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9 Unique Downtown Calistoga Retail Finds

WineCountry Collective — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:00:42 +0000

Being able to play hooky and spend a day in Napa Valley for some retail therapy is a charming luxury exclusive to living in Northern California. Calling on one of my most stylish friends to peruse the downtown retail area, we hit the road at 11am. A stretch of highway and then a couple turns through oak-dappled hills, and suddenly we were parked and ready for a full day spent in downtown Calistoga. A summertime Thursday seemed like the best timing for exploring and tasting the quaint Napa Valley town.

Tank Garage Winery
1020 Foothill Blvd
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-8265
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars; 39 reviews

Our first stop was a tasting room to get the day off to an official wine country start. We pulled up to the aptly named Tank Garage, which is located in a refurbished, 1930s gas station complete with two pumps and a full width garage dock door open to the street. The interior is stylishly designed with a vintage edge that includes a pinball machine, classic Indian motorcycle, and insanely delicious one-off wines. We were in love with the variety and quality of the bottle art, which is commissioned from world-class artists and designers. The Tank Winery merchandise is perfectly hip and they have sleek branded items like harmonicas, handkerchiefs, and flasks.

Insider Tip: Give yourself a reason to go back for their member’s only events. Unique occasions like poetry slams, concerts, and community garage sales are all on their upcoming calendar.

Calistoga Pottery
1001 Foothill Blvd
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-0216
TripAdvisor: 5 stars; 13 reviews

Just across the street is the small, but exceptional studio of Calistoga Pottery. Inside we found a treasure trove of gorgeous stoneware and expertise of owners Jeff and Sally Manfredi. They’ve been creating utilitarian pieces out of clay since 1980, and you can find their work throughout Napa Valley wineries and restaurants. Their small operation allows for the flexibility to experiment with glazing techniques and custom orders. Thanks to their reputation in Calistoga and extensive knowledge of the artform, Jeff and Sally create simple and timeless pottery. From butter dishes to large platters, you can find something for anyone (and even more for yourself) in brilliant colors and a variety of glazes.

Insider Tip: For truly unique and entirely Calistoga-inspired dinnerware, ask about their grapevine ash glaze. It’s a special (and ever-changing) collection that is glazed with carefully cured and sifted grapevine ash from local winery burn piles after pruning.

Lincoln Street Market
1117b Lincoln Ave
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 346-0913

Lincoln Street Market is a multi-room brocante with vintage gems that range from classic farmhouse to gilded European in style. It was easy to get lost in the labyrinth of rustic furniture and housewares, but we made sure to take a moment and enjoyed the courtyard for a seat in the shade.

Insider Tip: If you’re looking for something to fit your aesthetic or a specific type of salvaged art or furniture, simply call and talk to one of their expert pickers who travel the globe finding incredible collectibles. They’ve been helping Calistoga inns and wineries find one-of-a-kind elements for years.

Blackbird of Calistoga
1347 Lincoln Ave
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 341-3080

We spent the most time in the lifestyle and gift shop, Blackbird of Calistoga. With plenty of interior design items to make your tabletop shine at dinner parties, your bathroom feel like a spa, and your outdoor space lush and comfortable, it’s an easy place to retreat to. Select furnishings and fashions range into the more expensive side, but the quality of the materials assure that they’ll be around for a long time and in heavy rotation.

Insider Tip: Venturing all the way to the back of the store, I found a choice selection of children’s toys and infant clothes, making it a great resource for baby showers and birthdays as well.

Catch
1365 Lincoln Ave
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 963-7700

Right down the street was a similarly compelling gift and fashion store. Opened by Toss Designs, the small boutique shows off unique handbags, resortwear, party supplies, and cute gifts. With a feminine flair and summer themes officially in full swing, Catch is a boutique for closet essentials and colorful accessories.

Insider Tip: Spice up any bag purchase with their monogram patches for immediate personalization.

Rove Boutique
1371 Lincoln Ave
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 403-5062

We loved playing dress up in this bohemian boutique. With a great assortment of candles and eclectic accessories, they have a well-curated variety of dresses and casual women’s wear. From astrological goodies to comfortable lingerie, Rove seemed to have a little bit of everything for the free-spirited and fashion-forward individual.

Insider Tip: We couldn’t help but notice the wide selection of local and American-made jewelry. Not to mention that there is a sister store, Gathered (literally, the owners are sisters) in St. Helena with a similar selection of stylish products.

Azusa
1422 Lincoln Ave
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 341-3192

At this point, stopping into a shoe store focused on comfort made sense on so many levels. Walking into this small boutique you immediately get the impression that every piece of inventory is selected with care and purpose. Leather sandals, fashionable wedges, simple flip-flops and easy sneakers line every wall.

Insider Tip: If there’s a specific style or need you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to ask the employees or, even better, the owner Lisa who is incredibly knowledgeable about the brands and their sizing.

