A Taste of Mount Veeder coming to Scottsdale in March

We all remember our first love, first car and first winery we visited right. I remember the first two but the wine geek in me remembers visiting Hess Collection Winery on Mount Veeder in 1997. It was the first winery I had ever visited early in my wine career. Hess Collection will be one of 11 wineries pouring their wines at “A Taste of Mount Veeder” on Saturday March 2nd. The tasting will be at Troon Country Club from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

About Mount Veeder

The Mount Veeder appellation is part of the Mayacamas range on the western side of Napa Valley. It borders Sonoma County to the west and the Carneros appellation to the south. From vineyards a top the mountain on a clear day you can see San Francisco to the south as I did from Rubisow-Sargent’s vineyards on another visit to Napa Valley.

Grapes at Paratus Vineyards. All photos courtesy of Mount Veeder Appellation

In 1993 it was designated an American Viticultural Area(AVA) and covers 16,000 acres with only 1,000 acres under vine. Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 64% of grapes grown. Mount Veeder represents 1.3% of wine production in Napa Valley.

It was the first AVA to grow Petit Verdot, have all 5 Bordeaux varietals planted at one vineyard and produce a wine with all 5 Bordeaux varietals.

Wineries participating

This will be a unique opportunity to taste these wines in one place as some of the wineries are not open to the public. Participating wineries will be…..

Boich Family Cellar
Brandlin
The Hess Collection Winery
Lagier Meredith
Marketta Winery
O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery
Progeny
Random Ridge
Robert Craig Winery
Rudd Estate Winery
Sky Vineyards
Yates Family Vineyards

Find wines that you like and you’ll be able to order them for your collection. Tickets are $75 in advance and include gourmet hor d’oeuvres. Tickets will be $100 at the door. To purchase tickets visit their website or call 707-266-1296 before they sell out.

Troon Country Club is at 25000 N. Windy Walk Dr. Scottsdale 85255.

Robert Craig Winery Winemaker dinner at Tavern Americana set for April 21st

North Scottsdale’s Tavern Americana is set to host a Winemaker Dinner with Robert Craig Winery, with CEO Elton Slone in attendance to talk about the winery, Robert Craig, the pairings and more. The dinner is set for Thursday April 21st at 6:00 p.m.

Three Courses Paired with Robert Craig Wines are…….

1st course- Petit frisee and mixed green salad, razzcherries, candied walnuts, cherry infused red wine vinaigrette, paired with Affinity Cabernet

2nd course- Beef tenderloin, roasted root vegetables (carrots, turnips, beets), Blue cheese bread pudding, Blackberry demi glace, paired with Howell Mountain Cabernet

3rd course- Razzleberry pie, topped with local raspberry sorbet paired with Howell Mountain Zinfandel

Cost for this dinner is $65/PP++ and reservations are required.

Tavern Americana is at 20469 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 502-6740
urbantaverngroup.com