October 2008
August 2008
May 2008
February 2008
December 2007
October 2007
August 2007
May 2007
March 2007
December 2006
October 2008 Newsletter
Greetings Wine Club Members!
Fall is officially here and the harvest has begun! The summer went by so fast, it seems like last week was Memorial Day and the summer was just beginning. Nonetheless, it has been an exciting summer. The 3rd Annual Lobster Feast was a huge success and I know you are already thinking of next year's feast.
We consider this Wine Club shipment to be our Thanksgiving shipment. Basically what this means is that we strive to send you wines that would be perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner. I hope you enjoy these perfectly paired wines with your Holiday meals!
Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager
And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:
Platinum Club
2007 Hope's Cuvee - This highly exclusive Reserve Chardonnay opens to apple and pear exhibiting an extra dimension of depth that the Estate Chardonnay does not possess; with hints of spice and cinnamon. Priced in our tasting room at $60, Wine Club price: $51
2007 Vin Gris de Pinot Noir - This rose has a brilliant salmon color and has flavors of strawberries and cherries with hints of vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $28, Wine Club price: $23.80
2006 Hyde Pinot Noir - This Reserve Burgundian style Pinot Noir presents hints of cherry and anise followed by smoky French Oak and berry aromas. This well balanced wine has a silky mouth feel with layers of berries, vanilla and oak spiciness. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club Price: $42.50
Reds Only Club
2006 Merlot - This complex wine offers an enticing blend of vanilla, black cherry, cedar and tobacco Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40
2006 Meta - This Cabernet & Syrah blend (50 / 50) is a brand new wine made exclusively for the Wine Club. With flavors of raspberry, pepper and clove, this is a perfect union between two grapes. Priced in the tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40
2006 Hyde Pinot Noir - This Reserve Burgundian style Pinot Noir presents hints of cherry and anise followed by smoky French Oak and berry aromas. This well balanced wine has a silky mouth feel with layers of berries, vanilla and oak spiciness. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club Price: $42.50
Calendar of Events - 2008!
Mark your calendars:
Saturday, October 18 - Kobe & Cab Harvest Party 12 - 4pm
This celebration of the 2008 Harvest will include Snake River Farms Kobe beef burgers and hors d'oeurvres prepared by our winery Chef. $50 for members RSVP today!
Saturday & Sunday, November 8th and 9th - Silverado Trail Silver Pass weekend.
You know you can taste here for free, but how many other wineries have you tried on the Silverado Trail? For just $40 (Sat. only) or $60 (Sat. & Sun.), you can taste wine at any of the participating wineries on the Silverado Trail. This is your excuse to try some new wineries you may not have been to before!
Signorello Vineyard Update
The 2008 Harvest is officially upon us! The spring started with 21 long nights of frost (normally we average 4 nights). We also had a freak cow incident where some cows wandered into our vineyard and decided to help themselves to some vines. However, the rest of spring was great - not too hot, not too cool. Then, the summer was average with only two late heat waves. Veraison was right on schedule at the end of July. Picking started the first week of September and we have been going steady since then. To this date, we have brought in Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon,Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel , Cabernet Franc and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. We should finish out the season with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon by the middle of October.
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| It all starts in the vineyard. Carlos is picking very early in the morning. | Grapes are picked into small bins to insure berries stay whole and don't crush their own weight. |
Grapes are then loaded onto a conveyor belt for sorting prior to the de-stemmer. |
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| The crew sorts the grapes that have come out of the de-stemmer. | Our Vineyard Foreman, Carlos Vasquez, relaxes after a long day of picking (starting at 2am) and crushing. Time for a little siesta before the whole thing starts over again the next day. |
Out & About in the Napa Valley
Planning a trip to the Napa Valley? Here a couple of suggestions to make your visit better.
Napa Valley Adventure Tours: This unique and personalized wine country adventure takes you to the vineyards and beyond. Specializing in hiking tours, biking tours, kayaking tours, mountain climbing adventures and off the beaten path van tours, the team at Napa Valley Adventure Tours will show you a side of Napa Valley that not many get to see! They are located at the Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa (610 First St. #10). To book your adventure call toll free (877) 548-6877 or visit www.napavalleyadventuretours.com.
Firewood Cafe: Located next to Whole Foods in Napa, this casual dining restaurant specializes in Californian/Mediterranean cuisine at an affordable price. Using fresh, local and authentic ingredients, the food is simply prepared and really TASTY! I recommend the prosciutto pizza or the baked rigatoni. These two dishes will make you want to come back to try everything else on the menu. Visit them online at www.firewoodcafe.com or at 3824 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa, CA (707) 224-9660,
Balloon Rides Above the Napa Valley: Want a unique way to see the Napa Valley? Try a balloon ride from either Balloons Above the Valley (www.balloonrides.com or toll free 800.464.6824) or Napa Valley Balloons (www.napavalleyballoons.com or toll free at 800.253.2224). There is no better way to see Napa than from 1500 feet above the valley floor!
August 2008 Newsletter
Greetings from the Napa Valley!
This summer is just flying by. It is already August and that means we are just a few weeks away from Harvest 2008, a very exciting time to be in the valley!
After having to deal with a long frost and some rogue cows (that like to munch on vines), we have survived the rest of the growing season with only a few days of heat. Despite the early set backs, it has been a relatively mellow year and so the 2008 vintage looks to be good one.
Thank you to all who came to the 3rd Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast. It was a lot of fun and we look forward to the 4th annual feast. We are currently in the planning stages for a Cabernet Release party sometime during the month of September. Look for more details to follow very soon!
For the very first time, we have made a Wine Club Members only white wine. It is the 2007 Viognier and it is tasting extremely good. Pierre really out did himself on this one! We made a very limited quantity of this wine, so get your re-orders in early. It is not going to last long! This shipment includes 2 bottles of both the 2007 Viognier and the perennial favorite, 2007 Seta. Contact Ryan at 707-255-5990 or ryan@signorellovineyards.com for re-orders of either of these wines or any one of the many other wines we have available.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and please come visit us soon!
Cheers,
Ryan Shenk - Wine Club Manager
2007 Viognier
This 100% Estate grown wine has a nose full of local honey, honeysuckle and apricots and then emerges with hints of jasmine and lychee. The uncommonly luscious body of our Viognier is brightened by thoughtful crispness where similar aromas arrive on the palate with hints of coriander.
Retail price: $28.00 - Wine Club Member price: $23.80
2007 Seta
Seta, meaning silk in Italian, is our proprietary white Bordeaux style wine. This full bodied wine with a spicy nose offering hints of melon, nectarine and passion fruit is balanced by the rich vanilla and mineral overtones. The complexity of this unique blend allows it to be versatile with a wide variety of foods.
Retail price: $28.00 - Wine Club Member price: $23.80
May 2008 Newsletter
Greetings Wine Club Members!
It has been quite the Spring so far! We saw bud break at the middle of March and Pierre has been up most nights fighting off the frost ever since. We had a lot of fun with some wine club members at the Pizza Party on April 19th.
Look for some more fun this summer with the 3rd Annual Lobster Feast on July 19th and I am sure we will throw in a couple of extra parties for you to enjoy.
There are lots of exciting things happening here at the winery, so make sure you check our website often to keep up with everything. For now, ENJOY YOUR WINE!
Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager
And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:
Platinum Club
2005 Padrone - The reticent nose opens to blackberry, vanilla, smoky cedar, tobacco and hints of black plum. The lush, full-bodied palate continues with flavors of boysenberry, loganberry and hints of baked rhubarb. The long and lingering finish is accentuated by the young, integrated tannins.
Priced in our tasting room at $110. Wine Club price: $93.50
2005 "Vieilles Vignes" Estate Chardonnay - The nose on this old vine chardonnay opens with intense tropical fruit, toast and mineral aromas. Rich, fruit flavors, especially of apple and pear enhance the lush palate. French oak provides a touch of spice with hints of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. A bright apple-like crispness balances these silky, toasty layers. Priced in our tasting room at $42. Wine Club Price: $35.70
Reds Only Club
2005 Padrone - The reticent nose opens to blackberry, vanilla, smoky cedar, tobacco and hints of black plum. The lush, full-bodied palate continues with flavors of boysenberry, loganberry and hints of baked rhubarb. The long and lingering finish is accentuated by the young, integrated tannins.
Priced in our tasting room at $110. Wine Club price: $93.50
2005 Cabernet Franc - This varietal is primarily used to give structure to the cabernet blends. However, it holds up on its own and has flavors of berries and vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $44. Wine Club price: $37.40
Winery News - 2008!
Signorello Vineyards and Snake River Farms announces the Kobe & Cab Club. By joining, you will receive 3 annual shipments of our Cabernet based wines along with specially selected cuts of Kobe Wagyu beef. Email Ryan at the winery for more details!
Calendar - 2008
3rd Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast
July 19th, 2008 - $115 per person
If have had the chance to attend one of these Lobster Feasts in the past, you know that this is the party of the year. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a night of fun in the sun! The party will commence at 5:30pm on our patio terrace with a little vino. Dinner will include 1 1/2 lb lobsters flown in from Maine. We will also have some other special treats along with some prizes. RSVP now as spots are filling up FAST!
Get to know your Tasting Room Manager - Kathy Wood
Born and raised here in the Napa Valley, Kathy is a true local. She remembers growing up in the Napa Valley when there were only a total of 10 wineries. Now, Kathy is enjoying the high life at Signorello Vineyards. She originally came to the winery in 1998, but then left in 2000. After a brief stint at another winery, she came back in 2003 and has been here ever since.
As the Tasting Room Manager, Kathy oversees everything having to do with the tasting room. She is always tasting the wine to make sure it is good for all our wine club members and orders and re-orders all the clothing and merchandise. She is also instrumental in helping with private events, wine club parties and the everyday doings of the winery.
Kathy is a self proclaimed "Hostess with the Mostess". She enjoys entertaining and frequently hosts her friends for dinner and wine parties on her ranch. She also loves to garden her 1 acre plot of vegetables, making her own wine with friends, raising her chickens, playing with her grand babies and just being silly.
Kathy has been married to her husband Jim for 15 years. Jim and his father own the oldest vineyard management company in the valley. As one of the original partners in the re-opening of Freemark Abby in 1963, Kathy's father-in-law is one of the most highly regarded wine personalities in the Napa Valley. Kathy and Jim have a total of 6 children and 4 grandchildren. They have called the Napa Valley home for, well, all their lives.
You know her. You love her. Come say HI to her next time you are in the Napa Valley!
Snake River Farms Partnership
Well, you are all aware of our partnership with this fabulous supplier of American Kobe Wagyu Beef and now, as a Bacchus Society Wine Club member, you are able to receive a 10% discount on Snake River Farms' products.
Visit www.snakeriverfarms.com to check out their products. Upon checkout, enter the Signorello Wine Club discount code CU91F2EO to receive 10% off your purchase. This code is good through January 1, 2009.
For more information, you can contact Ryan Shenk at ryan@signorellovineyards.com.
Yountville Inn Partnership
I know you are already thinking about the 3rd Annual Lobster Feast and were wondering where to stay. Well, now you have an "in" at the Yountville Inn in Yountville, CA. Just a short drive from Signorello, the Yountville Inn offers Fieldstone fireplaces in every room, heated outdoor pool & spa as well as a variety of world class restaurants within walking distance.
The Details: Receive $50 off room rates, seven days a week. Just mention to the reservationists that you are a Signorello Wine Club member and they will take care of you from there.
Call (707) 944.5600 or visit their website www.yountvilleinn.com to make your reservation
February 2008 Newsletter
Greetings Wine Club Members!
Is it really February already? Boy, how time flies when you're drinking wine. This time of year is rather slow for us due to all the rain we have been getting lately, it seems like it has rained 3 times as much as last year already. That said, we have had some exciting things happen over the last two months. We have welcomed a new family member to Signorello Vineyards, received a fantastic score from Robert Parker and had a wonderful staff Christmas party at Meadowood.
As the weather begins to make a turn for the better, look for more and more events up here at Signorello. Mark your calendars now for the 3rd Annual Lobster Feast in July! So for now, enjoy your wines! Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager
And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:
Platinum Club
2006 Luvisi Zinfandel - The ever popular zinfandel is back for a very limited time! With a little under 300 cases produced, this beauty will not be around long. It's ruby red color with hints of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and sweet oak will not disappoint all you Zin fans!
Priced in our tasting room at $38. Wine Club price: $32.30
2005 Merlot - This complex wine offers an enticing blend of vanilla, black cherry, cedar and tobacco Priced in our tasting room at $44. Wine Club price: $37.40
2005 Cabernet Franc - This varietal is primarily used to give structure to the cabernet blends. However, it holds up on its own and has flavors of berries and vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $44. Wine Club price: $37.40
Reds Only Club
2006 Luvisi Zinfandel - The ever popular zinfandel is back for a very limited time! With a little under 300 cases produced, this beauty will not be around long. It's ruby red color with hints of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and sweet oak will not disappoint all you Zin fans!
Priced in our tasting room at $38. Wine Club price: $32.30
2006 Las Amigas Pinot Noir - This Burgundian style Pinot Noir has hints of vanilla and strawberry with notes of smoky French Oak and cherry. A well balanced and medium bodied wine with a long, lingering finish. Priced in our tasting room at $42. Wine Club price: $35.70
2006 Estate Syrah - This Rhone style Syrah has 3.7% Viognier blended in to give the wine a nice floral component of clove and lavender. This wine is well balanced and has very nice tannin structure. Priced in our tasting room at $38. Wine Club price: $32.30
Winery News - 2008!
It's a Boy! Sophia Tsilimigras-Hendricks, our National Sales Manager, and her husband Paul had a beautiful baby boy born on Saturday, February 2nd at 4:14am. Ilyas John Tsilimigras-Hendricks is 7lbs 1oz. Both mom and baby are doing great!
2005 Estate Syrah receives 90 points from Robert Parker Very limited supply left!
Calendar - 2008
April 19th - Wine Club Pizza Party
July 19th - 3rd Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast
Get to know your Wine Club Manager - Ryan Shenk
Born and raised here in the Napa Valley, Ryan is a graduate of Justin-Siena High School. Looking for a little break from small town Napa, Ryan moved to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly and study Architecture. Working his way through school, Ryan fell into the restaurant and hospitality industry working at Woodstock's Pizza, and took a new career path, managing restaurants. Working full time at a busy restaurant would prove hard on school, but he would end up earning a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.
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Iron Chef winner Beau MacMillan with Ryan Shenk at a dinner here at the winery during Auction Napa Valley 2007 |
Away from work, Ryan enjoys his favorite movies, playing golf, dining at the plethora of Napa Valley restaurants, and being an ever faithful San Francisco 49ers fan! He also likes to travel and particularly likes attending the Winter Olympics every four years.
Ryan's family continues to reside here in the valley as well. His father Ed is retired Vice President of Student Services at Napa Valley Junior College. Mother, Sue Dee, is the Director of Napa Valley Community Housing. His brother, Travis, currently lives in Chico, and is a recent graduate of Chico State College, with a degree in International Business.
Snake River Farms Partnership
Well, you are all aware of our partnership with this fabulous supplier of American Kobe (Wagyu) Beef and now, as a Bacchus Society Wine Club member, you are able to receive a 10% discount on Snake River Farms' products.
Visit www.snakeriverfarms.com to check out their products. Upon checkout, enter the Signorello Wine Club discount code CU91F2EO to receive 10% off your purchase. This code is good through January 1, 2009. For more information, you can contact Ryan Shenk at ryan@signorellovineyards.com.
Limited Wine Club Wines still available
We have some very limited quantities left of these wines still in stock. If you would like to revisit any of these fantastic wines, you had better jump on it now because there is not much left!
To order, just call the winery or shoot Ryan Shenk an email at ryan@signorellovineyards.com. Remember, your 15% discount always applies! While Supplies Last!
- 2001 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (375ml)
- 2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2004 Estate Merlot
- 2004 Estate Cabernet Franc
- 2005 "Hudson Vineyard" Pinot Noir
- 2006 Hope's Cuvee
December 2007 Newsletter
Greetings Wine Club Members!
The Holidays are upon us and it is a great time in the Napa Valley! The weather is getting cooler and the colors in the vineyards have changed. The valley is covered in colors of orange, yellow, and red. It is a beautiful site to see!
We have a very special Holiday shipment for you. For the first time ever, we have created two wines that we have never done before…and we did it just for you! Try them out with your holiday dinners as a perfect pairing with your Prime Rib, Ham or Roast Beef. As our Holiday gift to you, ENJOY!
So from everyone here at Signorello Vineyards, Happy Holidays!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager
And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:
Platinum Club & Reds Only Club
2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon -
The newest edition of our Signature wine opens to aromas of all spice and vanilla. The lush palate has flavors of currant and tobacco. Its long finish with integrated tannins and lush flavors will allow this wine to age for the next 15 years.
Priced in our tasting room at $48, Wine Club price: $40.80
2005 Uvaggio - Uvaggio, which means blend in Italian, is our newest Wine Club exclusive wine. This blend of 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot and 1/3 Cabernet Franc is to die for! It's Bordeaux style quality gives this wine an earthy feel with flavors of mulberry and hints of vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40
2005 East Hillside Block Cabernet Sauvignon - This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect compliment to our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A Wine Club exclusive wine, the fruit is sourced from a special block on the back side of our property. Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club Price: $37.40
Winery News - 2007!
New Labels
You may have noticed some new changes with the labels on all our newly labeled wines. We have decided to go with an updated design for our wine bottles and we love the new look!
Holiday Sale
As a Wine Club member, we are offering a special discount for the Holidays. It is our present to you!
Purchase 6 bottles or more of any of our wines and receive 20% off!
Feel free to mix or match any of our current release or Wine Club exclusive wines. Valid thru December 24th, 2007
New Member of the Signorello Family
At the beginning of December, a new person joined the Signorello Family. Stop by and say hi to Nicole Kuhn when you are in the valley!
New Winery Dogs book
If you have visited the tasting room lately, you may have seen our dog Bandit in the first edition of the Napa Valley Winery dogs book. Well, the author of the book visited recently to take pictures of our newest puppy, Zizou, for her next edition. Look for the second edition on sale in January!
Get to know our newest Family member - Nicole Kuhn
Hailing from New Hartford, NY, Nicole comes to us with quite the impressive resume. After graduating in 2005 from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park with a Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management in Culinary Arts, she came to the C.I.A. at Greystone in St. Helena to earn a certificate as a Certified Wine Professional. She has already mastered the art of cooking, now she has set out to master the art of wine. After receiving her certificate in May 2007, her plan was to become a Sommelier. She soon realized she was not ready to go back into restaurants just yet and instead plans to focus on hospitality and education in both wine and food. Who better to educate people about the complimentary aspects of food & wine? We can't think of anyone! This is why she is the perfect fit for us here at Signorello Vineyards!
Nicole's parents are back in New Hartford. Her mother, Anne, is in graphic design and her father, Mark, is a contractor. Her younger sister, Taylor, lives in Manhattan and works for Pearl Fisher; a company that does product design. She has called the Napa Valley home since last March and when she is not enjoying bubbles from Schramsberg, she is throwing dinner parties for her friends, creating the perfect food & wine pairings, traveling, or staying at home to knit and crochet. She also likes to live the ultimate Napa Valley experience by trying all that Napa has to offer!
SIGNORELLO Vineyard Update
Well, the 2007 Harvest is officially over! It was a great year because the weather decided to cooperate. Although we did have some heat spikes at the end of August, it was pretty uneventful in terms of weather. That makes for a good year. Now, the leaves are starting to fall off the vines and they go dormant until bud break in the spring. Finally finished with the fermentation process, we are now getting ready to bottle some of our 2006 red wines…Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Syrah.
Dear Pierre,
You've heard of Dear Abby, this is Winery Dictionary with the Winemaker. Send us your questions!
What is "grafting"? This is the horticultural practice of uniting two plants to grow as one. We use this process in the vineyards to change varietals. For example, if you have a healthy merlot vine, but want to change to a cabernet vine, you can choose to graft a cabernet vine to the merlot rootstock. It is a less expensive way to change varietals and is usually done in mid - late April.
What is the difference between French and American oak? Typically, French oak barrels contribute gentler, more integrated oak and vanilla character while American oak barrels give wine a strong, oak aroma, creamy character, and vanilla and dill flavors as well as slightly coarse tannins. Wine is also more likely to breathe through French oak barrels than American oak barrels. Barrels made from American oak were originally produced for the Bourbon industry and until recently, only Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel could stand up to the aggressive aromas and flavors.
Where does the Cabernet Sauvignon grape originally come from? Thought to have spontaneously cross-bread in the 17th century, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape came to California in 1820's and is spawned from the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
October 2007 Newsletter
Greetings Wine Club Members!
Wow, another summer has passed! It is amazing how fast time flies. We have done a lot of fun things in the Wine Club...Pizza parties, Lobster Feasts, and a Release party. Over the last 12 months, we have met a lot of new faces and said goodbye to some old ones, but all in all, we have been having fun and I plan to keep that going! Please stop by and see us when you have some time. We LOVE to see our members!
We consider this Wine Club shipment to be our Thanksgiving shipment. Basically what this means is that we strive to send you wines that would be perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner. I hope you enjoy these perfectly paired wines with your Holiday meals! Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager
And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:
Platinum Club
2006 Hope's Cuvee - This highly exclusive Reserve Chardonnay opens to apple and pear exhibiting an extra dimension of depth that the Estate Chardonnay does not possess; with hints of spice and cinnamon. Priced in our tasting room at $60, Wine Club price: $51
2006 Vin Gris de Pinot Noir - This rose has a brilliant salmon color and has flavors of strawberries and cherries with hints of vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $28, Wine Club price: $23.80
2005 Hudson Pinot Noir - This Reserve Burgundian style Pinot Noir presents hints of cherry and anise followed by smoky French Oak and berry aromas. This well balanced wine has a silky mouth feel with layers of berries, vanilla and oak spiciness. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club Price: $42.50
Reds Only Club
2005 Merlot - This complex wine offers an enticing blend of vanilla, black cherry, cedar and tobacco Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40
2005 Cabernet Franc - This varietal is primarily used to give structure to the cabernet blends. However, it holds up on its own and has flavors of berries and vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40
2005 Hudson Pinot Noir - This Reserve Burgundian style Pinot Noir presents hints of cherry and anise followed by smoky French Oak and berry aromas. This well balanced wine has a silky mouth feel with layers of berries, vanilla and oak spiciness. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club Price: $42.50
Calendar of Events - 2007!
Mark your calendars:
- Saturday, October 13 - Kobe & Cab Harvest Party 12 - 4pm. This celebration of the 2007 Harvest will include live music by Alvon and Snake River Kobe beef burgers and hors d'oeurvres prepared by our winery Chef. $40 for members RSVP today!
- Saturday & Sunday, November 10th and 11th - Silverado Trail Silver Pass weekend. You know you can taste here for free, but how many other wineries have you tried on the Silverado Trail? For just $20 (Sat. only) or $30 (Sat. & Sun.), you can taste wine at any of the participating wineries on the Silverado Trail. This is your excuse to try some new wineries you may not have been to before!
Get to know the Winery Office Manager - Ilker Tirben
Born in Golcuk,Turkey, Ilker came to the United States 15 years ago and would eventually become a citizen in 1998. For 10 years he owned and operated his own travel agency with his wife Helen. After deciding to close the business, he came to Signorello Vineyards; that was 3 years ago. Since then, he has been the backbone of this operation overseeing every aspect of the business from Human Resources to Accounting.
Ilker now spends his days working at the winery (starting at 6am), catching up on old movies, listening to all genres of music, playing on his many computers, reading up on history and political science, and tending to his ever growing family (he just found out he is going to be a grandpa).
Ilker has been married to his wife Helen for 15 years and has 5 children from 2 marriages. His oldest son, Ozgur, is a diplomat at the NATO Headquarters in Belgium, his son, Ozan, is a counselor for the Istanbul Stock Market, his daughter, Ipek, is in Law School in Ankara, Turkey, his daughter, Meghan, is a history teacher at Sacramento State, and his youngest daughter, Maria, is in the 7th grade. Ilker has called Napa home for the past 15 years.
SIGNORELLO Vineyard Update
The 2007 Harvest is officially upon us! A late heat spike at the end of August pushed the start of harvest up by about 3 weeks. At that time, we were able to pick Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. With a cooling trend that followed shortly there after, the picking came to a crashing halt. It was not until the last day of September that we were able to resume picking again. Now, we are back on track for the harvest season. Next up to come off the vine are Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Cabernet Franc and of course Cabernet Sauvignon!
Dear Pierre,
You've heard of Dear Abby, this is Winery Dictionary with the Winemaker. Send us your questions!
What is "fining"? This is the process for clarifying wine. You replace the traditional filtration process and introduce a fining agent instead to separate the naturally occurring proteins from the wine. Egg whites are commonly used to collect these proteins. After settling to the bottom, the egg whites, along with the proteins, are then fully removed. An older method, not used anymore, is sheep's blood.
What is the difference between Syrah and Shiraz? This question goes back to the origins of the grape itself. It is widely believed that the grape originated in the Shiraz Valley in Iran. However, some believe it originally came from France. Countries that associate themselves with England typically call this grape Shiraz. This is why growers in say, Australia, call the grape Shiraz. Most other growers in the world call it Syrah.
What it is meant when you "rack" a wine? Racking is a process used during aging. Barrels are racked during this process to clean out the sediment that settles to the bottom of a barrel. The wine is transferred to an empty barrel so that the dirty barrel can be washed. Each barrel is racked 4 times over the course of the aging process.
August 2007 Newsletter
2006 SETA RELEASED
At the beginning of August, we officially released the 2006 Seta to the Wine Club. In order to ensure the Wine Club had first dibs to this beautifully crafted wine of 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, we sent out a mini shipment of two bottles to the Platinum Club members. However, due to the scorching temperatures this country has seen this summer, your wine might be currently being held for weather holds. This is in part due to keep shipping costs down and making sure your wine arrives to you the way our Winemaker, Pierre Birebent, intends. Don't worry, your Seta is in safe hands and as soon as Mother Nature allows, we will get your wine to you! If you are on our will call list, it is ready for pick up anytime!
