Winery News
We had record breaking temperatures in Napa during the month of June. This kept us on our toes checking soil moisture levels. One easy way to gage moisture levels is to examine the vine's tendrils. If they are upright and happy they are well-nourished and well-hydrated. The opposite is true if they are wilted and withering. Our tendrils are a "happy bunch". No pun intended.
We are also always checking for signs of non-beneficial insects. While some insects help keep the vineyard healthy, others can be detrimental. Fortunately, we don't have any unwanted pests.
The flower set of the berries are at pea-size level. See for yourselves.
At this point we can determine the crop load for the year based on quality. You can also asses harvest qualtiy strategies like cluster thinning for quality and for getting rid of weeds that compete with the vine for water, nutrients, and in some cases, sunlight.
Fotinos Brothers Winery's Top Picks
Many of you contact us about where to sleep, eat, and wine taste while visiting Napa. Well, just in time for those of you booking fall harvest holidays, here are our favorites..
Lodging
Napa
Milliken Creek Inn
1815 Silverado Trail Napa, CA 94558 888.593.6175 http://www.millikencreekinn.com/?napav.com
Open since 2001 and quaint, with merely 12 rooms, Travel & Leisure Magazine has voted it "Top US Inn" and "#1 in Napa Valley". Minimum rate is $325 and you better book early.
Napa River Inn
500 Main Street Napa, CA 94559 707.251.8500 http://www.napariverinn.com
This full-service luxury, boutique hotel has 66 rooms and a minimum rate of $179.
The Carneros Inn
4048 Sonoma Highway Napa, CA 94559 707.299.4900 http://www.thecarnerosinn.com/thecarnerosinn
This luxurious new hotel has 86 individual cottages for guests starting at $480 a night.
Silverado Resort
1600 Atlas Peak Road Napa, CA 94558 707.257.0200 http://www.silveradoresort.com
This truly is a resort with golfing, a spa, fine dining, and a conference center all located on the property. Rooms start at $285. They also offer vacation homes for those who plan on staying longer than most "weekenders".
Yountville
Yountville Inn
6462 Washington Street Yountville, CA 94599 707.944.5600 http://www.yountvilleinn.com
There are 51 rooms in this non smoking property starting at $250 per night.
Villagio Inn & Spa
6481 Washington Street Yountville, CA 94599 707.944.8877 http://www.villagio.com/index.html
You'll find a swimming pool and a spa at this inn. All 112 guest rooms feature fireplaces, down comforters, and plush bathrobes. There is also a welcome bottle of wine and a champagne breakfast buffet included in the $365 a night price.
Vintage Inn
6541 Washington Street Yountville, CA 94599 707.944.1112 http://www.vintageinn.com
There are 80 rooms in this French country-style inn starting at $350 per night. You will also receive a welcome bottle of wine and a complimentary champagne breakfast.
Napa Valley Lodge
2230 Madison Street Yountville, CA 94599 707.944.2468 http://www.woodsidehotels.com/napa
There's a fire pit and bocce ball in the courtyard patio. There are also spa services and a pool at this non smoking lodge. There are 55 rooms starting at $249 a night.
St. Helena
Harvest Inn
One Main Street St. Helena, CA 95474 707.963.9463 http://www.harvestinn.com
You'll find 74 guest rooms including suites and cottages. Enjoy a complimentary wine country breakfast served in the wine country kitchen. Minimum rate is $240.
The Inn at Southbridge
1020 Main Street St. Helena, CA 94574 707.967.9400 http://www.innatsouthbridge.com
There are 20 rooms starting at $255 a night.
Meadowood Resort
900 Meadowood Lane St. Helena, CA 94574 707.963.3646 http://www.meadowood.com
There are 85 cottages, suites, and lodges on this property starting at $475 a night.
Calistoga
Calistoga Ranch
580 Lommel Road Calistoga, CA 94515 707.254.2800 http://www.calistogaranch.com
This 46 room luxury resort is located on 157 acres. Rooms start at less than $500 a night.
The Pink Mansion
1415 Foothill Boulevard Calistoga, CA 94515 707.942.0558 http://www.pinkmansion.com
This restored 1875 home combines turn-of-the-century elegance with modern amenities.
Oakville/Rutherford
Auberge du Soleil
180 Rutherford Hill Road Rutherford, CA 94573 707.963.1211 http://www.aubergedusoleil.com
Accomodations at this eco friendly resort start at $525 a night.
Wineries
Domaine Carneros
1240 Duhig Road Napa, CA 94559 707.257.0101 http://www.domaine.com
Artesa
1345 Henry Road Napa, CA 94558 707.224.1668 http://www.artesawinery.com
Clos Du Val
5330 Silverado Trail Napa, CA 94558 707.259.2200 http://www.closduval.com
Gargiulo
575 Oakville Cross Road Napa, CA 94558 707.944.2770 http://www.gargiulovineyards.com
Hartwell
5795 Silverado Trail, Napa CA 94558 707.255.4269 http://www.hartwellvineyards.com
Shafer
6154 Silverado Trail Napa, CA 94558 707.944.2877 http://www.shafervineyards.com
Robert Mondavi
7801 St. Helena Highway Oakville, CA 94562 707.968.2001 http://www.robertmondaviwinery.com
Joseph Phelps
200 Taplin Road St Helena 94574 707.963-2745 http://www.jpvwines.com
Spring Mountain
2805 Spring Mountain Road St. Helena, CA 94574 707 967.4188 http://www.springmtn.com
Sterling Vineyards
1111 Dunaweal Lane Calistoga, CA 94515 707.942.3344 http://www.sterlingvineyards.com
Chateau Montelena
1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515 707.942.5105 http://www.montelena.com
Restaurants
The Bounty Hunter
975 First Street Napa, CA 707.255.0622 http://www.bountyhunterwine.com
Lunch & Dinner: Sunday - Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight.
