Looking for the perfect hors d'oeuvres for guests to nibble while they await your fabulous holiday feast? Try these delicious Rosemary Cashews from one of my favorite cookbooks of all time, Barefoot in Paris by Ina Garten (aka The Barefoot Contessa).Inspired by the bar nuts served at Union Square Cafe in New York City, these delicious, savory cashews are perfect for holiday entertaining. They are insanely tasty, take under ten minutes to prepare and can be made the day ahead and kept in an airtight container. They will prime your guests' palates without filling them up and, coincidentally, pair beautifully with a festive glass of Champagne.
While Ina recommends serving the Rosemary Cashews warm, I actually like to make them at least a few hours ahead or the day before. This allows the rosemary mixture to cool and adhere to the cashews better. Go ahead and try it both ways and you be the judge! I must caution you though, they are extremely addictive so only make them when you have a houseful of people coming over so you don't eat them all yourself. Trust me, I speak from experience!Also, if you're looking for a special, homemade culinary gift to give your foodie friends and neighbors for the holidays, these Rosemary Cashews are an excellent choice. Simply package them in a classic Mason jar finished with colorful, festive fabric or paper and tied with a raffia bow and you're good to go.
I hope you and your guests enjoy these ever-so tasty Rosemary Cashews and I'd like to wish you all a very Happy & Delicious Holidays!Cheers,
"Rosemary Cashews"
Author:
Cashews can be made up to a day ahead of time and are delightful paired with a glass of Champagne!
Ingredients
Looking for the perfect hors d’oeuvres for guests to nibble while they await your fabulous holiday feast? Try these delicious Rosemary Cashews from one of my favorite cookbooks of all time, Barefoot in Paris by Ina Garten (aka The Barefoot Contessa).
Inspired by the bar nuts served at Union Square Cafe in New York City, these delicious, savory cashews are perfect for holiday entertaining. They are insanely tasty, take under ten minutes to prepare and can be made the day ahead and kept in an airtight container. They will prime your guests’ palates without filling them up and, coincidentally, pair beautifully with a festive glass of Champagne.
While Ina recommends serving the Rosemary Cashews warm, I actually like to make them at least a few hours ahead or the day before. This allows the rosemary mixture to cool and adhere to the cashews better. Go ahead and try it both ways and you be the judge! I must caution you though, they are extremely addictive so only make them when you have a houseful of people coming over so you don’t eat them all yourself. Trust me, I speak from experience!
Also, if you’re looking for a special, homemade culinary gift to give your foodie friends and neighbors for the holidays, these Rosemary Cashews are an excellent choice. Simply package them in a classic Mason jar finished with colorful, festive fabric or paper and tied with a raffia bow and you’re good to go.
I hope you and your guests enjoy these ever-so tasty Rosemary Cashews and I’d like to wish you all a very Happy & Delicious Holidays!
Cheers,
The post From the Christmas Kitchen: Rosemary Cashews appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
round-pond-wine-lineup
cuvaison-warhol-series-one-wines
mark-oldman-how-to-drink-like-billionaire
taittinger-champagne-bottles-lineup
coravin-model-2
There's only one thing more fun then receiving gifts during the Holiday Season. And that's giving the perfect gift to that special someone and watching their eyes light up with glee! If you're shopping for a wine lover who has a penchant for the finer things, our Wine Lover's Glamorous Holiday Gift Guide is chock full of ideas that are sure to delight!1.) For the Red Wine Lover...Round Pond Estate Cab Lovers Gift Set ($180): Hailing from one of our favorite properties in the NapaValley, this gorgeous set of acclaimed wines features 2 styles of Round Pond'sCabernet Sauvignon, the Reserve and Rutherford, to show just how deliciously diverse one grape variety from the same vineyard can be. Specifically for the lover of big, bold Napa Valley Cabs, this gift set is sure to be a favorite as it brings together Round Pond's2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (94 points Antonio Galloni) and the 2014 Rutherford CabernetSauvignon in a beautiful, artisan gift box.2.) For the Art Lover...Cuvaison Andy Warhol Series One Collection ($250 - 2 bottle set): In the early 1980s, Alexander Schmidheiny, owner of Cuvaison Winery and friend of Andy Warhol, commissioned the