Downtown Rides: Locals and Tourists Enjoy Free Rides

 BY ELIZABETH SMITH

Mike Flohr is an ideas man. He is already a successful small business owner and a dedicated teacher at Vintage High School, so after discovering a complimentary, tip-based ride service while visiting Scottsdale, Arizona, he realized that it was something special. Mike discussed with his stepson and Army veteran, David Munk, the possibility of offering a similar service in Napa, yet both understood that the Scottsdale model would not provide adequate or sustainable funding.

Over the next couple of years, Munk and Flohr waited until they felt Napa was ready for this type of service, using that time to define and create their business model. They contacted longtime family friend, Zach Zuniga, to assist in business development, marketing, and promotion. With his help, along with a few other friends and family members, they decided to collaborate with local wineries, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses in the form of advertorial sponsorships benefitting everyone involved. The partnerships would subsidize the free ride service, which would, in turn, introduce riders to downtown Napa’s notable locales, reduce downtown traffic, decrease demand for parking, and help reduce air pollution.

The three Napa natives conceptualized Downtown Rides with both locals and tourists in mind. Zuniga shared that the company’s mission is to be an extension of hospitality that goes beyond the front doors of hotels, restaurants, wineries, and spas by providing guests with a continuous experience of kindness and generosity that is associated with Napa. “Although millions of tourists travel to Napa annually, it still feels like a small town. I cannot go anywhere without seeing someone I know, and I love it. I think having a friend on every corner is what keeps people coming back. We are good people, and we want to help take care of anyone who comes to our home,” said Zuniga.

Although Downtown Rides launched in February 2020, businesses like Downtown Joe's Restaurant and Brewery, Napa Valley G Experience, Small World, Bazan Cellars, Housley Napa Valley, The Grape Escape, and many others quickly recognized the value of the service. Concert, festival, and marathon organizers, as well as local farmers markets, have expressed interest, which will provide Downtown Rides more opportunities to serve the community. Downtown Rides is looking forward to not only growing its fleet of carts in Napa but also expanding into neighboring cities and wine regions that hold the same values and wish to provide a similar service.

As Napa reopens and returns to being one of the top travel destinations in the world, Mike and Cheri Flohr, David Munk, and Zach Zuniga are poised to safely serve travelers and residents. If one sees Downtown Rides happily driving around providing that Napa Valley experience, they are encouraged to honk, wave, or call to show support.

Photo courtesy of Oak Knoll District

 BY FRAN MILLER

Most of Napa Valley’s AVA’s are renowned for growing a particular variety. The Oak Knoll District AVA, on the other hand, is distinguished by its diversity. As many as 15 different grape varieties are grown within its 8,300 acres, of which half are planted to vine. From A to Z - Albariño to Zinfandel - this incredible range lends to its designation as the ‘sweet spot’ of Napa Valley.

Located north of the City of Napa and south of Yountville, the Oak Knoll District AVA (OKD), formally recognized in 2004 as Napa’s 14th American Viticultural Area, is bordered to the west by Mt. Veeder and the east by the Silverado Trail. A quieter district than other AVAs due to its less commercialized nature, it is populated by dozens of small-scale growers and only a handful of brick and mortar wineries. Some of Napa Valley’s most prestigious brands make their home here, and many of Napa Valley’s premier winemakers source fruit from these vineyards. Of note, Calistoga-based Chateau Montelena’s historic Judgment of Paris Chardonnay winner contained grapes sourced from OKD. And the 1979 World Wine Olympics held in Paris named OKD-based Trefethen Family Vineyards’ 100% OKD Chardonnay as number one in the world.

Warm weather perfectly ripens OKD’s reds, while morning fog cools its whites. This marineinfluenced climate pattern is essential for preserving aromatics in the grapes and wine. The region’s sand, gravel, and clay

soils are porous and drain well, encouraging grapevine roots to reach down deep for water, causing a bit of stress that leads to long term health and highquality fruit. While Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are prolific here, excellent Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Viognier, Riesling, Ribolla Gialla, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, and many other varieties populate the

Oak Knoll District Vintners Photo courtesy of OKD

region. “Even though the area looks fairly uniform, the magic in OKD occurs underground where an incredible variety of soil types, textures, and depths creates enormous variation that you can't see when standing on it,” said vineyard manager Doug Hill of Oak Knoll Farming. Hill discovered over time and with experimentation that OKD could even produce Merlots that stand-up next to Right Bank Bordeauxs. “I am amazed at the variety and consistency this appellation can produce.”

