What Ho? Real Ale? E N G L I S H Ale? Good Things are Brewing in Marin County
Published: July, 2003
For those who love ale, something very special will be available this summer at the Heart of the Forest Renaissance Faire. The Patterson family, who created the original Rensissance Pleasure Faire, are the producers of this Faire; they have reached back in time again to give us a real taste of authentic 16th century English life, in the form of a true English ale brewed especially for the Faire by the Master Brewer of Lagunitas Brewery in Petaluma. What’s more, the brew will contain fresh hops shipped from Southern England via overnight express. This is meticulous attention to detail! The secret recipe will be made by applying authentic techniques from days of yore. It has been said that a coincidence is God’s way of being anonymous. The location of Stafford Lake Park near Novato was chosen long before the good idea of authentic ale came to pass, but how do you like this? The hops are coming from the actual town of Stafford, England, in the County of Staffordshire.
Going to the Faire
The producers, staff, and participants all have one thing in common: they are passionate about the 16th century. It has all been carefully thought out--theme, color, building materials, costumes, theatrical entertainment on stages, street actors everywhere creating amusing commotions, jostling, bursting into song. We promise you there won’t be a dull moment! Hungry? Fine English country food will tempt you everywhere (oh, the smell of fresh roasting turkey legs!!!) And don’t forget the ale, lads!
The Faire begins on Saturday, July 12, and will be open Saturdays and Sundays for five weekends, ending August 10. Check out www.forestfaire.com or call 415/ 897-4555 for more information.
Expedition to England
While working for the Faire in the 1970s, Dianne traveled to England with a mission: to see the first known written cookbook in English called "The Forme of Cur’y, compiled by the cooks of Richard II (1390-1400). She applied for permission at the British Museum and was shown to a reading room. A person sitting in a very high desk watched everything. A scroll in a black velvet lined box was delivered! Determined to "carry on," she unrolled the whole thing, pausing now and then to study some items. It was absolutely unreadable, but we can’t lower the flag, now, can we? Finally, all tucked back together, she handed over the scroll. At the door, a kindly guard inquired, "EOW, now, are we going to cook up a goodstew?"
Napa Valley’s Sequoia Grove
There are well-known establishments in this world that offer food and beverage; sometimes just one or the other, and sometimes both. A menu is provided listing the choices you have for ordering. Have you ever noticed in certaiin places that you begin to twitch as you read the items because one-by-one, every single thing appeals to you, entices you, and you are tempted to order everything? Then, you have a new quandry: what shall I order?
At Sequoia Grove Tasting Room in the Napa Valley, you can order everything. It is all First Class. The specialties are Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Carneros Chardonnay. (Do you remember the last column about the Carneros region? It is at the southern end of the valley, where the daytime sun, cool nights, and special soil work their magic on grapevines. We have never had a wine from the Carneros region we did not like.) There may be some types of wine you like better than others, but there is an unmistakable common thread running from bottle to bottle at Sequoia Grove: excellence.
Where to go
As you drive onto the property from Highway 29 in Rutherford, you will see the charming rustic tasting room tucked behind beautiful redwood trees. It looks like a little house you would like to own. The hospitality that awaits you brings to mind part of a poem that Ernest Holmes wrote, "All, all is yours, and you are welcome."
The tasting room has a stunning new window high up on the rear wall etched with the international awards the wines have won and the winery’s historical milestones. In another area, a framed bulletin board holds 75 colorful satin rosettes that are the familiar exhibitor’s ribbons - hard won trophies! But that’s nothing! A small question on our list received a large answer: "How many awards have your wines won?" "Two hundred and sixty!"Jim Allen, founder and director of winemaking, went on to say that 2 of the awards were Platinum and 39 were Gold. "I established a style I wanted in the beginning and never deviated except to try for more perfection."
What to do
In the surrounding buildings and garden the same welcoming ambiance is evident --a place where you can take a deep breath and be glad to be alive. Jim and Renata Allen pride themselves on the homey atmosphere. Renata has worked tirelessly in the garden and has also created whimsical sculptures and ceramic objects.
Again, the summer Sequoia Grove is hosting the 17th annual Wine Country Film Festival. In the past, Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, Richard Harris, and Dudley Moore were honored guests. Over 25 international films will be shown July 17-20 and July 24-27. Lowell White-Alwell, senior staff in the tasting room said, "After a hot day, it is so nice to sit out in the cool evening and watch a movie!" There will be a Gala Opening July 17 and a special Polish Culture Celebration on July 19 to introduce Polish artist Rafal Olbinski. Food, song, dance and a feature film is all part of the program. Festival hotline: 707 935-3456.
A Personal Aside
We have traveled to Russia with Jim Allen, met in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and had several adventures in France. When Pamela Harriman was alive and Ambassador to France, she invited California winemakers to have a tasting in her home in Paris. We were not expecting to see Jim and Renata. Dianne, dressed in an outfit with a little hat, was sitting by herself in the salon sipping champagne. Suddenly, the Allens appeared and Jim quipped, "Well, it is the Queen of France!" Later, we all went to our favorite steak and frites (french fries) restaurant near Port Maillot (Le Relais de Venise) and had to wait in a long line to get in. You may not believe it, but we fetched a good bottle of Jim’s chardonnay and drank it outside while waiting for our table.
Dianne Boate is a San Francisco photojournalist. Her work may be seen at danielakart.com. Robert Meyer is a consultant to the wine and spirits industry. They have been tasting wine together for 24 years.
