Virtual Wine Tasting featuring St. Supery winery with CEO Emma Swain & winemaker Brooke Shenk

Mankind . . . possesses two supreme blessings. First of these is the goddess Demeter, or  Earth whichever name you choose to call her by. It was she who gave to man his nourishment of grain. But after her there came the son of Semele, who matched her present by inventing liquid wine as his gift to man. For filled with that good gift, suffering mankind forgets its grief; from it comes sleep; with it oblivion of the troubles of the day. There is no other medicine for misery.

Wine is the only medicine that I need and a good night sleep, which that second bottle of wine really helps with that. 

It’s Wednesday at that means time for our virtual wine tasting!

Join us as we welcome one of the top producers from Napa Valley on Wednesday, September 30th at 6pm EST.  We will be showing four wines from St. Supery Winery and we have a package of these four wines listed on this e-mail and in the Wine Watch gift Box section at www.winewatch.com.   If you want to follow along you can purchase all four wines in one pack or any of the wines individually on our web page just type in St. Supery and you will find the selections we are showcasing for the event along with all the wines available from this landmark Napa Valley winery.  We invite you to follow along live for this tasting and remember please dress appropriately if you are on our zoom call.

 
Virtual Wine Tasting featuring St. Supery winery with CEO Emma Swain & winemaker Brooke Shenk
Wednesday, September 30rd
6:00 pm

https://www.winewatch.com/wine-gift-boxes-d1/virtual-wine-tasting-kits-c128/virtual-tasting-4-pack-for-st-supery-winery-p29503/
2018 St. Supery  Estate Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley                   
2017 St. Supery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley                
2015 St. Supery Rutherford Estate Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley 
2015 St. Supery Estate Elu Napa Valley   

CONSUMER REGISTRATION LINK: 
https://stsupery.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAuf-GvrDMuGdSI4d2Cgibxzx5t3ptAoWeV
 
St. Supéry Estate is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://stsupery.zoom.us/j/94388728430
Meeting ID: 943 8872 8430
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Meeting ID: 943 8872 8430

A bit about St. Supery:

There is hardly a spot along the St. Helena Hwy stretching up the Napa Valley that has not been touched in the local history of wine. The winery site chosen by the Skalli family is no exception. A 100-year old Victorian house in excellent condition added to the property's attractiveness as a winery site, and spurred historical research concerning its builder, Joseph Atkinson. The results of this investigation proved such a part of the Valley's rich history that the Skalli family decided to restore Atkinson House and maintain it as a living museum evoking life as it was during the last great wine boom of the 1880s.

Louis and Joseph Atkinson, successful clothiers from Philadelphia attracted by the riches flooding into California during the Gold Rush, brought part of their wholesale shirt business to San Francisco.  In 1881, charmed by the burgeoning wine business after a visit to Napa Valley, and on Joseph's urging, Louis purchased a 126-acre parcel which had once been part of George Yount's Mexican land grant, Rancho Caymus. Vineyards were planted and construction begun on a home and out-buildings, but the next year Louis succumbed after a long illness leaving the property to his brother.  Joseph became an active member of the valley's young wine industry, supporting the St. Helena Viticultural Association, sitting on the board of the Bank of St. Helena, and in 1885, joining in partnership with State Senator Seneca Ewer in the establishment of Ewer & Atkinson Winery (the nucleus of what is today known as Beaulieu Vineyards).  The partnership proved highly successful, garnering medals for the wines at the Paris Exposition of 1889. But only 5 years later the root louse phylloxera had ravaged the entire valley, including Atkinson's Rutherford vineyard.  In 1899, financially ruined, Atkinson returned to San Francisco having lost his vineyards to the Bank of St. Helena. Edward St. Supéry, a French winemaker for whom the winery is named and part of the Napa Valley's French colony situated in Oakville, purchased all 126 acres for a nominal fee.

