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The Best Bloody Red Wines from Napa to Enjoy on Halloween

by Javy on 2016-10-31 in Filed Under: Uncategorized

I got a call earlier today from one of my favorite repeat customers. Her wine cellar is the stuff of dreams. Everything that you could possibly want and imagine is hidden somewhere as part of one of the most gorgeous wine libraries in America. I was hoping she was calling to schedule her next tour of Napa. We love to host her and help her buy the best and most coveted wines. To my surprise, this time around she was calling for something quite special. She was getting ready to host a Halloween extravaganza and wanted to know if our wine concierge could point her the deepest reds from our region. I am always up to the challenge so here is the list. Take note and go check if you have these wines available as part of your personal wine collection:

2012 Adamvs

A rigorous selection of the very finest estate lots, ADAMVS exhibits deep fruit and mountain floral aromas, blackberries, blueberries, graphite, mulberries and white flowers on the palate, and a broad velvety finish that lingers long into the evening. This layered; full-bodied, multidimensional 2012 should continue to drink beautifully for two decades or more. Given the longevity of this wine make sure you truly want to open your bottle….

Dakota Shy

Aromas of dark chocolate, cassis and plum lead to a full, rich mouthful of black currant, mocha, herb and baking spice flavors. Delicious layers of cocoa, plum, vanilla and cassis flavors are followed by complex notes of mint, cedar and chocolate on the long, plush finish. The 2014 TEN has a beautiful, dark, rich-core of fruit over a lush but powerful frame and smooth fine-grained tannins. Delicious now through 2030. So red this wine is almost brown! 🙂

Futo Wine

So red we suspect this wine is communist. Truly meant to be shared among equals! Reflecting its rocky volcanic hillside origins, the FUTO 5500 Stags Leap District Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is massively scaled but retains superb purity and energy. A timeless wine that resonates with refinement. You want this. You really do. Even the tag is delicious!

Checkerboard

If you are fortunate enough to have this wine in your cellar by all means invite me over. This wine is gorgeous ( and pricey) The 2012 Checkerboard Aurora Vineyard will entice you with a sweet sandalwood nose, mouth-coating fruit—blueberry and rhubarb compote—and has a tremendously long finish with notes of dark cherry, graphite and mahogany.

Happy & Fun Halloween Friends

Javy

Pairing Your Thanksgiving Meal With Napa’s Best Wines

by nptadmin on 2014-11-22 in Filed Under: Uncategorized

With Thanksgiving right around the corner we wanted to pause and take a moment to help our friends and clients maximize their wine collection and present the best possible wine pairings for their Thanksgiving guests. We realize that every family has different culinary traditions and flavors can vary based on your geographical region or ethnic background. To cater to these differences we are highlighting wines likely to pair with a variety of cuisines and selected for their versatility and palate-pleasing flavors. Let’s head to the cellar together and pick a few of our best bottles. If these wineries are not yet part of your cellar repertoire please remind me to include them in your next wine tour.

Traditional Roasted Turkey

The very centerpiece of most Thanksgiving feasts deserves a wine that speaks of family tradition & love. Why not consider a Pinot Noir from Peter Michael. Sir Peter Michael is known for cultivating wonderful varietals that yield gorgeous wines. Consider Clos du Ciel or Le Moulin Rouge. You can learn more about Peter Michael Wines here.

Rosemary Infused Leg of Lamb

If you are planning to slow roast a beautiful leg of lamb you will need to pair your meal with a wine that is rich, complex and able to balance the landscape of flavors present in this dish. Red meats must be paired with the most beautiful of red wines. Consider pulling a couple of bottles of Favia Cabernet Sauvignon their 2011 limited production Cab will not disappoint.

Deep Fried Cajun Turkey

We could not help make this pairing for our dear friends living in the deep South. We love y’all and wish we could be there. The wonderful smell of rich spices and peanut oil is best paired with a Bure Sauvignon Blanc. Luc Morlet, a 4th generation wine maker does not disappoint.

