have decades of experience in napa valley, toe kenward Seeing it blossom into bustling wine country, today it is a mecca for foodies.
T.or kenward isn’t it normal napa valley vintner—He has traveled the burgeoning wine industry for nearly 50 years, from the mid-’70s when there were only over 50 wineries in Napa to today’s over 400 wineries in the region.
in his new book A Winemaker’s Thoughts: The Story of a Lifetime and the Wisdom of the Seasons napa valleyKenward shares his viewing experience napa valley Become a world-class wine destination.He also shares legends such as Julia Child, Andy Beckstoffer, Robert Mondavi, and his good friend Thomas Keller. was a child napa valley It’s also a foodie’s dream destination.
Today as his own iconic winemaker TOR WinesKenward has spent most of his adult life writing, teaching and lecturing about wine. Nor was he from a family with his business background in wine. He pursued a successful career in wine based on his own passion.
“I went to college University of California, took a quarter vacation to be a backpacker in the Sierra and was invited by the government to go to Vietnam,” says Kenward. “I worked for him in Vietnam for a year, and then vowed to devote the rest of my life to a project that would really make a big difference for me.”
He then started a popular jazz club in Southern California in the late ’60s. There Kenward met many celebrities who were into fine wine and food.
“Like many people, I was obsessed with wine, so I had to read everything there was. Also, some people who have several wine stores in Southern California I made friends with people and they asked me to go to Northern California and investigate what was happening in Napa and Sonoma at the time,” he says.
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After hiring a very popular jazz pianist to play a few shows at clubs, Tor saved up enough money and headed to wine country.
“That allowed me enough money, which was just a few thousand dollars at the time, in my back pocket to throw everything in the car and see if anyone would hire me. napa valleysays Kenward. “Two days later the winery called me and said they had a job for you. I got the job and ended up staying there for about 25 years. And my world changed completely.”
he was hired at Beringer Vineyardsthe longest continuously operating winery in California, where he became vice president a few years later.
“My unofficial title was ‘Vice President of All Fun’ because every year they sent me to Europe to wine with the greats of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Spain, Portugal and of course Italy. Because I learned to build, and I got paid,” it was daunting,” says Kenward. “Then I came back and worked with the winemaking team to form a private reserve program and other high-end programs for the wineries we were building and buying at the time.”
“Two days later the winery called me and said they had a job for you. I got the job and ended up staying there for about 25 years. And my world changed completely.”
Melanson Vineyards – Bob McLenahan
While at Beringer, Kenward saw: napa valley changed It has grown into today’s bustling wine scene.
“this is Disneyland It’s for foodies and people who love wine, wine and food,” he says.
The region has undergone a culinary revolution and has evolved into a Mecca for not only great wines, but also excellent cuisine.
“Julia Child became a good friend of mine and I spent a lot of time with her,” he says. She, along with a handful of others, American Wine and Food Institutelaunched in the early ’80s, and she asked me to join her board of directors.
Tor Kenward at Vine Hill Ranch Vineyards – Mark Hartman
“It was a very interesting board of people who were very influential in the food industry at the time, but you can see the early waves that were washing ashore and changing things,” he added.
After gaining valuable experience at Beringer and seeing the wine brand go public and be transferred to another owner, Kenward started his own winery.
“I was able to do what I always wanted to do and start my own winery,” says Kenward. “Looking back, it’s interesting. It gave me an education that I could never have.”
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Melanson Vineyards – Bob McLenahan
today, TOR Wines It incorporates Kenward’s 40 years of experience. napa valley To understand exactly what makes a great wine, with a focus on single vineyard Cabernet, Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines, cuvees and Bordeaux varietals.to share the taste TOR Wines, the winery offers holiday gift sets that include a copy of Kenward’s book, a bottle of 2019 Tierra Roja, and a bottle of 2019 Oakville. retail price is $300, Gary’s Wine & Marketplace.
When a critic rates a wine 100, it means they consider it absolutely perfect. TOR Wines black magic napa valley Red Blend 2018 has earned coveted recognition, a testament to quality and taste. Kenward fondly recalls when he earned the 100-point honor.
“It was very heartwarming to have so many friends in the same room, and it was fun to share that moment with so many neighbors, friends and other winemakers,” he says.
if you are heading napa valley To sample great wines, Kenward recommends seeing just two a day and focusing on smaller, harder-to-find wines.
“Study small, independent things,” he says. “Make sure you meet the winemakers in person, meet the owners of these establishments, and understand what their passion was and what they did to get involved.”
