Riding the Rubicon Wave

While the winery name has long since changed (from Niebaum-Coppola) and Godfather memorabilia has vacated the premises, one thing hasn’t changed – the wine. Still good, reliable, tasty pours to be had at Rubicon Estate. And while I was as sad as anyone to see all signs of Francis leave the building, his legacy of winemaking still lingers large. Just don’t come here looking for signs of Hollywood because they have all but been relocated to a more Northern zip code at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. But fear not wine-horts. The grounds are still gorgeous if not more sparse than you might remember, and a lot of the rubber neckers that use to linger large on the property hoping to get a glimpse of the filmmaking icon have stopped lurking, leaving a more serene experience behind. But onto the vino, there are many to mention but I am going to focus on one of my favorites – the 2006 Cab Franc. For some reason just typing its name makes me all heady and tingly. Old world charm, new school buzz. That’s what came to mind as I sucked this savory delight down. A fruity plush cherry-berry mouthful with a bang. And I would be remise to not mention the hint of spice that bounced off the walls of my wine goblet, all of which caused me to remember one too many nights of sucking down fine red wine during my Godfather 1,2,3 day/night long showings. Some memories are hard to forget and maybe that’s how it’s meant to be. So enjoy this wine amidst the comfort of your own home and boob tube or any which way you like it. Wacky WineSense Rating: 4.7 Grapes!

Franciscan - Flipping the Wine Lid

A fabulous lotus-like fountain greets you as you enter the grounds of the Franciscan's welcoming wine spot. The layout offers many nooks and crannies to get lulled into, from the main tasting room that’s anchored by a-frame ceilings and a roaring fire place, to the more studious wine library (great for group tastings and special events). I immediately found myself drawn to one of the cozy outdoor cabanas where you can linger a little or a lot as you soak up the scenery and sip fine wine. Book this baby up if you have a hen party or male bonding extravaganza on the horizon. In doing so you'll be able to sip like an elitist at a red velet rope club, but better. You're nestled in the wine country with real friends, what could be better? Well the damn fine wine for starters. I was feeling whirly and whimsical so I made it a white wine affair (though there is much red to choose from too). The Cuvee Sauvage won my aching heart, instantly. It was a pear, apple, honey extravaganza. balancing both light and savory tendencies. It slip-slided right down my wine tube with glee. Yum, yum, yum. The Sav Blanc was a sheer delight too. A limey-lemony-melon moondance of a vino that caused me to bust a move right out to my very own wine cabana. Wacky WineSense Rating: 4.5 Grapes!

Pineapples Are Flying Like Pigs - But Tasting Dreamy

Admittedly when I decided to visit the famous Tedeschi Vineyard, otherwise known as Maui's winery, I was wary, and downright snotty. I expected to be grossed out by cheap, overly sweet pineapple wine. I was expecting something along the quality lines of my Mad Dog wine era in college. I was caught with my bikini down, and quite pleasantly surprised to suck down the Hula O' Maui Sparkling wine. The hula girl on the bottle just confirmed it would be nothing more than wine fluff stuff. I had to slurp down more wine just to be certain, then I had to eat my words because the bubbly was downright delish. Light, tingly, refreshing, not too dry, not too sweet with the ever-so-slight essence of pineapple. I have to ask myself why we can be so judgemental (ok me!) about wines from other parts of the globe. Writing them off as nothing more than frilly counterparts. Thankfully this wine woke up my tastebuds and opened up my mind to a world of wine beyond our own Napa Valley. The Mele Syrah was not too shabby either. It woke up my dozy island tongue on an early morning wine call right before I hiked up Maui's famed crater. Both were spellbinding in their own way. So if you happen to find yourself traveling, or you feel like letting your fingers do some walking to the web, check out the Hula Sparkling wine. It'll change your mind about wines that are mined from prickly fruits that have been relegated to Pina Coladas, which in case your wondering, are also quite dandy here, along with the honus (Hawaiian Sea Turtle). Wacky WineSense Rating: 4.3 Pineapple Grapes!

Frank Family Brings a Bit of La La to our Land

While the Franks hail from Hollywood, their Calistoga winery leaves the pretense of Tinsel Town behind. I get tingly just thinking about it and all their juicy, sparkling wine. I was so giddy I forgot to take diligent notes, but what I do know is the wine flight I tasted (many sparkling and flat) sent me rolling into the rooms of the winery with glee. You'll feel right at home with this casual and jovial crowd. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy the grounds as you watch the world (some still on LA time) buzz right on by. Sip at the fizzy bar or at one of three other tasting areas. Traces of Hollywood still linger with celeb photos and art painting the walls. Even though this is not encouraged I tinkered around with some super cool old school filmmaking memorabilia that's tucked about. It and the experience with the Franks was a real hoot! Hit them on a Friday afternoon and fun is sure to follow. Wacky WineSense rating: 4.5 Grapes!

