February 2016Wine Club Ne wsle tter

Besides serving as home to St. Supéry’s hillside vineyards, the local community recognizes Dollarhide for its avifauna, the birds or the kinds of birds of a region, period, or environment, and its wild terrain has come to serve as an important site for annual bird counting.

Hunting with BinocularsBefore the turn of the 20th century, competitive bird hunts took place around the end of the year to celebrate the holidays. In 1901, a small group of birders decided to count, rather than kill, all the birds they could find in one day. The count became popular and is now a huge event with several thousand counts taking place all over the Western Hemisphere. Each count entails a 15-mile radius circle where birders attempt to count every bird seen on a single day. Similar to the timeframe of the traditional hunts, these counts occur during a two-week period at the end of the year. Although it is impossible to count every bird, trends appear and the results of these counts provide huge amounts of valuable data to scientists and researchers.

The Annual CountIn 1972, a biology professor at Pacific Union College founded our annual local count. The center of the count circle is located in the northeastern hills of the Napa Valley. The circle takes in an arm of Lake Berryessa, over to Napa Valley State Park below Calistoga and down almost to Rutherford. This count encompasses the St. Supéry Dollarhide Ranch and is held on

New Year’s Day (rumor has it that the professor picked the first of the year to keep his students from partying too much the night before). Last year, the team of 54 birders counted some 133 different species during the 24 hour period.

Myriad HabitatsThe terrain included in the count radius contains a variety of habitats, with one of the most productive areas for birds being St. Supéry’s Dollarhide Ranch. The many lakes and open land at Dollarhide are a magnet for wintering birds. Besides resident birds like Scrub Jays and Titmice, Pope Valley and Dollarhide Ranch play host to some of the rarest and most unusual birds of the count. Last year, a lone Sandhill Crane was spotted―only the fourth sighting during the local count (local buzz has it that the bird is back again this year). Saw-Whet Owls are difficult to find elsewhere in the county and maybe the Red-naped Sapsucker will be back for the third year. Rare birds are exciting to find yet the real value of all these counts is in the changing bird demographics. We know that climate change is affecting many species―one estimate is that 90% of migrating bird species are declining, some precipitously―and the annual count is the best predictor of trends.

The Audubon SocietyThe Audubon Society (audubon.org) has a wealth of information about counts across the hemisphere and is the best way to locate the chapter nearest you (beginners are welcome). Dedicate a whole day in the field, or just a few hours. If you are located within one of the existing circles, you may even have the option of keeping a tally at your feeder.

Phil Burton has been birdwatching since he was a kid growing up in Connecticut. Phil is involved with the local birder community and at one point oversaw the local count. Currently, he resides near Dollarhide Ranch and annually participates in the count. He serves as captain of the local volunteer fire

department and owns a wine barrel supply company that has been supplying barrels to wineries since 1972.

Dollarhide Avifauna CountsBy Phil Burton, Dollarhide neighbor and local birder

Sandhill Crane

The 2015 vintage produced a vibrant and opulent Sauvignon Blanc. Brilliant pale yellow hues are speared with youthful hints of green, and the aromas are rich and expressive. Grapefruit, green lime, caper, and citrus tones all combine with a lively note of lychee. The flavors reflect a great intensity of grapefruit, lime and lemon zest, together with a subtle thread of fennel.

Deep and dark purple hues distinguish this Petit Verdot. Aromas of blackberry and briar are laced with notes of black pepper and a trace of dusty terroir. Blackberry and boysenberry flavors combine with dark fruit. Barrel maturation adds complexity, giving the big structure and tight density typical of this varietal. This is a big and bold wine. Enjoy!

Estate Club

Retail Price: $22.00Club Price: $17.60

2015 Napa Valley Estate Sauvignon Blanc

2012 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Petit Verdot

Thai Crispy Chicken Skin Salad Moroccan Kurobuta pork chop with cherry almond cous cous

Our Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Petit Verdot is a full-bodied, aromatic wine with firm tannins. The true beauty of Petit Verdot reveals itself in this full-flavored Moroccan spiced pork dish that offers big flavors with contrasting fruit notes. This pairing highlights the sweetness of the pork and softens the tannins in the wine, while the contrasting spice and savory flavors lengthen the finish.

Our refreshing and crisp Estate Sauvignon Blanc enlivens the diverse Asian-inspired flavors in this salad. The Sauvignon Blanc embraces the herb and mango notes equally, and the bright acidity of the wine cuts thru the richness of the peanut dressing.

