Wine Dinner: Inglenook

Fearrington is honored to present one of the most important and historical American wine properties – Inglenook in Napa Valley, California. Join us for a very special dinner with Inglenook President Todd DeVincenzi and winemaker Jonathan Tyer as they present the current offerings of this 145 year old estate on Thursday, February 8th at 6:30pm.

The long and twisting history of Inglenook goes all the way back to 1879 when Captain Gustave Niebaum purchased the land with the intent of developing a property to rival the finest Bordeaux Chateaus. Niebaum was very well traveled from working in fur trading and had studiously taught himself all aspects of winemaking from around the world, developing the first American private library on wine (later donated to UC-Davis). With the first vintage in 1882 and the completion of the Chateau in 1887, Inglenook was the first California winery to achieve worldwide recognition for it’s wines. Post-Prohibition, Niebaum’s grand-nephew, John Daniel took the reins, culminating in the landmark 1941 vintage that was judged in 1990 to still be a 100 point wine. Daniel was so focused on quality over profit that eventually he had to sell everything in 1964, but later André Tchelistcheff, who mentored Robert Mondavi, called John Daniel Napa Valley’s greatest winemaker. Under corporate ownership, Inglenook faded from the ranks of Napa’s finest.

A new beginning started in 1975 when director Francis Ford Coppola purchased a piece of the property for a vacation home. Upon realizing the history they were sitting on, the Coppola family vowed to restore Inglenook to glory and rebuild it’s reputation. They did not own the rights to name, and started to produce wines under Neibaum-Coppola, establishing Rubicon as their highest quality Cabernet. As Napa Valley exploded in popularity, it wasn’t until 1995 that the Coppolas were able to purchase the entirety of the estate, reopening the Chateau in 1997, and not until 2011 that they could again use the name Inglenook. Today Inglenook perseveres as a historical giant in the heart of Napa’s esteemed Rutherford AVA.

Chef Paul Gagne is planning an exquisite 5-course dinner to pair with 7 stellar wines.

The Fine Print:

This wine dinner is non-refundable and totals $385 with tax and service. If your plans have changed, please feel free to send a lucky friend in your place!  Just send us an email with their name or have them bring your confirmation email.