Captain's List

Matanzas Creek Merlot

Elegance, complexity and balance are words used to describe the wines of Matanzas Creek Winery. This is a reflection of holding quality as its first concern. Built in 1977, on the site of a retired dairy farm, in Sonoma County's picturesque Bennett Valley, the winery quickly established its reputation producing Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. Bennet Valley is unique as it experiences a cool air stream from the ocean to this region called the Petaluma Wind Gap. A smoother, more flavorful Merlot from California doesn't exist.*Highly recommended with veal dishes, anything with tomato and light beef fare.

Bottle Price: 49.00

Chalone Winery Chardonnay

Nearly 40 years since its first chardonnay was produced, Chalone Vineyard is still considered the benchmark for California chardonnay. For thousands of years the mists from the Pacific Ocean have swirled around what is know as the Chalone Peak. This high altitude location is ideal for vineyards as the mists cool the small valleys that are nestled on top of the Gavilan Mountain Range in California\'s Monterey Country, the home of the extinct volcanic spires called the Pinnacles. This Chardonnay is for those that also like French Burgundy as well.*Highly recommended with light pasta dishes, chicken, fish and a big sandwich.

Bottle Price: 59.00

Lolonis “Orpheus” Reserve Petite Sirah

Over 80 years ago the first Lolonis vineyards were planted high on the sun blessed Benchlands of Redwood Valley. Two young Greek immigrants, Tryfon and Eugenia Lolonis, established deep roots in Mendocino county when they planted these vines and began a family that would grow to ten children. The winery uses ladybugs to control pests in the vineyard instead of pesticides. They do and excellent job as long as there are bad bugs to eat which is why this is a certified organic winery. This is the best example of Petite Sirah from Mendocino county.*Highly recommended with heavier dishes, anything spicy or an outstanding pizza.

Bottle Price: 55.00

St. Francis “Pagani Vineyard” Zinfandel

In 1971, Joe Martin, a San Francisco business man and his wife Emma, purchased the 100 acre Behler Ranch Vineyard in Sonoma County, located in the historic town of Kenwood. In 1979, after several years of growing and selling grapes to local wineries, the decision was made to start a winery of his own. These grapes were purchased from the highly prized vineyard owned by Joe Pagani and made into one of the tastiest Zinfandels in the world today. Joe recently passed away, so the winery is run by his 93 year old widow (she still drives the tractor).*Highly recommended with the strongest possible foods. This is the heaviest, most powerful wine on the page. You'll savor every drop.

Bottle Price: 72.00

Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon

Sequoia Grove Vineyards was founded in 1978 by Jim Allen. The winery is nestled on 24 acres of choice Napa Valley vineyards in Rutherford, California. On the site a 100 year old farmhouse is surrounded by some of the last sequoia trees in Napa Valley. The 24 acre estate is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Verdot, the five primary Bordeaux varietals. The Rutherford area is where some of the most sought after grapes are produced.

Bottle Price: 48.00

Darioush Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Darioush Khaledi, a man passionate about fine wines founded Darioush in 1997. Khaledi grew up in Iran's Shiraz region, a wine growing region until the Islamic revolution. His father made wine as a hobby, and as a young boy, Khaledi used to sneak sips from the barrel. As and adult, he became a devoted collector of Fine Wines. Immigrating to the United States in the late 1970s, Khadeli's passion for wine never waned. He searched everywhere for the finest vineyards. Darioush is the culmination of this search. This particular wine is some of the best juice anyone in Napa has ever produced.

Bottle Price: 95.00

Frias Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

“I believe in wine.” This is the credo of Manny Frias, founder and head wine maker of Frias Family Vineyards on Spring Mountain in Napa Valley. A story of romance, politics and wine surround the property. Ousted as a Mayor of a city in Mexico, his father moved the family to America fearing for their lives. Manny fell in love with the land of Napa, the rest is history. The 2001 Frias Cabernet Sauvignon is a very rare wine with a 94 point rating. Very dark and rich, it is loaded with plush black currant, black cherry and spicy floral nuances. Enjoy this wine with great reverence. Estate grown and bottled.

Bottle Price: 120.00

Elderton Shiraz 2002

For me, what distinguishes Elderton from other Barossa Valley producers is their wines are certaily big, rich, dark adn brooding yet elegantand well balanced. I call them "Elegant Monsters." Attention to picking time, gentle pressing of fruit and watchfull eye on oak influence.

Bottle Price: 65.00

Silver Oak "Alexander Valley" Cabernet Sauvignon

In the early 1970's our winery emerged as a dream tied to an intrepid idea. Our founders--Ray Duncan, an entrepreneur with a sense of adventure, and Justin Meyer, a former winemaker with Christian Brothers --dared to devote every effort, toward this pursuit of a single wine, Cabernet Sauvignon. What's more, they resolved to create a wine with a style all its own-not another hard, tannic red wine requiring years of aging to enjoy, but a wine developed flavors and a velevety soft texture on the day it is released for sale. Ray and Justin believed that if they chose the right Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards from Caifornia's premier appellations, and if they aged their wine for as long as five years, first in America oak barrels and then in its bottles, they could produce and exhilarating, smooth red wine.