Prominent California Wineries St. Francis and Sequoia Grove Join Global Fundraising Efforts for Urgently Needed Relief Services in Haiti
SANTA ROSA and NAPA, Ca. - January 15th, 2010 - In response to the earthquake that devastated Haiti Tuesday, St. Francis Winery and Sequoia Grove Wineryannounce that they will donate all proceeds from tasting fees at their tasting room this Saturday, January 16th, Sunday, January 17th, and Monday, January 18th, to the American Red Cross.
The effort will raise funds urgently needed to provide Haiti with emergency services. “We're thousands of miles away in the safety and serenity of Sonoma while others are suffering,” said CEO Christopher Silva. “We know there is more we can do. By raising funds immediately St. Francis Winery supports those who are on the front line.”
2005 Wild Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Receives 90 Points
St. Francis Winery's 2005 Wild Oak Cabernet Sauvignon scored 90 Points in Wine Enthusiast's Dec. 1st Buying Guide...
90 Points Wild Oak by St. Francis 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County):
A good Cab, dry and balanced, whose tannins are richly impressive and sweet. Shows a good tension between the oak and the ripe black currants. Easy to like, and should develop for a few years.
---------
This deep, rich Cabernet also received a "5 STAR" rating by QRW earlier this year. Buy Now!
Area-Daily.com Interview with Christopher Silva Lisa Loverro Chats with CEO and President of St. Francis Winery
POWER LUNCH Lisa Loverro, Area-Daily.com 10.22.09 - New York, NY
There are times when it’s nice to be home in New York City. Although I love jetting around the world, I relish the times I get to spend strolling the streets of the city, running in Central Park, and sitting down to a delicious meal at a New York institution.
Such was the case last week when I met with Christopher Silva, President and CEO of St. Francis Winery in Sonoma for a hearty lunch at Smith & Wollensky to sample some of his finest wines. The conversation flowed, as did the wine, for almost three hours as we discussed his passion and thoughts on the winemaking industry.
LL: What are your favorite wines from St Francis, both red and white, and what do you suggest pairing them with?
CS: I like to start an event or evening with a Chardonnay. Our St. Francis Sonoma County Chardonnay works well because it has both the acid and creaminess to make it rich and flavorful without overwhelming the food. We handpick our Chardonnay at night so that the grapes arrive cold (about 45 degrees) at our crush pad before sunrise, allowing us to preserve those enticing flavors and aromas of apple, pear, and honeysuckle that show so well with fish, poultry, and yellow, nutty or soft cheeses.
As for red wine, I am all about Sonoma County and therefore a huge fan of Zinfandel, my all time favorite being our St. Francis Sonoma County “Old Vines" Zinfandel. The dark red, peppery, spicy flavors are perfect with barbeque, pizzas, pastas with rich sauces—anything that has spice. The wine is rich and concentrated, in part because our vines—some over 120 years old—are dry farmed, meaning we don’t water them.
LL: What advice would you give to someone looking to open their own small winery?
CS: The same advice that Robert Mondavi gave me when I asked for an hour of his time and advice in December 2000: “Interest is not enough. You have to be passionate.”
I would tell people that wine requires an incomparable level of patience, so one must genuinely love the entire process—grape growing, winemaking, marketing and sales, and everything in between—in order to be successful. I am not a winemaker, but I do know that tasting a great wine that you had some role in the process of creating is a thrill like no other…therein lies the real profit.
LL: What is your bubbly of choice for ringing in the New Year?
CS: Domaine Carneros Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine. It is a delightful sparkling wine made almost entirely of Chardonnay grapes.
LL: You seem to be in great shape! What's your secret to staying healthy and fit while you're traveling the country wining and dining?
CS: Thank you. Being at the top of your game includes being healthy. I try to eat sensibly and always find time to exercise. Hotels that don’t have fitness centers do have a floor for pushups and crunches and a street or sidewalk I can run on—even 20 minutes and I feel energetic the entire day. Oh, and always take the stairs at the airport, not the escalator—our bodies are meant to move!
