Ah, summertime. Life is in full bloom and with this in mind, we at Croze are raising our glass – or in this case – our foot to you. May you too be enjoying the Croze Vin d’Une Nuit Rose of Cabernet Sauvignon and the Croze Sauvignon Blanc on your picnics.
While you have been out enjoying your summer we have been keeping quite busy at the Croze Nest with our own version of summer fun. I've come on board as the newest member of the Croze Nest team and have been plunged right into the thick of it. We have been bottling wine – the 2004 Cabernet is coming soon and it is DELICIOUS. We have been racking wine and keeping the future of each of these varietals at a clear vantage point on the horizon. We have been tasting the wines with friends old and new. We have been checking into the vineyards and things are looking good. We have been brainstorming and the future looks bright – especially when you are peering through your rose’ colored wine glass.
Gabrielle Shaffer - Sommelier, Wine Sales, Wine Marketing, Wine Maker in Training, Bottling Line Enthusiast, Wine Taster, Wine Drinker.
August Wine Club
Croze Vin d’ Une Nuit – Rose of Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 The 2005 Croze' grapes came from Suisun Valley, just across the Eastern Hills from Napa Valley. Here, the daylight hours are just a bit warmer, without the cooling marine influence of the San Francisco Bay. Soil and climate are similar to South Central France, where Rose' is Queen. 2005 was a long, cool growing season—perfect for making this delicate Rose' wine. Winemaker, Gary Wooton vinted the wine in the classic French “Vin d' Une Nuit” (Wine of One Night) style. Unlike many Rose' wines, where juice is separated from the skins immediately after pressing, grapes for Croze' are crushed and the juice is left on the skins overnight, before pressing. This gives the wine its rosy, watermelon hue and rich mouth feel. 323 cases produced.
Croze Sauvignon Blanc 2006 The grapes for the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc came from Monte Lago Vineyard in the hills overlooking Clearlake, California. This vineyard produces low yields of intense fruit with bright, crisp flavors and moderate tannins. The grapes were hand-picked, crushed and fermented in small lots to preserve fruit character and to avoid the extraction of harsh tannins. A long, cool fermentation in steel tank preserved the fresh aromas and flavors, creating an elegant wine with true California style. 406 cases produced.
We will be shipping out your summer Croze wines on August 15th so please let us know if you would like these sent your way. If you aren't signed up for the Friends and Family Wine Club SIGN UP NOW. Club members recieve special wine at special prices on a quarterly basis. August Club shipment includes 2 bottles of great wine - the Croze' and the Sauvignon Blanc - for under $30 plus tax & shipping!!!
"A Croze in the hand is worth two more glasses." Leland
SAN FRANCISCO CROZE NEST
Our newest nest is the Executive Hotel Vintage Court, which is located just two blocks off Union Square in San Francisco. We were invited to decorate two guest rooms, one with CROZE and the other with SMITH WOOTON artwork. In the CROZE room hangs a painting created by Mark Chapman, a member of the "Nest." When you walk down the hall, you'll see CROZE and SMITH WOOTON , along with other local wineries, displayed on the doors.
Additionally, we are pouring our wines at the Vintage Court four times during the year and our wines are on display in the lobby area. Any night you stay at the Vintage Court, you will enjoy a complimentary tasting of local wines.
For information and reservations, contact Jeanne Hizon (pronounced Jon) at 800.654.1100 or jeanne@executivehotels.net. Be sure to tell her you are a Croze Nest Member!
UPCOMING EVENTS
FAMILY WINEMAKERS OF CALIFORNIA TASTING Fort Mason Center, 99 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA Sunday, August 24th, 2008 12-4 p.m. Open to the Public and to the Trade Monday, August 25th, 2008, 1-6 p.m. Trade Only tel.916.498.7500 www.familywinemakers.org
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS YOUNTVILLE, CALIFORNIA NOVEMBER 28, 2008 Visit the town of Yountville, CA for the annual Festival of Lights! Wines, Food and Entertainment on Washington Street at Vintage 1870 Held yearly, Friday, following Thanksgiving Day, 1 -7 p.m. CROZE and Smith Wooton wines will be available for tasting! MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW! THE TOWN FILLS UP FAST!
IMPROVED WINE CLUBS AVAILABLE
In response to comments from our wine club members, we have simplified your club choices. Please check our website at www.croze-cab.com for updated wine club information.
We now offer FRIENDS & FAMILY two bottle shipments quarterly of Croze and/or Smith Wooton wines.
Current club members, please update your information, to take advantage of the CURRENT RELEASES!
If you're not currently a member, this is a great opportunity to enjoy wines which have very limited production!
CROZE CLOZE NOW AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE
Our Croze cap, polo shirt and jacket are now available on line. In case you're wondering, sizes are generous and the shirt doesn't shrink! If you who have met Gary or Suzanne at a wine event, you already know these are great looking cloze! Order from our Gift Shop at www.croze-cab.com.
A TASTE OF NAPA VALLEY
We're always searching for just the right recipes to accompany our wines. We believe this one is a winner. Here's a taste treat to enjoy any time of year. Try it with our Croze' Vin d' Une Nuit or Sauvignon Blanc.
For your Croze Picnic… Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Summer Fruit Salsa
Ingredients SALSA: 1/2 cup chopped ripe plum (about 1) 1/2 cup diced apricots (about 2) 1/2 cup diced nectarine (about 1) 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint 2 tablespoons diced red onion 1 tablespoon minced seeded serrano chile 1 teaspoon grated lime rind 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon honey 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper 12 sweet cherries, pitted and halved 1 green onion, finely chopped
Preparation To prepare salsa, combine the first 13 ingredients in a medium bowl; stir well. Cover and chill 1 hour.
Prepare grill. To prepare shrimp, place butter, 2 teaspoons juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, garlic, and shrimp in a large bowl; toss to coat. Thread 4 shrimp onto each of 6 (12-inch) skewers. Place kebabs on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill for 3 minutes on each side or until shrimp are done. Serve with salsa and lime wedges. PLANNING A VISIT TO THE NAPA VALLEY?
For a private tasting with Winemaker Gary Wooton, please contact us in advance of your visit. We'll do our best to accomodate you and your group.
We hope to see you soon in our beautiful valley. Meanwhile, enjoy Croze and Smith Wooton wines.
While you have been out enjoying your summer we have been keeping quite busy at the Croze Nest with our own version of summer fun. I've come on board as the newest member of the Croze Nest team and have been plunged right into the thick of it. We have been bottling wine – the 2004 Cabernet is coming soon and it is DELICIOUS. We have been racking wine and keeping the future of each of these varietals at a clear vantage point on the horizon. We have been tasting the wines with friends old and new. We have been checking into the vineyards and things are looking good. We have been brainstorming and the future looks bright – especially when you are peering through your rose’ colored wine glass. 
Croze Sauvignon Blanc 2006 
Our newest nest is the Executive Hotel Vintage Court, which is located just two blocks off Union Square in San Francisco. We were invited to decorate two guest rooms, one with CROZE and the other with SMITH WOOTON artwork. In the CROZE room hangs a painting created by Mark Chapman, a member of the "Nest." When you walk down the hall, you'll see CROZE and SMITH WOOTON , along with other local wineries, displayed on the doors.
Our Croze cap, polo shirt and jacket are now available on line. In case you're wondering, sizes are generous and the shirt doesn't shrink! If you who have met Gary or Suzanne at a wine event, you already know these are great looking cloze! Order from our Gift Shop at www.croze-cab.com. 
For a private tasting with Winemaker Gary Wooton, please contact us in advance of your visit. We'll do our best to accomodate you and your group.