Joining a wine club is another way you can enjoy the wines you love so much. Just about every winery out there has some sort of club offering. We’ve belonged to a few clubs over the years, but the only one we’ve stuck with so far is the wine club at Duckhorn. Duckhorn wines include not only their namesake wines but also their sister wineries Paraduxx and Goldeneye (notice the water fowl theme?). This means that a wine club membership provides members with access to the entire collection. Becoming a member helps you explore all that a winery has to offer. We’re firm believers in keeping our minds and palates open so we don’t close ourselves off to new wine experiences (it’s a good approach for amateur oenophiles likes ourselves).
For members who have the opportunity to frequent their favorite wineries, we encourage you to take advantage of winery events. We’ve been fortunate enough to attend several dinners and tasting parties hosted by Duckhorn and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed every last one. The Pinnacle Dinner occurs in the winter at Paraduxx Winery in their dining room. The event features a themed menu and showcases the premier wines from each winery in the Duckhorn family. Several staff members are on hand to cater to guests and the winemakers from each label dine alongside you and present their wines to an admiring crowd.
This summer we attended Duckhorn’s Summer Magnum Dinner under the stars in the garden that borders the vineyard. This event featured wines from the magnum collection including old favorites like a 2011 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Gowan Creek Vineyard – 3L, a 2001 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Monitor Ledge Vineyard – 9L, and a 2006 Paraduxx Howell Mountain Napa Valley Red Wine – Magnum. Talk about an amazing tasting experience! The delicious menu was designed and executed by chefs Jonathan and Natalie Niksa. The bacon wrapped scallop was the perfect texture and the braised pork with polenta and smoked tomato sauce was a summery delight. Every bite was artfully paired with a special selection from the winery’s portfolio.
One of the best aspects of attending a Duckhorn dinner is getting to know the other Duckhorn fans at your table. We’ve met folks from all over the world at wine club events and from all different industries, including the winemakers themselves. It may seem daunting to have an expectation of conversation placed on you at dinner, and with strangers no less. But conversation flows easier than you might think, especially because all the guests already have in common their love for Duckhorn wines. Instant BFFs, right?
So the next time you’re considering joining a wine club, pay attention to what’s being offered beyond the vino. And if you’re already a member, do your best to take advantage of the unique opportunities that your membership affords you. The Napa Valley experience is so much more than the wine.