I am a fan of the show Shrinking on Apple TV+. Tonight I watched episode 10 of season 2 and it might have been the last episode of the season. Harrison Ford is in it, but he is by far the star of the show. I enjoy the cast so much and the general premise of the show are the struggles we face in life. The father and daughter of the show lost a wife and a mom a little over a year ago due to a car accident.

In this episode the daughter turns 18 and the dad bought her a car pretty much like her mom’s car. The daughter went out for the evening with a bunch of friends. The writers were setting this up for the daughter to get in a car wreck and I was one heck of mess. I thought for sure she was going to get hurt. Thankfully that didn’t happen.

I tell you stories like this hit too close to home for me with my daughter getting her drivers license in just a couple weeks.

Little stories like my daughter getting her drivers license or her being completely wasted after a week of Nutcracker practice followed by 3 shows for the first weekend I hold so close to my heart. I mean I was exhausted as well, but in a couple years her little wings will have expanded. She will be doing a different phase of life, as will I. Trying get to my head around what that next chapter looks and feels like is an impossible task.

I came across this short 20 minute movie on YouTube called, “The Neighbors’ Window.” It grabs you in the heart and slaps you a couple times in the face trying to tell you to appreciate your life. The grass might look greener on the other side, and you never know how green your own grass is. Here is a link to the movie. Read the newsletter, grab another cup of coffee for you and your partner, climb back into bed, and watch this one together. I promise you will get a little teary eyed.

Taking note of this burger place the next time I am in SF.

James Sucklings Top 100 Wines of the World.

Jeb Dunnuck's Top 100 Wines of the World.

​Ridley Scott makes wines, oh my!!

Who knew buying wine and selling wine could be life a matter of life and death.

Some people like to steal wine and have a car chase with the police.

Let's talk some Sparkling wine shall we?

The wine world is down in sales, but the luxury market is also down.

Are you ready to visit some gorgeous places to dine?

Love, love, love the fact Arabilis is getting more attention!

Doug will no longer be making the wine at Brick House.​

It’s a new year, and I’m thrilled to share something exciting with you—a brand-new newsletter!

This isn’t just another publication. The Wine Whisperer is a monthly, paid newsletter that’s worlds apart from this one, though it will still feature captivating stories. It’s designed for a select group of readers who crave something truly special.

Each month, I’ll highlight just two extraordinary wines—bottles so unique they defy traditional ratings. You won’t find these featured by the usual wine critics, and I won’t be assigning scores either. These wines are about the experience, the craftsmanship, and the stories that make them unforgettable.

Reader are you curious and ready to explore something truly remarkable, click here to learn more and cheers to a new year.

Wine Country always seems to buzz with little birdies whispering about new experiences, wineries, and wines to explore. One place I haven’t had the chance to visit yet is The Black Walnut. It’s not for lack of interest—I’ve heard nothing but spectacular things. But living just 30 minutes away, it’s been tough to justify the splurge. That said, it’s firmly on my list for someday.

Now, you’re probably wondering why I’m bringing up The Black Walnut. After all, it’s better known for its lodging than its wine (though they do have their own vineyard). Here’s why: recently, I started hearing murmurs that The Black Walnut had been bought out, and with that came the promise of a brand-new experience. The whispers kept growing louder. If you remember from last month’s email, I was chatting with Jared Etzel at Late Sky when he asked, “Have you been to Anthology yet?” I told him no, and his response was immediate: “You should! It’s like Okta but with a Pacific Northwest vibe—tattooed chefs cooking right in front of you.” So, what do you think I did next?

So, Anthology—what is it? Who is behind it, and why does it seem to come out of nowhere? To answer those questions, we need to take a step back. Let’s start with The Four Graces. Have you been? I haven’t either. Why not? Honestly, I’ve never heard much about standout wines or experiences there. Sure, I’ve seen the sign countless times driving into Dundee, but it’s never made it onto my radar. Maybe it’s time I change that…

In May 2014, Foley Family Wines and Spirits purchased The Four Graces. By March 2022, they also acquired The Black Walnut. If you’re unfamiliar with Foley, let me put it this way: they’re massive. Bill Foley and his wife, Carol Johnson Foley, have their hands in just about everything. Born on December 29, 1944, Bill grew up in Texas, attended West Point, and made $40,000 in the stock market while still in school. He later negotiated multimillion-dollar deals with Boeing as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. As of 2023, his estimated net worth is a staggering $1.6 billion.

The Foley empire is vast and diverse, to say the least. Under their umbrella, you’ll find properties like the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team, AFC Bournemouth, Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas Knight Hawks, and Auckland FC. They also own luxury destinations such as Hotel Californian, Hotel Les Mars, Wharekauhau Country Estates, Black Walnut Inn, Rock Creek Cattle Company, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Farmhouse Inn, and MacArthur Place. Add to that Foley Family Wines and Spirits, The Foley Collection, Glacier Restaurant Group, Lee’s Family Forum, City National Arena, America First Center, 27 wineries, and several foundations. The rabbit hole of Foley Family Wines runs deep, and I’m sure you get the picture.