Thanks Chris for a lovely and informative afternoon!
Lisa Loverro is an independent travel journalist exploring the world for new and exciting adventures. She shares her experiences with us every Thursday through her column, Boarding Pass. Have a comment or question? Email her at Lisa@area-daily.com.
Congratulations "Lucca" St. Francis Winery Dog of the Year
September 27, 2009 - St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is pleased to announce our 2009 "Winery Dog of the Year" award winner, Lucca. Lucca is a beautiful two year old Siberian Husky. An Italian word meaning "bringer of light," Lucca's name is especially appropriate given his important role as a working Therapy Dog in training. He and his owner Vicky Guillory visit local nursing homes and hospitals spreading warmth and good cheer. We are happy to congratulate Lucca and welcome him to the St. Francis Winery family as the 2009 Winery Dog of the Year!
LUCCA - Winery Dog of the Year
View photos from our 8th Annual Blessing of the Animals event HERE
Christopher Silva Talks Wine with Gary Fisch, September 2009
Winery President Christopher Silva visits Gary's Wine & Marketplace of Wayne, NJ and discusses St. Francis' Sonoma County wines with Gary Fisch.
Wine Spectator featured our 2005 Wild Oak Merlot and 2006 St. Francis RED in Tim Fish's August 10th listing of "12 California Merlots
:
A dozen wines that show the elegance and supple texture the Merlot grape can attain in the Golden State"
ST. FRANCIS Merlot Sonoma County Wild Oak (2005)
Shows good structure and focus, with plum and pencil lead aromas and sleek black currant, cedar and spicy dill flavors. Drink now through 2014. 2,300 cases made. —T.F. Buy Now!
ST. FRANCIS Red Sonoma County (2006)
Refined and easy to drink, with red currant and toasty dill aromas and sleek cherry, bittersweet chocolate and spice flavors. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel. Drink now through 2012. 60,000 cases made. —T.F.
The competition, hosted by the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and under the direction of Chris Sawyer, was held at The Lodge in Sonoma, July 27th, with 35 local Sonoma Valley wineries participating. The event showcased the quality of wines made from Sonoma Valley grapes.
ST. FRANCIS WINES STAR IN "BEST OF THE BEST" Quarterly Review of Wines (QRW) Unveils Annual Best of the Best "Wines of extraordinary character and quality — in a class by themselves"
We are very pleased to announce that the Wild Oak Cabernet 2005 and Wild Oak Chardonnay 2007 have been named BEST OF THE BEST, 5 STARS in their respective varietal categories in Quarterly Review of Wines Summer 2009 issue.”
5-Star California Cabernet Sauvignons 2005 Wild Oak Cabernet Sauvignon
“Big, rich, black fruit flavors; deep chewy and well-concentrated with a long finish.”
5-Star California Chardonnays 2007 Wild Oak Chardonnay
“Rich, buttery, concentrated, nutty and elegant.” Buy Now!
30 Years of Winemaking at St. Francis Winery
2009 marks the 30th anniversary of St. Francis Vineyards becoming St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in 1979.
To make wine in Sonoma is to “stand in the presence of the past.” We still follow the traditions Joe Martin set upon planting our vineyard in 1971 and that he and business partner Lloyd Canton upheld after building our Winery in 1979. Use only Sonoma County grapes. Hand-pick every grape.
Treat each Winery visitor as an honored guest. Above all, hand-craft complex, dazzling world class wines that dare us to proclaim, “here’s what Sonoma is capable of.”
Word of mouth and stunning accolades would later follow: “Master of Merlot” (Wine Spectator), Tom Mackey as “Int’l Red Winemaker of the Year” (London Wine Fair), “Number One Zinfandel in the World” (Wine Spectator), “California’s Hottest Winery” (Robert Parker), and so on. Today, our wines are in some of the country’s best restaurants, and have been served at the White House by four American Presidents. Many of you tell us that St. Francis wines have become part of your own family, friendship, and holiday traditions. That pleases us greatly. You have our enduring thanks as we embark upon the next 30 years, with even more exciting wines ahead.
