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Svelte sips from Napa.
Winter in Tulsa and it is time to start dreaming — of being somewhere else. I adore visiting California when the cold winds blow, especially Napa or Sonoma Valley. In the winter in Napa and other wine areas, the crowds of people visiting wineries decline considerably. I might add that hotel and airfare prices also drop in the winter.
I can just picture myself at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville, Calif., across from the Railway Inn, where I like to stay and sip a chic little Sauvignon Blanc pre-meal. It helps to balance the buttery escargots and get my salivary glands ready for the next course. Then I can almost taste the lush, plush, ripe and rich Cabernet Sauvignon that arrives to assist me with enjoying my steak and frites.
A full day in Napa can easily consist of two morning appointments on St. Helena Highway (Napa area) at wineries Opus One and Beringer, lunch at nearby Mustard’s Grill and two afternoon appointments at wineries also on St. Helena Highway: Rubicon and Honig (both have Oklahoma ties). Later you can walk over to Bistro Jeanty or Redd Restaurant for a casual meal and sip one of the wines you purchased during the day. It sounds like a dream-come-true to me! 
The perfect daydream
Calistoga Cellars Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007 — $15.69
The beauty of Calistoga Cellars is that several of its owners live in the Tulsa area — Melanie and Tom Tate and Suzan and David Wadley. Where do you think these folks go in the winter? Calistoga, Calif. (in Napa Valley)! This is a lively, refreshing wine that is not burdened with any oak aging. It has spritely flavors of ruby red grapefruit, sweet lemon, baked apples and ripe pear. 
A Ph.D. in Cabernet
Educated Guess Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 — $20.99
There really is no guesswork involved in buying this wine. It’s delicious, rich, full-bodied and sensuous. For a Cab under $20, you have made the right decision if you’re looking for quality juice with loads of black currant, blackberry and black cherry, with notes of licorice, cedar and mocha.
New sips around town
Calistoga Bar and Grill
500 RiverWalk Terrace, Suite 135, Jenks
995-2555
Owners - James Andrews and Kathleen Kennedy
As the name “Calistoga” implies, California and new-world wines are a big draw at this cool bar and grill. Owners James Andrews and Kathleen Kennedy also own Ciao Italian restaurant, 3308 S. Peoria Ave., but wanted to open a venture with a new-world feel. Their pricing on wines maxes out at about $55 per bottle, with most wines in the $30-$32 range. Most of the wines are available by the glass as well. The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor bar and dining areas and has two private rooms for parties.
Andrews would love you to kick off your visit to his grill by sampling the Calistoga Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It sells for $11 a glass or $55 a bottle.
“We are thrilled to bring Calistoga Bar and Grill to this area and look forward to serving many new customers with great wines and food,” Andrews says.
*Wine columnist Randa Warren is a Certified Master Sommelier; Certified Wine Educator; has earned a Diploma of Wine and Spirits, granted through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in England; and is a Certified Specialist of Spirits.
