May 2010
February 2010
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August 2009
May 2009
February 2009
December 2008
October 2008
August 2008
May 2008
February 2008
December 2007
October 2007
August 2007
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March 2007
December 2006

May 2010 Newsletter

Click here to download PDF

Greetings Wine Club Member!
Spring is here, but rain, rain, rain has been the name of the game so far. For the first time in more than a couple of years, rain totals for the Napa Valley are near or above normal. What does this mean for the vines? Well, it means that the water table beneath the ground will be higher than normal and therefore, we shouldn't have to water the vines as much this year. It will also help to protect the vines if and when it gets super hot this summer.

It was great to see many of you at our Pick-Up party back in February. We hope to see more of you for the future parties here at the winery... and of course, the bash of the year, the 5th Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast on Saturday, July 10th. For now, enjoy the wines in this month's shipment and we hope to see you soon!

Cheers!
Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now a little information on the wines in this month's shipment:

Platinum Club
2006 Uvaggio - Uvaggio, which means "blend" in Italian, is a combination of 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot and 1/3 Cabernet Franc and it is to die for! Its Bordeaux style quality gives this wine an earthy feel with flavors of mulberry and hints of vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $48, Wine Club price: $40.80

2006 Cabernet Franc - This varietal is primarily used to give structure to the cabernet blends. However, it holds up on its own and has flavors of berries and vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $48.00, Wine Club price: $40.80

2006 Merlot - This complex wine offers an enticing blend of vanilla, black cherry, cedar and tobacco Priced in our tasting room at $48.00, Wine Club price: $40.80

Reds Only Club
2005 East Hillside Block Cabernet Sauvignon - This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect complement to our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A Wine Club exclusive wine, the fruit is sourced from a special block on the back side of our property. Priced in our tasting room at $48.00, Wine Club Price: $40.80

2006 Cabernet Franc - This varietal is primarily used to give structure to the cabernet blends. However, it holds up on its own and has flavors of berries and vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $48.00, Wine Club price: $40.80

2006 Merlot - This complex wine offers an enticing blend of vanilla, black cherry, cedar and tobacco Priced in our tasting room at $48.00, Wine Club price: $40.80

Re-order any of these wines by June 15th and receive 25% off case purchases!

Food & Wine pairing of the month

Snake River Farms Kobe Wagyu beef Filet with Roasted Mushrooms, Bacon & Caramelized Onions In Cabernet Syrup
Paired with Signorello Estate 2006 Padrone

Snake River Farms Kobe Wagyu beef Filet
8- 1 inch cubes Filet Potion
2 tbsp. Grape Seed Oil
T.T. Salt & Black Pepper

Roasted Mushrooms, Bacon & Caramelized Onions in Cabernet Syrup
2 lbs. Trumpet Royle Mushroom
1/4 cup Grape Seed Oil
T.T. Salt & Black Pepper
1 cup Caramelized Onions
1/4 cup Grape Seed Oil
T.T. Salt & Black Pepper
1 lb. Apple Smoked Bacon
1 btl. Red Wine (reduced to syrup)

Methods:
For the roasted mushrooms, bacon & caramelized onions. On a parchment lined sheet pan place the mushroom and drizzle with the oil and season. Roast in a 425 degree preheated oven for 12 minutes, remove from the oven and cool. For the onions, thinly sliced 4 onions place in a large heavy bottom pan over med high heat with the oil and a pinch of salt, stir occasionally until golden brown about 45 minute. Cool and reserve. For the bacon cut large julienne strips, place on parchment lined sheet pan and place in a preheated 350 degree oven until golden, drain off fat and reserve the bacon. To finish the dish, in a heavy bottom pan over high heat add the sliced roasted mushroom and a small amount of oil, lightly brown an add in the bacon and the onions, add the red wine syrup and reserve. Season and sear the filet in a heavy bottom pan place cooked filet on top of the warm mushroom mixture and serve.

Visit www.SnakeRiverFarms.com for more information and to order the Kobe Wagyu beef.

5th Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast
Saturday, July 11th, 2009
6:00pm: Reception
7:15pm: Dinner

Price is $115 per person plus tax and includes a fresh Maine lobster freshly cooked right here on the patio with tiger prawns, fresh corn, artichokes, and other tidbits along with our Seta, Chardonnay, and Cabernet!

The event will take place on the Signorello Estate terrace overlooking the beautiful Napa Valley!

Looking for a place to stay, call the Yountville Inn or the Napa Valley Marriott. For more info on discounts, visit the "Napa Valley links" section of our website. Call for reservations.
The Yountville Inn - (707) 944-5600 www.yountvilleinn.com
Napa Valley Marriott - (707) 253-8600 www.napavalleymarriott.com

RSVP to Ryan Shenk, (707) 255-5990 or (800) 982-4229 or email to Ryan@signorellovineyards.com
Credit Cards will be charged on June 28th.

Recent Reviews of our Wines

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Padrone 2006 - 92 points
Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2007 - 90 points
Hope's Cuvee Chardonnay - 90+ points

Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast
Padrone 2006 - 94 points
Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - 92 points
Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2008 - 93 points
Hope's Cuvee Chardonnay 2008 - 95 points
Seta 2008 - 92 points
Pinot Noir Las Amigas Vineyard 2007 - 92 points

Anthony Gismondi, Wine Access
Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2007 - 93 points and #30 of top 100 wines

Charlie Olken, Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine
Padrone 2006 - 92 points
Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2006 - 90 points
Zinfandel Luvisi Vineyard 2007 - 93 points
Syrah Estate 2007 - 92 points

February 2010 Newsletter

Click here to download PDF

Greetings Wine Club Member!
It is February and winter is officially here. The last three weeks have been some of the wettest on record since 2005. Luckily, the grapevines are dormant this time of year and so the extra rainfall will not hurt them one bit. In fact, it helps the vines because all our reservoirs are now full and therefore, will help out during the growing season.

We have been receiving a lot of great scores from some of the most well known wine writers lately. We are very proud to have Pierre make such great wine and it is our pleasure to share them with you. Please enjoy them as much as we do!

Cin Cin!

- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Our Signature wine opens to aromas of allspice and vanilla. The lush palate has flavors of currant and tobacco. Its long finish with integrated tannins and lush flavors will allow this wine to age for the next 15 years.
~ Cellar Selection ~ Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club price: $42.50

2007 Luvisi Vineyards Zinfandel - The ever popular zinfandel is back for a very limited time! With a little under 300 cases produced, this beauty will not be around long. It's ruby red color with hints of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and sweet oak will not disappoint all you Zin fans! Priced in our tasting room at $38, Wine Club price: $32.30

2006 Estate Syrah - This Rhone style Syrah has a little Viognier blended in to give the wine a nice floral component of clove and lavender. The wine is well balanced and has very nice tannin structure. Goes great with any lamb dish. Priced in our tasting room at $42, Wine Club price: $35.70

WINERY NEWS - 2010!

2006 Padrone receives high scores from top wine writers around the country...

Here is what just some of the experts have been saying:

"...This is a big, muscular, impressively endowed wine that should age effortlessly for 25 years or more." - 92 points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

"Lots of voluptuous softness in the mouth like velvet gliding over the palate." - 94 points, Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast

"...is an immense and muscular Cabernet that comes close to overwhelming the senses. For all its sheer size and weight, it does a remarkable job at showing layer upon layer of very rich oak, dark loamy earth and discreet varietal currants..." - 92 points, Two Puffs, Charlie Olken, Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine

"...a high energy red that will continue to improve." - 94 points, Wine News

Stock up on this wine now! It is a hot commodity and is selling quickly! It is surely not going to last much longer. Wine Club pricing: $93.50 per bottle

Vineyard UPDATE
Believe it or not, we can expect to see bud break in only a few short months. The vineyard crew has been busy preparing the vines for that all important time of year. A VERY important part of the process is the pruning. There are a variety of different pruning techniques that can drastically effect how the grapes grow during the season. Pierre has brought his knowledge of the vines to Signorello and has proven year after year that he knows the best way to prune and it shows in the end product. Our guys take great care to prune the vines according to his instructions so that they can produce the high quality grapes we all know and love. Everything must be done prior to bud bread and with almost 50 acres of vines on the property, this process can take up to four months to complete. Quite a task!

VISIT Napa Valley
Did you know that Napa Valley is the second most visited destination in California only behind Disneyland? Well, it is true and so the valley can be extremely busy depending on the time of year you decide to come. As there is not as much "action" at wineries right now, this time of year is one of the best times to plan your trip. Tasting rooms tend to be a little slower, hotel rates lower and restaurant reservations easier to get...and don't forget about the Mustard Festival. Lots of great events and parties are planned to celebrate the mustard in the vineyards. Go to www.mustardfestival.org for more information.

Make sure you call us for a reservation at Enoteca Signorello. Our wine & food pairing has been getting rave reviews and it is a MUST for you if you have not tried it yet. Enjoy gourmet bites of food paired perfectly with five of our current and reserve wines. Our partner, Snake River Farms, supplies the Kobe Wagyu beef and Kurobuta pork...simply divine! Visit our website or call the winery for more information.

Need help planning a trip to the Napa Valley? Here a couple of suggestions to make your visit better.

