Tag Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon

William Cole Vineyards Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Cuvée Claire

ST. HELENA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- This fall, William Cole Vineyards a multigenerational, family-owned winery producing handcrafted wines in St. Helena, will commemorate the 25th anniversary of one of their signature wines, the Cuvée Claire Cabernet Sauvignon. Created by owner and winemaker William Ballentine Jr. in honor of his daughter, Claire, there is either a family connection or a special commemoration behind every label at William Cole Vineyards.

Proprietor William Ballentine Jr. is a fourth-generation Napa winemaker and works with son Cole Ballentine to usher every step of production from grape to glass. Farming five acres of estate vineyards and sourcing from select Napa sites, they make Cabernet, Bordeaux blends, and other small lot wines at their historic stone winery in St. Helena.

William and his wife, Jane Ballentine, acquired their ghost winery in 1999, breathing fresh spirit into the site and launching their new brand, William Cole Vineyards. Today, after twenty-five successful vintages at the winery, the wines are widely celebrated for their timeless quality, and classic appeal. The winery was built in 1873, by John and Hannah Weinberger, using stone from a quarry they owned, it was one of the first stone cellars in Napa Valley. Lovers of history, William and Jane mindfully restored the building after its purchase in 1999. They were the fourth owners of the building, and have both maintained its historic footprint, but modernized the interior to make wine, welcome visitors and entertain clients and friends. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Prior to 1999, William was steeped in wine growing and winemaking history, following his grandfather around in the winery and his father in the vineyard. From a young age, he quickly took to the rhythm of harvest and winemaking. Cuvée Claire represented the very first wine that William made for William Cole Vineyards, inspired after the birth of his daughter Claire in 1997. An average of six hundred cases are made of this wine a year. The wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, spends 30-40 months in French oak, a combination of new and neutral depending on the vintage.

About William Cole Vineyards:

A family affair, William Cole Vineyards is run by proprietors William and Jane Ballentine. Their son Cole is the winemaker, daughter Claire is involved in Marketing. They have 5 acres of estate vineyards with 3 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon from volcanic soils flecked with Black Obsidian. They also source fruit from Howell and Spring Mountains to make an array of Napa centric wines, totaling 1,000 cases, a truly boutique project. Everything is high touch at the winery, from the nod to history in the decor, to the hand labeling, corking and sealing of bottles, by the family, the visitor gets a chance to see a side of the wine industry anchored in tradition.

Learn more at https://williamcolevineyards.com/.

This fall, William Cole Vineyards a multigenerational, family-owned winery producing handcrafted wines in St. Helena, will commemorate the 25th anniversary of one of their signature wines, the Cuvée Claire Cabernet Sauvignon. Created by owner and winemaker William Ballentine Jr. in honor of his daughter, Claire, there is either a family connection or a special commemoration behind every label at William Cole Vineyards.

Related link: https://williamcolevineyards.com/

Barnett Vineyards Celebrates their 40th Anniversary

SPRING MOUNTAIN, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- In honor of its 40th anniversary this year, Barnett Vineyards, known for its highly regarded Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon wines, has announced a donation program for the St. Helena Fire Department in recognition of the tremendous efforts made by the local fire department in responding to the devastating 2020 fires.

The donation is part of the winery's commitment to supporting the local fire department and community that helped to save many of the Spring Mountain properties that were in harm's way of the fire. The 2020 fires caused widespread destruction and displaced many families and businesses in Napa Valley and greater northern California.

In recognition of the efforts of the firefighters, Hal and Fiona Barnett, founders and proprietors of Barnett Vineyards, are donating a percentage of the sales of the 2021 vintage of Cabernet Franc wine sales to the St. Helena Fire Department. The funds will be used to support the firehouse's ongoing efforts to keep the community safe and to help firefighters obtain the equipment and training they need to respond to future emergencies.

"We are deeply grateful to the firefighters who worked tirelessly to protect our community during the 2020 fires," said Hal Barnett "We believe that supporting the local community is an essential part of our business and are committed to doing our part to make sure that everyone thrives after enduring such a hardship. We celebrate 40 years of our family winery this year, and we have had great opportunities and challenges along the way. This is our way of expressing gratitude for first responders and their selfless efforts."

The donation is part of the winery's ongoing commitment to supporting the local community. In addition to this donation, Barnett Vineyards has participated in numerous community events and supported many local charitable organizations. Fiona Barnett is active board member with Larkin Street Youth, a non-profit in San Francisco that helps to keep young people off the streets by providing healthcare, housing, employment and education services.

About Barnett Vineyards:

Barnett Vineyards was founded in 1983 by Hal and Fiona Barnett and today, the family-owned winery celebrates 40 years in the Spring Mountain American Viticultural District (AVA). The Barnetts had a vision, took a risk and planted a vineyard on a series of hand-tilled terraces, slopes, forests and winding roads. Now, four decades later, the Barnetts continue their dream, living on the estate where the wines are grown and made. The rocky, volcanic soil on the Barnett estate, high elevation as well as steep hillside conditions, produces fruit of great intensity as well as complexity. Winemaker and General Manager, David Tate has worked alongside the Barnetts since 2007 and has helped to evolve production to between 7,000 and 8,000 cases while maintaining quality and the artisanal winemaking that has made these award-winning wines so in demand.

