ArchivesNapa Valley concierge Archives - Page 8 of 9 - Tour Vin

Tour Vin Wanders Through Oxbow Public Market in Napa

Published on: February 24th, 2016

The Oxbow Public Market is located in downtown Napa and is a local favorite for great food and wine. Visitors meander through this venue and are amazed at the ambiance and vibrant atmosphere, which also includes outdoor seating overlooking the Napa River.

We recently walked through, sipped wine and tasted various dishes we think many of our guests will enjoy. Here are some of the dining establishments you get to choose from in the market:

• Eiko’s at Oxbow – Known for their sushi bar and full service seafood market. Japanese deli options to go are also available.

• Hog Island Oyster Co. – A casual oyster feast awaits you! Also indulge in wonderful shellfish and seafood entrees.

• C Casa – Known for their tasty Latin artisan cuisine, guests can sample tacos filled with rotisserie meats, ground buffalo, duck or crab with white or black beans on the side. Love the enchiladas (they offer that, too)!

• Napa Valley Distillery – Want to take a break from wine? This family owned micro-distillery offers fruit-based distilled spirits. Try the Meyer Lemon liqueur!

• Gott’s Roadside – Located adjacent to the main building, Gott’s is always good for a quick, in-and-out bite. Click here to peruse their extensive menu, tacos, burgers, sandwiches, salads – all are awesome!
• Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant – Sip wines or sample their draft beers while selecting various cheese options. Locals hang here on a regular basis and it’s a definite hot spot!

Interested in miso pork ramen? Try the Kitchen Door. You will be glad you did!

Oxbow also offers various dessert options, meat counters, spice shops and kitchen goodies. Needless to say, it’s a great place to shop and dine! Our guests have really enjoyed the Oxbow experience. Give it a try the next time you visit Napa!

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin – Winter Napa Valley Vineyard Update

Published on: January 26th, 2016

It may appear there is little going on in the vineyards, but you’d be surprised to find out all there is! The vines are resting, but cleanup has begun: removing dead brush from the trellis system, cutting canes (based on each vintner’s preference) and mowing down the cover crops (sheep are used in many instances to do this, which is quite a spectacle). Cover crops include clover, oats, mustard seed and many others that will help to replenish nutrients into the soil. These crops also control weed growth, erosion and attract beneficial insects that feed on the bad ones.

Final pruning will begin in February and continue as needed through March and possibly April, which is a perfect time to visit Napa Valley. As you travel up and down the Valley, stop and check out the various vineyards to observe how each vintner manages their vineyard. Better yet, make a reservation at your favorite winery and take a tour that includes the vineyard to learn the science behind vineyard management.

Now is the perfect time to plan your next trip to Napa Valley!

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin – Super Bowl Activities in Napa Valley

Published on: December 9th, 2015

Wondering how to spice up your Super Bowl experience? Make a trip to the Napa Valley to take advantage of the fun events and activites created around this annual event! Many hotels and resorts are offering weeklong packages (February 1-7) that you won’t want to miss. Here are a few examples:

• Auberge Du Soleil – One night stay, complimentary snacks, wine tasting, bar samplers, a $100 resort credit and a 10% discount on massage services
• Meritage Resort & Spa – Resort credit and wine tastings for two
• Silverado Resort – 25% off room rates, a $50 resort credit and tasting passes for two
• Carneros Inn – 10% discount off room rates
• Napa River Inn – $50 gift card for lunch or dinner

While you’re in Napa Valley, why not consider a hot air balloon ride, a barrel blending class, a cooking class, an olive oil tasting or a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train? And, of course, don’t forget the wine tastings and the great restaurants!

Contact us to help set up your weeklong Napa Valley experience!

Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin – Winter Events in Napa Valley

Published on: November 17th, 2015

Winter is a great time to visit the Napa Valley! Many hotels and B&Bs are offering getaway packages at discounted rates for mid-week stays. Combine these exceptional deals with exciting valley activities and you can be assured your Napa Valley vacation will be a memorable one!

Here are a few exciting offers and events you will not want to miss:

• 50% off a Winter Escape Package; 50% off one night when you stay for two
• One B&B is celebrating their 40^th anniversary by offering a two-night stay at a discount on their luxury cottages
• A well-known hotel, just purchased by a famous chef, is offering 15% off on travel dates from November 15, 2015 – March 31, 2016 if you book by December 15, 2015
• Celebrate the 20^th Annual Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade December 15
• Join the Yountville Festival of Lights on December 27 and enjoy the great food and wine the town has to offer
• Holiday Escape Packages are available when you participate in Wellness Week January 8-11, 2016
• Don’t miss Napa Valley Restaurant Week held January 24-31, 2016 – prix fixe menus abound
• For all you runners, sign up for the Napa Valley Marathon on March 6, 2016 and combine this great event with a relaxing three- or four-day stay, touring your favorite wineries and restaurants

Tour Vin is locked in to all the happenings in the Valley. Contact us to help plan your next Napa Valley experience!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin – Napa Valley Happenings

Published on: October 27th, 2015

Crowds have calmed, grapes are fermenting, and restaurants and hotels are offering special packages to lure you to the Napa Valley. Why not slip away for a short trip to the wine country to enjoy the peace, quiet and wonderful outdoor activities available for the entire family? Hiking, hot air balloon rides, mud baths, golfing, harvest parties, release parties and much more await you – the welcome mats are out!