Balloons Above the Valley: Hot Air Balloons in Napa Valley float almost silently above the trees, hillsides, fields, and vineyards. You will see the Napa Valley wine country in a way that ground-bound travelers never will. Napa Valley hot air balloon rides are one of the most exhilarating experiences you will ever enjoy. Your hot air balloon rises with the roar of the burners and then floats in silence, drifting with the wind as you overlook wine country's majestic landscape. You won't feel the wind; you are a part of it - barely realizing you're moving. Call toll free 800-464-824 or visit them online at www.balloonrides.com for more information.

Cristal Blue Carriage: A great way to see the Napa Valley (and not have to worry about driving) is to book your own limousine tour. Chris and Bill at Cristal Blue Carriage specialize in visiting small, boutique wineries like Signorello Estate. Let them show you the lesser known wineries in the valley and be treated like Royalty! To book a tour, visit them online at www.cristalbluecarriage.com or give them a call at 707-927-3141.

The Yountville Inn: Receive special "Wine Club Member" pricing when you book your Napa Valley stay at the Yountville Inn. Located in Yountville, California, the hotel is walking distance to many famous restaurants and features fireplaces in all rooms as well as indoor spa services. For reservations, visit them online at www.yountvilleinn.com or call 707-944-5600.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Mark your calendars for our upcoming events:
Saturday, May 8th, 2010 - Wine Club Member only Pick-Up Party
Saturday, July 10th, 2010 - 5th Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast
Saturday, October 9th, 2010 - Harvest Party
Saturday, December 11th, 2010 - Wine Club Holiday Party

Remember that Wine Club members always receive 15% off!
For re-orders of any of the wines in this shipment, please visit our website, www.signorelloestate.com , or call the winery, Toll Free (800) 982-4229. REMEMBER, Wine Club members receive 25% off case purchases of the wines in this shipment until March 15th! Next club shipment coming to your doorstep in May.

December 2009 Newsletter

Click here to download PDF

Greetings Wine Club Member!
The Holidays are upon us and it is a great time in the Napa Valley! The weather is getting cooler and the valley is covered in colors of orange, yellow, and red. It is a beautiful site to see!

We have a very special Holiday shipment for you. Try them out with your holiday dinners as a perfect pairing with your Prime Rib, Ham or Venison. Please enjoy these wines as our Holiday shipment to you!

From everyone here at Signorello Vineyards,
Happy Holidays!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

Reds Only Club
2006 Padrone - PADRONE is dedicated to Ray Signorello Sr., a visionary whose dreams came to a reality in our wines at Signorello, and whose life was as full of character as our wines. Padrone is a wine that expresses the quality and dignity of Signorello vineyards and is a fitting tribute to the life of Raymond Signorello Sr. Priced in our tasting room at $110, Wine Club price: $93.50

2006 Uvaggio - Uvaggio, which means "blend" in Italian, is a combination of 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot and 1/3 Cabernet Franc and it is to die for! It's Bordeaux style quality gives this wine an earthy feel with flavors of mulberry and hints of vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $48, Wine Club price: $40.80

Platinum Club
2006 Padrone - PADRONE is dedicated to Ray Signorello Sr., a visionary whose dreams came to a reality in our wines at Signorello, and whose life was as full of character as our wines. Padrone is a wine that expresses the quality and dignity of Signorello vineyards and is a fitting tribute to the life of Raymond Signorello Sr. Priced in our tasting room at $110, Wine Club price: $93.50

2008 Seta - Seta, meaning silk in Italian, is our proprietary white Bordeaux style wine. This full bodied wine with a spicy nose offering hints of melon, nectarine and passion fruit is balanced by the rich vanilla and mineral overtones. The complexity of this unique blend allows it to be versatile with a wide variety of foods. Retail price: $32.00, Wine Club Member price: $27.20

WINERY NEWS

Member Discounts
Starting with this last October shipment, Wine Club members will get an even bigger discount on re-orders of the wines in the club shipment. Enjoy 25% off case or more purchases of any of these wines. You may mix and match any of the wines you received, but this offer is only available for one month after the shipment goes out. If you have any questions about this new Wine Club policy, please contact Ryan at ryan@signorelloestate.com or 707-255-5990.

Name Change
Well, you may have noticed a slight name change for the winery recently. That is because we have changed the name of the winery from Signorello Vineyards to Signorello Estate. Yeah, it is not a huge change, but we like it. Don't worry though, the wines will still be the same great juice you have been drinking for years.

October 2009 Newsletter

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Greetings Wine Club Member!
It is that time of year again! Harvest is upon us and we are in the thick of it right now. To date, we have brought in about half of the varietals, but not a single cluster of Cab.

If you haven't been up to see us lately, now is the best time to come. Lots of action going on here at the winery. Both with harvest and our Enoteca Signorello Food & Wine pairing, there are plenty of things for you to experience. We have also made it a lot easier for you to come see us with strategic partnerships at both the Yountville Inn and the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa. Check out our website for the special wine club pricing.

Come see us soon!
Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

Reds Only Club
2007 Las Amigas Pinot Noir - This Burgundian style Pinot Noir has hints of vanilla and strawberry with notes of smoky French Oak and cherry. A well balanced and medium bodied wine with a long, lingering finish. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club price: $42.50

2006 Merlot - This complex wine offers an enticing blend of vanilla, black cherry cedar and tobacco Priced in our tasting room at $48, Wine Club price: $40.80

2006 East Hillside Block Cabernet Sauvignon - This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect compliment to our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A Wine Club exclusive wine the fruit is sourced from a special block on the back side of our property. Priced in our tasting room at $48, Wine Club Price: $40.80

Platinum Club
2007 Las Amigas Pinot Noir - This Burgundian style Pinot Noir has hints of vanilla and strawberry with notes of smoky French Oak and cherry. A well balanced and medium bodied wine with a long, lingering finish Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club price: $42.50

2008 Hope's Cuvee Chardonnay - This highly exclusive Reserve Chardonnay opens to apple and pear exhibiting an extra dimension of depth that the Estate Chardonnay does not possess; with hints of spice and cinnamon. Priced in our tasting room at $65, Wine Club price: $55.25

2008 Vin Gris de Pinot Noir - This rosé has a brilliant salmon color and has flavors of strawberries and cherries with hints of vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $ 28, Wine Club price: $23.80

Member Discounts
Starting with this October shipment, Wine Club members will get an even bigger discount on re-orders of the wines in the club shipment Enjoy 25% off case or more purchases of any of these wines. You may mix and match any of the wines you received, but this offer is only available for one month after the shipment goes out. If you have any questions about this new Wine Club policy, please contact Ryan at ryan@signorelloestate.com or 707- 255-5990.

Social Media
Want to keep up with everything Signorello? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

HARVEST 2009 UPDATE
Harvest 2009 started for us on September 1st with the picking and crushing of Sauvignon Blanc. From there, we brought in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cab Franc and Zinfandel. However, the grand daddy of all grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, has yet to come in.

September and the first part of October have been a little unorthodox for us so far. Not that anything is wrong, we have just seen some really hot weather (speeding the sugar levels up) and really cool weather (slowing everything down). We have even had one night in October when it neared freezing temperatures.

As October progresses, we plan to bring in the rest of our crop. Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Syrah, and Semillon are still waiting to see time on our crush pad. Hopefully, it all should be in before a rainy November comes calling.

Check out some of our Harvest 2009 pictures!

Pierre pouring some "bubbly" into the first juice of the year for good luck!	The crew! If you see one of these guys while you are visiting, thank them for us.
More of our amazing crew hard at work.	The art of the triple sort! This is what makes our wine so pure. Nothing but grapes!

August 2009 Newsletter

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Greetings from the Napa Valley!
It is beginning to feel a lot like - HARVEST! We are just weeks away from the start of Harvest 2009. Some of the sparkling wine houses in the valley have already begun to bring in grapes and the energy is starting to get electric. Once we start, you will be able to smell it in the air.

25 years ago, we began our winery by custom crushing a few tons of Chardonnay grapes that were planted back in 1980. Thus began the tradition and history of Signorello Estate.

In honor of our 25th harvest, we have put together a very special shipment for you. Rarely do we have older vintages for sale, but we reached deep into our library and came up with a very special Chardonnay vertical. In this shipment, you are receiving 1 bottle each of:

- 2005 Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay Estate
- 2006 Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay Estate
- 2007 Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay Estate

This Vieilles Vignes (or old vine) Chardonnay is modeled after a Burgundian style Chardonnay. When very young, the Chardonnay is very fruit forward, but as it ages, the wine takes on a nuttier flavor of toasted bread. Perfect for pairing with food, we hope you enjoy these three vintages of our Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay Estate.

As a special bonus to celebrate our 25th harvest, we are giving away a magnum of 2006 Padrone to one lucky wine club member.

One bottle of Chardonnay will have a number or phrase written on its cork. Pop the bottle to see if you have won the magnum of our 2006 Padrone. To redeem, contact Ryan Shenk by calling (707) 255-5990 and we will ship out the bottle with your next order!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and please come visit us soon!

Cheers,
Ryan Shenk - Wine Club Manager

May 2009 Newsletter

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Greetings Wine Club Members!
It has been quite the Spring so far! We have seen about 7 nights of frost this year and so Pierre has been keeping busy in the vineyards, although not quite as busy as last year when there were 21 days of frost. The vineyards are blooming and the hills are looking green!

There are lots of exciting things happening here at the winery. We just started our ENOTECA SIGNORELLO program and will soon be starting our ITALIAN PIZZA SUNDAYS and KOBE AND CAB SATURDAYS, so make sure you check our website often to keep up with everything.

