October 28, 2011
Cabernet Crunch, with a side of Merlot
Good things come to those who wait….
After a slow, delayed start to the harvest, the weather has proven ideal the past week or two. Warm sunny afternoons have pushed the finest Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes of the season to ripeness, and we are crushing, destemming, fermenting and pressing off daily.
As winemaker Dean Sylvester put it, the first 5 weeks of harvest are usually devoted to Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Chardonnay. Then the final 2 weeks are the biggest – all the finest Cabernet with some Merlot, almost every day…the ‘lion’s share’ of our crush. We’ve come to associate the Cabernet Crunch with long but gratifying workdays which have increasingly shorter sunlight hours. The production team is usually here until well after dark. During Cabernet Crunch, it has become a ritual for each member of the team to take turns preparing a hearty mid day meal for the entire crew. It’s fun to see what each person will cook or bring in!
If you’re planning a trip to Whitehall Lane, the coming weeks of November are perfect. There is a lot going on…to see, smell, savor and taste. And bring your winemaking questions…we like sharing our love of the process with others!
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October 21, 2011
Halloween is almost here, and if you have kids, you know it’s one of the most exciting days of the year for them. But don’t the adults deserve a nice treat, too? We think so! When the trick or treating is over, and you need some versatile red wine to go with pork, chicken, pasta, or a quick stir fry, our recommendation is the 2008 Las Brisas Vineyard Pinot Noir. Is the wine spooky? Not really. Piont is many things . . . subtle, sophisticated, ephemeral . . . but spooky? Not so much. Delicious, definitely! And if you have a pot luck dinner for trick or treating parents, serve the Pinot Noir, and you’ll be a superstar.
We have a specially priced bottle and a very nice Autumn Case of the Las Brisas Vineyard Pinot for you. We promise it’s no trick! Enjoy it, and be safe out there, boys and girls.
To purchase Pinot Noir with special pricing, click here:
Las Brisas Vineyard Pinot Noir Bottle Purchase, Las Brisas Vineyard Pinot Noir Case Purchase
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October 14, 2011
We would like to thank everyone who participated in the contest. We had many great submissions, and some we couldn’t even post! It looks like the thrill of summer was enjoyed by all and many milestones were celebrated. However, there has to be a winner and in this case there are two.
Tying for first place are:
Nikki & Travis Pacheco with “Winemaking at Baker Beach”
Bakerbeach
Larry Polster with his “Shark Week” photos
Shark Week
Our panel of judges chose these photos because of their originality and over the top dedication to the contest. We would also like to give an honorable mention to Clark Young for his 3-entries to the contest!
Thank you all for your continued support of Whitehall Lane and to our “Summer Photo Contest”. Have a warm and wine filled winter!
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October 9, 2011
Pinot Grapes by the Grand Doors of our new Barrel Room
How about that rain! It cleared all the dust from the Cabernet and Merlot clusters and now we are ready to harvest. Yes, it’s later than usual, but with more warm days coming, the sugars, flavors and ripeness will be there, and that’s our recipe for another excellent vintage in our Napa Valley neighborhood.
Pictured at left: 2 tons of Las Brisas Vineyard Pinot Noir; grapes harvested on September 22nd, prior to the rain. They sit awaiting the sorting table, in front of our grand doors into the barrel cellar and the Club Room.
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September 28, 2011
The Crush is finally here!
Harvest1
These are Las Brisas Pinot Noir grapes, and we are now getting into the daily rhythm. As we speak, these beauties are fermenting away…smells great! Mention this FB post when you visit this week and receive a 2 for 1 tasting!
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August 1, 2011
Celebrate Summer – Sun drenched days and starlit nights…
2007 Whitehall Lane Merlot- San Francisco Bay
Summer out here in Napa Valley has been blazin’ saddles, but we have certainly enjoyed it. We hope you too have been enjoying your summer…we hope so much that you have enjoyed your summer that we want you to show us!
Please send us your fun summer photos: at the beach, on a boat, atop a mountain, at sunset. The possibilities are endless and we know Whitehall Lane is along for the ride!
At the end of the summer our panel of judges will vote on who looks like they were enjoying their summer the most. The winner will receive a 6 pack of the first bottling of the 2008 Leonardini Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, signed by our wine maker Dean Sylvester and proprietor Tom Leonardini SR.
Guidelines:
- Please send photos to lisa@whitehalllane.com no later than September 23rd and mark them as “Summer Photo Contest”.
- A winner will be chosen by October 1st.
- Your photos must include a Whitehall Lane bottle and will be used in our blog and possibly posted on our facebook site.
- Please tell us your name and where the photo was taken.
- Limit to 3 photos per family.
So, as you soak in the season (and a little Whitehall Lane) don’t forget to grab your camera and show off how much fun you’re having, (while we’re all stuck at our desks).
Cheers!
