Living in a Parallel Universe
By: Alan Goldfarb, WINE EDITOR, St Helena Star
11/24/2005
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Toni and Mike Doilney left Park City, Utah and settled here to start their wine brand, Parallel, made by Philippe Melka. |
Boy, what some friends wouldn't do to come to the Napa Valley. Mike and Toni Doilney and their friends might have said one dark and party-filled night back in the snow-covered mountains of Park City, Utah, "Hey kids, let's make wine." But they soon found out it wasn't that easy -- and that it was a more expensive proposition than they envisioned.
We could have told them that. But, when their friends sent Mike and Toni out on a reconnaissance mission of sorts, Mike and Toni decided they'd had enough of the snow (well, at least Toni did), they came to the Napa Valley, and they bought a vineyard and from it they're about to launch their first wine.
The friends, who remain back in ski country, keep giving Mike grief about how much more money it's costing them, but what the hey? They get to come here once in a while, luxuriate on the porch in a killer designer house above Conn Valley with a killer view of Lake Hennessey.
First release next week
Oh, and they're about to drink the fruits of their efforts, quite literally, when the partnership's first wine is released next Thursday, back home in their own playpen at a tony lodge in Utah. What this group -- Mike and Toni and six partners and friends -- will be tasting, will be the very first wine they call Parallel. It's a Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2003 vintage, and sourced from their original vineyard on Maple Lane below Sterling.
They also have a couple of Napa Valley superstars on their team, who they're obviously counting on to give their $44 wine some cachet the very first time out of the shoot. The wine was made by consulting winemaker Philippe Melka and the grapes were tended and harvested by Jim Barbour and his crew. The wine itself -- 1,100 cases of it -- was made at Fantesca (another new operation) on Spring Mountain.
Moved to Spring Mountain
The 61-year-old Mike, a real estate developer in his real life, and Toni, who will soon be 59 and who ran a restaurant and several gift shops back in Park City, moved to Spring Mountain permanently 1 1/2 years ago.
"We were looking for the next place," begins Toni, explaining how the couple who've been married for 37 years, came to the wine business. "We no longer skied"
Just then Mike, who resembles ex-football player Terry Bradshaw, interrupts, "Wait a minute, I ski."
Well, not so much, although the name Parallel is derived from a ski term that refers to the desired proper ski formation of having one's skis, parallel. Which is much more desirable, one supposes, to what is referred to as a face plant, which is what happens if one's skis are crossed. And which was for a moment, considered as a sobriquet for the group's brand.
Sold first vineyard
The project was barely underway when it was Mike, apparently, who decided to recently sell the 13-acre Maple Lane vineyard, and purchase the six planted acres above Conn Valley at the urging of Melka.
"Philippe was dying for us to see this, he's the one who guided us," explained Mike, talking about the sudden switch in vineyards. "Philippe is a phenomenal guy. He's so talented and he's worth every penny."
Well, perhaps not so much to the partners.
"My partners nearly killed me (for selling Maple Lane). But this property reminded us of Park City."
Well, maybe Park City without the white stuff and sans all that independent movie thing they've got goin' on there.
May go to 2,000 cases
But back here, Mike says Barbour told him that he might be able to plant another six acres on the newly purchased property, and Melka thinks the wine can eventually get to 2,000 cases.
What about a winery? Has he discussed that with the Park City Sextet?
"I'd love to build a winery," says Mike, to which his wife interjects, "most of all, I'd like to have a cave."
Adds Mike, "I just want to enjoy the wine that comes off this site."
Apparently, Toni doesn't much care for the business end of it all.
"I'm less of a red wine lover. I could make olive oil or jam," she says. "But I look at it as a lifestyle thing and to be part of this beautiful part of the world and have a connection with the land.
"There's something really satisfying about making something and selling it."
Source: St Helena Star
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