Wine Pairings

Tyler, TX, We are Bringing Napa to You

by nptadmin on 2021-12-10 in Filed Under: Gifts from Napa, Vineyards, Wine Pairings, Wine Tasting

How about you join us for Happy Hour at Villa Montez ? We plan to be there on December 16th and 17th 2021 Starting at five in the afternoon and hanging out with new and old friends until we run out of wine and stories.

We love traditions, and going to Tyler and spending time with each of you has become an almost yearly pilgrimage that fills our heart with happiness. Our goal is to introduce you to some of the finest Napa Wineries Our hope is to help you become a well-rounded wine aficionado. We want to sit by your side and help you discover what it is that makes a wine special and discern your personal preferences.

On Thursday we will have a selection of carefully curated Napa wines that are not normally featured in 1836’s wine list. Some are so rare, we will only offer them by the glass. You will also have the opportunity to purchase bottles normally only available by allocation. This is your chance to stock up for Christmas and impress your friends with wines that are absolutely not available at your local wine purveyor.

Mundo tells me he has asked chef to craft off-menu small bites that will absolutely enhance the wines we have selected for you and yours.

On Friday we will focus our time and energy in helping you become familiar with the wines offered by Scalon Cellars.

Scalon Cellars is very dear to us and has consistency offered beautiful wines guided by the expert hand of winemaker Julien Fayard. Suffice it to say that Julien is an icon in the winemaking industry.

You will have the opportunity to purchase wine by the glass, by the bottle or we can help you join as a member to have exclusive access to limited releases.

So, leave the office early, grab a friend or two and join us for one evening or both. No need to dress fancy, you will be among friends.

We can’t wait to see you. If you plan to enjoy dinner following happy hour we encourage you to book a reservation. The holidays are around the corner and things are crazy. You can call 903-592-9696 The Montez Brothers will do whatever it takes to make you feel at home.

See you soon,

Javier & Javier

Picnics & Pairings: The Best Add-On to a Perfect Napa Wine Tour

by nptadmin on 2015-05-07 in Filed Under: Wine Pairings

There is nothing more idyllic than having a picnic surrounded by vineyards. This is the stuff travel guide dreams are made of. Unfortunately,the majority of wineries in Napa do not allow for the impromptu picnic to take place on their grounds and public locations offering superior ambiance are extremely scarce.

If your vision of a complete wine touring experience in Napa includes al fresco dining that combines the finest wines with the most delectable artisanal food there is no need to fret. Napa Private Tours in partnership with Picnics & Pairings has secured exclusive relationships with wineries that will allow you to picnic on their grounds taking advantage of radically gorgeous and secluded spots. With the help of Picnics & Pairings we can make your dreams come true. Here is what people are saying about Picnics & Pairings:

“Our picnic was flawless! We walked

towards a small clearing by the vineyards

and were delightfully surprised. Fresh, flavorful & magic!

Your picnic will be designed around your wine preferences picking local goods with flavors, textures and cuisine that will compliment your wine selections. We are in the business of perfect experiences. Those who have enjoyed our picnics will tell you how we are focused on details. Expect flowers, organic cotton checkered tablecloths and ice cold spring water.

Our partners at Picnics & Pairings prepare everything from scratch making sure that every culinary element is fresh and in season. Their menu options rotate based on market availability and often include signature dishes with global flavors.

When our concierge plans your wine tour you can expect carefully vetted culinary picks. Rest assured we will pull all the strings necessary to get you reservations at the most coveted restaurants in Napa and we will add dimension to your trip by having Picnics & Pairings design a personalized picnic so lovely you will be tempted to humblebrag on your Facebook and beyond.

Is The French Laundry Open?

by nptadmin on 2015-04-10 in Filed Under: Activities in Napa, Wine Pairings

Foodies rejoice! We have received numerous emails from friends and clients alike trying to include French Laundry by Thomas Keller as the culinary highlight of their wine tour and now we have the definite answer and it is time to celebrate. The French Laundry is once again open for business! Yes, they are working from a temporary kitchen made out of four transportation containers but dear friends, the silverware is polished and the staff is eager to once again serve epic cuisine with California’s wine country as the backdrop.

The International Design Firm Snøhetta was responsible for the new design and rumor has it they outdid themselves. Sleek and airy the design is definitively a breath of fresh air and without question a memory-maker.

This is what Chef Thomas Keller had to say about their new design:

“With the Louvre Pyramid as my inspiration, we wanted to find a way to juxtapose the historic and the modern while maintaining the high quality cuisine and service our guests have come to expect from The French Laundry. The new design will be an innovative and functioning space that will allow us to continue to evolve as a restaurant and develop new standards.”

French Laundry features a wine cellar with over 14,000 bottles. This dear friends is the stuff dreams are made of!

Congrats Chef Keller & Staff!

The Ultimate Snowmaggedon Guide for Pairing Wine with Soup (For Those of You Buried by the Snow)

by nptadmin on 2015-02-28 in Filed Under: Wine Pairings

Here in Napa Spring has sprung and we are starting to see the bud break but for some of you the snow has been relentless. We really wish we could ship a bit of sunshine your way, instead we are hoping to give you a hand by sharing a really neat infographic to help you pair wines with your favorite soups.

Enjoy!

Image credit: vinepair.com

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