Wine Country Agenda: BottleRock, Davies Vineyards New Visitor Center and Acacia House Debuts
Author:Annette HanamiDavies Vineyards Grayson Building Opens in St. Helena
Photos by Matthew Levy
The Davies family has opened a beautiful new tasting room in Saint Helena featuring its Davies Vineyards red wines. The design by Osborn Siegert Architecture was inspired, said Monique Davies, by the old stone buildings in St. Helena. Stone, concrete, iron and repurposed barnwood give a sense of the history of their home Calistoga property originally established in 1862 and reborn over half a century ago by Jamie and Jack Davies who built arguably one of the world’s great sparkling wine brands in Schramsberg.
All wine experiences are seated wine tastings on two floors, where guests will discover Davies Vineyards expressive single-vineyard and regional Pinot Noirs from the cooler North Coast whose vineyards the family know intimately as a source of fruit for their sparkling Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs. The flights also feature Cabernet Sauvignon wines from their home vineyard, the J. Davies Estate Diamond Mountain Cabernet, whose vines have been nurtured since 1994, and Davies Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet. For those who love Schramsberg, there will also be a sparkling wine on the flight.
The light-filled reception room is highlighted by a two-story high chandelier of old wine barrels. The center has a refined, collected look, with family memorabilia and artifacts decorating the space like this family crest above the fireplace. The doors lead to an inviting outdoor patio.
All experiences are by appointment only either the 1-hour tasting ($50 pp) or the 1 and ½ hour wine and cheese pairing ($105 pp). Davies Vineyards is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and conveniently located off St. Helena Highway. Reserve in advance on the website. 1210 Grayson Avenue, St. Helena
Countdown to The Country’s Best Contemporary Rock Festival: BottleRock!
Summer officially opens with BottleRock Napa Valley May 26-28, an outdoor celebration of over 80 exciting bands on four stages, over 100 local restaurants, wineries and brewers, and engaging mash-ups with musicians, entertainers and celebrity chefs on the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage. Headlining music acts include Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Maroon 5, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Foo Fighters.
On the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage, expect the unexpected with entertaining demos and culinary antics with celebrities like Modern Family’s Tyler Ferguson mixing it up with a diverse roster of star chefs such as Jose Andres, Roy Choi, Hubert Keller, Tim Love, Ayesha Curry, the Voltaggio Brothers and Top Chef Master’s winner and local restauranteur Chris Cosentino.
Adding to the creative talent is internationally-known local artist Gordon Huether who’ll be displaying five striking sculptures throughout the festival hilft eine nierennervenverödung bei bluthochdruck? | ohnerezeptfreikauf grounds as part of BottleRock’s Art Program. “How cool is it to be part of such a major event in my own backyard?” said Huether. “BotteRock brings together so many artists in so many genres, music, food [and] wine.”
Tickets for this coveted event can be sourced through the BottleRock Lyte ticket exchange. 575 3rd St. in Downtown Napa
Acacia House Restaurant Opens at Las Alcobas Napa Valley in St. Helena
Photos by Jason Dewey
Chef Chris Cosentino and Oliver Wharton of Cockscomb SF and Jackrabbit Portland have opened Acacia House Restaurant at Las Alcobas Napa Valley, a Luxury Collection Hotel in St. Helena where the partners say, their “mutual styles bridge the classical decadence of the region and the progressive diverse flavors diner crave…”
Cosentino and Wharton are responsible for the complete food and beverage program at Las Alcobas from breakfast, poolside, private events and catering, cocktails to “musette” bags for cyclists. Cosentino showcases his bold flair with flavors with lunch and dinner options such as Napa Valley Lamb Tartare with green harissa, Asparagus a la Plancha with almond-serrano streusel, white gazpacho and watercress and Klingeman Farms Pork Schnitzel, snap peas and caviar ranch dressing. The beverage program includes a local wine list with international selections, craft beers (including a house brew) and cocktails that feature inspired classics such as Cosentino’s favorite Negroni and house Bloody Mary and a seasonal Bellini of Summer’s White Peach and Autumn Roasted Apple perfect for sipping on the veranda of the ca. 1907 Victorian.
The 50-seat dining room, designed by Yabu Pushelberg, reflects the convivial and intimate atmosphere of the former inn. Neutral hues and wood finishes add warmth to the room while high stone baseboards and pantry shelves filled with handcrafted plates and vintage artifacts add discrete modern design.
Acacia House is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., until 11 p.m. for the bar and lounge. 1915 Main Street, St. Helena.
