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Blackbird was founded by Michael Polenske, an investment banker as well as an entrepreneur. He has been interested in wine for many years, and took a number of wine related classes while in college. Today, Blackbird is his passion - within seconds of walking out of his house or office he is in the vineyards. He follows "the business of leisure" model, or more simply stated, is doing something practical to invest in what you love and turn that into a self sustaining business. He has certainly done that in a relatively short time with Blackbird Vineyards. Their first vintage was in 2003 but this was merely 90 cases as most of the fruit at that time was still being sold to area wineries. We tried the 2004 and 2005 vintages, both are unfined and unfiltered for maximum flavor and both wines are really true to the flavors of this varietal and terroir which is a testament to their acclaimed winemaker Sarah Gott and the vineyard source. The 2004 is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a dark wine with a bright lively fruit on the nose and a palate full of ripe cherry and blackberries with touches of mocha and chocolate. The finish is long and smooth. The 2005 with almost the same blend displays a deeper rich earthy aromatic profile with again great fruit flavors including plum and blueberry. It is a very well balanced wine with nice character on the finish. Additional plans include releasing a Rose. Blackbird Vineyards has partnered with GrammyTM Award-winning artist Martina McBride to produce a "signature series" Napa wine. Each bottle has Martina's stamped autograph is is offered exclusively to members of her fan community. Martina first tasted Blackbird's wines while touring Napa Valley. Also of note is their collective tasting room in Yountville called Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley. It is located across the street and just down from the famed French Laundry restaurant. This old stone building used to be a former distillery and has been completely gutted and elegantly restored. It is one of only two buildings in Yountville to be listed on the National Register of Historic places (note the plaque outside) as you walk in. Ma(i)sonry opened by appointment only in early October 2008 and is not your typical wine tasting destination. As Polenske says, "Ma(i)sonry is in every way a celebration of life's aesthetics. Every collection on site has been created by the hand of an artist, or artisan, or designer, and, of course, that includes the wine." Click on our photos link above for several photos of this unique tasting room. Ma(i)sonry provides a very personal tasting experience, either indoors in one of their three private rooms, or outside in their patio among the gorgeous sculpture garden. The setting is designed to remind one of a private home featuring incredible antiques and one of a kind art works. As wine is a living organism so to is their gallery. Historical works of art dating back to 16th century Europe are on display and new art pieces are rotated in as they sell. Internationally renowned furnishings are also on display. This is definitely one of the more elegant tasting experiences you can find in Napa. Visit: Ma(i)sonry. Blackbird makes their wine at the historic Napa Wine Co and you can currently taste the wines in their Cult Wine tasting room and also of course at Ma(i)sonry. Besides Blackbird's own wines, this collective features a rotating collection of mostly Napa producers (but some Sonoma as well) including the following ones from Napa: Brown Estate, Husic Vineyards, Lail Vineyards, Pedras Wine Company, Renteria Wines, Tor Wines, Juslyn, Peirson Meyer, Rivera Vineyards, and Tamber Bey. The producers featured here with the exception of one winery do not have any tasting room or otherwise public tasting outlet. As a result, if you would like to taste through just one of these producer's wines you may do so by requesting one of their "wine flights". Ma(i)sonry also owns the I. Wolk Gallery in downtown St. Helena, the sculpture garden at Auberge Du Soleil and the MacArthur Place in the town of Sonoma (an inn & spa). Blackbird Vineyards is still fairly young - give them a few more years and additional vintages and they are only going to grow in appeal among serious wine enthusiasts. Visit: www.blackbirdvineyards.com |
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