Friday, February 23, 2007

BRASS SOUNDS AT UVA’s

By John Olney, Feb. 23, 07

If you were at UVA Trattori, restaurant last Saturday, Feb. 17, you heard a “gentleman of Brass” who could belt out the classic jazz style. I was reminded of a hint of Miles Davies, a touch of Dave Brubeck and the great players in the Count Basie band. Backed with bass and guitar players, David Rocha was a refreshing mix of sounds that played well in the background to the room full of diners.

It took awhile, maybe about six pieces, into the first set before the audience realized what they were enjoying and then finally they applauded the talents of this trio. The music took me back in time to when I was a young Navy Ensign Officer passing through New Orleans on my way to Adak, Alaska, in 1965 and walking the alley ways seeking the sounds of the “Big Easy.”

My dinner was Risotto Braised Niman Ranch Pork Osso Buco over caramelized leek Risotto, and candied Kumquats, all very reasonably priced at $18.00. The meat fell off the bone it was tender. A delicious diner but, I’ve never been disappointed at UVA!

I added a glass of Trinchero Pinot Noir. The fruit was so pleasantly present; not hidden by man’s mad rush to think he/she can do better than nature. The wine stayed on the tip of my tongue until the next sip. It spread to the sides of my palette but never finished anything but softly and full of fruit, the way I like a Pinot wine to be.

Go to the very well done UVA Trattori, Web site where you’ll find their menu’s for lunch and dinner and their live jazz schedule of groups and dates. Fri. and Sat. are normally very busy so make the reservations or expect to wait, but they’ll get you fed.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

ARE “AUTOTASTE” AND “AUTOBARREL” THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE ?

By John Olney, Feb 21, 2007

On February 13, 2007, Brunton Vineyards announced that it had purchased “VinoVenue” a wine tasting lounge, which operates in San Francisco. The company claims that it has the economic resources to take the concepts developed by VinoVenue to 90 locations planned for some 60-plus cities throughout the USA. The unique feature of VinoVenue is that it utilizes mechanized methods of pouring one-ounce tastes to the patron who simple inserts a pre-paid card plastic card into the machine.

But guess what, folks? You can experience this Big City sophistication and technological wonder right here in Napa Valley. Just head for downtown Napa and on the Southern side of First Street on the corner with Coombs, you’ll find Stave Wine Lounge where owner Eric Gordon offers 32 different wines for your automatic tasting pleasure. And, if you like the wine, you can also purchase it on-site. Stave offers special events in its pleasant lounge and Eric is contemplating adding appetizers to his offerings. Make sure you visit their Website and you might stop by and tell him you discovered him through my blog.

Then there is Cuvee Napa restaurant! located on the corner of River Terrace and Soscol, Napa, Cuvee is pouring wine from the “Barrel.” Owner Roger Roessler (also an owner in Roessler Cellars , Sonoma County) has installed “tap” machines on the back wall and top of the back bar at the very attractive and comfortable “San Francisco’ish” lounge. Some 12 spouts connect to perfectly maintained stainless steel canisters (or “barrels” as they are generally referred to as) dispensing wines offered from four oz. pours to whole carafes. Aaron Diaz, who just might be the Best Manager in all of Napa, oversees the facility. If you are there in the evening, you’ll probably find me and my friends there too. You really should visit their Website and you might stop by and tell them you discovered their lounge and restaurant through my blog.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

A Blow away nite of R&B at UVA's Downtown Napa

Copyright by John M. Olney February 5, 2007

Well, all I can say is that Sean Pramuk Owner/Manager and Giovanni Guerrera Owner/Chef of Uva Trattoria & Bar have struck Platinum once again. Last Saturday, February 3rd, they presented “The Smoking’ Jaze,” a fantastic R&B group consisting of the following musicians: Smokin Joe Herrschaft: Harmonica & Vocals (If you happen to recognize “Smokin’ Joe, that’s because he is also one of the very popular host/servers at Uva Trattoria) and Danny Hukill: Guitar & Vocals also plays drums with the rocking blues group VOODOO Cats. Both of these have collaborated on writing a number of pieces, which they played on this the first night I experienced their music. Other members of the group include: Dave Duport: Bass, Malcolm Granger: Keyboards, and TracyRose: Drums

I arrived at UVA’s in time to watch them set up. I swear I thought they were going to blow a fuse box. I counted three (3) mixer/amplifiers, eight (8) speakers and all the wires running to mic’s and instruments. They completely filled the small stage such that they literally had to crawl over each other to move around. And as is usual when I go there about 8:30 pm, there was standing room only in the bar and dining waiting area for both bar bibbers and restaurant diners. The wonderful staff kept them happy and all gladly waited to be seated which the staff always seems to be able to accomplish.

Included in the trade dignitaries I found in the restaurant were Bartender extraordinaire, Mason and his party, off duty from Cole’s Chop House, Napa and a later in the evening in came Cuvee Napa Restaurant General Manager, Aaron and his party.

