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Napa Valley Register, “Madrigal Family Winery offers SIP (Shelter-in-Place) Sanity Tasting Kit” - May 14, 2020
In the late 1930s, the grandparents of third-generation vintner, Chris Madrigal, emigrated from Mexico to the United States to seek a farming way of life in the Napa Valley. The family was one of the Napa Valley’s first Mexican farming families, growing apples, grapes, pears, and walnuts. In the late 1970s, the Madrigals shifted their focus to grape growing, and sold their grapes to other Napa Valley wineries.
Under the helm of Chris’s father, Jess, the Madrigal family originally established itself in the Napa Valley as Madrigal Vineyard Management. The vineyard management division currently manages around 800 acres. In 1995, Chris began growing, producing, and selling his own wine under the name Madrigal Family Winery. The inaugural release was 500 cases of Petite Sirah, the grape variety for which the winery is most known. Today, the winery – which will celebrate its 26th vintage in fall 2020 – makes about 6,000 cases of wine annually, including (in alphabetical order) Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Garnacha, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Gewurztraminer sourced from Mendocino County. Madrigal Family Winery is home to 40 acres of vineyards, public tasting space, and the winery. Madrigal also has a tasting room in Sausalito.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, like other wineries, Madrigal Family Winery found itself in a quandary as to how to get their wines in front of people without the ability to host public tastings. As a response, the Madrigals developed the idea of a virtual tasting, as other wineries are doing, but in a more approachable, affordable way. Instead of offering full-bottle tasting packages of wines that customers may not have not tasted, Chris, his wife Christina, and the fourth generation of Madrigals – Lauren (advertising), Santiago (marketing and sales) and Pierce (packaging) – who suddenly found themselves working for the winery as their colleges and universities closed – created the aptly named SIP (Shelter-in-Place) sanity tasting.
The kit, which is priced the same as an on-site tasting ($35 per person), contains four, two-ounce wine samples – 2019 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Estate La Vida Rosa, 2014 Estate Nuestra Sangre, and 2015 Estate Petite Sirah – plus technical information and winery tasting notes, a signed notecard from Chris, a Madrigal-branded pen and corkscrew, and for Bay Area locals, a logo glass. Once purchased, the winery emails link to a Zoom videoconference tasting hosted by Chris, which occurs every Friday at 5:30 p.m. Santiago – who was studying abroad at his university in Spain when he had to hurriedly make his way home prior to the ban on arriving international airline passengers – is the family’s point person for acquiring tasting kits, available for sale on the winery’s website.
Wine Weirdos Review 2012 Madrigal Family Winery Napa Valley Petite Sirah
June 21, 2019 - Wine Enthusiast - How to to Camp Through Wine Country
BY LAURA BEAUSIRE
Why settle for four-star accommodations when you could have the whole night sky? Forget the hotels, resorts and bed-and-breakfasts the next time you visit one of your favorite wine regions. Good old-fashioned camping, or newfangled glamping, lets you nestle right into nature. So, pitch your tent and build a campfire—it’s time to open a bottle and dream of the next day’s tastings.
Here are some coast-to-coast suggestions for a summer’s worth of camping adventures.
Elk Ridge Campground
Yakima Valley, Washington
The Vibe: Open year-round, with 2,200 feet of private frontage along the Naches River in the mountains near Yakima, Elk Ridge Campground offers 20 forested RV sites with electricity and water. There are also nine quirky, nostalgic cabins, some that date to 1928. All are heated and equipped with fireplaces and kitchens. Once you find your way into this wild and beautiful setting, you might be tempted to hike, mountain bike or cast a fishing line.
The Vineyards: There are more than 60 wineries in the Yakima Valley, many that produce Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling or Syrah. Drive to Naches Heights Vineyard or Wilridge Vineyard, Winery & Distillery (20 minutes) Yakima’s tasting rooms (30 minutes) or Owen Roe or Treveri Cellars (45 minutes).
The Vintages Trailer Resort
Willamette Valley, Oregon
The Vibe: Welcome to the throwback neighborhood! Parked between Dundee and McMinnville, The Vintages offers 34 retro-charming trailers that make a swanky pitstop in the Willamette Valley. The oldest trailer (Spartan Manor) dates to 1947, and all have been restored and customized with air conditioning and heat. A propane grill and lounge chairs are arranged outside each trailer. The pet-friendly resort offers a pool, fireside areas, outdoor lawn games, complimentary cruiser bikes and dog park next door.
The Vineyards: The Willamette Valley is especially known for Pinot Noir, but you’ll also find Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and many other wines. More than 20 wineries are located within six miles of The Vintages, like Stoller Family Estate, Remy Wines, Domaine Serene, Sokol Blosser, Durant Vineyards, Winderlea Vineyard & Wineryand Archery Summit Winery.
Extra: The Vintages offers special tasting experiences, like the V.I.P. (Very Important Pinot), developed with Gran Moraine Winery, and the hop-on/hop-off Shuttle, Sip, & Savor package.
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, Napa Valley, California / Photo by Brian Baer
Napa Valley, California
The Vibe: Roughly 5 miles from both Calistoga and St. Helena, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is the only campground in upper Napa Valley. The 1,900-acre park is open all year, with 30 standard campsites (no hookups) for tents or RVs, 10 yurts of various sizes, and five historic cabins that have been restored and furnished. Each campsite comes with a fire ring, grill and picnic table. ADA accessible campsites, yurts and cabins are also available. The park has more than 10 miles of forested hiking trails, plus a spring-fed pool with views of the hills. Next door, the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park features a working flour mill built in 1846.
The Vineyards: There’s a dazzling array of wines in Napa that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. Frank Family Vineyards and Larkmead Vineyards are both located within walking distance of the park, with Schramsberg Vineyards, Madrigal Family Winery and Castello di Amorosa nearby.
Extra: Calistoga offers an on-call shuttle service into town or wineries located en route to town. It’s free for guests staying at one of 43 properties within the City of Calistoga, or $1 for general visitors. Read More
April 24, 2019 - Pacific Sun Presents Madrigal Family Winery’s Sausalito Tasting Salon with “Best of Marin” 2019 Award for Best Art Inspired Tasting Room
Patricia Gatti, Manager of Madrigal Family Winery Sausalito Wine Salon & Gallery Accepts 2019 Pacifid Sun Best of Marin Award for “Best Art Inspired Tasting Room”. She began the Madrigal Art & Wine Series program with Curator Shiva Pakdel in October 2015.
The Top 10 Wineries for Napa Insiders
CWA Staff [January 2019]
We are often asked, "What are the top wineries for Napa insiders?" If you have been wine tasting in Napa Valley, you’ve probably hit some blockbuster locations -- tourist hot spots that offer attractions but serve elementary tastings. Maybe you have visited some of our 10 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit, or built your own itinerary. Either way, you probably know by now that, despite its modest geographical reach, Napa is a really big place.
Don’t be overwhelmed! Its size is all the more reason to dig a little deeper into Napa’s many offerings. Seek out tastings that enhance your wine expertise in California’s most prestigious growing region. You’ve had fun kicking back on a pretty deck with a porch pounder, but it’s time to check out serious wine-lover wineries. Bear in mind, a more challenging tasting experience comes at a price. Tasting fees range from $25-75 but you’re paying for great wine, not subsidizing a mogul’s chateau.
The geekiest way to drink wine in Napa, once you’ve gotten your bearings, is to seek out winemakers who don’t have a tasting room. Small producers that put all of their energy into production often have the most special wine. But emailing a winemaker for a private tasting is advanced-level drinking. We've made it simpler for you to find the smaller wineries with exceptional wine! Use this as a starting point for a deeper exploration of Napa. Create your own Napa tasting tour with our itinerary builder.
Before heading out to the wineries, consider buying a Priority Wine Pass. This can save you 50% on tasting fees and provides concierge services for planning your day. Learn more here.
