2019 Taste of Howell Mountain – Father’s Day Eve

Father’s Day Eve may not be a real thing but celebrate it anyway enjoying food, wine and music at the 2019 Taste of Howell Mountain on Saturday, June 15^th. Starting at noon, you (and Dad) will be able to taste and compare wines from over 45 Howell Mountain wineries such as Aloft, CADE Estate Winery, Duckhorn Vineyards, Dunn Vineyards, La Jota Vineyard Co., Piña Napa Valley and Robert Craig Winery. The fun starts at noon in and around the historic Carriage House at Napa Valley’s oldest winery, Charles Krug Winery (2800 Main Street, St. Helena).

Rosés from Howell Mountain

Howell Mountain is well known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and you’ll find many incredible wines from that varietal that day. But, there’s more to Howell Mountain than just Cabernet. We’ve particularly enjoyed the Arkenstone Sauvignon Blanc, Robert Craig Merlot, Black Sears Zinfandel and Retro Cellars Petite Sirah. We’ve also found many excellent Rosés from Howell Mountain. Last year, our favorites included wines from Red Thread Wines (crafted from Zinfandel grapes), Retro Cellars (Peloursin grapes) and SPENCE (Cabernet Sauvignon grapes).

Howell Mountain Merlot from Robert Craig

Between noon and 3 pm at the 2019 Taste of Howell Mountain your group can enjoy a Walk-Around Wine Tasting, a Silent Auction and Live Music from The Hummingbirdz. Then, from 3 pm to 5 pm it’s time to sit down and enjoy even more Howell Mountain wine as you watch (and hopefully participate in) a festive Live Auction with Greg Quiroga officiating. Auction items this year include opportunities for wining and dining in special Howell Mountain locations, multiple bottles of Howell Mountain wine (in many sizes), and fun excursions to places such as Mammoth Mountain, Yosemite and the Oregon Coast.

To build your wine cellar, you should take a chance with the “Taste of Today” Raffle at the 2019 Taste of Howell Mountain. The prize is 48 different bottles of Howell Mountain wine, with a cumulative value of about $5,000. Tickets (in the form of a playing card) are $100 each, but since only two decks’ worth are up for sale, total entrants will be limited to 104.

Tickets for the 2019 Taste of Howell Mountain are $150 per person or $1750 for a table for ten. The event will sell out shortly, so just click here before it’s too late.

2019 Taste of Howell Mountain – The Wineries

Notre Vin Winery, 2019 Taste of Howell Mountain Over 45 premium wineries will showcase their wines at the 2019 Taste of Howell Mountain. In addition to the wineries already mentioned, you’ll also find Angwin Estate Vineyards, Cimarossa, Cresta Velia, Davis Estates, Howell Mountain Vineyards, KrisTodd Vineyards, Lamborn Family Vineyards, Moone-Tsai Wines, Notre Vin, O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery, Paravel Wines, Predecessor Estate, Red Cap Vineyards, Round Two Wines, and more.

The 2019 Food Pairings

Between noon and 3 pm at the 2019 Taste of Howell Mountain, you’ll be able to pair your tastes with small bites such as Cabernet-Braised Certified Angus Short Rib Sliders, Oak-Grilled Lamb Lollipop Chops, and Muscovy Duck Confit on a Porcini Risotto Cake. Then, during the Live Auction event later in the afternoon, you’ll find Strawberry Shortcake made with Buttermilk Biscuit, Strawberries, Whipped Mascarpone and Cabernet-Tellicherry Peppercorn Sauce. And in case you were wondering, yes, those strawberries are coming from the Silverado Trail.

2019 Taste of Howell Mountain – The Auctions

The Silent and Live Auctions at the 2019 Taste of Howell Mountain will offer many opportunities for rare wines, large format bottles, and exciting getaways. On the Silent Auction table, you’ll be competing for items such as a Hot Air Balloon Adventure for 4 with Aloft, 3 bottles of Baldacci Family Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and a Tasting and Tour package for 6, and 4 VIP Tickets to Clif Family Winery’s Harvest Moon Concert in September (and 4 bottles of Kit’s Killer Cab). Some of this year’s Live Auction offerings are:

Domaine Serene

Argentinian-Style BBQ for 10 – A private BBQ for 10 guests at the Howell Mountain home-in-the-vineyards of Red Cap Vineyards proprietors Tom and Desiree Altemus. Winemaker Rudy Zuidema will share several vintages of wines, and the package also includes 12 bottles and 3 magnums of Red Cap wine, and a double magnum of Robert Foley Vineyards wine.
Luxury Get-Away to the Oregon Coast – A 4-day and 3-night stay in a 6-bedroom luxurious beach-front home in Neskowin, Oregon. This getaway also includes wine tastings and tours at some of Oregon’s finest wineries: Archery Summit, Domaine Serene, Yamhill Valley Vineyards and Van Duzer Vineyards.
Mega Magnums and More – A collection of 14 magnums of premium Howell Mountain wine from producers Angwin Estate Vineyards, Bravante Vineyards and Roberts + Rogers, along with a private tour and wine tasting experience for 6 at Bravante.
Wine and Dine Weekend – A 2-night stay at Casa dell’ Uva on Howell Mountain for 6 guests, packaged with a luncheon and wine tasting at Cimarossa, tour and wine tasting at CADE Estate, and a casual brunch and wine tasting at a Heitz Cellar Howell Mountain vineyard.

If you want to start planning now, you can access the full list of 2019 Silent Auction and Live Auction items by going here.

The Howell Mountain Appellation

Howell Mountain got its name from the Isaac Howell family who moved to the area in 1846. While rivers and property lines frequently define the boundaries of an American Viticultural Area (AVA), the Howell Mountain appellation is officially based on a 1400 foot elevation contour line around the mountain. In other words, this AVA (which was established in 1983) is literally a mountain top. At this altitude, the vineyards experience cooler daytime temperatures, warmer evening temperatures, rocky and porous soil conditions and rainfall that is nearly twice that of the valley below. All of this translates into deliciously rich complexity and flavor in your glass.

The 2019 Taste of Howell Mountain is the 24^th event from the Howell Mountain Vintners & Growers Association. The Association has a long history of community support, and this year’s proceeds will benefit the Howell Mountain Education Foundation. We encourage you to purchase your tickets soon and then come indulge in wines made from grapes grown “Above the Fog.” If you aren’t able to make this year’s event, go ahead and mark your calendar for June 20, 2020, and start planning for the 2020 Taste of Howell Mountain.