The 2016 American Wine Society (AWS) National Conference took place on Thursday, November 2 to Saturday, November 5, 2016, at the Hilton Orange County in Costa Mesa, South of Los Angeles. More than 400 AWS members from all over the USA came to this 3-day event, filled with tastings, seminars and presentations.
This posting covers a seminar conducted by Peter Mondavi Jr., Charles Krug Winery. It is part of a series of postings related to the American Wine Society National Conference 2016 in California:
The 2016 American Wine Society National Conference in California, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens
The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry - Tasting at the American Wine Society 2016 National Conference in Los Angeles, USA, led by Annette Schiller
The New Classification of German Wines: The VDP Classification - Annette Schiller Conducting a Seminar at the 2016 National Convention of the American Wine Society in Los Angeles, USA
The Insider’s View of Charles Krug Winery - Peter Mondavi Jr., Co-Proprietor, Charles Krug Winery
Château Climens, Premier Cru Barsac and Savory Dishes…who knew? - Bérénice Lurton, Owner of Château Climens and Tony Lawrence, Global Food & Wine Pairing Specialist
Picture: Christian Schiller with Peter Mondavi Jr. at Morton's Steak House in Reston, Virginia. See: Morton’s Steakhouse Presented Peter Mondavi Jr. at a Charles Krug Winemaker Dinner Charles Krug (1825 – 1892)
The Charles Krug Winery has been owned for many decades by Mondavis, but it was founded by Charles Krug, a German. He was born as Karl Krug in Tendelburg, near Kassel, which at that time was part of Prussia. When he arrived in San Francisco in 1852, he came with no grape-growing or winemaking experience. He was a university-trained journalist (with controversial political beliefs – a supporter of the March revolution - for which he was briefly jailed in Prussia). Until 1854, he worked for the German San Francisco Staats-Zeitung.
In the following years, he would become the major local winery figure of his era, greatly influencing Napa Valley's development as a world-renown wine producing region. Charles Krug made the first commercial wine in the Napa Valley, and the winery he built in 1861 is where Napa wine began. His leadership was said to be inspirational. Innovations such as using a cider press to efficiently crush the grapes, planting insect-resistant rootstock, and establishing the first public tasting room, truly made him a founding father of the pioneer Napa Valley wine industry.
The Peter Mondavi Sen. Family
When Charles Krug died in 1892, the winery was purchased by his close friend, James Moffitt, a San Francisco banker, who owned the winery through prohibition and sold the winery to Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, Italian immigrants, in 1943. Cesare was 60 when he purchased the winery for $75,000. His two sons, Peter and Robert, both went to Stanford, then came back to run the winery. Cesare died in 1959. The Mondavi brothers Peter and Robert could not agree on the general direction of the Charles Krug Winery and in 1966 there was the famous breakup between the two brothers. Robert left, was paid off and founded the Robert Mondavi Winery. Peter stayed and has been at the helm of the Charles Krug Winery since then.
There were tremendous enological, viticultural and marketing innovations that Peter Mondavi undertook during the last four decades. Among them were vintage dated varietals, pioneering cold fermentation and sterilization for white wines, use of small French oak barrels and glass lined steel tanks.
Meanwhile, Peter's two sons -- Marc and Peter Jr. - were educated at UC Davis and Stanford, respectively, and have been playing a major role in winemaking and winery management since the early 1980's. Marc oversees the vineyards and winemaking, while Peter Jr. manages marketing, sales and general winery functions.
Charles Krug Winery
Located one-and-a-half miles north of St. Helena, “the Charles Krug Winery focuses production on lush red Bordeaux style blends, New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc and classically crafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel” Peter said. Over the years, the Charles Krug Winery has grown to 850 acres of estate land.
The Wines Peter Mondavi Jr. Poured
Charles Krug, St. Helena - Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Limited Release, 2015 (US$35)
Our Sauvignon Blanc is night-picked and cold-fermented in stainless steel tanks to emphasize the aromatic potential of the grape. Bright, crisp acidity with grapefruit, passion fruit and lime aromatics are the signature elements of our style.
Charles Krug, St. Helena - Napa Valley, Malbec, Limited Release, 2013 (US$65)
Our Napa Valley Merlot has expressive aromas of ripe red and black fruit followed by hints of spice. Supple body and medium tannins envelop flavors of berry and cherry, which linger on the palate through a long, smooth finish.
Charles Krug, St. Helena – Voltz Vineyard, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Limited Release, 2013 (US$135)
Our Voltz Vineyard sits at the base of the Mayacamas Mountain Range in Yountville on a southeast-facing slope that soaks up the morning sun. This diamond-shaped parcel contains exceptionally rocky, well-drained soil that stresses the vines, leading to early ripening and creating fruit of great concentration and complexity.
Charles Krug, St. Helena – Cold Springs Vineyard, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Limited Release, 2013 (US$125)
Our Cold Springs Vineyard, with a west-facing exposure at 1,650 feet, produces Cabernet Sauvignon fruit that typifies the luscious cherry characteristics found in grapes grown in the appellation. Aromas of spice, black currant and cardamom complement the intense red currant and pomegranate flavors.
Charles Krug, St. Helena – Napa Valley, Zinfandel Port, Limited Release, 2013 (US$35)
Crafted in the spirit of the Solera style, 20 vintages create a seductive history of Port in a single bottle. A savory composition of berry preserves, toffee and spicy oak aromatics serves as a beautiful introduction to our latest offering. This elegant wine lingers on the palate, slowly drifting to a chewy, yet supple finish.
schiller-wine: Related Postings
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Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History
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Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
The 2016 American Wine Society National Conference in California, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens
The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry - Tasting at the American Wine Society 2016 National Conference in Los Angeles, USA, led by Annette Schiller
The New Classification of German Wines: The VDP Classification - Annette Schiller Conducting a Seminar at the 2016 National Convention of the American Wine Society in Los Angeles, USA
The Insider’s View of Charles Krug Winery - Peter Mondavi Jr., Co-Proprietor, Charles Krug Winery
Château Climens, Premier Cru Barsac and Savory Dishes…who knew? - Bérénice Lurton, Owner of Château Climens and Tony Lawrence, Global Food & Wine Pairing Specialist