Celani – a family that keeps on giving on!

I’ve inadvertently started my year off with a bang. Thankfully Acme Fine Wines has resumed their Fab Fridays, where they invite a different winery each week to pour as we, the visitors get to taste freely from 5-7PM. That was the first good thing of 2010, the second was the Celani Family that served as guest host. I gulped down everything that they were pouring, and still couldn’t get enough though they were quite freely pouring, even the 2005 Adore Cab that costs some pretty pennies ($195/bottle). Let me start here. This wine was so damn fine. And yes I vowed to stop cursing in print as a New Year's resolution, but those damn things are made to be broken! This vino was so damn rich with fruit, light in tannis and ripe with a big walloping finish. I could not get enough of it. The 2007 Tenacious was just as nifty. Still big, bold, and bodacious, my kind of wine, my kind of man! So make a date with these peeps if you yearn to be wine-wowed down to the last drop you slurp. Wacky WineSense Rating: 4.9 Grapes!

The year in wine, food, and frolic

Favorite wines….I once stated that Venge wines are Vi-vi-licious, and I stand by my words and then some. These folks make some damn fine wine. If my word isn’t good enough for you, if you must, then at least trust Robert Parker. He and I apparently see eye to eye on this one, especially when it comes to the Family Reserve Cab (a big winner of our blind wine tasting). Not sure which to try? Try and buy them all as I for one can’t begin to pick a favorite because they are all so damn slurp-worthy. Good news is coming to a town near year as 2010 breaks ground on the Venge’s Calistoga winery. Cavus, the 2004 and 2005 Cab. This wine was so hefty, heady and downright delicious they had to peel me off the walls of the tasting room of Acme Fine Wines (a great spot for Friday happy wine hour, pouring new vineyards each week). These folks enjoy a wineward way of life and it shows with each and every sip of their wine that you slurp. There is a god in Zinfandel heaven and his/her name is Chase Vineyards. Their Zins are as good as they get as is their home town hospitality. The fact that they throw a damn good party (July Fest, harvest and beyond) is just icing on top of an already death-defying cake. Best event of the season, this should come as no surprise – CHEERS! St. Helena. I have sung their praises so many times I am making myself sick, but I’ll do it again because good deeds should go noticed. Each and every first Friday of the season (May-Oct) these folks topped themselves time and time again by bringing together the community, entertaining the visitors, and giving just about everybody a reason to celebrate, what with all the wine (60+vineyards), street food, bang up bands and so much more. I can’t wait to get me some more of this action come spring time. Best restaurant desert – Jolie’s coconut cream pie. Dark chocolate, twirled with caramel, fresh vanilla cream, hand shaved coconut, and crust created with care make this desert a weekly staple. Best side dish – Press’s truffle macaroni and cheese, paired with the creamed spinach. This mac n cheese melts in your mouth all night long, cooked to perfection and coated in only the finest cheese. To die for, and well worth it to score this savory delight. Best cookie in the Valley, Annie the Baker’s peanut butter drop cookie. It made me cry on my first weekend in Napa, and every time I have the pleasure of sucking down one of these blissfully decadent delights I slobber all over myself. More “best ofs” to follow, I need to give my fingers a break. But get busying on the list so far if you missed out on any or all of the above. I dare anybody to top this stuff in 2010, go ahead, make my year!

James Cole - Wine that Rocks and Rolls

If you hail from the house of classic rock you'll feel right at home with the folks at James Cole as you jam with this mighty fine wine. They’re known for making 100% petite verdots and Malbecs. You’ll also be enthralled by the sights which include signed guitars and music videos playing on the walls of the barrel room on a lucky day. The cabernet is the “bomb” busting with throaty hefty flavors that will make you scream right along with the rocking tunes. If my wine word is not good enough to sway you, maybe Mick Jagger’s will be. Him and his Rolling Stone mates loved this juice so much they commissioned the winery to make up a special brew just for them. It is just that good. The ice wine just about put me over the edge, in a very good way. So break out your toothbrush/air mic, slide on your skin-tight flared pant rocker uni-tard and prepare to, “get what you need.” Trust me, you need to get some of this. Wacky WineSense Rating: 4.7 Grapes!