Madrigal Family Winery
The Madrigals were one of the first Mexican families in the upper Napa Valley, arriving on the scene in the 1930s to work vineyards, apple and walnut orchards. Chris Madrigal is among the third generation of the Madrigal family and produced his first Petite Sirah in 1995. Today, the Madrigal Family Winery produces just under 10,000 cases including three cabernet sauvignons, Petite Sirah and Tempranillo. The friendly staff is personable and patient. Appointment recommended, $35 tasting fee. Add a cheese plate for $25 (72 hr notice required to reserve wine and cheese service)
It's That Time of Year Again...Our Annual Harvest Party & Grape Stomp!
Madrigal Family Winery Presents “The Prism of East and West”
August 14, 2018, Sausalito, CA –Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery in Sausalito hosts the 26th in its Art and Wine series on Thursday August 30th from 6-8:30pm, featuring the work of local Marin County Artists Mehri Dadgar and Shiva Pakdel with art curation by Shiva Pakdel. The exhibit is on view from August 16 through September 4, 2018. This exhibition focuses on elements of Persian and Islamic art where East meets West.
Mehri Dadgar
Artist Statement: I believe art has the power to be a cohesive force in our troubled world. In my art, I explore the relationship between East and West, and these interactions sometimes result in harmonious blends or stark contrasts. Both can be illuminating.
My paintings of the past years have been a blend, or hybrid, of Western and Middle Eastern influences; I am incorporating certain elements of ancient Islamic art (color, pattern, form, arabesque, calligraphy and miniature painting) within the context of a contemporary Western abstract style. Alternatively, I sometimes have Western elements intrude upon a predominantly Islamic art context.
Shiva Pakdel
Shiva Pakdel grew up in Abadan, Iran during the 60s. Abadan, one of the most liberal cities in Iran, offered a modern western lifestyle in a land of history and tradition. This exposure to both east and west provided her with great appreciation and enjoyment for art, culture, history, and poetry of Iran, as well as the art and culture of the West.
Shiva is an artist, artist advocate, curator, and a collector. She has recently left the corporate world to pursue her true passion and life-long desire to create art, curate art exhibitions, and support and represent artists. Shiva is Madrigal Family Winery’s Art Curator where she has curated and produced 26 art shows. instagram.com/shivasartsalon
Amir Rahimi
Amir Rahimi’s reverse glass paintings are translucent and gilded, masterful and intense. Amir is master at this nineteenth-century medium which became popular during the Qajar era in Iran. Although Mr. Rahimi paints in the typical Qajar manner and style, his subjects are depictions of more traditional stories from Persian literature's masterpieces such as Shahnameh.
Reverse glass painting has been used for many centuries from the European paintings of religious icons during the Middle Ages to abstract works created by contemporary glass painters. Painting on glass is rather difficult since it involves applying paint to a piece of glass where the final image will be viewed from the reverse side since the artist has to build the image from the top layer down.
Entrance to the Madrigal art and wine event is complimentary. RSVP sausalito@madrigalfamilywinery.com
The Madrigal Sausalito Wine Salon & Gallery is open from 12-7pm daily
SF Chronicle, "An artistic celebration of International Women’s Day"
(L-R): Teri Vereb (artist), Farnaz Zabetian (artist), Shiva Pakdel (curator), Patricia Gatti (Sausalito Tasting Salon Manager), and Simin Massoudi (artist)
International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8 each year to honor the women’s rights movement, was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1975. Since then, it has inspired many events, including several around the Bay Area.
This year, Madrigal Family Winery plans to host a fun fusion of art and wine for an exhibit titled “Women Who Paint Women.” The opening-night reception coincides with International Women’s Day and includes live music with, of course, wine.
The event, at the winery’s Sausalito tasting gallery, will feature the work of five local artists: Teri Vereb, Simin Massoudi, Farnaz Zabetian, Robyn Kralique and Cynthia Tom.
“We think that art and wine are a captivating blend,” says Patricia Gatti, wine salon and gallery manager. “Both create emotion, expressions, something that can be questioned, loved, disliked, and easily remembered or forgotten.”
“Women Who Paint Women,” curated by Shiva Pakdel, displays depth and variety, showcasing expressive portraits of women, both fictional and real. Some of the pieces — like those of Vereb, Kralique or Tom — are mythical, fantastical, at times surreal.
In writing about her imaginative work, Vereb considers the complex internal lives of her subjects: “Through each woman a unique story is told, but the common tale of vulnerability and insecurity binds them together as they strive to reveal a deeper strength.”
This notion of resilience is echoed in Massoudi’s works, which are distinguished by her use of simple, geometric lines and bold, earthy colors. Zabetian, who shares an Iranian heritage with Massoudi, also employs rich, burning oranges and warm shades of brown to depict her unique and suggestive fictional female characters in her work.
“Women Who Paint Women” is part of the winery’s Sausalito Art & Wine Series and is on view through April 14.
Maxine Marshall is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mmarshall@ sfchronicle.com
“Women Who Paint Women”: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 8. Through April 14. Free. Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon and Gallery, 819 Bridgeway, Sausalito. (415) 729-9549. www.madrigalfamilywinery.com
Madrigal's Sausalito Tasting Salon Honored with "Small Business of the Year" Award by Sausalito Chamber of Commerce
November 3, 2017 - Madrigal Family Winery's Sausalito Wine Tasting Salon & Gallery took home the award for "Small Business of the Year" by the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce at its Annual Award Ceremony on Friday November 3rd. President Chris Madrigal and Sausalito Tasting Salon Manager Patricia Gatti accepted the award.
October 26, 2017 - SAUSALITO — Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery is celebrating its 20th art and wine series show with “El Día de los Muertos,” an exhibit featuring Mexican artwork from regional artists. The installation is on view through Dec 13.
El Día de los Muertos is a Mexican and Latin American holiday full of festivals and celebrations with friends and family while honoring the dead. Much of the art at the winery features traditional colorful skulls, skeletons and masks, all from regional Mexican artists. Several of the pieces are by a family from Michoacán, the Madrigal family home town, generations ago.
The exhibition has been curated by Shiva Pakdel, and Back to the Picture Gallery has contributed its collection of Latin American art. The exhibit also displays prints, silk screens and ceramics of skulls and figurines by various artists.
Featured Latin artists include Carmen Lomas Garza, Juan Fuentes, Calixto Robles, Josephina Jauqin, Ester Hernandez, Emmanuel C. Montoya, Alfonso & Luzmilla Joaquiza and Michael Roman.
A reception celebrating the exhibition is on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 6-8:30 p.m.
Entrance to the Madrigal art and wine event is complimentary. RSVP to sausalito@madrigalfamilywinery.com.
The Madrigal Sausalito Tasting Salon & Gallery, 819 Bridgeway, Sausalito, is open from noon to 7 p.m. daily. For information, contact wine salon manager Patricia Gatti at (415) 729-9549 or pgatti@madrigalfamilywinery.com.
Art Exhibit Continues California Artist Series with the art of Bay Area Artist Georgette Osserman, A story teller with a world of unique characters
August 22, 2017, Sausalito, CA – On Saturday September 9th, Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon’s & Gallery in Sausalito will open its 19th exhibition in its Art & Wine series, “Love Stories”’ featuring the work of Bay Area Artist Georgette Osserman. Curated by Shiva Pakdel, the exhibit presents a world of unique characters, and will be on view through October 11. An opening reception with the artist will be held on Friday, September 9th, from 6– 8pm.
“We celebrate the creative process and the individual point of view here at Madrigal,” commented Chris Madrigal, Madrigal Family Winery’s Founder and President. “For three generations in Calistoga, my family has enjoyed the pleasure of being part of a vital community, sharing a glass of wine and storytelling. For nearly 2 years and 19 artist installations and receptions in our Sausalito tasting salon, we’ve enjoyed carrying on that tradition in the Bay Area.”
Georgette Osserman, Artist. Photo Credit : Rose Hodges
Georgette Osserman, Patricia Gatti. Photo Credit: Rose Hodges
e-Motion Fashion & Photography Art Featured at Madrigal Wine Tasting Salon and Gallery in Sausalito Winery Continues Bay Area California Artist Series
May 16, 2017 – Sausalito, CA – On Saturday, June 3rd, Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery in Sausalito will host the 17th in its Art and Wine series, featuring the work of local professional Marin County Artists including: Glen Graves, Bill Hewitt, Bill Jackson, George Kaplan, Jill Pillot and Anna Rotty with art curation by Glen Graves. The opening reception is from 5-9pm and features the e-Motion photography, artwork and a fashion show.