For now, ENJOY YOUR WINE!
Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

2006 Cabernet Franc: - This varietal is primarily used to give structure to the cabernet blends. However, it holds up on its own and has flavors of berries and vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $48, Wine Club price: $40.80.

2006 Merlot: - This complex wine offers an enticing blend of vanilla, black cherry, cedar and tobacco. Priced in our tasting room at $48, Wine Club price: $40.80

2006 Meta: - This Cabernet & Syrah blend (50/50) is a brand new wine made exclusively for the Wine Club. With flavors of raspberry, pepper and clove this is a perfect union between two grapes. Priced in the tasting room at $48, Wine Club price: $40.80

Calendar - 2009

June 4th - 7th
Auction Napa Valley 2009 - Join Signorello Estate at Taste Napa Valley on Friday, June 5th or join in the Live Auction fun on Saturday, June 6th! Go to www.napavintners.com for more information.

July 11th
4th Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast
$115 per person
If have had the chance to attend one of these Lobster Feasts in the past, you know that this is the party of the year. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a night of fun in the sun! The party will commence at 6:00pm on our patio terrace with a little vino. Dinner will include 1 1/2 lb lobsters flown in from Maine. We will also have some other special treats along with some prizes. RSVP now as spots are filling up FAST!

July 17th - 25th
Festival del Sole
MUSIC - FINE WINE AND CUISINE - ART - SPECTACULAR NAPA WINERIES AND ESTATES

Concerts featuring world renowned stars... Vintner's luncheons and gala dinners... Special wine tastings, art exhibitions... and more!

Visit the Napa Valley Festival del Sole website for Concert Tickets and VIP packages on sale now. Mention Signorello for a 15% discount!
www.fdsnapa.org
(888) 337-6272


SIGNORELLO ESTATE INTRODUCES
ENOTECA SIGNORELLO...

The new ENOTECA SIGNORELLO program elevates the tasting experience to the highest possible level, serving gourmet appetizers prepared by the estate chef in a seated, private salon setting alongside Signorello wines. "Whether our guests are home chefs or just love to eat, they want education about the subtle ways food enhances wine appreciation and how wine amplifies and compliments flavors in food to create a sublime pairing experience," observes Ray Signorello Jr., owner of Signorello Estate. "This is not a corporate experience," continues Signorello. "We are a family vineyard and welcome guests into a villa setting that best resembles a personal home."

Guests of the very personalized ENOTECA SIGNORELLO experience are entertained in one of two extraordinary venues - 1) the private, newly modeled Saloné del Padroné, a refined tasting salon; and 2) weather permitting, Terrazzo del Padroné, a private stone terrace featuring an infinity-edge pool overlooking the heart of Napa Valley.

The winery is closed to the general public Monday through Thursday, but is open exclusively to guests of ENOTECA SIGNORELLO twice a day by appointment only - at 11 AM and 2:30 PM. Specially trained wine sommeliers guide guests through an extraordinary, personalized journey of food and wine featuring current and library wines paired with Italian-inspired delights, featuring Snake River Farms American Wagyu (Kobe) beef.

Guests of the ENOTECA SIGNORELLO become educated on the Signorello Estate winemaking process, from the careful selection of grapes in the vineyard to the blending of wine in the bottle. Guests receive a personal tour of vineyards, barrels, tank and equipment rooms as part of the intensive educational program.

Guests will learn to distinguish how characteristics such as balance and acidity levels are critical in creating a successful food pairing. Signorello Estate is pleased to partner with Snake River Farms, the premier supplier of American Wagyu (Kobe) beef, for its ENOTECA SIGNORELLO experience. Known as the "best beef in America", the American Wagyu (Kobe) beef is served at some of the nation's best restaurants and top events and is a perfect complement to Signorello's Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignons.

ENOTECA SIGNORELLO reservations can be made by calling (707) 255-5990 or by emailing info@signorellovineyards.com. A credit card will be required to hold reservations. For more information, visit www.signorellovineyards.com.

The tasting lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours. Saloné del Padroné seats up to 10 guests and Terrazzo del Padroné can seat up to 14. Cost is $65 per person / $45 per person for Wine Club members.

February 2009 Newsletter

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Greetings Wine Club Members!
Is it really February already? Boy,how time flies when you're drinking wine. Right now, we are concentrating on pruning the vineyards and bottling wine. With bud break only a couple months away, we have to be ready for the season to begin. It would be nice to get some rain to prepare for the growing season, but we sure are enjoying the 70 + degree weather we have been having lately,

We are also excited about receiving a lot of REALLY great scores from some pretty influential wine writers. To name a few... Wine Enthusiast, 97 Points, 92 Points from Robert Parker and Wine Spectator, 93 Points all for the 05 Padrone. We are very thankful for this wave of good press.

For now, ride the wave with us and enjoy your wines. Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

2006 Luvisi Zinfandel - The ever popular zinfandel is back for a very limited time! With a little under 300 cases produced, this beauty will not be around long. It's ruby red color with hints of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and sweet oak will not disappoint all you Zin fans! Priced in our tasting room at $38, Wine Club price: $32.30

2006 Las Amigas Pinot Noir - This Burgundian style Pinot Noir has hints of vanilla and strawberry with notes of smoky French Oak and cherry. A well balanced and medium bodied wine with a long, lingering finish. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club price: $42.50

2006 Estate Syrah - This Rhone style Syrah has 3.7% Viognier blended in to give the wine a nice floral component of clove and lavender. This wine is well balanced and has very nice tannin structure. Priced in our tasting room at $42, Wine Club price: $35.70

Calendar - 2009

June 4 - 7th
Auction Napa Valley 2009 - Join Signorello Estate at Taste Napa Valley on Friday, June 5th or join in the Live Auction fun on Saturday, June 6th! Go to www.napavintners.com for more information.

July 11th
4th Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast - Mark your calendars now for the biggest Wine Club event of the year! Enjoy Signorello wines with fresh Maine Lobster on the beautiful patio overlooking the Napa Valley. Take advantage of our partnership with The Yountville Inn for special member pricing. Book now before the hotel fills up. (707) 944-5600 Cost for the Lobster Feast is $115 per person.

Signorello Estate wines have received awards of excellence, high scores and reviews that make their wines among Napa Valley's most consistently lauded in 2008.

Given the wide range of palates that exist among wine reviewers, this is a rare accomplishment. From the Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast to the Wine News, Decanter and The Wine Advocate (Robert Parker), the wine media was unanimous in their praise for the work of the winemaking team at Signorello Estate across all varietals.

The winery's highest scores were received by Signorello's flagship Cabernet, Padrone, which was named one of the top 10 wines in the world today. The winery's estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon Estate also received exceptional recognition. But the praise lavished on Signorello Estate was not limited to its red wine production. The estate-grown Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay Estate also received high marks and the Seta, a white Bordeaux-style blend, was among the best reviewed white wines in the United States. Proprietor Ray Signorello Jr. finds these reviews deeply gratifying. "These are the finest reviews received across the board in the history of the winery" notes Ray. "They speak volumes about our vision to produce the finest quality wines from our Estate as well as the talent and dedication of our winemaking team."

Pick up some of these wines today. They are selling quickly and will not be available much longer. Go to www.signorelloestate.com or call (707) 255-5990 to place your order. Remember, as a wine club member, you will always receive a 15% discount!

Introducing Enoteca Signorello
We are in the final stages of completing our new Private Tasting program here at the winery. We just finished building a private tasting room where we will host up to 10 people for a private Food & Wine pairing. Beginning at the end of February, we will transition to be by Appointment Only Monday thru Thursday to host these private tastings. Wine Club members, not to worry. As a member, you can still come up whenever you would like, you will just have to buzz in from the gate when you get here. We will also be starting up Kobe & Cab Saturdays and Italian Pizza Sundays once the weather gets a little nicer. More details to follow later for those two themed weekend days. We are really excited about the new program and look forward to sharing it with you. If you would like to book one of the new Private tastings, they will be held daily at 11:00am and 2:30pm. Price for Wine Club members is $45.

Limited Wine Club Wines still available
Last call for some of our exclusive wine club wines. We are almost sold out of the following wines. If you would like to revisit any of these fantastic wines, you had better jump on it now because there is not much left! To order, just call the winery or email Ryan Shenk at ryan@signorellovineyards.com. Remember, your 15% discount always applies! While Supplies Last!

- 2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2005 Estate Cabernet Franc
- 2005 East Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2005 Uvaggio
- 2004 and 2005 Estate Merlot
- 2007 Hope's Cuvee
- 2007 Viognier
- 2007 Vin Gris de Pinot Noir

December 2008 Newsletter

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Greetings Wine Club Members!
The Holidays are upon us and it is a great time in the Napa Valley! The weather is getting cooler and the valley is covered in colors of orange, yellow, and red. It is a beautiful site to see!

We have a very special Holiday shipment for you. Try them out with your holiday dinners as a perfect pairing with your Prime Rib, Ham or Venison. Please enjoy these wines as our Holiday shipment to you!

