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Drinking Long Meadow Ranch Wines Long Meadow Ranch 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford ($19) From its tropical nose to its fl oral petals on the palate, the Valley fl oor fruit ignites this screwcap-closed wine with miner- ality that winds its way through a candied pineapple middle. Executive Chef Stephen Barber (center) confers with Chris Hall (right) on the night's special. Hall, who is also Farmstead's Beverage Director, has some exciting wines on the menu to pair with the ever-evolving menu. "The restaurant was a natural transition—we understand our tie with food," says Hall, whose family raises grass-fed beef cattle and chickens (for the eggs only) and farms the olive orchards, honey and garden produce that pack the larder for Executive Chef Stephen Barber's inspirational and true-to-life farm-to- table cuisine. From Farmer to Firefi ghter to Food & Wine Fashionista Studying geology and fi re science at the University of Colorado at Boulder moti- vated Hall to pursue his career by volunteering at the Rutherford Fire Department in the Napa Valley. He was used to working summers at his family's ranch, nestled along the foothills of the Mayacamas, and his expertise at selling organic produce began at the ripe age of 11. When not driving tractors, or Potted Pig is a spectacular paté in a jar, served at Farmstead. fi ghting fi res, Hall, General Manager for Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead, travels the country selling his wines and working with distributors. His innovations also include the development of a one- way recyclable rigid plastic container for his 19-liter, stainless steel wine- keg program. "We're not just a winery with a tasting room," insists Hall. "We are in touch with what the Napa Valley visitor wants to do here: eat good food, then taste wines. Being able to deliver both in a destination environment is what makes this more awesome." march 2012 / the tasting panel / 85 Long Meadow Ranch 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford ($47) A generous fruit bomb, this just-released hillside Cab is ripe without high sugar levels. It is concentrated and deep with a fl oral leanness that shows its elegance. Athletically toned and meaty but not over-muscular. Blended with 11% Merlot and 3% Cab Franc; only 13.5% alc. Long Meadow Ranch 2007 E. J. Church Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($85) An homage to the pioneer settler who fi rst acquired the property that is now Long Meadow (home) Ranch, circa 1872, this 100% varietal has teeth-gripping tannins and a leathery earthiness. Shadowed in deep, dark black cherries and black pepper, E. J. Church is made from the best barrel-select wines in each vintage.