The installation will be on exhibit in the Madrigal Salon from May 18– June 28. Read Full Article Here
WineBusiness.com, Spring is in the Air --"Celebration of Persian New Year" at Madrigal's Sausalito Tasting Salon
Art Continues Bay Area California Artist Series
February 28, 2017, Sausalito, CA – On Friday, March 24th, Madrigal Family Winery’s Sausalito Tasting Salon & Gallery will open “Celebration of Spring and Persian New Year” the latest exhibit in its Bay Area Art and Wine series. The exhibition features traditional Persian art as well as the work of several local Bay Area Iranian American artists and is curated by Shiva Pakdel & Haleh Douraghy. An opening reception will be held on Friday, March 24th, 6-8pm. The exhibit is on view March 15 – April 18. Madrigal’s Sausalito Wine Tasting Salon & Gallery is open daily from 12-7pm. Entrance to the Madrigal art and wine event is complimentary. RSVP to sausalito@madrigalfamilywinery.com For more information, contact Tasting Salon Manager Patricia Gatti at (415) 729-9549 or pgatti@madrigalfamilywinery.com
“We are so excited to host, what now appears to be the annual Norooz art exhibit, at our Sausalito tasting room for the second time, commented Chris Madrigal, Madrigal Family Winery's Founder & President. “It really seems to bring together so many great things like fabulous art, the New Year, spring time and our great diversity in the United States. I can’t wait to see what Shiva Pakdel & Haleh Douraghy brought us this year!” Read Full Article
Announcing Madrigal Family Winery's “Love Letter from Madrigal” Social Media Contest!
Share a pic of your favorite San Francisco landmark on along with your favorite Madrigal wine on social media and use hashtag #Madrigalwine to win one of 2 awesome wine prizes. See flyer for details, ready, set, go! Winners will be announced on Feb 2nd.
WineIndustryAdvisor.com, "Love Letter from San Francisco Exhibit Continues Bay Area California Artist Series
January 4, 2017, Sausalito, CA – On Friday, January 13th, Madrigal Family Winery’s Sausalito Tasting Salon & Gallery will open “Love Letter from San Francisco,” the latest exhibit in its Bay Area Art and Wine series. The exhibition features the work of the Bay Area artist Patrick Bornemann and is curated by Shiva Pakdel. An opening reception will be held on Friday, January 13th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The exhibit is on view through February 1, 2017. Madrigal’s Sausalito Wine Tasting Salon & Gallery is open Thursday through Monday from 12-7pm (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during winter but open for private events). Entrance to the Madrigal art and wine event is complimentary. RSVP to sausalito@madrigalfamilywinery.com
“We’ve been in Calistoga for three generations and we’ve always been part of our community. We’re so happy to be a part of Sausalito too with our tasting room there, “commented Chris Madrigal, Madrigal Family Winery’s 3rd Generation Founder & Vintner. “When we started this artist series program a year ago, we thought it would be successful, and now, 12 months and 13 artist exhibits later, we couldn’t be more proud.”
Patrick Bornemann – Artist Statement
“Color has taken possession of me”, a quote by artist Paul Klee perfectly describes my relationship with art. I assemble and play with color to create harmony, it is my obsession and passion.
I come from a multicultural background and upbringing throughout: Spain, France, Italy, Germany and Africa. What has always inspired me the most is color. I started my career in TV and cinema as a set designer. That propelled me into my art work on murals and then later in interior design. I started painting when I was 14 years old, but began putting a greater focus on my fine art 18 years ago, when I moved to Marin.
I paint what I see, so living in the Bay area is tremendously inspiring to me. The spectrum and change of light and color throughout the day is infinite, which I try to capture and share with you. When I paint, I feel like the director of an orchestra and my canvas is the music.
I am excited to present to you this collection in Sausalito entitled: “Love Letter from San Francisco”.
The Madrigal Sausalito Tasting Salon & Gallery is open from 12-7pm Thursday – Monday, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the winter, but available for private events. For information, contact Patricia Gatti, manager of the Sausalito Tasting Salon & Gallery at (415) 729-9549 or pgatti@madrigalfamilywinery.com
Please visit the Madrigal Artist series facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/MadrigalArtistSeries/ and the Madrigal Sausalito page at: https://www.facebook.com/MadrigalFamilyWinerySausalitoTastingRoom/
Write for Wine: It's Wine O'Clock Somewhere!- Madrigal Family Winery Review
Posted on December 11, 2016 by Margot
Nestled between Howell and Diamond Mountains in Napa Valley, Madrigal Family Winery is best known for its Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. Winemaker Chris Madrigal is a third-generation vintner, which shows in the wines he crafts.
We were fortunate to receive samples of three Madrigal wines, as the winery celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Madrigal Family Winery Petite Sirah 2012 ($34)
The winery made its name with Petite Sirah, and just one sip of this vintage will explain why. This intense wine is inky in color, with aromas of berries, licorice and dark chocolate. On the palate, there are rich, yet smooth flavors of dark fruit with spices on a long finish. You could pair this wine with grilled meats or sausage dishes, or sip on it before the meal, while nibbling on hard cheeses such as parmesan or sharp cheddar.
Winemaker Tasting Notes: “Inky black-blue color precedes perfumed aromas of cassis, espresso, and dark chocolate. Intense dark currant, blackberry, and plush plum flavors initially fill the palate. This heady, explosive wine then finishes long with BBQ rub spices, sweet toasted oak, and round tannins.”
Madrigal Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 ($48)
An Australian winemaker told us that she thinks about wines based on their “Yum Factor.” This Cabernet Sauvignon definitely has you saying “Yum!” Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot are blended with the Cab Sauv, resulting a robust, rich and beautiful expression of Napa Valley, where Cab is King. Now let’s get some steaks on the grill to pair with it!
Winemaker Tasting Notes: “From the outstanding 2012 vintage, this is a big, rich Napa Valley Cabernet with dark fruit and spice aromas and a hearty core of currant and black cherry flavors. The wine has excellent balance, soft tannins and a long, delicious finish.”
Madrigal Family Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2014 ($20)
We typically enjoy Sauv Blancs on the deck on warm evenings, but this lovely wine also works well during these cooler nights, particularly when paired with seafood. (We enjoyed it with garlic prawns and rice.) We love Sauv Blanc with 100% stainless steel fermentation, like this one, which results in a crisp, fresh taste of summer. Citrus and grassy aromas turn into smooth flavors of vanilla, melon and green tea.
Winemaker Tasting Notes: “Light straw color with the brilliance of sunlight through a forest canopy. Aromas of grapefruit, pineapples and orange peel. Flavors of pineapples and honeydew melon that are creamy and viscous on the palate. Nice crisp acid that finishes clean and refreshing.”
Next time we are in Napa Valley, Madrigal Family Winery will definitely be on our list of wineries to visit.
Cheers!
Margot and Dave
TheAlcoholProfessor.com: 2016 SUCKS! DRINKS TO SURVIVE THANKSGIVING, EVEN IF YOU’RE ALONE
“What a great year 2016 has been!” is something almost no one says. It’s been the year fate decided to festoon many of us with a craptastic bounty of personal loss, illness and tragedy. No to mention this relentless, off-pitch, sinister music death tornado, that started with David Bowie in the first ten fricking days of the year, moving through Lemmy, Phife Dawg, Prince (much 2 soon), Leonard Cohen, Leon Russell, Mose Allison, Billy Miller and now just this past weekend, Sharon Jones, (Sharon Freakin’ Jones!) and there are still several weeks of the year to go. At least we have their legacy soundtrack to serenade us in the aftermath of this election plonknobbery, which is already playing out like the worst dystopian TV talk show/late night comedy sketch nightmare come to fruition.
It’s been challenging to come to terms with all of the what in the actual. However, the one bit of good news is there are some distractions. And by “distractions” I mean the kind you pour into a glass. That’s something to be thankful for, even for those of us who don’t feel much like celebrating Thanksgiving. So here’s how to make it through the holiday whether you’re with family who gets along, family who doesn’t, a dinner guest with a group of strangers, hosting a crowd, or you just want everyone to leave you the f**ktits alone.
