Vintage Cellars’ Jake Austad at Wine Spectator Grand Tour

Last Saturday, on a warm Las Vegas evening, representing Vintage Cellars, my wife Lindsay and I were able to attend the Wine Spectator Grand Tour.  Wines were poured from more than 225 producers, representing 15 countries and four states.  If you’re interested in good wine or learning about good wine, this is the place to be.  Though I think it’s impossible to taste 225 different wines in 3 hours, by the end of the night, it looked like some people tried.

As for Lindsay and I, we had a specific tasting plan that started with Champagne/Sparkling wines.  I was pleasantly surprised by the Nicolas Fuillatte Brut Rose.  I wanted to do a true side by side comparison of the Pinot Noir grape.  I selected Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Cote-D’ Or (France), Kosta Brown Russian River Valley (CA) and Domaine Drouhin Dundee Hills (OR).  The Latour was a deep ruby color & showed a great expression of red fruits, raspberry & strawberry.  The silky tannins were exactly what I expected from a Burgundy Grand Cru.  The Domaine Droughin was a vivid red with berries fading into a very floral nose.   I picked up cola and licorice on the palate.  And finally the Kosta Brown had a ruby red color with nose and palate moving to from red to black fruits, strawberry to dark cherry.  I loved the long mineral, spicy finish.  I knew from the start I was destined to return to the Latour for another sip before the evening ended.

At this point, I had to change up my palate.   We were pleasantly surprised by the light buffet provided at the event.  From artisan cheeses, a couple of pasta dishes, a carving station and desert plate, it was enough to satisfy our dinner plans.  Just a quick stop before we were back focused on the next stop.

Next was the face off of California Cabernet and Bordeaux.  Though the list was extensive (and we eventually tasted more), I focused on 2 of each to start.  From France,  I selected Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte and Chateau Lynch-Bages.  From CA, I selected a couple of Napa Cabs, Kathryn Hall and Joseph Phelps.  To be completely honest, the Bordeaux’s were young and they need some time to rest.  Sure it would have been nice if there were a Premier Cru there, but I guess when you sell bottles for over $1000, you don’t pour them in Vegas.  I enjoyed the Joseph Phelps but the 2009 Kathryn Hall Napa Valley Cabernet stole the show.  A deep ruby-red. Ripe aromas of dark fruits, baked berries and a hint of chocolate. Sweet , intense but balanced and ends a hint of oak, coffee and black licorice.  This was powerful wine with plenty of ripeness and depth.  In my opinion, buy now or forever hold your peace.  Put a case in your cellar and enjoy today, opening one every year to follow its development.

From this point on, I was done with the “professional” portion of the evening.  Lindsay had been enjoying all along and it was time for me to drink the wines and not spit.  Together we did a tour through Italy, Spain, Portugal and some new world wines (Australia, New Zealand and South Africa).   I found the Sangiovese grape to be a favorite, especially from Brunello di Montalcino.  Riojo might be my favorite region in Spain, especially the Grand Riserva’s which have a minimum of 5 years of aging.  There is so much more “research” to be done in both of these countries.  I enjoyed the Graham’s 20 year Tawny Port, but then again, who doesn’t like the rich toffee notes a good tawny provides?  As for the new world, I found something I don’t like, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.  I couldn’t find any fruit notes over the green pepper and jalapeno nose.  The palate had an intense salsa punch.  I like salsa with chips but not in my Sav Blanc.

Of the 225 producers, we did our best.  I took tasting notes on 37 wines (remember, I had to spit for about half of those).  One last highlight, we did finish with the 2005 Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes.  If you have no experience with Sauternes, I highly recommend you take your nose and palate for a ride.   We are looking forward to the event again in the future.  The Grand Tour was classy, with quality wines, good food and surprisingly not crowded (even though the tickets were sold out).  A fantastic experience, as long as you can control yourself in the casino before the 7PM start time.

Jake is Vintage Cellars’ Wine Cellar Specialist.  Each month in Jake’s Corner, he shares his wine insights, reviews, and tips with you! Check out Jake’s last post here.