From everyone here at Signorello Estate Happy Holidays!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

Platinum Club & Reds Only Club
2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Our Signature wine opens to aromas of allspice and vanilla. The lush palate has flavors of currant and tobacco. Its long finish with integrated tannins and lush flavors will allow this wine to age for the next 15 years. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club price: $42.50

2006 Uvaggio - Uvaggio, which means "blend" in Italian, is a combination of 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot and 1/3 Cabernet Franc and it is to die for! It's Bordeaux style quality gives this wine an earthy feel with flavors of mulberry and hints of vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40

2006 East Hillside Block Cabernet Sauvignon - This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect compliment to our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A Wine Club exclusive wine, the fruit is sourced from a special block on the back side of our property. Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club Price: $37.40

Winery News 2008!

2005 Padrone receives 97 points from Wine Enthusiast
Each year we send out our wines for review. We recently learned that the 2005 Padrone received the BEST rating we have ever gotten. Here is what Steve Heimoff, noted wine editor and reviewer from the Wine Enthusiast, had to say about the wine.

"Signorello 2005 Padrone Proprietary Red Wine (Napa Valley), Marks a welcome return to the magnificence of the 2002, although more recent vintages haven't exactly been slouches. The '05 is amazing, a densely structured, deeply flavored Bordeaux blend that's mainly Cabernet Sauvignon. Shows classic notes of cassis, currants and black cherry liqueur, while 70% new oak add enticingly rich layers of sweet toast and smoky vanilla. The tannins are pure, classic Napa, very refined and ripe, offering solid structural support with no trace of astringency. Beautiful now, and should slowly develop for many years." - S.H.

Stock up on this wine now! It is surely not going to last long!
Wine Club pricing: $93.50 per bottle

Holiday Sale
As a Wine Club member, we are offering a special discount for the Holidays. It is our present to you!
Purchase 12 bottles or more of any of our wines and receive 20% off!
Feel free to mix or match any of our current release or Wine Club exclusive wines. Valid thru December 24th, 2007.

Il Padroné, A Tribute to Ray Signorello, Sr.
Raymond Signorello was born in San Francisco on March 22, 1936. He spent his youth attending St. Paul's Elementary School and St. Ignatius High School before graduating from the University of San Francisco with a degree in Business.

He married his wife Hope in 1962 and continued to settle in San Francisco before moving the family to Vancouver, B.C. in 1964.

Ray Signorello, Sr. and Chef Emeril Lagasse

Over the next 30 years, Ray became a prominent business man in Vancouver as well as a prominent winemaker in the Napa Valley, but that was not always to be. Ray had always dreamed of retiring in Napa and so in 1977, he purchased the property that would eventually become Signorello Estate. The original plan was to build a home at the top of the hill and live out his days in this beautiful valley. However, soon after purchasing the property, he was convinced to plant chardonnay grapes on the old horse ranch. At first, he sold the grapes to surrounding wineries, but in 1985 he decided to start making his own wine. Since that first vintage, he and Ray Jr. began building the brand that we all know and love today. As a world traveler, he was an ambassador for his wines.

March 22, 1936 - November 12, 1998

When Ray passed on November 12th, 1998, his family and friends gathered to celebrated his life. His friend Harlan Hughes paid tribute to him in a letter he wrote to Ray. Here is an excerpt from that letter.

"Ray's life was a vision that he lived to the fullest. Knowing him has made us all rich in a way that money never can. I count my wealth in friends like Ray; in people that make me feel love. Love is as close to God as we can get in life, for God is love. Ray was filled with love and inspired love in all of us. Now Ray is with God, yet his love remains within us."
- Harlan Hughes

He enjoyed every minute of life that was given to him. He will be remembered for his great zest for life, his passion for good food, great wine and great friends. Join us in celebrating Ray's life on this 10 year anniversary of his passing. We miss you Ray!

Out & About in the Napa Valley
Planning a trip to the Napa Valley? Here a couple of suggestions to make your visit better.

AKA Bistro: Napa Valley's newest restaurant is located in the heart of St. Helena on Main Street. Breathing life into the old Keller's Market building, this beautifully renovated restaurant is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a fabulous meal. To check out their menu, visit them online at www.akabistro.com or at 1320 Main St., St. Helena, California 707-967-8111 for reservations.

Cristal Blue Carriage: A great way to see the Napa Valley (and not have to worry about driving) is to book your own limousine tour. Chris and Bill at Cristal Blue Carriage specialize in visiting small, boutique wineries like Signorello Estate. Let them show you the lesser known wineries in the valley and be treated like Royalty! To book a tour, visit them online at www.cristalbluecarriage.com or give them a call at 707-927-3141.

The Yountville Inn: Receive special "Wine Club Member" pricing when you book your Napa Valley stay at the Yountville Inn. Located in Yountville, California, the hotel is walking distance to many famous restaurants and features fireplaces in all rooms as well as indoor spa services. For reservations, visit them online at www.yountvilleinn.com or call 707-944-5600.

October 2008 Newsletter

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Greetings Wine Club Members!
Fall is officially here and the harvest has begun! The summer went by so fast, it seems like last week was Memorial Day and the summer was just beginning. Nonetheless, it has been an exciting summer. The 3rd Annual Lobster Feast was a huge success and I know you are already thinking of next year's feast.

We consider this Wine Club shipment to be our Thanksgiving shipment. Basically what this means is that we strive to send you wines that would be perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner. I hope you enjoy these perfectly paired wines with your Holiday meals!

Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

Platinum Club
2007 Hope's Cuvee - This highly exclusive Reserve Chardonnay opens to apple and pear exhibiting an extra dimension of depth that the Estate Chardonnay does not possess; with hints of spice and cinnamon. Priced in our tasting room at $60, Wine Club price: $51

2007 Vin Gris de Pinot Noir - This rose has a brilliant salmon color and has flavors of strawberries and cherries with hints of vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $28, Wine Club price: $23.80

2006 Hyde Pinot Noir - This Reserve Burgundian style Pinot Noir presents hints of cherry and anise followed by smoky French Oak and berry aromas. This well balanced wine has a silky mouth feel with layers of berries, vanilla and oak spiciness. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club Price: $42.50

Reds Only Club
2006 Merlot - This complex wine offers an enticing blend of vanilla, black cherry, cedar and tobacco Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40

2006 Meta - This Cabernet & Syrah blend (50 / 50) is a brand new wine made exclusively for the Wine Club. With flavors of raspberry, pepper and clove, this is a perfect union between two grapes. Priced in the tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40

2006 Hyde Pinot Noir - This Reserve Burgundian style Pinot Noir presents hints of cherry and anise followed by smoky French Oak and berry aromas. This well balanced wine has a silky mouth feel with layers of berries, vanilla and oak spiciness. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club Price: $42.50

Calendar of Events - 2008!

Mark your calendars:

Saturday, October 18 - Kobe & Cab Harvest Party 12 - 4pm
This celebration of the 2008 Harvest will include Snake River Farms Kobe beef burgers and hors d'oeurvres prepared by our winery Chef. $50 for members RSVP today!

Saturday & Sunday, November 8th and 9th - Silverado Trail Silver Pass weekend.
You know you can taste here for free, but how many other wineries have you tried on the Silverado Trail? For just $40 (Sat. only) or $60 (Sat. & Sun.), you can taste wine at any of the participating wineries on the Silverado Trail. This is your excuse to try some new wineries you may not have been to before!

Signorello Estate Update
The 2008 Harvest is officially upon us! The spring started with 21 long nights of frost (normally we average 4 nights). We also had a freak cow incident where some cows wandered into our vineyard and decided to help themselves to some vines. However, the rest of spring was great - not too hot, not too cool. Then, the summer was average with only two late heat waves. Veraison was right on schedule at the end of July. Picking started the first week of September and we have been going steady since then. To this date, we have brought in Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon,Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel , Cabernet Franc and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. We should finish out the season with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon by the middle of October.

It all starts in the vineyard. Carlos is picking very early in the morning.	Grapes are picked into small bins to insure berries stay whole and don't crush their own weight.	Grapes are then loaded onto a conveyor belt for sorting prior to the de-stemmer.

The crew sorts the grapes that have come out of the de-stemmer.	Our Vineyard Foreman, Carlos Vasquez, relaxes after a long day of picking (starting at 2am) and crushing. Time for a little siesta before the whole thing starts over again the next day.

Out & About in the Napa Valley
Planning a trip to the Napa Valley? Here a couple of suggestions to make your visit better.

Napa Valley Adventure Tours: This unique and personalized wine country adventure takes you to the vineyards and beyond. Specializing in hiking tours, biking tours, kayaking tours, mountain climbing adventures and off the beaten path van tours, the team at Napa Valley Adventure Tours will show you a side of Napa Valley that not many get to see! They are located at the Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa (610 First St. #10). To book your adventure call toll free (877) 548-6877 or visit www.napavalleyadventuretours.com.

Firewood Cafe: Located next to Whole Foods in Napa, this casual dining restaurant specializes in Californian/Mediterranean cuisine at an affordable price. Using fresh, local and authentic ingredients, the food is simply prepared and really TASTY! I recommend the prosciutto pizza or the baked rigatoni. These two dishes will make you want to come back to try everything else on the menu. Visit them online at www.firewoodcafe.com or at 3824 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa, CA (707) 224-9660,

Balloon Rides Above the Napa Valley: Want a unique way to see the Napa Valley? Try a balloon ride from either Balloons Above the Valley (www.balloonrides.com or toll free 800.464.6824) or Napa Valley Balloons (www.napavalleyballoons.com or toll free at 800.253.2224). There is no better way to see Napa than from 1500 feet above the valley floor!