No matter how you celebrate, all of us at Alcohol Professor wish you a happy f**king Thanksgiving. Cheers! Not every family situation is stressful (thank f**k for that). For the family that eats together and laughs together, bring a damn delicious wine from a freaking great family vineyard! Madrigal Family Winery from Calistoga in the Napa Valley, now in its third generation under the leadership of Chris Madrigal, produces both a white and red wine that will set a harmonious tone. The 2014 Sauvignon Blanc eschews the usual grass and cat piss profile of trendy SB, and instead aims for a more Bordeaux-like style with fuller tastes of melon, stone fruits, citrus and a subtle floral scent. The 2012 Petite Sirah is the Al Green “Let’s Stay Together” of wine – soulful, comforting, mellow, but with an earthy grip.
Not every family situation is stressful (thank f**k for that). For the family that eats together and laughs together, bring a damn delicious wine from a freaking great family vineyard! Madrigal Family Winery from Calistoga in the Napa Valley, now in its third generation under the leadership of Chris Madrigal, produces both a white and red wine that will set a harmonious tone. The 2014 Sauvignon Blanc eschews the usual grass and cat piss profile of trendy SB, and instead aims for a more Bordeaux-like style with fuller tastes of melon, stone fruits, citrus and a subtle floral scent. The 2012 Petite Sirah is the Al Green “Let’s Stay Together” of wine – soulful, comforting, mellow, but with an earthy grip.
No matter how you celebrate, all of us at Alcohol Professor wish you a happy f**king Thanksgiving. Cheers! Read Full Story HERE.
DigitalJournal.com, Op-Ed: Surrealist Cynthia Tom brings a whimsical side to Sausalito
By Jonathan Farrell Nov 7, 2016 in Lifestyle
Sausalito - The rainy and yet summer-like weekend of Nov. 5 and 6 was a busy one for surreal artist Cynthia Tom. She opened her art studio at 1890 Bryant for an Open Studios weekend while preparing for a more formal gallery showing.
She mentioned how excited and honored she is to have her works displayed at the "fem i nine intuition" exhibit at the Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery on Nov. 8For over 20 years, Cynthia has pushed conventional notions beyond the confines of established expectations within cultural norms and concepts. In recent years, she has put her surrealist talents to the test by delving deep into the forbidden past of her family's ancestry and their journey to America. Utilizing official historical resources and her family's own personal photos, Cynthia has constructed powerful and informative art installations on a grand scale at Route One Gallery at Point Reyes Station this past summer.While she is always eager to raise awareness of important issues, there is that softer side, the feminine element, which can be more whimsical, that simply wants to express itself. And, at the same time share the life-affirming aspects of a life empowered by the creative force.Before channeling her surrealist energy into important and critical issue-topics, Cynthia in her younger days enjoyed pushing boundaries. She liked exploring the special things about our subconscious that make us wonder or be drawn into something fascinating. In some of her whimsy moods she even poked fun at things, gently asking "why is that?"An example, this reporter recalls from some years ago, would be a broach she made with a photo of actor Marlon Brando at the center. A golden 'M' affixed the tiny photo.
An earlier work (circa 1990s), artist Cynthia Tom experimented with the surreal in whimsical forms. Yet still examining the subconscious. "What is it about actor Marlon Brando? Like him or not, what is it that makes him fascinating? What is the Magic?
The block letter could easily stir many words to mind to describe this actor's magnetism, whether you liked him or not. "M for Masculine M for Macho, or perhaps for Magic on the screen. What was it about the controversial star that made us watch him?Cynthia even then was seeing things from that surrealist point of view that has only deepened and become more powerful over the years. Many of her earlier works examine the contrasts between Eastern and Western culture. While questioning these influences she also celebrated and still celebrates them, asking the audience to recognize the irony but also to see the beauty.In this "fem i nine intuition" exhibit, Cynthia is presenting surreal images of women, their dresses and homes, floating in landscapes that could only exist in the realm of imagination. Yet for Cynthia her surrealistic skills are only trying to capture and understand the essence that makes a woman the powerful, yet vulnerable individual she is.Madrigal's Tasting Salon and Gallery in picturesque downtown Sausalito is an ideal spot to feature the unique work of Cynthia's powerful artistic talent.
This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com
Napa Valley Register, "Harvest at Madrigal Family Winery: the Legacy of Three Generations Creates the Wines"
by Sasha Paulsen spaulsen@napanews.com Sep 22, 2016
Twice a year, Madrigal Family Winery holds a crab feed for friend, fans, and staff. Vats of crabs, potatoes, corn, prawns, artichokes and sausages are poured onto plastic covered picnic tables inside the winery. No silverware: you eat with your hands. Dessert is It’s-It ice cream bars. There are glasses, however, for the Madrigal wines.
Chris Madrigal, the founder and president of the winery, explained, “When I first wanted to have a party — for everyone — I noticed that people still stayed standing in their groups: tasting room staff, cellar workers, vineyard workers. But not this way: everyone sits together, and, I think they have a pretty good time.”
This is the style of Madrigal, who founded the winery in Calistoga in 1994. The roots of Madrigal, however, run far deeper.
The story of the Madrigal family in the Napa Valley begins in 1938 when Jacinto Madrigal arrived from Mexico to work in the harvests of the pears, walnuts, apples — and grapes. He settled in the northern end of the valley, with his wife Luisa. Their son, Jess, worked in vineyards, too, and 1974, had moved into wine grapegrowing, and launched his own vineyard management company. Today the company farms 800 acres of vineyards.
Chris Madrigal, son of Jess, regales guests at his crab feeds and other events with tales of the Calistoga where he grew up: a place of geysers, hot springs, the glider port, “and Homer Wright’s general store where his Grandfather Jacinto could run up a tab all year, then pay it off after harvest.”
Although some of the old places are gone, and luxurious resorts like Solage have appeared, Chris says the small town spirit of Calistoga remains. “Calistoga has grown a lot since we first got here, but what my grandfather and father found and loved is still here today.”
Chris was the one to make the move into wine-making in the 1990s, when he had opportunity arose to purchase some Duckhorn vineyards the Madrigals had been managing. He purchased land between Calistoga and St. Helena, “between Howell Mountain and Diamond Mountain,” in 1994 and began building the winery.
In 1995, the Madrigals released their first wine, a petite sirah, which remains their flagship wine. Today the Madrigal Family Winery makes just under 10,000 cases of wines that also include tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, and zinfandel, working with consulting winemaker Ed Sbragia.
“I suppose I could make more,” he reflected, “but I like to enjoy life.”
His wife, also Chris, joins him in hosting events, and the conversation tends to focus on families, including their three children, Lauren, Santi and Pierce — where they are (two were studying in Europe when we talked), what sports they’re playing, what they like to eat when they come home.
“Family: food, wine, travel, good times — that’s what life’s about,” he said. “It doesn’t get any better than this, does it?”
The winery and tasting room, on St. Helena Highway reflects that appreciation of home and family too. The staff is friendly, refreshingly unpretentious — possibly one of the reasons the California Wine Advisory named it one of “the top 10 wineries for Napa insiders.”
Kurt Beranis, who has been working in the tasting room for two years, introduced the Madrigal reserve estate cab Las Vinas del Senor (wine of the gods) this way: “This comes from the vineyard that Chris’ father doesn’t let him touch.”
He explained: Jess Madrigal, now in his 80s, still is out in the family vineyards, and until the grapes for Las Vinas del Senor arrive at the winery during harvest, the older Madrigal oversees every aspect of this special vineyard.
Sign “There is something great about working with your dad, who’s been building a business personally for years,” Chris said, noting that his father’s “hard work can be found and seen in every corner.”
He also pays tribute to the family heritage with Nuestra Sangre (our blood), a full-bodied red blend.
For all his love of his Calistoga roots, Chris Madrigal doesn’t hesitate to venture out of the territory. In addition to his penchant for travel, he’s also opened a Madrigal tasting room and art gallery in Sausalito, a city, he said, he “has always loved.”
