Last summer, Louis M. Martini Winery celebrated its 90th anniversary. For the majority of years, the Martinis called Napa Valley home. The winery has been celebrated for its wine-first ethos, offering winery tours, wine seminars, and tastings that focus on their world-renowned Cabernet Sauvignon (including the pinnacle of the portfolio; 2013 Lot 1 that received a 100-point score from Wine Advocate). So, when Martini completed its significant restoration of the historic 1933 winery in 2019, the new food and wine pairing experiences that emerged with it pleasantly surprised many epicureans.
“Adding a culinary component to the tastings was meant to enhance the overall guest experience and create a more comprehensive and immersive visit,” shared Kristen Peck-Cropper, Business Development Manager for the Gallo Luxury Portfolio, which includes Louis M. Martini. “The integration of food and wine pairings allows guests to appreciate the full potential and complexity of the wines.”
Martini assures it’s still wine-first; it’s just elevated their offerings to match the ebb and flow of contemporary consumer demands, ranging from a classic tasting with nibbles to a four-course tasting menu presented by executive chef Aaron Meneghelli. “Whether you are a wine novice or connoisseur, offering an array of tasting experiences ensures there is something for everybody,” shared Peck-Cropper.
Taste of Martini is their fundamental pairing experience, available daily (club members receive a discount). The tasting explores the depth of the Martini portfolio with a line-up of the winery’s most popular wines mixed with samples of their exclusive small lot wines. The experience is accompanied by an artisan cheese board featuring varieties from local creameries, house-made dried fruit compote, and lavash, a thin, leavened flatbread popular in West Asia.
The Crown Collection Experience is a level-up, available only from Wednesday to Sunday, and reservations are required. Guests can choose to lean into the wine-first approach with a classic tasting or add-on a culinary pairing that is curated to the selection of Crown Cabernet Sauvignon pours; a collection dedicated to showcasing the site-specific characteristics of Martini’s premier mountain sites, including Monte Rosso Vineyard, Cypress Ranch Vineyard, Howell Mountain and Stagecoach Vineyard.
On a summer day, nothing will beat a wine flight and bite in Martini’s private outdoor cabanas. This year, the experience comes with a new menu, including garden squash torta, marinated and pickled vegetables, bresaola, speck prosciutto, Solo di Bruna parmesan di Stefano burrata with fava leaf pesto, smoked pine nuts, and wood-fired focaccia with green garlic sea salt. The flight includes a variety of Martini’s styles, like a rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cellar No.254 Merlot, and 2016 Cellar No. 254 Petite Sirah. “There is nothing like sipping on award-winning wine while sharing delicious curated bites and enjoying the company you are with,” added Peck-Cropper.
Finally, the Underground Cellar experience is their most exceptional exclusive food and wine opportunity. The original barrel cellar from 1933 was meticulously restored to serve as a functioning barrel room and the setting for this intimate tasting. Martini holds true to its founding wine-first mission as one of their wine educators leads the experience.
“This is truly a glimpse into the rich legacy of the Louis Martini history,” said Peck-Cropper. “Tasting through the small-lot wines in this intimate setting paired with Chef Meneghelli’s menu offers guests a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and artistry of these wines.”
In addition to learning more about Martini’s history and current viticulture, guests are treated to Martini’s portfolio of small-production wines, including Lot No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon (the aforementioned 100-point wine by Wine Advocate in 2017). The winery doesn’t like to give too much away to maintain the novelty of the experience and build anticipation; however, Chef Meneghelli shared more about the concept.
“I believe food and wine are two of the greatest ways to elevate tradition, and this allows us to invite you into a special experience that will excite the senses and challenge the palate,” said Meneghelli. “Our food pairings show a touch of the old world while being met with a focus on seasonal and local ingredients that strive to show the versatility of our wines.”
Upon researching the history of the Martini family to incorporate the old and new into his pairings, Meneghelli discovered unexpected parallels between his family (originally from Northern Italy, despite his upbringing in Napa Valley). “Just a short train ride in northern Italy connected our families, and the traditions continued as both traveled by boat to eventually land in the Bay Area.”
Meneghelli said he’s inspired not only by the story of emigrating to America but also by his grandparents’ foray as “natural entertainers,” where everything they did was centered around a meal. “The community that happens around a table, that’s what started to drive my passion for food. It isn’t just about being able to cook something; it is focusing on the entire experience someone will have at my table.”
Of course, at Louis M. Martini, that experience includes wine, of which Meneghelli pointed to the 2018 Monte Rosso Vineyard Malbec and 2017 Lot No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon as personal favorites; therefore, are a must-try with his memorable pairings.