August 2008 Newsletter

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Greetings from the Napa Valley!

This summer is just flying by. It is already August and that means we are just a few weeks away from Harvest 2008, a very exciting time to be in the valley!

After having to deal with a long frost and some rogue cows (that like to munch on vines), we have survived the rest of the growing season with only a few days of heat. Despite the early set backs, it has been a relatively mellow year and so the 2008 vintage looks to be good one.

Thank you to all who came to the 3rd Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast. It was a lot of fun and we look forward to the 4th annual feast. We are currently in the planning stages for a Cabernet Release party sometime during the month of September. Look for more details to follow very soon!

For the very first time, we have made a Wine Club Members only white wine. It is the 2007 Viognier and it is tasting extremely good. Pierre really out did himself on this one! We made a very limited quantity of this wine, so get your re-orders in early. It is not going to last long! This shipment includes 2 bottles of both the 2007 Viognier and the perennial favorite, 2007 Seta. Contact Ryan at 707-255-5990 or ryan@signorellovineyards.com for re-orders of either of these wines or any one of the many other wines we have available.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and please come visit us soon!

Cheers,
Ryan Shenk - Wine Club Manager

2007 Viognier
This 100% Estate grown wine has a nose full of local honey, honeysuckle and apricots and then emerges with hints of jasmine and lychee. The uncommonly luscious body of our Viognier is brightened by thoughtful crispness where similar aromas arrive on the palate with hints of coriander.

Retail price: $28.00 - Wine Club Member price: $23.80

2007 Seta
Seta, meaning silk in Italian, is our proprietary white Bordeaux style wine. This full bodied wine with a spicy nose offering hints of melon, nectarine and passion fruit is balanced by the rich vanilla and mineral overtones. The complexity of this unique blend allows it to be versatile with a wide variety of foods.

Retail price: $28.00 - Wine Club Member price: $23.80

May 2008 Newsletter

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Greetings Wine Club Members!
It has been quite the Spring so far! We saw bud break at the middle of March and Pierre has been up most nights fighting off the frost ever since. We had a lot of fun with some wine club members at the Pizza Party on April 19th.

Look for some more fun this summer with the 3rd Annual Lobster Feast on July 19th and I am sure we will throw in a couple of extra parties for you to enjoy. There are lots of exciting things happening here at the winery, so make sure you check our website often to keep up with everything. For now, ENJOY YOUR WINE! Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

Platinum Club
2005 Padrone - The reticent nose opens to blackberry, vanilla, smoky cedar, tobacco and hints of black plum. The lush, full-bodied palate continues with flavors of boysenberry, loganberry and hints of baked rhubarb. The long and lingering finish is accentuated by the young, integrated tannins. Priced in our tasting room at $110. Wine Club price: $93.50

2005 "Vieilles Vignes" Estate Chardonnay - The nose on this old vine chardonnay opens with intense tropical fruit, toast and mineral aromas. Rich, fruit flavors, especially of apple and pear enhance the lush palate. French oak provides a touch of spice with hints of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. A bright apple-like crispness balances these silky, toasty layers. Priced in our tasting room at $42. Wine Club Price: $35.70

Reds Only Club
2005 Padrone - The reticent nose opens to blackberry, vanilla, smoky cedar, tobacco and hints of black plum. The lush, full-bodied palate continues with flavors of boysenberry, loganberry and hints of baked rhubarb. The long and lingering finish is accentuated by the young, integrated tannins. Priced in our tasting room at $110. Wine Club price: $93.50

2005 Cabernet Franc - This varietal is primarily used to give structure to the cabernet blends. However, it holds up on its own and has flavors of berries and vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $44. Wine Club price: $37.40

Winery News - 2008!
Signorello Estate and Snake River Farms announces the Kobe & Cab Club. By joining, you will receive 3 annual shipments of our Cabernet based wines along with specially selected cuts of Kobe Wagyu beef. Email Ryan at the winery for more details!

Calendar - 2008
3rd Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast
July 19th, 2008 - $115 per person

If have had the chance to attend one of these Lobster Feasts in the past, you know that this is the party of the year. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a night of fun in the sun! The party will commence at 5:30pm on our patio terrace with a little vino. Dinner will include 1 1/2 lb lobsters flown in from Maine. We will also have some other special treats along with some prizes. RSVP now as spots are filling up FAST!

Get to know your Tasting Room Manager - Kathy Wood
Born and raised here in the Napa Valley, Kathy is a true local. She remembers growing up in the Napa Valley when there were only a total of 10 wineries. Now, Kathy is enjoying the high life at Signorello Estate. She originally came to the winery in 1998, but then left in 2000. After a brief stint at another winery, she came back in 2003 and has been here ever since.

As the Tasting Room Manager, Kathy oversees everything having to do with the tasting room. She is always tasting the wine to make sure it is good for all our wine club members and orders and re-orders all the clothing and merchandise. She is also instrumental in helping with private events, wine club parties and the everyday doings of the winery.

Kathy is a self proclaimed "Hostess with the Mostess". She enjoys entertaining and frequently hosts her friends for dinner and wine parties on her ranch. She also loves to garden her 1 acre plot of vegetables, making her own wine with friends, raising her chickens, playing with her grand babies and just being silly.

Kathy has been married to her husband Jim for 15 years. Jim and his father own the oldest vineyard management company in the valley. As one of the original partners in the re-opening of Freemark Abby in 1963, Kathy's father-in-law is one of the most highly regarded wine personalities in the Napa Valley. Kathy and Jim have a total of 6 children and 4 grandchildren. They have called the Napa Valley home for, well, all their lives.

You know her. You love her. Come say HI to her next time you are in the Napa Valley!

Snake River Farms Partnership
Well, you are all aware of our partnership with this fabulous supplier of American Kobe Wagyu Beef and now, as a Bacchus Society Wine Club member, you are able to receive a 10% discount on Snake River Farms' products. Visit www.snakeriverfarms.com to check out their products. Upon checkout, enter the Signorello Wine Club discount code CU91F2EO to receive 10% off your purchase. This code is good through January 1, 2009. For more information, you can contact Ryan Shenk at ryan@signorellovineyards.com.

Yountville Inn Partnership
I know you are already thinking about the 3rd Annual Lobster Feast and were wondering where to stay. Well, now you have an "in" at the Yountville Inn in Yountville, CA. Just a short drive from Signorello, the Yountville Inn offers Fieldstone fireplaces in every room, heated outdoor pool & spa as well as a variety of world class restaurants within walking distance.
The Details: Receive $50 off room rates, seven days a week. Just mention to the reservationists that you are a Signorello Wine Club member and they will take care of you from there. Call (707) 944.5600 or visit their website www.yountvilleinn.com to make your reservation

February 2008 Newsletter

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Greetings Wine Club Members!
Is it really February already? Boy, how time flies when you're drinking wine. This time of year is rather slow for us due to all the rain we have been getting lately, it seems like it has rained 3 times as much as last year already. That said, we have had some exciting things happen over the last two months. We have welcomed a new family member to Signorello Estate, received a fantastic score from Robert Parker and had a wonderful staff Christmas party at Meadowood.

As the weather begins to make a turn for the better, look for more and more events up here at Signorello. Mark your calendars now for the 3rd Annual Lobster Feast in July! So for now, enjoy your wines! Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

Platinum Club
2006 Luvisi Zinfandel - The ever popular zinfandel is back for a very limited time! With a little under 300 cases produced, this beauty will not be around long. It's ruby red color with hints of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and sweet oak will not disappoint all you Zin fans! Priced in our tasting room at $38. Wine Club price: $32.30

2005 Merlot - This complex wine offers an enticing blend of vanilla, black cherry, cedar and tobacco Priced in our tasting room at $44. Wine Club price: $37.40

2005 Cabernet Franc - This varietal is primarily used to give structure to the cabernet blends. However, it holds up on its own and has flavors of berries and vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $44. Wine Club price: $37.40

Reds Only Club
2006 Luvisi Zinfandel - The ever popular zinfandel is back for a very limited time! With a little under 300 cases produced, this beauty will not be around long. It's ruby red color with hints of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and sweet oak will not disappoint all you Zin fans! Priced in our tasting room at $38. Wine Club price: $32.30

2006 Las Amigas Pinot Noir - This Burgundian style Pinot Noir has hints of vanilla and strawberry with notes of smoky French Oak and cherry. A well balanced and medium bodied wine with a long, lingering finish. Priced in our tasting room at $42. Wine Club price: $35.70

2006 Estate Syrah - This Rhone style Syrah has 3.7% Viognier blended in to give the wine a nice floral component of clove and lavender. This wine is well balanced and has very nice tannin structure. Priced in our tasting room at $38. Wine Club price: $32.30

Winery News - 2008!

It's a Boy! Sophia Tsilimigras-Hendricks, our National Sales Manager, and her husband Paul had a beautiful baby boy born on Saturday, February 2nd at 4:14am. Ilyas John Tsilimigras-Hendricks is 7lbs 1oz. Both mom and baby are doing great!