Just listening to the warm-up music of these band members, it was easy to see that attendees were in for a roof rising, foot stomping R&B experience. Once they began, you would think that B.B. King, Johnny Ace, Elvis, Barry White, and so many others had blown into the place! They played three sets with the first featuring acoustic emphasis in their selections and the other two featuring an electric influence. They played a number of the original pieces written by Joe and Danny, the hottest of which I simply believe is a winner was titled, “Blues in Santa Cruz.” Another original I definitely liked was “Wakin’ Up With The Blues.” In the category of just plain Hot were “Little Red Rooster" sung by Joe, “T-Bone Shuffle,” “Mailman,” and “Linda Lu.” Probably the most sensual tune was “The Wrong Track.” The keyboard was especially will featured with the piece titled, “Killing Floor.”

“The Smokin’ Jaze” will be playing at Uva Trattoria & Bar Uva Trattoria & Bar on the first Saturday of each month. Their schedule, along with other groups/soloists to be playing in the future months can be reviewed on the UVA Web site (Click above).

Monday, February 05, 2007

Trade-Only Tasting in the Cave of Frazier Winery

On Wednesday, January 21, 2007, Frazier Winery (<- Click here for web site) held a tasting event for “Trade-Only” in their gorgeous caves located on the dead-end part of Second Avenue, accessible via First Avenue by taking North Avenue to reach Second. Don’t try to do it via Hagen as Second doesn’t go through to connect there. By the way, tasting can only be made by appointment. Drop-ins are not allowed by their County operating .permit.

I’ve known Bill Frazier, owner, for about 15 years having first meet him in the social environment of Napa businesses. I’ve followed the development of his winegrowing venture over the years, so I was very pleased to be invited to this tasting event. Bill started the whole wine thing back in 1990 when he made his first land purchase specific to winegrowing in the eastern foothills of Napa Town. He picked-up 21 plus acres located between Hagen Road and Coombsville; An area now under consideration for American Viticultural Appellation approval as the “Tulocay “ District. He planted 9 plus acres in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

His original plan was to sell his grapes to others, but in 1995 he changed his mind and started production using custom crush houses. In 1998 he purchased another 46 acres and planted 11 plus to grapes and then in 2001 he converted an old hay barn on the property into his winery operation. His permit allows him to produce up to 50,000 gallons of wine. His production is currently hovering around 5,000 cases per year.

The most magnificent addition to his winegrowing facilities is the caves he started in 2002 and completed in 2003. In 2006 bottling facilities were the final addition. WOW!! Spectacular and many other descriptors are needed in attempt to verbalize how neat it is “In the Caves!” While digging the caves, the contractor ran into a solid rock wall extending for quite some distance. The rock wall was not covered over as is the usual process because of the beautiful mineral colors weaving in flowing patterns throughout the exposed rock. The contractor wisely shaped the wall such that at about 12 feet from it, smack dab in the center of the cave, is that perfect parabolic sound point where as you speak, you are instantaneously treated to “surround sound” like you’ve never heard before. Bill’s daughter , Kim, informed me that they have had opera singers and jazz groups play at this exact point and on a clear day even those playing golf on the 12th hole of the adjacent Napa Valley Country Club were experiencing the beautiful sounds.

But enough of the physical plant description -- although I do believe that wine tasting is an experience that involves the surroundings and how they influence our wine tasting interpretations. I started with the Lupine Hill (name of the area on which Bill built his home) 2003 Merlot and then the Lupine Hill 2003 Cab. Sauv. These were very good wines. They were followed by the 2003 Family Estate Merlot and Cab. Sauv. The Family Estate Merlot tannin was a little high for my tastes so I would need to lay it away for a period of time in hopes to reduce its influence. The Family Estate Cab was simply marvelous, well rounded and easy to drink with balance between tannin, oak and plenty of fruit, and finishing with caramel and chocolate hints. My final wine was the Frazier Family 2003 Memento Cab. Sauv. This latter wine - only about 200 cases produced - was created in memory of Bill’s oldest son who he lost in 2002. The 2003 Memento with its long, long finish, grabbed my palate and tingled it from the first contact. The tannic acids in the Memento did not dominate nor did the oak; a well structured wine. I wanted to drink more of this wine.

Throughout the tasting I kept noticing how many guests were drinking the wine. and devouring the well laid out cheeses, crackers and other trappings of an open house social. Only a few us were truly tasting and spitting. I think I was the only one taking pictures and writing notes on my wine tasting experience.

Bill, his daughter Kim, son Kevin, and Adam were gracious hosts. I did not get a chance to meet winemaker John Gibson but hopefully I will the next time I go back. Besides visiting the winery, here are a few spots that Frazier Winery will be visiting during the next couple months and you can possibly get a tast of these fine wines.

Feb. 11, , 2-5pm, Loyola Marymount Wine Classic, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Feb. 16, 5-7pm, JV Wine & Spirits Tasting, Napa, CA. Come to taste our current vintages and a preview of our 2004 vintage!
Feb. 24, NVV Premier Napa Valley (Trade Only Event)at CIA, St. Helena, CA
Mar. 10, 5-8pm, Wheelchair Foundation Charity Event, "Mobility for Latin America" in Blackhawk, CA
Mar 20, Family Winemaker's Tasting (Trade Only Event) Pasadena, CA
May 19, 1-4:30 pm, 24th Annual Tiburon Wine Festival, Tiburon, CA