"Epic Brewing going on in Salt Lake City"

I remember the first time I tasted through Epic beers.  In the midst of putting a new bar program together, a gentleman walked in and asked if I would be interested in tasting through his line-up.  Always willing to try new and interesting products I said, "why not"?  He began by saying that the brewery was located in Salt Lake City, I knew of another brewery in Salt Lake and had come to love it, so now I was really intrigued.  The line-up did not disappoint!

*This was the original line-up that I tasted through on that day

Epic Brewing began shortly after Utah's brewing laws changed in 2008.  David Cole and Peter Erickson had started an international aquaculture company in Utah in 1992, but now they were able to pursue their longtime dream of opening a strong beer microbrewery in Utah.  Along with Brewmaster Kevin Crompton, this trio is becoming a force to be reckoned with.

I was fortunate enough to visit this brewery in the Spring of 2013.  We visited the "Tap-Less Tap Room" and the most interesting aspect was the fact that you can see the spires of the Salt Lake Temple from the front doorstep to the brewery.

The beers of Epic are exciting and will reward those who seek em out!

http://www.epicbrewing.com/

"The Chardonnay that stunned the world...Chateau Montelena"

If you have ever seen the movie "Bottle Shock" you will know what I am talking about...sad part of the movie is that much of it is Hollywood fiction.  Fact...Chateau Montelena did stun the world.  Fact...Chateau Montelena did make the number one Chardonnay that beat some of the finest producers from Burgundy in the 1976 Taste of Paris.  For more on the real story seek out the "Judgement of Paris" by George M. Taber.

*Cover for the Bottle Shock movie...I did enjoy the movie

*The real story behind the movie...a must read for wine enthusiasts!

Chateau Montelena was first planted in 1882 when Alfred Loving Tubbs planted vines just North of Calistoga at the foot of Mount Saint Helena.  With the outset of Prohibition, winemaking ceased and the grapes were sold.  Then in 1958 a Chinese electrical engineer, Yort Wing Frank,  purchased the estate and built a garden in the style of their homeland.

*Chinese garden on Jade Lake built by Yort Wing Frank

In 1968, Lee and Helen Paschich along with James L. Barrett purchased the property.  Barrett replanted the vineyard and installed winemaking equipment in the historic buildings and began producing wine in 1972.  Miljenko "Mike" Grgich was hired as the winemaker and the rest is history!

Chateau Montelena is one of the most esteemed Napa producers and should be on every Napa visitors list.  As a nod to Mike's wine making prowess he was able to go on to open his own winery after the Taste of Paris (more on this story to come in a future post), but not before turning over the responsibility to his apprentice, Bo Barrett, Jim Barrett's own son.  Seek out their wines with confidence...they are delicious and well worth the hefty price tags!

Cheers to all the people who helped create one of finest examples of Napa wines!

http://www.montelena.com/

"Frank Family Vineyards, a historic winery with a storied past"

I knew the Frank family from a previous career in the early 90's and never knew they owned a winery.  Several years later a mutual friend heard about a Napa Valley trip that I was planning.  He suggested stopping by to see their "little" winery.  Turns out that the Frank Family winery was something special.

Frank Family Vineyards had begun as the Larkmead Winery in 1884.  The sandstone building that welcomes the visitors is actually on the National Register of Historical Places.

In the late 1950's, Hanns Kornell purchased the Larkmead Winery and established Kornell Champagne Cellars.  He helped create an interest in good sparkling wine, but in the end, he could not compete with the well-financed European Champagne companies that begun setting up shop in California during the 70's and 80's.  By 1992, Kornell was forced to shut it's doors and Rich Frank just so happened to be looking for winery to buy.  Under the Frank Family label, these wines are gaining popularity for their outstanding quality and finesse.

Currently the Frank Family Vineyards produces quite a line-up...in keeping with the Kornell tradition, they have Brut, Blanc de blancs, Brut Rose and Reserve sparklings (methode champenoise), Chardonnay, Zinfandel (one of my favs), Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah and several tiers of Cabernet (try the Winston Hill).

If you are ever in Napa and are looking for something off the beaten path with a bit of history, not to mention wines that over deliver...try the Frank Family Vineyards!

http://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/index.cfm?method=homepage.showpage