Calistoga Olive Oil Company
1441 Lincoln Ave
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 265-6866
TripAdvisor: 5 stars; 29 reviews

As the final stop on our downtown retail tour, we wanted to save the opportunity to taste olive oil and spices for very last. Intentionally, the store has adopted a walk-in policy for their tastings, which means no advance reservations needed for the informed staff to guide you through the company’s philosophy and products. With an array of different types of olive oil, balsamics, spices, and other fun picnic products, Calistoga Olive Oil has great offerings for chefs and the everyday cook. With olives hand-picked from wineries in the area, it’s a perfect local treat to take home to your kitchen.

Insider Tip: You can find and taste their olive oil this season at the Santa Rosa Farmers Market with Triple T Ranch and Farm. Additionally, they will be featured as a food artisan at the annual Taste of Napa event in July.

Bio: Tiffany Bukowski is a Northern California native and specializes in brand marketing in San Francisco. She enjoys red blends, fancy cheese boards, and talking with her hands.

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Who We’re Drinking With: Crosby Roamann

blogger — Fri, 12 May 2017 08:00:47 +0000

In our “Who We’re Drinking With” series we introduce you to some of our favorite people in Wine Country. From winemakers and sommeliers to hoteliers and artists, we’re interested in those who are doing things a bit differently.

Tired of reading the same ol’ questionnaires (do we have to know what everyone wanted to be when they grew up?) we’re throwing curve balls in hopes of finding out some new things about these movers and shakers.

This week we poured one out with Juliana and Sean McBride of Crosby Roamnann in their chic Crusher District tasting room on the south side of Napa. Tired of awkward tasting rooms that have a few “artful” odes to Italy and uninspired staff? We are too. It could have been the polished concrete floors or the tastefully appointed book shelves, but it was probably the record player on constant spin that put us in the perfect mood to ask some questions and taste some wine.

Sean and Juliana began making wine in Tribeca in 2006. Shortly thereafter the wine kicked in and Sean made his way out West. After wine making at White Rock(a breeding ground for young winemakers for over two decades), they started selling their first release in 2010. That’s when, as they say, “left our jobs in Manhattan, sold our apartment in Brooklyn, loaded up the old Volvo station wagon, strapped our baby twin daughters into the back seats, and drove out to California to make a go of it.” The focus of Crosby Roamann’s wines are on single vineyard single appellation, hand-crafted wines. You don’t get much more personal than their approach. They sort their entire harvest by hand, and ferment everything in barrel. The red wines are pressed by hand using an old basket press. They’re the ones you’ll sit down and taste with when you book a tasting. You hear family affair so much in the wine industry it’s almost become trite. But we’re totally digging this family, so much so some of us joined their wine club!

Let’s see what Juliana and Sean have to say in our lighting round of questions:

First thing you thought of when you woke up yesterday?
Juliana: Where am I?
Sean: My wife snores.

Weirdest thing that happened while opening Crosby Roamann?
Juliana: We didn’t know it would be the catalyst for a cross-country, life-changing move.
Sean: The weirdest thing to me is the fact that there is a Crosby Roamann at all. I don’t think that we ever dreamed this would be our life even in our wildest imaginings.

Favorite wine(or beer) related word?
Juliana: Tour de Force, or smooth (with an eye roll). But seriously, someone last week described their favorite wine as smelling like an Italian man.
That, I thought, was pretty amazing.
Sean: Verve. No idea what it really means. Love to say it.

The best hangover hack you’ve come up with?
Juliana: A really greasy breakfast sandwich. And a Diet Coke.
Sean: Yes. (Editor’s note: Sean wouldn’t divulge if he eat Juliana’s greasy breakfast sandwich or gets one of his own.)

You have to eat a bowl of crickets for $40k, what wine would be the best pairing to help it go down?
Juliana: Nothing would help that bowl of crickets go down. Nothing.
Sean: I don’t know … are they fried? Or are we talking raw?(Editor: No, they’re still chirping.) I’m guessing Chablis.

What is the best thought about Napa Valley you’ve ever heard of? (Quote, saying, conversation)
Juliana: Everybody thinks Napa is old, it’s not the new frontier anymore. But the truth is, there are so many discoveries still yet to make…like us! If you look, you can find some people doing some really cool things, and doing them well whether they’re hip or not.
Sean: Thank you Director of Marketing! For my part, there are two places in Napa that will always be special. The first is the rolling foothills that form northern Carneros. If you take Sonoma Highway on your drive into Napa you’ll know what I mean. It’s a magical place. The second place is north of Saint Helena on the north east side of the Silverado Trail as you approach and then enter the Calistoga AVA. The soils of the Vaca Mountains here have decomposed to a granular, bleached yellow gold, and are infused with all this volcanic rock like obsidian. I simply love the soil here. When I think about Napa, these are the places that I think about.

