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A Match Made in Foodie Heaven-Stephan Pyles & Phillipe Melka in Dallas!

by nptadmin on 2015-02-22 in Filed Under: Wine Pairings

There are people and places destined to be iconic by leaving marks in our hearts, minds and palates that are virtually impossible to erase. Among those stars in the firmament of worldly delights we cannot help it include Chef Stephan Pyles and our very own Phillipe Melka. If you are among those in DFW that are passionate about food and wine these are without question household names.

Chef Stephan Pyles

A founding father of Southwestern cuisine, innovator and philanthropist Stephan Pyles is personally responsible for some of the best culinary experiences in Dallas. He is a renowned author of highly coveted cookbooks and a true innovator. Chef Pyles is an absolute star but also a man that exemplifies hard work, ingenuity and commitment to his community.

Phillipe Melka

Phillipe is a rising star of global caliber. Owner of Melka wine and name one of the top nine wine consultants in the world Phillipe has trained and being influenced by the finest in the wine industry among them Jean Delmas and Jean Philippe Masclef from Haut-Brion, Christian Moueix and Jean Claude Berrouet from Petrus, Paul Draper from Ridge, Daniel Baron from Silver Oak and Michel Rolland from Chateau Pasteur.

Join Pyles & Melka

For an evening of wine & food on

Tuesday March 3rd at 6.30 P.M

Five carefully crafted courses paired with memorable Melka wines. A wine lover’s dream come true

We hope every single one of our friends and clients in Texas can make it to this wonderful event where two incredibly gifted men come together to create an evening your palate won’t soon forget.

If I have not yet included Melka wines to your wine touring itinerary please remind me to do so in your next visit to Napa Valley. Melka wines will make an outstanding addition to your wine collection and you will enjoy a superior visit with significant learnings about terroir and how it influences the flavor of a wine.

Cheers to our friends in Texas!

Javy

Napa Valley Marathon is Around the Corner!

by nptadmin on 2015-02-20 in Filed Under: Activities in Napa

On March 1st runners from around the world will meet in Napa to partake on the 37th annual Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon. We can’t wait to host you and cheer you on!

The Napa Valley Marathon is a fantastic run for beginners with a course that will take the runner from 380 feet above sea level to 80 feet above sea level at the finish line. The first six miles have rolling hills allowing for the best of your energy to be expressed at the start of the race.

The start line is in Calistoga and you can expect to have aid stations every two to 2.5 miles. You have a maximum of six hours to finish the race with the timing officials present at the finish line until 1.00 P.M.

We are sad to inform you that aid stations will not be offering wine. If you want to participate in a marathon with wine stations why not plan to start training now and head to France to run in the Marathon du Medoc. This is also a great event for beginners with the extra added fun of dressing up and getting to taste wonderful wine at each of the “aid stations.”

If you are coming to cheer on friends or family please remember that the first 12 miles of this race is a closed course. For your best experience use SR-29 for driving purposes and consider all roads leading to the Silverado Trail to be dead ends.

Let us know if you would like for us to arrange for a post-marathon wine tour the day after. We would love to host you.

Happy Running

Javy

Napa Private Tours Valentine’s Wines That Will Seduce: The Line Up

by nptadmin on 2015-02-13 in Filed Under: Gifts from Napa

If you are looking for the perfect wine to seduce, impress or otherwise tell her (or him) just how much you appreciate them we have a killer line up for you. At our office we keep a compact but beautiful cellar with highlights of the best that Napa Valley has to offer. Our own wine collection is a reflection of the wines we are most likely to recommend to our guests and is full of little secrets and surprises.

Get your Moleskine out or log into Vivino and take note. These wines are hand-picked to make you look like a Valentine’s superstar.

Etoile Tete de Cuvve 2003 by Domaine Chandon

This seductive bubbly is guaranteed to set the mood. Honey, dried apricot and lightly toasted hazelnut aromas mingle with notes of citrus blossoms and lemon curd. On the palate there are distinctive honey and dried apricot flavors that broaden to reveal nectarine and candied ginger all wrapped in a texture that is defined by elegance and refined complexity. To sweeten the deal the bottle is absolutely gorgeous.

Define Rose by Define Wines

If you are familiar with the NPT family you will know why we whole heartedly endorse this wine as one of the most romantic of the pinks. Five barrel lot of Exotic Red Rosé from whole cluster Napa Valley Pinot Noir grapes. Partial carbonic maceration prior to press was conducted for a slight Beaujolais styled bouquet. Fermented in French Oak barrels & stirred sur lie for 6 months. Cold stabilized in stainless steel & packaged in ½ size bottles. The young winemaker David James continues to redefine the Rosé market with another elegantly expressive ultra-premium Rosé.

THE JUDGE 2012 NAPA VALLEY

For lovers of superior whites you don’t want to miss this beauty. This is a by membership only wine but we do hope you have it in your wine collection. This beauty is nothing short of astonishing. After tasting it from barrel a year ago Parker declared, “This is one of the greatest young Chardonnays I have ever tasted.” All the forces of nature aligned for our six-acre rock pile to produce one of its most profound and concentrated expressions. Here you find nutmeg, cinnamon, and anise aromas, typical of The Judge, setting you up for the incredibly dense yet lively finish. We planted this vineyard 40 years ago with John’s father, the Judge. The gnarly vines long ago settled into their shy-bearing, self-regulating groove, producing around one ton per acre of Chardonnay like no other. 300 cases produced.

