Team C&J
San Francisco Chronicle – Napa winery must shut down tasting room after 6-year legal battle
Well, after a 6 year battle, with the case still in the courts, Napa Valley continues to bite the hand that feeds it. From the article:
On Thursday, a judge granted a preliminary injunction against Hoopes, which prohibits the small winery from selling and serving wine from its premises and hosting events. It also forces the winery to relocate its animal sanctuary, a popular attraction for visiting families, within two weeks.
In 2022, the county sued Hoopes and second-generation proprietor Lindsay Hoopes, claiming the winery wasn’t permitted to host tastings. Lindsay Hoopes believed the winery was grandfathered in due to an exemption granted to small wineries established before 1990, and last year, a judge ruled in the county’s favor. (Hoopes’ cross-complaint remains unresolved.) In January, Napa County requested a preliminary injunction — in addition to $8 million in penalties, attorney fees and other costs.
Decanter – Antinori buys Napa Valley’s Arcadia Vineyard
Marchesi Antinori continues its expansion into California, picking up a legendary vineyard. From the article:
Italian group Marchesi Antinori has purchased Warren Winiarski’s prized Arcadia Vineyard in Napa Valley via its Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, reuniting the two properties under the same ownership.
Winiarski founded Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, which put Napa Valley on the map after its 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon won the landmark Judgement of Paris in 1976.
In 1996, he purchased Arcadia Vineyard, a 55-hectare (ha) estate in the Coombsville AVA, from Austin Hills of Grgich Hills Estate.
Winiarski oversaw both Napa Valley estates until 2007, when he sold Stag’s Leap to Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Marchesi Antinori.
He continued to own Arcadia Vineyard until he died aged 95 last year. During that time, Arcadia supplied Stag’s Leap with grapes.
Marchesi Antinori, the family-owned Tuscan wine group, became the sole owner of Stag’s Leap in 2023 after buying out partner Ste. Michelle.
Decanter – Vandals destroy experimental ‘AET’ vines in northern Italy
It seems like we have one of these stories every few months or so. This one is different in that the vandals appeared to be against the research being done here, thinking it was Genetic Modification (GMO), but the researchers insist it wasn’t, but instead it was Assisted Evolution Technology (AET). Either way, years of research have been destroyed. From the article:
Eventually, the goal of AET plants is to create disease-resistant vines to avoid the use of pesticides.
‘AET vines are not GMOs,’ said professor Mario Pezzotti, coordinator of the Agricultural Genetics Working Group of the Department of Biotechnology.
‘They are plants obtained by mutation, as occurs in nature. The difference is that, in our case, the mutation is targeted. In the laboratory, we perform in-vitro experiments, but we also need to test in an open field, where the vines will be cultivated.
‘The five Chardonnay plants underwent editing to resist downy mildew.’
VinePair – Why Is Everyone Trying to Make Eye Contact During Toasts?
I usually make eye contact when toasting someone (I’m not sure it matters), but I have seen that people are getting a little fanatical about it. The article tries to explain:
Imagine this: You’re out at a bar after a long day, and your server has just dropped off your first round of drinks. Shoulders already unwinding, you go to clink your glass against your friend’s only to find them Miley Cyrus Blue Eyes-staring at you from across the table awaiting your cheers. Perhaps they’re even chanting “Eyes! Eyes! Eyes!” as they raise their glass to yours, insisting on maintaining eye contact until your drinks have touched and you’ve both enjoyed a sip. And just like that, the moment is over and things are back to normal.
Trefethen Family Vineyards in Napa, CA
Napa Valley is packed with wineries that have been around long enough to see more Prohibition-era drama than an old-timey detective novel. But few have stood the test of time quite like Trefethen, a family-run estate that’s been making wine since before bell-bottoms were a thing. Located in the Oak Knoll District, this winery offers a mix of history, charm, and seriously good wine—all without the fussiness you might expect from a place with this much pedigree.
Trefethen Wines 2016 Halo Cabernet Sauvignon
C&J Rating: 95 Points Price: $250
The 2016 Trefethen Halo Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa’s Oak Knoll District is a wine of elegance, complexity, and power. In the glass, the wine is a deep garnet color with pronounced aromatics. A brambly mix of black fruit, blackberry, and black cherry is complemented by nose-tingling cedar, cigar box, oak, and the unmistakable scent of the forest floor. There is just the slightest touch of bell pepper that sneaks through the fruit and spice.
The palate is similarly intense. On the palate, the wine offers black cherry, black pepper, cedar, leather, tobacco, mocha, and bell pepper. While this is a full-bodied Cabernet, everything is in balance, including the finish, which seems to go on forever. Based on the bottle we tried, we think you could enjoy the Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon now or cellar it to enjoy on a special occasion.
Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas, NV
The service is flawless, the ambiance is ultra-luxurious, and the food is as refined as it gets.
That being said, this experience comes with a serious price tag. The 16-course tasting menu can easily set you back over $500 per person before drinks and gratuity. For those who appreciate Michelin-starred precision, opulence, and true French gastronomy, it is an unforgettable meal and a bucket-list dining experience.
For others, the formal atmosphere and astronomical cost may feel excessive, especially in a city with other incredible restaurants that offer a more relaxed fine-dining experience.
Final Thoughts:
At the end of the day, Joël Robuchon is an unforgettable experience for those who truly love French cuisine—just be prepared for the bill that comes with it.
Corkage: $50 per bottle // Two Bottle Max or $100 for a Magnum // 1 Bottle Max
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