Vintage Cellars’ specialty is custom wine cellar designs. All wine cellars have to have functionality, of course. Racking and a cooling system are the bones any wine cellar must be built on. But when building a custom wine cellar, most clients have something more in mind than just mere functionality. Beyond storing their wine in perfect conditions for aging, a wine cellar should have a special stamp that makes it unique, and says something about the collector.

But dreaming up a unique design can be easier said than done. How to put your own brand on your custom design? Sometimes, the best way to get inspired is to jump-start your imagination with some fabulous examples. Here are five of Vintage Cellars’ favorite examples of unique wine cellar style:

Rolling library-style ladder:

This wine cellar at the Mariott Marina in San Diego makes use of vertical space and adds a bit of whimsy with a rolling, library-style ladder.

Glass doors:

Glass doors modernize this wine cellar, and dramatically make the collection the focus.

Wine cellar dining room:

Forget tucking your collection away in a hidden corner. This Louisiana wine cellar makes double use of the cellar as a stunning tasting room.

A dramatic arch with wine storage:

This arch gives this 1,500-bottle San Diego cellar a focal point.

Ceiling wine racks:

This wine cellar is already dramatic, with its tasting table and custom cabinetry…but when guests look up, the ingenious ceiling storage truly takes their breaths away.

Tell us about your dream wine cellar!

When most people think of a wine cellar, they think of the aesthetic: a grand door, gorgeous wooden racking, perhaps a piece of wine-themed artwork. And of course, these aspects of your wine cellar are incredibly important; they’re what make it fit seamlessly in the design of your home, work with your lifestyle, and put a stamp on your cellar that’s uniquely yours.

But one of the most important parts of a wine cellar is one that’s entirely behind the scenes: the cooling system. Wine cellar cooling units are much more than air conditioners. They control not only temperature, but also humidity. They are specifically engineered to create the ideal environment for preserving and aging wine. The best wine cellar cooling units not only control the environment, but constantly monitor it, allowing you to see at a glance that your wine is being taken care of.

There are many companies that manufacture wine cellar cooling units, but only a few that do it to the exacting standards that your valuable wine collection deserves. One of the best manufacturers of wine cellar cooling units is Breezaire. Some of Breezaire’s excellent features include:

1. Gentle cooling: Most air conditioning systems blast the room with a stream of freezing-cold air. But this kind of extreme temperature can interfere with the delicate wine aging process. Breezaire cools by using a gentle stream of cool–not cold–air, which keeps the wine protected from abrupt temperature changes.
2. Automatic humidity control: Humidity is vital to a wine cellar. The proper level of humidity helps prevent label deterioration, and more importantly, cork deterioration, which can ruin your wine. Breezaire systems maintain humidity at an ideal level of 50 to 75 percent.
3. Quiet operation: Your wine cellar should be a place you enjoy being. A noisy cooling system can ruin your sense of peace and tranquility. Beyond that, vibrations–even those too small for a human to detect–can interfere with your wine’s aging process. Breezaire systems are assembled by hand and tested to ensure that the level of noise and vibration is kept at an absolute minimum.
4. Simple and elegant installation: Breezaire systems are designed to require no special plumbing, wiring, or complicated procedures to install. Once installed, Breezaire systems are design to sit flush with the wall, and are virtually unnoticeable.
5. Expert support: Installing a cooling system can be tricky. Breezaire has a team of experts equipped to design the perfect system, problem-solve, and maintain your system far into the future.

Interested in building the wine cellar of your dreams, complete with a cooling system that will help you build the wine collection of your dreams? Contact a Vintage Cellars expert to talk about the best options for you.

The following is a delicious recipe courtesy of Christopher Noel, a Wine Cellar Specialist at Vintage Cellars.

This family recipe is the perfect way to slow cook short ribs to tender perfection, and it features a whole bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon!

As a side dish, Christopher has also shared his Creamy Gorgonzola Polenta recipe. Garlic mashed potatoes or any of your favorite starch sides will also pair well with these delicious slow-cooked ribs. Bon appetit!

