Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Arnot-Roberts Ribolla Gialla, Vare Vineyard, Napa Valley 2017

Written by Allison Levine on July 3, 2019

Wine

A bright white wine with citrus, peach and apple notes and firm acidity, Ribolla Gialla is a white wine grape variety found in the northeastern Italian province of Fruili, as well as in neighboring Slovenia. A small amount can also be found in Napa Valley in the Vare Vineyard. This is where Arnot-Roberts gets the Ribolla Gialla for the Arnot-Roberts Ribolla Gialla, Vare Vineyard, Napa Valley 2017, the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

Arnot-Roberts was founded in 2001 by two childhood friends. This is the same year George Vare planted the Ribiolla Gialla in Napa. A fan of the Friuli region, Vare smuggled some cuttings of Ribolla Gialla from the vines of iconic winemaker Josko Gravner. He planted them in his vineyard in Oak Knoll in Napa Valley.

The Arnot-Roberts Ribolla Gialla, Vare Vineyard, Napa Valley 2017 is a cloudy pale yellow color. It has an elegant nose of pear, green apple, white flowers, spices and minerality. On the palate, the wine has a great mouthfeel with racy acidity and a saline finish.

The Arnot-Roberts Ribolla Gialla, Vare Vineyard, Napa Valley 2017 is available at specialty wine retailers around the country for approximately $50 per bottle. This is a delicious and special wine that will wow any crowd. I shared my bottle with a group of wine judges after judging 200 wines and everyone agreed it was exceptional.

Titus Vineyards in St. Helena Celebrates 50 Years

Written by Allison Levine on April 4, 2019

Wine

When I first met Eric Titus and Titus Vineyards, I was a sales rep selling his wine. Flash forward 14 years, and now I am a writer. Instead of driving around Los Angeles trying to sell his wine, we sat down so that he could share the story of his family and Titus Vineyards, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. I shared the story in my column in the Napa Valley Register and now share it here.

Early in my wine career, I worked as a sales representative for Chambers and Chambers Wine Merchants. With a fantastic portfolio of wines primarily from California and France at the time, I was introduced to many wineries and would spend days working with the different owners and winemakers.

One was Eric Titus of Titus Vineyards. It was 2005 when we spent the day together driving around Los Angeles, selling his wine.

Titus Vineyards has grown a lot over the last 14 years. When I was selling the wine, it was a young brand. But, as we sat down together recently to taste through current and library releases, I learned that not only has Titus Vineyards grown, they are also celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.

Sustainable Napa Valley – Visit Long Meadow Ranch

Written by Allison Levine on December 11, 2018

Lifestyle Food Wine

Until all wineries are sustainable, it is important to share the stories of those that are. My recent story for California Winery Advisor is about Long Meadow Ranch in Napa Valley. The Hall family is focused on sustainability and health. They care about their community and are doing good, offering wine, wine tasting experiences, dining experiences and more. Can you read more in the re-post of my story below.

Driving along Main Street in St. Helena, Long Meadow Ranch provides a one-stop shop. There is a coffee stand serving breakfast and lunch, a restaurant serving lunch and dinner, a tasting room, a general store, a farmer’s market, and an event space. And, there is more than the eye can see. There are vineyards, heirloom vegetables, olive trees, and highland cattle. Read More +