So far it’s been an incredible journey.
We hope to see you at 30th Anniversary celebrations we’ll be having throughout 2009.
CHRISTOPHER W. SILVA
President & CEO
TOM MACKEY HONORED FOR 25 YEARS
OF WINEMAKING AT ST. FRANCIS
Saturday, December 6, 2008
St. Francis Winemaker Tom Mackey was honored in Santa Rosa on Friday evening (December 5th) for his 25 years as the first winemaker at St. Francis Winery.
Thomas J. Mackey is the first and only winemaking director employed by St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. He has held that position since 1983, but has always been an enthusiastic wine lover, even as a young man intending to make it the focus of his professional life.
Tom earned his first college degree in English at the University of San Francisco in 1973. After studying to be a secondary school teacher, he changed direction toward the wine industry. Tom briefly explored wholesale and retail wine selling, then shifted to winemaking. He went on to earn a BS in Enology in 1980 and a MS in Agri-Science in 1982, both from California State University, Fresno. During his educational years, Tom worked at Hanns Kornell in Napa as a cellarman, as a laboratory technician at United Vintners, as enologist at Rutherford Hill Winery and in a winemaking position at Gold Seal in New York. He returned home to work at Round Hill in Napa.
St. Francis Winery Founder Joe Martin hired Tom to work at his still new Winery as its first Winemaker in 1983. In this first year at St. Francis, Tom noticed something unique about a section the Merlot vineyard behind the tasting room—the grapes were smaller and more pungent than the others. Tom kept that wine separate, and used it to launch the Winery’s Reserve Merlot program. By the 2003 vintage, those same sections of Merlot would ultimately be used in St. Francis Winery’s Wild Oak line of wines.
St. Francis Winery Founder Joe Martin states that “Tom always told me that a good winemaker needs to spend almost as much time in the vineyard as he does in the cellar, and he practiced what he preached. That’s how our wines kept getting better.”
Tom developed personal preferences and opinions that, coupled with talent, led to the production of original, memorable wines. For example, he preferred to use a blend of American oak and French oak to age some wines rather than confining himself to French barrels, and believed in limiting wine filtration to when it was absolutely necessary. His Master’s thesis focused on extraction methodology regarding color and phenolic compounds in red wines.
Among the major changes Tom has overseen at the Winery , one of the most significant is a shift from white to red wine. With sensitivity to the fluctuating market, he guided the Winery’s output from 80% white wines in 1983 to mostly red wine today. When he began at St. Francis, there was already much variety to the vineyard’s output, with grapes such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, and White Pinot Noir. The first wines he added were Cabernet Sauvignon and “Old Vines” Zinfandel made from 100+ year-old dry farmed, head trained vines. Both of these wines are now among the Winery’s most popular.
Additional changes under Tom’s watch are significant. St. Francis Winery now uses 100% Sonoma County grapes in all its wines and hand-picks all of its fruit. Most of the grapes used by St. Francis are from the Winery’s Estate Vineyards, and purchased grapes—all Sonoma County—are subject to a rigorous sorting and “Grower Report Card” inspection program. Additionally, a significant portion of the grapes used in all St. Francis wines are hand sorted on the Winery’s hand sorting tables. The Winery’s Wild Oak by St. Francis line, launched in 2007, is the Winery’s higher end Artisan tier, highlighting the five varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah. Total production of each of Wild Oak wine is between 700 and 3,000 cases.
St. Francis Winery Founder Joe Martin notes that:
“Tom’s accomplishments in winemaking are exemplary. His talent and passion for winemaking helped take us from a small, unknown Winery to a nationally recognized quality brand.”
“Here’s What Sonoma Is Capable Of.”
