Annual Holiday Gathering
at Zozo’s Ristorante
Join us at Zozo’s Ristorante (3446 Lakeside Dr, Reno, NV 89509-4854) on Tuesday, December 12th at 5:30 PM for no-host social cocktails and at 6:30 PM for dinner. $60 by check and $62 on-line (tax and tip included), and bring a bottle of you favorite wine (no corkage fee). Call Pam at 775-453-0246 or Jaclyn at 617-529-2092 with questions or comments. RSVP
Winemakers Dinner with NGGW Member
& Napa Valley Winemaker Tom Farella
With four decades of experience growing grapes in Napa Valley, Tom is in a unique position to speak about the history of Napa and the changes he’s witnessed since the beginning of the modern era of wine-making in the valley in the early 1970s. He’s seen the advent and proliferation of the appellation system in the U.S., the perils (and hidden advantages) of phylloxera, and the rise of Cabernet Sauvignon as king of Napa Valley.
Today, Farella Vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. After the rise of Cabernet Sauvignon, winemakers in Napa faced new challenges. “There was this thing that was irresistible,” Tom recalls of the early 2000s. “Let the fruit hang. We have three more weeks of sunshine and great weather. The temptation is thrilling.” But Tom wanted to make wines that would age well in bottle, which requires a wine with plenty of acidity, tannin, and fruit.
Tom sells about 80% of the fruit from Farella Vineyard to more than a dozen revered wineries in Napa, using the rest to produce about 2,000 cases of wine for his own brand, Farella.
Details: Thursday, August 24th from 5:30 – 8PM at the Wild River Grille. Reto and the Executive Chef will be designing our exclusive 4-5 course dinner, perfectly paired with Farella wines. A perfect time – start with some bubbles and end with a big red.
August Vineyard Tour – Rebecca & Gary London invite you to their lovely home vineyard on Huffaker Lane
Saturday, Aug 19th (from 11 Am to 2 PM) for a vineyard tour and a BBQ.
Gary & Rebecca moved to Nevada in 2000 and purchased their property on Huffaker Lane in ’07. Gary has been interested in growing grapes for many years, and somehow, they were lucky enough to discover Joe’s year-long class on planting, growing, pruning, and harvesting grapes . . . and making wine. First, they planted 25 Semillon grapes on the front of the property, followed by 75 Malbec and 75 Petite Pearl grapes on the hill at the back of the property.
Last year the Semillon grapes provided the first harvest and Dr. Molly turned the grapes into wine. They have not yet tasted the wine, but Molly has stated she is interested in making wine (again) from this year’s crop. This year the red grapes should yield an opportunity for someone to attempt to make some Malbec and/or Petite Pearl – or perhaps a blend. As you’ll discover, their house has several porches, so they refer to the vineyard as “Porchlandia Vineyard”.
The Reno address will be sent to you when your RSVP. Please bring a bottle of your favorite wine and a side dish to be shared with the other attendees.
June Second Wednesday Members Gather
On June 14th our social crew has reserved space for NGGW members and their guests at Whispering Vine – 4th St (4201 W. 4th St) from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. If you know the team, then you know Curtis, Brian, Josh, Shannin and their 24-year history.
June 14th is also Flag Day; let’s celebrate it with some Red & White (and Blue) American Wines. Whispering Vine has a great menu, with a full kitchen that opens at 4PM. You can also have supper if you wish and it’s an easy place to find. We’ll have a lot of fun, and there’s certainly lots to talk about, with the winter over and the grapes starting to really pop.
We will provide the main dish and you bring a bottle of wine and a side dish or desert. Please RSVP so we can get a head count.
May Vineyard Tour
Our next vineyard tour of 2023 will be May 13th, meeting at 11 AM, at Dave Perdue’s vineyard in North Valleys (8495 Opal Station Dr, Reno, NV 89510 (after you turn off of Golden Valley Road onto Opal Station Drive immediately turn right at the fire hydrant and drive to the end of the private road).
We will provide the main dish and you bring a bottle of wine and a side dish or desert. Please RSVP so we can get a head count for lunch.
May Blending Experience
We will be at the 4th Street Wineries at 5:30 PM on May 24th for a blending experience (training and tasting). Nevada Sunset Winery will guide us into the world of blending, with some test blending of their wines, and members are encouraged to bring a bottle or two of their wine for test blending as well, both reds and whites. You can experiment blending your wine and also blend with other members wine at the event. Blending is a great way to learn what your wine can do if it doesn’t have to stand on it on, but can enjoy different dimensions other wines provide. Sometimes you are tired of drinking a single varietal, and a blend may be want you are looking for.
Watch for our 2nd Wednesday of each month gatherings, either social or educational, thru August, and also for our vineyard tours thru July. Download and save our calendar.
2nd Wednesday Social Event on April 12th
Please join NGGW for a evening of wine, fun, and Friends at Black Rock Wine Company at 6135 Lakeside Dr, Reno, 6PM to 8PM. Please RSVP if you can so we can get a head count.
How to Prune Your Vines
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87424696544