This week’s edition of upcoming Napa Valley events is chock-full of fireworks.

With the 4th falling on Saturday, there are multiple Independence Day celebrations taking place over the next few days–here are a few that should be a lot of fun…

Friday, July 3rd

  • Our friends at Silverado Resort (@SilveradoResort on Twitter) will host their annual fireworks celebration starting at approximately 9:15pm on the South Course. The best part? There is no charge for the firework extravaganza and you can call 800-532-0500 for more information

Saturday, July 4th

  • From 11:30am – 10pm the City of Napa will host a July 4th celebration in downtown Napa. The day will begin with a parade that will travel up 3rd Street, right on Main Street and down to 5th Street. Following that, the festivities will kick off at 1pm with entertainment in Veteran’s Memorial Park amphitheater and there will be food, beer, wine and arts and crafts vendors on-hand throughout the entire day. The day will conclude with a fireworks display at approximately 9:30pm. Call 707-257-9529 for more details
  • From 7pm – 10pm the team at Louis Martini Winery will host it annual July 4th event that will begin with a tasting of the winery’s newly released wines paired with hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants. Up next will be an all-American family-style BBQ dinner complete wines and live music. The night will conclude with a fireworks display that can be viewed from the winery grounds. Cost is $95 per person ($80 per person for Founders Club Members). Call 866-549-2582 for more information
  • Up in Calistoga the Napa County Fair kicks off this weekend and is highlighted by a parade through downtown Calistoga that will feature antique cars, live bands, children’s groups, horses, motorcycles, colorful dancers, and all types of patriotic spirit and fun. At the Fair, fireworks are scheduled for 9:30pm at the Grandstand. The parade is free, the fair costs $7 for adults ad $3 for children 6-12yrs old. Call 707-942-5111 for more information

Happy 4th of July everyone!

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Vineyards atop Spring Mountain

The folks at Smith-Madrone Winery, which is located high atop Spring Mountain overlooking St. Helena, got in touch earlier this week to share some news.

The winery recently released new vintages of its Chardonnay (a 2007 for $40 per 750ml bottle) and Riesling (a 2008 for $27 per bottle). The more interesting news, at least from our point of view, is that Smith-Madrone has also just re-released its 2002 Riesling ($60 per bottle).

Now, admittedly we’ve generally not thought of laying down a Riesling in the cellar for a decade or better like we’d do with a Cabernet Sauvignon, but founder Stuart Smith notes “Rieslings age every bit as well as do Cabernet Sauvignons and Pinot Noirs, if not better.”

Smith-Madrone claims to be one of the few (if not the only) winery in the United States with a program of holding back a portion of its Rieslings and re-releasing them a few years down the road. Here’s a quick breakdown of the 2002 Riesling:

  • 100% Riesling
  • 750 cases produced
  • Fruit sourced from 31 year old vines
  • 12.7% Alcohol by volume

At some point here in the next few weeks we hope to make the trek up Spring Mountain to give each of these wines a taste for ourselves.

In the meantime, if you have a favorite Smith-Madrone wine (or story from your visit to the winery) let us know about it in the comments.

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A review of the dining experience at downtown Napa’s The Border

June 30, 2009

A few weeks back we ate at one of downtown Napa’s newest restaurant installations, The Border.
The restaurant is operated by Pablo and Erasto Jacinto, who rose through the ranks working for the likes of local chefs Michael Chiarello, Cindy Pawlcyn and Donna Scala. With that pedigree and the promise of some authentic Mexican food, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Photos: late June in Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District

Photos: late June in Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District

June 29, 2009

This weekend, as temperatures topped 100 degrees in the Napa Valley, we ventured out to take a few photos of the vineyards. The last time we checked in with such photos the vineyards were just entering the flowering stage.
As you can see below, the 2009 fruit is now well-established and growing nicely–what a difference [...]

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Cork Bits: ideas for your Napa Valley weekend

June 25, 2009

Here were are, Thursday evening and we’re not sure about you, but our minds are already focused on the weekend.
With summer in full-swing, there are certainly no shortage of events taking place in the Napa Valley…here are just a couple you may want to check out!
Friday, June 26th and Saturday, June 27th

Downtown Napa’s Back [...]

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So just what is this blog all about anyway?

June 23, 2009

It has been far too long–we promise, we’re doing our very best to find some kind of balance in our lives so that we can get back to a regular posting schedule. Thanks to everyone for hanging with us.
As we’ve been immersed (literally) in examining hundreds upon hundreds of blogs as part of the old [...]

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Cork Bits: ideas for your Napa Valley weekend

June 18, 2009

It’s Thursday again and the Father’s Day weekend is nearly here. The weather is finally starting to feel how it should in these parts–near 90 degree temperatures today in the valley and close to that throughout the weekend!
Here are a few events that are sure to make all those Dad’s out there happy.
Saturday, June 20th

The [...]

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Yountville’s Bardessono to host weekly happy hour event

June 16, 2009

Starting on June 24th (and every Wednesday thereafter), the folks at Bardessono in Yountville will host a bit of a happy hour (well, three happy hours to be exact) around their rooftop pool.
From 6pm – 9pm there will be pool snacks and $8 drinks like the ‘Napa Sour’, which is made with Napa vodka, [...]

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