Week 1: Terra Valentine

Meanwhile...we took a drive over the mountains into Napa Valley. Dropped off cork samples to Kathryn Hall then took a drive up Spring Mountain. Terra Valentine is another one of Robin's clients. That funky castle-like building was built by the previous owner. I do mean built by him. He was an eccentric fellow. 

Sam Baxter (below), the current winemaker, explained that the guy made some very good wines with a cult-like following in the '70s. But, aahhh...he wasn't much of a people person. He showed up one day, locked the doors and told all the employees to go home. He then ripped out all the vines and planted trees. He wasn't broke. In fact, much later, he donated land to a children's home.  This place has all kinds of stained-glass & carved wood, all made by said eccentric.  Look closely at the staircase Robin is standing on. Funky grape & vine engraved spiral staircase. Plus, they can make you dizzy walking up 2 flights going round-and-round.

Sam has been with the winery since he was a youngster. His dad use to be the winemaker, vineyard manager and cellarmaster and consulted many other wineries.  Sam did lots of those things when he was young. Now he is in charge. The elder Baxter has his own place in Anderson Valley. 

Terra Valentine just finished bottling some of the 2007 wines. The hype is that 2007 California could have some blockbuster wines. 
Their intern was doing a lot of scrubbing and cleaning equipment. So, I have that to look forward to tomorrow.

Known for big, savory Cabs, I found myself really enjoying a small production Russian River Pinot Noir. You should taste it if you find your way up Spring Mountain. 

(ps - ashley, we were up there at cain in '07)