Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/391696
98 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 originally used to haul hay and cattle but now sees service haul- ing grapes and friends. He speaks with the restrained pace of someone who considers his words before he opens his mouth; he sports the requisite jeans, boots and cowboy hat, and his faithful hound, a charismatic 14-year-old mutt named Cairo, is always near. Tom rescued the pup ten years ago; it appears the dog has never forgotten. Tom, with his staff including Winemaker Jim Close and National Sales Manager Colby Hagen, graciously hosted our SOMM Journal Women in Wine visit and luncheon on that glori - ous June day. As we sipped the refreshing 2012 Sauvignon Blanc from Tom's 12-acre vineyard in northern Yountville, we received an agenda of the afternoon activities: history of the property, tour of new winery with tasting, vineyard tour (number one), followed by lunch, followed by vineyard tour (number two). The aperitif wine was accompanied by the stellar salumi selection from local salumeria Sub Rosa in St. Helena. Only after I devoured more than my share of divine salumi did I learn that the owners, Chefs David and Mimi Katz, who also own the bread-stick-to-die-for company Panevino, were on property and preparing the luncheon. As I mentioned, I had no idea just how good things were going to get. There is something empowering when groups of women come together to share and discuss wine. It happens rarely because most of us are busy with normal business opera - tions that do not exclude genders. I attended an all-women's college; I've witnessed and benefited from the openness and dialogue that ensues when intelligent women share informa- tion. At Gamble Family Vineyards, that repartee started from the debut. Attendees posed non-stop questions to Tom and his crew. I suspect all of the women felt that they learned from the collective experience. Haley Moore, Wine Director for San Francisco's Stock & Bones restaurant group, did not want to miss this special event and drove straight from the airport to Oakville after her flight landed from New York City. After our tour of the thoughtfully designed small winery, we took a walk through the vineyards. The Gambles own roughly 900 acres of land in the heart of the valley; 600 of them are planted. The property was acquired by Tom's grandfather and preserved by his father and uncle. Tom also farms an additional 200 acres. With Cairo by his side, Tom described the various farming methods practiced on the ranch. We checked out Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon plants—young and older versions of both. We discussed the variety of canopy management employed and the complex alluvial and volcanic soils that exist in Oakville. The lesson was educational, and even the ladies wearing high heels managed the terrain. Following the on-foot vineyard tour, we arrived at the his - toric farmhouse. David and Mimi created a fitting menu for the flavorful Gamble Family wines: quality over quantity, pure and resonant flavors, wine-food harmony. When I asked Chef David how he selected the menu, he simply replied, "These wines tell you what to cook." The first course of olive oil poached hopper shrimp was paired with the GFV 2012 Heart Block Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. The pairing was supreme. The main course was lamb Left to right: Petra Polakovicova, Wine Director of Half Moon Bay; Cassandra Brown, Sommelier at Hakkasan/San Francisco; Tonya Pitts, Wine Director at One Market/San Francisco; and Paige Bindel, Sommelier at Pepoli Restaurant/ Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach. The al fresco apps and lunch were catered by Chefs David and Mimi Katz. Christie Dufault, Wine Professor at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone/Napa with Courtney Humiston, Wine Director at Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg. Lulu McAllister, Wine Director of NOLA in San Francisco.