“For folks who are not able to get up to wine country, it’s nice for them to have a glass of wine from a very traditional producer, one that has been here for three generations,” he said. “Although we are a tasting room, we have real vineyards and a real winery not too far away. Also, our selections, several rather unique such as our petite sirah and our tempranillo, as well as our Cabernet and our Zinfandel, offer visitors a great mix and show well what the region has to offer.”
For now, however, harvest is keeping him close to home. “You can never predict harvest,” he said. “What started as an early harvest is [this year] actually a later than normal one.”
After a lifetime in vineyards, he concluded, “I never ceased to be surprised when it comes to harvest in Calistoga.”
“Storyteller” Presented at Madrigal’s Sausalito Tasting Gallery - Exhibit Continues California Artist Series with Bay Area Artist Georgette Osserman
September 13, Sausalito, CA – On Friday, October 7th, Madrigal Family Winery’s Sausalito Tasting Salon & Gallery will open its latest exhibition, “Storyteller”’ featuring the work of Bay Area Artist Georgette Osserman. Curated by Shiva Pakdel, the exhibit presents a world of unique characters, and will be on view through November 7. An opening reception with the artist will be held on Friday, October 7th, from 6– 8pm.
“At Madrigal, we celebrate the creative process and the individual point of view,” commented Chris Madrigal, Madrigal Family Winery’s Founder and President. “For three generations here in Calistoga, my family has enjoyed the pleasure of being part of a vital community, sharing a glass and telling stories. Our Sausalito tasting room, the artists’ shows that we feature and the receptions we host all carry on that tradition in the Bay area.” Read full article here.
CaliforniaIndustryAdvisor.com, The Top 10 Wineries for Napa Insiders
If you have been wine tasting in Napa Valley, you’ve probably hit some blockbuster locations -- tourist hot spots that offer attractions but serve elementary tastings. Maybe you have visited some of our 10 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit, or built your own itinerary. Either way, you probably know by now that, despite its modest geographical reach, Napa is a really big place.
Don’t be overwhelmed! Its size is all the more reason to dig a little deeper into Napa’s many offerings. Seek out tastings that enhance your wine expertise in California’s most prestigious growing region. You’ve had fun kicking back on a pretty deck with a porch pounder, but it’s time to check out serious wine-lover wineries. Bear in mind, a more challenging tasting experience comes at a price. Tasting fees range from $25-75 but you’re paying for great wine, not subsidizing a mogul’s chateau.
The geekiest way to drink wine in Napa, once you’ve gotten your bearings, is to seek out winemakers who don’t have a tasting room. Small producers that put all of their energy into production often have the most special wine. But emailing a winemaker for a private tasting is advanced-level drinking. We've made it simpler for you to find the smaller wineries with exceptional wine! Use this as a starting point for a deeper exploration of Napa.
Madrigal Family Winery
The Madrigals were one of the first Mexican families in the upper Napa Valley, arriving on the scene in the 1930s to work vineyards, apple and walnut orchards. Chris Madrigal is among the third generation of the Madrigal family and produced his first petite sirah in 1995. Today, the Madrigal Family Winery produces just under 10,000 cases including three cabernet sauvignons, petite sirah and tempranillo. Friendly staff is personable and patient. Appointment recommended, $25 tasting fee.
http://californiawineryadvisor.com/winery/madrigal-family-winery/
Before heading out to the wineries, consider buying a Priority Wine Pass. This can save you 50% on tasting fees and provides a concierge service for planning your day. Learn more here.
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Snooth.com, "Superior Red Wines for Summertime"
August 19, 2016 By Snooth Editorial
White wines are a summer classic, but it has been a long summer. There is a good chance that you are surfeit with white wine by now. Ultra-hip rosé and orange wines aren’t your only options. Be a true trendsetter and cozy up with a late summer red. Summer calls for diaphanous red wine grapes that allow fresh fruits to shine without the deep, dark heaviness associated with winter wines. There will be plenty of time for cigar box notes, forest floors, and gripping tannins. Right now, in the dead of August, you’ve got to keep things light. There are plenty of airy red wines to weather the late summer heat -- and the web’s top wine writers have rounded them up just for you. Their suggestions are broken out by specific grapes, specific regions, and specific wines. Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to pop one of these puppies in the fridge. Leading wine expert Jancis Robinson says you can put open bottles of white or red wine in the fridge to slow down oxidation and preserve freshness. Read more here
Grenache/Garnacha
My favorite red wine for summer is grenache/garnacha. It is grown around the world, primarily in France, Spain, Italy, the United States, and Australia. Often used as a blending grape, it shows well on its own and is enjoyed by many because of its fruit-forwardness, lower acidity, and softer tannin. This past year, I have been exploring grenache/garnacha from various regions and at different price points and happily discovered the 2014 Madrigal Family Winery Estate Garnacha, Calistoga, Napa Valley ($50), the winery's fourth vintage of garnacha. Chris Madrigal, third-generation vintner, fell in love with Spanish varietal wines on a family trip to Spain 10 years ago and decided to plant both garnacha and tempranillo at his 40-acre estate vineyard in Calistoga. With only a fraction of an acre planted with garnacha, Madrigal currently makes only about 50 cases. However, due to its popularity, Madrigal planted more and production will increase to about 200 cases once the vines begin to produce grapes. Madrigal's 100% garnacha has medium body and tannin and spends 18 months aged in French oak, 50% new. While deceptively light in color, Madrigal's garnacha is big on fruity aromas and flavors like juicy, ripe black cherry, cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry. With mouth-warming, peppery spice and food-friendly acidity, pair this garnacha with ribs, chorizo, pork and beef barbecue, grilled and roasted meats, and a variety of cheeses.
Elizabeth Smith, Travel Wine Chick - Read more here
"Electric Colors" Opens at Madrigal Sausalito Tasting Gallery
Art Series Continues With Latest Figurative Works
August 18, 2016-Sausalito, CA – On Friday, August 19th, Madrigal Family Winery’s Sausalito Tasting Salon & Gallery will open “Electric Colors”, the latest exhibit in its Bay Area Art and Wine series. The exhibition features the work of the San Francisco native Mari Aaronsouth and French Expressionist Albert Lichten and is curated by Shiva Pakdel. An opening reception will be held on Friday, August 19 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The exhibit is on view from August 18 to September 20.
“Our Madrigal tasting salon and gallery and our artist series openings are becoming gathering spots for the community, the way our winery tasting room and events are up in Calistoga. The opportunity to support local artists and take time out of busy schedules, to relax and enjoy a glass of wine, is what our family has always been about”, remarked Chris Madrigal, Madrigal Family Winery's Founder & President. “What a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon or evening, connecting with folks with a common interest in a beautiful place.” Read full article here.
What’s a better combo than wine and cheese? Wine, cheese, AND art.
Aug 6, 2016 | 5:32 pm
By
Madrigal Family Winery’s Sausalito Tasting Gallery is hosting the photography exhibition, “Homonym” from July 29 through August 17. This is the latest installation of the Art & Wine series at Madrigal. It will feature the perfect pairing of wine and art including its Father-Daughter Photography provided by the dynamic duo Farsheed Shomloo and Shishi Shomloo.
“Homonym” is an exploration of the convergence and divergence of the eye, through the photography of Shishi Shomloo and the iPhone photography of her father, Farsheed Shomloo. Shiva Pakdel curated this lovely, heartwarming exhibit.
Shirene “Shishi” Shomloo was born in Portland, Oregon and is fluent in English, French, and Farsi. She also shares a thought-provoking worldview and an undying hunger for knowledge and curiosity. The 19-year-old photographer, now in her second year at Smith College, is evidently old school despite her youth, preferring process over instant result, the human over the technological. In her current exhibition, Shishi continues this quest by delving into people and the spaces–public, private, and corporeal–they create for themselves. Above all, she is interested in storytelling (as well as light). “A portrait is never just of a person,” she says, “it’s always of the story behind the face.”
