Sophisticated wine lovers, rejoice! A new paradise designed to enhance your tasting of some of Napa Valley’s finest wines has recently opened in Rutherford, California. Not every wine tasting experience is worth traveling for, but this one belongs on your bucket list. Inglenook Vineyards’ chateau was first built in 1887 and later beautifully restored in 1997. Francis Ford Coppola, proprietor of Inglenook, recently undertook a major renovation of the chateau’s Grand Salon in order to welcome visitors to special tasting experiences with warmth and hospitality.
“When we entertain at home, this is how we entertain,” said Coppola. “The Grand Salon is an extension of our home, and we welcome guests to enjoy our expansive library, art and jazz collections, and games of chance. We wanted to create a richer experience for guests as they enjoy our Inglenook wines.”
Francis Ford Coppola is best known for his role as the director for The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now. In sum, he earned 12 Academy Award nominations, five Academy Awards and two Palme d’Or awards from the Cannes Film Festival. In 1975, he also launched a second career in wine, purchasing the major portion of Inglenook, which was under corporate ownership. By 1995, he had bought the entirety of the original Inglenook property and was responsible for its restoration to its former glory, which was completed in 1997. The recent renovation of the Grand Salon was completed in March 2021.
Tastings in the Grand Salon must be reserved in advance, as they take place with a dedicated wine educator and are paired with cheese, charcuterie and more. The estate’s chef Alex Lovick harvests ingredients directly from Inglenook’s own organic garden to create inventive small bites which complement the wines. Many of his creations are seasonally inspired, including delectable homemade stollen (Christmas bread with candied fruit and almond paste), ravioli with fall vegetables or “cotechino con lenticchie” to celebrate the New Year. Serious wine aficionados and foodies may want to consider joining the Inglenook Heritage Society, which ships Inglenook wines directly to your doorstep five times per year, along with seasonal recipes from Chef Alex.
When visiting the Inglenook estate’s Grand Salon, eating and drinking are not the only activities on offer. Coppola worked on the redesign together with Dean Tavoularis, who was the production designer on many of Coppola’s films. The two wanted to create a special place with many options for entertainment, reminiscent of a private club in the 1920s. Speakeasy lovers will appreciate the chic design, the plush leather couches, romantic chandelier lighting, and walls lined with books. When you would like a break from eating and drinking, play a tune on the salon’s piano, challenge your friends to a game of chess or backgammon or join in a game of craps.
The Grand Salon also features a turntable which plays old jazz albums from the Verve Records Collection. Famous jazz artists such as Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis are among the many albums which can be played upon request. “The new Grand Salon is gorgeous and such an intriguing retreat,” said estate president Catherine Durand. “It’s the perfect setting for savoring Inglenook wines while enjoying the ambiance created by timeless jazz and the rich surroundings of the historic chateau, enhanced by memorable artwork.”
The Grand Salon’s artwork collection consists of pieces by Francis Ford Coppola, Robert De Niro, Sr., Charles Garabedian, and several other well-known artists. But many would say that the decorations in the Grand Salon are not only on the walls. The main circular bar is framed by a decorative glass-encased wine display which holds more than 400 bottles, crafted by The Bullseye Glass Co. in Portland, Oregon. Bullseye was also responsible for the glass for the art deco-style doors which allow natural sunlight to softly illuminate the room.
You can visit the Grand Salon between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday. Seated tastings range from $100 to $150 per person. The Grand Salon also often plays host to special events and parties, such as birthdays, anniversaries and corporate events. Rutherford and its neighboring town of Oakville are known as “small towns with big wines,” with many wine estates producing rich Cabernet Sauvignons. Wine lovers can easily spend an afternoon (or two) lounging at Inglenook’s Grand Salon amidst tourings and tastings of other iconic wineries during their next trip to Napa Valley.