FORTUNATI VINEYARDS
NAPA, CALIFORNIA
FORTUNATI VINEYARDS
986 SALVADOR AVENUE
NAPA, CA 94588
707-255-9300
We arrived at Fortunati Vineyards not knowing what to expect. This was my first private Napa Valley wine tour set up by Shelle Wolfe who owns an events company in Napa called Wine and Dine Events. Shelle sets up intimate or large wine tastings, dinners and events for small groups or large parties who want to experience Napa in a very special way. We were a party of three and she set us up with a driver named Bill that was professional, courteous and a joy to cruise with. Bill rolled us up to a house in the middle of a beautiful vineyard. Out came a smiling lady and three dogs. The dogs and Ellen (the estate owner) greeted us and then we all went inside the home where Ellen and her husband Gary live. The table was prepared with various wines, glasses and a few snacks. We were actually in their living room and it was really like being over to a friends house. These friends however just happen to own a vineyard in Napa and make wine. Ellen gave us a history of the valley and her life with Gary. They met in San Francisco and traveled to Napa regulary to taste wines. Gary had a knack for wine tasting and was winning events where you pick the variety of grape, vintner, age and other characteristics just by blind tasting. Ellen joined in the taste tests and soon they both were winning competitions. Gary met a local winemaker and the rest is history. They bought a vineyard and began making wines. Last year they celebrated their 10th anniversary making wine in Napa. We laughed continually during our tasting, joking with Ellen every time she got serious about a particular subject. Time flew by as we sampled at least six different wines. Gary appeared and joined us for some light conversation and more laughs. Loved the wines and hospitality of Ellen and Gary. Also loved the dogs who hung out with us in the living room. This was the perfect wine tasting and something I will never forget.
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| FORTUNATI VINEYARDS |
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| WE ARRIVED AT FORTUNATI IN OUR PRIVATE ESCALADE DRIVEN BY BILL |
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| TASTING WAS AT THE HOME OF ELLEN AND GARY LUCHTEL WHO ARE THE OWNERS OF FORTUNATI VINEYARDS IN NAPA, CALIFORNIA |
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| HAPPY TO BE IN NAPA ON A WARM FEBRUARY DAY |
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| THE FORTUNATI VINEYARDS ARE NESTLED IN THE VALLEY BETWEEN TWO HILLS |
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| ESTATE VINEYARDS OF FORTUNATI |
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| SYRAH GRAPES BEING GROWN AT FORTUNATI VINEYARDS |
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| AMONGST THE VINES WAS JUST DEVINE! |
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| GARY AND ELLENS PORCH OVERLOOKING THE ORCHARDS |
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| WE ENTERED THE HOME AND IMMEDIATELY WERE RELAXED AND TAKEN CARE OF BY ELLEN |
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| BEAUTIFUL LIVING ROOM WHERE WE TASTED WINE |
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| LOVED THE BOOT WINE HOLDER WITH A BOTTLE OF THE ESTATE JUICE |
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| LIKE RELAXING AT HOME |
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| ENJOYING WINE IN THE VINEYARDS OWNERS HOME WAS PRICELESS |
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| LOVED THIS PAINTING IN THE LIVING ROOM |
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| THE TABLE IS SET AND READY FOR THREE THIRSTY WINE DRINKERS |
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| CELEBRATING OVER 10 YEARS IN NAPA |
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| ELLEN AND GARY LUCHTEL - OWNERS OF FORTUNATI VINEYARDS |
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| ELLEN HAD EVERYTHING PREPARED FOR OUR PERSONAL VISIT AND SHE DELIVERED A GREAT NAPA VALLEY EXPERIENCE RIGHT IN HER LIVING ROOM |
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| I WAS TOTALLY INTO MY WINE TASTING AT FORTUNATI |
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| ELLEN POURS THE WINE AND GIVES YOU HISTORY OF GROWING REGION AND THEIR ESTATE WITH A LOT OF HUMOR AND BACKGROUND ON HOW THEY CAME TO BE WINE MAKERS IN NAPA |
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| MAP OF NAPA WINE GROWING REGIONS |
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| SURH LUCHTEL VIOGNIEIR STARTED OUR TASTING |
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| FORTUNATI ALSO HAS SURH LUCHTEL LABEL OF LIMITED EDITION WINES |
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| ASSORTMENT OF SNACKS TO COMPLIMENT EACH WINE |
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| LOVED THESE TWO WINE DOGS |
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| THE FORTUNATI DOGS WERE FEATURED IN WINE DOGS USA 3 BOOK |
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| MY NEW PAL AT FORTUNATI |
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| THESE TWO DOGS HAVE A PRETTY GOOD LIFE LIVING IN THE VINEYARDS AT FORTUNATI |
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| A FEW BOTTLES UNCORKED HERE |
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| FORTUNATI AWARD WINNING WINES FROM NAPA VALLEY |
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