2005 Estate Syrah receives 90 points from Robert Parker Very limited supply left!

Calendar - 2008

April 19th - Wine Club Pizza Party

July 19th - 3rd Annual Wine Club Lobster Feast

Get to know your Wine Club Manager - Ryan Shenk

Born and raised here in the Napa Valley, Ryan is a graduate of Justin-Siena High School. Looking for a little break from small town Napa, Ryan moved to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly and study Architecture. Working his way through school, Ryan fell into the restaurant and hospitality industry working at Woodstock's Pizza, and took a new career path, managing restaurants. Working full time at a busy restaurant would prove hard on school, but he would end up earning a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

Iron Chef winner Beau MacMillan with Ryan Shenk at a dinner here at the winery during Auction Napa Valley 2007

In 2002, he moved back to Napa to work with the Napa Valley Marriott as their Food and Beverage Manager for a year and a half. Not stopping there, he obtained a management position at Martini House, up valley in St. Helena. A year later, Ryan was looking for a change of pace and found a niche here at Signorello Estate in 2006. Doing his part to keep the winery on track, Ryan has an array of responsibilities as Director of Marketing, which includes all advertising, website design, shipping and your favorite, Wine Club Manager.

Away from work, Ryan enjoys his favorite movies, playing golf, dining at the plethora of Napa Valley restaurants, and being an ever faithful San Francisco 49ers fan! He also likes to travel and particularly likes attending the Winter Olympics every four years.

Ryan's family continues to reside here in the valley as well. His father Ed is retired Vice President of Student Services at Napa Valley Junior College. Mother, Sue Dee, is the Director of Napa Valley Community Housing. His brother, Travis, currently lives in Chico, and is a recent graduate of Chico State College, with a degree in International Business.

Snake River Farms Partnership
Well, you are all aware of our partnership with this fabulous supplier of American Kobe (Wagyu) Beef and now, as a Bacchus Society Wine Club member, you are able to receive a 10% discount on Snake River Farms' products. Visit www.snakeriverfarms.com to check out their products. Upon checkout, enter the Signorello Wine Club discount code CU91F2EO to receive 10% off your purchase. This code is good through January 1, 2009. For more information, you can contact Ryan Shenk at ryan@signorellovineyards.com.

Limited Wine Club Wines still available
We have some very limited quantities left of these wines still in stock. If you would like to revisit any of these fantastic wines, you had better jump on it now because there is not much left! To order, just call the winery or shoot Ryan Shenk an email at ryan@signorellovineyards.com. Remember, your 15% discount always applies! While Supplies Last!

- 2001 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (375ml)
- 2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2004 Estate Merlot
- 2004 Estate Cabernet Franc
- 2005 "Hudson Vineyard" Pinot Noir
- 2006 Hope's Cuvee

December 2007 Newsletter

Click here to download PDF

Greetings Wine Club Members!
The Holidays are upon us and it is a great time in the Napa Valley! The weather is getting cooler and the colors in the vineyards have changed. The valley is covered in colors of orange, yellow, and red. It is a beautiful site to see!

We have a very special Holiday shipment for you. For the first time ever, we have created two wines that we have never done before and we did it just for you! Try them out with your holiday dinners as a perfect pairing with your Prime Rib, Ham or Roast Beef. As our Holiday gift to you, ENJOY!

So from everyone here at Signorello Estate, Happy Holidays!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

Platinum Club & Reds Only Club
2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - The newest edition of our Signature wine opens to aromas of all spice and vanilla. The lush palate has flavors of currant and tobacco. Its long finish with integrated tannins and lush flavors will allow this wine to age for the next 15 years. Priced in our tasting room at $48, Wine Club price: $40.80

2005 Uvaggio - Uvaggio, which means blend in Italian, is our newest Wine Club exclusive wine. This blend of 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot and 1/3 Cabernet Franc is to die for! It's Bordeaux style quality gives this wine an earthy feel with flavors of mulberry and hints of vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40

2005 East Hillside Block Cabernet Sauvignon - This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect compliment to our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A Wine Club exclusive wine, the fruit is sourced from a special block on the back side of our property. Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club Price: $37.40

Winery News - 2007!

New Labels

You may have noticed some new changes with the labels on all our newly labeled wines. We have decided to go with an updated design for our wine bottles and we love the new look!

Holiday Sale

As a Wine Club member, we are offering a special discount for the Holidays. It is our present to you!

Purchase 6 bottles or more of any of our wines and receive 20% off!

Feel free to mix or match any of our current release or Wine Club exclusive wines. Valid thru December 24th, 2007

New Member of the Signorello Family

At the beginning of December, a new person joined the Signorello Family. Stop by and say hi to Nicole Kuhn when you are in the valley!

New Winery Dogs book

If you have visited the tasting room lately, you may have seen our dog Bandit in the first edition of the Napa Valley Winery dogs book. Well, the author of the book visited recently to take pictures of our newest puppy, Zizou, for her next edition. Look for the second edition on sale in January!

Get to know our newest Family member - Nicole Kuhn

Hailing from New Hartford, NY, Nicole comes to us with quite the impressive resume. After graduating in 2005 from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park with a Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management in Culinary Arts, she came to the C.I.A. at Greystone in St. Helena to earn a certificate as a Certified Wine Professional. She has already mastered the art of cooking, now she has set out to master the art of wine. After receiving her certificate in May 2007, her plan was to become a Sommelier. She soon realized she was not ready to go back into restaurants just yet and instead plans to focus on hospitality and education in both wine and food. Who better to educate people about the complimentary aspects of food & wine? We can't think of anyone! This is why she is the perfect fit for us here at Signorello Estate!

Nicole's parents are back in New Hartford. Her mother, Anne, is in graphic design and her father, Mark, is a contractor. Her younger sister, Taylor, lives in Manhattan and works for Pearl Fisher; a company that does product design. She has called the Napa Valley home since last March and when she is not enjoying bubbles from Schramsberg, she is throwing dinner parties for her friends, creating the perfect food & wine pairings, traveling, or staying at home to knit and crochet. She also likes to live the ultimate Napa Valley experience by trying all that Napa has to offer!

SIGNORELLO Estate Update

Well, the 2007 Harvest is officially over! It was a great year because the weather decided to cooperate. Although we did have some heat spikes at the end of August, it was pretty uneventful in terms of weather. That makes for a good year. Now, the leaves are starting to fall off the vines and they go dormant until bud break in the spring. Finally finished with the fermentation process, we are now getting ready to bottle some of our 2006 red wines: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Syrah.

Dear Pierre,

You've heard of Dear Abby, this is Winery Dictionary with the Winemaker. Send us your questions!
What is "grafting"? This is the horticultural practice of uniting two plants to grow as one. We use this process in the vineyards to change varietals. For example, if you have a healthy merlot vine, but want to change to a cabernet vine, you can choose to graft a cabernet vine to the merlot rootstock. It is a less expensive way to change varietals and is usually done in mid - late April.
What is the difference between French and American oak? Typically, French oak barrels contribute gentler, more integrated oak and vanilla character while American oak barrels give wine a strong, oak aroma, creamy character, and vanilla and dill flavors as well as slightly coarse tannins. Wine is also more likely to breathe through French oak barrels than American oak barrels. Barrels made from American oak were originally produced for the Bourbon industry and until recently, only Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel could stand up to the aggressive aromas and flavors.
Where does the Cabernet Sauvignon grape originally come from? Thought to have spontaneously cross-bread in the 17th century, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape came to California in 1820's and is spawned from the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

October 2007 Newsletter

Greetings Wine Club Members!
Wow, another summer has passed! It is amazing how fast time flies. We have done a lot of fun things in the Wine Club...Pizza parties, Lobster Feasts, and a Release party. Over the last 12 months, we have met a lot of new faces and said goodbye to some old ones, but all in all, we have been having fun and I plan to keep that going! Please stop by and see us when you have some time. We LOVE to see our members!

We consider this Wine Club shipment to be our Thanksgiving shipment. Basically what this means is that we strive to send you wines that would be perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner. I hope you enjoy these perfectly paired wines with your Holiday meals! Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

Platinum Club
2006 Hope's Cuvee - This highly exclusive Reserve Chardonnay opens to apple and pear exhibiting an extra dimension of depth that the Estate Chardonnay does not possess; with hints of spice and cinnamon. Priced in our tasting room at $60, Wine Club price: $51

2006 Vin Gris de Pinot Noir - This rose has a brilliant salmon color and has flavors of strawberries and cherries with hints of vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $28, Wine Club price: $23.80

2005 Hudson Pinot Noir - This Reserve Burgundian style Pinot Noir presents hints of cherry and anise followed by smoky French Oak and berry aromas. This well balanced wine has a silky mouth feel with layers of berries, vanilla and oak spiciness. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club Price: $42.50

Reds Only Club
2005 Merlot - This complex wine offers an enticing blend of vanilla, black cherry, cedar and tobacco Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40

2005 Cabernet Franc - This varietal is primarily used to give structure to the cabernet blends. However, it holds up on its own and has flavors of berries and vanilla. Priced in our tasting room at $44, Wine Club price: $37.40

2005 Hudson Pinot Noir - This Reserve Burgundian style Pinot Noir presents hints of cherry and anise followed by smoky French Oak and berry aromas. This well balanced wine has a silky mouth feel with layers of berries, vanilla and oak spiciness. Priced in our tasting room at $50, Wine Club Price: $42.50

Calendar of Events - 2007!

Mark your calendars:
- Saturday, October 13 - Kobe & Cab Harvest Party 12 - 4pm. This celebration of the 2007 Harvest will include live music by Alvon and Snake River Kobe beef burgers and hors d'oeurvres prepared by our winery Chef. $40 for members RSVP today!

