Every oyster-lover will be kissing the cook who takes time to serve this aphrodisiac at home! Shucking oysters may seem like too much work, but with practice it can become a personal skill you’ll be proud of! I encourage you to give it a try – here’s how: Choose an oyster that’s best enjoyed raw

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Oysters: The Perfect Love Food For Your Valentine

No, I’m not flipping you the bird like the SuperBowl halftime show… sorry, I’ve been out a while.

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MIA

Click here to check out these great deals on some of our favorite wines…

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Special Wine Offers for February…

We’re having some fun in February — enjoy the Napa Valley during this quiet time of year and come and see us in St. Helena! Click here to see how we’re Celebrating Valentine’s Day at Merryvale!

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Come to Merryvale during the month of February…

This is such a lovely and easy recipe- don’t let the long list of ingredients fool you! It all goes into one pot and, while it is in the oven the house is filled with the most delicious aroma! I can’t take the credit for it, though. Inspired by Hubert Keller’s take on Julia Child’s

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An Inspired Classic: Boeuf Bourguignon

If you didn’t get your golden ticket to House Party, sorry, we’re now sold out.  Don’t try to crash it…we have our crack security forces at the gates!  However, for those of you who planned  ahead and were lucky enough to get a ticket, get ready….

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Party This Saturday at the ol’ Chateau!

Our vineyard crew is busy pruning the vines, so I visited with Bo in the Estate Vineyard to witness some of the trimming process, an annual task that takes weeks to complete. Important cutting decisions are made along the way

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A Seahorse Smoking a Cigar?

Well, I’m off to a dubious start already on my New Year’s resolutions.

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New Years Resolutions; Better Late than Never

Charbay Winery & Distillery: Napa Valley – In Search of Snobs Charbay Winery & Distillery www.charbay.com 4001 Spring Mountain Road, St Helena, CA, 94574 (map link) (707) 963-9327 The trip up to Charbay took us on a lovely sunlit drive through St. Helena and up into the hills. The road got a bit twisty, but the occasional views through the trees were stunning.

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"The Appellation Trail", Charbay Winery Visit Review

The oldest block of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Estate Vineyard has been pulled for replant.  Block 1A, situated in mostly sedimentary soil – in fact, the only area in the Estate Vineyard where sedimentary soil occurs  – was planted in 1973, just after Jim Barrett acquired the property.  For those of us who see the vineyard on

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Replant of an Historic Block