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December 22 (Sat.) and 23 (Sun.), 2007, both at 2:00 pm
Photo courtesy of Caldwell Vineyard
Caldwell Vineyard and Winery, a wine lover's hidden gem with newly excavated caves, lies among the steep canyons of the Coombsville district in the hills just east of the town of Napa, where (as the Caldwell family says) "Mother Nature conspires with us to make magic". Here at 500 feet, just above the fog, the long growing season, perfect sun exposure and volcanic ash-enriched soil are ideal for growing the kinds of grapes that produce wines of great complexity. John Caldwell, with an ever-present twinkle in his eye, recounts how in his quest for the best he smuggled grapevine clones from Bordeaux to California in pantlegs and suitcases back in the 80's... and later won the French over by obtaining a license from their government to propagate and sell prized French clones and rootstocks in North America, the first such license ever granted outside of France.
Photo courtesy of Caldwell Vineyard Caldwell's 60 acres of vines are locally renowned for quality and those not used in the winery's own very limited production are sold to a few famous ultra-premium producers. Not only that, but several celebrated winemakers (including Caldwell's consultant Philippe Melka) cellar their own private barrels within the Caldwell caves. As for the caves themselves, they are a fascinating maze, and our concert is set deep underground, where the center bore intersects the long curve of the innermost crossing tunnel. If you want your Cave Music in a real working cave, surrounded by hundreds of barrels, then Caldwell is the place for you!
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