Seduction by O’Brien Estate

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot from the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley appellation.This is a wine that is both intense and silky. Deep, dense purple throughout, this wine displays wonderful aromas of sweet black cherry, warm licorice, cedar, oak and toasted espresso bean. Intense currant, berry and crème de cassis flavors on the palate are framed by fine grained tannins in this full bodied, supple, well concentrated blend. This wine will age well for 10 years or more.

Sweet Hart by Hartwell Vineyards

hartwell-vineyards-sweet-hart-cabernet-sauvignon-stags-leap-district-usa-10660220

Production: 25 cases

Aged: 36 Months

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2010 Hartwell SweetHart Cabernet Sauvignon dessert wine displays soaring aromatics of

blackberry liqueur, melted licorice, roasted coffee bean and baker’s chocolate, with subtle hints of

baking spices and sweet cedar. The full-bodied palate showcases luscious flavors of macerated

blueberries, blackberry syrup, sarsaparilla and mocha cappuccino, defined by a structure of smooth

and ultra fine-grained tannins.

This dessert wine can be enjoyed upon release, while time in the bottle will enhance it’s depth and

character for years to come.

Happy Valentine’s!

Javy & Team

Finger Foods For Valentine’s? TORC Has You Covered

by nptadmin on 2015-02-05 in Filed Under: Wine Pairings

Last week I received several emails from some of my favorite Bay Area guests and friends. Many were reaching out to book with us for Valentine’s others simply needed a dining tip and we are ever so happy to oblige.

Recently I picked up a book by neuroscientist David J. Linden from Johns Hopkins University. If you have not yet heard about it I highly recommend it. The title of the book is Touch, The Science of Hand, Heart & Mind. This book examines how our sense of touch and emotional responses affect our social interactions. I was particularly intrigued when he discussed how we perceive chili peppers as rewarding even when they are likely to cause a level of pain. Dr. Linden believes having a controlled sensation of threat rewards our senses with utmost pleasure.

In light of this excellent reading, I could not help it but recommend the wonderful Valentine’s offering at TORC. Chef Sean O’Toole has created a progressive shared menu intended to be eaten with the hands. There is something unique, delightful and bonding about the tactile experience of food. By experiencing food with our hands we add a different dimension to our culinary exploration and can better appreciate the wine pairings and the fluidity they add to the meal.

I personally recommend TORC and we often include it as part of our wine tour itinerary as the golden seal to close a wonderful day of exploratory wine tasting.

I Know many of our favorite repeat guests will be busy on Valentine’s with work and other obligations. But next time your schedule permits why not let us recreate Valentine’s for you with a wine tour raincheck.

Jona, David and I can’t wait for the opportunity to spend a few days with you and yours. Until then thank you for trusting us with your business. We continue to work diligently to find the best and newest wine and food experiences in Napa and personally testing each and everyone to make sure we only book you to see and taste the best of the best.

Yours,

Javy

Best Valentine’s Raincheck: A Napa Valley Getaway

by nptadmin on 2015-01-27 in Filed Under: Lodging

Love is in the air and for many it is about planning and executing the most romantic of surprises for their spouse, lover or life partner. Because life happens many of you will be busy at work or have other engagements that will hinder how much time, money or magic you can invest in making Valentine’s 2015 a day to remember. This is a conundrum but not one that can’t be fixed with a tad of creativity and a little flexibility. If you are swamped or otherwise drop the ball for Valentine’s give your sweetheart a raincheck for a little adventure full of wonderful wines and romance in Napa Valley. Our team of concierges is ready to lend you a hand.

How many days do I need for a wonderful and romantic tour of Napa?

We are certainly willing to show you the best of the best in a couple of days of touring; but to truly get to the heart of our beautiful wine country we suggest a Thursday arrival with a Sunday departure. That will give you sufficient time to restfully enjoy the sights and delight your palate with some of the best wines in the world.

What are the best hotels and specialty lodging options in Napa?

Napa has many secret treasures when it comes to lodging and our concierge can match you with just the right facility for you. Not to leave you in the air let us mention a few of our favorite hotels in and around Napa Valley. We love Bardessono, Andaz & Calistoga Ranch.

Best way to get around during your stay?

Not to gloat but our little team of wine educators ranks among the top five percent among 219 other tourism-focused activities in Napa on TripAdvisor. We highly personalize every experience and are deeply connected with the wine making community in Napa. Our vehicles are pristine, comfortable and full personal touches that have made us one of the best wine tour providers in Napa. Our guests enjoy small local treats, artisanal chocolate and a selection of local and imported flat & sparkling water. We know the shortcuts and the roads less traveled where you can appreciate nature and truly see Napa from the inside out.

What About Dining?

Napa Valley is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. Boasting aside we also have many small organic eateries that must be experienced and a number of chefs willing to venture into new culinary territory. If you are an absolute romantic we can plan and cater a secluded picnic. If instead you want to make culinary memories you won’t soon forget why not try, Bottega, Press, Meadowood & French Laundry.

The Most Romantic Wineries

Yes! We always leave the best for last. We know you are reading this post because you want to come, buy and enjoy wonderful wines. After much deliberation we feel the most romantic wineries in Napa are as follows:

Ehlers estate
Viader
Caldwell
Fontanella