St. Francis Winery President & CEO Christopher Silva comments that:
“Sonoma has always been a story of hard work and passion for the land we farm. Tom reminded the world that Sonoma’s story is best told through our wines. The Judgment of Paris Tasting of 1976 involved Sonoma grapes and took place just 7 years before Tom started at St. Francis. In the early 1980s when Tom joined the Winery, Sonoma was still quite new as a contender in grape growing, let alone winemaking. People weren’t talking or writing about Sonoma wines because few had tasted the wine quality that Sonoma was capable of. Through his wines, especially his complex, highly extracted Merlots, Tom became one of a hand full of winemakers who brought positive recognition to Sonoma as a world class wine growing and wine making region. “Here’s what Sonoma is capable of” were heady words that preceded many successful tastings at the Winery in those days. Tom continues to move us in the direction of better wine quality and stylistic consistency. By keeping his focus on constantly higher quality, the future looks bright for Tom and for St. Francis. What an incredible ride.”
Tom Mackey’s accolades include the following:
1987 Robert Parker gives the 1984 St. Francis “Reserve” Merlot a rating of “91 Points”, drawing new attention to Tom and the Winery.
1988 Robert Parker’s publication “The Wine Advocate” dubs St. Francis Winery as “California’s Hottest Winery”.
1994 St. Francis purchases 175 acre Wild Oak Vineyard within one mile of the original Winery in Sonoma Valley.
1997 Wine Spectator names Tom Mackey “Master of Merlot”. One of the few wineries in California to produce Merlot made exclusively from a single estate vineyard
1998 Wine Spectator’s James Laube –“ Tom Mackey has become a topflight winemaker, crafting rich, dense, complex reds, regardless of whether he is making Cabernet, Merlot or Zinfandel.
1999 Quarterly Review of Wines names Tom Mackey “Winemaker of the Year”
1999 St. Francis Reserve Chardonnay named Top 100 Wines of the Year by Wine Spectator
1999 St. Francis “Old Vines” Zinfandel named Top 100 Wines of the Year by Wine Spectator
2000 Wine & Spirits Buying Guide- St. Francis Winery named “Regional Winery of the Year”
2001 Tom Mackey Named International Red Winemaker of the Year for 2001 at the London Wine Fair
2002 Quarterly Review of Wines names Tom Mackey “Merlot’s Main Man”
2007 In feature story entitled, “Crème de la Crème,” Quarterly Review of Wines concludes that Tom’s new Wild Oak line “gives new meaning to the term “’ultra premium.’”
St. Francis In the News: The White House October 2008
St. Francis Winery President & CEO Christopher Silva visited the White House last month to thank the Chief Usher for serving St. Francis wines at the White House, a non-partisan tradition that has continued under four American Presidents. Chris was hosted by Rear Admiral Stephen W. Rochon, Director of the Executive Residence and Chief Usher, and also met with White House Wine Steward Daniel Shanks during his three hours inside the White House. Click here for more White House photos.
Christopher Silva and Admiral Rochon
in the China Room
San Francisco KRON 4 News - "Heard it through the Grapevine"
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Christopher W. Silva St. Francis Winery President & CEO met with Morning
News anchor Mark Danon on KRON 4's Morning News to discuss wine & holiday gifts. Click here to watch the video.
St. Francis Winery Dog of the Year Award
October 5, 2008 St. Francis Winery & Vineyard Awarded Jennings the Winery Dog of the Year award; although we had several runners up Jennings has that spark that won the Judges hearts. Jennings is a beautiful Golden Retriever with a pointy nose, a big smile and is always ready to hold your hand. Jennings has been a K-9 companion dog for several years before retiring with his owner. Jennings knows over 100 commands and has a zest for life. Not afraid of anything and always curious, Jennings is as people- and dog-friendly as can be. We are happy to congratulate Jennings and welcome him to our family at St. Francis Winery as the 2009 Winery Dog of the Year.
