In a spirit of constant discovery, the full house at Dolce Pane E Vino in Rancho Santa Fe sipped, laughed and buzzed about the collection of wines from the revered hills of Napa Valley, from Krupp Brothers.
Krupp Brothers actually are brothers, Jan and Bart, and 1,800 feet above the valley floor, they harvest some of the most valuable land in the area.
It’s called Stagecoach Vineyards, with 600 acres of vines in 100 uniquely different blocks over the past 20 years. This is rugged terrain and any knowledgeable wine aficionado will get excited anticipating wines that build to a smooth boldness that will radiate its taste though front and middle palate, with a long, lingering finish.
In speaking with Krupp Brothers Sales Manager Brian Thompson, he revealed that the vineyard sells grapes to some four dozen of the leading wineries in Napa Valley and just 7 percent winds up in Krupp bottles. We agreed that by far the signature wine was the 2006 “The Advocate.” This wine is a blend of 42 percent Merlot, 32 percent Malbec, and 26 percent Petit Verdot, barreled 15 months in French Oak. Just 628 cases were produced, and the media treated it like I did, with a lot of respect. Ninety-two points was the norm.
It goes for a market price of $66 a bottle.
Steve Flowers, who came on board Dolce Pane E Vino recently from Vigilucci’s Italian restaurants, is on a mission to brand the wine bar/restaurant as an upscale, comfortable place to test drive great wines. If you like them, he has a retail component that he can sell them to you. You can drink them there, or take it home.
Other Krupp favorites were the Black Bart Syrah 2007 and the Krupp Brothers Synchrony 2006. This one has 56 percent Cabernet Franc, 38 percent Cabernet, 5 percent
Merlot and 2 percent Malbec for $60.
Check out more on Krupp Brothers at kruppbrothers.com. Dolce has a Caymus Family Wine Dinner on Dec. 15. It will be memorable. Make your reservation now at (858) 832-1528.
LocalWineEvents.Com for wine tastings
This website is my favorite for finding out about wine events around the nation. It is the world’s largest calendar of food and wine places to go. Yet you can pick your locations and focus in on exactly where you are or where you are going. The information is free. And if you are an owner wanting to get your event out there, it is also a free posting, including a map on how to get to your event, with a link to your website.
So no sending of press releases or phoning in information. What a concept!
Eric Orange is the genius who has the site. He also includes wine information and columns that I have been featured on. Last I checked he had more than 4 million events tickets that his service had sold to users. The website is localwineevents.com.
For questions, call Eric at (610) 647-4888, ext. 2.
Wine Bytes
— Bacchus Wine Market in the Gaslamp District of San Diego has a 90-point wine event from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10. They promise to show you that not all highly rated wines cost big bucks. Seven of them will be poured. Fee is $20. Call (619) 236-0005
— Callaway Winery in Temecula presents a Babes in Toyland Holiday from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 11. Enjoy sparkling wine and appetizers, buffet dinner and Callaway’s best wines. Jazz musicians will play seasonal favorites and there will be photos with Santa for the kids. The cost is $60 per person, $30 for kids. RSVP at (951) 676-4001.
— Gondola Wine Tasting is on Saturdays through the season at Loews Coronado. Next one is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11. Sommelier Kurt Kirschneman takes you on a wine flight of six varietals. Cost is $45 each. Call (619) 429-6317.
— Orfila Vineyards and Winery now has Concerts in the Vines with local, talented musicians. Next one starts at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12. The $20 cost includes one Orfila wine. Bring blankets and low back chairs. Order tickets at (800) 868-9463.
— The great masters collection of Beaulieu Wines from George de Latour will be featured in a fine wine dinner at the Sky Room of La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 16. This is a vertical wine pairing starting with the legendary 1976 vintage! Cost is $175. RSVP at (858) 551-3765.
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