Smoked Ham with Sweet Glaze

We adore how a well prepared smoked ham can make any Thanksgiving table complete. We are particularly fond of Benton’s Country Hams. If you have not yet tried one consider ordering one for Christmas. Our recommendation is that you pair your ham with a Rosé from Fleury Winery.

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce

Can we say yum! If you have a baker at home consider yourself lucky. There is no better way to end a feast than by sharing a sweet delight. The creaminess and contrast of spices present in a Pumpkin cheesecake will be best paired with a Dolce from Far Niente. If you have not visited Far Niente please don’t let me forget to include it in your next tour. The grounds are pristine and picturesque with postcard qualities. I am certain you will love it!

Words cannot describe how thankful I am for your friendship and patronage. The team and I are honored to host you and yours and make of every trip to Napa a unique adventure that will be remembered for years to come.

With Gratitude,

Javy

Luxury Wedding Transportation in Napa? We Got You Covered

by nptadmin on 2014-11-18 in Filed Under: Uncategorized

As a boutique transportation operator we frequently receive calls regarding wedding transportation. The majority of weddings hosted in Napa & Sonoma are elegant, discreet and planned with luxury in mind.

If your vision is to be transported to your wedding venue in a vehicle that blends with the agricultural landscape of Napa Valley why not consider one of our luxury white SUVs. Or vehicles are pristine and we know Napa like the palm of our hands. Backroads, main roads, secluded wineries we will get you to your destination in a timely fashion.

We are also a fantastic option to host your Great Escape from the City. After your wedding reception we can pick you up on location and take you to your Napa Hotel to get your honeymoon started. In the morning following we will pick you up and get your first wine adventure as husband and wife started.

The Details

Our passion is hospitality and wine and during your honeymoon wine tour you can expect to enjoy a few of the amenities that we offer in tandem with our local partners:

Decorated vehicles by award-winning local floral shops.
Artisanal chocolate.
Romantic hot air balloon excursion over vineyards.
Picnic in a secluded location of choice hosted by www.picnicsandpairings
Exclusive wineries with limited access

We can’t wait to be part of your memorable day. Send us a quick note to concierge@napaprivatetorus.com so we can chat about the details.

Join Napa Private Tours for Back to the Vine 2014

by nptadmin on 2014-11-03 in Filed Under: Uncategorized

It is that time of year once again and we are thrilled to host our 2014 Back to the Vine Event benefiting children of low wage families within our community.

Why Joining Our Efforts is Critical to Napa’s Prosperity?

Our target population, according to a study conducted by Bay Area Economics, hired by Napa county, released a report last year that estimates more than 7,000 families are employed during vineyards’ peak growing season and are living in low-to-very low income households and almost half do not qualify for government aid. And so, as we enjoy the beautiful festivities with family, friends, food and gifts, we want to share some of that joy with those that make our Napa a vibrant and prosperous community.

Last year we served over 150 children.This year, we invite you to be a part of this amazing event; with your support and the generosity of Central Valley Project we hope to be able to reach out to about 250 little ones.

Back To The Vine this year will be at the Boys & Girls Club of Napa on November 30th starting at 12noon.

Napa Private Tours in collaboration with Central Valley Project, Executive Chef Gerry Castro & Picnics & Pairings by Alma would like to thank you in advance for your support. Here are 3 ways you can engage and make a difference:

1. Nominate Families

We want to be intentional in how we distribute gifts. To this end, we will only give presents to nominated families identified by our friends & business partners. If there is a family within your operation that you think will be blessed by making their holidays even more special please include them. We will be honored to make their holiday season a magical and memorable one. Please send us the following to concierge@napaprivatetours.com:

The first and last name of the parent or guardian of the nominated family.
A contact phone number for the parent for us to invite them.
If available the names, age, size and gender of the children nominated (don’t worry if you don’t have this information, we can certainly reach out to the parent to secure it prior to the event.
Any special circumstances you might want to mention such as disabilities or special struggles they are currently trying to overcome.

Send no later than November 15, 2014, 5:00pm.

