Photos by Stephanie Dunn Ashley

After months of planning, the “Greenwich Gang," General Managers from Private Clubs in the Greenwich area arrived at The Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California for an educational tour and tasting of Gallo Wine properties. Our host and organizer was Paul Puhalla, CSW, from E & J Gallo Winery. Among the group were Martina Halsey from The Field Club and her husband, Craig DeMott, our Gang Chancellor Dennis Meermans from the Round Hill Club, Michael Catanzaro from Rolling Hills Country Club and his wife Allyson, David Foster from Indian Harbor Yacht Club and his wife Eileen, Gary Ashley from Riverside Yacht Club and his wife Stephanie, James Connolly from the Country Club of New Canaan and his wife Carolyn and Warren Burdock from the Wee Burn Country Club and his wife Alma.

The four days in Napa were spent visiting wineries, making our own blend of Cabernet and learning about sustainability in agriculture. The vineyards included William Hill, Monte Rosso, Louis M. Martini, Two Rock Vineyards, Laguna Ranch and MacMurray. Ecological and sustainability practices used in the vineyards are amazing, they include the use of falcons and owls to patrol the vineyards for flying and crawling intruders that can ruin a harvest. The Gallo properties have their own recycling glass factory and are making over 60% of all the wine bottles they produce. The Gallo properties have made a promise to California that they will always leave 50% of all their properties uncultivated. As a nod to that, one  day, we saw a mountain lion in the woods!  In addition to visiting the wineries we were also treated to an inside look at the Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage.  It is here that they hand make the oak barrels used at the Gallo properties, among other wineries.

Our last day was spent in Healdsburg at the H2 Hotel. It was ecologically mastered and the rooms and furnishings completely green and so unique, we were impressed by the comfort.

Our final visit was to The Frei Ranch Winery where we were catered to by the winery’s chef and dinner included a comparison of California Estate Cabernets.

We all enjoyed the experience and educational value, but we were most impressed with the dedication to sustainability. It left you with the inspiration that it could be done and still produce great wines and asking the question, why would you ever want to drink any wines except these?