Just off Napa’s Highway 29, amidst unassuming winery buildings, an incredible culinary experience lies in wait. At RD Winery, guests can taste wines paired with Asian dishes that are as artistic as they are delicious. Colorful spring rolls arrive alongside crisp Malvasia Bianca. Succulent pork buns meld with the bright flavors of Zinfandel. This interplay of herbs, sauces, and ingredients is a unique way to taste food and wine.
Is your mouth watering yet? Read on for our review, and top 5 reasons why RD Winery is worth a visit.
5 Reasons to Visit RD Winery
Redefining Food and Wine
Historically, wine has not played a big role in Asian culture. There is limited knowledge of wine pairings with Asian cuisine. Over time, the “default” wine pairing has become Riesling or Pinot Noir. However, these wines are delicate and don’t always match the bold sauces and ingredients.
I was eager to learn how RD Winery approaches the art of wine pairing. I booked a visit for their food and wine experience, which features the Fifth Moon label. Fifth Moon is the first line of wines I know of designed to pair with Asian flavors. The name, “Fifth Moon”, alludes to the Vietnamese summer solstice holiday, which occurs on the fifth day of the fifth moon of each year.
It was exciting to see so many varietals matched up to Asian dishes and ingredients. In fact, none of the wines were Riesling or Pinot Noir. From crisp, tart Grüner Veltliner to tropical Malvasia Bianca, the tasting proves that many wines can pair well with the sweet, spicy, herbal, and sour flavors of Asian cuisine.
Chef Ackerman puts his own spin on the tasting that is both artistic and fun to eat. Instead of Thai curry, there’s green curry-dusted popcorn. The spring roll arrives with a crunchy rice crisp dividing the two slices. The flavors of curry transform into a seasonal soup shooter of carrot, coconut milk, lemongrass, red curry paste, and chili oil. And the pulled pork braised in hoisin, red beet BBQ sauce, and wasabi aioli is tucked into bao buns instead of bread rolls. The presentation was as delicious as it was creative.
Inclusivity
All too often, the wine industry can feel inaccessible and intimidating. RD Winery makes it a priority to be the opposite. “At RD, anyone can be part of our community, they can drink great wine, and enjoy something special at a price they can afford,” states CEO Mailynh Phan.
This philosophy isn’t just an abstract concept for RD Winery. During our visit, Kandace Markovich, RD Winery Hospitality Director, made us feel immediately welcome. Her enthusiasm in sharing the winery’s story, while respecting any potential wine knowledge that we might have, made the experience authentic.
In fact, the RD Winery community includes other producers as part of the Collective at RD Winery. The winery works with 15 various wine, cider, and beer producers, like Bardos Cider, Belong Wine Co., and Hanabi Lager Co. through its custom crush program.
Moreover, in an era where the cost of visiting Napa is inaccessible for many, RD Winery keeps prices affordable. Tastings start at $25. The food and wine tasting is $55 – which is very reasonable, given its expert preparation. And all Fifth Moon wines are $20 to $30 each, the Hundred Knot line averages $36 per bottle, and Khoai tops out at $72 per bottle.
Diversity
We love that the RD Winery team is diverse on multiple fronts, from gender, to ethnicity, to background. Some members have spent their lives in Napa, and add a local perspective. Others, such as Phan, hail from other parts of the country. By ensuring that the team is diverse, Phan makes another step towards creating a welcoming community.
Unlike many wineries whose events are members-only, RD Winery holds monthly events that are open to all. From “Kick Back Hours” to themed trivia nights, the gatherings are fun, lighthearted, and do not require reservations. Those interested may want to consider the upcoming Summer Moon Festival featuring the debut of a Fifth Moon Riesling, live music, food, and a Vietnamese dance performance.
Vibrant, Approachable Wines
Like the culture of RD Winery, its wines are fresh, with a bright clarity of fruit. The Fifth Moon label is mostly white varietals, while The Hundred Knot line is mostly red varietals. With vibrant acidity and fruit, the wines are excellent with food. Here are our tasting notes on the wines we tried:
2019 Grüner Veltliner, Edna Valley
Lean, mineral-driven, and faintly saline, this Grüner Veltliner is ready for some savory food. Notes of lime, green apple, and melon rind are backed by invigorating acidity. The grapes are grown in Edna Valley, Paso Robles. Paso Robles is typically known for Rhone varietals and warm weather, but Edna Valley receives brisk coastal winds. The Grüner is a refreshing example of the cool-climate wines that this region is capable of producing.
2019 Malvasia Bianca, Green Valley
This is a distinctive, contrast-filled wine. It is brimming with lychee, jackfruit, and other tropical scents on the nose. However, on the palate, its flavors morph into lime, honeydew, and grapefruit pith. It is light on the palate, with a faint hint of effervescence.
2019 Chenin Blanc, El Dorado County
The barrel aging and malolactic fermentation on this wine is palpable, with scents of blossoms, brioche, lemon curd, pear, and golden apple. On the palate, vibrant acidity carries the wine to a smooth, dry finish. The Chenin Blanc is grown in the El Dorado AVA, which is a higher-altitude region in the Sierra Foothills. Because of the cooler temperatures and longer growing season that comes with altitude, the wine has balanced acidity and ripeness.
2019 Rosé, El Dorado County
This is a refreshing, Provence-style blend of 71% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre, and 6% Cinsault. It is brimming with summer fruit, including watermelon, strawberry, and lime zest. Similar to the Chenin Blanc, the rosé is grown in the El Dorado AVA. As such, it also has a bright acidity, along with textured minerality on the crisp, dry finish.
2020 Zinfandel, Mokelumne River
This Zinfandel has a purity of fruit that is vibrant, but not overly jammy or extracted. Brambly red berries and black plum mingle with clove, black pepper, and nutmeg. The finish is dry, with fresh acidity and smooth, fine-grained tannins. Mokelumne is an AVA located in the southernmost part of Lodi. Established over a century ago, its first vineyards are particularly known for old vine Zinfandel.
Great for Groups
With ample seating and a spacious patio, RD Winery is excellent for large parties. Throughout our visit, sounds of laughter and happy conversation filled the air. We could tell the groups near us were enjoying their visit. The tasting room associates were highly attentive to their needs, even checking for food allergies and dietary restrictions before they began. While the vibe is chic and modern, RD Winery is family-friendly, and welcomes children.
The Final Sip
We came away from RD Winery inspired, excited, and grateful. If their goal is to create a welcoming community, then from what I observed, they have succeeded. With this tasting experience, Phan is taking RD Winery in a direction that none has gone before. And in doing so, she has added a rich, unique experience to the Napa Valley winery scene. Whether you’re looking for a fun, casual outing or want to geek out over varietals and flavors, the RD Winery food and wine experience will not let you down. Learn more or book a reservation at RDWinery.com.