Sipping Down Memory Lane
“Drinking wine is almost like time travel… you’re tasting the history of the past,” said Dr. D. Christopher Taylor, professor and director of the Beverage Management Program and Fred Parks Wine Cellar.
During the 2024 Fred Parks Lecture Series, attendees did just that. Sweet rosé aromas, luscious bubbles and invigoratingly bold grape pallets captivated guests from not only from Hilton College, but the entire University of Houston. Over 150 attendees learned about Napa Valley, California while enjoying a crave-worthy personal charcuterie plate and six boldly luscious wines.
Taylor was inspired to present this experience after taking several students from the Master of Science in Global Hospitality Business program on a trip to Napa. Here, they drove from winery to winery in a 15-seater van to learn about the operational side of owning or working within a winery. Of course, they also learned how to make the beloved beverage! The wineries they happily visited were Caymus-Suisun Vineyards, Duckhorn Vineyards, Josh Phelps at Grounded Wine Co., Pine Ridge Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars and Trinchero Napa Valley. The students were so impacted by the unique experiences at each of these locations that they wanted to bring the experience back to Houston.
For the 2024 Fred Parks Lecture Series presentation, guests indulged in the complex flavor profiles from many of those same wineries. They sampled the Chenin Blanc/Viognier sparkling wine from Pine Ridge Vineyards, the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from Mason Cellars, the 2022 Chardonnay from Duckhorn Vineyards, the 2022 Walking Fool from Caymus-Suisun, the 2021 Merlot Napa Valley from Duckhorn Vineyards and finally, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Pine Ridge Vineyards.
“One of the beautiful things about wine is that no one needs to experience the same things as others,” said Taylor. “Wine is an aesthetic because the smells and tastes are associated with personal experiences.”
The event paved the path for future experiences as well. Taylor shared a number of Napa tips for those who want to try the wines straight from the source. Advice included booking wine tastings as far in advance as possible, planning to spend $40+ per winery visit, doing research prior to the visit (since each winery has a specialty that may or may not compliment individual pallets), visiting Napa August through October or March through May for less traffic, going during the week for a more tranquil experience, avoiding San Francisco airports to minimize travel stress, etc.
The lecture ended with a collective comradery that filled the ballroom, each eagerly looking towards just two things: the next Fred Parks Lecture and a trip to Napa in the meantime!