Glenora Retreat (?) News

[Kcwhippet]

Well, I'm finally caught up with everything at home (got in about 7:30 last night) and all the perceived emergencies at work, so here are my thoughts/observations/recollections from the wonderful time we had this past weekend.

We got a late start due to things happening on the home front, but we finally arrived and shortly after we checked in, the power went out as has been told and retold. Fortunately, it was still light and we decided to wait it out hoping the condition would be of short duration. It wasn't, so we hiked down to the front desk to see what the situation was. As we were there, we noticed an older gentleman scuttling into the dining room with an armful of wine bottles. On a whim I called out "Verne" and he turned around and said "That's me". After introductions, we followed him into the dining room and found everyone else there already well into the first three bottle of WW's 94 Napa Cabs. He opened the next three and we naturally dived in. I went back to the room and brought up an 87 Guigal Hermitage (brought four) to add to the lineup. Met Art Kelly, the executive chef, and he was hoping the power would come on so he could make us a nice dinner. It didn't, so out came a nice spread of several cheeses and accompaniaments. Power finally came back on and we invited the only other occupants of the room to join us. They were Helene and John Huff from Lichtenstein who were making their way across country to Las Vegas (where they were married) for their thirtieth anniversary. Very nice people. So, the whole crew was there along with Gene and his wonderful wife. Gene repeatedly tried to outline the agenda for the weekend, but after all the wine, he had a lot of trouble getting everyone's full attention. Eventually, we all got the message and trundled off to bed to rest up for the next day's trip.

I'd like to say Saturday dawned bright and cheerful, but the sun refused to cooperate. Regardless, we all trooped out after breakfast (I believe WW had a Glenora Brut for his). We dutifully followed Gene (with WW's occasional horn emphasis) to Herman Wiemer, Anthony Road, Fox Run (lunch in the barrel room), Knapp where we met Gene's daughter Karry (and the black swans Swim and Swam along with the fresh water crocodile), and finally Wagner where we had some really nice beers. Finally back to Glenora to Art Kelly's great spread. IK mentioned all the multitudinous ingredients for the do-it-yourself entree. I had lobster tail, scallop and shrimp with red and yellow peppers and roasted garlic with an orange/saffron sauce (Gene - Art was going to give me the recipe) over spinach fettucine. All were accompanied with copious amounts of wine - I provided a vertical of Lewelling Napa Cabs 1997 through 2000 along with another couple of bottles of the 87 Hermitage (Art really liked this one!). Gene's wonderful staff of John, Steve, Debby and, of course, Art made sure there was nothing any of us wanted or needed that wasn't readily taken care of. Great people!! Finally off to bed to rest up for Sunday's events.

Sunday was, if anything, a bit cooler than Saturday, but we weren't to be denied our adventures. First, we all had an opportunity to disgorge, dosage and cork our own bottles of bubbly. It was fun, and we can't wait to serve them at home with our own names on the labels. Then we were off to Dr. Konstantin Frank's for a presentation by Willy Frank and a taste of his lineup - some very nice wines there. Next off to Foodie's for the big feast. The centerpieces were the smoked salmon and smoked chicken, accompanied by wonderful asparagus, potato salad and more - and of course californiagirl's Mango Salsa. I don't remember how many bottles of wine were arrayed around the table, but there was no way any one person could have sampled them all (except maybe WW). Others will have to comment on the rest, but I provided four 2002 California Pinot Noirs - Radio-Coteau Marsh Vineyard, ROAR Rosella's Vineyard, Loring Ranco Ontiveros and Siduri Gary's Vineyard (really huge!). I was there when Gene tasted the ROAR and said "This is what Pinot is supposed to be." It was a wonderful wine, made for ROAR by Adam Lee at Siduri, by the way. Foodie's wonderful wife, Ann, was an incredibly gracious and accomodating hostess. She carried off the daunting task of feeding the horde with nary a hitch in a kitchen under construction. Thank you so much for the hospitality. Finally back to the Inn. For some reason, WW was still hungry so off we went to the restaurant for dinner, with the bottle of Dehlinger Syrah he had brought back from Foodie's. I had a wonderful bison and ostrich terrine that went extremely well with the Syrah.

Last day - Monday - finally dawned with real sunshine! I just knew the sun had to come sooner or later. Went down to the last breakfast with the crew - tearful farewells, and all that. Judy and I wanted to go up to the winery, so Gene called up to make sure they let us in early. We had to go because we hadn't really had an opportunity to taste through the Glenora wines. Gene spent the weekend shepherding us around to all his friends wineries, and neglected to do a full tasting of his own wines (except for Knapp, of course). We assembled about a case and a half to take and the lady at the register asked if we were in the FOG Club. I asked what that was and she said Friends Of Gene, so we said of course.

So, I've tried to put my own little spin on the events of the weekend without repeating too much of what has been said before. As for tasting notes, WoW was taking copious notes and I hope will be posting them eventually. This was a truly diverse group, but I've never been on such an adventure that's been as much total fun. I would be willing to get together with any one (or all) of the group again in a heartbeat. Truly wonderful people! I hope we all get together again for the next Wine Board adventure, along with a lot more folks here. I just can't end without at least once more expressing a huge amount of appreciation for all that Gene, his great staff and his friends at the other wineries did to make us welcome. Gene, you went way above and beyond, my friend. I'm sure there were many things that needed your attention this past weekend, and the amount of time and energy you spent to make this a memorable time for the rest of us was much more than we could have ever expected. Thank you so much, Gene.