17th South Magazine

Top Menu

  • Home
  • About US
    • Our Mission
    • Meet The Team
  • All Articles
  • Contact Us
  • Past Issues
  • Pick Up A Copy
  • Read The Current Issue Online

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Latest
  • Culture
  • Indulge
  • Happening
  • Living
  • Cover Story
  • Home
  • About US
    • Our Mission
    • Meet The Team
  • All Articles
  • Contact Us
  • Past Issues
  • Pick Up A Copy
  • Read The Current Issue Online

logo

Header Banner

17th South Magazine

  • Home
  • Latest
    • Artistic Acquisition

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • WESTSIDE WARES

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • PCM Premieres

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Burning Up

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Edge of Tomorrow

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • The High Gets Higher

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • COMEBACK KID

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • DYNAMIC DESIGN

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • European Experience

      November 1, 2018
      0
  • Culture
    • The Voice of Atlanta Radio

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Put a Sock on It

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Happy to Be Here

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Coming Up Roses

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Going Green

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • Stompin’ on the Westside

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • PAINTING THE TOWN

      September 27, 2018
      0
    • EAT WITH YOUR EARS FIRST

      September 27, 2018
      0
    • Atlanta-based designer Megan Huntz

      Fashion, Forward

      August 23, 2018
      0
  • Indulge
    • A Modern Classic Menu

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Drinks on Demand

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Family Affairs

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Food News - March / April 2019

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • A SEASONAL BITE

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Happening Hood Hangout

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • How Sweet It Is!

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Cozy Up, Drink Up

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Food News - JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019

      January 10, 2019
      0
  • Happening
    • ATLANTA ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • THE GREAT RACE

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • FASHION FORWARD

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • LE JARDIN FRANÇAIS WINTER FLORAL DESIGN CLASS

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • 2019 ATLANTA BIENNIAL

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND TOUR OF HOMES

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • YOUR BEST LIFE

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • MOSCOW BALLET’S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER - DOVE OF PEACE TOUR!

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • BOO AT THE ZOO

      September 27, 2018
      0
  • Living
    • Minnesota's Shopping Mecca

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Treasured Acquisition

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Preserving the Past

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Cajun Country Culinary

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Spring Forward

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • West Highlands Retreat

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Highly Addictive Beauty

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • A Dose of the Ocean

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • A Gangbuster Alabama Getaway

      January 10, 2019
      0
  • Cover Story
    • BOOZY BLASTOFFS

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • BRUNCH BUCKET LIST

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • CREAM OF THE CROP

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • GET CRACKING

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • GLOBAL BEGINNINGS

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • LAST THINGS FIRST

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • RISE & SHINE …

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Matt Gryder and Matthew Fishman

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Antonio Brown

      January 10, 2019
      0
  • BOOZY BLASTOFFS

  • BRUNCH BUCKET LIST

  • CREAM OF THE CROP

  • GET CRACKING

  • GLOBAL BEGINNINGS

  • LAST THINGS FIRST

  • RISE & SHINE …

JULY / AUGUST 2018LivingOut Of Town
Home›Issue›JULY / AUGUST 2018›Wine Country Revival

Wine Country Revival

By 17thSouth
June 28, 2018
4243
0
Share:

In Napa and Sonoma, new wineries and tasting experiences invite oenophiles to linger longer—and support the region’s post-fire recovery

STORY: Katie McElveen

Iwasn’t sure what to expect when a friend suggested we meet at Idlewild, a tiny tasting room tucked into a side street just off the leafy town square in Healdsburg, California. On my three previous trips to Sonoma, I’d avoided intown tasting rooms in favor of those situated amid acres of vines, which somehow seemed more authentic. Yet here I was, sipping a glass of Cortese and chatting with owner and third-generation wine maker Sam Bilbro about wine and his passion for Italian varietals as if we were old friends, and he had all the time in the world. Later, at GrapeSeed, a tasting room located in a Healdsburg art gallery, I sipped with Matt Smith, a partner in this collective that gives artisanal winemakers a way to showcase and sell their products. It’s a win-win: Vintners have a marketplace for their small-production wines; visitors can taste—and bring home—unique bottles not available at their local stores.

Tasting Bordeauxstyle blends among Jordan Winery’s vines

Tasting Bordeaux style blends among Jordan Winery’s vines

Although Healdsburg was spared the fury of the fires that swept through the region in October, reminders abound. GrapeSeed’s 12-foot tasting table is one: Pulled from the burning home of a friend of GrapeSeed founder Dave Trebilcock, the charspattered slab ended up being the only possession to survive the tragedy. Trebilcock, like many others, said the best thing anyone could do to help the region recover is to come for a visit. But there’s another reason to make the trip to California. Throughout Napa and Sonoma, new wineries and tasting experiences are transforming the winery trek from a quick sip in a bustling tasting room into a leisurely affair complete with a reserved table, a dedicated staff member, food and other diversions.