Suggested Wine Pairings: 2007 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel

Cabernet Sauvignon Short Ribs:

5 Pounds of short ribs bone in

4 table spoons of olive oil

3 carrots chopped & peeled

2 whole yellow onions

2 celery stalks

3 bay leaves

5 sprigs of thyme

2 sprigs of rosemary

2 pinches of oregano

5 sprigs of chopped flat leaf parsley

1 head of garlic finely chopped

Kosher salt

Pepper

Old Bay Seasoning

1 Can of tomato paste

1 bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon

3 Cups of beef stock

Directions:

1) Preheat oven for 350 degrees. Season meat generously with Old Bay seasoning pepper and Kosher salt.
2) Heat Dutch oven with 2 table spoons of olive oil.
3) Brown ribs on all sides, then set them aside.
4) Use additional 2 table spoons of olive oil if needed and sauté onions/carrots garlic and celery until onions are brown and tender. While vegetables sauté, season them with 2 table spoons of old bay and add in 1 table spoons of tomato paste and 2 table spoons of all-purpose flower.
5) Once stirred, add wine, beef stock and ribs until ribs are covered along with all herbs and bring to a slight boil. Reduce heat and cover with lid. Put into oven for 2.5 to 3 hours until tender.
6) Strain gravy and skim off fat as needed. Add additional seasoning to gravy if needed and drizzle over ribs.

Creamy Gorgonzola Polenta:

1 cup of Gorgonzola cheese

2 Tablespoon unsalted butter

2 Tablespoon olive oil

2 Teaspoon freshly minced spring garlic

1-1/2 cups heavy cream

1-1/2 cups milk

4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup instant polenta

Kosher Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

1) In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
2) Add the garlic, and sweat for about 2 minutes, but don’t let the garlic brown.
3) Add the cream, milk and chicken broth and increase the heat to high. Let the broth simmer for 5 minutes.
4) Turn the heat back to medium. Whisking constantly, pour the polenta in a thin stream into the simmering liquid. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until the polenta starts to thicken.
5) Turn the heat off, and add the cheese. The heat from the burner should keep the polenta cooking; stir until all of the cheese is melted. Adjust the flavor with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately with short ribs, drizzled in any leftover sauce.

Curious about the process of building a wine cellar start-to-finish? Today we’re showcasing a new 800 bottle contemporary wine cellar we built in La Costa, California. The client, Don, presented us with a challenge: convert a study in his new home into a wine cellar with a unique design. Read on to find out how we did it.

The Client

Don started collecting wine about six years ago and developed a love for California cabs. He began taking yearly wine tasting (and buying) trips, and wanted to start coming back with more wine but had nowhere to store it. It was time to get serious about his collection. He began his search for a wine cellar builder, came across Houzz and found Jake and Vintage Cellars’ work.

The Space

Don sent Jake a look at the model for his new home and explained that he wanted to convert the study into a cellar. He also wanted to be able to easily pick out a bottle visually, so the labels had to be prominently displayed.  Jake drew up a couple of designs, and came up with one that suited Don perfectly: a contemporary space completely different from your standard wine cellar.

The Project

Since the original room was a study, it wasn’t built for the challenges of storing wine in climate-controlled conditions. Jake and his team re-insulated the walls to ensure that the new cooling system would perform at its peak. They designed a custom cabinet to seamlessly fit the study’s curved wall. They installed a Vintage View wine racking system that displayed the majority of his collection labels-out, making it easy for him to locate the perfect bottle for a dinner party or cozy night at home. Their 800-bottle racking system also left space for storing larger bottles, and shelf-style racks below for storing bottles in larger quantities.  Lastly, Jake recommended Don use a door made to face outdoors in the cellar to keep the room insulated.

Jake and his team finished off the project with a central bar area, complete with wine artwork. Though Don never imagined himself lingering in the cellar, at the behest of his friends, he now finds himself turning off the cooling system for an hour at a time so that he and his guests can relax there! What was originally intended as a study is now a beautiful space that functions not only as a place for storing Don’s growing collection, but also as a conversation-starter and gathering space.

Click to enlarge each image.