During the years between phylloxera and Prohibition, the vineyards were never reestablished. It was not until 1957, after the property had passed through several owners, that grapevines once again grew here.  When the time came to name the winery, St. Supéry, prominent in the site's list of owners and appropriately French, was selected.  Throughout the changes of a century, Atkinson's Queen Anne Victorian home had survived almost unchanged. Rather than turn the house into a tasting room, the Skallis asked well-known museum designer Gordon Ashby to create a living museum so that winery visitors could enjoy the experience of life in the Napa Valley in earlier times.  The concept began, as most wineries do, with love: love of wines, of the valley life style and of the beautiful Napa Valley itself. After many visits here a successful French businessman, Robert Skalli, and his family were convinced that their business acumen developed through years in the European food industry could be translated effectively into an investment in California vineyards and a winery.  But here the story differs. Over ten years of contemplating the project Robert Skalli had been fortunate enough to receive guidance in vineyard selection from some of the valley's most respected vintners. On their advice and because innovation and creativity have always been by-words in the Skalli enterprises, the family chose to invest not just in the proven viticultural area of Napa Valley, but to set themselves apart by following the "road less taken" into a small corner of the Napa Valley appellation, a microclimate- the Pope Valley.

Like Napa Valley's Carneros region of fifteen years ago, the rolling hills and meadows of Pope Valley had been relatively ignored by those seeking vineyard property in favor of the more easily farmed valley plain. In the late 1890's vineyardists, forced by the devastation of phylloxera to find pest-free land, planted vineyards in nearby Pope Valley and proved the area could produce fine wines. But later, when the more accessible valley floor was replanted with resistant rootstock, the successes of the Pope Valley vineyards were almost forgotten.  In 1982, believing the proper commitment of experimentation and funds could revive the best in this microclimate, the Skalli family purchased a 1500-acre working cattle ranch named for Andrew Jackson Dollarhide and set to the task of finding just which viticultural practices would turn the property into lush vineyards.  Since little grape growing had been done in this area in recent years, technical information on viticultural management appropriate to Pope Valley was virtually non-existent. The vineyard manager, with only two assistants, began cultivation on what would one day be among the largest winegrowing properties in the Napa Valley.

Dollarhide Ranch posed many new viticultural questions. The developers had to acquaint themselves with the unique personality of the Dollarhide Ranch microclimate and soil properties. From 1982 to 1987, continuing experimentation with grape varieties, variety location within the vineyard, soil management, irrigation practices and trellis systems produced invaluable pioneering information on the development of premium quality vineyards in Pope Valley. After years of trial and error, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, farmed intelligently, thrive in the warm summer sun and long, cool nights.  The wines of Dollarhide Ranch exhibit a delicate fruitiness and light body -- pleasing qualities distinct from those of central Napa Valley wines. It is on the appealing, fresh drinkability of these wines that St. Supéry bases its future.

In 1986 the Skallis acquired a 50-acre vineyard in the celebrated winegrowing area of Napa Valley's "Rutherford Bench." The historical relevance of this location situated on the St. Helena Hwy between Oakville and Rutherford made it a valuable and welcoming winery site.

Though the winery's major producing vineyards on the Dollarhide Ranch and responsible for the distinctive style of St. Supéry wines, the Rutherford Ranch, planted primarily in Cabernet Sauvignon, introduces another aspect to the winery's offerings. 

Emma Swain
CEO
Emma Swain, CSW and CEO of St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery has worked in the wine industry for more than 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Managerial Economics from the University of California at Davis. Emma started in finance, before joining Niebaum-Coppola Winery and later worked at Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery for thirteen years as Chief Operating Officer. When Emma joined St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery and became C.E.O. in 2009, she was impressed with the strengths of the people, the matchless property and the rich history of the estate which was founded with a strong sense of passion, unyielding integrity and long-term dedication to winemaking and viticulture, all qualities she holds dear. Emma currently serves as the Board Chair for the Wine Market Council and is a board member of the Napa Valley Vintners as well as serving on multiple subcommittees and works with numerous nonprofits.

All the wines from St. Supery in the Store:

2018 St. Supery Estate Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley                   
Price: $18.00       Sale $15.84

This radiant Sauvignon Blanc presents with pale straw yellow with hints of green hues. Pristine estate fruit is showcased on the nose, where this wine gives generously of pink grapefruit and lime citrus aromas with a subtle thread of green guava and fennel. In the cellar, minimal intervention yields a vivid expression of freshness on the palate with flavors of grapefruit and lime zest zinging through the finish to create a wine of agility, brightness, and devotion to its essence.

