and ghee shrimp skewer.
Aonair Pinot Noir paired with chicken breast, Masrhoom and demiglace
Post Parade Cabernet Franc paired with Taco de Beef and Bone Marrow.
Llamas Cabernet Sauvignon paired with salt & pepper grilled Cut Beef NY Strips (Localy Raised) on a freshly harvested roasted bell pepper melody.
In addition to the exceptional wine and food pairings, this event provides an exclusive opportunity to pre-order limited-allocation wines not yet released to the general public. It’s a chance to secure your favorite bottles and expand your cellar with rare finds.
We are proud to announce that a portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to support the charitable initiatives of Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala. By attending, you will not only indulge in an extraordinary experience but also contribute to the important work of this charitable organization.
Please note that there are only 20 spots available for this intimate gathering. Tickets are priced at $125 each, offering tremendous value for the exceptional wines, delectable bites, and unique insights that await you.
To secure your spot and embark on this remarkable wine pairing and tasting journey, we encourage you to purchase your tickets promptly. Simply contact Mundo at Villamontez to reserve and pay for your spot.
Get ready to delight your senses and elevate your wine appreciation to new heights. We cannot wait to share this remarkable evening with you.
Cheers to an extraordinary experience!
Warm regards,
Javy

Napa Private Tours Presents The Grand Napa Reserve

by Javy on 2023-05-22 in Filed Under: Charity

In partnership with Mundo Villapudua and in support of The Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala fundraising for The American Cancer Society we have the pleasure to present a delightful and exclusive Napa adventure. We have partnered with the best of the best to offer you two days full of incomparable and priceless experiences not available to the public.

Without further ado this is the auction item of your dreams:

Welcome Libations by Mixologist Izzy Carriero

Izzy has made a name for himself by designing beautiful and complex cocktails featured in many prestigious Napa venues. He has also served as a consultant for 1836 Texas Kitchen.

Two Day Stay at The Terraces Winery Guesthouse

We can’t even put a price that will honor the majestic beauty of this property. Normally only available to members our friends at The Terraces are generously extending hospitality to the winner of this package. This residence houses six guests in luxury and style. You can get to know The Terraces better here

Bespoke Luxury Transportation by Napa Private Tours

Your very own sommelier Javy Calderon will take care of every single detail. You and your five guests will travel in luxury enjoying Javy’s warm personality in the comfort of his 2023 Cadillac Escalade.

Unlimited Concierge Services by the Renowned Cynthia Vega

Cynthia is queen. Her attention to detail and large Rolodex are the gifts that keep on giving. Cynthia can open doors that others can’t even find.

Local Artisanal Amenities by Flako Calderon

Flako knows his stuff. During your stay you will be spoiled with a constant stream of treats and culinary surprises from the best purveyors in the valley. Prepare to be impressed.

Upgraded Barrel Tasting & Tour at Aonair

You and your guests will enjoy a private customized tour and tasting at Aonair. You will venture into the vineyards like a true farmer on board of their Polaris all-terrain fleet. You will also have access to a special barrel tasting in their caves. You can learn more about Aonair here.

Luxury Paired Picnic by Picnics & Pairing & Memento Mori

The Instagram moment of your dreams. All of your friends will be envious. In partnership with Memento Mori, Chef Alma from Napa Picnics & Pairings will deliver a most memorable and abundant feast.

Private Tasting at Post Parade

The extraordinary and beautiful Georgia Taylor will guide you through a tasting experience beyond anything you have ever experienced before. Georgia’s theatre background shows through. We promise you will not want to leave.

Private Dinner With Private Chef at Lerner Mansion

Chef Carlos Villapudua will fly from Tyler to host you and your friends at Lerner Mansion. Your custom-designed multi-course meal will include hand-picked pairings. You can learn about Lerner here

Cigars & Bourbon Under The Stars

Our beloved Mundo is flying down to Napa during your stay and he brings the best from his personal bourbon library and humidor.

Limited Edition 3L Bottle of Cabernet From Desparada Paso Robles

To help you commemorate the adventure of a lifetime

We can’t put a price tag on this auction item because many of the experiences we are creating for you are not available for sale.

Terms & Conditions

Subject to availability, must book within a year of the date of the auction. Certain holidays are blacked out.

Izzy Carriero: The Napa Star Bartender Who is Making a Name for Himself

by Javy on 2023-04-18 in Filed Under: Activities in Napa

Every once in a blue moon I like to feature fellow professionals whose professional excellence makes them worthy of accolades.

Today I want to introduce you to Izzy Carriero, Izzy is brilliant and his skills as a mixologist are incomparable. Have you ever wished you had someone to mix you a drink that fully reflects who you are and what you love? If you have not yet, Izzy is your man. His is the king of bespoke cocktails; libations that are equally beautiful to the eye and to the palate.

Izzy has perfected his craft in some of the top Napa bars inclusive of Coqueta and Agaves in downtown but he is best known for his keen ability to delight VIPs while hosting private dinners.

His cocktails often reflect a latin flair without abandoning the the principles of mixology that deliver perfect drinks

To us, Izzy is a partner always ready to help us host private events catering to our most exclusive clientele and working in tandem with our private chefs to create perfect pairings

Want Izzy to help you make your next trip to Napa beyond amazing? Give us a call, we will happily introduce you

Napa Wineries With Magnificent Views

by Javy on 2023-01-30 in Filed Under: Activities in Napa

Napa Valley has almost 500 wineries, but not every winery affords the visitor an experience that brings delight to all the senses. Our beautiful valley is sandwiched between the Mayacamas and the Vaca mountain ranges and it is these topographical features what allows for a huge range of micro-climates and terroirs that consistently render superior wines.

