The Musings of Ron Kapon

Lunch With The Water Witch

I must admit when I was invited to lunch at Gotham Bar & Grill with three wine writers I respect and Mr. & Mr. Marc Mondavi (Janice) I accepted the invitation because it read "Have lunch with the Water Witch" It's not just natural, it's supernatural.

Marc Mondavi’s is the eldest son of Peter and Blanche Mondavi and grandson of Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, the Napa Valley pioneers who purchased the historic Charles Krug winery in 1943. Marc was born in 1954 and raised on the winery property. He held his first official winery position at the Charles Krug winery at age ten. Growing up on a winery meant summers running through the vineyards, climbing in empty tanks, packing gift boxes, doing odd jobs on the property, and learning the wine business from the bottom up. It wasn’t until he became a teenager and started tasting wines with his father that Marc knew he was destined for the family wine business. It was at this time that Marc also learned of his ability to divine water, a talent he has continued to develop over the last forty years. His success finding water led to him earning the endearing title of “water witch.” Marc studied viticulture and oenology at the University of California, Davis, and marketing at California State University, Sacramento. He did mention to me that he utilized his divining skills in some interesting party games while at college. He returned to the family business in 1978.

Using just his intuition and a pair of divining rods, Marc can sense underground water sources that are invisible to normal people. It’s a very handy skill in the thirsty vineyards of California. Marc’s divining has created over 100 new water sources for farmers and vineyard owners battling the current drought. He says almost anyone can pick up a pair of divining rods and learn to find some form of water, but to pinpoint the deep, bountiful sources – the ones that can support a well for irrigating farms and vineyards – you’ve got to go with your gut. I borrowed his rods and managed to find the water source for the restaurants toilets. Marc founded The Divining Rod wines to honor the ancient art of water divining, and the unique power of your own intuition.

The Divining Rod current releases:

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, California- SRP-$17.99

 2013 Divine Red, Lodi, California (54% Zinfandel, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Petite Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot)- SRP-$12.99

 

 

2014 Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, California- SRP-$14.99

2014 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon- SRP-$18.99

 

http://www.thedivingrod.com

On November 8, 2014, Peter Mondavi Sr. celebrated his 100th birthday. He remains active in the day-to-day operation. His two sons Marc and Peter Jr. are active in all aspects of viticulture, wine making and marketing. God bless Peter Mondavi Sr. I want to be just like him when I reach 100.

 

 

 

 

Georgia On My Mind

"Georgia on My Mind" is a song by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell made famous by Ray Charles, a native of Georgia who recorded it for his 1960 album The Genius Hits the Road. It became the official state song of Georgia in 1979.

On June 18th, I was invited to the James Beard House for a Georgia Grown Dinner. where they highlighted the excellence of Georgia made wines, paired with each course. There were six Georgia chefs who each cooked one course. Agriculture is the state's leading economic sector. I was introduced to Gary W. Black, Commissioner of Agriculture for the state and Elizabeth S. Slack CSW,(Certified Specialist Wine) FWS (French Wine Scholar) who spoke about the wines. I was impressed with the quality of all the wines served. https://www.jamesbeard.org/

"The stereotypical Georgia wine was the sweet muscadine juice. Georgia is still the world's leading grower of muscadines, with more than 1,100 acres planted." This is changing as the dinner meant to prove. "It is in North Georgia, where a budding wine industry is emerging. Acres of European vinifera and French-American hybrids are thriving in the sandy clay soil of the sloping Appalachian terrain. The new wave of viticulturists and winemakers, with their rolling hills, mountain vistas, French chateau-style wineries and tasting rooms, are luring tourists by the busloads to a region that is gaining a national reputation for fine wines." The soil composition is similar to that of Italy's Piedmont region. Georgia may be the Peach State, but grapes have become their passion.

http://www.georgiawine.com

 

Elizabeth S. Slack sent me the following (at my request). Here are my five favorite Georgia wines.  This list includes wines that were made from Georgia-grown grapes. 

1. 2014 Wolf Mountain Reserve Cuvee Blanc de Blancs $24.95 - Only Methode Champenoise sparkling wine in Georgia.  Notes of baked bread, citrus and mineral.  Crisp, clean.  Good acidity. Further notes of stone fruit.
2. 2010 Cartecay Vineyards Merlot $23.00 - Notes of black raspberry, earth and spicy oak. Medium weight.  Ripe, smooth tannin. Note that the 2010 is not the current release. The 2011 and 2012 are both available now at the same price, but I would recommend the 2012. 
3. 2014 Frogtown Cellars Marsanne $30.99 - 100% Marsanne. Fuller body. Intense minerality, light oak, citrus, floral.
4. 2014 Crane Creek Vineyards ZUSA (Zusammengeschmolzen) $18.95 - a blend of Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, Traminette. Notes of peach and white flowers; melon. Citrus, mineral and kiwi on palate.  Part of the Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA.
5. 2014 Serenity Cellars Harmony $30.00 - Blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium bodied.  Notes of cherry and spice; refined tannin.

 The Wolf Mountain Reserve Cuvee and the Frogtown Marsanne were both served at the James Beard dinner.