The Sad Passing of Cassidy
Cassidy the Basset Hound and St Francis 2007 Winery Dog of the Year passed away two months ago. His presence began to be noticed in 1995 when his owners Ann and Clyde Galantine brought him to Winery events at the old St Francis Winery. He would always draw a crowd with his long ears, sad expression and giant paws. Later on his son, Cooper would join in and the pair would always pose for photos. The duo would be synonymous with St. Francis Winery. Cassidy contracted cancer in his hind leg a few years ago leading to amputation. He would do his best to get around and later was seen in a custom wagon at Winery events. Even in his waning year his spirits were high, kept that way by Claret, the Basset female puppy who joined the family. While there won't be another Cassidy, Cooper and Claret keep up the tradition as the St. Francis Basset Hounds.
St. Francis Winery
Dog of the Year 2008
Jennings
St. Francis Winery
Dog of the Year 2007
Tailgates Cassidy Plunket
Wine of the Week: St. Francis Merlot - August 20, 2008
Wine of the Week: St. Francis
2005 Merlot, Sonoma County ($22)
**** A ripe, showy merlot with a rich, vibrant mouth-feel. Concentrated red fruit,
with a hint of rhubarb and some dry cherries. Notes of cocoa, espresso and
vanilla. Full-bodied. Toasty.
San Francisco KRON 4 News - "Heard it through the Grapevine"
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Christopher W. Silva St. Francis Winery President & CEO met with Morning
News anchor Mark Danon on KRON 4's Morning News to discuss wine, food
and what makes St. Francis Winery so special. Watch the video below.
St. Francis Winery Employee Rex Williams
is Sonoma County Fair's Rancher of the Year
Rex and Kerry Williams, the Sonoma
County Fair’s top ranchers for 2008,
are proving that you don’t have to marry or
inherit a farm to be ranchers.
But the Williams, who run 300 head of
ewes on leased land, also are proving it takes
passion, hard work and sheer determination to
be ranchers in Sonoma County, particularly,
when you start from scratch with no land
or livestock. It’s a sacrifice many people
would not make. For Rex and Kerry, first
generation Sonoma County ranchers who
live in Sebastopol, the long hours and hard
work are the price for the rural life they
are carving for themselves and children,
Wyatt, 13, and Olivia, 5.
“If we didn’t absolutely love what
we do it would be stupid because of the
hours we spend doing this,” said Rex, 42,
who works full time as the maintenance
supervisor at St. Francis Winery. Rex
likes to say his day job helps support his
ranching habit.
“I leave after an eight hour shift at the
winery, go home and start another eight
hour shift with the sheep. But if you love
what you do, it’s not work.”
Heather Munden
Artisan Winemaker for St. Francis Winery
Our Director of Winemaking, Tom Mackey, is pleased to announce that Heather Munden has joined the St. Francis winemaking team. Heather will focus her considerable talents on our Artisan Series of small production wines available only here at the Visitors Center. Her specific focus, both in our vineyards and our cellar, will be to further elevate the quality of these exceptional wines.
After graduating from UC Davis, Heather’s career began as the Lab Director of Michel-Schlumberger. She went on to gain international experience as a winery consultant in the Puglia region of Italy, and joined winemaking teams in Australia, Chile and New Zealand.
After five years at Hartford Family Winery in Sonoma County, Heather joined St. Francis in the fall of 2007 where we know she will bring exceptional skill and experience to our winemaking efforts.
Her creative interests range from being a professional cook to beekeeper and a cheese and salumi maker. When not at St. Francis, you can find Heather caring for her orchards and gardens accompanied by her four legged friends and constant companions Col-c, a black lab, and Mano, a very large Rhodesian ridgeback.