A few weeks ago I hosted a guest whose is passionate about landscape photography. Personally, I often find myself taking shots of nature, attempting to capture the beauty of flowers and the details that make each visit magic. Our guest challenged us with a question that I now feel must be documented so we can all benefit from our insider’s knowledge.

Which Wineries in Napa Afford The Most Imposing Views?

Take note my friends; my husband and I have spent the last decade scouting old and new Napa wineries to identify the best wines, most warm hospitality & most delightful landscapes. We are sharing our findings with you; and we can’t wait to include one or several in a future itinerary. One thing to keep in mind is that many of these wineries are literally top of the mountain and as such it is best to have an adequate vehicle and good knowledge of the treacherous and small roads that lead to the top.

Lobo Wines

We picked Lobo for having a glorious view from Atlas peak where they grow their most selective varietals which must be handled and harvested by hand due to the complexities of the terrain. Their artisanal wines are consistently great. Victoria Coleman, their winemaker is the first black woman to graduate from the UC Davis viticulture and enology program. Victoria’s wines are absolutely delightful.

Let’s head to Lobo, visit with their proprietors and enjoy a down-to-earth tasting that will remind you of all that is beautiful.

OVID Napa Valley

Do you enjoy organic wines? If you do, you won’t want to miss out on this gem. OVID is iconic, very approachable and majestic beyond words. Atop Pritchard Hill OVID is literally a slice of heaven. When we visit OVID together we want you to taste their Cab Franc. Hexameter is like no other. Grab your glass, walk the vineyards and take a photo. The views from Pritchard are without question a poem for the eyes and the soul.

Aonair Wines

Remember I mentioned the importance of a good vehicle and a very experienced driver? Aonair is one of those Napa destinations that will test your driving skills. Quoting directly from their website: ” Down a long country road lined with tattered fences and mossy boulders, amidst old oaks surrounded by vineyards, through tall grasses that give way to dusty dirt roads and ranches, and over a stream that blossoms into a lake, Aonair’s story begins…”.

In my opinion Aoinair is one of the most romantic and picturesque wineries in Napa. It is both elegant and approachable and their wines are complex, memorable and beautiful. My personal wine library features many of their wines.

Diamond Mountain Vineyard

At the peak of Diamond Mountain there is a hidden gem. This treasure above the clouds is among my favorite places in the world. Getting to Diamond Mountain is no easy feat but you will enjoy every second of your visit. This is the kind of place that takes your Instagram to the next level. Yes, their wines are first class and their hospitality is delightful but I assure you you will remember each breath you take and your eyes will see beauty unimaginable.

I still have a few more majestic wineries I want to share with you, but for now this sampling should help guide your next visit to Napa. Call us to reserve your dates. Talk to our head concierge about potential add-ons such as picnics catered by private chefs or opportunities to stay at selected wineries.

We can’t wait to host your next luxury tour in Napa.

Much Love

The NPT Team

Time to Go Back to School. Wine School!!

by Javy on 2023-01-19 in Filed Under: Activities in Napa, Gifts from Napa

Kellie Martin – Your Personal Wine Mentor

I have spent almost two decades in the wine industry and every single day I am surprised by the joy of learning something new or meeting someone whose knowledge of wine-making adds to my own. To put it simply, we are able to deliver unique and curated experiences because we are constantly in learning and discovery mode and we want to encourage you to do the same.

Being well-versed in enology will absolutely give you the edge when it comes to wine collecting, wine discovery and most importantly it will equip you to have educated conversations on a topic that always enchants those around you. We know that politics, religion and money are verboten in polite company. Wine never is!

In my personal experience knowing and loving wines is best achieved by knowing the people behind each wine and the processes that make it possible. It seems, the more I learn the more I realize how little I know and my appetite for knowledge grows by the hour.

Living in Napa provides me with constant opportunities to mingle with the best-of-the best; among them my amazing friend Kellie Martin. Kellie Martin is the perfect blend of charm and expertise and has a way about her that makes learning about wine fun and approachable. Her credentials are too long to list and her Rolodex within the industry is legendary.

Every single time I host I wish I could have Kellie join us. Since that is aspirational and most certainly unrealistic I want to extend an invitation to get to know her virtually. You will not regret it. Kellie is the owner of SommSchool, an institution whose central goal is equipping wine aficionados with knowledge and social networks designed to take them to the next level. Kellie offers a variety of educational services inclusive of retreats and private events; but my favorite is the Decanted Membership. DM is an exclusive membership that offers three key services that are ideal for your personal enjoyment or as a corporate or personal gift for your favorite wine lover. The membership consists of a comprehensive learning bundle that you can enjoy at your own pace, a monthly virtual learning event that often features industry icons as special guests & the opportunity to have Kellie personally curate a case of hand-selected wine carefully customized to your preferences and available for purchase every month. Having a wine sommelier-selected for you is probably one of the nicest things you can do for your wine cellar.

I can’t begin to tell you how special it is to host a second or third time guest after they have completed Kellie’s educational programs. Hosting a guest with strong wine knowledge is an oasis to my soul.

I asked Kellie if she could issue a special friends and family discount to the NPT family and she generously gifted all of us with a 10% discount. You can access your discount by using code NPT10

You can purchase your Decanted Membership here