Page 82 - Cork & Tee Sample Program Flipbook, 2018

Dakota Shy Estate (St. Helena): This
lovely winery was founded by Todd
Newman and long-time Napa winemaker
Tom Garrett in 2012. Originally from
North Dakota, Todd moved to Oregon to
attend the University of Oregon and
broaden his perspective beyond his home
state. During his time in college, Todd
was extremely shy and some of his
friends started referring to him as “Dakota Shy,” in reference to both his home state and his
proclivity for being quiet. While in Oregon, Todd worked at a restaurant and eventually
followed his passion for food to the Napa Valley where his friend, Master Sommelier Dennis
Kelly (formally of The French Laundry) secured a job for him at Martini House Restaurant in St.
Helena. Meanwhile, Tom Garrett was working at nearby Revana Family Vineyard and noticed
that Martini House was selling a significant amount of Revana’s wine. Much of that had to do
with Todd and his interest in these particular wines. Todd was passionate about not only selling
wine, but also wanted to learn more about production, so Tom hired him on as a harvest intern in
2006 and eventually Todd became their Director of Sales. Today, Todd and Tom carefully craft
their own Cabernets and are making quite a name for themselves after just 4 years with Dakota
Shy. Nearly all their wine is distributed via a mailing list — although they do have select
restaurant placement in the valley including at The French Laundry in Yountville and at Press
Restaurant in St. Helena, as well as at 750 Wines (a premium wine shop in St. Helena).

Relic Wine Cellars (Napa): Founded in 2001, Relic sets itself apart from the competition using
old-style methods of producing Rhone
and Bordeaux varietals. Their emphasis
on the history of winemaking is an ode to
French tradition and yields complex,
aromatic wines right in the Napa Valley.
Co-founder Michael Hirby began his
endeavor into the world of fine wine
while working at the aptly named
Colorado restaurant, Primitivo. After
working his way up to serve as the
restaurant’s sommelier, Michael moved to
France to gain hands-on winemaking
experience. He eventually found himself
back in the States and settled in Napa
Valley, where he met Schatzi Throckmorton, his business partner. The initial years of Relic were
spent gathering fruit from various vineyards around Napa Valley and Adler Springs in Medocino

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