Allured to Los Angeles’ inclusivity, energy, and diversity, Farsheed Shomloo refers “his town" as the most thriving social experiment on the entire planet. “I am always looking up and wonder at the eternal blue canopy of the L.A. basin which seems to be a constant character in my pictures.” The upward glance is beyond a technical feature of Shomloo’s photography. The man behind the lens—really an iPhone6—is himself a highly optimistic artist whose outsider and insider views on Los Angeles allows the audience to see the familiar in a refreshing way. Read Full Article Here.
Marin Magazine, "Abstract Views", Abstract + Synesthetic Art July 8th
Date/Time
Jul 8, 2016
06:00 PM until 08:00 PM
Description
On Friday, July 8th, Madrigal Family Winery’s Sausalito Tasting Salon & Gallery will open “Abstract Views”, the latest exhibit in its Bay Area Art and Wine series. The exhibition features the work of painters Yari Ostovany & George Sanen, and is curated by Shiva Pakdel. An opening reception will be held on Friday, July 8th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Del Sol Band (Charity Goodin-Sanen, singer, Doug Morton, keyboards, Rob Fordyce, bass, Brad McKeague, drums) will also perform throughout the evening. The exhibit is on view from July 6 - 27.
“We continue to seek out local artists and performers, who, like us up at the winery in Calistoga, are committed to a craft and to creating a personal vision and enjoying life”, commented Chris Madrigal, Madrigal Family Winery's Founder & President. “What a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon or evening, sipping a great glass of wine, looking at art and listening to music.”
Movie Night Under the Stars is Saturday 6/25 @ 7:30p Featuring "Bottleshock" in Honor of the 40th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris
WineIndustryAdvisor.com, "Homage to China" Celebrated at Madrigal Tasting Salon and Gallery in Sausalito
May 19, 2016, Sausalito, CA – On Friday, June 10th, Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery in Sausalito will host "Homage to China", the 7th in its Art and Wine series, featuring an installation celebrating Chinese inspired art featuring the work of Ning Mercer, Denise Hazleton, and Chinese Antiques loaned by Studiolo Boutique and Legend Gallery in Marin County. The installation is curated by Shiva Pakdel. "We are thrilled to continue to support local artists and gallery partners and provide a new venue for our community to enjoy Bay Area culture and great wine," commented Chris Madrigal, Madrigal Family Winery's Founder & President. Read Full Article here.
April 6, 2016, Sausalito, CA – On Friday, April 29th, Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery in Sausalito will host the 6th in its Art and Wine series, featuring the work of three local professional Marin County artists: Christin Coy, Dorallen Davis and Kathleen Lack, curated by Shiva Pakdel. "Madrigal is proud to support Marin Open Studios," commented Chris Madrigal, Madrigal Family Winery's Founder & President. "It's a vibrant community-wide event that celebrates the county’s rich culture of art."
Marin Open Studios is an annual free art event that has taken place during the first two weekends in May for 23 years. Over 270 world-class artists and their works are featured for viewing and for sale at the event. The installation will be on exhibit in the Madrigal Salon from April 20 through May 16, 2016. Read full article here.
Madrigal Family Winery on TV!
Madrigal Family Winery in Calistoga made its television debut on Wednesday, March 16th on Cooking Channel's Extra Virgin Americana, "A San Francisco Pop Up Treat". Recipes from the episiode (Braised Guinea Fowl with white wine sauce, Shaved Asparagus Salad and Limoncello parfaits) can be found HERE.
Filming Chef Gabriele Corcos at Madrigal Family Winery in Calistoga
Ready for lunch!
San Francisco Chronicle: 7 Don't-Miss Events this week March 13-19, 2016
1 Art & wine Soak in Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery’s Art and Wine series at the opening reception for “Norouz (New Day) Persian New Year.” 5:30-8 p.m. Sunday, March 13. On view March 11-April 16. 819 Bridgeway, Sausalito. (415) 729-9549; www.madrigalfamilywinery.com.
Guests enjoy the Artist Reception celebrating Spring / Persian New Year / Norouz at the Madrigal Sausalito Tasting Salon on March 13, 2016.
Napa Valley Register: Madrigal Tasting Salon Opens New Art Show
SAUSALITO -- On Sunday, March 13, Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery in Sausalito will host the fifth event in its Art and Wine series, featuring the work of Bay Area Iranian-American artists including Aida Dargahi, Amir Salamat, Arash Shirinbab, Fateme Rezaeefar, Mokhtar Paki and Shiva Pakdel, with art curation by Shiva Pakdel and Haleh Douraghy. View Full Article Here
March 1, 2016, Sausalito, CA – On Sunday, March 13th, Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery in Sausalito will host the 5th in its Art and Wine series, featuring the work of local Bay Area Iranian American Artists including: Aida Dargahi, Amir Salamat, Arash Shirinbab, Fateme Rezaeefar, Mokhtar Paki and Shiva Pakdel, with art curation by Shiva Pakdel & Haleh Douraghy. This exhibition is a celebration of Norouz (Persian New Year) and Persian art and heritage – the fabric of Persian identity.
In the past few decades, Iranian art has gone through a great deal of transformation juxtaposing traditional and modern expressions, the result of which is extraordinary. San Francisco Bay Area is home to a myriad of avant-garde Iranian American artists representing this amazing transition. The installation will be on view in the Madrigal Salon March 11 through April 7, 2016.
Simin, Shiva, Patricia, Yemi
February 9, 2016, Sausalito, CA – On Friday, February 26th, Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon & Gallery in Sausalito will host the 4th in its Art and Wine series, featuring the work of local Bay Area painter Simin Massoudi. A book signing of Simin’s recently published “Simin Massoudi, Paintings & Drawings” will also be held.
The Salon exhibit features paintings of semi abstract figurative images and simplified forms using line drawings, all reflecting Massoudi’s Iranian heritage. The installation will be on view through March 7, 2016.
A painter for over 40 years, Simin Massoudi’s work evokes a connection and collaboration of East and West. The interconnection and reciprocal influences of the rich culture of Iran and the modern masters of the West can be seen in Massoudi’s work, which brings both worlds together in balanced and dynamic harmony. Read full article here.
WineBusiness.com Blog: Madrigal Tasting Salon Continues California Artist Series Featuring Northern California Painter Gale S. McKee
January 12, 2016, Sausalito, CA – On Friday, January 22nd, Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon in Sausalito will host a reception to celebrate the opening of its third art and wine installation, entitled “The American Car: A Family Portrait”. The Salon exhibit features large paintings focusing on the American car and its role as a “beloved member of the family” as interpreted by recognized local Northern California painter Gale S. McKee. The installation will be on view through February 19, 2016.
In countless vintage photos, families, couples, and even dogs are posed in front of their cars -- as if the vehicle itself is a member of the family. These photographs show both pride and affection and Americans’ on-going love affair with the automobile, since it’s inception, as an integral part of American life. Fascinated with the car as a symbol of status, movement and freedom, McKee uses them as the starting point for a series of works conveying the human relationship with the machine. Read full article here.
Entree Travel Newsletter - Winter 2016 issue by William Tomicki -December 1, 2015 Madrigal Wines listed as recommended wines for your Holiday Table - See page 14
Madrigal Family Winery Wines are listed on pg 14
WineBusiness.com, "Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon Gallery Hosts "From Napa to Sausalito" Featuring Plein Air Painter Kay Carlson
November 24, 2015, Sausalito, CA – On Friday, December 11th, Madrigal Family Winery Tasting Salon in Sausalito will host a reception to celebrate the opening of its second wine and art installation, entitled “From Napa to Sausalito”. The Salon exhibit will feature plein air compositions focusing on Northern California scenes by recognized local artist Kay Carlson. The installation will be on view through January 13, 2016.
Carlson's colorful brushstrokes instantly usher her viewers into an emotional connection with the vineyards, waterfront, and panoramic coastlines she calls home. Her work is included in many private, corporate and university collections. Carlson has a longtime studio at the Industrial Center Building in Sausalito, where she offers commissions as well as art classes. She is a cofounder and the Executive Director of the annual Marin Open Studios.
