A complementary event to 'Afternoon in the Vineyards' (also hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners), I chose to visit Trefethen because it was the nearest winery to Vinoland of the five wineries that were participating. But also because I like the fact that Trefethen is still a family owned winery and that they give back to the community: in the late 2000s the family made a large donation that made it possible to fund the construction of part of Napa Valley College's teaching winery.
The Trefethen's have been making wine in the Napa Valley for over 40 years in a historic three-story, gravity flow, wooden structure that was built in 1886 by a Mr. Hamden McIntyre. Originally called Eshcol, the winery survived the late 19th, early 20th century phylloxera infestation in the valley, only to see the business irreparably damaged by the introduction, in 1920, of Prohibition. Eshcol closed it's doors in 1940 and remained closed until the Trefethen's bought it in 1968.
The Trefethen facility is a great place to visit and the MITW was a well organised event. Visitors were able to visit several stations and talk to experts in the fields of viticulture and winemaking and taste wine. Three wines were available to taste and although it was a bit early in the day I did go ahead and taste. The 2011 Harmony Chardonnay was a little over-oaked and thin, but drinkable. The 2012 Pinot noir was pinot-like, but also very thin. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon was, well, just let me say that a sip of this wine took care of one of my five daily fruits and vegetables. Can anyone say green beans with me? It was very vegetal and also a little thin.
All in all, MITW was a fun event. I hope it was successful enough with Napa residents to ensure that there is a 2015 MITW.
2 comments:
Vinogirl is back and already skipping the light fandango through the Napa Valley! Good for you-no jetlag here!
NHW: I am very fortunate in that I never suffer from jet-lag, strange, but true.
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