We just found out that Tra Vigne, the famous Italian restaurant in St. Helena, will be closing at the end of the year. Stop by and enjoy their famous cuisine before they shut their doors! Also, be sure to check out the new restaurant at the Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer, which is receiving great reviews.

Ca’ Momi Osteria, once located in the Ox Bow Market Place, has relocated to downtown Napa and offers authentic Italian cuisine. The menu is extensive, as is their wine list. We plan on visiting them in February, so look for our commentary when we return.

Our clients sometimes forget about the many excellent wine bars in the area so we thought its time to list some of the hot spots in the Valley: 1313 Main, Carpe Diem Wine Bar, The Wine Thief and Studio M Fine Wines are all great places to visit. There are many more excellent bars within the fine restaurants throughout the valley, so contact us for more recommendations.

Super Bowl is right around the corner (February 7, 2016) and many hotels are offering special weekend packages. Don’t wait until the last minute – contact us to help you plan your Super Bowl weekend.

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin: Napa Valley Special Events

Published on: September 28th, 2015

The High Season is not over in the Napa Valley! Yes, crush may be coming to an end and the vintners are busy doing what they do best (making wine), but there are a number of great activities scheduled through late October and early November.

Harvest parties abound in the Valley and you don’t want to miss these exciting events. Chefs in the Napa Valley go out of their way to prepare wonderful food and wine parties that usually include music and dancing. Did I mention that many wineries show off their library wines, as well as their new releases?

Thinking about being in the Valley over Halloween? One of the best parties is the 7^th Annual Pagan Ball hosted by Castello di Amorosa on October 31. Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy a haunted chamber tour, food stations paired with Amorosa wines, numerous dessert stations and, of course, music and dancing. Don’t forget to have your fortune read – I did and was I surprised!

One of Napa’s signature events is the 5^th Annual Napa Valley Film Festival, which is held November 11-15. Events are held throughout the Valley (Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville and Napa). There are 12 screening venues, numerous wine tasting pavilions, 125 independent film showings, VIP receptions and 150 wineries will participate.

Don’t miss out on these exciting events! Contact us to help with your next Napa Valley trip.

Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin — Napa Valley Food & Wine Adventures

Published on: August 27th, 2015

We just got back from a fantastic food and wine tour in the Napa Valley and, needless to say, our guests were very impressed. Tour Vin’s concierge service prides itself on checking out every venue before we recommend them to our clients. Our guests thought we did a great job!

Our wine tastings took us to Spring Mountain where we were hosted by Vineyard 7 & 8 and Schweiger Vineyards. The views and wines were awesome! The owner of Schweiger was gracious enough to spend time with us, which made it very special and personal.

Speaking of vintners, we enjoyed a wonderful wine tasting with Jennifer Lamb of Herb Lamb Vineyards fame. Jennifer just finished a 20-hour day working the harvest, but carved out time to tell stories with us, educate us and drink great wine.

We also spent time with Angela at Promise Wines who introduced us to their excellent Cabernet Sauvignon. This outstanding juice will improve with age, so lay it down and get ready to enjoy it on that special occasion!

If you are looking for an excellent farm-to-table lunch on your next Napa Valley trip, I suggest you consider Jessup Cellars. Tasting begins in Yountville, followed by a drive to The Farm where you will enjoy a three-course meal paired with their specially crafted Handwritten Wines.

Dining in Napa Valley is always a treat and I have a few recommendations. For Italian food, I suggest local favorite Ciccio in Yountville. To experience a French bistro feel with a New Orleans influence, try Evangeline in Calistoga. Spanish Tapas can be enjoyed at Zuzu in Napa and for delightful Mediterranean cuisine Tarla Mediterranean Grill tops my list.

The Crush has begun in the Napa Valley, which makes this time of year very exciting. Don’t wait to book your next trip – give us a call to book your Napa excursion!

Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin – Helpful Tips for Wine Storage and Service

Published on: July 28th, 2015

To fully enjoy the wine you are serving, it is important wines be stored correctly and served at the proper temperature in the appropriate stemware (after all, water goblets are not meant for wine tasting). We’d like to offer some serving and storage tips to make sure your tasting experience is enjoyable and fun for all.

Wine Storage
Wine that is not stored properly can result in the wine tasting faulty (awful!). Cool, long-term wine storage is recommended at a constant 50-59 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme temperature changes can cause irreparable damage.

