It’s time to celebrate two decades of fun at Taste of Howell Mountain, coming to Charles Krug Winery on Saturday, June 20th from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. Come join the party at 2800 Main Street (Highway 29) in St. Helena and indulge in fabulous wines from the Howell Mountain appellation along with gourmet food pairings, live entertainment, and both Silent and Live Auctions.
Pina Napa Valley
This year marks the 20th Annual Taste of Howell Mountain Wine Tasting and Auction so come indulge (or re-indulge) in the wines made from grapes grown “Above the Fog.” From 12:00 to 3:00 you have the chance to enjoy a Walk-Around Wine Tasting, Food Pairings, Prizes, a Silent Auction and Live Music from The Hummingbirdz. Then, from 3:00 to 5:00 you can enter the Carriage House and enjoy even more wine, dessert, and a festive Live Auction.
Howell Mountain is well known for its incredible Cabernet Sauvignon but we have also tasted outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah at this event in prior years (as well as a few noteworthy Rosés). Tickets for the event are $125 per person, or $1000 for a Table for Ten, and proceeds from the event will help benefit the Howell Mountain Education Foundation. But, please move quickly because this event will sell out.
Aloft Wines
There will be at least 35 premium wineries showcasing their wines that day including Aloft, Arkenstone Vineyards, Black Sears Estate Wines, Bremer Family Winery, Cimarossa, Clif Family Winery, Cresta Velia, Duckhorn Vineyards, Dunn Vineyards, Lamborn Family Vineyards, Notre Vin, O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery, Piña Napa Valley, Prim Family Vineyard, Retro Cellars, Robert Craig Winery, and Round Two Wines. To see the complete list of participating wineries and/or to purchase tickets, please go here.
Live Auction Table Setting at Taste of Howell Mountain
At Taste of Howell Mountain the Silent Auction will offer you a chance to win rare wines, winery experiences and recreational activities. Then, one of the highlights of your day will be the Live Auction where you can find large format bottles, special dinners and unique excursion packages up for bid. To give you a sense of what may be available this year, some of the 25 items offered up last year were:
- A Giant’s Grand Slam – a package of 4 Club Level tickets for a San Francisco Giants game, dinner for 4 at Momo’s, 9 bottles of Cresta Velia Cabernet Sauvignon and two autographed baseballs
- Dine Aloft with the Mondavis – a combination tour of Cold Springs Vineyard, dinner for 6 in Marc and Janice Mondavi’s home, and 3 bottles + 1 magnum of Aloft Cabernet Sauvignon
- We’ll Have a Barrel of Dunn – the ability to own a barrel of Dunn Vineyards-sourced Cabernet Sauvignon and then ultimately make about 23 cases of finished wine with Mike Dunn serving as the consulting winemaker
While we love Howell Mountain wines, we are also big fans of this event for the food. For 2015, Winery Chefs once again caters the event and the small bites this year include an 18-hour Smoked Brisket Slider, a Chili-Braised Pork Taco, and Pizza topped with Coppa, Fennel, Summer Squash and Fresh Mozzarella. Your dessert during the Live Auction will be Brown Butter Shortcake with Bourbon Peaches and Chantilly Cream.
Cabernet Grapes on Howell Mountain
The Taste of Howell Mountain event is brought to you by the Howell Mountain Vintners and Growers Association, a group of over 45 wineries and winegrowers promoting the wines made from grapes grown just “Above the Fog.” While rivers and property lines frequently define the boundaries of an American Viticultural Area (AVA), the Howell Mountain appellation is officially based on a 1400 foot elevation contour line around the mountain. The high altitude of the vineyards here provides cooler daytime temperatures, warmer evening temperatures, rocky and porous soil conditions and rainfall that is nearly twice that of the valley below. All of this translates into deliciously rich complexity and flavor in your glass.
(For something really special, the HMVGA is also offering the option of a VIP Table for Ten at Taste of Howell Mountain for $1500: for more details on VIP amenities and table availability please contact Sam Peters at sampeters_tohm@live.com or call 707-965-2665)