Madrigal Family Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc Pairs Perfectly with Tuscan Dish for the Holidays
Cooking Channel’s Chef Gabriele Corcos’ Pollo Al Mattone Recipe
Calistoga, CA, October 27, 2015 – Now is the perfect time to start planning for your Thanksgiving dinner this year. Madrigal Family Winery recently hosted Gabriele Corcos of Cooking Channel’s “Extra Virgin” and his wife, actress Debi Mazar in Calistoga and they shared some of their personal recipes, one of which is a family favorite, “Pollo Al Mattone”. Chris Madrigal, vintner and founder of Madrigal Family Winery recommends pairing it with his 2013 Sauvignon Blanc. “The acidity in this wine helps cut the richness of the chicken, making this a very pleasant experience for the guests.” The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc is an elegant and medium-bodied wine, with sun-sweetened lemon and green tea flavors framed by tropical melon and jasmine aromas, highlighted by bright, crisp acidity.
POLLO AL MATTONE from Gabriele Corcos - Recipe courtesy of Gabriele Corcos and Debi Mazar
1 chicken, 3 to 4 pounds, backbone removed
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 glass white wine
1 hot red pepper, minced
1 sprig fresh rosemary, finely minced
1 handful chopped parsley
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Zest from 1 orange and the juice from half
Cut the backbone out of the chicken. Lay the chicken flat and skin side up on your work surface. Press down on the chicken to flatten it. You’ll hear a crack of the bones. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
Add the garlic, olive oil, white wine, red pepper, rosemary, parsley, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper to a glass jar and mix together. In a baking dish lay out the chicken and coat the liquid mixture all over the chicken. Cover with tin foil and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Heat the wood fired oven until medium high heat, about 400 degrees F. Discard the marinade and add the chicken to sheet tray. Cook, until the chicken is fully cooked through, about 1 hour, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers at 165 degrees.
Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Inactive prep time: 1 hour
Ease of preparation: Easy
WOOD FIRED LEG OF LAMB - Recipe courtesy Gabriele Corcos and Debi Mazar, Extra Virgin, 2011
Juice and zest of 1 lemon, plus more for garnish
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (6-7 pound) leg of lamb, bone in
Heat your wood fired oven two hours before cooking. You want it to be a medium high heat- about 400 degrees.
Add the rosemary, garlic, lemon juice and zest, olive oil, and salt and pepper in a mortar and pestle and smash until it reaches a paste. Place the lamb on a sheet tray and rub the paste all over the lamb, getting into every inch of space.
Place lamb on a sheet tray or roasting pan outfitted with a wire rack. Put in oven and roast until the lamb reaches 145 degrees, about 1 ½ hours.
Allow the lamb to rest for 20 minutes before carving so the juices will redistribute. Carve against the grain using the bone as a handle. Place slices on a platter and garnish with rosemary sprigs and lemon. Serve with simple arugula salad.
COOK’S NOTE: If time allows, you can marinate the lamb for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Yields: 6-8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 ½ hours
Inactive Time:20 minutes. Ease of Preparation: Easy
EXTRA VIRGIN - Recipe Courtesy of Gabriele Corcos & Debi Mazar, JET LAGGIN’ IN ITALY EPISODE
Pasta alla Norma “Nuda”
Pair with Madrigal Family Winery Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/2 small red onion, diced small
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 (15 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
1 medium eggplants, sliced into thin rounds
1 fresh bay leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 pounds rigatoni
Fresh basil leaves, optional for garnish
Parmigiano Reggiano, optional for serving
Method:
Bring a large 10-12 quart pot of water to a boil over high heat.
Preheat a grill (Wood, charcoal, or gas) to medium high direct heat. Or alternately follow this recipe using an indoor stovetop. (Please note, if cooking on a grill, be sure your pan is heavy bottomed and doesn’t have plastic handles.)
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large pan set on the grill grate. Once hot add the onion and sauté until soft but before they start to brown. Add the red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, but don’t allow them to burn. Add the crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer on a medium-low flame for about 20 minutes. Thrive for balance in the consistency of the sauce, it has to be fluid but it should not look wet. If the sauce is liquidy, cook it a bit more.
Meanwhile, season the eggplant slices with salt and pepper. Drizzle the eggplant with olive oil, and grill in batches, about 2-3 minutes per side, until they are marked by the grill and cooked through. Remove to a large plate or sheet tray. Allow to cool, slightly, then slice the grilled eggplant into smaller, bite sized pieces. Add the eggplant to the sauce along with the bay leaf.
Once the large pot of water is at a boil, and the sauce has been simmering, add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Add the rigatoni. Cook until al dente then drain well. Add pasta to the sauce to toss.
Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano at the table as an optional garnish for guests.
Yield: 4-6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Tips or Notes:
Canned tomatoes vary brand by brand. Some have more water content. If you find your sauce is watery, cook it a little longer.
Pasta alla Norma is traditionally made with garlic as well as onion and has a garnish of ricotta salata. This is my take on an original recipe hence the title “Nuda”. Feel free to change it up to your liking.
Napa Valley Register / St. Helena Star
October 13, 2015
WOW: Madrigal Family Winery 2012 Estate Reserve Petite Sirah, Calistoga
October 13, 2015 4:15 pm • CATHERINE BUGUE catbugue@gmail.com
If you are not yet a petite sirah fan, this is a wine that will have you signing up for events and activities with the enthusiastic P.S. I Love You group (psiloveyou.org). “Dark and Delicious” is their motto, and this wine ($65) has sumptuous dark red cherry fruit on its silky smooth palate with a mix of complex spices and noticeable, yet fine, tannins.
Wines Northwest - Wines of the Week
August 13, 2015
"Wines for Oysters & Mussel Pairings" by Chuck Hill
2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California
"The Madrigal family has grown wine grapes in the Napa Valley since the 1930s. Third generation family member Chris Madrigal is in charge now and works with famed California winemaker Ed Sbragia to craft the special Madrigal Family bottlings. This oyster-friendly Sauvignon Blanc offers aromas and flavors of ripe pear, juicy-fruit, baking spice and tangy citrus."
Steve Heimoff - Petite Sirah "Garbage"? C'mon, Andy Blue!
July 15, 2015
"Petite Sirah has its place, definitely, in the world of robust, full-bodied and dry red wines. And there is something historically Californian about it. I’ve particularly enjoyed bottles from Madrigal, Titus, Envy, Ridge, Kent Rasmussen, Zina Hyde Cunningham, Sirius, Turley and Grgich Hills, among others (and you’ll notice that most of those came from Napa Valley)."
Marina Times.com
December 2014
"Sausalito: A slice of Italy" by Patty Burness
"If you’ve visited Italy’s Amalfi Coast, you know the azure sea, meandering coastline, and picturesque fishing villages. We have our own slice of Italian heaven in Sausalito. It’s close to home, yet often an overlooked destination.
Sausalito is a beautiful playground — for a day trip or overnight. And it’s easy to get to: either by a gorgeous ferry ride or a quick hop over the Golden Gate..."
Madrigal's Sonnet #63 Featured in Country Music Video
Madrigal's own Sonnet #63 is the featured wine in The New Black Seven's music video, Fine Wine. Click here to watch!
Annual Madrigal Harvest Party & Grape Stomp on September 13th
Our Madrigal Family Winery Annual Harvest Party and Grape Stomp was enjoyed by all! Always the second Saturday in September, we hope to see you next year.
Click here to read about this year's event at wineindustryadvisor.com.
Wine Country This Week
August 22, 2014
"Madrigal Family Winery Opens New Tasting Room in Sausalito" by Bonnie Zimmermann
"This month, the Madrigal Family Winery opened its new tasting room in the heart of Sausalito, at 819 Bridgeway. This is the first and only Sausalito tasting room opened by a Napa Valley winery.
“Sausalito is another part of California that is close to my heart. Opening this tasting room is the perfect way to celebrate our winery’s 20th anniversary,” states Chris Madrigal, third generation Founder and President of Madrigal Family Winery. Steve Cousins, Madrigal’s Chief Operating Officer continues, "It’s a pleasure to bring our wines and our history in the vineyards to Sausalito. The chance to experience the family’s hospitality in this beautiful setting will be a joy for all 365 days a year.”
