Francis Ford Coppola’s Passionate Project
The Coppola name should not be unknown to anyone who has been riveted to the big screen while watching the famed Godfather series. These incredible movies are still talked about as some of the best moviemaking in Hollywood history. Coppola has been awarded five academy awards for his work.
After making Godfather Two in 1974, he was living in San Francisco and making trips to the nearby Napa Valley, each time getting more passionate about wine and wine making, and giving his three children room to roam. After months of fruitless searching, an old venerable Napa name, the Niebaum estate making Inglenook wines but at the time dormant, was put up for auction.
After a year of frustration in trying to obtain a portion of the property, another opportunity came Coppola’s way to purchase this 1,560 acre property and he took it.
His New York City Italian background with winemaking in the basement of his childhood tenement home, came back to motivate him to return this estate back to making wine under the Rubicon label. In 1977 his first critically acclaimed wine went to market.
Being a good steward of the land is a Coppola trademark. The stately chateau has been meticulously renovated and all his vineyard grapes are being converted to organically grown fruit. Coppola sentimentally explains his passion for restoration this way: “It’s so rare in American history. I mean there are great old things that are broken apart and sold off to companies and split into pieces like movie studios… and that’s what happened to the old Inglenook. The winery was shut down. We pieced it all back together and restored it all. It stands today as it had been early last century.”
Last year, he purchased the old Chateau Souverain estate in neighboring Sonoma.
He renamed it Rosso and Bianco for his more affordable wines like the Diamond series, and renamed his Niebaum-Coppola estate in Napa, Rubicon, where all his high-end wines are being produced. For his 67th birthday last year, when he bought the Souverain estate in Geyserville, he invited some 2,000 Sonomans to the grand opening party.
His goal: “to create a happy Italian family feeling of winemaking.” All his family memorabilia will be displayed here. “I always want to give the public value,” he proclaimed. Maybe there is a movie theme somewhere in those words.
Summer Series of Winemakers at the Westgate
The finale of the summer series of Winemaker Dinners at the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego was a few weeks ago, and featured the wines of Wattle Creek in Sonoma. Food & Beverage Manager Nicklas Dahm (shown in the photo with Wattle Creek owner Chris Williams on the right) brought the former Australian winemaker to San Diego to share his 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, 2004 Chardonnay, 2003 Viognier and 2002 Shiraz.
Wattle Creek is a 56 acre vineyard and winery just south of Cloverdale, which was perfect for Chris because it is similar to his beloved Barossa Valley in southern Australia. The usual fine Westgate dining, and hospitality by Public Relations Director Eva Marie Gutierrez, pleased the assembled guests. The Shiraz was especially memorable and has a price of $22.99 on their website. Contact Chris at cwilliams@wattlecreek.com.
The Local Sip
The next Italian regional dining experience at Il Fornaio in Del Mar will be Toscana (Tuscany), now through September 16th. The popular restaurant will feature native Tuscan dishes like Panzanella and Pollo al Mattone alla Diavola, a tasty spicy chicken grilled under brick. The native wines include: Peppoli Antinori 2004 Chianti Classico and Bruni Poggio d’Elsa 2005 Cabernet and Sangiovese blend. For reservations call 858-755-8876.
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Wiens Family Cellars in Temecula is presenting “Shakespeare in the Vines” with live performances of Othello September 7, 8, 9, 15 and 16, starting at 7pm. Tickets are: $25 for reserved seating, $15 general admission. Call 888-98WIENS for tickets and other info. On Friday September 21 from 7 to 10pm, Wiens has their 2006 release party with dinner, live music and dancing. For ticket information, see the phone number above.***
Bacchus Wine Market and Tasting room has a Sonoma wine event on Friday, September 14 from 4 to 9pm. Wellington, Fritz and Holly are some of wineries showing up. Cost is $15 per person. Check it out at 619-236-0005.***
The San Diego Wine and Culinary Center is having a Foley Estates dinner and wine event on Tuesday, September 18 from 6 to 8pm. The winery has been scoring big ratings recently. Reservations required, at 619-231-6400. Be sure to try their Syrah from Santa Rosa.Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.
10631 Vinedale Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 - Phone (818) 767-3413 - Fax: (818) 767-1410