WineKeeper’s Magnum 8 Bottle

You found that perfect wine while tasting at a sun-soaked vineyard years ago. You carefully carried a bottle home and placed it in your wine cellar. You monitored the temperature and humidity. You researched and thought about when the right time to open it. Finally, tonight’s the night: it’s time to uncork that bottle and at long last, enjoy the wine inside. But here’s the rub: you don’t want to down the whole precious bottle in one night. How do you enjoy the wine over a few days without losing that taste you’ve worked so hard to build?

Anyone who’s left a bottle out on the counter or in the refrigerator knows that the wine just doesn’t taste quite as good the next night. Can you save your wine without losing taste? The answer is yes: Your just need a wine dispenser.

Wine dispensers are devices designed to preserve wines. They store wines at appropriately cool temperatures, and keep oxygen from coming in contact with the liquid inside the bottle. You’ve probably seen wine dispensers used at restaurants and bars. But wine dispensers are available for home use, too.

One wine dispensing system we recommend is the WineKeeper. WineKeepers work by replacing the oxygen in the open bottle with nitrogen, a gas that doesn’t react with wine. Meanwhile, they hold bottles in a refrigerator specifically calibrated to the right temperature to preserve the wine. To use the system, you uncork the wine, insert the dispenser’s stopper faucet, and plug in the gas. You’re ready to pour a perfect glass.

WineKeeper offers a wide variety of dispensers. If you’re a restaurant or bar owner, you might be interested in something like their 8-bottle model, available in all kind of finishes from oak to stainless steel, and customizable with features like chrome faucets and a door lock. This model has different temperature zones for white and red wines, making it simple to keep each at its correct temperature.

If you’re a home enthusiast, you might be more interested in WineKeeper’s 4-bottle model, called the Napa. Though smaller, this model uses the same nitrogen preservation technology and advanced refrigeration system, and has two separate compartments for wine and red wines.

Whether you need a commercial or personal model, WineKeepers will keep opened bottles of wine fresh for weeks, so that you never waste that second half of the bottle again.

Many wine lovers face a dilemma. They’d love to start a collection (or have already begun one!), but they don’t have an out-of-the-way space for a wine refrigerator, and they’d rather not put that piece of equipment in their perfectly-decorated dining rooms. What they need is a wine storage solution that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. But does such a thing exist?

Budding wine collectors will be happy to know that the perfect solution does indeed exist. It’s called a wine credenza. A wine credenza is a piece of furniture that also has climate-controlled wine storage. Wine credenzas are often used in the place of a traditional buffet in a dining room. Instead of dishes stored inside, the cupboards are filled with your favorite vintages, aging away under ideal conditions. The top of the wine credenza can be used to display art, serve as a bar area, or hold dishes during gatherings like Thanksgiving.

Don’t have space in your dining room for a wine credenza? Think outside the box. Since wine credenzas don’t take up too much space–they’re only about 30 inches deep, they are also a perfect fit for hallways. Wine credenzas can also work in family rooms…you could even replace your TV stand with one!

From a design standpoint, the best thing about wine credenzas is that they can be completely customized to fit in to your existing decor. For those with traditional taste, there are credenzas like this Provance 3-door credenza from Vinotheque, available in light, medium and dark stains to blend it into your existing furniture. For those with a bolder aesthetic, there is this Vinotheque Boxed Up 4-door credenza, with a wooden exterior mosaic made of traditional wine shipping boxes. (This design would be great in a wine cellar!) For those homes with an industrial feel, try the clean, modern look of this Vinotheque AlumaSteel 3-door credenza.

Besides being beautiful, these wine credenzas really work to store and age your wine properly. Vinotheque credenzas are designed with your growing collection in mind–they all maximize the number of bottles they can hold while minimizing the overall size of the cabinet. These credenzas have top-of-the line cooling systems and insulation, along with UV-resistant glass that blocks harmful rays from damaging your wine. Many of these credenzas can also be made with a front venting option that allows the credenza to be custom-built into existing furniture.

Whatever your style, if you’re a serious collector who is looking for a storage option that will fit seamlessly into your home, a wine credenza might be the right choice for you.

