It's officially Autumn. The equinox has passed, there's an occasional crispness in the air and we've put up a few thousand pounds of local tomatoes to keep Catherine Lombardi in sauce until next summer. The sidewalk cafe is still going strong most nights. We'll see how long that lasts. Our fall wine tasting is going to be a blast on October 9 - A blast and a bargain!
We would like to announce THE Wine Dinner of The Season. White Rock Vineyards has produced some of the most well-balanced, age-worthy, delicious Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in the Napa Valley since the 1970s. Their story is pretty special, but first, here's the menu. Note: We have had White Rock on our wine list, every single vintage since 1993. There are very few wineries that hold that distinction. We look forward to the new vintage every year, and we have aged many vintages in our personal cellars.
White Rock Wine Dinner
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Walk Around Tasting 6:15 - 7 PM
Dinner at 7 PM
Hors d'Oeuvres & Tasting
Chardonnay 2013
Claret (Bordeaux-style blend) 2012
Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Scallops with Saffron, Bacon, Mussels
Chardonnay 2012
Shibumi Farm Roasted Mushrooms Five Ways and Roasted Lamb
Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Claret (Bordeaux-style blend) 2011
Venison with Smoked Apples, Cipollini Onions, Thyme & Sage
(If game is not your thing, we will offer a substitute of tenderloin of beef for venison)
Cabernet Sauvignon "Laureate" 2010
Cabernet Sauvignon "Laureate" 2007 Library Selection
Walnut Semolina Cake with Fernet Branca Ice Cream and Chocolate
Coffee
$129
[email protected] or call 732-828-4444
White Rock is a 35-acre naturally farmed vineyard, boasting a unique terroir of white volcanic ash, nestled in a small valley at the base of the Stag’s Leap Range. It has never been farmed any other way. The estate has never been subjected to herbicides, pesticides, or fumigants.
The original parcel was purchased by one Dr. Pettingill in 1870. Dr. Pettingill planted the property to Riesling and Zinfandel, one of the earliest plantings in Napa. In 1871, using only a hand saw to cut the white rock he quarried from the property, he constructed a winery in which he would process 7,000 gallons of wine per year. It was renowned to be of high quality.
One hundred years later, the property was reclaimed by Henri and Claire Vandendriessche. He came to America from France to study at UC Berkley in 1967. He met Claire, they fell in love, started a family and then set about restoring the White Rock Estate to its former glory. They moved into the old winery and made it their home.
They replanted as much of the original vineyard as they could, and dug a cave system where they would make and cellar the wine. Always a family business, Henri oversaw all aspects of the enterprise, including the vineyard management, while Claire marketed and sold the wines. They have always farmed organically.
After graduating UCSC with a degree in Physics, Christopher Vandendriessche achieved a degree in enology from The University of Bordeaux. He went on to work at Chateau Pape Clement, then harvests in Burgundy, Spain (Remelluri in Rioja), and Argentina (Catena in Mendoza). He returned to Napa as Assistant Winemaker under John Kongsgaard at Luna. In 1999 Christopher took over as wine maker of White Rock. Today, Christopher and his brother Michael have taken over the business, working together to craft thoughtful and balanced wines showcasing the unique terroir of White Rock.
Mark and Francis Have Poured White Rock Since 1993
Mark, Lou and I first visited White Rock waaay back in 1996. This was a time when California wine makers were pursuing ever more powerful wines, and ever bigger scores and throwing balance out the window. Henri was different. He brought a European sensibility to this extraordinary California terroir. He was right of course, and we've followed him through many vintages and now we buy wine from his sons. For twenty vintages, we have seen firsthand that they are great for dinner tonight, and they age gracefully for years.
Do come and enjoy an evening with Christopher, a comprehensive selection of his wines and an extraordinary dinner at one of your favorite restaurants. [email protected] or 732-828-4444.