Would I enjoy diving further down this rabbit hole for you? Absolutely! But I’ve already asked you to watch a video and grab an extra cup of coffee. To go any deeper would require a full pot of coffee—and since it’s the start of a new year, I’ll respect any caffeine-cutting resolutions you might have.

Now, back to Anthology—the centerpiece of today’s newsletter. In the summer of 2024, the Foley portfolio expanded to include a new accommodation: The Grange Dundee Hills Wine Inn. But it’s more than just an inn. The building houses The Four Graces’ tasting room and serves as the dining space for Anthology once The Four Graces transitions away from tastings. Conveniently, it’s just a short stroll from The Black Walnut Inn.

With all that backstory, I think it’s time to dive headfirst into the experience itself. Reservations for Anthology are made through Tock (anyone have a connection to help me convince them Block 55 is the better option?). Dinners are available Thursday through Sunday at 5:30 PM for $275 per person, with an optional wine pairing for $160. It’s definitely a splurge, but let me assure you—this is a dining experience you’ll never forget.

Walking into the building a glass of L.P.M. Champagne Ullens was poured along with an appetizer while waiting for other guests to show up.

I have to admit the building is pretty damn fantastic!

I went on a Saturday night and there were a total of four people for dinner. All of us were sitting at the “Chef’s Bar” front and center for an amazing evening.

The chefs, Chase Williams and Zack Ehrlich were so down to earth and open to answer all of the questions. Here is Chase’s bio from the website:

And here is Zack’s bio:

I absolutely adored both chefs—they were humble, funny, down-to-earth, and created some truly incredible dishes. There was also a wine specialist involved, but unfortunately, they didn’t receive as much recognition. Regrettably, I didn’t catch their name and haven’t been able to track down their details. It left me wishing that food experiences placed as much emphasis on wine as they do on the food itself.

Speaking of wine pairings, I have to confess I was a bit apprehensive at first. I couldn’t help but worry I’d be served Four Graces wine. Not that there’s anything wrong with it—I’ve never tried it, so I have no place to judge. My concern was that the evening might lack the sense of wine exploration I was hoping for. Spoiler alert: I had absolutely nothing to worry about.

At Anthology, dinner unfolds as a story. Instead of courses, the experience is divided into ‘Chapters,’ with the entire evening forming part of a greater ‘Volume.’ For this dining experience, there were eight captivating Chapters in Volume 5 titled, Hunt & Forage. Below, you’ll find the details of each Chapter, accompanied by photos that bring the evening to life.

Chapter 1: Prelude

Briar Rose Cheeses, Pacific Cod Cheek, Farmer’s Choice

Chapter 2: Oregon Bay Shrimp

Chapter 3: Corn-gee

Chapter 4: Oregon “Dan Dan”

Chapter ?: ???

Chapter 5: Quail & Peppers

Chapter 6: Anderson Lamb

Chapter 7: Risalamande

Chapter 8: Stone Fruit and Chocolate

There was a nice assortment of wines and I adored the fact they had a 2007 Nysa Pinot Noir even though this was The Four Graces “tasting room”.

The wines were: Savart L'Ouverture 1er Cru Blanc de Noirs, 2022 Punta Crena, Vermentino "Vigneto Isasco", 2019 Pflaume Chardonnay Black Walnut Vineyard, 2007 Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2018 Silverado Vineyards Cab Franc Mt. George Vineyard, 2020 Mas De Boislauzon CDP, and 2017 Mantlerhof Riesling Beerenauslese Gedersdorf Austria.

The reservation began at 5:30, and by the time I left at 8:20, I was completely satisfied. With Okta no longer around, it was a relief to discover another venue offering such an exceptional dining experience. That said, there’s truly no replacing Ron at Okta. He’s a superstar who always goes above and beyond to ensure every guest leaves delighted. On an exciting note, I’ve heard whispers that a new Okta is on the horizon, possibly launching in the next month. Stay tuned!

By now, you probably know where I’m heading with this: yes, you absolutely need to make a reservation to experience this for yourself. It’s true—it’s not a casual night out—but moments like these are rare and worth it. So, when you step through the door and receive your glass of Champagne, be sure to say, “A.J. sent me!” They might have no idea who I am (and that’s part of the fun), but it’s our little inside joke. Who knows? Maybe they’ll surprise you, recognize the name, and you’ll get to geek out over wine together.

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With Gratitude,

A.J.

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P.S. You’ve been along for the ride with this newsletter for a while now—thank you! Think about how many friends might also enjoy my musings each first Saturday of the month. Take a moment to forward this to someone who’d love it as much as you do. Sharing is caring, and I’d love to have them join us!