It is best to store wine on its side so the cork maintains contact with the wine. This prevents the cork from drying out, which will allow air to oxidize the wine. Twist off bottles can be stored standing up. However, wine should never be stored in a refrigerator – the extended cool temperature will not allow the wine to age properly.

Bright light will also heat up wines. You may consider under-the-bed storage as long as the room is relatively cool.

Serving Wine
As a general guide, full-bodied reds can be served at room temperature – 60-64 degrees. If red wine is too cool, warm the wine by holding the bowl of the glass in your hand (no blow dryers!). Full-bodied white wines should be served between 50-55 degrees and champagne is best cooled to 43-50 degrees. The trick is to serve wine at a temperature that allows it to best exhibit its aromas and flavors.

Many scoff at wine folks who serve particular wines in a specific glass. There is actually merit to this “snobbery” because different glass shapes direct the wine to specific parts of your mouth. This allows the drinker to experience the acidity, fruitiness, dryness, tannins and sweetness as the wine was intended.

The use of the correct glass will enhance the wine tasting experience. Generally speaking, red wines are best served in larger-size glasses; white and rose wines should be served in medium-size glasses; and sparkling wines are best served in flute glasses. Ports and sauternes are best enjoyed in small glasses.

Should you decant wines? If there are heavy deposits in the wine bottle, usually due to age, decanting is recommended. Some young wines require aeration to allow air to stimulate the wine to its full potential. Leaving an open bottle on the table (airing the wine) does not serve that purpose since too little of the wine is actually exposed to air.

We hope this answers a few questions about wine so you can enhance your overall wine tasting experience.

Tour Vin will be in Napa Valley in August to check out new venues for our clients. A recap of our trip will be discussed in our next issue of our newsletter, The Roaming Vine. Check it out – the newsletter is free!

Don’t forget – the Napa Valley Crush is right around the corner. Contact us to help plan your next trip to Napa Valley!

Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin – Creating Your Napa Valley Wine and Food Experience

Published on: May 27th, 2015

We at Tour Vin pride ourselves in customizing your Napa Valley experience to your individual preferences. To do so, we have a few insightful questions for you. What kind of experience are you looking for? Would you consider yourself to be a wine connoisseur looking for that great new wine and food pairing, or a newbie who prefers a little education about the wine making process, from vine management to bottling?

There are so many choices in the Napa Valley: wine and food pairing, cave tours, barrel tastings, farm-to-table lunch experiences paired with wine, and even a blend your own wine experience. Tour Vin will guide you through the maze of options.

Perhaps you’d like to take an early morning hot air balloon ride, go shopping in St. Helena or Yountville, or schedule a late afternoon spa treatment before dinner? We make sure there is time to spend money on those must have items, as well as time to relax before your evening activities.

We’ll also look at your culinary preferences to provide you with suggestions to fit you and your group’s palate – there are so many choices in Napa Valley including fine and casual dining, and, of course, that roadside stand that’s to die for! The good news is that Tour Vin has visited all the dining establishments we recommend so we can steer you in the right direction!

During your Napa trip, you’ll obviously need a place to stay, and Tour Vin has actually stayed in almost every popular hotel and B&B in the area. A tough job, we know, but someone needs to do it! Our first-hand experiences can help you figure out the best way to relax after a day of activities and wine and food tastings. Rest assured, there are many options that will meet your liking.

Summer is right around the corner and then, before we know it, the CRUSH! Don’t miss out on the exciting events that await you – contact us to help plan your Napa Valley vacation!

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin – New Venues & Happenings in Napa Valley

Published on: April 28th, 2015

We don’t want you to miss up-to-date Napa Valley news and events not known to the general public. Start planning your trip now!

Harvest and New Wine Release Parties – Many wineries begin holding their annual parties in the summer and well into the fall. Do you enjoy current and future release wines? How about roast pig with all the trimmings plus music and dancing? We know how to get on the invite list!

Hotel News – Check out the newly renovated Andaz Napa! Forced to close due to the earthquake, this winery recently reopened their doors and offers contemporary décor throughout their 141-room hotel. Centralized downtown and within walking distance of many restaurants, this is an ideal location for the weary traveler.

The Senza Hotel – Owned by Kathryn and Craig Hall (of HALL Wine fame), The Senza Hotel offers vineyard and garden suites, pool, fitness room, spa facility and two Tesla charging stations. This is the new hot spot to stay in Napa!

New Restaurant – If you like French cuisine, try Evangeline Napa in Calistoga. The casual atmosphere offers patio seating for lunch and dinner. Word on the street is this new venue is a welcome addition to the northern end of the valley and shouldn’t be missed!

Summer Camp For the Kids – Silverado Resort and Spa offers a summer camp for kids age 8-14. What kid doesn’t like golf, tennis and swimming? Sign up soon to assure a reservation at this popular venue. Summer is right around the corner!

Contact Tour Vin to help plan your trip. Our next newsletter, The Roaming Vine, will be published in May, so sign up on our website on the Newsletter tab or by clicking here!

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge