Last week I wrote about taking the Texans to Caymus. Today it’s about taking them to Tofanelli Vineyards, or more specifically to Up Valley Vintners tasting room where Vince Tofanelli serves his incredible array of red wines.
If you read this blog or have had dinner in our home, you know how much I love Tofanelli wine. The Zinfandel is simply the best. Vince is a charmer and shares his knowledge of wine freely. And the background family story … well, you just have to love a wine that has a label showing the owners Grandma on a motorcycle in the vineyard circa 1930.
Vince was kind enough to meet us at the tasting room for over an hour. We tasted his incredible Zinfandel, which was easily the crowd favorite. Sometimes a Zinfandel can be too sweet; other times it can be too peppery. Vince finds the perfect balance, crafting a wine that is pleasing to a wine novice but nuanced enough to hold the attention of an oenophile.
Vince graciously signed several bottles.
There was also a great Petite Sirah that easily compared to a Cabernet Sauvignon. The Tofanelli Charbono was a treat, in part because there is so little of it available. And the big surprise of the day was the new Tofanelli Grenache, so new it’s not even offered on the website yet. Each expressed the unique style and flavors I’ve come to expect from Tofanelli wines.
The Texans enjoyed it all. I’m not sure how much was ordered that day, but suffice to say that we put a dent into the Tofanelli inventory. At least I hope we did because my family won’t be able to find this great wine back in their home State. Of course I don’t mind if they come back and visit again to buy more, but I’m not sure even Tofanelli wine is worth that kind of investment! Well, actually, maybe it is …
We could easily have stayed longer with Vince — he tells great stories and makes understanding wine seem so simple — but we had to head out to our lunch appointment. He captured everybody’s heart, just as I knew he would. Most people think of winemakers as snobs filled with pride (and the stereotype has plenty of evidence to support it). But Vince is approachable, humble, quick to listen and slow to speak. You feel at home with him. Which was perfect for a family outing.
So if you are in Calistoga and can drop by Up Valley Vintners, be sure to taste the Tofanelli wines. And if Vince is there, tell him I sent you. Enjoy!