Located just outside of Healdsburg in the Alexander Valley, Jordan Winery crafts Bordeaux-style blends that are both elegant and refined. But where the famous chateaux of Bordeaux don’t always encourage visitors, Jordan welcomes them with open arms and interesting programs such as vineyard hikes and tours that pair views and exploration of the nearly 1,200-acre estate with Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, cheese, charcuterie and estate-produced honey and olive oil. At Ram’s Gate Winery, the Palate Play tasting shows off Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and an agile Rhone blend against an umamirich, five-course menu. Napa’s new cool kid is Ashes & Diamonds Winery, which opened in November of 2017 in a Barbara Bestor-designed, mid-century building adorned with a zig-zag roof and an interior filled with lowslung chairs, bottle-green bar stools and curvaceous tables, consoles and bookshelves. The wines are equally retro, trading Napa’s traditional bold fruit for polished flavors that come alive with food and aren’t turbocharged with alcohol. Creative bites of sourdough squares with miso-onion dip and house-cultured butter are the work of Chef Emma Sears, who also oversees cooking classes, special dining events and meal pairings.

Restaurants are shaking things up, too. Book the Garden Table at Lucy in the Bardessono hotel in Yountville, and you’ll dine on farm-focused flavors behind a fragrant screen of lemon trees and rosemary bushes surrounded by lettuces, fruits and herbs, all of which will end up on your plate. On the way out, feel free to grab a guava or two for breakfast from the prolific trees.

In Healdsburg, Dustin Valette, chef and owner of Valette, has turned the tasting menu on its head with the Trust Me menu, a brilliant stroke that allows diners to choose the number of courses they’ll be served, with a minimum of four. Even those with lighter appetites will need them: Valette’s inspired combinations—Dungeness crab with toasty coconut chips, pork with roasted mustard seeds—are bait for foodies, making it nearly impossible to choose. Be sure to wave at Bob Valette, Dustin’s father, on the way out. The local pilot spent hours rescuing families stranded by the fires, often delivering them to the restaurant, which closed to paying guests to provide free meals to its neighbors.

WHERE TO STAY

SONOMA

A prime downtown location makes Hotel Healdsburg an easy choice; spacious rooms and fun extras such as afternoon wine tastings, a fridge full of complimentary snacks and a serene pool make it a smart one. Oversized bathrooms have deep soaking tubs, spa showers and organic bath amenities infused with fragrant herbs. hotelhealdsburg.com

NAPA

Located on the site of the old Vintage Inn in Yountville, Vintage House has re-emerged with glorious rooms—think velvet furnishings, private balconies and wood-burning fireplaces pre-loaded with easy-to-light kindling—a pampering spa and partnerships with top wineries that provide free tastings and other goodies for resort guests. vintagehouse.com

WHERE TO SIP

Idlewild idlewildwines.com
GrapeSeed grapeseedwine.com
Jordan Winery jordanwinery.com
Ram’s Gate Winery ramsgatewinery.com
Ashes & Diamonds Winery ashesdiamonds.com
Lucy in the Bardessono hotel in Yountville bardessono.com/lucy-restaurant-baryountville-california
Valette valettehealdsburg.com

 

TagsAshes & Diamonds WineryBarbara Bestor-designedBardessono hotel in Yountvillechef and owner of ValetteChef Emma SearsDustin ValetteGarden Table at LucyGrapeSeedGrapeSeed founder Dave TrebilcockHealdsburg CaliforniaIdlewildJordan WineryMatt SmithNapa and Sonomanew wineries and tasting experiencesPalate Play tastingRam’s Gate WinerySTORY: Katie McElveenthird-generation wine maker Sam BilbroWine Country Revival
Previous Article

GRANT PARK SUMMER SHADE FESTIVAL

Next Article

Going to the Dogs

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • LivingStyle To Go

    Well Suited

    August 25, 2016
    By 17thSouth
  • IndulgeJULY / AUGUST 2018Liquids

    Beachy Blends

    June 28, 2018
    By 17thSouth
  • LivingStyle To Go

    Sharp Shooter

    December 30, 2016
    By 17thSouth
  • Living

    Just a Midtown Girl in a Fitness World

    May 26, 2016
    By 17thSouth
  • June 2017LivingShelter

    Modern Imperfections

    June 8, 2017
    By 17thSouth
  • EventsHappeningJULY / AUGUST 2018

    WILD WORLD WEEKEND

    June 28, 2018
    By 17thSouth

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You may also be interested in...

  • EventsHappening

    Coming Up… November 2016

  • LivingWellness

    East Meets West

  • In Town EscapesJANUARY 2018Living

    Roswell Renewal

Visit Our Sister Publication

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with our magazine!

Follow us

Instagram @17thSouth

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Find us on Facebook

logo

17th South:
In the heart of Atlanta,17th South magazine reaches active, exploration-minded residents ages 24-65 who want to experience the best the area has to offer, through stories and features on individuals and businesses they can relate to in their direct communities. We feature of-the-moment and hidden gem restaurants, beautiful private homes, philanthropy, arts and cultural offerings, and the trendsetters and tastemakers who are making it happen!
Valuestream Media Group
simply-buckhead-magazine
17th-south-magazine

Contact Us

  • P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355
  • 404.538.9895
  • advertising@17thsouth.com

Find us on Facebook

Follow us

17th South Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Pick Up A Copy
© Copyright 17th South. All rights reserved.