napa: kenzo

LINK: napa: kenzo

Location:  Kenzo Estate, Napa, $235
Kenzo estate wine + Kenzo Napa bento: an elevated experience

It was about a 20-minute drive from our hotel, the road was a one-way windy road. Luckily, I still had the effects of the Dramamine that I took a few hours ago. We were full of anticipation and eager to get our day started.

We opted for this tour which was two hours long. We were immediately greeted with a glass of sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, Sei, 2019. It was sensational.

Chris, the viticulturist, gave us a detailed lesson on viticulture, and my mind was completely blown. The property was gorgeous and it was interesting to hear that building the vineyard was Kenzo’s third choice.

We were able to also check out the process of the grapes being destemmed, separated, crushing, and pressing.

The cave held copious amounts of barrels of wine for fermentation, clarification, and bottling. I was able to identify notes of tobacco, apples, cloves, smoke, and other aromatics. All those years of going to local and foreign wineries have finally paid off.

We had an impressive flight of wine: Riedel, Rindo, Murasaki, Ai, and another glass that Christian brought later on. I have to say that my favorite by far was the Murasaki.

We had a double-decker bento box that was unexpected.  I thought it was just one level of food, not two.  Everything here was top-tier.

In the first compartment: Taomagoyaki, US prime beef striploin Kuwayaki, Sawara Mackeral Saikyoyaki, Japanese fried chicken, Hokkaido scallop with lotus root tempura, Hokkaido trout Nanbanzuke snap pea, spinach with tofu dressing, miso glazed Japanese taro, carrot flower, brussels sprouts, Maitake mushroom.

The second compartment: Chirashi sushi – seasonal fish, thinly sliced egg crepe, cucumber, shiitake mushroom umani, broccolini, and ginger.