OPEN MAP HERE T article and photos by Kari Ruel he Napa General Store (NGS) has added its own wine brand to their mix of eclectic small and limited wine tastings at their wine bar. According to owner Jim Brandt, he will be introducing seasonal wine varietals with limited case production with the NGS label. “We have teamed up with wine students at Napa Valley College’s Wine Education Program,” said Brandt. “It’s exciting that our wine is made by students right down the road and that the money goes back to the college program and stays local.” In August, Brandt and his wine team, sommelier Adam Schneider and wine educator Tammy Wisnoskie, debuted two rosé wines. The Napa General Rosé is a French style rosé on the dry side and is food friendly, made from a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc grape. The Retro label “Summer Breeze” is a slightly sweet version, featuring white Gamay grapes from the Suisun Valley over the hill. Both rosés had a limited 22-case production and sell for $22 per bottle or $6 per glass. They are only available at the Napa General Store while supplies last. “Both rosés are wonderful summertime wines, good anytime during the day,” said Brandt. “All the NGS labels are 100-percent Napa Valley grapes, while the Retro label will feature grapes from around California,” he added. “We commissioned Napa Valley artist Russ Charpentier to create the Retro pictures, while David Hanson Jerrard designed the labels.” The fall release on October 1 will showcase a white blend of Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon with music PHOTOGRAPHY bY cHRis FELVER rocKin’ JeweLrY trUnK show: TERRi LOGAn Show your Bottle Rock pass for 15% off a single full-priced item! a Napa General Store Red. The Napa General Store white will be introduced December 1. “It’s been a great partnership working with Greg Siewerte, Brian Avila and Barbara Orloff from NVC,” said Brandt. “They make quality wine, and my team and I participate as much as we can.” According to Schneider they have added wine cocktails to their offerings, including red and white Sangria, wine spritzers and white wine Mojitos. Brandt and his wife, Jill, have operated the Napa General Store, located in the Historic Napa Mill, for the past fourteen years. Five years ago the couple added the wine bar to utilize Jim’s extensive wine buying experience running San Francisco restaurants before their local venture. Today the wine crew helps guests experience a variety of varietals from small production (500 cases or less) local artisan producers with limited distribution; the majority don’t have wine tasting rooms of their own. Another new addition is their Wine and Food Tasting flights, available 11 am – 4 pm daily. Choose from four distinct pairings for just $25. Combinations change periodically. Typically the choice includes a sparkling, white, red and a port varietal. Napa General Store Wine Bar is open daily 10 am – 5:30 pm. www.napageneralstore.com 540 Main Street, Napa 707.259.0762 Napa General Store teams up with Napa Valley College enology students to craft seasonal small-batch wines Napa General Store Owner Jim Brandt Napa General Store sommelier Adam Schneider pours a glass of white wine
NVLife_SeptOct_2013
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