UPCOMING EVENTS
SoCal's Hottest Summer Duet ..... Bistro 45 is the perfect pairing with Signorello Vineyards! Monday, August 27 ~ 6:30pm
Signorello Vineyards' Winemaker Pierre Birebent makes a truly rare appearance outside the winery to host a very special evening with a sensational menu of food and wine prepared by none other than the Bistro 45 brass itself - Robert Simon, proprietor and his Executive Chef Damon Brady. For those of you unfamiliar with Bistro 45, this Pasadena culinary landmark is not to be missed. In its 17 year history, this Southern California treasure has earned the highest honors from Wine Spectator, Zagat, Gourmet Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler - but if you know Robert, you'll know that he's most proud of the reviews of his loyal customers that keep coming back and follow him and Chef Brady like groupies at a Stone's concert! From their mutual beginnings, Robert and winery founder Ray Signorello Sr. himself created an instant bond, one characterized by their equaled passion for the art of food and wine and their unrelenting love of life - this is the spirit that is the foundation for a truly special evening not to be missed.
Join Winemaker Pierre Birebent as he takes you on a journey through Chef Damon's specially prepared menu which will include five courses and six wines from Signorello Vineyards for $85 per person.
Bistro 45 is located at 45 S. Mentor Ave in Pasadena, CA
To make reservations please call Bistro 45 at 626.795.2478 or email bistro45@earthlink.com - seriously worth your time!
Please visit www.signorellovineyards.com/napa-valley-winery-events.html or www.bistro45.com/Events/events.html for more details!
Interactive Culinary Class
Saturday, September 22nd, 10:45am - 2:30pm
Signorello Vineyards is known for its award-winning Estate wines. While these wines can easily be enjoyed by the glass in our tasting room, we invite guests to a complete food and wine experience with our interactive culinary class.
Please join us on Saturday, September 22nd for a very special "Harvest Cuisine" class. Don't miss out on the excitement of harvest this year! Sign up now as space is limited!
Course Features:
2 1/2 hours of hands on instruction
3-course gourmet meal paired with Signorello Vineyards wines
Personalized menus
Full wine-pairing & recipe set
Signorello Vineyards apron included
The cost is $160 /person + tax ~ Wine Club Members: $145 / person + tax
Please RSVP to Elan Fayard / elan@signorellovineyards.com or Kate Mallam / kate@signorellovineyards.com 707.255.5990
Napa Valley's Acclaimed Signorello Vineyards and Snake River Farms Present Kobe & Cabernet, An Ultimate Culinary Luxury
Thursday, September 27th, 7:00pm
Vintner Ray Signorello, Jr. of Signorello Vineyards and Jay Theiler of Snake River Farms invite you to enjoy a luxurious menu created by Executive Chef Ashley James of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, featuring Snake River Farms and specially selected wines from Signorello Vineyards.
Dinners like this do not come around often! If you would like to dine on some of the world's most succulent beef paired with some of the best Napa Valley wines, please call 310.385.4950 for reservations.
Price is $185 per person; includes tax and gratuity
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
300 South Doheny Drive
Los Angeles, CA
2007 Harvest Party - Save the date!
Saturday, October 13th, 12:00 - 4:00pm
We are currently planning a fun party to celebrate the most exciting time of year, the 2007 HARVEST! Please save the date for this once a year party to celebrate another good season. Join us for a BBQ featuring Snake River Farms Kobe beef and Kurobuta pork.
Harvest will still be in full swing, so come witness the first step in the winemaking process....while feasting on good food and great wine!
More details to follow...
Please RSVP to Ryan Shenk / ryan@signorellovineyards.com or 707.255.5990
Silverado Trail semi-annual Silver Pass Weekend
November 10th and 11th
Each year, the Silverado Trail association and its member wineries get together to sponsor the semi-annual Silver Pass weekend. Guests to the Napa Valley can purchase tickets for this event for $20 (Saturday only) or $30 for the entire weekend. Ticket holders may visit any one of the participating wineries for free tastings, food & wine pairings, and other special offerings.
Save the date!
IN THE VINEYARD
As we get ready for the Harvest Season, we are very pleased with the season thus far. It has been a good year! Although we did not get much rain during the winter, the grapes were able to flourish. The temperatures of summers past did not burden the vines and kept everything on a pretty consistent growth path.
The Sauvignon Blanc will be the first vines picked for the Signorello Vineyards harvest season. At 24 brix (we usually pick between 24.5 - 25 brix), we are within days of bringing in the first grapes. Then, it is off and running for the next two months as we bring in and crush Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Viognier and Semillon (not in that order). Although we do not actually grow the Pinot Noir and Zinfandel grapes here on the estate, we will be crushing that fruit as well. Once the fruit is harvested, the white grapes will be de-stemmed, triple sorted, crushed, pressed and then put into neutral oak barrels to begin their cold fermentation period (2 - 3 months).
The red wines will take a very different path. They will also be de-stemmed , triple sorted, and crushed, but then they will go into the large fermentation tanks you see in the parking lot for a 25 - 35 day maceration period. This is the process where the juice and skins are constantly in contact to give color, flavor and character to the wine. During this period, we pump over the juice three times per day to increase the skin contact. Pumping over is literally pumping the juice from the bottom of the skins to the top of the skins. Once the maceration period is over, the wine is then transferred to French and American oak barrels to age for anywhere from 16 to 24 months.
Please feel free to visit the winery anytime and witness this awe inspiring process!
