 An opportunity is arising on March 15th to dine with and enjoy the wines of two of the most talented young winemakers in Sonoma and Napa Valley, Whitney Fisher and Nile Zacherle.
Though they make wine for different wineries the two are a husband and wife team, who, with what seems like endless energy, create wines of true character, grace, and sense of place. Both winemakers are believers in terroir, the unique qualities in a wine derived from the place where the grapes were grown, its soil, its weather, its elevation, its very being. The line up of wines that we have planned for the evening are a great study in terroir, after we enjoy some of their wines at the reception at the Garden House, we will start on a journey through Sonoma and Napa Valley.
We will start with Nile’s Zacherle Viognier, Knights Valley, 2006, a wine that is at once delicate, full of white floral aromas, lime, and peach while at the same time having a luscious mouth feel with the lime and peach persisting and an irresistible oily texture that will pair perfectly with the Tuna Tartar that Chef Colin Bedford has in the planning. Following that we will try Whitney’s Fisher, Mountain Estate, Chardonnay, Sonoma County. Here the power of the wine comes at you right away with the pears, necatrines and cream, on the palate it is full bodied but the flavors are balanced by good acidity and minerality, the rich texture of this Chardonnay calls for a rich seafood, and Colin has paired Monkfish with this wine.
In moving to the reds, we delve into some serious study into terroir. The next three wines are all Cabernet Sauvignons, the first is Zacherle’s from the Wall Vineyard in the Mount Veeder district of Napa Valley. Rich dark berry fruit, with a good amount of earthiness, well balanced and smooth on the palate, with good acidity, the earthiness and texture of the wine brought rabbit to mind and rabbit it shall be paired with. Next we venture back to Whitney’s wines with the Fisher, Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, this is from their estate vineyard on the Western Face of Spring Mountain. The nose has strong aromas of blackberry and currant, espresso bean, and bit of sweet cigar box aromas from the oak. On the palate the wine has a great backbone of acidity, which with along with the smooth ripe tannins make the wine very well balanced. With the mixture of fruit and more earthy, smoky aromas on the wine the Chef has gone for Pork Shank to be paired with the wine. To finish the dinner we will have the Fisher, Lamb, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, here we travel up to a vineyard sight in Calistoga, the wine showing strong blueberry aromas, plum, graphite minerality, and again a touch of sweet cigar box. On the palate the wine is full and smooth, and again is well balanced with the acidity, however this time we are pairing it with a savory Goat Cheese Beet Fondant. All three wines are very unique in their own ways, the difference in the them all is testament to the fact that terroir does exist, it is not just an idea, but a fact.
This dinner is a rare wine experience, it is an opportunity to look at the future of winemaking in Sonoma and Napa Valley, a chance to see new directions, to see new classic wines. I hope you will join Whitney, Nile, Colin, and Myself at the Fearrington House Restaurant on Sunday March 15th, to explore the wines of this husband and wife team and the culinary treats of our new Executive Chef Colin Bedford.
Cheers,
Max
 The hellebore in front of the restaurant is Helleborus Foetidus, commonly known as bear’s foot hellebore. These plants were moved as small seedlings four years ago. Hellebores bloom in mid to late winter, are pest-free (including deer and rabbits), and often seed around. This particular hellebore has a smell when its leaves are crushed and yet has slightly fragrant flowers. The flowers last for weeks and the plants are evergreen year round. Hellebores are favorites with Fearrington Gardeners.
-Greg
February 13, 2009 03:15 by Greg
February seemed like a good time for a weekend getaway to Charlottesville, Virginia. I'd long wanted to learn more about the life of our enigmatic third president, Thomas Jefferson, and what better way than by exploring his documented legacy, but without the crowds. So off I went on the three hour drive from Fearrington, through some of the most picturesque countryside and farmland in the South.
 If you visit Charlottesville, you must first visit Thomas Jefferson's iconic home, Monticello, which he built and tore down relentlessly for forty years (all the while in deep debt!). If you can score a spot, take the 90 minute architectural tour offered in the winter so you can see off-the-beaten-path spaces such as the amazing Dome Room on the third floor.
Also definitely worth a visit: Montpelier, the home of our forth president - and one of Thomas Jefferson's closest friends - James Madison. Montpelier just re-opened after an extensive renovation that involved removing all traces of the DuPont family's subsequent additions and faithfully restoring it to Madison's time. Madison consulted with Jefferson in the expansion of Montpelier, and now, after the renovation, one can clearly see evidence of Jefferson's hand at work.
Finally, tour "Mr. Jefferson's University" - the University of Virginia - and specifically walk through The Rotunda, one of Jefferson's last creations before his death in 1826. It is truly an architectural masterpiece.
Where to stay? The Clifton Inn is a beautiful country home built by Jefferson's son-in-law in 1799 on the outskirts of Charlottesville. The property - like The Fearrington House Inn, a Relais & Chateaux property - offers comfortable accomodations, delicious cuisine, a bucolic setting, and some terrific winter discounts through its website.
And if you wait a few months, there will be another reason to go: Jefferson's retreat home, Poplar Forest, is set to re-open in April at which time its completed exterior restoration will be unveiled for the first time. It's conveniently located in Lynchburg, between Charlottesville and Fearrington. I'll be back!
Greg
There is something that I must admit: I have conversations with wine. We talk about history, cooking, culture, weather and the list goes on. Sometimes it is a one way conversation - I the student being lectured by my wine, learning from my wine - other times I find the conversation boring and put it to a quick end. Okay, so at this point you think I might be crazy, I understand, so let me explain. Recently in my monthly search for wines for the Fearrington House Wine Club, I purchased a bottle of the Chateau de Caladroy, Cote de Roussillon Rouge, 2005. Being a big fan of the wines of French Catalan, I was excited to try this wine; a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Carignan. After pouring the wine in the glass and bringing the glass to my nose, I knew that this was a one way conversation. This wine reminded me of why I chose wine as my career. It had everything I look for - character, guts, class, and history. The nose jumped out at me with aromas of sun-drenched rosemary and lavender, baked plums, smoke, and the freshness of sea air working its way up the foothills. This wine took me to the Pyranees, back to childhood trips driving from Carcassonne to Andora. It took me to a place where rusticity and the good life go hand in hand, where life is simple, nature enamors, and your senses are piqued by beauty. This little 750 ML bottle on my table in my kitchen spoke to me, it inspired me, it enriched my life, if only for that day. I urge your to try this wine - we will have it available at The Belted Goat starting in mid-February.
Max Kast
|