Exclusive Skipstone Visit and Gift Box


Item Number: 588

Time Left: CLOSED

Value: $600

Online Close: Mar 25, 2010 9:02 PM PDT

Bid History: 3 bids - Item Sold!




Description

 


Wow! This exclusive "package" includes a gift certificate and gift box.


Gift Certificate:


The gift certificate is for an exclusive visit to Skipstone, a private organic winegrowing estate located in the hills above Alexander Valley and the latest project of renowned Winemaking Consultant Phillippe Melka, in collaboration with Skipstone Winemaker Andrew Levi.


A private experience for four will include a vineyard tour hosted by Winemaker Andrew Levi, followed by lunch prepared by Estate Chef, M. Tucker Hemquist. Lunch will feature a rare tasting of Estate Wines Makena's Vineyard Viognier, and Oliver's Blend, and will feature produce from the 1.5 acre Skipstone Estate Organic Culinary Gardens.


Gift Box:


Enclosed in the gift box is a handmilled bar of Skipstone soap (from plants in the culinary garden), a 2005 bottle of Skipstone Oliver's Blend, a 2006 bottle of Skipstone Oliver's Blend, and a bottle of Melina's Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil.



  • 2005 Oliver's Blend: The 2005 vintage began with normal temperatures accompanied by considerably more rain than usual in late winter and spring. Budbreak occurred on schedule beginning late March through early April. The rains finally tapered off in late May, providing ideal weather for bloom, allowing the grape flowers to blossom and set. The summer months brought a return to temperate weather patterns with warm days in teh 80's and 90's throughout June, July and August. This perfect weather nurtured the vines and the grapes matured at a steady pace. A cooling trend near harvest arrived, allowing for more hang time and further development of flavors. Warm weather returned by mid-September and remained for the rest of harvest and the grapes were picked at optimal ripeness before the return of the rainy season.

  • 2006 Oliver's Blend: The 2006 vintage will be remembered for temperature extremes. The season started out cool delaying budbreak in the Skipstone Vineyard until mid-April. Normal weather followed allowing the grapevines to flower in ideal conditions paving the way for a healthy fruit set. July was one of the hottest on record, culminating with six straight days over 100 degrees and peaking at 114F! As harvest approached, a strong coastal trend brought in daily fog, allowing for long hang-time giving the grapes greater complexity. By mid-October, a beautiful stretch of warmer days gave us the final push to ripeness and it was during this period that we picked the grapes for Oliver’s Blend.

  • The process of crafting Melina's Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil is kept simple to ensure absolute purity of flavor. Every autumn, at the peak of the season, the 550 trees that blanket the hillside estate grove are carefully picked and cold-pressed the same day, often within hours, to maintain the pure flavors of this delicate olive. The combination of artisan harvest and production methods produces olive oil of the very highest quality and flavor, and has earned Skipstone Ranch the distinguished Extra Virgin certification by the California Olive Oil Council and five Gold Medals from the prestigious Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition.

    Typically served as table olives because of their low oil content, choosing to grow Manzanillo olives requires sacrificing overall yield for the superior quality and flavor of this delicious oil. Because olive trees are alternate year bearing, the 2008 vintage represents only 80 cases produced. This delicate oil offers an enticing grassy and spring floral aroma, evocative of the air when spring returns to the Skipstone estate. Melina’s Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil balances a rich raw walnut and almond flavor on the mid-palate, layered with spring mustard and mild spice on the finish.

    The elegant flavors of Extra Virgin olive oil can become muted when cooked, so fine oils are best enjoyed as dipping oil for bread, drizzled across cooked vegetables or fish, or as a base for a flavorful vinaigrette.


Enjoy this wonderful auction item!

Special Instructions

Skipstone Ranch is located in Alexander Valley in California. The gift certificate is valid Monday through Friday only, based on availability for guests over 21. Expires March 10, 2011.


Pick up/shipping information: At auction close, the certificate and gift box will be available for pick up in Sebastopol, CA or mailed at the winning bidder's expense. Mailing/shipping insurance is optional. Winning bidder is responsible for all fees and billed at standard industry rates. Wine is shipped "adult signature required" and must be signed for, it cannot be left without a signature.


Wine can be shipped to the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. If a state is not listed, state law prohibits wine from being shipped there.


SunRidge School is not responsible for items lost or damaged during shipping or mailing.


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Donated by

Skipstone Ranch