2017 St. Supery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley                 
Price: $37.50       Sale $33.00

Rich, vibrant purple and red hues present in this wine. Blackberry and ripe currant aromas combine with black pepper, anise, toasted oak and smoky roasted mocha. Flavors of black plum and cassis complement flavors of roasted coffee bean and licorice. This is a structured Cabernet Sauvignon with fine texture, length, flavor and style.

2015 St. Supery Rutherford Estate Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley 
Price: $48.00       Sale $42.24

This Merlot presents with deep purple hues and red notes. Aromas of black plum, blueberry, and dark chocolate combine with anise, charred oak, and a hint of graphite that result in dark fruit flavors of plum and cherry. The wine continues to evolve with black currant and dark mocha flavors and a hint of dusty terroir on the palate. This is a structured and elegant Merlot with fine-grained tannins

2015 St. Supery Estate Elu Napa Valley                                
Price: $67.50       Sale $59.40                

This wine presents with deep shades of reds and purples. Aromas of dark fruit, blackberry and black plum combine with elements of espresso, vanillin and molasses, as well as notes of smoky oak and dusty terroir. Flavors of dark plum and cassis follow with anise and toasted barrel attributes. This red blend offers a finely textured silky structure with density and a graceful appeal.

2019 St. Supery Estate Rose Napa
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86 

This is a bright and refreshing Rosé, with aromas of strawberry and watermelon that are complemented by hibiscus. Pomegranate and cranberry
flavors continue on the palate and are framed by nuances of raspberry. This is a balanced wine with a vibrant finish and good mouthfeel.                

2018 St. Supery Estate Dollarhide Ranch Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley              
Price: $24.50       Sale $21.56

(92 Points) Stylish and vibrant, with mouthwatering cantaloupe, Creamsicle and pear flavors that are supple, juicy and harmonious. Hints of candied ginger and floral details show on the finish. Drink now.  Wine Spectator

2018 St. Supery Estate Virtu Meritage White Napa                                                              
Price: $22.75       Sale $20.02                      

Elegant shades of pale yellow are displayed in this blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Aromas of lemon grass, lime and a hint of pear are framed by a fantastic French oak quality of toasted oak. Flavors of green lime, lemon grass and kiwi fruit are met with a creamy texture from the sur-lie maturation. The palate is complete with a subtle thread of toasted oak adding complexity to this bright and vibrant white wine.

2018 St. Supery Estate Napa Valley Moscato Estate Napa
Price: $18.75       Sale $16.50                   

This bright and opulent sweet wine is brilliantly colored in pale yellows with youthful hints of green. The aromas of mandarin and peach blossom dominate, together with marmalade and orange zest. A fruit basket of flavors burst in the mouth, led by rich and exotic peach and nectarine, joined by a citrus undercurrent and an orange peel finish.

2015 St. Supery Estate Dollarhide Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley                                   
Price: $94.50       Sale $83.16

WINEMAKER’S NOTES This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon presents with deep, dark reds and purples. Aromas are opulent with ripe black plum, currant, blackberry, anise, espresso and toasted oak, as well as a subtle thread of crème brûlée. A rich, dense profile follows with flavors of cassis and plum, ripe black fruits, espresso, mocha and molasses, with a fine French oak influence. This is a deep, structured wine with excellent fine-grained tannins.

VINTAGE 2015 Despite good rainfall in December of 2014, January and February of 2015 brought warm, spring-like daytime temperatures with minimal precipitation. Little rain was recorded in March and April and as the temperatures cooled, the fruit set slowly over three weeks. May stayed warm and we experienced significant hot spells in June, July and August. Harvest kicked off on September 4 and while yields were light, the quality of our fruit was terrific. In the cool morning hours, the grapes were harvested by hand and brought to the winery where they were hand sorted. 4% of the sorted berries were placed directly into new French Oak barrels where they went through natural fermentation. The barrels were hand rolled six times a day to encourage cap maceration and extraction from the berries. After fermentation, the wine remained on the skins for an extended maceration and barrel integration. Once complete, the wine was drained and the skins removed. The drained wine then returned to the same barrel to age for 19 months.