St. Francis Winery Dog and Cat of the Year Awards
Santa Rosa, CA, October 7, 2008— St. Francis Winery announces the Sonoma Winery Dog and Cat of the Year. Congratulations to Tailgates Cassidy Plunkett, winner of St. Francis Winery's Sonoma Dog of the Year title, awarded last October 7th at our annual Blessing of the Animals celebration. Cassidy Plunkett currently resides in Santa Rosa and has been visiting St. Francis Winery since he was four months old. Cassidy is now 12 years old, a former AKC Champion, and has fathered three litters here in Sonoma County. He is often referred to as the "Carey Grant" of the hound crowd, because of his charm and sophistication. In 2006 he was diagnosed with cancer in his left rear knee. Cassidy lost his leg, but retained his composure and attitude. Cassidy continues to live a happy life getting around in his "Welcome Waggin" pulled by his faithful food slaves, and looks forward to a successful reign as the St. Francis Winery’s Sonoma Dog of The Year.
Also at the Blessing of the Animals celebration on October 7th St. Francis Winery awarded Sonoma Cat of the Year to Simba who was adopted in January, 2005 from the SFSPCA. He was 2-1/2 years old at the time. He had come from a very neglectful home where he developed physical and emotional problems. He remained at the shelter for almost one year until the White family discovered him. He has dealt with many issues but has successfully overcome them with the help and love of his new family. You can tell that Simba is a dog in a cat's body when watching him follow his family everywhere. Besides a loving family, Simba lives with Sadie, his tortoiseshell cat mate, and Rusty, his collie dog brother. Simba is as excited as a cat can be about winning the title of St. Francis Winery’s Sonoma Cat of the year!
St. Francis Winery's Dog of the
Year Tailgates Cassidy Plunket
St. Francis Winery's Cat of the
Year -
Simba
Hurried Harvest
By KEVIN MCCALLUM September 4, 2007 - THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Winemakers Dennis Borell, left, and Tom Mackey watch Saturday as a load of chardonnay, from Hunter Ranch in the Sonoma Valley, is unloaded to be crushed at St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Kenwood.
Sonoma County grape growers and winemakers enjoyed their Labor Day weekend, but not because they got to relax like the rest of us. Click here for the full story.
SCOTT MANCHESTER / PD
7 Questions for Christopher Silva, President & CEO
St. Francis Winery
Adams Beverage Group, Spring 2007
As St. Francis’ President & CEO, Christopher Silva has a specific focus: producing world class Sonoma wine. He believes that the best wines can be grown in Sonoma County and everyday his efforts are centered on continuing the awareness and enjoyment of St. Francis’ award-winning wines. Click here for the complete story.
Wild Oak es un nuevo capítulo en St. Francis
March 7, 2007 - Diario Las Américas.com
By Por José R. Garrigó
La Bodega St. Francis, cuyos comienzos se remontan a principios de la década de 1970, es conocida por los aficionados debido a la calidad de sus vinos. Con 35 años de experiencia, cuentan con viñedos propios y contratan fruta de otros cosecheros selectos. Recientemente lanzaron al mercado una nueva marca llamada Wild Oak by St. Francis. La misma, según Christopher W. Silva, Presidente y principal ejecutivo de la empresa, “marca un nuevo capítulo en la historia de la bodega St. Francis”. Click here for the complete story.
The bell tolls: St. Francis maintains the trappings of an Italian church
Jaunary 5,2007 - San Francisco Chronicle
By: Tara Duggan, Chronicle Staff Writer
Alot of wineries go for the California Mission look in their tasting rooms. So it's not surprising that a winery called St. Francis would go for a similarly churchy architectural style. Visitors approach the tasting room via a stone bridge, strolling past a bell tower that evokes an Italian hill town. The bell was actually made in Italy and blessed in the St. Francis Cathedral in Assisi, the saint's hometown. Inside, slate tile floors, serene statues and wrought-iron chandeliers add to the experience.
It could all veer toward the Disney-esque, but it works. All in all, the winery's pretty setting and the helpful tasting room staff make it worth a stop.