Madrigal Family Winery Sausalito Tasting Room at 819 Bridgeway
WineBusiness.com
August 6, 2014
"Madrigal Family Winery Opens New Tasting Room in Sausalito"
PRESS RELEASE
"On August 1st, the Madrigal Family Winery of Napa Valley... opened its new tasting room at 819 Bridgeway in the heart of Sausalito. The new Madrigal Winery tasting room is the first and only Sausalito tasting room to be opened by a “brick and mortar” Napa Valley winery."
Read Full Article Here
Wines Northwest - Wines of the Week
July 14, 2014
"Meat – It’s What’s for Dinner – Served with Red Rhone Varietals and Blends" by Chuck Hill
2010 Estate Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, California
"The Madrigal family has grown wine grapes in the Napa Valley since the 1930s. Third generation family member Chris Madrigal is in charge now and works with famed California winemaker Ed Sbragia to craft the special Madrigal Family bottlings. This reserve-level Petite Sirah offers ripe aromas of plums and dark fruits mingling with spicy French oak and vanilla. The palate is rich with flavors of dark cherry, cassis and caramel. The wine stands alone for enjoyment but also is a superb accompaniment to meats from the grill or flavorful cheeses."
Tasting Room Associate, Meagan Horeczko, poses for a picture at the event
St. Helena Star
May 13, 2014
"Mexican-American wine tasting at 750 Wines supports Clinic Ole" by Tom Stockwell
The first Mexican-American Vintners tasting even was held Friday at St. Helena's 750 Wines at 1224 Adams St.
This event - put on by TBA Napa and 750 Wines - poured wines from 11 Mexican-American vintners that included Ceja Vineyards, Delgadillo Cellars, Encanto Vineyards, Frias Family Vineyards, Justicia Wines, Madrigal Family Winery, Maldonado Vineyards, Mario Brazan Cellars, Realm Cellars, Renteria Wines and Robledo Family WInery.
More than 100 visitors paid $20 to attend and proceeds will support Clinic Ole.
Wine Country This Week
May 2, 2014
"Madrigal Family Winery, Twenty Years and Going Strong" by Josh Stein
The celebration of Madrigal Family Winery’s twentieth year proves immigrant
dreams blossom with enough time, effort and patience. Chris Madrigal’s grandfather
came to Napa in the 1930s, planting forty acres of apples, pears, walnuts and vineyards
halfway between St. Helena and Calistoga, the future motherlode of California wine.
He was a farmer, and he did what he knew best: grew great fruit for others. Chris’s
father, Jess, went one step further and chose to focus on winegrowing, starting the
family’s vineyard management company, which today nurtures over 800 valley acres for
the family and a range of clients.
Read Full Article Here
St. Helena Star
April 2, 2014
"Dreams for a Better Life" by David Stoneberg
You probably recognize the wines of Alpha Omega, Rombauer, Duckhorn or Joseph Phelps, but you may not know who oversees these vineyards.
Managing them are the sons of Mexican immigrants, who came to the Napa Valley with dreams of working hard and giving their families a better life. After years of experience, many of those immigrants, including Lupe Maldonado, Jess Madrigal and Salvador Renteria, started their own vineyard management businesses.
Read Full Article Here
The Preiser Key, Napa Valley
Budbreak 2014
"MADRIGAL FAMILY VINEYARDS, In Tune with Your Palate" by Monty & Sara Preiser
Those visiting our personal home and wine cellar cannot help but immediately see that we are great fans of Madrigal Family Winery. No exaltations here solely because Madrigal is one of our coveted advertisers and supporters. To the contrary, our various Madrigal large bottle formats (3 Liter and 6 Liter sizes) from the late 1990s forward prove our long time love of this winery. You don’t buy all these huge bottles unless they house something you not only want to drink yourself, but also hope to share with others.
Read Full Article Here
Longtime friends, Chris Madrigal and Rudy Von Strasser, show off their Gold Medals at the American Fine Wine Competition in true Olympic spirit.
Madrigal Wins Gold at the American Fine Wine Competition on January 2014
Madrigal received gold medals for the Las Vinas Cabernet Sauvignon and the Estate Petite Sirah.
See Full Results Here
Wine Country This Week
"New Looks, Great Wines and Fun Times!" by Josh Stein
Madrigal Family Winery proves immigrant dreams blossom with enough time, effort and patience. Chris Madrigal’s grandfather came to Napa in the 1930s, planting forty acres of apples, pears, walnuts and vineyards halfway between St. Helena and Calistoga, the future motherlode of California wine. As Chris puts it, “When my grandfather came from Mexico to the Napa Valley, he instilled a dream in his children that one day, in this beautiful place, we would have a business of our own while still working with the amazing fruit that grows here.” Chris, in turn, continued the growth of the family’s legacy with the establishment of Madrigal Family Winery and its first 500 cases of Petite Sirah in 1995. The growth since then has helped to cement that legacy as the winery has become well-known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel.
Read Full Article Here
The Preiser Key, Napa Valley
Holiday 2013/2014
Madrigal Feature
It is almost too simplistic to say that the wines produced by one person reflect his personality - but with Chris Madrigal, it is true. Both the wine and the person are pictures of energy, complexity, fun, and excellence. We have enjoyed Madrigal Family wines as they matured, and this year we believe Chris has bottled his best juice yet. The dry, flavorful Gewurtztraminer may be the best of the varietal made in California. The '04 Zin is elegance in a bottle - there may be enough for you if you hurry (even a couple of magnums remain). Madrigal Family is happy to announce the addition of famed Ed Sbragia as consultant wine-maker, so already good wines will only get better.
Read Full Article Here
Harvest Napa Valley 2013 Video Series
Winemakers and winery owners from the upper part of Napa Valley share their harvest experience. See our winemaker Ed Sbragia, who built his reputation over 30 years of winemaking in the Napa, Sonoma and Dry Creek Valleys expression his vision of Napa Valley. Ed’s wines have won awards for years and he’s proud of the reputation he’s earned. “I just do what I love and work with the gifts of the land,” said Ed. “All with a passion and pride passed down through generations at home.”
Wine Country This Week
October 2013
"Madrigal Family Winery Three Generations on Highway 29 and Going Strong!" by Josh Stein
Madrigal Family Winery proves immigrant dreams blossom with enough time, effort and patience. Chris Madrigal’s grandfather came to Napa in the 1930s, planting forty acres of apples, pears, walnuts and vineyards halfway between St. Helena and Calistoga, the future motherlode of California wine. As Chris puts it, “When my grandfather came from Mexico to the Napa Valley, he instilled a dream in his children that one day, in this beautiful place, we would have a business of our own while still working with the amazing fruit that grows here.”
Read Full Article Here
Ed Sbragia and Chris Madrigal in the estate vineyard
The Preiser Key – Keynotes: Madrigal Family
Harvest 2013
"It is almost too simplistic to say that the wines produced by one person reflect his personality – but with Chris Madrigal and Madrigal Family Vineyards, it is true. Both the wine and the person are pictures of energy, complexity, fun, and excellence. We have enjoyed Madrigal Family wines as they matured from vintage to vintage, and this year we believe Chris has bottled his best juice yet. The dry, flavorful Gewurtztraminer may be the best of that varietal made in California. The 2004 Zin is elegance in a bottle - there may be enough for you to buy if you hurry. And the big Reds are full of sweet fruit and solid tannins. Chris is happy to announce the addition of famed Ed Sbragia as consultant winemaker, so already good wines will only get better.
- Almost all tasting rooms in Napa not only charge for tastings, but offer various tasting categories. It has been our experience that the high line choice, though by definition more expensive, is usually an excellent buy. - If you are part of a “big” group, you may have trouble getting into a tasting room. Call in advance."
Sunset Magazine
June 2013
“Wines to Beat the Heat” by Sara Schneider
"Another June, another Sunset Celebration Weekend! Here are several winners we poured, plus a handful more I highly recommend, because I just kept tasting whites into the week. Probably not a bad thing, because I’m hearing there’s another heatwave in the offing for this next weekend. Stock up! "
"Madrigal 2012 Gewürztraminer (Mendocino; $29). Orange and honeysuckle mix with warm spices, leading to a Meyer lemon finish edged with dried petals. You couldn’t go wrong with smoked pork sausages here."