January 12, 2010
I wasn’t sure what to do when a couple of wrestling superstars from WWE visited the winery last week. I am normally all about elegance, finesse and our wines’ subtleties and I am way past my backyard wrestling days.
I hoped I wouldn’t have to give these two a beatdown or toss them into the tasting room turnbuckle. My palms were a bit sweaty as I introduced myself to Smackdown Champion Drew McIntyre and ECW General Manager/WWE Diva Tiffany.
As it turned out, they weren’t looking for a fight, just some great Napa Valley wine. And that’s probably just as well since they were really too nice to squash. In fact, Tiffany is all about elegance, like our chardonnay. But, I think she also has the power and finesse that’s found in our Merlot! Drew was definitely a Reserve Cabernet… bold, big, excellent structure while also displaying charm. (I’ll take a case of all three!)
They are great people who were interested in the subtleties of wine and enjoying a fun afternoon in Napa Valley. They spent a little time in the cellar and if our forklift ever breaks down, Drew could easily move our barrels around (full!) They left with some wine and new fans and we came away with an autographed big bottle. It’s on display in our Tasting Room. No appointment necessary.
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December 21, 2009
Last Friday was a one of those beautiful, crisp December days in the Napa Valley. Ideal setting to ring in the Millennium, the Whitehall Lane Cabernet Millennium that is.
We recently renamed one of our prized vineyards and solicited our Wine Club for help. The Name That Vineyard contest drove in numerous creative entries. Some of the brilliant submittals referenced the Leonardini family name and the Lion. Also, the Wappo Indians who settled in the Napa Valley region were recognized. Other intriguing names were Edge, 20 Acres, Extreme and Elation. Unfortunately, these names were so impressive that other wineries or vineyards already use them. One entry referenced 2000, the year that our family purchased the vineyard. However, the suggestion, “Millennium Vineyard”, is presently being used by wineries in Oregon and Nebraska. So we adapted the name and came up with (drum roll please) . . . . . . . Millennium 2000 Vineyard. And from there we chose Roman Numerals for 2000 so it won’t be confused with the vintage date on the label. So it is now Millennium MM Vineyard.
Congratulations to Wine Club member Bruce Hunter for submitting the Millennium name. Thank you for joining us to ring in the Whitehall Millennium.
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November 20, 2009
‘Tis the season for turkey and ham but I’m in the mood for steak. I know what you’re thinking what about the turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie? Well believe me there is always pumpkin pie, but I want to do things a little different for Turkey Day this year. Lucky for me we have a few cases of one of my favorite Whitehall Lane library Cabernet’s left, the 2002 Reserve Cabernet. A Decanter Magazine North American Bordeaux Varietal Trophy Winner!
This wine beat out every other California Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage wine and Cabernet based proprietary blend to take this award. Check out this great picture I found in the archives. Tom Leonardini Sr. holding the crystal decanter trophy, pictured with noted author and consultant editor Steven Spurrier. Steven Spurrier was the mastermind behind the 1976 blind tasting of French and California wines.
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Try our trophy winner with this Smoky Aztec Coffee Steak and turn a cold night into a sizzling one!
Smoky Aztec Coffee Steak
Dry Rub for Steaks:
- 4 clove garlic
- 1 1/2 tbsps cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp sea salt
- 1 1/2 tsps brown sugar
- 2 tsps black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp ancho chile (pasilla) powder
- 1 1/2 tbsps espresso beans- finely ground
- 4 rib eye steaks
Directions:
- First things first, pour one or two glasses of 2002 Reserve to help get your creative chef juices flowing.
- Mince the garlic and place half in a small bowl. Add the cocoa powder, sea salt, sugar, spices, and coffee. Using a fork, mash to incorporate the minced garlic well with spices.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the steak and let stand at room temperature. Preheat grill.
- Grill steaks as desired. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Pour another glass or two of 2002 Reserve… Bon Appetit!
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November 10, 2009
In the upcoming December 2009 issue of Wine Enthusiast, Whitehall Lane Winery received excellent press with regards to the consistent quality and value of our Napa Valley Merlot and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
Can’t wait till December to find out what your favorite Napa Valley winery scored? Well neither could I. Here’s a little sneak peak:
2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
- TOP 100 CELLAR SELECTION OF 2009
- 94 POINTS
“… this wine pours inky black, and feels softly ripe in the mouth, with pie-filling blackberries, cherries, mocha, plums, tobacco and sweet dusty spices.”
(Mmmm… I know what I’m bringing to Gramma’s Thanksgiving dinner table.)
