Dan O'Brien, who is now with Larkmead winery, then joins us to talk about his career in wine - from Sommelier, to wine marketer to winemaker, dedicating his new label to his late mother, Gail. It's an inspiration to hear.
Dan
O'Brien
From
stock boy to wine director to winemaker, Dan O’Brien has dedicated the last 20
years of his life working in every facet of the wine industry. A native of
Rhode Island, Dan got his start at a local package store building displays and
stocking shelves after class in high school.
During
college Dan began managing the wine cellars at some notable restaurants in
Providence including The Capital Grille, XO Cafe and Ten Prime before moving
his career to Boston where he was hired as a Sommelier at Grill 23 & Bar.
After
5 years as a Sommelier and Wine Director running some of the top cellars in
Boston, Dan moved to the San Francisco Bay Area as the opening Wine Director
for Cavallo Point in Sausalito. A unique opportunity to build a wine program
from the ground up. During his time at Cavallo, Dan began developing priceless
relationships within the industry, allowing him to create his first wine label,
Cultivar.
Dan
left Cavallo in 2011 to begin managing wineries and making wine in Napa and
Sonoma. From 2012 to 2015, Dan worked as Estate Director for the highly
regarded Long Meadow Ranch in Rutherford, where he ran the winery’s sales and
marketing operations and developed new brands for the company's continuous
growth in vineyard holdings, including Farmstead by Long Meadow Ranch and Hunt
& Harvest.
Today,
Dan spends his days as the Director of Sales & Marketing for Larkmead
Vineyards in Calistoga. In his spare time Dan is the winemaker for his own
label Gail, producing single vineyard wines from appellations in and around the
Sonoma Valley in dedication of his late mother.
About Larkmead
Dating back to the late 1800s, the story of Larkmead
spans two families and over 100 acres of valley floor vineyard. The Estate has
been part of the Solari family for nearly 70 years, continuing the proud
tradition of producing world-class wines that was started in 1895.
The Larkmead Estate is made up of three contiguous
vineyard parcels at one of the narrowest points in Napa Valley. The vineyard
spans almost the entire breadth of the valley floor from Highway 29 to
Silverado Trail with the Napa River dissecting it in half. From the winemaking
perspective, it offers tremendous diversity in the soils due to centuries of
alluvial flow. Today, the vineyard's three block contain four primary soil
types: sand, silt, clay and gravel. It is this broad range of growing
conditions that brings distinct terroir to our wines.
About Gail Wines
Gail Wines is a small, family-owned
wine company producing single vineyard wines from the eastern hillsides of
Sonoma County. The wines are fermented in small lots using ambient, native
yeasts then aged sur-lie in seasoned French oak barrels with minimal movement
or manipulation. Each bottle is bottled unfiltered and hand-numbered all in the
name of our mother Gail.
The Concierge Insider:
Yountville, California
Seated in relaxed and gracious elegance in Villagio’s
spacious welcoming lobby, you will find concierge, Mary DuVoure, who’s warm and
generous spirit will surround you and start your journey in true Napa
style. Enjoy Mary’s stories!
How long have you
been a concierge?
I left the corporate world to take the position at Villagio
Inn and Spa in Yountville in 2003 and haven’t looked back.
What is your most
unusual request?
Once I was contacted by a guest arriving in a few days, who
was planning on surprising his girlfriend with a marriage proposal and vacation
at the hotel. He had selected, purchased
and shipped an entire wardrobe, with make-up, toiletries and all she’d need,
asking me to set up the room for her.
Needless to say, she accepted the proposal!
What is your favorite
local “hidden” gem?
Kayaking on Lake Hennessy, or going up to Somerston Estate
where you can drink the spring water from the ground.
Favorite 1 day getaway?
Going to the ocean, like Rodeo Beach to walk my dog.
Favorite weekend
getaway?
What referral gets
the most “thank you’s” or “wow”s
Dinner at the French Laundry, and also Bottega..
http://www.botteganapavalley.com
Best Napa “splurge”?
Aside from The French Laundry, a chauffeured guided
experience of the valley. They get you into all the unknown wineries with
special treatment everywhere you go!
Best quality value
for the money?
Lunch at Bouchon Bakery or Oakville Grocery.
http://bouchonbakery.com/http://www.oakvillegrocery.com/stores/napa_valley.php
Favorite international
destination
Ireland.
http://www.discoverireland.com/us/
Best unknown photo
spot
Pride Mountain vineyards picnic ground or Cardinale Estate
in Oakville where you can get a 360 view from their balcony.
http://www.cardinale.com/about-napa-valley
Most unforgettable
trip moment
When I arrived in London on one trip, a business man I had
met on the plane offered to share his driver taking me to a great hotel, then
picking me up the next day for a tour.
Favorite city to
visit
Paris
Favorite city hotel
Hotel Fountaines du Luxembourg, on the Left Bank of
Paris. For a tired visitor arriving
after a long flight, it was perfect – champagne and fully stocked bar, right
amid all the Left Bank’s wonderful cafes and such refined elegance!
http://www.hotel-luxembourg.com/
Most moving thank you
gift
A guest made me some hand strung pearls, that she had
personally selected knowing my favorite colors, eyes and style.
Something no-one
knows about being a concierge
How much work it takes to be good at the job. You really need to be able to get outside of
yourself and be thinking of the guests’ preferences.
When you travel
(aside from the obvious) what do you never leave home without.
A black coat that covers all occasions – dressy, casual,
wind and rain.
If you only have 1
day in Napa, you must………
Hire a driver; visit 2 great wineries with a picnic in a
vineyard. It’s more important to get
quality than quantity to experience the “essence” of the valley.
What are your
favorite travel apps and websites?
www.Kayak.com.
Best spot for People
Watching
Bouchon Patio.
http://bouchonbistro.com/yountville
Thank you for sharing this informative post. Looking forward to read more.
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