Wine And Art In Napa Valley, California
A recent trip to Napa Valley found the Bottlenotes Intern Team exploring the winery's newly renovated guest center, tasting room, and fine art gallery. With glasses of citrusy 2011 Estate Sauvignon Blanc in hand, we strolled through rooms showcasing Bay Area artist Grace Munakata's Habitation series, a collection of brightly colored paintings and collages that feature childhood motifs and multilayered complexity. The collection is on display in the Napa Valley for the first time, courtesy of the Paul Thiebaud Galley in San Francisco.
The fine arts gallery, which features a schedule of exhibits by California artists, is just one of many activities available to visitors to the St. Supéry Hospitality Center in Rutherford. From the guest center, visitors can catch a bird's eye view of the working winery, drop in for a tasting, go on a guided tour of the winery, or even play petanque in the parc in celebration of the St. Supéry's French origins.
Even without a trip to Napa, anyone can appreciate the distinct and complex character of St. Supéry wines. Here are a few of our favorites from the tasting menu:
ST. SUPERY "Dollarhide Estate Vineyard" Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (Napa Valley, Calif.) $35
With subtle aromas of exotic fruit like guava and mango, this sauvignon blanc, aged partially in new French oak, surprises the palette with a warm, toasty note. Strawberries and French toast, anyone? Find it here.
ST. SUPERY "Rutherford Estate Vineyard" Merlot 2009 (Napa Valley, Calif.) $50
This fruit-forward merlot is sure to please with big blackberry, raspberry, and dark cherry aromas and a complementary palette of dark chocolate and mocha. It's big enough to be paired with a summer steak, yet complex enough stand alone. Find it here.
The Habitation series will be on display from July to November, so stop by for a pairing of art and wine that will dazzle your eyes and surprise your taste buds.