2008 Carneros Pinot Noir-Honolulu, HI
Hanging 10 on the North Shore with Clark Young
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon-Baker Beach, CA near the Golden Gate Bridge
"Winemaking" at Baker Beach with Travis and Nikki Pacheco
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon-Baker Beach, CA near the Golden Gate Bridge
"Winemaking" at Baker Beach with Travis and Nikki Pacheco
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon-Baker Beach, CA near the Golden Gate Bridge
"Winemaking" at Baker Beach with Travis and Nikki Pacheco
2008 Chardonnay-Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
Karen and Kurt Hannigan enjoy a little Whitehall with a beautiful sunset!
2005 Rutherford Cabernet 3 Liter- Lake Lure in North Carolina
Terry Marshall celebrates his 60th with loved ones!
2005 Rutherford Cabernet 3 Liter- Lake Lure in North Carolina
Little Wade has good tate. Disclaimer: Whitehall Lane does not condone the consumption of alcohol by minors......
2005 Rutherford Cabernet 3 Liter- Lake Lure in North Carolina
.....even if they are teething. (Nice try though buddy!)
2005, 2006 & 2007 Reserve Napa Cabernet- San Diego Bay
Michelle & Leo Clark- A birthday sail with friends!
2007 Reserve Napa Cabernet- San Diego Bay
Dee Making a Statement “Best Wine On San Diego Bay!!!” an 07 Cab. Her favorite one of the day!!
2005, 2006 & 2007 Reserve Napa Cabernet- San Diego Bay
Scott, Dee, Linda, M&L on SD Bay with Coronado Bay Bridge and the Air Craft Carrier “Ronald Regan” in the background.
2009 Sauvignon Blanc- Labor Day Weekend
---Celebrating a remodel over Labor Day Weekend with Alexis Murphy---
2008 Chardonnay & 2009 Sauvignon Blanc- Enid, Oklahoma.
Dog Days of Summer with Clark Young
2007 Leonardini Cabernet, 2007 Millennium Vineyard Cabernet, 2007 Napa Reserve Cabernet- Whitehall Lane-St. Helena, CA
Elizabeth Smith from Bristol, VA enjoys a reserve tasting in our Club Room at the winery
2009 Sauvignon Blanc-Garden of the Gods Park- Colardo Springs, CO
Summit Pikes Peak with 2009 Sauvignon Blanc & Jamie & Brian Uhler
2009 Sauvignon Blanc-Garden of the Gods Park-Colorado Springs, CO
Hanging out on a red rock with Jamie & Brian Uhler
2003 Reserve Cabernet- Guadalupe Island, Mexico
--------Shark week with Larry Polster! 1 of 2--------
Guadalupe Island, Mexico- 2003 Reserve Cabernet
-Shark week with Larry Polster! 2 of 2-
2009 Sauvignon Blanc- Labor Day Weekend
---Celebrating a remodel over Labor Day Weekend with Alexis Murphy--
2007 Napa Valley Cabernet- Los Angeles, CA
------Another Good Year! Wandamae-----
2004 Napa Cabernet- Lake Tahoe
-----Paddleboards and Sunshine!----
2004 Napa Cabernet-Lake Tahoe
2008 Chardonnay- Rutherford, CA
Picnic in the vines!
2009 Sauvignon Blanc-San Joaquin River Delta
Kids having fun on the Tube while Mom gets to relax!
1997 Reserve Cabernet-Viti Leve, Fiji
2004 Napa Cabernet-Port of Spain, Trinidad
Silver Anniversary Cabernet for a Special Anniversary with Corey Melke & Glen Hinz
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June 9, 2011
Two amazing Whitehall Lane wines (and Lisa) enjoyed a day of sailing on the beautiful San Francisco Bay.
Sauvignon Blanc
The day started out in Sausalito with an unusual breeze coming in from the south at around 10 knots. We headed out of Richardson Bay toward the city; with the wind direction we surprisingly made it on one tack! We let a large tanker ship cross our stern and then tacked back, near the the San Francisco Maritime Center.
Sauvignon Blanc
Merlot
Once we were heading north we set our course for Angel Island. It was a relaxing downwind sail with two jibes landing us on the north side of the island. We debated about going into Ayala Cove to moor for lunch, but since the wind had died down to around 4 knots, we decided to head a further east and heave to. After a very yummy lunch and some good conversation we got back to the important part of the day…SAILING!!
Our goal was to make it around Angel Island and sail the south side of Alcatraz before heading back to Sausalito. The wind had other plans! Just as we finished up lunch the breeze died. Thinking we were in a wind shadow created by Angel Island we slowly crept further east into the bay, searching for more wind. Realizing that was not the case we kicked on the “Iron Genny” and increased our speed to a whopping 6 knots!
Just as we crossed the south-eastern tip of Angel Island the wind gods shone upon us. They must have known we were not out there to lollygag; in a matter of 2 minutes the wind went from less than a knot to gusts of 20. Now we were having fun!