VISIT US
We're open daily from 10:30am - 5:00pm for sales and tastings. We do offer private tours and tastings by appointment, but remember that as a Wine Club member, you are welcome to use the patio for a picnic lunch or just enjoy the view with a bottle of wine! If you cannot make it to the winery, but would still like to enjoy more Signorello wines, please visit our website www.signorellovineyards.com or call 707.255.5990.
May 2007 Newsletter
Greetings Wine Club Members!
The year 2007 has started out with a bang! We are slowly starting to plan more and more fun events for all you wine club members. Keep checking the website and emails about some of these spontaneous events that tend to "just happen"!
Most of you have heard by now, but I have taken over the Wine Club for Bruce. I have met many of you before as I have been working here at the winery for over a year now, but I look forward to making the wine club even more fun.
For this month's club shipment, I wanted to do something a little special. I am sending you 3 bottles total, but one is the '03 Cab and one is the '04 Cab. This way, you have a very good opportunity to taste two different vintages, side by side, to compare the differences. While Pierre thinks the '04 could be his best vintage ever, the '03 has really turned into an award winning wine! Let me know what you think! Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager
And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:
2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - The reticent nose opens to black currant, vanilla and hints of cedar. The lush full-bodied palate continues with flavors of ripe cassis, vanilla and hints of tobacco. The long and intense finish is accentuated by the young velvety tannins. Priced in our tasting room at $40, Wine Club price: $34
2004 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Our signature wine is chocolate colored and opens to coco bean, allspice and vanilla. The lush, full-bodied palate continues with flavors of black currant and hints of tobacco. This wine's incredible balance and long finish is accentuated by its integrated tannins and lush flavors. Priced in our tasting room at $40, Wine Club price: $34
2005 Estate Syrah - The 4% Viognier co-fermented with the Syrah adds a nice floral component of clove and lavender. This well balanced, medium-bodied wine has very nice tannins that lead into flavors of roasted coffee, pepper, vanilla and mulberry. Priced in our tasting room at $36, Wine Club price: $30.60
Summer Events - 2007!
Mark your calendars, because we have some absolutely fun events coming up over the course of the next couple months.
- Saturday, June 23 - '04 Cabernet Release Party: 11-4pm Free for wine club members! We will be tasting the '03 and '04 cabs as well as some '05 Cab barrel samples. We will also have some Italian hors d' oeuvres and maybe even a demonstration of how to build a wine barrel. RSVP today!
- Saturday, July 21- Lobster Feast
You know the drill! $110 per person. Starts at 5:30 pm on the patio.
- Saturday, August 18 - Kobe & Cab Dinner: Yes, this is the 1st annual Kobe $ Cab dinner! $145 person. Starts at 5:30pm on the patio.
Space is filling up fast!
RSVP today!
Get to know your Vineyard Foreman - Carlos Vasquez
Next to Ray Signorello, Carlos is the longest lasting employee here at Signorello Vineyards. He was 14 years old in 1986 when he came to the Napa Valley from Tancitaro, Michoacan, Mexico. He worked at Beringer Winery before joining the Signorello team in 1989.
Carlos is basically Pierre's right hand man when it comes to all aspects of production. He oversees everything that happens in the vineyards and directs his crew of up to 20 people on multiple tasks both during the growing season and during harvest. He is also the unofficial Cellar Master of the winery. During various times of the year, Carlos will be found in the barrel room or caves racking the wines and making sure the wine stays in pristine condition during the aging process. Carlos calls Napa home, but still travels to his home town in Mexico once a year. He has been happily married to his wife Lidia for 13 years. They have 2 boys, Brian and Julian, who love to play soccer.
SIGNORELLO Vineyard Update
The start of the 2007 growing season started on March 15 as bud break was a little early this year. The mustard that populates the valley during the months of January - March have gone away and so the valley is in full bloom with green vines as far as the eye can see. We are currently in the process of suckering…the process of cutting off any unwanted vine stems. We have also been tucking the vines up with wire so that the vines grow into a very nice looking canopy. Although it has not rained nearly as much as last year by this time, we are looking at a wonderful 2007 season!
Dear Pierre,
You've heard of Dear Abby, this is Winery Dictionary with the Winemaker. Send us your questions!
What is the difference between barrel and tank fermentation? During the maceration period, the red wines are fermented in steel tanks because of the grape skins that stay in contact with the juice for up to 35 days. The white wines are fermented in oak barrels because there are no skins on the juice.
What are native yeasts? Native yeasts are naturally occurring yeasts that help transfer the sugar into alcohol. Other wineries add yeast to the wine to speed up this process.
What is that big fan looking thing in the vineyard? That is a wind machine used to keep the buds from freezing during the early part of the growing season. During a frost period, we turn the machine on at about 35 degrees and the air circulation is enough to keep the buds from freezing. If the buds were to freeze, we would lose the entire crop for the year. We turned it on only 3 times this season!
What is Cluster Thinning? Cluster thinning is a vineyard term to thin the crop by cutting off some of the grape clusters. We do this to get a better quality crop. On average, we get about 2.5 tons of grapes per acre, whereas, other wineries can get up to 5.5 tons per acre.
March 2007 Newsletter
Greetings Wine Club!
So far, it has been a good year at Signorello Vineyards. 18 months after the devastating fire at Mare Island that burned 100% of our inventory, we are finally back on track. You, our loyal wine club members, have been a big part in getting us back on track and makes working at the winery fun! We love to see everyone, so please come by the winery when you are in town and take advantage of some of the perks of the wine club: free wine tasting and use of the patio for a nice picnic!
