The holiday season is so close we can taste it, and what better way to get the party started than chatting up a celebrated winemaker? We spoke with Jean-Charles Boisset, WSJwine partner and proprietor of the iconic Raymond Vineyards in Napa Valley, to get the scoop on everything entertaining, upcoming vineyard soirees, and of course – wine. Want the answers? Read on to uncork them.
Credit: WSJwine
Rue La La: There’s so much to take in at Raymond Vineyards. Do you have a favorite experience? The Red Room looks so luxe.
Jean-Charles Boisset: “Winemaker for a Day.” While I adore the luxuriousness of the Red Room and spend countless hours among its treasures and books, the greatest passion of mine is in creation. I‘m thrilled to be able to share with guests the experience of winemaking through Raymond‘s “Winemaker for a Day“ experience. Visitors discover the magic of blending different varieties together to come up with their very own treasure – their custom wine that they bottle, cork, label, and take home!
RLL: We would love to take home a custom wine! Tell us about some upcoming holiday events at Raymond Vineyards. We hear they’re quite spectacular!
JCB: Our holiday festivities start in November when we partner with the Napa Valley Film Festival to honor rising film stars through our Trailblazer Award. We also host an industry mixer at Raymond that brings together producers, directors, and actors for an afternoon that kicks off the festival’s signature weekend events. Then, at each of our properties, we celebrate by decorating with garlands, lights, and Christmas trees, and we also host open houses to capture the true spirit of the season – [sharing] delectable wine and food, but, most importantly, giving back to others. [We ask] guests to bring in toys for donation to brighten up the holidays of those who are less fortunate. Finally, in 2019 we will celebrate the New Year with the launch of our Alchemy of the Senses tour, which will bring our world and vision of luxury to cities around the country!
Credit: WSJwine
RLL: What is your best tip for making holiday entertaining memorable for your guests?
JCB: Parties should be a dreamland for guests, where all their senses are awakened and they feel curious, daring, and enlightened. What better time than during the magic of the holidays to give people the opportunity to discover and feel like nothing is impossible?
RLL: That does sound like a dreamland. Speaking of which, what is your dream food and wine pairing?
JCB: More than just a pairing, my dream moment with food and wine is well described in our latest book, Alchemy of the Senses, releasing December 2018. We describe the ultimate dinner – that transcendental experience of food and wine – the meal I would want to enjoy if it were my last on earth! It would be a gastronomic tour where we would progress from the ocean to the earth and then to the sky. It features delicacies like sea urchin au naturel paired with Chardonnay; white asparagus a la mayonnaise and Chardonnay-poached stingray; venison with Burgundy Pinot Noir; a brilliant cheese course; and finally, the ultimate seduction – a myriad of desserts like macarons, déclinaisons de chocolate, and cherry and chocolate profiteroles with our Napa Valley Cabernet.
Credit: WSJwine
RLL: The holidays must be spectacular at Raymond Vineyards. What do the holidays mean to you?
JCB: The holidays are a time to reflect on the year, to celebrate, and to toast life‘s successes with dear friends and family. [My wife] Gina and I always travel with our daughters to France for Christmas festivities, and then we spend New Year‘s with her side of the family back in California. It’s truly a Franco-American celebration on two continents!
RLL: Tell us about your relationship with WSJwine and the collaboration on their 10th anniversary–edition Cabernet.
JCB: WSJwine has been an exceptional partner, sharing our amazing wines with the very sophisticated palates of Wall Street Journal readers. Together, we created a very unique Cabernet that hopefully inspires them to come visit us in Wine Country! With 10 years of sharing wine together through the WSJwine partnership and 40 years of incredible Cabernet from Raymond Vineyards, we look forward to celebrating [this] partnership for many more decades to come!
RLL: Why is sustainability so important to you and to the wine industry in general?
JCB: We have a long-held family commitment to stewardship of our land and our irreplaceable terroir. We farm not for this generation, but for the generations to follow. We listen to the rhythms of nature in pursuit of authentic wines that respect the living life of the vineyards, now and for the future!
If our holiday is anything like Jean-Charles Boisset’s, it will definitely be merry and bright (and full of wine).
By Emma Lifvergren, Staff Writer