Merlot on the Bay
Heading on a close hauled course with all crew on the rail we beat up to the south side of Alcatraz. As predicted the wind had shifted due west, coming within 50 yards of the rocky shoreline we decided it was time to head back towards the city on a starbord tack. We crossed the island and passed the Golden Gate Bridge on a port tack before entering Richardson Bay.
It was a great day! And for the cherry on top we enjoyed a glass of Whitehall Lane Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot at the dock. Talk about living!
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April 15, 2011
Madness Champ 2011 500w
The Championship: Where Did That 3L Come From?
Apologies for reporting so late in the day. We enjoyed damn good wine well into this morning!
It was crazy in the Lion’s Cage last evening for the Magnum Madness Championship. There were no dogs in the house and everyone shot 100%.
The lights were dimmed and the older library wines were clinking and clanging as the magnum of Leo entered the cage (a sort of wine bottle high five.) And not to be outdone, the 07 Napa Valley Cabernet sauntered in with its Fab Four music blasting and even sported a blinged out corkscrew around its neck. (Oh the youth of the ’07!)
Many thought it wouldn’t even be a competition given the vineyard pedigree of the Leonardini Cab delivering power, finesse and nifty fruit plus an extra year of bottle age. But the 07 Napa Cab showed up big on the mid palate with bright young fruit and a dandy mouth feel.
Call it nerves but who would have thought the 06 Leo would open up with a double dribble. The hardwood was wiped clean and the game resumed. The 07 Napa Cab went for an early dunk and shattered the glass. Again the hardwood was wiped clean and new wine glasses came off the bench. After that, each wine delivered glass after glass after glass. Lips and teeth were stained purple as both bottles drained their last shot.
It was too close to call so the judges sent it back to the replay booth. There was talk of putting more time on the clock, but the bottles were empty. Suddenly the double magnums on the table got hold of the ’07 Cab’s corkscrew; and after that, it was all a blurrr.
This morning the bottle of 2006 Leonardini Cabernet was on its side and the 2007 Cabernet was still standing. The Fab Four 2007 Napa Cabernet was declared the winner of March Magnum Madness 2011 and cut down the nets. It was an Excedrin moment!
There’s still time to purchase the Elite Eight magnums for $765 with complimentary shipping or grab the Final Four mags for $388 plus shipping.
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April 15, 2011
Final Four Bracket 2011
Final Four Update: No Spitting Allowed
There was a raucous crowd on hand in the Lion’s Cage for the Final Four Magnum Madness. As you can well imagine, the library wines were all pulling for the older 2006 Leonardini Cab and the ‘05 St Helena Cab. “There aint no room in here for any 07’s,” bellowed a 9 Liter of 2005 Rutherford Cabernet from the corner of the cage.
The 2007’s were not to be intimidated, after all they too spent a great deal of time ripening in the vineyards, aging in barrels and enjoying a year in bottle before the big show down. They had the same coach, ‘er winemaker, as the 2005 and 2006 wines and they were bringing their A game.
In the Final Four, spitting is not allowed, but who would want to? By the time all of the bottles were drained, there was too much Cab for Cinderella to handle: the 2006 Leonardini moves on. In the other semi-final, the Fab Four showed its fresh, long legs and somehow outlasted Big Red: the 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet now steps up to the big stage.
The big showdown is tonight with the 2006 Leonardini Cabernet looking to repeat as champ versus the relative new comer, 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
It’s going to be tough; but, I think we can enjoy two more magnums, and there might even be time to watch some basketball!
There’s still time to purchase the Elite Eight magnums for $765 with complimentary shipping or grab the Final Four mags for $388 plus shipping.
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April 15, 2011
IMG_9836
Final Four Update: Put a Cork In It, Tannin Boy
The Lions Cage is now set for the big weekend showdown, Magnum Madness style. It will be a standing room only crowd of library wines and big bottles for the Final Four but most of the bottles will be laying down, aging on their sides.
IMG_9848 2
At a recent Final Four shoot around, trash talking already started with the 2005 St Helena Cabernet boasting, “I was wine before any of you were even grapes.” And the 2007 Merlot shot back: “Put a cork in it, tannin boy!” The 2006 Leonardini was showing off its ink and the 07 Napa Cab was in perfect harmony with its Fab Four blend.
It should prove to be a helluva Magnum Madness weekend and the weather is perfect in the Napa Valley. The hills are carpets of green and golden mustard and the first little buds are pushing on the vines. Visit us from 10am to 6pm and be sure to ask to see the Lion’s Cage Final Four.
Don’t let this tournament pass you by. It’s madness pricing and wines that hold up to any competition. Get in on the action and enjoy! Purchase the Elite Eight magnums for $765 with complimentary shipping or grab the Final Four mags for $388 plus shipping.
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