While the wine news is reporting a record Premiere Napa Valley auction event, where 10 cases of Dana Estates sold for $70,000 or $1167/bottle, it is important to note the incredible contribution of women winemakers among the Napa Valley vintners. One of the 10 top wines to be sold at this auction was from Amuse Bouche, Heidi Peterson Barrett's Pomerol-style Merlot. Heidi's successes are legendary including early clients like Screaming Eagle.
Prior to the auction I attended a preview event exclusive to some of the more well-known women winemakers. There were some spectacular wines featured in-preview including:
Meander's "Conspire" Sauvignon Blanc by Amy Aiken - Stainless steel fermented and sur lie aged for 5 months bringing a real creaminess to the S. blanc. See Amy Aiken's Story
Tres Sabores ¿POR QUÉ NO?!! by Julie Johnson - an affordable and delicious Zinfandel wine, great to use to "Pop the Question". Why Not? See picture below. Learn about Julie Johnson's Wines
Remi Barrett, Heidi's daughter, was pouring several wines from one of the other family wine labels, La Sirena. It is a memorable dry Moscato with floral and tropical aromas, and a nice addition to their pricy flagship "allocated" wine, their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Robert Parker has called Heidi Barrett "the first lady of wine".See Heidi Peterson Barrett's Bio
Raymond Vineyard's Director of Winemaking, Stepahnie Putnam, was pouring a great value wine, Raymond's Reserve Cab which retails at $35 - one of the best values I saw today for a true Napa Valley Cab. See Stephanie Putnam's background with Raymnd Vineyards
About Premiere Napa Valley: Premiere Napa Valley News
Each year 200 Napa Valley winemakers craft special small lots of unique wines that 1000 attendees and bidders from restaurants and retailers snap up a their specialty wine offerings. These wines are donated to the auction by the vintners to help support the charities and programs of the Napa Vintners Association. We're happy that a record $3.1 Million was raised on Saturday. And, we applaud the special contribution of women winemakers to endeavor.
Tricia Conover, C.W.P. and Julie Johnson, Winemaker, Tres Sabores
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