Welcome
Frederick P. Furth, proprietor of Chalk Hill and renowned attorney, will set off from the Paris Air Show on June 21 on an around-the-world flight in his new Citation Mustang. Cessna Aircraft Company holds orders for more than 300 Citation Mustangs and is on target to deliver 40 of the model this year. Following last-minute clearance to enter Russian airspace, Fred, accompanied by his faithful Great Dane "Brandenburg," will set off at 8:00 a.m. from Paris Le Bourget Airport on a 14,000 nautical mile marathon flight that will see them cover 15 stops in eight days. After making their first stop in Warsaw, Poland, Fred will fly across the entire breadth of Russia, landing for fuel and rest in locations including Moscow, Eketeringsburg and Novosibrisk. They will then make stops in Alaska, Canada and Iceland before returning to Le Bourget.
Furth has been an avid pilot for many years and also owns a Citation X and Cessna Caravan. He took delivery of his Mustang a month ago and has since amassed 80 hours flying time in the aircraft. "The Mustang is a great aircraft for single pilot operation and I felt this would be the ultimate way to test its mettle," said Furth. "I have a close relationship with Cessna going back many years and I know they will be watching our progress with great interest."
Visit Fred's blog at fbwt.blogspot.com
Élevage
At Chalk Hill we use a handful of French words, for which there doesn't seem to be the perfect English equivalent. We talk of using "Burgundian winemaking techniques..." particularly with regard to our Chardonnay. Key to this concept is "Élevage." Simply, it means "raised" as in "bringing up." The French say of their children, "bien élevé" when they mean "well brought up."
Our winemaking team takes a very parental posture with all their wines, bringing them up from nascent grapes to fully formed, adult wines. During élevage, the wines are personally coaxed along with a combination of techniques, beginning with whole cluster pressing. The perfect, complete bunches of freshly harvested grapes are added to the press and gently squeezed of their juice. This juice carries with it the bloom of natural yeasts that come from the vineyards, reside on the grape skins, and are strains that are specific to Chalk Hill. During fermentation, and afterward, they serve to amplify and enhance the Chalk Hill terroir, giving an added dimension of complexity.
In the winery, in the slumbering barrels of aging Chardonnay, the winemaking team uses a measured scheme of batonage (stirring of the lees/yeast) to charm yeasty aromas and creamy textures into the wine. Racking (drawing the clear wine off of its sediment) is done to naturally clarify the wine. The final wine is gently taken to bottle without any fining (the addition of clarity inducing agents), or mechanical filtration — to preserve all of the natural, Chalk Hill — specific personality.
It is no wonder that Steve, Jordan, and their winemaking team act like proud parents. They should.
From the Estate Kitchen
Baked Ashed - Sainte-Maure Goat Cheese
Mache And Frisee Salad, Herb-Potato Chip. Truffle Walnut Vinaigrette.
Ingredients (4 servings)
1 Sainte-Maure goat cheese
8 baguette croutons
small bouquet of mache and frisee lettuce
1 Cowboy or Kennebec potato
chive
2 tbsp butter
Truffle-Walnut Vinaigrette
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
1 tbsp Xeres Vinegar
1 tbsp Walnut Oil
1 tbsp Truffle Oil
1 tbsp Grape seed Oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
Truffle-Walnut Vinaigrette
Mix together vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Add walnut oil, truffle oil and grape seed oil. Stir. Set aside.
Herb Chip
Lay potato lengthwise. Slice into 8 very thin slices using a mandolin. Set one slice of potato on plate and top with small amount of chives. Cover chives with another slice of potato and season with salt. Cook slowly on low in non-stick pan with clarified butter until golden brown. Set on paper towels to drain.
Presentation
Cut Sainte-Maure goat cheese into 8 slices and lightly brush with truffle oil. Place 1 slice cheese on each crouton and bake at 350 degrees until cheese is slightly melted and just beginning to turn golden. Toss lettuce with Truffle-Walnut Vinaigrette. Arrange on plate.
Recipe Provided by Chalk Hill Estate Executive Chef, Didier Ageorges.
Featured Wines
The featured wines include a newly released Chardonnay from an outstanding white wine vintage, and a well aged red wine which has, until recently, been unavailable to the general public. Enjoy!
 | 2004 Estate Chardonnay |
 | 1997 Peter's Vineyard Merlot |
Events
Chalk Hill Estate is pleased to participate in these upcoming events:
Sonoma County Showcase 2007 - Four day event benefiting local charities. Includes lunches and dinners hosted by local wineries (including Chalk Hill), a gala dinner, and a two day wine tasting event.
July 12-15, 2007 - For more information, visit www.sonomawine.com
Contact
Chalk Hill Estate10300 Chalk Hill Road
Healdsburg, California 95448
(707) 838-8406
concierge@chalkhill.com
