Angelo Owens Wines launches inaugural vintage

The Owens name has become synonymous with passion, quality and dedication to the craft of winemaking, according to a news release. Jeff was last head winemaker at Odette Estate, a member of the Plumpjack Group portfolio. Offering limited-production wines, Angelo Owens Wines reflects Jeff’s sense of style, revealing his artistry and “ground-up” mentality.

“Starting our own brand enables us the freedom to work with friends and growers of vineyards that we have come to admire and love, while showcasing that terroir and sense of place,” Jeff said in the release. “I am so excited to pursue our dream and start what I hope is a family legacy for generations to come.”

Celebrating their dream coming to fruition, Jeff and Valerie will release their 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, and their 2023 Sauvignon Blanc which pays tribute to their two sons Rylan and Declan, on Valerie’s birthday, March 26.

“Our brand has been a goal of ours since college,” Valerie said in the release. “Throughout our four years, we educated ourselves and learned the nuances of each vintage while developing our palates and dreaming of our wine label. Once we moved to Napa, Jeff and I understood it would take time, and we were committed to doing it right.”

To learn more, visit angeloowenswines.com.

Collective Napa Valley Auction Weekend tickets go on sale Monday, March 25, according to a news release.

Since 1981, the first weekend in June has always marked a time for wine lovers to gather in Napa Valley for an annual celebration of wine, food and doing good. This year, Auction Napa Valley returns in its rightful place as the name of the live auction. Proceeds from the weekend’s festivities will benefit youth mental health initiatives in Napa Valley.

“This year we’re excited to breathe new life into both the main auction and the beloved barrel auction,” said Jeff Smith, founder and CEO of Hourglass and chair of the live auction. “The loss of the live auction’s traditional home allowed us to reinvent these events. We’re reconceiving each event in dynamic and fresh ways; especially the live auction that will be more intimate than in past years, yet still full of energy and excitement.”

The Napa Valley Barrel Auction will take place Friday, May 31, at HALL Winery in St. Helena. Guests will get a first taste and bid on small-production wines poured directly from the barrel by dozens of Napa Valley winemakers.

On Saturday, June 1, the freshly re-imagined Auction Napa Valley takes place at Far Niente winery in Oakville. The evening includes a wine dinner and live auction conducted by Sotheby’s.

“As a top destination for food and wine, Auction Weekend is the ultimate way to enjoy the best of Napa Valley while making a difference in the lives of youth,” said Cyril Chappellet, chairman of the board of directors for the Napa Valley Vintners and CEO and chairman of Chappellet Vineyard. “We’re really excited about this year’s celebration. We’re honoring our roots by creating a new version of Auction Napa Valley as part of the weekend. We’re thrilled to see it revitalized.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit CollectiveNapaValley.org.

The Napa Valley Wine Train and CHANDON are partnering again this spring to offer the second annual “Secret Garden Afternoon Tea” experience.

An exclusively designed rail car offers the train’s popular four-course Afternoon Tea service paired with CHANDON’s Garden Spritz, a ready-to-drink aperitif made with a blend of sparkling wine and a house-made ‘Garden liqueur’ authentically handcrafted by CHANDON’s winemaking team in Argentina using locally sourced, handpicked Valencia oranges, fresh herbs, and spices, according to a news release.

The vintage rail car for the “Secret Garden Afternoon Tea” experience was designed by Zeineb Huizinga, owner of The Lavender Rose, a specialty California-based florist, to create a one-of-a-kind backdrop for many Instagram-able moments. Synthetic Spring-inspired flowers have been draped over almost every inch of the train car to make guests feel as though they are in the middle of a gorgeous outdoor garden while riding the train through Napa Valley’s most prominent vineyards and sites, according to the news release.

“We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with CHANDON to provide guests with a unique and unforgettable afternoon unlike anything else in the Valley,” said Nathan Davis, general manager of the Napa Valley Wine Train, in the release. “CHANDON’s wines are a reflection of the beauty of Napa and we are delighted to serve the refreshing Garden Spritz to start our Afternoon Tea service. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional local wine experiences.”

The CHANDON “Secret Garden Afternoon Tea” experience is now available for booking Saturdays and Sundays through May 2024. The experience is then available to book Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through October. The train departs at 11:30 a.m. and returns at 2:30 p.m., and features up to nine other experiences with the Afternoon Tea in its own private transformed train car. Tickets start at $215 and include the three-hour journey aboard the vintage train; a selection of fine steeped teas; a seasonal soup and salad course; finger sandwiches, cheese, scones and desserts on 3-tier riser; and of course, CHANDON Garden Spritz upon arrival.

For reservations and more information, visit winetrain.com/events/afternoon-tea.

Mayacamas Vineyards recently announced the release of its new 2022 Chardonnay and the re-release of its acclaimed 2012 Chardonnay.

“I’m really excited to share our 2022 Chardonnay,” said Braiden Albrecht, winemaker at Mayacamas, in a news release. “The 2022 vintage was exceptional for white varietals. Our vineyards were given a respite from the drought conditions of 2021, and after a wet, cold rainy season, moderate temperatures through the end of August set up the Chardonnay harvest beautifully. The wine has great acidity, precise aromatics, and alluring textural nuance.”

Mayacamas is known for simultaneously releasing its newest vintages alongside corresponding wines that are 10 years older to offer a unique side-by-side tasting opportunity.

“The 2012 Chardonnay was the first white wine I was introduced to in the cellar at Mayacamas, and I’m very pleased with its evolution in bottle,” added Albrecht. “The wine is developing a rich, honeyed texture, and it is still anchored by our trademark acidity.”

Both wines are available to Mayacamas online at Mayacamas.com.