7/12/2024 Quick Trip to Santa Fe

Il Lupo did a quick trip to Santa Fe over the July 4th week and as always an enjoyable experience as we added a new restaurant to the list. The Compound, which is not new but a staple of fine dining in Santa Fe, but sadly we always put other favorites first and then ran out of time. Not anymore as it was a wonderful experience with a fantastic staff, an incredible menu/wine list, and delicious food. I have added The Compound to the list of restaurants under the Cuisine tab scrolling down to Santa Fe so you can check out the website. Reservations are a must but you will not be disappointed. Along with dining at our favorites, Cafe Pasqual, Sazon, Geronimo’s, and Casa Sena, I also want to remind you that Ten Thousand Waves Spa is a great place to relax and revitalize. I have not had a chance to visit their restaurant but will make it a priority next time in Santa Fe.

Our next excursion is coming up and we are looking forward to touring with the Napa Valley Wine Academy (NVWA) to Mendoza, Argentina and visiting Buenos Aires too. Be sure and visit the NVWA website and their travel tours. Of course I will be writing about that experience once we are back.

8/25/2023 Added Sorrento Restaurants and Palisade, Colorado Winery Info.

1/02/2023 Playing Catchup and coming attractions

I have been behind in posting and want to tell you all a bit about what is coming up. First will be a post of our recent trip in September and October to Paris, Provence, and Lyon with reviews of restaurants and of course wine!

Also a review of several restaurants in Boulder, Colorado; Frasca, a Friulian Italy inspired experience also Corrida both with a food and wine experience that was not only memorable but a great way to start the New Year.

As I begin the process of transitioning into retirement, I will be giving this site a great deal of attention with information about wineries, restaurants and travel experiences along with the links to websites to make your planning more enjoyable.

6/18/2022. A Spectacular Tasting Room Experience in Napa

Our May 2022 visit was the first time we have ever lodged in the city of Napa as opposed to other towns in the Napa Valley.  One of the advantages of this location is its proximity to numerous restaurants, wine bars, and tasting rooms making it effortless to avoid driving or waiting for a ride share service.  We truly enjoyed all of these visits yet one destination stands out for both of us: New Frontier Wine Co. tasting room, 1040 Main St. #101, www.newfrontierwines.com.  We had identified this location before our trip because we were quite intrigued by the opportunity to taste the Justice wines: Blind Justice, Frontier Justice, and Poetic Justice.  This experience was all that we had anticipated yet it entailed so much more we returned for a second visit. This tasting room features wines from properties around the world owned by Argentinian-Italian entrepreneur Alejandro Bulgheroni, Justice being but one of the acclaimed California properties.  The design of the space is similar to what you might find in a nicely appointed lobby of a boutique hotel consisting of small seating areas with stylish lounge furniture and a number of “coffee” tables and side tables of warm-toned woods and leathers.  Both of the consultants we met with were knowledgeable, engaging, and able to anticipate the needs of visitors.  Three different groupings of flights are offered as well as different wines by the glass.  Sophisticated music and small salty snacks enhance the overall experience.  We highly recommend a visit to this tasting room to savor remarkable wines and to learn much more about the wines and winemakers involved in producing this selection of wines from Napa and around the world.  We enthusiastically agree with the web site’s slogan, “Now everyone has a second home in Napa.”

6/11/2022. Kenzo Winery and Kenzo Restaurant: A Japanese Aesthetic in Napa Valley

In the summer of 2021, we traveled to the Napa Valley and included a visit to the Kenzo winery in our itinerary.  We had mentioned to our guide that we were interested in seeing a winery designed by acclaimed architect Howard Backen and so he suggested Kenzo for one of our visits.

We were so impressed by the winery experience that we prioritized a trip to the Kenzo restaurant in the city of Napa for our next trip that was made in May of 2022.  These are our impressions of both experiences.

Having achieved great financial success as founder of video game publisher Capcom, Kenzo Tsujimoto purchased 3,800 acres of undeveloped land in the southeastern mountains of Napa Valley.  Mr. Tsujimoto hired Howard Backen to design a new winery that melds vernacular architecture traditions from both the Far East and the West.  The weathered gray vertical siding, sliding barn doors, and corrugated metal roof surrounded by lovely courtyards with vineyard views and rolling hills offer guests an environment of tranquility in which they may taste the vintages of the winery.  We particularly favored the Asatsuyu  Sauvingon Blanc, the Asuka Cabernet Franc, and Murasaki, a proprietary blend.  The entire tasting experience was a pleasure as it featured a unique environment, excellent service and expertise, and exquisite wines. Mr. Tsujimoto’s mission: “My desire is to create the best wines imaginable” is made tangible through sight, sound, and taste.

During the wine tasting we became aware of the Kenzo restaurant in the city of Napa, and we decided to arrange that experience on our next visit.  Do beware that reservations are extremely difficult to arrange particularly during this late-Covid era.  Do not just rely on online reservation services, try calling or contacting anyone you know who might know the staff. Recipient of a Michelin star, Kenzo restaurant offers diners a beautifully crafted dining experience. We enjoyed a nine-course menu  accompanied by the wine & saki pairings selected by the chef; these pairings complemented the meal exquisitely and should not be missed.  It is almost impossible to choose a preferred course as all are artistically plated using the finest imported Japanese ingredients. We will say that the Grilled Chiba Cutlassfish and the Satsuma Wagyu Tenderloin Kuwayaki were extraordinary.  Despite the considerable number of courses, we did not leave the table feeling uncomfortably full due to the measured portion sizes.  The stylish interior, the food, and the service of Kenzo all reflect the precision and artistry of Japan.  

