Sure, there are cave tours. But, then there are CAVE TOURS!
Join us in the Napa Valley as we follow Dave Del Dotto through his nearly 150 year-old candle-lit cave. Along the way, Dave discusses everything from ancient wine history, religion and wine, fermenting in a clay vessel, how wines affect your body, the effects of sulfites in wine, wine as a natural anti-biotic and disinfectant, to how Cabernet Franc is the real Cabernet.
And what about oak as a spice rack, its toast levels, selecting bottling by barrel type? Dave probably uses more different oak varieties than anyone, and you can actually order your own final blend of wine based on this tasting tour. Of course, along the way we have to stop and barrel sample many wines…no, make that many, many wines!
More Information:
Del Dotto Vineyards: www.deldottovineyards.com
Sponsor: Custom Crush Napa: www.napainvestors.com
Click Below to Play the Show:
(1:38:54 min 28 MB)
Jay, Mark and Dave
Part of the large reception/tasting area
Just one of the tasting and sales rooms at Del Dotto
Entrance to the cave
Entrance on Silverado Trail
Small cask of high-octane juice
Cutaway of barrels shows just two of the various types of oak Dave uses. Note the grooves inside the barrel on the left
What a character. I toured Del Dotto last fall (on a recommendation from an older show) and loved it. We didn’t get Dave, we got one of the other tour guides, but we had a great time there. Everyone that went with me said it ws the highlight of our week. I have to go back now just to take the tour with Dave.
Great show. After listening to Dave and his passion for wine, I’m ready to take the tour myself. But I’m now afraid that the waiting list will be too long after this Grape Radio exposure. And No Jay, you didn’t come across as an embarrassment to yourself or Grape Radio. Considering the number of tastings that went on through the show, I think you handled yourself well. It’s Dave who I would have been worried about. “I feel very euphoric right now”. great quote that shows his love for his craft.
Thanks Again
This was one of my favorite shows, I can see why people are drawn to this venue it all just seemed lik so much fun I wanted to join in. Next time in Napa I wil make sure I add this place to my list.
All I can say is that I want to go back. You just have to LOVE his energy. In addition, the wine is pretty tasty.
Jay
Thanks for a great show on Del Dotto Vineyards.
Dave Del Dotto is a fabulous salesman - maybe too fabulous?
Take a look at www.ftc.gov/opa/1996/10/deldotto.htm.
If you Google search for “Dave Del Dotto”, you will find other evidence of his selling skills.
I look forward to visiting Del Dotto’s winery, but I will be listen to the sales pitch with skepticism. Caveat emptor
How can anyone take Dave Del Dotto seriously? He reminds me of so many people in the industry in which I work, advertising. Someone with a lot of self-importance on a major ego trip. There wasn’t a hint of humility or introspection. Here’s a guy – or should I say, character – who’s hawking, no flogging, his wares in a crass way I wouldn’t usually connect with high end wine. How many times do we have to hear him tell us his wines are “rich?” I bet he said his wines were “rich” 50 or more times in this podcast. There was not one of his wines that wasn’t “the world’s best” or the “the best Pinot in the world,” or “can’t get this incredible rich, vanilla flavor anywhere else.” After a while all his superlatives ring hollow and you begin to think the man is a fool. Or, worse, thinks we’re fools. What is interesting here is that Grape Radio presents all sorts of personalities in the wine industry. From the carnival barker, insipid hard sell of Del Dotto, to the imperious but fascinating Stephen Tanzer, the pretentious yet knowledgeable Allen Meadows, to the industrious and respectable Marc Perrin. For us in podcast land, we get to look in through an always interesting window.
I finally got around to listening to this show yesterday. What a total blowhard. Del Dotto contradicts himself at every turn, one moment talking about how his unoaked wines fermented in clay are the world’s best and the next saying that his super-oaked wines that taste like Tahitian vanilla are the best. Almost everything he said was difficult to swallow.
I’m glad Grape Radio interviews all of these different folks as it gives an unvarnished window into the world of wine which is otherwise hard to get. I believe the vintner’s personality is often reflected in the wine so that’s helpful to us as consumers and appreciators of wine. Unfortunately, he had you guys eating out of his hand. I know you aren’t trying to do investigative journalism, but Grape Radio is established enough now that you could be a little tougher on charlatans like Del Dotto.
You are cynic DCS. I like that. I am not so sure I agree that he had us eating out of his hand. As a matter of fact, I think I pushed back a few times. That being said, I do not argue with your point that we could have been tougher. To be honest, I am not sure I am that sort of guy. Just like wine reviews, I think people can make their own judgments. I do not go in with an agenda.
Jay
Del Dotto and wines now, befiore this he was pitching vitamins on infomercials, and before that he was a real estate “guru”. If he was that good at any of the prior, one would think that would still be his primary bread and butter.
Residences of his have been foreclosed on. Does not sound like the type I’d follow into business.
Dave Del Dotto is a great example of a Jehovah’s Witness who made a fortune scamming people with get rich real estate courses. Now he’s scamming folks with his wines.
sorry. I mistyped my email. The above is correct.
Just returned from my tour of the wine cave and it was fantastic! Tasted from at least 8 barrels and continued my journey for another hour or so with one of the winemakers, Greg, for more outstanding items. Despite the crass remarks from a few, Dave does not profess to be a winemaker, he happens to be the guy fortunate enough to grow and purchase some of the most outstanding fruits in the region and have great winemakers with profound palates with a dash of his input. How he chose to make his living way back when has nothing to do with the present. The caves and tasting rooms are beautiful, very tasteful decor, staff absolutely wonderful. The wine may be a bit pricey, comparable to the limited reserves I buy at Chateau St. Jean and Beringer, but each is a winner, 89pt and up in my book. I’m now a loyal fan and will be stocking my wine room with these treasures, especially with my custom-blended! Hats off to you Dave!