Rodgers Vineyards, located just off of Hwy 29, is a quintessential example of the region’s vinous multiplicity. Sixth generation growers, the Rodgers family cultivates Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Viognier, and Zinfandel grapes on its OKD ranch. “It is incredible to farm such diverse varieties, some

Photo courtesy of Oak Knoll District

separated by just a vineyard avenue,” said Rodgers’ president, CEO, and vineyard manager Anna Hickey, fifth-generation descendent of Portuguese immigrants who helped to establish the OKD. “We have our Pinot Noir, a touchy creature, sitting across from Merlot and next to Cabernet. Changing hats or strategies is an expectation of farmers, but in the case of OKD farming, your hat and strategy may change from block to block on a given day. The challenges of farming in the OKD are real, but the gifts of such diverse farming are just as real.”

Those gifts are fabulous wines. “Freshness, brightness, and purity of varietal character are what I consider to be basic traits of OKD wines,” said OKD-born and raised Dave Pramuk, recently retired founding partner and current board member of the AVA’s Robert Biale Vineyards. “Many winemakers use OKD fruit to freshen up blends that may lack acidity and aromatics. Our OKD Zinfandels at Biale, for instance, have always been praised as being more balanced and elegant than expected for the varietal. The cooler climate helps maintain acidity and time to develop flavors and color.”

“One of my chief attractions to OKD is that acidity,” added Bryan Kays, winemaker at Trefethen Family Vineyards. “Due to our location in the valley, our grapes retain a bit more acidity, which keeps the resulting wine quite fresh. The wines are very versatile on the table and tend to have great age ability.”

“Amazingly, you can grow so many varieties so successfully here, and it's largely due to soil and climate,” said Janet Trefethen, proprietor of Trefethen, and co-president of the OKD. “The fog rolls in from San Francisco Bay toward Wappo Hill, entering the mouth of the Valley. More fog rolls off San Pablo Bay along the Napa River and provides the strongest influence in this southern end of the valley. On a typical summer day, you can leave OKD with a sweater, and

£29 for every mile north, it gets a 1/2 degree warmer. By the time you reach Calistoga, the temperature has increased by 10 degrees. Our cool air does severely limit the crop size of the Cabernet, but it more than repays it with the increased complexity of bouquet in the final bottling. What is critical for the quality of Chardonnay and Pinot becomes a grace note for Cabernet and Merlot. Simply put, soil and climate are the real rationales for why OKD exists.”

Hickey agreed, “The Rodgers family looks at its vineyard value in dirt, not dollars. If we do not love this soil and the environment around it, it will not love us back. I am often asked about sustainability, and my answer is, ‘We’ve been here 151 years!’ We have successfully done this through many generations, and

Darms Lane Oak Knoll Ave Big Ranch Road Oak Knoll Ave Orchard Ave Darms Lane Oak Knoll Ave Big Ranch Road Oak Knoll Ave Orchard Ave £ 29 YOUNTVILLE AVA T. VEEDER AVA STAGS LEAP AVA OAK KNOLL AVA

Silverado TrailSilverado Trail

Napa Napa

Napa County

Oak Knoll District

Dry Creek RoadDry Creek Road

Redwood RoadRedwood Road £ 29£ 29

Trancas Road Trancas Road

River River

Silverado TrailSilverado Trail

Boyd Family Vineyards is an artisan producer of hand crafted Estate wines from the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley since 1998.

V isit us at www.boydwine.com

In the heart of oak knoll DIstrIct

50th ANNIVERSARY | 1970-2020

CORLEYFAMILYNAPAVALLEY.COM | 707-253-2802 4242 BIG RANCH ROAD, NAPA, CA 94558 to me, that is true sustainability.” Being able to steward this land and pass it on to another generation of stewards is our goal.”

