Thank you 7x7SF

We are thrilled to be included as one of the “five fantastic off-the-beaten path wineries” by 7x7SF!

http://www.7×7.com/napa/five-fantastic-beaten-path-wineries-and-their-neighbors

Harvest is here!

Yesterday marked the first day of Harvest for the new HUNNICUTT winery. Our first delivery included beautiful Chardonnay fruit from the Star Vineyard in Rutherford. Here are some pictures of the action – happy harvest!

Great article in Napa Valley Register

Thanks to David Stoneberg for taking the time to visit the new winery. We truly appreciate your kind words.

http://napavalleyregister.com/calistogan/lifestyles/hunnicutt-winery-celebrates-underground-grand-opening/article_057a9648-d418-11e0-95d7-001cc4c002e0.html

Moving on in

It is official – we are moving into the new HUNNICUTT Winery. Tanks – check, barrels – check, office furniture – check! Now we just need the weather to stay warm so that Harvest can actually begin. Fingers crossed!

Springtime means new HUNNICUTT releases are here

As of Sunday, it is officially Spring and this morning it is starting to feel like it here in the Napa Valley. To celebrate the beginning of Spring, we are releasing two new wines – HUNNICUTT 2009 Chardonnay and CUTT 2008 Fearless Red.

HUNNICUTT 2009 Chardonnay

This Chardonnay is a refreshing look at a classic varietal with fruit coming from the cool Coombsville area of Napa Valley. This wine possesses a vibrant color with a nose of bright lemons, light honeysuckle and a hint of pineapple. While the presence of oak is relevant, it certainly stands in the background of the fresh fruit. The palate shows a wonderful mix of white stone fruit, glycerol and minerality that is delightfully complex and interesting. The fine acid layers begin through the mid-palate and continue to deliver a clean and pronounced finish that invites you in for more.

This just in! We learned that our 2009 Chardonnay will be featured in an article about Chardonnay in the Wine Enthusiast. Keep your eye out for the April edition, released this month.

Only 169 cases of this 100% Chardonnay

$40/bottle

CUTT 2008 Fearless Red

This wine begins with a visual attack of deep, dense, inky-purple color. It is incredibly inviting with brooding aromas of ripe plum and black cherry as well as savory overtones. Underlying this are hints of sandlewood, oak, vanilla and spicebox. The palate rushes you with a muscular fruit-laden display of fully-ripened blackberry and cassis. The fleshy texture gives the wine a compelling viscosity that coats the mouth and allows the flavor to linger. All of this richness is balanced with lively acid and firm tannin. As Justin and Kirk agree, the 2008 Fearless is an intensely showy wine, it’s like the Lambada in your mouth.

Only 300 cases of this bold blend (50% Petite Sirah, 32% Zinfandel, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot)

$38/bottle

Winemaker dinner in Hawaii

On January 15th, we were lucky enough to host a winemaker dinner at the Manta restaurant at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii. If you find yourself on the Big Island, don’t miss out on dining at this beautiful restaurant. They did a fantastic job pairing our HUNNICUTT and CUTT wines with a unique menu that highlighted local ingredients. Take a look at the menu from our dinner:

HUNNICUTT 2009 Chardonnay

Baby Keahole Abalone “Stephanie”, Barely Cooked, Japanese Uni Caviar, Calamansi Ponzu

Crispy Ali’i Moi, Slow Roasted Kalua Pig, Big Island Corn Consomme, Earth Grown Lomi Lomi Tomato

CUTT 2007 Fearless Red

BBQ Farmer Quail, Polenta Fries, Braised Greens, Local Honey, Spiced Quail Jus

HUNNICUTT 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Big Island Short Ribs in Two Acts, Soy, Herbs, Black Garlic, Organic Beets, Fresh Hilo Wasabi Root

One word – Delicious!

Great article in the Napa Register about the building of the HUNNICUTT Winery

Check it out:

http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/wine/columnists/paul-franson/article_0304352a-ac16-11df-af6d-001cc4c002e0.html

Over 325 lineal feet underground and counting

While we continue to get rain this May, it hasn’t slowed down the cave construction at all. As of this week, we are over 325 lineal feet underground. Here are a few photos that show the progress.

