I was really looking forward to visiting my friend Gabrielle Leonhard at her new tasting center in Downtown Napa, and the visit exceeded my already high expectations.

My relationship with Gabrielle goes back over half a decade now. I've chronicled her wine journey and reviewed her wines in a print feature and she has traveled to our Valley many times to do dinners and tastings with me.

She her husband Wayne opened a brand new wine and food appreciation center last year at 1000 Main Street, across from the Bounty Hunter. It is a combination tasting room, culinary center and retail shop featuring Gabrielle's wines and the Pietro label, made by her husband Wayne.

Our experience was guided by Director of Hospitality Bob Magnani and Chef Jonathan Jones. By men provided fantastic service and ensured our experience was exquisite from start to finish. Jones' culinary creations paired magically with the wines and the flavors of his creations jumped onto the palate.

The Gabrielle Collection is about much more than wine. She has a diverse line of culinary products, health and beauty supplies, and even some things for the pets in our lives. She launched her "Foodie Club" is 2017, which delivers a monthly shipment of oils, spices, salts and other delectables, along with recipes that help people create sensational flavors in their own kitchen.

I highly recommend taking a few hours to visit Gabrielle Taste+ on your next trip to wine country. It is an experience you will not soon forget and your taste buds will thank you. Here's a look at the wines we tasted that are available in our local area:

2013 Pietro Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

2012 Pietro Oak Knoll Chardonnay

NV Gabrielle Collection Vertex Red Blend

2011 Gabrielle Collection Juxtaposition

2012 Gabrielle Collection Equilateral

You can learn more about the Gabrielle Collection by visiting her website at http://oconnellfamilywines.com/gabrielle-collection-taste/

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