Skipstone Winery

Skipstone has been on my radar for awhile now.

Nestled in the mountains above Alexander Valley.

By appointment only winery.

VERY limited production wines that sell-out immediately.

$75 tastings

Winemaker is Philippe Melka, a famed Napa Valley Cabernet consultant.

Viognier, Malbec and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

A 200 acre ranch situated along a fault line.

I’ve been itching to visit Skipstone Winery, which has an air of mystery.

As I drove up to Skipstone, I passed rows and rows of about 500 Manzanilla Olive Trees.

Fahri Diner, Skipstone’s owner, a tech industry titan and respected Venture Capitalist.

In addition to wine, Skipstone also makes olive oil.

Olive Oil is very close to Fahri’s heart.

From the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, Fahari has a heritage of olive farming.

Skipstone Olive Oil is made without the aid of chemical additives. Sheep act as weed control.

The Skipstone property is a treasure.

Walking the property.

Surrounded by terraced vineyard views.

Eating course after course of food harvested right on the Skipstone property.

Chef’s Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz dazzling us with their Middle Eastern cuisine.

I’ve never been to a winery event where the food is so colorful, layers upon layers of texture AND innovation.

Most winery events I attend have a set menu with set courses.

Not on this night.

A large outside table near the outdoor kitchen is where I witnessed the chef’s cooking magic.

Dish after dish paraded out of the kitchen. Each one different.

Lamb tartare, lamb meatballs, smoked yogurt, pickled heirloom tomatoes, lamb bacon bites, octopus salad, and fried cheese.

At one point Fahri was showing some guests the chicken coop.

Out he pulled some freshly laid eggs.

Over walked the chef.

Spur of the moment the chef whipped up a new egg creation to serve.

We all hear about “farm to table”. Farm to table was literally unfolding before my eyes.

Wine was pouring.

A 16 Liter bottle welcomed us as we entered the party.

16 liter’s is two cases of wine in one bottle!!!!

Well over a $6,000 bottle of Oliver’s Blend wine.

I’m still in awe.

As the sunset blanketed the ranch and the twinkle lights came on…

I felt like I was in Europe.

Late dining. Wine pouring. Music blaring. Chef whipping up masterpieces and guests standing around the kitchen sampling the food delights.

You drop into this winery like Peter Pan flies into Neverland.

I tucked a little of the magic wine fairy dust under my pillow when I went to sleep last night.

I’m not a member of Skipstone but maybe I’ll journey to this magical wine land again soon!