Our very own Jake Austad, master of custom cellar designs, is an expert at touring wine country, and wants to share his tips and tricks. Jake has insider advice on the best vineyards to visit, the best places to eat, and tourist traps to avoid. So pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass of your favorite vino, and hear how an expert does wine country. Check back, because Jake will be blogging regularly in our new “Jake’s Corner” posts.

Day 1:

I would start the morning up north in Calistoga at Chateau Montelena, known almost more for its historical value than for its wines. The winemakers at Chateau Montelena are part of the group that started the Napa Valley wine boom. Tthe first thing I’d do would be to make a noon reservation at Duckhorn (reservations are required). Reserve the estate tasting and tour for a great experience. To learn something a little extra, do the food and wine pairing.

If you managed to resist the food at Duckhorn, I would travel into St. Helena for a late lunch at Brassica (Now called Cindy Pawlcyn’s Wood Grill and Wine Bar). It’s a Mediterranean place that has received rave reviews, and is a personal favorite of mine to boot.  At this point in time, you probably only have time for one more tasting. I would finish at Hall in St. Helena. Since Hall has no appointment needed and stays open until 5:30 PM, you won’t be tied to a tight schedule.  One of Hall’s new releases, a cab, was in the top 10 wines of 2011.

Since I’m a huge Iron Chef geek, I would eat dinner that night at Morimoto. It’s also in the revitalized river walk area in Napa, so if you’re looking to take a stroll before or after your meal, it’s a great place to do so.

Insider tip:  Don’t fall victim to the lure of the Napa Valley Wine Train. This tourist trap has three main pitfalls: 1. Trains are really not that romantic. 2. Unless they have improved the menu dramatically since 2000, the food is awful. 3. The wine list is not that impressive, and what is impressive is so marked up that you can’t bring yourself to drink it.

Day 2:

I would head up the Silverado Trail, especially if it’s a Saturday. The less inexperienced wine tasters will be driving up the 29, so this is a nice way to avoid them. Start the day with a 10AM appointment at Quintessa. It’s a property and vineyard tour, along with the wine caves and a tasting of three or four vintages. Like Duckhorn, it’s appointment-only, so you have to make a reservation in advance. I know the wine are fabulous. It’s also one of the few places in Napa that does estate-grown only. Quintessa is a Bordeaux-style blend that makes only one blended wine every year, so the vintage tasting will be unique.

After that, start heading back to Napa again, and hit Mumm just to clean the palate with some bubbly. It should be time to grab lunch, so I would cut over on Rutherford Road and hit Rutherford Grill for lunch. I love Rutherford Grill, and never miss an opportunity to go. There is a decision to make at this point. Option 1: One more tour at Chappellet, a unique experience that puts you up in the hills, and has some pretty good wine to boot. After a 90-minute tour and tasting, you should have enough time to hit Miner. If you are “toured out,” do Option 2: hit Miner on the way back towards Napa on the Silverado Trial. Most likely, you’ll make a quick visit, since you don’t want to miss your 2:30 tour reservation at Staggs Leap. Again, I’m a sucker for history, and Staggs Leap is another historic winery that started it all and has been around for over 100 years.

After Staggs, your last stop will be Darioush.  This winery doesn’t close until 5PM, and if you have anything left on the palate, they do some great cabs that are always cracking the top 100 wines of the year in the Wine Spectator. Take a nap after before hitting the French Laundry for dinner.  If super-rich French food is to much to stomach, try Coles Chop House or the Napa Valley Grill.

Day 3:

At this point, I’d pack the bags and drive over the mountain to Healdsburg and the Dry Creek Valley. Make a reservation at Charlie Palmer’s place, Hotel Healdsburg. Start at Zichichi and then drive south down West Dry Creek Road (eventually turning into Westside Rd). It’s a small, twisty, windy road but a offers a unique change from the large-cellar, big tour, big tasting rooms in Napa with little cottages and family-owned wineries. I’d go all the way down to Porter Creek Winery a few miles down. You taste their wines in a little cottage, and often, the winemaker is the guy pouring the wines. Porter Creek is also a fully organic place, tends to bottle a lot of grapes that are normally blended (like cab franc).