- Saturday & Sunday, November 10th and 11th - Silverado Trail Silver Pass weekend. You know you can taste here for free, but how many other wineries have you tried on the Silverado Trail? For just $20 (Sat. only) or $30 (Sat. & Sun.), you can taste wine at any of the participating wineries on the Silverado Trail. This is your excuse to try some new wineries you may not have been to before!

SIGNORELLO Estate Update

The 2007 Harvest is officially upon us! A late heat spike at the end of August pushed the start of harvest up by about 3 weeks. At that time, we were able to pick Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. With a cooling trend that followed shortly there after, the picking came to a crashing halt. It was not until the last day of September that we were able to resume picking again. Now, we are back on track for the harvest season. Next up to come off the vine are Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Cabernet Franc and of course Cabernet Sauvignon!

Dear Pierre,
You've heard of Dear Abby, this is Winery Dictionary with the Winemaker. Send us your questions!
What is "fining"? This is the process for clarifying wine. You replace the traditional filtration process and introduce a fining agent instead to separate the naturally occurring proteins from the wine. Egg whites are commonly used to collect these proteins. After settling to the bottom, the egg whites, along with the proteins, are then fully removed. An older method, not used anymore, is sheep's blood.
What is the difference between Syrah and Shiraz? This question goes back to the origins of the grape itself. It is widely believed that the grape originated in the Shiraz Valley in Iran. However, some believe it originally came from France. Countries that associate themselves with England typically call this grape Shiraz. This is why growers in say, Australia, call the grape Shiraz. Most other growers in the world call it Syrah.
What it is meant when you "rack" a wine? Racking is a process used during aging. Barrels are racked during this process to clean out the sediment that settles to the bottom of a barrel. The wine is transferred to an empty barrel so that the dirty barrel can be washed. Each barrel is racked 4 times over the course of the aging process.

August 2007 Newsletter

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2006 SETA RELEASED
At the beginning of August, we officially released the 2006 Seta to the Wine Club. In order to ensure the Wine Club had first dibs to this beautifully crafted wine of 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, we sent out a mini shipment of two bottles to the Platinum Club members. However, due to the scorching temperatures this country has seen this summer, your wine might be currently being held for weather holds. This is in part due to keep shipping costs down and making sure your wine arrives to you the way our Winemaker, Pierre Birebent, intends. Don't worry, your Seta is in safe hands and as soon as Mother Nature allows, we will get your wine to you! If you are on our will call list, it is ready for pick up anytime!

UPCOMING EVENTS

SoCal's Hottest Summer Duet ..... Bistro 45 is the perfect pairing with Signorello Estate! Monday, August 27 ~ 6:30pm

Signorello Estate's Winemaker Pierre Birebent makes a truly rare appearance outside the winery to host a very special evening with a sensational menu of food and wine prepared by none other than the Bistro 45 brass itself - Robert Simon, proprietor and his Executive Chef Damon Brady. For those of you unfamiliar with Bistro 45, this Pasadena culinary landmark is not to be missed. In its 17 year history, this Southern California treasure has earned the highest honors from Wine Spectator, Zagat, Gourmet Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler - but if you know Robert, you'll know that he's most proud of the reviews of his loyal customers that keep coming back and follow him and Chef Brady like groupies at a Stone's concert! From their mutual beginnings, Robert and winery founder Ray Signorello Sr. himself created an instant bond, one characterized by their equaled passion for the art of food and wine and their unrelenting love of life - this is the spirit that is the foundation for a truly special evening not to be missed.

Join Winemaker Pierre Birebent as he takes you on a journey through Chef Damon's specially prepared menu which will include five courses and six wines from Signorello Estate for $85 per person.

Bistro 45 is located at 45 S. Mentor Ave in Pasadena, CA

To make reservations please call Bistro 45 at 626.795.2478 or email bistro45@earthlink.com - seriously worth your time!

Please visit www.signorelloestate.com/napa-valley-winery-events.html or www.bistro45.com/Events/events.html for more details!

Interactive Culinary Class
Saturday, September 22nd, 10:45am - 2:30pm

Signorello Estate is known for its award-winning Estate wines. While these wines can easily be enjoyed by the glass in our tasting room, we invite guests to a complete food and wine experience with our interactive culinary class.

Please join us on Saturday, September 22nd for a very special "Harvest Cuisine" class. Don't miss out on the excitement of harvest this year! Sign up now as space is limited!

Course Features:
2 1/2 hours of hands on instruction
3-course gourmet meal paired with Signorello Estate wines
Personalized menus
Full wine-pairing & recipe set
Signorello Estate apron included

The cost is $160 /person + tax ~ Wine Club Members: $145 / person + tax

Please RSVP to Elan Fayard / elan@signorellovineyards.com or Kate Mallam / kate@signorellovineyards.com 707.255.5990

Napa Valley's Acclaimed Signorello Estate and Snake River Farms Present Kobe & Cabernet, An Ultimate Culinary Luxury
Thursday, September 27th, 7:00pm

Vintner Ray Signorello, Jr. of Signorello Estate and Jay Theiler of Snake River Farms invite you to enjoy a luxurious menu created by Executive Chef Ashley James of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, featuring Snake River Farms and specially selected wines from Signorello Estate.

Dinners like this do not come around often! If you would like to dine on some of the world's most succulent beef paired with some of the best Napa Valley wines, please call 310.385.4950 for reservations.

Price is $185 per person; includes tax and gratuity

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
300 South Doheny Drive
Los Angeles, CA

2007 Harvest Party - Save the date!
Saturday, October 13th, 12:00 - 4:00pm

We are currently planning a fun party to celebrate the most exciting time of year, the 2007 HARVEST! Please save the date for this once a year party to celebrate another good season. Join us for a BBQ featuring Snake River Farms Kobe beef and Kurobuta pork.

Harvest will still be in full swing, so come witness the first step in the winemaking process....while feasting on good food and great wine!

More details to follow...

Please RSVP to Ryan Shenk / ryan@signorellovineyards.com or 707.255.5990

Silverado Trail semi-annual Silver Pass Weekend
November 10th and 11th

Each year, the Silverado Trail association and its member wineries get together to sponsor the semi-annual Silver Pass weekend. Guests to the Napa Valley can purchase tickets for this event for $20 (Saturday only) or $30 for the entire weekend. Ticket holders may visit any one of the participating wineries for free tastings, food & wine pairings, and other special offerings.

Save the date!

IN THE VINEYARD
As we get ready for the Harvest Season, we are very pleased with the season thus far. It has been a good year! Although we did not get much rain during the winter, the grapes were able to flourish. The temperatures of summers past did not burden the vines and kept everything on a pretty consistent growth path.

The Sauvignon Blanc will be the first vines picked for the Signorello Estate harvest season. At 24 brix (we usually pick between 24.5 - 25 brix), we are within days of bringing in the first grapes. Then, it is off and running for the next two months as we bring in and crush Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Viognier and Semillon (not in that order). Although we do not actually grow the Pinot Noir and Zinfandel grapes here on the estate, we will be crushing that fruit as well. Once the fruit is harvested, the white grapes will be de-stemmed, triple sorted, crushed, pressed and then put into neutral oak barrels to begin their cold fermentation period (2 - 3 months).

The red wines will take a very different path. They will also be de-stemmed , triple sorted, and crushed, but then they will go into the large fermentation tanks you see in the parking lot for a 25 - 35 day maceration period. This is the process where the juice and skins are constantly in contact to give color, flavor and character to the wine. During this period, we pump over the juice three times per day to increase the skin contact. Pumping over is literally pumping the juice from the bottom of the skins to the top of the skins. Once the maceration period is over, the wine is then transferred to French and American oak barrels to age for anywhere from 16 to 24 months.

Please feel free to visit the winery anytime and witness this awe inspiring process!

VISIT US
We're open daily from 10:30am - 5:00pm for sales and tastings. We do offer private tours and tastings by appointment, but remember that as a Wine Club member, you are welcome to use the patio for a picnic lunch or just enjoy the view with a bottle of wine! If you cannot make it to the winery, but would still like to enjoy more Signorello wines, please visit our website www.signorellovineyards.com or call 707.255.5990.

May 2007 Newsletter

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Greetings Wine Club Members!
The year 2007 has started out with a bang! We are slowly starting to plan more and more fun events for all you wine club members. Keep checking the website and emails about some of these spontaneous events that tend to "just happen"!

Most of you have heard by now, but I have taken over the Wine Club for Bruce. I have met many of you before as I have been working here at the winery for over a year now, but I look forward to making the wine club even more fun.

For this month's club shipment, I wanted to do something a little special. I am sending you 3 bottles total, but one is the '03 Cab and one is the '04 Cab. This way, you have a very good opportunity to taste two different vintages, side by side, to compare the differences. While Pierre thinks the '04 could be his best vintage ever, the '03 has really turned into an award winning wine! Let me know what you think! Cheers!
- Ryan Shenk, Wine Club Manager

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - The reticent nose opens to black currant, vanilla and hints of cedar. The lush full-bodied palate continues with flavors of ripe cassis, vanilla and hints of tobacco. The long and intense finish is accentuated by the young velvety tannins. Priced in our tasting room at $40, Wine Club price: $34

2004 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Our signature wine is chocolate colored and opens to coco bean, allspice and vanilla. The lush, full-bodied palate continues with flavors of black currant and hints of tobacco. This wine's incredible balance and long finish is accentuated by its integrated tannins and lush flavors. Priced in our tasting room at $40, Wine Club price: $34

2005 Estate Syrah - The 4% Viognier co-fermented with the Syrah adds a nice floral component of clove and lavender. This well balanced, medium-bodied wine has very nice tannins that lead into flavors of roasted coffee, pepper, vanilla and mulberry. Priced in our tasting room at $36, Wine Club price: $30.60

Summer Events - 2007!