Beyond soil and climate, OKD’s role in the history of Napa Valley is notable. It was 1850 when the first Zinfandel was planted in its western section, now Lamoreaux Vineyards, the original Oak Knoll Ranch from which the crossroad and region derive their names. At the time, Oak Knoll Ranch was praised in statewide press as a top farm in California. A stone block carriage step engraved with ‘Oak Knoll’ remains in the location as a regional relic. The District also built its name on the old Oak Knoll train stop and Oak Knoll Schoolhouse. Among other OKD relics is Trefethen’s historic property and ranch, the site of the original Eshcol Ranch. The Trefethen family painstakingly and gorgeously rebuilt and restored the farmhouse and barn after each suffered devastating damage from the 2014 earthquake. “Certainly one of Napa Valley’s and California’s most historic and picturesque structures was saved – a testament to the Trefethen family’s pride and spirit of determination,” said Pramuk, who didn’t fully appreciate the world-class wine nature of his youth until he took a wine class in college and traveled to Europe. “And, where else than at Trefethen can you find exquisite examples of Chardonnay, Bordeaux varietals, and White Riesling grown near each other? It’s remarkable.”

“Our AVA is a bit different in that we have more small growers than vintners, some with three to five acres, and as a result, there’s a great deal of camaraderie,” said Trefethen. “We share stories, comments, tips, and how to do this and that. We all try and help each other. It’s very similar to when we started in 1973. Some of our first events were like a block party; everyone was invited. We often couldn’t get them to leave!”

“Frankly, it's the people that make this such a unique place to live and work,” said Stan Boyd, proprietor of Boyd Wine, who fulfilled a lifetime dream by purchasing his property in 1998. “We have made numerous lifelong friends. Some of us decided to grow grapes, some decided to launch a wine brand, and some did both. The common thread is a lust for living life to its fullest, and a love of wine.”

Biking also brings many OKD residents together. Boyd and four others formed a bicycle club called the OKD Clydesdales. Together they have logged more than 40,000 Napa Valley miles, always starting and stopping in the OKD. Today the club counts more than 30 active OKD resident members who participate in its rides and social events.

“Case in point!” said Trefethen. “The Oak Knoll District AVA – unique in its diversity - is truly all things to all people.”

 BY FRAN MILLER | PHOTOS BY NEENA HEITZ

Brian and Miki Cunat of Materra/ Cunat Family Vineyards purchased their 52 bucolic Oak Knoll AVA acres in 2007, and since that time, have gradually and steadily raised the bar on all aspects of their venture. From stellar winetasting experiences to an entire revitalization of their winemaking team, Materra exudes quality.

Illustrative of this quest for the best is their hiring of Chelsea Barrett as winemaker. A member of Napa Valley winemaking royalty and a Calistoga native, Barrett was raised amongst the grapes by mom Heidi of Screaming Eagle renown and dad Bo of Chateau Montelena fame. A UC Davis degree in viticulture and enology led to intern stints in Austria and Australia before Barrett returned to the Valley, where she was ultimately named winemaker at Joel Gott wines before finding her home at Materra. She also currently partners with her mom on the labels Amuse Bouche, Au Sommet, and Aviatrix.

“I want wines to be balanced, delicious, and showcase the vineyard,” said Barrett. “I love keeping up with the latest research and experiments, and I’m always refining the details and striving for improvement.”

Also new to the Materra team is assistant winemaker Caryn Harrison, a longtime Barrett collaborator. Michael Trujillo, whose 37 years of wine industry experience make him a Napa icon, continues to serve as consulting winemaker.

The name Materra is derived from the Latin words ‘mother’ and ‘earth’ and is demonstrative of the Cunat’s commitment to nurturing their land. Their French varietal vines (Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier) are farmed using sustainable methods. Production and storage facilities also demonstrate an environmental commitment, as does the minimalist tasting room with its reclaimed wood tables, polished concrete floors, and iron fixtures.

“We are taking Materra to the next level in terms of quality,” said Harry Heitz, Materra’s director of marketing. “Chelsea and her team are experimenting with different blends and new techniques. Her leadership provides a modern flair that is helping to refine our style.”

Materra’s by-appointment-only tastings, currently held within its large, lovely, and lavender and flower-filled garden, are intimate and personalized, and each begins with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc greeting. When making an appointment, guests are asked their favored flavor profiles. Are they wine novices or experts? Are they seeking to gain knowledge, or simply relax and enjoy the winery’s beautiful atmosphere? “Either way, our team provides a very satisfying tasting experience that caters to each and every preference,” said Heitz.