Celebrate summer and Napa Valley wines next Sunday at a classic (and lovely) wine tasting event: the Napa Valley Wine Library Association Annual Tasting. Now in its 53rd year, this walk-around tasting will be held under the sheltering oaks of The Grove at Silverado Resort & Spa (1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa) on August 9th between 5 and 7 pm. The theme this year is “Toasting the Twelves” so you can expect plenty of samples from the 2012 vintage.
The Napa Valley Wine Library Association (NVWLA) was founded in 1963 as a resource for information about wine. Today, the Association hosts seminars and other educational events, and funds an extensive collection of books, interviews, newsletters, technical journals, and other wine-related materials about wines and wine growing.
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon frm Fontanella
Based on our personal experiences, we highly recommend you (a) join the Association, (b) attend the Tasting and then (c) seek out these particular wines at this year’s Annual Tasting:
- Stags’ Leap Winery – 2013 Viognier
- ZD Wines – 2013 Los Carneros Pinot Noir
- Fontanella Family Winery – 2012 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
- Stony Hill Vineyard – 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Crocker & Starr – 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Clos Du Val – 2012 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon
Stony Hill Vineyard
At the NVWLA Tasting, you’ll be able to enjoy white wines such as Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc. On the red wine side you can expect to try Dolcetto, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Zinfandel (and of course, Cabernet Sauvignon).
Here are some more of the wines being poured this year:
- Schramsberg Vineyards – 2011 “Querencia” (Sparkling Brut Rosé)
- Pride Mountain Vineyards – 2014 Viognier
- Groth Vineyards & Winery – 2014 Sauvignon Blanc
- Robert Keenan Winery – 2012 Cabernet Franc
- Anomaly Vineyards – 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
- CADE Estate – 2012 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Crocker & Starr
Annual Tasting attendees can enjoy tastes from 75 Napa Valley wineries, from Calistoga to Los Carneros. The sides of the valley are represented as well, including Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain, and Mount Veeder.
And, if for some reason you haven’t already reached for your credit card, please know that these wineries will be participating as well: Arns Winery, Baldacci Family Vineyards, Beau Vigne, Cakebread Cellars, Herb Lamb Vineyards, Jericho Canyon Vineyard, Seavey Vineyard, Trefethen Family Vineyards, Truchard Vineyards and Wallis Family Estate. To see the complete list of confirmed participating wineries (and the wines they will be pouring) please go here.
The Napa Valley Wine Library Association Annual Tasting is free, but for NVWLA members only. Membership is just $95 per person (and your membership dollars help support a worthy local cause). But, remember the tasting is next Sunday so you should move quickly and go here to join. NVWLA benefits include discounts on courses and seminars throughout the year, a semi-annual Wine Library Report, and admission to the Tasting on August 9.
The Association’s collection offers incomparable resources for students, wine enthusiasts and professionals involved in all aspects of the wine industry and is available at the St. Helena Public Library. Your membership in the NVWLA helps support the mission to collect and preserve these treasures for generations to come.