Favorite thing on your menu right now?
Juliana: 2013 Reserve Blanc
Sean: The 2011 Crosby’s Reserve. An unheralded vintage that produced some exceptional wines. And I’m very excited about the 2016s. They’ll be on the menu shortly.

What’s your favorite ’80s jam and why?
Juliana: “Everybody wants to Rule the World”— Tears for Fears, OR, “Get into the Groove”—Madonna. Takes me back to childhood!
Sean: “Just Like Heaven” – The Kiss (first crush, you know!?) ; and … oh god there’s this song I love and I can never remember the name too. I’m going to have to look it up and get back to you…

If Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs were to show up what would you have him do?
Juliana: Clean out the hold and haul tank.
Sean: Yes.

What’s the most difficult recipe you’ve ever attempted?
Juliana: Creme brûlée and/or lemon meringue pie (custard is seriously time consuming). Sean is really the chef in our family. I (Juliana) like to make the desserts.
Sean: I have an ongoing problem with fish skin. I love cooking fish but I find the skins really difficult. Take salmon skin. No matter what I do it never really comes out right. It gives me cooking anxiety.

Where is your favorite place to go on a weekday afternoon when you have no plans or obligations?
Juliana: No plans or obligations? Seriously? I have kids. And a dog. So…probably on a hike or Dylan Beach. I daydream about sitting outside at a really cool wine bar in San Francisco or on a rooftop in NYC with a glass of rosé on an impossibly gorgeous day.
Sean: Crissy Field, San Francisco.

Using 3 wine terms, describe your best life
Juliana: Playful yet refined, bright bouquet, elegant, long finish.
Sean: Complex, effortless, with good verve.

Food trend you love? Food trend you hate?
Juliana: Weekly changing menus with the season. Foam.
Sean: I love the farm to table movement. Not a huge fan of eleven course tasting menus.

What is wine for (yours or others) and why:

A broken heart?
Juliana: Chateauneuf-du-pape (red)
Sean: Probably champagne. You know, life’s too short?! Or if it was a really bad break up then maybe a syrah. A really deep and concentrated one.

A job promotion?
Juliana: A special aged white burgundy
Sean: Grower champagne, without question, and a good one at that. Right now I am drinking Aubry Champagne, also I never tire of Vilmart & Cie.

A hangover?
Juliana: Water.
Sean: Bulls Blood. (Editor’s note: Or you know…a diet coke.)

A first date?
Juliana: Two half bottles each of a surprising and refreshing white and a pinot noir.
Sean: Or two full bottles.

A penguin walks through your door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?
Juliana: Surprise! Happy birthday!
Sean: “My name is Inego Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

Napa Valley In 15(ish) Words:

Champagne Flute or Pint Glass?
Juliana: Pint glass
Sean: Flute

Pinot Noir or Gris?
Juliana: Noir
Sean: Noir.

Winery or Tasting Room?
Juliana: Winery
Sean: Winery

Fog on the mountains or sun on the vines?
Juliana: Sun
Sean: Sun

Hwy 29 or Silverado Trail?
Juliana: Silverado
Sean: Always Silverado

French oak or steel tanks?
Juliana: French Oak
Sean: Oak

Calistoga or St Helena?
Juliana: St. Helena for shopping and restaurants, Calistoga for wine and relaxation
Sean: That’s a good plan. I’ll meet you there.

Lake Berryessa or Napa River?
Juliana: River
Sean: Lake Hennessy.

Bike tour or limo tour?
Juliana: Bike tour
Sean: Limo.

French Laundry or Meadowood?
Juliana: Have never been to either. Both seem like special one time occasions you should definitely try.
Sean: Yeah, we’ve never been to either. It’s on the bucket list. We are, however, well acquainted with the Bouchon Bakery, much to our children’s delight.

Hot air balloon or Hot Springs?
Juliana: Hot Springs
Sean: Springs.

Brunch cocktail or happy hour cocktail?
Juliana: Happy Hour, definitely.
Sean: Happy hour.

Cabernet in front of a fire place or rosé pool side?
Juliana: Both sound pretty great.
Sean: Cabernet.

Napa Bottlerock or Napa Valley Film Fest?
Juliana: Bottlerock
Sean: Bottlerock.

Tacos Michoacan or Taco Addiction?
Juliana: Yes, please.
Sean: Michoacán.

Click here to book a tasting experience at Crosby Roamann. Tasting includes a guided tour of the winery with the winemaker, which often includes tasting from the barrel as well as the bottle, and a small plate of artisanal cheese and charcuterie. Complimentary taxi service can be provided from select Napa Valley hotels and downtown Napa to the winery and back.

The post Who We’re Drinking With: Crosby Roamann first appeared on NapaValley.com.