6/11/2022. Discover Wine in Napa

Be sure to visit the 1881 Napa Museum for a unique and delightful wine experience. Situated beside the Oakville Grocery at the intersection of the Oakville Cross Road and Highway 29,  the Victorian structure houses an open and light drenched interior with a striking Baccarat chandelier gracing both the upper and the ground floors.   From the upper floor guests can observe the tasting area below and learn about historical viticulture tools.  The casually elegant lower tasting area is surrounded by self-service wine dispensers filled with more than 50 select Napa wines available in three portions, a “taste,” a half glass, and a full glass.  Take advantage of the opportunity to savor some highly collectable wines that you may never have tasted and learn if a celebrated vintage is worth the investment to you.  Customers may also purchase bottles and enjoy them in the patio area along with delicacies from the market.  Owned by the Boisset Collection overseen by Jean-Charles Boisset, they have gathered a staff that we found welcoming and knowledgeable and very happy to share all sorts of Napa-related information.  We look forward to returning to the museum every time we travel to the Napa Valley.

7/11/2021. Well we finally got to do a bit of traveling and will be talking about Napaand Sonoma. While writing up the new adventure il Lupo has added several wineries to the Winery page with links. From Napa Valley, Antica, Clos Pegase, Kenzo Estate, Odette, Ovid, and Peju. And from Sonoma, Donum Estate, Matanzas Creek, and St. Francis Winery.

1/31/2021. If you live in the Denver Colorado area, check into a virtual tasting lead by The Vineyard Wine Shop, a boutique wine shop in Cherry Creek. The tastings have been held on Saturdays at 5:00 PM and they feature a wide range of unique wines. On Wednesdays the weekly choices are announced on their website and customers can order the selections and pick them up before the virtual tasting. The classes are engaging and informative and a fantastic way to experience some gems you may not have considered otherwise. www.vineyardwineshop.com

12/17/2020. The annual conference of the American Wine Society provides wine lovers the opportunity to learn about varied topics of interest from the world of wine. Acclaimed and engaging experts share their knowledge with avocational and professional participants through tastings and classes exploring the history and production of wine.

The week of November 4-7 of 2020, we enjoyed classes to include Shiraz from Australia and Brunello di Montalcino. This recent conference was necessarily held remotely and we found the experience to be of great value, in some ways eclipsing an in-person experience.

The plans are to return to the traditional format next fall but we hope that some type of remote delivery will be available to reach those who cannot travel.

10/7/2020. Specializing in the multi-cultural cuisine of Israel, Safta restaurant in Denver, CO is now offering a deluxe Picnic Pack to go. The picnic can be purchased with or without wine and includes your favorite spreads, breads, and cookies. A wonderful vacation for your taste buds that may be bored with standard take home fare! https://www.eatwithsafta.com

9/26/2020. Another fantastic remote wine tasting is available from Palmaz Vineyards. Guests experience a virtual tour of the facility (an amazing feat of engineering) and a selection of the winery’s beautifully crafted vintages. Wines are shipped to you from the winery prior to the scheduled tasting so that you are fully prepared for the event. A single individual or a small group gathered virtually–all will enjoy this evening of wine. www.palmazvineyards.com

9/13/2020. If you are weary of take-out, contact the culinary experts at Truffle Shuffle to guide you in the preparation of a delicious meal featuring truffles, of course. We have participated in three different classes and we have had entertaining and informative experiences that have ended in delectable meals. A huge bonus is that they ship you all of the ingredients needed, from vegetables to salt, thus saving you extra trips to grocery stores. Truffle Shuffle occasionally joins forces with Napa Valley vineyards such as Plumpjack and Cade to offer guests combined wine tastings and cooking instruction. Check out their site and chose a meal that looks appealing, we think you’ll be pleased with the entire experience! The dish featured in the image below is the sweet potato gnocchi with brown butter and sage. Exquisite–especially paired with a 2016 Cont’ Ugo by Antinori. www.truffleshufflesf.com

9/11/2020. Certainly a trip to Bordeaux is featured on every wine lover’s travel list. Nevertheless, there can be some trepidation when considering the many appellations, the extravagantly expensive vintages of the acclaimed Châteaux, and the logistics of arranging the visits to the wineries. We had the fortune of finding Frédéric Borliachon to guide us on two tours of the region, one in November 2017 and again in the spring of 2018. His tours can be private or with small groups to include pickup and drop-off at the doors of your hotel in Bordeaux. Frédéric is so well versed on the complexities of the region and is pleased to share information with his guests. Between the two tours we were able to experience the Left and Right Banks and the Arcachon Bay for an exceptional oyster tasting. The hosts of the wineries visited were welcoming and informative offering delightful tastings. We discovered spectacular yet reasonably priced vintages which we had shipped home to the US. If considering Bordeaux, you simply must contact Frédéric. www.bordeauxwineguide.com

9/2/2020. To truly savor the rolling hills of scattered vineyards of Tuscany, contact Alex at Unique Tuscany for a fantastic tour of the region. While he is prepared to organize numerous visits, in May 2019 we chose a tour of the Montalcino area, recognized for its Brunello di Montalcino wine. We experienced history and viniculture side by side as we visited Sienna, the Fortalezza at Montalcino for a tasting of Brunellos, and the Solaria Winery for lunch and a tasting of their wines. An unforgettable experience without the burdens of driving and identifying the ideal spots to experience the fruits of Tuscany. www.uniquetuscany.com

8/30/2020. Think of participating in a remote tasting offered by one of your favorite wineries. We did just that in August with the Darioush Winery in Napa Valley, California. The winery will send you the wines and then arrange your private tasting with an in-house sommelier. You can also invite friends and family interested in the tasting to share in the Zoom event. A delightful and educational experience featuring wines we will be sure to purchase in the future! www.darioush.com