And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:
2005 Zinfandel - The nose on this wonderful Zinfandel, is immediately rewarded with fragrances of strawberry jam and blueberry muffins. Ruby red in color, it has good acid balance and fruit ripeness. This pleasantly plump wine is followed with layers of raspberry, vanilla, plum, and sweet oak. Enjoy with any classic American dish: BBQ, hamburgers, pizza, or dark chocolate. Drink ability: 2007 - 2017. Priced in our tasting room at $36, Wine Club price is $30.60
2005 "Las Amigas" Pinot Noir - This California style Pinot Noir opens with hints of vanilla followed by smoky French oak and plum. This well balanced and medium bodied wine has nicely integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish with layers of cherry, pepper, and plum. Enjoy with poultry, or pasta. Drinkability: 2007-2017. Priced in our tasting room at $38, Wine Club price is $32.30,p>
2005 Estate Chardonnay - The nose opens with intense tropical fruit, toast and mineral aromas. Rich fruit flavors, especially of apple and pear enhance the lush palate. French oak provides a touch of spice with hints of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. A bright apple-like crispness balances these silky, toasty layers. Drinkability: 2007 to 2013. Retail priced at $23.00, Wine Club price is $19.55
Remember that the 15% Wine Club discount is always extended!
Lobster Feast/Kobe & Cabernet Events - 2007!
We feel it is safe to say that all that attended last years first annual Lobster Feast had a wonderful time. We are back with this event for 2007 with an additional surprise: A Turf event as well, featuring Snake River Farms Kobe Beef, a new marketing partner with Signorello Vineyards. Snake River Farms is one of the few producers of Kobe Beef here in the United States. If you are not familiar with this fine product, please take a look at their website at www.snakeriverfarms.com/partners/signorello.asp.
The dates for these fun events are:
- Saturday, July 21 - Lobster Feast
- Saturday, August 18 - Kobe & Cab Dinner
Unfortunately, we must limit these events to our Wine Club members only as we are limited to about 100 people per event. Details and pricing will follow in late March so you have time to plan your visit…
Get to know your Winemaker - Pierre Birebent
Pierre Birebent always knew he would be a winemaker. His family owned vineyards in Algeria since 1839 before starting their vineyards in Corsica, France in 1962. Pierre received his degree from the prestigious Lycee Agricole Macon-Davaye in the Burgundy region of France. After finishing his degree, he decided to take a year off and travel around the winegrowing regions of the world...
He never went back. Pierre came to the Napa Valley for the harvest of 1985; working first for Pine Ridge Winery, then Stag's Leap Winery and finally at the Kuleto Estate Vineyards. He joined the Signorello Vineyards family in 1998, where he is now both Winemaker and Vineyard Manager.
Pierre Birebent, who oversees the vineyards as well as the winemaking, says "Tending the grapes all the way to the bottle gives me tremendous quality control. I practice the classic French style of winemaking, which means the Signorello wine style starts in the vineyard."
Pierre calls St. Helena home and has two wonderful children, Paul and Isabelle. He is also very proud of his two prize-winning Brittany Spaniels, Bandit and Zizou, who help him with his other passion....Hunting! Be sure to say HI to Pierre on your next visit. Pierre is also the FIRST person to sign up for both of our Summer events!
SIGNORELLO Vineyard Update
Last year, we tracked a Merlot vine's growth throughout the season. This year, we have a Cabernet vine within walking distance of our tasting room so that any of you visiting us can see the progress of the vine for yourselves. What's going on now? Nothing much, as we are in the last few weeks of dormancy before the weather warms up. This, along with longer days, stimulate the dormant buds to swell and open. When this takes place, we will have the start of Bud Break and the 2007 growing season!
Dear Pierre,
You've heard of Dear Abby, this is Winery Dictionary with the Winemaker. Send us your questions!
Why are the red wines unfiltered? Filtration is a process to remove all the un-wanted impurities in wine. Because we are such a small winery, we have a lot of control over our vineyards and we can prevent the impurities from getting in the wine. By doing this, we preserve as much flavor as possible.
What is Veraison? This is the process when the berries change from green to red. The berries start
to soften and sweeten with an increase of sugar. This process usually happens during July.
What is maceration? After harvest, once the red grapes are crushed, the grape skins and juice are put into a large fermentation tank. This is where red wines get there color and tannins. The maceration process usually lasts between 25 - 30 days.
What is considered an Estate wine? Here at Signorello Vineyards, 90% of our wine is estate grown. To be considered an estate wine, 100% of the fruit must be grown, aged, and bottled on the property. The only wines we make that are not estate grown are the Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
December 2006 Newsletter
To our Wine Club Friends:
In most of our letters to you, we mention just how much fun we are having here at the winery and how fast time passes us by between club shipments.... Not this time.... this time we just want to say Thanks for being here with us.
Thanks for sharing us with your friends.
Hoping this finds you ready for a healthy and happy holiday season and new year!
2004 PADRONE TASTING NOTES
PADRONE is dedicated to Ray Signorello Sr., a visionary whose dreams came to a reality in our wines at Signorello, and whose life was as full of character as our wines. Padrone is a wine that expresses the quality and dignity of Signorello vineyards and is a fitting tribute to the life of Raymond Signorello Sr.
We are providing this wine exclusively to our Wine Club friends for the 2006 holiday season. This wine will not be released to the public for sale, or even for resale to the Wine Club, until well into 2007. Enjoy with our blessings.