iconic artist to create screenprints for his Cuvaison wine labels. Done in his signature Pop Art style, the prints have rarely been seen until now! Cuvaison and TheAndy Warhol Foundation celebrate this historic collaboration with this limited edition Andy Warhol by Cuvaison Collection. This first release in a series of three includes exclusive wines from Cuvaison's two Napa Valley estates: a Chardonnay from Carneros and a red Bordeaux blend from Brandlin Vineyard on Mount Veeder. Both the beautifully-crafted wines and collector's box feature original artwork created by Andy Warhol.3.) For the Book Lover...Mark Oldman's How to Drink Like a Billionaire: Mastering Wine with Joie de Vivre ($23): Want to know the mysteries of how the 1% drink? Mark Oldman, one of America’s most popular wine experts, demystifies the secrets of the wine world. Oldman distills his vast knowledge of wines into this easy-to-read, humorous guide, complete with in-depth how-tos on everything from tasting, swirling, and buying wine the same way billionaires do—without the price tag! From detailing little-known ways to hone in on the best value bottles to the secret maneuvers you can do to master wine in restaurants, shops, and at home, How to Drink Like a Billionaire will have you approaching wine with the shrewdness, style, and unapologetic joy of the 1%.4.) For the Holiday Host & Hostess...Magnum of of Taittinger Brut La Francaise Champagne ($140): This delightful Champagne from Taittinger is definitely one of our favorites with it's lively, festive bubbles and brisk acidity. This special bubbly is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier aged on the lees for almost 4 years more than the legal minimum of 15 months! This extra time in the cellars allows the wine to reach the peak of aromatic maturity, and the result is a delicately balanced Champagne, known for its consistently excellent quality. There's nothing more festive then bubbly around the holidays and you're guaranteed to be invited back year after year if you present your gracious Host and/or Hostess with a magnum of fabulous Champagne - the equivalent of two regular 750mL bottles.5.) For the Collector & Gadget Lover...Coravin Model Two System ($299): This revolutionary gadget needs to be in every wine lover's home since it completely changes the way you drink wine! Coravin's Model Two is the company's most intuitive wine system that gives wine lovers the freedom to pour and enjoy a glass of wine from any bottle, at any time, without pulling the cork! Using Coravin’s proprietary technology, the new Model Two is the best-in-class tool that lets you taste, share, compare and explore wine like never before. Want to sample a glass of your 1982Bordeaux without committing to an entire bottle? Get out your Coravin! It’s the revolution that’s opening up an enriching world of possibilities.Cheers,
There’s only one thing more fun then receiving gifts during the Holiday Season. And that’s giving the perfect gift to that special someone and watching their eyes light up with glee! If you’re shopping for a wine lover who has a penchant for the finer things, our Wine Lover’s Glamorous Holiday Gift Guide is chock full of ideas that are sure to delight!
1.) For the Red Wine Lover…
Round Pond Estate Cab Lovers Gift Set ($180): Hailing from one of our favorite properties in the Napa Valley, this gorgeous set of acclaimed wines features 2 styles of Round Pond’s Cabernet Sauvignon, the Reserve and Rutherford, to show just how deliciously diverse one grape variety from the same vineyard can be. Specifically for the lover of big, bold Napa Valley Cabs, this gift set is sure to be a favorite as it brings together Round Pond’s 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (94 points Antonio Galloni) and the 2014 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon in a beautiful, artisan gift box.
2.) For the Art Lover…
Cuvaison Andy Warhol Series One Collection ($250 – 2 bottle set): In the early 1980s, Alexander Schmidheiny, owner of Cuvaison Winery and friend of Andy Warhol, commissioned the iconic artist to create screenprints for his Cuvaison wine labels. Done in his signature Pop Art style, the prints have rarely been seen until now! Cuvaison and The Andy Warhol Foundation celebrate this historic collaboration with this limited edition Andy Warhol by Cuvaison Collection. This first release in a series of three includes exclusive wines from Cuvaison’s two Napa Valley estates: a Chardonnay from Carneros and a red Bordeaux blend from Brandlin Vineyard on Mount Veeder. Both the beautifully-crafted wines and collector’s box feature original artwork created by Andy Warhol.