2. Join us November 30th at 12:00pm & Help Us Give Hugs, Love & Good Wishes

We are firm believers in community and we would love to have you with us. To make this event a success we need boots on the ground. You can help us by simply showing up and acting as an agent of good will. Here are the things we would love for you to bring:

One bottle of wine to share with fellow volunteers after the activity.
One or two bottles of wine that Napa Private Tours will use to create awareness among bloggers about this project by reaching out and asking them to highlight this activity as well as our sponsors on their blog or social media platforms. Our hope is to build buzz and be able to serve even more families in 2015.
A big smile & tons of love.
Please let us know if you are volunteering no later than November 27, 2014 by sending us a quick note to concierge@napaprivatetours.com or clicking yes to this invite.
Unable to come but you still want to help us celebrate? We are happy to pick up your wine donation prior to the event. Just contact the NPT team at concierge@napaprivatetours.com

Supporters will be featured on our blog as part of the 2014 Back to the Vine event. Please note that this portion of our activity is not tax deductible and focused mainly on all of us getting together, serving together and celebrating together.

The Details:

Location:

Boys & Girls Club of Napa Valley

1515 Pueblo Ave., Napa, CA 94558

Dates & Times November 30th 2015

Volunteers arrival: 12noon

Benefited Families arrival: 1p.m.

About Napa Private Tours

Napa Private Tours is a boutique tour & transportation company working closely with wine aficionados to deliver personalized wine tasting & wine purchasing experiences at the most exclusive wineries in the region. With several years in the industry we are well known among our partners and customers as a trusted service provider that aims to deliver excellence and innovation. Our team is comprised of industry professionals with extensive wine knowledge and unique partnerships with the most coveted vineyards and culinary destinations in Napa Valley.

The Grape Varieties of Napa: A Guide for Newbies

by nptadmin on 2014-10-24 in Filed Under: Uncategorized

Just a few days ago while conducting a tour a lovely guest asked me about the main varietals of grapes cultivated in Napa Valley. We touched on how wineries here in Napa manage their vineyards for low yield and I had the opportunity to share a little knowledge of what and how we grow different types of grapes in our beloved valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

Over 50% of what we grow in Napa Valley is Cabernet Sauvignon. This relatively new variety of grape is the result of a chance crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. This is a low yield grape that blooms late avoiding the risks of loosing a crop to an early spring freeze. These grapes yield a high tannin full bodied wine with lovely acidity that can be enjoyed when the wine is young but also allows for a wine that ages with great elegance.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay grapes originated in the Burgundy region of France. Chardonnay is a green grape used for white wines. The flavor of the chardonnay grapes is quite neutral and most of the nuances that happen on a wine are the result of terroir and oak. Chardonnay is the base for many sparkling wines including champagne wine. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape around the globe with over 400,000 acres growing in many appellations across the planet. A wine made with chardonnay grapes can range in flavor from crisp to buttery and it is a reflection of the wine maker’s expertise and style.

Merlot

Merlot is usually harvested late to allow for physiological ripeness resulting in a rich purple wine with high alcohol content. When Merlot is harvested early it will have higher acidity resulting in richer berry-like flavors. Generally Merlot grapes are used as a blending grape to add body and complex fruit flavors to a wine. Merlot imparts a gorgeous depth to the color of a wine. As a varietal Merlot is an offspring of Carmenere, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pinot Noir

The name Pinot Noir refers to the shape of the clusters which mimic a black tightly set pine cone. Pinot Noir grapes require slightly cooler weather making them ideal to grow in microclimates present in the Carneros region as well as Russian River. While Pinot Noir generates some of the finest wines around the globe it is incredibly difficult to cultivate and even more to manipulate in the wine-making process. Thin skinned grapes with low phenolic compounds generate a complex medium bodied wine very low in tannins and quite unpredictable when it comes to aging. A fine Pinot Noir from a great vintage produced by an expert wine maker is a gift to the palate you won’t soon forget.

Napa Valley grows many other varietals which hope I can share with you in the near future. Having a basic understanding on how the grape varietal influences the flavor and quality of your wine will help you better appreciate each bottle and make smart purchasing decisions when trying to expand your wine cellar.

The team and I look forward to hosting you in the next few months when we can take time as we explore and learn the ins and outs of wine production.

At your service,

Javy