The founding of Barnett Vineyards on Spring Mountain is a story of a family that for 40 years has put its blood, sweat and tears into a place, with the enduring expectation that every day they endeavor to make it better. They love where they live, and they love what they do.

For more information on the winery, its wine and its owners, and to purchase wine, please visit https://www.barnettvineyards.com/ or visit @barnettvineyards on Instagram.

For information, interviews, and images, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates at 415-730-0064 or kcharles@charlescomm.com.

In honor of its 40th anniversary this year, Barnett Vineyards, known for its highly regarded Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon wines, has announced a donation program for the St. Helena Fire Department in recognition of the tremendous efforts made by the local fire department in responding to the devastating 2020 fires.

Related link: https://www.barnettvineyards.com/

Parallel Napa Valley Promotes Adrienne D.A. Smith to General Manager / Partner

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The partners of Parallel Napa Valley are pleased to announce the promotion of their General Manager Adrienne D.A. Smith to General Manager and Partner. After four years with the company, Adrienne has overseen strong growth for the brand in her role overseeing marketing, hospitality, sales and operations with an innovative and high energy approach. She was appointed by the partners to oversee their next stage of growth in 2018 and quickly moved from Director of Hospitality and Marketing to the General Manager role six months into her tenure.

With an MBA in Finance as well as an Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, Smith has brought to Parallel Napa Valley a sound business mind and a savvy knack for wine hospitality. During her tenure, Direct-to-Consumer Sales has grown by nearly 200% while membership in their Black Diamond Wine Clubs has increased by nearly four-fold.

Parallel Napa Valley utilizes the stylish, appointment-only tasting rooms and wine-making facility at Brasswood Napa Valley, just a few miles north of St. Helena in the beautiful Napa Valley. Smith works closely with internationally renowned Winemaker Philippe Melka (who has been with Parallel Napa Valley since its inception in 1999) and his Atelier Melka Team in order to best translate and promote his inimitable style to Parallel Wines devotees.

Smith also takes Parallel Wines on the road fairly often, meeting with wine club members, working closely with chefs on pairing menus with the wines and attending high touch marketing events that showcase the wines.

Upcoming events and important dates include:

* High Museum Atlanta Auction, March 24-26, Atlanta, GA: Parallel Napa Valley is pleased to participate once again alongside their Atelier Melka colleagues in this event which raises critical funds to provide educational programs and various outreach efforts to local youth and to consistently deliver world-class art exhibitions that make Atlanta proud. https://www.highmuseumwine.org/

* 33rd Annual California Winemasters, May 13, Burbank, CA: This extraordinary event showcases 57 international chefs and 75 of California's finest wineries. "Winemasters" has raised more than $34 million in support of the mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. https://www.cawinemasters.org/new-events/33rd-annual-california-winemasters

* Parallel Napa Valley Bud Break Party, May 21, St. Helena, CA: Celebrating the spring release of their limited production 2020 Napa Valley Chardonnay. In addition, the winners of the 2018 Name the Vintage Contest will be presented with an etched 3L of the 2018 Black Diamond Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Captivator" - a black diamond ski run at Mt. Rose Ski Resort, Tahoe, CA. Additional vintages of Parallel Wines will be poured along with amazing dishes from the Brasswood Kitchen, plus music and fun on the outdoor courtyard lawn! Tickets are $150 and can be purchased here: https://www.parallelwines.com/product/Parallel-Wines-2022-Bud-Break-Party.

Of Smith's promotion, Park City, Utah based partner Mac MacQuoid stated, "Adrienne has consistently overdelivered in her role as GM of our winery, adapting creatively and ahead of the curve during a challenging yet exciting time for wine sales. Her programming ideas, sales drive, deep knowledge of food and beverage and strong hospitality gene are just the right alchemy to take our brand forward. She deserves this recognition, and as a close group of partners, we are thrilled to see her succeed."

Smith says, "I am beyond excited to take on an even deeper role with Parallel Napa Valley and its founding partners. We have collectively put in a lot of work together over the past four years (and had a lot of fun!), and it's rewarding and extremely humbling that they feel so confident in my abilities to carry the brand forward as a next generation vintner. I am proud to serve in this role and continue their 23+ year legacy in Napa Valley with the Atelier Melka Team."

About Parallel Napa Valley

Parallel Napa Valley is an artisan winery producing less than 700 cases annually of top-quality Napa Valley designated Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines, created by Philippe Melka (and his Atelier Melka Team), well regarded by leading critics as one of the pre-eminent wine consultants in the U.S. and beyond. The winery was established originally as a partnership in 1999 by close friends who felt the concept of their dream represented their parallel lives in Deer Valley (in Park City, Utah) where they have spent more than 40+ years, and Napa Valley, their second home.

The Parallel Napa Valley label captures the essence of the lines carved by skis on the first run of the day, and the reserve wines are named for famous ski runs. In addition to making a great wine, the partners of Parallel Napa Valley are dedicated philanthropists and have made it a priority to extend their wine and its success to support their communities and various charities in Utah, California and across the country.

Learn more: https://www.parallelwines.com/

The partners of Parallel Napa Valley are pleased to announce the promotion of their General Manager Adrienne D.A. Smith to General Manager and Partner. After four years with the company, Adrienne has overseen strong growth for the brand in her role overseeing marketing, hospitality, sales and operations with an innovative and high energy approach.

Related link: https://www.parallelwines.com/