What's Up Napa Valley: Owner of Blackbird buying Burgundy Inn

By Paul Franson

Michael Polenske, the owner of Blackbird Vineyards just north of Napa, is buying the Burgundy Inn in Yountville. He closed escrow June 1.

He will continue to run it as is for now and says he is working closely with the town of Yountville.

In other Yountville news, contrary to earlier reports, Craig and Kathryn Hall’s Hall Financial Group is not buying the Venika property next to closed PJ Steak. They looked at it — as they have many other properties in Napa Valley — but didn’t complete the deal.

Meanwhile, they are preparing to break ground at their winery in St. Helena. It incorporates designs by architect Frank Gehry and Jon Lail.

Oxbow Market signs

new tenants; nearly full

Oxbow Public Market, which is scheduled to open this fall, has signed three new tenants —Whole Spice, Tillerman Tea and Kitchen Library.

More than 90 percent of the market space is now committed.

The market will feature a mix of local food vendors, artisan cafés and  farm stands.

If you haven’t been by lately, it’s very impressive with the structural steel of the roof up.

Info, Steve Carlin at 963-1345 or visit www.oxbowpublicmarket.com.

   

Farm stand open at Stanly Lane Marketplace

The new produce stand at Stanly Lane is a nice place to buy produce. It’s nice and seems cheaper than the farmers markets, but is more limited.

The produce stand is open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

   

Lucy expanding takeout

to Thursday night

Lucy Spangler-Gore of the former Café Lucy is expanding her Friday night Relish — La Traiteur takeout to Thursday.

The Thursday night menu will be a single dish with a salad for $18.

She will keep the Friday menus varied with her existing variety of choices, but with fewer items.

You pick up the food at 1755 Industrial Way, Suite #28 from 5-7 p.m.

Info, 257-7219 or e-mail cafelucy@aol.com to get the menu and place your orders.

   

First U.S. Wine M.B.A. program launched at SSU

Sonoma State University has launched the nation’s first master of business administration with an emphasis in wine business.

Mack Schwing is director of the Wine Business Program at the university.

He expects the program set to begin this fall to attract mid-level managers already working in the wine industry.    The program will typically take two years.

Info, www.sonoma.edu. 

   

Wine Library to feature cab at annual tasting

On Aug. 12 the Napa Valley Wine Library will hold its 45th annual Wine Tasting for members of the organization. This year the tasting is of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet varieties and blends and is organized by appellation of the wine poured.

The tasting is in the Oak Grove at Silverado Resort in Napa from 5-7 p.m.

Membership in the organization is $50 per year and includes the annual tasting.

Info, www.napawinelibrary.org or 963-5244.

Have a happy Independence Day.

E-mail paul@napalife.com.

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