Justin and Parker at the entry

future fermentation room

future double-wide barrel storage room

Seana and Parker taking a tour

dinners, dinners, dinners

We have been fortunate over the last few months to team up with D.R. Stephens Estate for some exceptional wine dinners. We’ve worked with incredible chefs, including celebrity and iron-chef Cat Cora, and even included a celebrity guest (well, that was the plan – I’ll explain below). We thought that it would be fun to share some of our menus from these fun evenings.

Wine Dinner at Meadowood Restaurant

Chef: Cat Cora

The Chef wanted to show how chocolate could be incorporated in each course – in both sweet and savory ways.

Sea Bass Tartare with Grated White Chocolate Yuzu Vinaigrette, Dark Chocolate, Osetra Cavier

D.R. Stephens Estate 2007 Chardonnay

Bittersweet Chocolate Agnolotti with Roasted Butternut Squash Brown Butter Sage, White Chocolate Emulsion

HUNNICUTT 2008 Chardonnay

Grilled Quail with Cocoa Chile Oaxacan Mole

HUNNICUTT 2007 Fearless Red

Licorice-Root Skewered Wagyu, Savory Gianduja and Bittersweet Chocolate Dolcetto Braised Oxtail Impanato

D.R. Stephens Estate 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Moose Valley Vineyard

Coffee Braised Figs with Robiola Cheese and Chocolate Saba

CUTT 2007 Late Harvest Zinfandel

Chocolate Budino with Vere Amerene Cherries and Ginger Creme Anglaise

CUTT 2007 Late Harvest Zinfandel

Don, Seana and Justin with Chef Cat Cora

Larry King Dinner at Drago Centro

Chef: Celestino Drago

As an auction lot for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, we partnered with Drago Centro in Los Angeles and celebrity guest, Larry King. Unfortunately, the dinner took place a few days after the Haiti earthquake and Larry King was called away to host the telethon to raise money for the disaster relief. He generously invited all guests to his studio the following evening for a taping of his show and will attend a “make-up” dinner at a later date. The dinner continued in his absence and no one complained – especially after taking their first bite and sip.

Cold seafood salad, wild greens

D.R. Stephens Estate Chardonnay, 2007

Ricotta agnolotti, truffle glaze

D.R. Stephens Estate Chardonnay, 2007

Butternut squash risotto, pancetta, gorgonzola cream

CUTT, Fearless Red, 2007

Foccacia stuffed quail, soft polenta

CUTT, Fearless Red, 2007

Duo of new york beef, brown butter potato puree, mushroom

D.R. Stephens Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Walther River Block, 2006

D.R. Stephens Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Moose Valley Vineyard, 2006

Symphony of valrhona chocolate

D.R. Stephens Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Walther River Block, 2006

D.R. Stephens Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Moose Valley Vineyard, 2006

Seana and Justin with Chef Celestino Drago

Hope Gala at Ritz Carlton, San Francisco

This auction event benefited the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a wonderful cause and fantastic evening.

Roasted Asparagus Salad, Purple Haze Goat Cheese, Sourdough Levain Croutons, Baby Green Garlic Vinaigrette

HUNNICUTT 2008 Chardonnay

Roasted Filet of Beef, Jim Cook Farms Marble Potatoes, Late Spring Vegetables Red Wine Shallots, Bordelaise

CUTT 2007 Fearless Red

HUNNICUTT 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon 9-3-5

Milk Chocolate Raspberry Cake, Pistachio Sauce

CUTT 2007 Late Harvest Zinfandel

Visitors – the Aubert/King/Bauman Family

We had a wonderful visit with the Aubert/King/Bauman family. Thanks for tasting our wines and touring the cave progress. We hope to see you all again soon!

Brent & Michalyn Bauman, Kristin King, Garth & Teresa Aubert, Maureen & Charlie King

Maureen and Charlie King with Justin on a cave tour

Charlie King and daughter, Kristin King, tasting wine with Justin

Tasting more wine with Justin