3.) For the Book Lover…
Mark Oldman’s How to Drink Like a Billionaire: Mastering Wine with Joie de Vivre ($23): Want to know the mysteries of how the 1% drink? Mark Oldman, one of America’s most popular wine experts, demystifies the secrets of the wine world. Oldman distills his vast knowledge of wines into this easy-to-read, humorous guide, complete with in-depth how-tos on everything from tasting, swirling, and buying wine the same way billionaires do—without the price tag! From detailing little-known ways to hone in on the best value bottles to the secret maneuvers you can do to master wine in restaurants, shops, and at home, How to Drink Like a Billionaire will have you approaching wine with the shrewdness, style, and unapologetic joy of the 1%.
4.) For the Holiday Host & Hostess…
Magnum of of Taittinger Brut La Francaise Champagne ($140): This delightful Champagne from Taittinger is definitely one of our favorites with it’s lively, festive bubbles and brisk acidity. This special bubbly is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier aged on the lees for almost 4 years more than the legal minimum of 15 months! This extra time in the cellars allows the wine to reach the peak of aromatic maturity, and the result is a delicately balanced Champagne, known for its consistently excellent quality. There’s nothing more festive then bubbly around the holidays and you’re guaranteed to be invited back year after year if you present your gracious Host and/or Hostess with a magnum of fabulous Champagne – the equivalent of two regular 750mL bottles.
5.) For the Collector & Gadget Lover…
Coravin Model Two System ($299): This revolutionary gadget needs to be in every wine lover’s home since it completely changes the way you drink wine! Coravin’s Model Two is the company’s most intuitive wine system that gives wine lovers the freedom to pour and enjoy a glass of wine from any bottle, at any time, without pulling the cork! Using Coravin’s proprietary technology, the new Model Two is the best-in-class tool that lets you taste, share, compare and explore wine like never before. Want to sample a glass of your 1982 Bordeaux without committing to an entire bottle? Get out your Coravin! It’s the revolution that’s opening up an enriching world of possibilities.
Cheers,
The post The Wine Lover’s Glamorous Holiday Gift Guide! appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
During our recent trip to California wine country, we had the pleasure of staying at a very special place in the heart of the Napa Valley, The Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer. The charming, eight-acre property is conveniently located minutes from downtown St. Helena, yet is tucked away in a secluded haven surrounded by lush greenery, towering redwood trees and, of course, beautiful vineyards.
Originally established in 1975, the beloved 78-room hotel had become a bit time worn over the years and, in 2014, it underwent an extensive renovation under the guidance of James Beard Award-winning Chef and hotelier, Charlie Palmer. Palmer's goal was to transform this modest, wine country inn into a luxurious St. Helena resort, with all the modern amenities and cache that's de rigeur in the tony surrounding areas today. While Palmer recognized the need for tasteful updates, he and his team were careful to retain the property's inherent charm, including the intricate brick and woodwork throughout that make the property so unique.
Having stayed at the inn a few years prior to the renovations, the improvements were immediately evident upon our arrival. The dated hotel lobby has been transformed into a sleek, modern reception area featuring fabulous ambient lighting, chic indoor and outdoor seating areas and a welcoming, festive U-shaped bar. While much has changed, the grand lobby staircase remains constant, serving as an architectural reminder of the property's history. The structure is also home to the hotel's new restaurant, Harvest Table, where we were fortunate to dine during our stay - more on that later!
The thoughtful renovations also included extensive refurbishing of many of the hotel's rooms which are grouped into "neighborhoods" featuring a variety of different views and amenities.
One newly renovated block is situated along the vineyards adjacent to the property, specifically Whitehall-Lane's Leonardini Family Vineyards. Appropriately dubbed the Vineyard View Collection, these charming, spacious rooms are perfect for those craving the full vineyard experience. Each room features a king sized bed; an oversized brick, wood-burning fireplace; cozy club chairs and couch and your own private terrace with a jacuzzi hot tub. Other amenities include daily, complimentary wine country breakfast, mini bar water and juice, in-room wine (yessss!!!), wireless internet, parking as well as the use of an evening house car, two spacious swimming pools and a fitness center.
We were fortunate enough to stay in one of these delightful rooms and let me assure you, there's nothing like an al fresco soak with a glass of Schramsberg bubbly in hand for your weary, wine drenched body after a long day of wine tasting - #pureheaven!
