The WineGeese Society

Napa Valley Visit :: October 22-26, 2003

The WineGeese Society >

Visit to the WineGeese Wineries of Napa by the Order of
The WineGeese Chapter of The American Ireland Fund
led by Provost Ted Murphy.

ITINERARY

Wednesday, October 22nd

4.45PM Depart Westin St. Francis Hotel for cocktail reception at the residence of Consul General of Ireland, Donal Denham

6:30pm Cocktails and Dinner at Bizou Restaurant, arranged through AIF Board Director Jon Folan.

Thursday, October 23rd

10.00am Depart San Francisco for Napa Valley

11:30am A private tour, tasting and luncheon at CARNEROS CREEK

You will be welcomed to Carneros Creek by vintner Francis Mahoney, a serious devotee of the Winegeese. When the foundation for Carneros Creek was laid in 1972, the region was an abundance of fruit orchards and, as its name suggests, sheep pastures (carneros is the Spanish word for ram). The winery blossomed from Francis Mahoney’s desire to grow and produce Pinot Noir which would evoke in him the same passion as that of Burgundy. At a time when most Californian Pinot Noir was unremarkable, Francis discovered exceptional quality and character, through breakthrough research with U.C. Davis. Among the first to produce noble wines from this renowned region, Carneros Creek continues to pursue the passion.

3:00pm Meet Pat Garvey, Owner, Vice President and Vineyard Manager of FLORA SPRINGS.

Pat will take you into the vineyards. Harvest should still be in progress and there will be a lot to see. Following that, Pat’s son Sean will take you into the winery for a tour and tasting. Flora Springs dedication and teamwork. The vitality of their family is obvious as they set about the task of growing great grapes and making absolutely delicious wine. Even the name Flora Springs has significance – Flora is their mother and the springs refer to the water source on the property that has flowed uninterrupted regardless of periods of drought.

It all began over 20 years ago, when Jerry and Flora Komes bought the first vineyard – a vineyard with lots of history, great soils and two ghost wineries. Their retirement project became a lifetime passion for sons John Komes and Julie Garvey and their families. John quickly talked the family (including another brother Mike Komes) into making wine. Julie worked side by side with John and within the first two years they began producing their wines. Julie’s husband Pat Garvey took over the vineyard side of things. In 1980, Ken Deis was hired as winemaker and he has been part of the family ever since.

VILLAGIO INN AND SPA, YOUNTVILLE

Villagio blends the active, contemporary flavors of Napa Valley with the warmth and charm of a countryside village in Tuscany. The architecture was inspired by the villas and gardens of Tuscany. Its name is derived from the Italian word that means “village”. Villagio’s 112 guest rooms, health spa, and executive conference center surrounded by vineyards, gardens, fountains and waterways offer resort- like privacy just walking distance from eateries of the nation’s most lauded chefs.

7:30 pm Dinner at AUBERGE DU SOLEIL

Auberge du Soleil Executive Chef Richard Reddington has worked at some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants: the Michelin three star Arpege in Paris, New York’s Restaurant Daniel and the Park Avenue Café, Postrio, Jardiniere, La Folie, Spago in Beverly Hills, California. Now Reddington’s fans find him at Auberge du Soleil, where they can enjoy the lush surroundings of the Napa Valley and Reddington’s contemporary French-Mediterranean cuisine matched with a selection of wines from the restaurant’s extensive cellar. For his part, Reddington gets to indulge in two rare local resources: fresh ingredients indigenous to California’s Napa Valley and a sophisticated audience of Auberge du Soleil’s culinary aficionados-diners who appreciate the talent and lineage that he brings to the dining table.

Friday, October 24th

10:00am THE CHAPPELLET ESTATE

Visit Molly Chappellet, brilliant horiculturalist and gracious hostess, on her property commanding a stunning, different view of the Napa Valley and then proceed for a tour of Chappellet Winery and Vineyard.

12:00pm Luncheon at the home of Robert & Alexis Phillips

Lunch with Bob & Alex Phillips of Vine Hill Ranch at their classic home set against the western Mayacamas hills, commanding a stunning overview of their prized vineyard estate. While Bob & Alex are semi-retired, Bob was active in the brokerage business and Alex was President of the Board for the Fine Arts Museums in San Francisco for many years.

3:00pm Private tour and tasting at SEQUOIA GROVE with vintner Jim Allen

Established in 1978 in Rutherford, Sequoia Grove is known for its award-winning Cabernets and Chardonnays. Step into the rustic little barn in the shadows of the towering Sequoia redwoods for a taste of proprietor Jim Allen’s “estate bottled” magic. We also know that Jim has a brass spigot for Guinness kegs!

7:30pm Dinner at THE CALISTOGA RANCH

The newest addition to the Auberge du Soleil family of hotels is Calistoga Ranch. You will be among the first, and certainly the most warmly welcomed guests entertained on this property and your host will be the General Manager, Seamus McManus (formerly of The Crescent in Dallas).

Saturday, October 25th

10:00am Private Visit at CHATEAU MONTELENA with Jim Barrett,the managing partner of Chateau Montelena.

No serious wine lover would think of leaving Chateau Montelena off the tour list. The wines are stunning and the winery is an elegant and secluded old estate at the foot of Mt. St. Helen. In January 1882, Alfred L. Tubbs, a San Francisco entrepreneur,purchased 254 acres of land two miles north of Calistoga. The complex volcanic, alluvial, and sedimentary soils were to produce a unique and distinctive wine. His magnificent chateau of stone quarries from nearby hillsides was soon built and in 1896, he christened his winery Chateau Montelena.

Winemaking came to an end for the Tubbs family with Prohibition but the family stayed on their land until 1958. In that year, the land was sold to Yort & Jeannie Frank. Although the Franks did not re-activate the winery, they did landscape the grounds extensively. Today, you will find Jade Lake, arched bridges,and red lacquered pavilions, and gardens reminiscent of Mr. Frank’s native homeland, China.

The property was sold again in 1972, and, under the ownership of James Barrett, the vineyards came to life again. The 1973 Chardonnay won top honors for a white wine in Paris causing the beginning of a revolution in worldwide appreciation of Napa Valley wines.

12:30pm Visit and luncheon at COPIA, the American center for wine,food and the arts.

Julia’s Kitchen, named for the patron saint of the pantry Julia Child, is the main dining room at Copia. It encompasses a dramatic open kitchen, which allows up to 75 guests to watch culinary masters in action while they dine on regional and seasonal menus highlighting produce and herbs from Copia’s own extensive organic gardens and French California recipes.

2:30pm Depart for Palo Alto

5:00pm Arrive Stanford Park Hotel, Palo Alto

7:00pm Dinner at the delightful private home of Board Member Bill Walsh and his wife, Jane in Atherton. Menu prepared by acclaimed celebrity chef, Mark Sullivan (son of AIF Board Member, Craig) of the Village Pub in Woodside. Induction of new members into The Winegeese Society of The American Ireland Fund. VIP speaker, Ken Jowitt, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution (to be confirmed).

Cost per person: $2,495.00 (limited availability)

For more information, please contact:
Marjorie Muldowney, Regional Director, San Francisco
Tel.(650)949-5239