From there, start making the venture back towards Healdsburg.  Another great stops on the way is Williams Seleym (always a top 100 producer). It’s not a bad idea at this time to go park back at the hotel and walk around the square in Healdsburg. There is Stephen & Walker, which has a fabulous port, and several other places to check out. And if you need to switch to beer, there is a brewing company in the square. This way, you can take a day without reservations or a schedule, and just do whatever you want,  from a simple sandwich lunch to a pastry at the downtown bakery, to Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen for dinner.

Every year, the design website Houzz.com selects from its long list of contractors and designers to award professionals for outstanding customer service. This year, that award went to Vintage Cellars!

Houzz selected Vintage Cellars for its “Best Of Houzz” 2013 award based on our excellent customer reviews given by their users, which number more than 11 million each month. Users rates their experience working with design professionals in 12 categories. The award is meant to honor Houzz professionals who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in customer satisfaction. Fewer than 3% of Houzz professionals received this award.

We at Vintage Cellars put customer satisfaction at the top of our priority list. We take pleasure in bringing your design ideas to life in your custom wine cellar. We believe that we should be the experts in everything from the mechanics of the cooling system to the best type of wine racks out there, so that you can concentrate on the final product. We’re proud of every wine cellar we design, and we’re glad our reviews on Houzz reflect that.

Houzz connects potential customers to designers and contractors in the home design industry. They publish “Ideabooks” that help inspire clients’ visions for great home design projects, in categories like decorating, gardening, color, bathrooms, and iconic homes. Houzz also curates lists of products chosen by experts. Perhaps most importantly, Houzz helps puts potential customers in tough with local pros, facilitating the process of choosing the right person for your project with customer reviews. Contractors and designers can show off their work, join in discussions, and connect directly with home owners.

On Houzz, homeowners can find professionals like Vintage Cellars in the top of their fields. They can choose a professional whose design aesthetic matches their own, and learn more about them by contacting them directly on Houzz to ask questions about their experiences, and evaluate their responses to other questions asked by Houzz community members.

We’re thrilled to have been selected for this honor by Houzz, and we pledge to continue to provide our clients with stellar customer service.

Check us out on Houzz!

Beautiful Cooperage floor from Fontenay

Looking to add a subtle, yet show-stopping accent to your wine cellar? Consider a gorgeous, custom wood floor…made entirely from reclaimed barrels and tanks. Fontenay, the world’s original source of reclaimed wine barrel flooring, installs one-of-a-kind wood flooring that tells a story of winemaking in the very grain of the wood.

Imagine a floor that displays remnants of wine names, dramatically dispersed amongst the planks. With a custom floor made from reclaimed wine barrels, you can go for this or any other look you desire, from streamlined planks in matching hues, to a beautifully rustic mismatched look. There are several distinctly different types of Fontenay flooring to choose from.

Fontenay collects barrel heads, and turns them into three different materials. The first is the Cooperage collection, which is the outside of the barrel head, complete with the special patina earned from age, as well as stamps and brand markings that winemakers have put on the barrels.

The second type of material is the Wine Infusion collection. This wood comes from the inside of the barrel, and so has been naturally stained with the color of the wine the barrel held. Different types of wine deliver different colors and tones, so a Wine Infusion collection floor can represent a stunning variety of all your favorite varietals.

The third type of material is the Stave collection. This collection comes from the outer part of the barrel, from which the hoops have been removed. Stave flooring comes in an interesting and eye-catching pattern made from long and short pieces, with natural markings from the barrel hoops.

Not only is a floor made from reclaimed wine barrels beautiful, it’s eco-friendly, too. In the United States, most wine barrels are made from beautiful white oak, which can take hundreds of years to grow. But the life of a wine barrel ranges from a mere one to five years, and large vineyards can use as many as 100,000 barrels per year. If you choose Fontenay flooring, you can feel good about making a flooring choice that’s good for the planet, as well as a unique and gorgeous design.