2007-08-07
Alpha Omega – It’s All About the Wines
by Diana Greenwood
When you’re young, time flies and each new discovery is thrilling. One of Napa Valley’s newest wineries, Alpha Omega, affectionately tagged “AO” by its passionate team, has that zest for existence, eyes wide open to possibilities, and one year after the first release the exhilaration in this place continues to mount. As Managing Partner, Robin Baggett, likes to say, “It’s exciting to come here and it’s exciting to be here.”
But AO is all about the wine and first things first. For the past year, behind-the-scenes construction was under way and a new tank room is to be ready August 1st. No one is more excited by this than AO’s Swiss-born Winemaker, Jean Hoefliger. Six-foot-five, Jean is a presence with a charming accent and a smile for everyone.
“When we came here, in order to make great wine, we had to get the right equipment,” he said. “Even simple things like picking boxes to transport the grapes at night and scales for weighing them. We needed new forklifts, double sorting tables and the right people to undertake the very long process of hand-sorting, only about one ton per hour when you want the attention to detail we do. The new tank room has sophisticated temperature control, new tanks, catwalks for punch-downs, new drains and concrete, everything we need to make it easier for us to focus on making the wines. We spent the past year learning to use all the new equipment, now we have the perfect place in which to work.”
For a winery already producing elegant wines it’s hard to believe things could improve, especially when the grapes for those wines come from highly sought after vineyards in unique appellations. In addition to acquiring the well-known Sauvignon Blanc vineyards on the Rutherford property, AO sources grapes from Spring Mountain, Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, Atlas Peak, and Carneros, including the historically significant To Kolan, Stagecoach and Hudson vineyards. With the right vineyards, a well-trained staff, dedicated winemaker and the infrustructure in the new tank room to make winemaking more efficiant, you’d think the excitement was over.
But AO recently hired Michel Rolland, a native of Bordeaux, one of the world’s best palates, as consulting winemaker. Michel is working closely with Jean, both in the vineyards and the cellar, to insure that AO’s wines are world class. Remember, it’s all about the wine here and Michel’s focus, like Jean’s, is on one thing and one thing only, the quality.
Michel and Jean tasted all the different lots, 120 wines, took notes, rated each and then selected the most outstanding wines for blending to make a base. “Then you measure the potential of your base,” said Jean. “Do the different characters in the wine accept each other and benefit from each other? If you’re missing a little mouth-feel and generosity, you’ll add a wine that is bigger and stronger. Michel and I are working to adapt the identity of the wine in that base and see what other components are needed to make it great. It took us five and a half hours to blend just one wine in our first session.”
This first blend will be the “icon” wine, a special AO Bordeaux blend that’s not quite final yet but is roughly 60% Cab, 10% Petite Verdot, 10% Cab Franc and the remaining, Merlot. It’s an exciting time to join the wine club so you’ll have advance release notice on this and other futures.
But all the wines are getting noticed. Rutherford soil is perfect for Sauvignon Blanc and right now, there’s a satisfying buzz in the tasting room as guests try the 2006 vintage, just released July 15. This is your summer food wine and since all AO wines are limited production, pick up a case when you visit. You’ll also want to try the Napa Valley Proprietary Red. This wine is powerful with flavors of blueberry jam and hints of strawberries, tobacco leaf, and rosemary yet lingers softly on the palate with aromas of candy and cherry liquor. There’s a Chardonnay with great expression and of course, a wonderful and perfectly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon.
Young, but growing up fast, AO is located at 1155 Mee Lane, a striking location just off Highway 29 in the pristine Rutherford Bench. You can see the fountain in the pond as you approach. Once out of the car, the setting will truly stir your senses. Expansive lawn, sweeping vineyard views, and distant mountains can be enjoyed from the deck where you’ll relax with a bottle of wine and a picnic.
More excitement is anticipated as remodeling plans unfold. The existing building will receive a country farmhouse-style facelift, expansion of the deck to take advantage of the lovely view, new landscaping, and a major remodel in the tasting room where vaulted ceilings, a dramatic wall of windows, and a central island tasting counter will create a light and airy space. Never a dull moment for Napa Valley’s newest winery.
AO is open for tasting daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with barrel tastings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Catch the excitement by joining the wine club. AO has a flair for designing memorable exclusive-to-wine-club events and to celebrate the one-year anniversary, there’s an elegant, Napa Valley-style lobster feed planned. Choose from two dates: August 4th or 25th, 2007 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Limited to the first 50 RSVPs per event, cost to wine club members is $95. Feast on 1-1/2 pound lobsters, prawns, corn on the cob, artichokes, potatoes and of course, enjoy AO wines. Call (707) 963-9999 for reservations or visit the website at aowinery.com. Alpha Omega is well on its way to becoming one of the great wine estates of the world.
Related Information
|