2006 Merlot
- 92 POINTS
- EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARD *2nd year in a row
“A beautiful Merlot, noble and classic. Absolutely lovely now, with fine, brisk tannins framing flavors of cherries, herbs and sweet oak, and a lingering finish.”
(Yoo Whoo. Sounds like I can cross Uncle Jim, Aunt Diane, and Papa Joe off my Christmas list this year. And at only $15 for a half bottle I may have to fill up my own stocking with this award winner too.)
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November 8, 2009
At Whitehall Lane Winery the benefits of being a Wine Club member go well beyond our award winning wines!
We have teamed up with the Silverado Resort in Napa. Exclusive privileges for Whitehall Lane Wine Club Members include:
- 25% off room rates all year
- Golf Specials: Members golf for $85 (select days)
- Invitations to Special Events such as “Nine & Dine” & “North Course Shotgun”
For further information about Our Wine Family contact Katie Flashberger at (800) 963-9454 x 32 or via email at flash@whitehalllane.com.
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October 30, 2009
Dooms day… Tuesday, October 27th, a day that will forever haunt me. (Insert scary music here) Nah! Just kidding. The only haunting part about jumping into Tank 19 or as they say in the winemaking biz, “tk19″, was what I looked like afterwards.
Ok I admit I did have the guys show me twice how to actually get in that tiny, dark hole. Yes Tom, dropping me in would have made for a better story… haha very funny! But after that I was a natural, naturally slow but nevertheless I dug that petite syrah out shovel by shovel. And with only one fall I think I’ll up the ante next year. That’s right Mike, I’m stepping it up, bring on a challenge, bring on a bigger tank.
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October 25, 2009
All aboard!! It’s Halloween and boy do I have a treat for you. It’s time for Whitehall Lane’s annual Vinter’s Lunch. This Friday, on All Hallows Eve ‘Eve’ ride the wine train with Winemaker Dean Sylvester. Enjoy a wonderful four course gourmet lunch paired with Whitehall Lane wines! Dean and National Sales Manager, Mark Fiorito, will be aboard to explain pairings and answer any questions. And make sure to wave as the train passes the winery on its route up valley. I’ll be the one waving, giving a tour and perhaps dressed as a Box o’ Wine.
When: Friday, October 30, 2009- 10:55 am
Just check out this menu! Yum!! Whitehall_Vintners_Lunch.pdf
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October 5, 2009
I love this time of year. The hustle and bustle of harvest is in full swing. And this year I had the opportunity to experience the Crush first hand or should I say fist full…
It was a brisk Friday morning. The sweet aroma of grapes circulating about, mmmm, and I was headed to the crush pad. I was ready, feeling good. As the lovely Julia Leonardini would so eloquently put it, “Bring it!” But as that first half ton bin began to fall, I quickly learned I didn’t stand a chance. Cluster, after cluster, after cluster, quickly scurried down that sorting table. Some within arms reach, most without. It sure is a good thing Ana and Fernando were there to show me the ropes.
I just love my job!! I mean how many Sales and Marketing Managers do you know have the opportunity to jump right in and experience harvest first hand? Time to update the good old resume- Napa Valley Harvest intern, well yes, yes I believe I have. Even that sticky grape shower was well worth it! Nothing beats the first hand knowledge I gained from that looonng half hour. I just hope my last group of the day didn’t mind my intense Sauvignon Blanc aroma.
Thanks to our wonderful crew for putting up with slow, little old me out there. You guys work incredible hard and are the true heart and soul of the operation.
Next up- cleaning the tanks!! Just about time to check that one off my list. I’m sure everyone around here can’t wait to see that!
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August 19, 2009
We have the best fans here at Whitehall!! And as I have found out in recent days some of the most in shape wine lovers around. We received an email from a Whitehall fan so intriguing that I just had to share…..
Good morning,
I thought you guys might get a kick out of this. I hike up the top of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley this week. I’m not sure if you know of the hike, but it’s a grueling 16 miles with 4,800 vertical feet of climbing. I started at five in the morning and returned to the valley floor at three that afternoon. In addition to the 180 ounces of water I had in my pack, I brought a bottle of your ‘05 cab. I can’t tell you how great it tasted up there and how many new friends I made at the top of Half Dome! People thought I was crazy for carrying the extra weight, but then thanked me as I poured them a taste!
Keep on making great wines and we will see you soon!
Rick & Jennifer Souza
Burlingame, CA
Wow!! Thanks Rick & Jennifer for sharing. Maybe I’ll join you on your next trip up (I say with angst apprehension) Only if there’s another bottle of Whitehall waiting at the end. “Eyes on the prize… keep your eyes on the prize…”
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June 23, 2009
The new way to drink wine- pour, twirl, sip, twitter!
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