Five years ago, Jewish winemakers in Napa Valley held an afternoon fund-raiser of tasting, touring and eating to not only celebrate the connection between Jews and wine but to highlight some of the major Jewish winemakers in Napa Valley.
The event was a success, 10 Jewish vintners participated, and the event was done in one afternoon and evening.
It’s five years later, and the same kind of fund-raiser is happening again. But this time, multiply by three. There are 33 Jewish wineries participating in a fundraiser that will begin with a reception Friday evening, June 23, and end with a brunch Sunday morning, June 25. They are calling it — what else? — “L’Chaim.”
An estimated 8 percent of Napa Valley’s winemakers are Jewish.
“If you look at the major players of the last decade or 20 years in Napa Valley, you will find an enormous number of Jewish names, and I think it’s no accident,” said Jeff Morgan. “Wine is, and has been, for a long time, an integral part of Jewish culture.”
Morgan made a name for himself in the wine world with his rosé called Solo Rosa, and last year, he created Covenant, the first upscale Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that is kosher.
“There are a lot of Jews making wine in Napa and we’d like to create a tradition that highlights and celebrates our participation in our Napa Valley pantheon and also cements our connection with our Jewish heritage,” said Morgan. “And this is that event.”
Friday evening will begin with a reception at the home of Sue and Dick Wollack of Bighorn Cellars. Saturday will feature a picnic at Diamond Creek Vineyards hosted by Al and Boots Brounstein. Saturday evening will begin at the Rudd Estate with a tasting featuring the wines all 33 vineyards with hors d’oeuvres provided by Napa Valley restaurants with Jewish identity or ownership.
Then, a dinner and auction will take place at Silver Oak Cellars, where the vintners will host each table. Large format bottles will be featured at the auction, as well as special lots from Jewish vintners.
The dinner, being prepared by Adrian Hoffman, chef of the Lark Creek Restaurant Group, will feature an appetizer of sheep’s cheese flan with early summer strawberries, fava beans, black olive jam and local olive oil; a main course called “American Beef Tasting,” which consists of salt-crusted prime strip sirloin, oxtail marmalade and roasted marrow bone with spinach root and horseradish; and a chocolate raspberry parfait with Cabernet Sauvignon gelée for dessert.
Hagafen Winery will host a brunch on Sunday. The participating wineries will be open for tours afterwards.
The proceeds will go toward a number of Jewish and non-Jewish charities in Napa, including the new Napa Valley Center for Jewish Culture.
While the Jewish population of Napa Valley is estimated to be around 3,000, the majority of its Jews are secular or unaffiliated. The Jewish history of Napa has been well-documented in Lin Weber’s book, “Under the Vine and the Fig Tree: The Jews of the Napa Valley,” but if visitors are interested in this history, there is no physical place they can go to learn about it.
It is estimated that out of the 3 million visitors to Napa Valley annually, at least 90,000 or more of them are Jewish.
“This event is a great opportunity for those who are interested in the Jewish wine lifestyle, to come and meet the individuals who are making it happen,” said Morgan. “There has never been anything quite like this.”
Tickets are $500 per person for the weekend, $350 for Saturday evening only. Tickets are limited. Information: visit LINKwww.napavalleycjc.org, call Ona Marks at (707) 256-8888 or email [email protected].