The vibe: Friendly and knowledgeable, the hosts offered lots of extra pours and helped guide visitors to an interesting tasting. Click here for the complete story.
Winemaker Brings Family Philosophy To Wines
June 19 , 2006 - NBC5, Chicago
In this edition of Taste, Bob Aldridge, chief financial officer at St. Francis Winery and Vineyards, explores his Sonoma County property. Joe Martin started St. Francis Winery in 1971. He's a family man who wanted to translate his philosophy into the wine he creates. Martin sought to create full-flavored wines to be enjoyed as “part of life, part of family, and part of the celebration of life.” Click here to view the show.
THE WHITE HOUSE--MAY 2006
St. Francis Winery President & CEO Christopher W. Silva recently attended a non-partisan charity event at the White House, as St. Francis donated wine to raise funds for the Foundation for Art and Preservation at Embassies and US Monuments around the world. During his meeting in the Blue Room with the First Lady, Mrs. Bush requested that St. Francis wines be served on a regular basis at the White House. Chris gladly complied, and later said that "Mrs. Bush couldn't have been more warm and gracious. It was quite a memorable evening."
Alternate Fuels -CBS Special
September 15, 2005 - Eye on The Bay CBS 5/UPN Bay Area
Click Here to see why St. Francis Winery went solar. CFO Bob Aldridge shows you around the Winery and explains how solar panels help save money and preserve natural power.
Wiser Ways to Work
Fall 2005 - Covering Business and Management in the Bay Area
Host Gloria Dunn, CEO of North Bay Management Academy
A 27 minute public television interview by noted TV personality Gloria Dunn with St. Francis Winery President & CEO Christopher W. Silva offered an opportunity to take a scenic site visit of St. Francis Winery Crush Pad as grapes came in during harvest 2005.
The Business of Wine with Guest Christopher W. Silva, President & CEO. (Link is now unavailable)
Professional Excellence In Oenology
April 29, 2005 -- Tom Mackey, Director of Winemaking at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards was awarded the "Professional Excellence In Oenology" award in Manhattan at the Rockfeller Center's Rainbow Room. The 5th Annual Excellence Awards is made possible by a joint venture between the New York Institute of Technology and Quarterly Review of Wines.
Dr. Edward Guiliano, President & CEO of NYIT presents Tom with award for "Professional Excellence of Oenology".
Tom's wife Miriam accompanies Tom to the April 29, 2005 awards ceremony at the Rockfeller Center in New York.
Joe Montana is recognized by St. Francis
Santa Rosa, April 8, 2005: Calling him "a champion on and off the field," St. Francis Winery President & CEO Christopher W. Silva presents a 3 litre etched bottle of 2000 St. Francis "Old Vines ZInfandel" to San Francisco 49er football legend Joe Montana.
Joe and his wife Jennifer attended the ceremony in the St. Francis Tasting Room. Joe was honored by the Winery for his many good works and contributions to children's charities such as "Make a Wish" Foundation for seriously ill children, Boys and Girls Club, and various children's hospitals. The reception also honored supporters of Cardinal Newman High School, Chris' alma mater and the school now attended by Joe's sons.
San Francisco 49er football legend Joe Montana with St. Francis President & CEO Christopher Silva
St. Francis Winery Meets the Giants
From the Wine Spectator Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2005
A Giants step for winekind, robots as sommeliers,
sheep as vineyard workers and Dom dressed up -
It's distracting enough to taste wine in the presence of a celebrity; try explaining carbonic maceration when squeezed between two 320-pound linemen. That's what Christopher Silva, CEO of St. Francis winery in Sonoma Valley, faced last night when he hosted a wine dinner for a handful of New York Giants football players at Tribeca Grill in New York. In attendance were Eli Manning, Tiki Barber, Jack Brewer, Kenderick Allen, Luke Pettigout, Brandon Winey, Jesse Palmer and Charles Way, now director of player development. The event quickly turned into a high-spirited wine class. "How would you describe the color of this wine?" Silva asked, holding up a glass of his 2002 Behler Chardonnay Reserve. "Looks like a sample for a drug test," Barber quipped. "Hey Eli, are you chewing gum?" asked backup quarterback Palmer of his team's wunderkind starting quarterback. Palmer, best known for his stint on ABC's The Bachelor, had just finished watching Sideways for the third time and couldn't resist peppering the tasting with some of his favorite quotes from the film. The group ended with a glass of '01 Pagani Vineyard Zinfandel Reserve, which elicited a sigh of relief from Manning, who had recently been scared away from Zinfandel by a corky bottle. "Palmer and I tried Zin for the first time the other night and it was the worst wine I've ever tasted," says Manning, who is planning on buying a wine fridge and starting a collection. "I'm glad I gave it another try."