In addition to the fabulous rooms, one of the most wonderful features of the Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer is its verdant, lush greenery which imbues the property with a natural beauty and inherent sense of privacy.
Gorgeous rose beds, stands of magnificent redwood trees, exquisite hydrangeas and perfumed wisteria all abound on the property and, since it was mid-Fall, the trees were also resplendent with gorgeous, reddish gold leaves. Beautiful stone fountains, a rotating sculpture installation and a serene koi pond also punctuate the landscape, offering even more visually pleasing vignettes.
In addition to its beauty, the plentiful vegetation is also quite functional. There are five culinary gardens located on property, tended by expert Culinary Horticulturist Laura McNiff, whose bounty is featured nightly on the Harvest Table menu. The bar also utilizes an assortment of garden gems, including unique citrus (loved those Buddha hand lemons!), as well as an assortment of herbs and flowers.
Tomatoes, kale, lettuce and bright orange "cheddar cheese"cauliflower were also in abundance. Hop vines also proliferate among the property as well as various espaliered fruit trees (persimmon, Meyer lemon, apple), lavender and wild strawberries. Guests are encouraged to help themselves to anything they know is edible - just forget those peanut M&M's in the mini bar!
In addition to the greenery, the property is also home to three active beehives, as well as a variety of wildlife which is unofficially documented by the small landscaping team. Denizens include bald eagles, red foxes, squirrels and raccoons. As you can imagine, with all its natural beauty the property is the perfect venue for special ceremonies and gatherings. During our visit, a lovely vow renewal took place on the splendid lawn. As the wine country sun set in the West, it created an ethereal ambiance for the lucky couple.
The Harvest Inn also offers spa treatment rooms for guests to indulge in their favorite massage, facial or treatment du jour. Care to enjoy your hot lava stone massage al fresco? The property also features private tents in case you'd like to receive your spa service (or couple's service) outdoors - très romantique!
We had the great pleasure of enjoying a fabulous, al fresco dinner at the Inn's restaurant, Harvest Table, during our stay. And I must say, it was definitely a highlight of our trip! Executive Chef Levi Mezick delighted us with his culinary skills and creativity, honed during stints with world renowned Chefs Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller. Harvest Table's farm-to-fork menu showcases ingredients from the property's culinary gardens as well as many local purveyors.
The California-focused wine list also features a nice variety of selections from around the world. Sommelier Sasha Hagenlock expertly guided us towards wines which complemented our meal and suited our price range as well.We opted for many of Mezick's inspired seafood dishes ranging from succulent Oysters with Horseradish Sorbet & Tarragon ($12), to classic Southern Pan Roasted Shrimp & Grits with Andouille Sausage, Cheddar Cheese & Smoked Bacon ($16).
Chef's dishes were also as beautiful as they were delicious, especially the Dungeness Crab Salad with Granny Smith Apple Gelee, Persimmon & Garden Herbs ($15) with gorgeous pops of bright green, orange and red, and the Bread Crusted Red Snapper with Coconut Rice, Sesame Bok Choy and Tamarind Essence featuring a golden, Panko crusted pavé of snapper set neatly atop creamy rice and delicately flavored tamarind foam.
Mezick also infused some added deliciousness into some seemingly ‘everyday’ ingredients, including mouthwatering Roasted Carrots with Buttermilk, Vadouvan & Granola ($6) which had fabulous flavor, color and texture, as well as his highly addictive Rock Shrimp Hush Puppies with Old Bay & Spicy Gribiche ($8). Chef also made delicious use of the one part of the pig nobody EVER seems to know what to do with! His Crispy Pig Ear Salad with Cilantro & Yuzu Vinaigrette ($6) featured delicious thinly sliced, crispy strips of meat which added texture and dimension to the flavorful salad.
Another apparent highlight of the Harvest Table menu is the Truffle Chicken for Two ($65). A word to the wise, however, it takes an hour of preparation time and while our schedule didn't allow for us to indulge this time, we definitely look forward to it on our next trip!
