The occasion is marked by immersive winery events that are a nod to the winery’s rich history and continued innovation
Napa Valley, CA (March 16, 2022) – Burgess Cellars is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, paying homage to the winery’s roots and showcasing innovations by Estate Director George Lobjanidze and Winemaker Meghan Zobeck. Napa Valley winery Burgess Cellars is happy to host guests for the following events, detailed below.
- Spring Garden Brunch (April 9th at 11am): Chef Michael Kapetanakis of Spruce, a one-star Michelin restaurant, will be creating a special menu featuring local game and produce from the estate’s regenerative garden. Tickets for the event can be purchased at this link.
- 50th Anniversary Dinner (October 8th at 5pm): This commemorative dinner will celebrate Tom Burgess and Bill Sorenson’s 50-year legacy. A multi-course tasting menu will pair dishes by Executive Chef Mark Sullivan of Bacchus Management with unique and rare wines from the Burgess library; new releases will also be previewed. Tickets for the event can be purchased at this link.
- Burgess Makers Series: Lobjanidze and Zobeck will host conversations with local artisans and tastemakers each season, focusing on committing yourself to a craft and how their respective ethos aligns with Burgess. The lineup of interviewees is as follows: James Beard Award-Winning Designer Amy Morris who will be helming the Burgess renovation, Regenerative Gardening and Edible Landscaping Specialist Colby Eireman who designed the estate’s edible garden, Landscape Architects Eric and Silvina Blasen who designed the topiary and landscaping for the winery renovation, and Executive Chef Sullivan. The speakers will showcase their work and inspirations, such as Chef Sullivan who along with his wife Allison is opening Savoie in Tahoe (outside of Bacchus Management), featuring Alpine cuisine with a focus in wild foraging and harmony in their natural environment.
The Spring Garden Brunch will be the first event hosted at the new winery space which opened last year. After the original Howell Mountain estate was lost in the Glass Fires in 2020, the new farmhouse style winery space was built, with an added emphasis on transforming the property to become a haven for promiscuous farming.
Burgess Cellars was originally purchased by Tom Burgess in 1972, one of the first of two dozen wineries in Napa Valley. The revered 27-acre vineyard was planted with vines in the 1880s. Set apart by its terraced mountain vineyards and volcanic rock and ash soils, the vines produce fruit with a distinct profile: densely flavored, structured and rich in color with balanced acidity. These 30-year-old vineyards are defined by compressed volcanic ash (“tuff”) soil as well as a 27% slope.
Both Lobjanidze and Zobeck are responsible for ushering in a new era for Burgess, focused on regenerative farming and sustainability coupled with world class hospitality that showcases the nuance and history behind every bottle. Under Zobeck’s tenure as winemaker, Burgess is transitioning to regenerative and promiscuous agricultural practices, and is set to become Demeter certified by 2023. She has brought in livestock and has planted Monarch habitats, pollinator habitats, a tea garden and diverse cover crops to foster biodiversity and increase soil health.
Lobjanidze’s range of focuses includes developing the private tasting program, providing consistent team leadership, and ensuring direct-to-guest engagement for the tasting room, e-commerce, and events, while maintaining the highest quality of service.
“Burgess Cellars is a pillar of Napa Valley’s history, and we’re excited to host guests at the estate to commemorate the winery’s legacy, while also previewing new releases and conceptualizing immersive events for guests,” says Lobjanidze. “Meghan produces wines with a distinct sense of place and purity from organic fruit, so we approach hospitality with the same sense of authenticity.”
Additionally, Burgess will undergo updates to the landscape and exterior (garden tasting area) early this year followed by interior renovations in late 2022. This coincides with a visual rebranding of the wine labels, website, and collateral for guests.
About Burgess Cellars
Founded by Tom Burgess in 1972, the winery has been continuously owned and operated by the Burgess family until the acquisition by the Lawrence Family in 2020. Since its inception, Cabernet Sauvignon has been the flagship variety, though the brand has since expanded its portfolio to include Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Chardonnay wines. For more information, visit www.burgesscellars.com or Instagram.
