Tamera Beardsley: bloggers in Napa Valley

Domaine Carneros

was certainly the grandest property

we visited on our

Blogger's in Napa Valley trip!

Founded in 1987

by Champagne leader

Claude Taittinger

Domaine Carneros

produces

notable sparkling wine

and

Pinot Noir

from California's Carneros appellation.

Driving through the 'famous gate'

up the winding road

through the spectacular grounds

I knew we were in for

something spectacular!

The main building was completed in 1989

in the 18th century chateau-style

and was

architecturally inspired by the

Chateau de la Marquetterie

owned by

Champagne Taittinger

in Riems France.

Taittinger was an enthusiast for western wines

who began scouting for properties in the region

in the late 1970's

realizing decades ago

what a promising future the area was to have.

Taitinger hand-selected

Eileen Crane

as Domaine Carneros's

founding winemaker

making Eileen one of the industry's

pioneering women.

She continues to be

Domaine Carneros's

first and only

sparkling wine maker.

The methode champenoise

is applied to all sparkling wines.

(I had learned years ago

that only sparking wines made

in the region of Champagne France

may be called Champagne

just as only whiskies made in Scotland

may be called Scotch.)

At Domaine Carneros

the views

were truly breathtaking

on a picture perfect day ...

For me

being there that day

was unforgettable.

Not only for the immense beauty

and

truly spectacular sparking wines

but

also for the people that joined me

on this remarkable adventure.

Being around others

Charlotte who owns
C. Milan Communications
a PR firm
specializing in the wine and travel industry

who arranged the tasting.

Charlotte is also

a young mother

who is just as passionate

about her new son

as she is about her stellar clients.

The passionate people at

Domaine Carneros

whose excitement

for their product

was palatable.

And, for of course

traveling with some of my

favorite bloggers

who now I am now honored to call friends.

It was all just such a moment in time for me.

It made me realize

just how happy I was to be back

in the working realm

and

I kid you not

I had to choke back tears

at just what a meaningful

moment it was for me.

Feeling tremendous gratitude
to be working
in an industry I love
and
in complete awe
for the
ability to move forward
in designing a career
that is able to
synthesize
so many of my own passions.

In that instant

in the most stunning of vistas

I also realized

just how important

courage can be.

How sometimes

accepting one's own venerability

and

still moving through it

can take you to some

incredible experiences in life.

Looking around

I committed that moment

into my heart

to remember

next time

I am nervous or scared

to put myself out there

try new roads.

That with

courage

and

acceptance of the uncomfortable

there is so much

great yet to be experienced.

Now

back

to the sparkling bubbles ...

Before my visit to Domaine Carneros

I didn't see myself as

much of a sparkling wine enthusiast …

as many times

it gave me headaches.

What I learned was

I have not been drinking the good stuff!

Well, I Knew that!

But what I did leave with learning was

~ that the smaller the bubbles

the longer it has been aged

~ the less sugars present

equals less headaches after

~ sparking wine must be aged for three years to

have a vintage label.

Thank you Sean Donaghue

for your gift of

educating information.

I must admit

there was so much rich information

to take in

even with notes

there was so very much to learn!

I do think I need to plan

a refresher course

Domaine Caneros

their learning environment

is truly divine!

Another of my favorite parts of our visit

that was arranged by Charlotte

was meeting

TJ Evans

who is the

Pinot Noir winemaker.

TJ spoke with both

a gardeners heart

and

an artists soul

as he talked about that ...

the wine begins

in the vineyard …

and

TJ could tell

the histories of each years vineyard happenings
and
their organic roots

down to the importance of

the flowering of the vines

and

the scent of the bud break

to the magic in

the Famous Gate.

Visiting
Domaine Carneros

was an enchanting adventure

that I would highly recommend

if you find yourself

in the Napa Valley

It was as sparkling

as it was informative.

I even realized

I do indeed appreciate some bubbly

now I just know

I appreciate

the tiny bubbles

even more!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

disclosure - the tasting was compliments of Domaine Carneros. The opinions,
are my own.

Next week I will be completing my
Bloggers In Napa Valley series
sharing the rest of the our very luxurious trip
thanks to Mike …
our trusted and artistic
Napa Transportation limo driver.

During our Bloggers in the Napa Valley trip

we had the privilege of visiting

the historic

MERRYVALE Vineyards

tasting room and property.

Our visit was arranged by

Charlotte Milan of

C. Milan Communications

a public relations firm in the San Francisco Bay Area

which specializes in working with clients in the

wine, travel and hospitality industries.

Charlottes's list of high end clients

could be a travelogue in it's self.

Merryvale Vineyards stone building
where their tastings and wine making are done

was the home of Napa Valley's first winery to

be built after the repeal of prohibition.

Merryvale is conveniently located in the picturesque town of Saint Helena.
It is a family owned winery
which makes elegant complex wines
in the finest european style.
The Schlatter family originates from Switzerland
with generations of wine making experience.

You enter the winery

via beautiful landscaped gardens

complete with an elegant fountain.

While we were outside

we were fortunate to witness the Napa Wine train passing by!

The entrance is positively enchanting

especially in the spring

with the blooming wisteria.

Inside the historic stone building

various tastings are offered of their world class wines.

I was particularly taken with the historic

Cask Room

where century old 2,000 gallon casks

line the stone walls

making the room

a sought after location for special events.

The people of Merryvale Vineyards are not only passionate about winemaking

and

turning the excellent Napa Valley grapes into

world class wines

but they are passionate about sustainable farming as well!

My very favorite part of my visit

was meeting Laurence and her husband

two of the Schlatter family owners.

Laurence who speaks with an intoxicating French accent

is not only stunningly beautiful

but a gracious hostess

as well as being a mother of three.

I was simply enthralled with

hearing about their family life

and

passion not only for wine making

but tennis as well.

Charlotte arranged for us to have

a catered lunch from the iconic

Gotts Roadside

which is located right across the street
from Merryvale Vineyards.
Gotts makes top notch burgers
as well as pouring some of Napa Valley's finest wines.

The lunch was made

absolutely perfect

as we had the fortune

to sit outside on the expansive wrap around porch

with the most perfect weather

wonderful conversations

and