A Refresh & Ready…  

It’s always nice to get an invitation to a tasting at a winery. Doubly so when you get one from a prestigious winery like Heitz Wine Cellars. I had heard on the grapevine that their tasting rooms and lounges had undergone a major renovation, so the invite was filled with anticipation as we pulled into their well-maintained gravel driveway last summer.

Once thru the doors, we were escorted out to the front yard, where we sat under a patio umbrella and you’d never know Hwy 29 was just beyond the hedges. It was nice to relax with one of Heitz’s chards for 10 minutes or so, before being escorted thru the main tasting house out to the back patio where gorgeous grape fields and light sunlight dappled on our table.  

Our tasting came paired with some nice cheeses and charcuteries. And some excellent Motown and Stax Volt soul tunes overhead made for an excellent tasting. I enjoyed the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley, culminating in 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, which the web gal really enjoyed. Heitz’s Director of Hospitality, Ruben Moreno, escorted us back to the front of the house where we passed a bunch of gals who were having a blast, tasting in one of their lounge rooms. Ruben told me the web gal has excellent taste and was buying the $300 plus 2013. I tried not to clutch my chest and cheered her on. It’s still sitting in our wine rack, waiting for the right night.   

And speaking of the right time, I got Ruben to do the NSI quiz. Cheers and enjoy.. 

What was last night’s dinner? My wife made a rice salad with grilled fish, delicious.  

What’s your favorite music? I like jazz, put some Miles Davis on, Sketches of Spain, I’m in heaven. 

What’s your favorite drink? I like a good margarita, but I’m also partial to a good Mescal as well. 

What’s your favorite place to dine in Napa? I like Botega for their octopus salad. 

What makes a great wine tasting experience? You got to listen to your guests, find out what they like and serve them the best wines that match their taste. 

Favorite thing about living and working in Napa? I love the feeling of tradition, some of Napa’s wineries have been around for decades, so it’s almost starting to feel slightly European in upholding tradition now.  

Any brush with celebrity? A lot, but nothing that really stands out, like to treat everyone as best as I can. 

Any wine, meal or trip on your bucket list? I’d love to tour South America. Just so much great wine and food in Chile and Argentina. Definitely do it some day. 

Final thoughts? Just like to say how proud of what we’re doing here every day. It’s almost like family, people who really care about giving people a great experience when they come for a tasting at Heitz.