Giants quarterbacks Jesse Palmer (left) and Eli Manning (right) put some big reds to the test with St. Francis President & CEO Christopher Silva
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Dedicates 457 kW Solar Electrical System
PowerLight’s Solar Electric System Delivers Clean, Reliable Energy
to Sonoma County Winemaker
SANTA ROSA, CA, AUG. 10, 2004 — Bay Area policymakers joined today with St. Francis Winery & Vineyard and PowerLight Corporation in dedicating St. Francis Winery’s new solar array. This 457 kilowatt solar electrical system is one of the largest solar installations in the Wine Country — and in the nation. Covering 80,000 square feet, this solar array produces the equivalent electricity during the day to power over 450 homes, and generates over 40% of the winery’s energy needs. The installation was completed in June 2004.
Spirited bidding on dinner at Bodega setting of classic Hitchcock
thriller July 17, 2004
By PEG MELNIK
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Some people pair their zinfandels with Italian food. Others prefer
to pair it with suspense.
The latter made for some spirited bidding at Friday's charity
auction at St. Francis Winery in Kenwood, the kick-off of this year's
Sonoma County Showcase of Wine and Food.
Actress Tippi Hedren, best known for her star turn in Alfred Hitchcock's
"The Birds," presented the most film-noir inspired auction
lot: a dinner party featuring Ravenswood wine at the Bodega Schoolhouse
where an eerie scene in the 1963 film was shot.
St. Francis Winery has commissioned the installation of a 457 kilowatt
solar electrical system for its Winery in Santa Rosa. St. Francis’
new solar array will be one of the largest solar installations in
the Wine Country — and in the nation.
Furnished by PowerLight Corporation of Berkeley, CA, this solar
system will produce the equivalent electricity during the daytime
to power over 450 homes, and generate over 30% of the Winery’s
annual required energy. The installation will be completed in May
2004.
1,300 on hand for wine and food auction; festivities continue
today with Latin-themed pairings July 12, 2003
By PEG MELNIK
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Actress Tippi Hedren said the chilled barrel room at St. Francis
Winery -- with its roaming spotlights, bronze lamé tablecloths
and oak barrels peeking from behind the black velvet curtains --
would make a "perfect movie set. The more Hitchcockian, the
better."
Hedren, perhaps best known for her star turn in Alfred Hitchock's
"The Birds," was among the 1,300 guests who witnessed
the madcap bidding at a live barrel auction that opened the Sonoma
County Showcase of Wine and Food in Kenwood.
A fund-raising tally wasn't available late Friday, but with bids
topping $25,000 within the first half-hour, the auction hinted at
big-money events in the Napa Valley, Sonoma County's high flying
sibling to the east.
St. Francis Winery CEO Christopher
Silva presents an etched bottle of 1999 "Old
Vines" Zinfandel to former President Bill Clinton
and Senator Hillary Clinton in their Georgetown home.
The occasion was a party to honor children's author Cheryl
Saban upon the release of her new book, "50 Ways to Save
Our Children." St. Francis Winery continues to participate
in numerous local and national nonpartisan children's charities.
Click here
FACEBOOK