While we contemplated forgoing dessert - we were SO incredibly glad we didn't! Dessert was equally as enjoyable as our savory courses and included Roasted Sweet Corn Mousse with Blackberries and Lime Sherbet ($9), Chocolate + Peanut Butter Bar with Dark Chocolate Marquis, Peanut Butter Mousse & Chocolate Sorbet ($9) and my husband's favorite, the Tasting of House Made Ice Cream and Sorbet ($9). The flavors and textures of each dish demonstrated wonderful attention to detail and a mastery of flavor that was greatly appreciated.
The idyllic Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer celebrates the vineyard way of life and offers its guests the chance to experience it firsthand in relaxed, rustic elegance. While conveniently situated in the historic hub of St. Helena with a plethora of well-known wineries nearby, the property's landscape provides a stylishly serene retreat for its guests. Chef Palmer has done a wonderful job integrating past and present in this special project, creating a harmony between the architecture and landscape while underpinning it all with a keen, experienced eye towards hospitality at every level.
Thanks to the Harvest Inn and its amazing staff for such a wonderful stay! For more information on the Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer or its restaurant, Harvest Table, please see the information below or visit www.harvestinn.com.
Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer | 1 Main Street | St. Helena, CA 94574 | 707.963.9463
During our recent trip to California wine country, we had the pleasure of staying at a very special place in the heart of the Napa Valley, The Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer. The charming, eight-acre property is conveniently located minutes from downtown St. Helena, yet is tucked away in a secluded haven surrounded by lush greenery, towering redwood trees and, of course, beautiful vineyards.
Originally established in 1975, the beloved 78-room hotel had become a bit time worn over the years and, in 2014, underwent an extensive renovation under the guidance of James Beard Award-winning Chef and hotelier, Charlie Palmer. Palmer’s goal was to transform this modest, wine country inn into a luxurious St. Helena resort, with all the modern amenities and cache that’s de rigeur in the tony surrounding areas today. While Palmer recognized the need for tasteful updates, he and his team were careful to retain the property’s inherent charm, including the intricate brick and woodwork throughout that make the property so unique.
Having stayed at the inn a few years prior to the renovations, the improvements were immediately evident upon our arrival. The dated hotel lobby has been transformed into a sleek, modern reception area featuring fabulous ambient lighting, chic indoor and outdoor seating areas and a welcoming, U-shaped bar. While much has changed however, the grand lobby staircase remains, serving as an architectural reminder of the property’s history. The structure is also home to the hotel’s new restaurant, Harvest Table, at which we were fortunate to dine during our stay – more on that later!
The thoughtful renovations also included extensive refurbishing of many of the hotel’s rooms which are grouped into “neighborhoods” featuring a variety of different views and amenities.
One newly renovated block is situated along the vineyards adjacent to the property, specifically Whitehall-Lane’s Leonardini Family Vineyards. Appropriately dubbed the Vineyard View Collection, these charming, spacious rooms are perfect for those craving the full vineyard experience. Each room features a king sized bed; an oversized brick, wood-burning fireplace; cozy club chairs and couch and your own private terrace with a jacuzzi hot tub. Other amenities include daily, complimentary wine country breakfast, mini bar water and juice, in-room wine (yessss!!!), wireless internet, parking and the use of an evening house car, two swimming pools, fitness center and weekend wine tastings.
We were fortunate enough to stay in one of these delightful rooms and let me assure you, there’s nothing like an al fresco soak with a glass of Schramsberg bubbly in hand for your weary, wine drenched body after a long day of wine tasting – pure heaven!
In addition to the fabulous rooms, one of the most wonderful features of the Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer is its verdant, lush greenery which imbues the property with a fabulous natural beauty and sense of privacy.
Gorgeous rose beds, stands of magnificent redwood trees, exquisite hydrangeas and perfumed wisteria all abound and, since it was mid-Fall, the trees were also resplendent with gorgeous, reddish gold leaves. Beautiful stone fountains, a rotating sculpture installation and a serene koi pond also punctuate the landscape, offering even more visual intrigue.
In addition to its beauty, the plentiful vegetation is also quite functional. There are five culinary gardens located on property, tended by expert Culinary Horticulturist Laura McNiff, whose bounty is featured nightly on the Harvest Table menu. The bar also utilizes an assortment of garden gems, including unique citrus (the Buddha’s hand lemons were very interesting!), as well as an assortment of herbs and flowers.