Mark your calendars, because we have some absolutely fun events coming up over the course of the next couple months.

- Saturday, June 23 - '04 Cabernet Release Party: 11-4pm Free for wine club members! We will be tasting the '03 and '04 cabs as well as some '05 Cab barrel samples. We will also have some Italian hors d' oeuvres and maybe even a demonstration of how to build a wine barrel. RSVP today!
- Saturday, July 21- Lobster Feast You know the drill! $110 per person. Starts at 5:30 pm on the patio.
- Saturday, August 18 - Kobe & Cab Dinner: Yes, this is the 1st annual Kobe $ Cab dinner! $145 person. Starts at 5:30pm on the patio. Space is filling up fast! RSVP today!

Get to know your Vineyard Foreman - Carlos Vasquez

Next to Ray Signorello, Carlos is the longest lasting employee here at Signorello Estate. He was 14 years old in 1986 when he came to the Napa Valley from Tancitaro, Michoacan, Mexico. He worked at Beringer Winery before joining the Signorello team in 1989.

Carlos is basically Pierre's right hand man when it comes to all aspects of production. He oversees everything that happens in the vineyards and directs his crew of up to 20 people on multiple tasks both during the growing season and during harvest. He is also the unofficial Cellar Master of the winery. During various times of the year, Carlos will be found in the barrel room or caves racking the wines and making sure the wine stays in pristine condition during the aging process. Carlos calls Napa home, but still travels to his home town in Mexico once a year. He has been happily married to his wife Lidia for 13 years. They have 2 boys, Brian and Julian, who love to play soccer.

SIGNORELLO Estate Update

The start of the 2007 growing season started on March 15 as bud break was a little early this year. The mustard that populates the valley during the months of January - March have gone away and so the valley is in full bloom with green vines as far as the eye can see. We are currently in the process of suckering…the process of cutting off any unwanted vine stems. We have also been tucking the vines up with wire so that the vines grow into a very nice looking canopy. Although it has not rained nearly as much as last year by this time, we are looking at a wonderful 2007 season!

Dear Pierre,
You've heard of Dear Abby, this is Winery Dictionary with the Winemaker. Send us your questions!
What is the difference between barrel and tank fermentation? During the maceration period, the red wines are fermented in steel tanks because of the grape skins that stay in contact with the juice for up to 35 days. The white wines are fermented in oak barrels because there are no skins on the juice.
What are native yeasts? Native yeasts are naturally occurring yeasts that help transfer the sugar into alcohol. Other wineries add yeast to the wine to speed up this process.
What is that big fan looking thing in the vineyard? That is a wind machine used to keep the buds from freezing during the early part of the growing season. During a frost period, we turn the machine on at about 35 degrees and the air circulation is enough to keep the buds from freezing. If the buds were to freeze, we would lose the entire crop for the year. We turned it on only 3 times this season!
What is Cluster Thinning? Cluster thinning is a vineyard term to thin the crop by cutting off some of the grape clusters. We do this to get a better quality crop. On average, we get about 2.5 tons of grapes per acre, whereas, other wineries can get up to 5.5 tons per acre.

March 2007 Newsletter

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Greetings Wine Club!

So far, it has been a good year at Signorello Estate. 18 months after the devastating fire at Mare Island that burned 100% of our inventory, we are finally back on track. You, our loyal wine club members, have been a big part in getting us back on track and makes working at the winery fun! We love to see everyone, so please come by the winery when you are in town and take advantage of some of the perks of the wine club: free wine tasting and use of the patio for a nice picnic!

And now, a little information on the wines you are receiving:

2005 Zinfandel - The nose on this wonderful Zinfandel, is immediately rewarded with fragrances of strawberry jam and blueberry muffins. Ruby red in color, it has good acid balance and fruit ripeness. This pleasantly plump wine is followed with layers of raspberry, vanilla, plum, and sweet oak. Enjoy with any classic American dish: BBQ, hamburgers, pizza, or dark chocolate. Drink ability: 2007 - 2017. Priced in our tasting room at $36, Wine Club price is $30.60

2005 "Las Amigas" Pinot Noir - This California style Pinot Noir opens with hints of vanilla followed by smoky French oak and plum. This well balanced and medium bodied wine has nicely integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish with layers of cherry, pepper, and plum. Enjoy with poultry, or pasta. Drinkability: 2007-2017. Priced in our tasting room at $38, Wine Club price is $32.30,p>

2005 Estate Chardonnay - The nose opens with intense tropical fruit, toast and mineral aromas. Rich fruit flavors, especially of apple and pear enhance the lush palate. French oak provides a touch of spice with hints of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. A bright apple-like crispness balances these silky, toasty layers. Drinkability: 2007 to 2013. Retail priced at $23.00, Wine Club price is $19.55

Remember that the 15% Wine Club discount is always extended!

Lobster Feast/Kobe & Cabernet Events - 2007!

We feel it is safe to say that all that attended last years first annual Lobster Feast had a wonderful time. We are back with this event for 2007 with an additional surprise: A Turf event as well, featuring Snake River Farms Kobe Beef, a new marketing partner with Signorello Estate. Snake River Farms is one of the few producers of Kobe Beef here in the United States. If you are not familiar with this fine product, please take a look at their website at www.snakeriverfarms.com/partners/signorello.asp.

The dates for these fun events are:
- Saturday, July 21 - Lobster Feast
- Saturday, August 18 - Kobe & Cab Dinner

Unfortunately, we must limit these events to our Wine Club members only as we are limited to about 100 people per event. Details and pricing will follow in late March so you have time to plan your visit.

Get to know your Winemaker - Pierre Birebent

Pierre Birebent always knew he would be a winemaker. His family owned vineyards in Algeria since 1839 before starting their vineyards in Corsica, France in 1962. Pierre received his degree from the prestigious Lycee Agricole Macon-Davaye in the Burgundy region of France. After finishing his degree, he decided to take a year off and travel around the winegrowing regions of the world...

He never went back. Pierre came to the Napa Valley for the harvest of 1985; working first for Pine Ridge Winery, then Stag's Leap Winery and finally at the Kuleto Estate Vineyards. He joined the Signorello Vineyards family in 1998, where he is now both Winemaker and Vineyard Manager.

Pierre Birebent, who oversees the vineyards as well as the winemaking, says "Tending the grapes all the way to the bottle gives me tremendous quality control. I practice the classic French style of winemaking, which means the Signorello wine style starts in the vineyard."

Pierre calls St. Helena home and has two wonderful children, Paul and Isabelle. He is also very proud of his two prize-winning Brittany Spaniels, Bandit and Zizou, who help him with his other passion....Hunting! Be sure to say HI to Pierre on your next visit. Pierre is also the FIRST person to sign up for both of our Summer events!

SIGNORELLO Estate Update

Last year, we tracked a Merlot vine's growth throughout the season. This year, we have a Cabernet vine within walking distance of our tasting room so that any of you visiting us can see the progress of the vine for yourselves. What's going on now? Nothing much, as we are in the last few weeks of dormancy before the weather warms up. This, along with longer days, stimulate the dormant buds to swell and open. When this takes place, we will have the start of Bud Break and the 2007 growing season!

Dear Pierre,
You've heard of Dear Abby, this is Winery Dictionary with the Winemaker. Send us your questions!
Why are the red wines unfiltered? Filtration is a process to remove all the un-wanted impurities in wine. Because we are such a small winery, we have a lot of control over our vineyards and we can prevent the impurities from getting in the wine. By doing this, we preserve as much flavor as possible.
What is Veraison? This is the process when the berries change from green to red. The berries start to soften and sweeten with an increase of sugar. This process usually happens during July.
What is maceration? After harvest, once the red grapes are crushed, the grape skins and juice are put into a large fermentation tank. This is where red wines get there color and tannins. The maceration process usually lasts between 25 - 30 days.
What is considered an Estate wine? Here at Signorello Vineyards, 90% of our wine is estate grown. To be considered an estate wine, 100% of the fruit must be grown, aged, and bottled on the property. The only wines we make that are not estate grown are the Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.

December 2006 Newsletter

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To our Wine Club Friends:
In most of our letters to you, we mention just how much fun we are having here at the winery and how fast time passes us by between club shipments.... Not this time.... this time we just want to say Thanks for being here with us.
Thanks for sharing us with your friends.
Hoping this finds you ready for a healthy and happy holiday season and new year!

2004 PADRONE TASTING NOTES
PADRONE is dedicated to Ray Signorello Sr., a visionary whose dreams came to a reality in our wines at Signorello, and whose life was as full of character as our wines. Padrone is a wine that expresses the quality and dignity of Signorello Estate and is a fitting tribute to the life of Raymond Signorello Sr. We are providing this wine exclusively to our Wine Club friends for the 2006 holiday season. This wine will not be released to the public for sale, or even for resale to the Wine Club, until well into 2007. Enjoy with our blessings.