Pairs nicely withPairs nicely with

Learn more about this month’s wines: youtube.com/stsupery

Retail Price: $50.00Club Price: $40.00

Get This Recipe:stsupery.com/recipes/thai-crispy-chicken-salad

Get This Recipe:stsupery.com/recipes/moroccan-pork-chops

This single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has deep, dark and intense hues of red and purple. Rich ripe aromas of black currant and molasses intermingle with a smoky quality from the wine’s barrel maturation, attractive toasted vanillin oak and a brandied note of fine dusty terroir. Rich yet refined flavors of black currant and dark plum are complemented by sweet notes of toffee and anise, while subtle, but attractive, vanillin oak shines through in the background.

Retail Price: $110.00Club Price: $88.00

2009 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Divine Club Spirit Club

Braised short ribs with creamy mascarpone polenta

Our 2009 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine that showcases the beauty expected from an aged wine. The polenta is a comforting pedestal of sweet corn and creamy texture that highlights the savory, caramelized flavors of braised short ribs. This older wine offers layered savory notes with soft tannins and finishes with good acidity cutting through the richness of marbled meat and sweet polenta.

Pairs nicely with

Learn more about this month’s wines: youtube.com/stsupery

Get This Recipe:stsupery.com/recipes/braised-short-ribs

Spirited Cocktails

Let Andrew Jackson Dollarhide: Spirit of St Supéry take center stage at your springtime celebrations. This hand-crafted spirit is making headlines with its timeless appeal, aromatic profile and smooth finish. This special small batch craft brandy is made from 100% Estate Muscat Canelli grapes in small copper stills and is popping up on the signature cocktail menus of Napa’s finest eateries. Hot, cold, or neat, this is a true crowd pleaser that is sure to delight. Our collection of mouthwatering cocktail recipes awaits you.AJ Dollarhide Spirit: $100.00 retail. Club Price: $80.00*

Be a part of the craft cocktail movement. Join the St. Supéry Spirit Club to receive two bottles of the newest batch of the Andrew Jackson Dollarhide: Spirit of St. Supéry included with your upcoming April shipment (CA addresses only) for $160 plus tax. The newest batch will be sent every year thereafter with your February or April shipment (dependent upon release date). Save on shipping―when this membership is combined with a Divine, Estate or Moscato club, there is no additional cost for shipping your spirit bottles. The Spirit Club carries no commitment when combined with an existing membership.

To Explore Our Tantalizing Recipes or Purchase, Visit:

spirit.stsupery.com

*Due to Government regulations, this product can currently be shipped to California addresses only. Shipping and tax are additional for standalone Spirit Club memberships. Standalone Spirit Club members receive all the

benefits afforded our Estate, Divine and Moscato Club Members.

Announcing theSt. Supéry Spirit Club

St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery • 8440 St. Helena Hwy • Rutherford, CA 94573 wineclub@stsupery.com • stsupery.com •1.866.612.club (2582)

May 22, 201619th Annual Spring Fling Lobster Boil

11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.St. Supéry Estate

$125 per person, plus taxClub member exclusive event

September 18, 2016Paella and Vino

12:00 noon - 2:30 p.m.St. Supéry Estate

$25 per person, plus tax, club members and up to three guests

October 8, 2016Annual Fleet Week Bay Cruise

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Sausalito Yacht Harbor

$225 per person, plus taxClub member exclusive event

February 13 - 14, 2016Personalized Bottled Poetry from Poet Silvi

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Exclusive Club Member access, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

St. Supéry Estate

April, 2016Arts in April

St. Supéry Estate

May 6, 2016#SauvBlanc Day

All DaySt. Supéry Estate and Worldwide

Calendar of Upcoming Events

2016 Wine Club Shipments

Please contact us if you would like to combine shipments or order additional wines to save on shipping costs.

Most events require an advance reservation. Please contact our Wine Club Concierges at 866.612.2582 to reserve.

Find restaurants and retail shops that carry your favorite St. Supéry wines.

Our Moscato Club ships in April, September and December

Estate ClubFebruary

2015 Napa Valley Estate Sauvignon Blanc2012 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Petit Verdot

April2015 Napa Valley Estate Oak Free Chardonnay

2013 Dollarhide Elevation

May2015 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc2013 Rutherford Estate Vineyard Cabernet Franc

September2015 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Semillon2013 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Malbec

October2015 Napa Valley Estate Virtú2013 Napa Valley Estate Élu

December2015 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Chardonnay

2013 Rutherford Estate Vineyard Merlot

Divine ClubFebruary

2009 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

April2013 Dollarhide Elevation

May2013 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

September2013 Rutherford Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

October2009 Napa Valley Estate Élu

December2010 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Shipment selections may be subject to change.

Estate grownSustainably Farmed

Certified Napa Green