Tomatoes, kale, lettuce and bright orange “cheddar cheese” cauliflower were all in abundance. Hop vines also proliferate among the property as well as various espaliered fruit trees (persimmon, Meyer lemon, apple), lavender and wild strawberries. Guests are encouraged to help themselves to anything they know is edible – forget those M&M’s in the mini bar!
In addition to the greenery, the property is also home to three active beehives as well as a variety of wildlife which is unofficially documented by the small landscaping team. Denizens include bald eagles, red foxes, squirrels and raccoons. As you can imagine, with all its natural beauty the property is the perfect venue for special ceremonies and gatherings. During our visit, a lovely vow renewal took place on the splendid lawn. As the wine country sun set in the West, it created an ethereal ambiance for the lucky couple.
The Harvest Inn also offers spa treatment rooms for guests to indulge in their favorite massage, facial or treatment du jour. Care to enjoy your hot lava stone massage al fresco? The property also features private tents in case you’d like to receive your spa service (or couple’s service) outdoors – très romantique!
We had the great pleasure of dining at the Inn’s restaurant, Harvest Table, during our stay. In fact, our delicious al fresco meal was definitely a highlight of our trip!
Executive Chef Levi Mezick delighted us with his culinary skills and creativity, honed during stints with world renowned Chefs Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller. Harvest Table’s farm-to-fork menu showcases ingredients from the property’s culinary gardens as well as many local purveyors. The California-focused wine list also features a nice variety of selections from around the world. Sommelier Sasha Hagenlock expertly guided us towards wines which complemented our meal and suited our price range as well.
We opted for many of Mezick’s inspired seafood dishes ranging from succulent Oysters with Horseradish Sorbet & Tarragon ($12), to classic Southern Pan Roasted Shrimp & Grits with Andouille Sausage, Cheddar Cheese & Smoked Bacon ($16).
Mezick’s dishes were also as beautiful as they were delicious, especially the Dungeness Crab Salad with Granny Smith Apple Gelee, Persimmon & Garden Herbs ($15) with gorgeous pops of bright green, orange and red, and the Bread Crusted Red Snapper with Coconut Rice, Sesame Bok Choy and Tamarind Essence featuring a golden, Panko crusted pavé of snapper set neatly atop creamy rice and delicately flavored tamarind foam.
Mezick also infused some added deliciousness into some seemingly ‘everyday’ ingredients, including mouthwatering Roasted Carrots with Buttermilk, Vadouvan & Granola ($6) which had fabulous flavor, color and texture, as well as his highly addictive Rock Shrimp Hush Puppies with Old Bay & Spicy Gribiche ($8). Chef also made delicious use of the one part of the pig nobody EVER seems to know what to do with! His Crispy Pig Ear Salad with Cilantro & Yuzu Vinaigrette ($6) featured delicious thinly sliced, crispy strips of meat which added texture and dimension to the flavorful salad.
Another apparent highlight of the Harvest Table menu is the Truffle Chicken for Two ($65). A word to the wise, however, it takes an hour of preparation time and while our schedule didn’t allow for us to indulge this time, we definitely look forward to it on our next trip!
While we contemplated forgoing dessert – we were SO incredibly glad we didn’t! Dessert was equally as enjoyable as our savory courses and included Roasted Sweet Corn Mousse with Blackberries and Lime Sherbet ($9), Chocolate + Peanut Butter Bar with Dark Chocolate Marquis, Peanut Butter Mousse & Chocolate Sorbet ($9) and my husband’s favorite, the Tasting of House Made Ice Cream and Sorbet ($9). The flavors and textures of each dish demonstrated wonderful attention to detail and a mastery of flavor that was greatly appreciated.
The idyllic Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer celebrates the vineyard way of life and offers its guests the chance to experience it firsthand in relaxed, rustic elegance. While conveniently situated in the historic hub of St. Helena with a plethora of well-known wineries nearby, the property’s landscape provides a stylishly serene retreat for its guests. Palmer has done a wonderful job integrating past and present in this special project, creating a harmony between the architecture and landscape while underpinning it all with a keen, experienced eye towards hospitality at every level.
Thanks to the Harvest Inn and its amazing staff for such a wonderful stay! For morning information on the Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer or its restaurant, Harvest Table, please see the information below or visit www.harvestinn.com.
Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer
1 Main Street
St. Helena, CA 94574
707.963.9463
Bon appétit,
The post Wine Country Travel: Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
failla-syrah-estate-vineyard-golden-trees
failla-syrah-estate-vineyard-ehren-jordan-tractor
I must say, California wine country is simply stunning in the Fall! During our recent visit to the legendary North Coast, which encompasses Napa and Sonoma counties among others, we encountered towering trees cloaked in their seasonal reddish, gold splendor, refreshingly chillsome evenings (we ARE from Florida after all!), as well as many amazing wines. While I look forward to sharing them with you over the coming weeks, I was especially inspired to feature one wine in particular as our latest Wine of the Week, the 2014 Failla Syrah Estate Vineyard.While Failla primarily focuses on cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, owner and winemaker EhrenJordan's eclectic winemaking experiences and sheer vinous talent allow him to work adeptly with many different grape varieties extremely well. As a fan of Syrah from the Northern Rhone, I was very impressed with his ability to craft a California wine that so closely approximates its French counterpart while allowing its terroir, and the character of the new Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, to shine through. Please read on to discover more about this very special wine that's just perfect for enjoying during the chilly Winter months.Who it's from: Winemaker Ehren Jordan and his wife Anne-Marie founded Failla in 1998 and together they specialize in sourcing cool climate fruit from the extreme coastal areas of Sonoma County. Jordan draws inspiration from his time spent in France, namely a 2-year apprenticeship in Cornas in the NorthernRhone where he specialized in Syrah, which continues to inform his winemaking style. He also held positions in California, first at Neyers Vineyards and then at Turley Wine Cellars, where he spent almost 20 years crafting world class Zinfandel. Jordan is perhaps most passionate about producing balanced, elegant, food-friendly wines that are expressive of their terroir.Where it's from: This wine hails from Failla's 14-acre Estate Vineyard located in the Fort Ross Seaview AVA, a sub-region of the vast Sonoma CoastAVA, which was officially approved in 2011. Vineyards here are situated in the steep coastal ridges above the fog line where most of the surrounding terrain is too steep to farm. Out of over 27,000 acres in the AVA, only 550 are actually usable! Only Failla and a few other esteemed vintners were willing to brave the uniquely challenging conditions including Flowers, Marcassin, Hirsch, Pahlmeyer, Martinelli, Del Dotto and Peter Michael to name a few. The region's unusually rugged terrain, high elevations, cool maritime climate and marine soils create the perfect environment for growing exceptional cool climate grape varieties.
"To me 'terroir' is distilling a place down to its essence using grapes as the medium." - Ehren Jordan
failla-syrah-estate-vineyard-rolling-fog
Originally planted in 1998, Failla's Estate Vineyard is located only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and has been organically and dry farmed since the beginning. Jordan harvested the first grapes from the vineyard in 2001 and has increased production ever since. The special Estate Vineyard, located at approximately 1,400 ft. elevation, is currently planted to cool climate grape varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.This Wine by the (geeky) Numbers:Primary Fermentation: Native YeastMalolactic Fermentation: NativeElevage: 11 months, aged Sur-Lie in French oak barrique, 25% newFiltration: Unfined & UnfilteredGrape variety: 100% Syrah, 20 yr. old vinesABV: 13.9%Production: 382 casesProduction notes: "Our 100% whole cluster “Estate Vineyard” Syrah was gently foot-tread, fermented with native yeasts, and basket pressed to barrel, where it competed a native ML conversion and rested on its lees until being bottled unfined and unfiltered."The Glamorous Gourmet's Tasting Note: "From its lush, purplish-red hue to enticing aromas of spiced black fruit, savory herbs and a hint of lavender, this delightful expression of California Syrah simultaneously evokes the elegance of the Northern Rhone. On the palate, this stunner reveals savory layers of blackberry, plum, licorice and black pepper while demonstrating impressive complexity and richness without seeming heavy. All components harmoniously converge on the imminently satisfying, lengthy finish."Pair it with: Rosemary & Salt crusted Prime Rib, Roasted Rack of Lamb, Pasta with Wild Boar RaguRetail Price: $58 (for purchasing information, please e-mail stephanie [at] theglamorousgourmet [dot] com or simply call 561.317.6663)Bon appétit,
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