Beer and wine. No reservations.
Julia's Kitchen
500 First Street Napa, CA 94559 707-265-5700 http://www.juliaskitchen.org
Lunch: Wednesday - Monday 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Brunch: Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dinner: Wednesday - Sunday 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Happy Hour: Wednesday - Friday 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Brannan's Grill
1374 Lincoln Avenue Calistoga, CA 94515 707.942.2233 http://www.brannansgrill.com
Lunch: Monday - Sunday: 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 4:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Mustard's Grill
7399 St. Helena Highway Yountville, CA 94558 707.944.2424 http://www.mustardsgrill.com
Lunch & Dinner: Monday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday 11:30a.m. - 10:00p.m.
Saturday 11:00a.m. - 10:00p.m.
Sunday 11:00a.m. - 9:00p.m.
Etoile (the restaurant at) Domaine Chandon
1 California Drive Yountville, CA 94599 800.736.2892 http://www.chandon.com
Lunch: Thursday - Monday 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Dinner: Thursday - Monday 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant/Culinary Institute of America
2555 Main Street St. Helena, CA 94574 707-967-1010 http://www.ciachef.edu/restaurants/wsgr
Lunch & Dinner: Sunday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Bistro Jeanty
6510 Washington Street Yountville, CA 94599 707.944.0103 http://www.bistrojeanty.com
Lunch & Dinner: Monday - Sunday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Bouchon
6534 Washington Street Yountville, CA 94599 707.944.8037 http://www.bouchonbistro.com
Lunch & Dinner: Monday - Friday 11:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
French Laundry
6640 Washington Street Yountville, CA 94599 707.944.2380 http://www.frenchlaundry.com
Lunch: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Dinner: Everyday 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tra Vigne
1050 Charter Oak Avenue St. Helena, CA 94574 707.963.4444 http://www.travignerestaurant.com
Lunch, Dinner & Sunday Brunch: Call for hours
Don Giovanni's
4110 Howard Lane, Napa, CA 94558 707·224·3300 http://www.bistrodongiovanni.com
Lunch & Dinner: Sunday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
La Toque
1140 Rutherford Road Napa, CA 94558 707.963.9770 http://www.latoque.com
Dinner: Wednesday - Sunday: 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Azteca Market
789 Main Street St. Helena, CA 94574 707.963.4963
Call for hours
Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen
1327 Railroad Avenue St. Helena, CA 94574 707.963.1200 http://www.cindysbackstreetkitchen.com
Open 7 days a week 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Press
587 St. Helena Highway/Highway 29, St. Helena CA 94574 (Next door to Dean & DeLuca) 707.967.0550 http://www.presssthelena.com
Dinner: 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. everyday except Tuesday
Taylor's Refresher
933 Main Street St. Helena, CA 94574 http://www.taylorsrefresher.com
Summer Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Winter Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Boon Fly Cafe (at the) Carneros Inn
4048 Sonoma Highway Napa, CA 94559 707.299.4870 http://www.thecarnerosinn.com/thecarnerosinn/restaurant_boonfly.aspx
Open daily from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Breakfast: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Brunch: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Lunch: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dinner: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
Dinner: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Destinations
Oakville Grocery
7856 St. Helena Highway Oakville, CA 94562 707.944.8802 http://www.oakvillegrocery.com
Dean and Deluca
607 South St. Helena Highway St. Helena, CA 707.967.9980 http://www.deananddeluca.com
Oxbow Public Market
644 First Street, Suite D Napa, CA 94559 707.226.6529 http://www.oxbowpublicmarket.com
Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts
500 First Street Napa, CA 94559 707.259.1600 http://www.copia.org
Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs
1507 Lincoln Avenue Calistoga, CA 94515 707.942.4102 http://www.drwilkinson.com
Tuscan Recipes
Click here for more recipes
Limoncello (Classic Limoncello)
- 7 Organic lemons
- 1 Cup (250 ml) of water
- 1/4 Cup (45 ml) of alcohol
- 1 and 1/4 Cup (300 grams) of sugar
Wash and peel the lemons. Be careful not to use the white skin. Bring the water to a boil with the lemon peels and the sugar. Let cool. Add the alcohol and keep bottled for at least 1 week. Strain the lemon peels and bottle the liquid. Leave in bottle for one month before drinking.
Before we leave you...
Fotinos Brothers Winery really appreciates your support and patronage. If there are any topics you would like more information on, or would like to see discussed in our newsletter, please email us at info@fotinosbrotherswinery.com. Remember, our 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon has sold out. If you are interested in trying the 2006 Pinot Noir, I encourage you to place an order while there is still some available. Our 2006 Pinot Noir will be released and shipped to you in the fall of this year.
Sincerely,
Leesa Fotinos
Director of Public Relations
