The Omaha Metro
JULY 2026
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VGS Chateau Potelle Private Dinner Event Report: Mother’s Day Brunch
Branch News
“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde
VGS Chateau Potelle Private Dinner I received a serendipitous invitation from V Mertz for a private dinner organized by the winery VGS Chateau Potelle (VGS) in Napa Valley. Seems some of their Omaha wine club members couldn’t come at the last minute. I thought to myself, I have heard almost nothing about this winery since the early 1990s. Even the professional wine reviews were scant, a few from about 2014 or so. It is now 41 years old. So, I signed up for the gourmet 6 course meal with wine, and I was glad that I did. Chateau Potelle was established by Frenchman Jean-Noël Fourmeaux. The French government sent him to spy on Napa valley after the 1976 Judgement of Paris, and he liked the freedom and independence of Napa, as well as the generosity and exuberance of the Napa fruit, so much he decided to stay. He discovered it was too hot for his liking on the valley floor, so he purchased vineyards on Mount Veeder at 2,600 feet elevation to slow down the ripening process. We were wondering what VGS meant. As Jean-Noël tells it, he overheard customers talking about his wines, calling them “very good shit,” hence the anacronym VGS! Jean-Noël came with his wife Kathleen, and I had the good luck to sit next to her for the evening. Very personable and outgoing, she is a Canadian transplant who has achieved a third-degree Advanced Sommelier degree. Basically, VGS is an Insider’s Boutique winery that only sells to their online customers and a few restaurants. They do not seek professional wine reviews, hence the paucity of ratings. Jean-Noël told us they have received the highest price ever at the Napa Valley Wine auction in 2024 and 2025 auctions. Granted, the wines were served at perfect temperature, with fabulous food pairings, but I was blown away by how good the wines were. They have two levels of wines: VGS and an orange labeled Fourmeaux series from Sonoma. All the wines we tried were VGS, and all were beautifully balanced and not too tannic for their young age. I’m not much of a Chardonnay fan, but I really liked their lightly oaked 2023 Chardonnay. In an unusual move, they paired a 2022 Zinfandel with duck confit. Even on its own, the zin was so flavorful. Rack of Lamb had the GSC (Grenache/Syrah/Counoise) served. Counoise is a blending grape allowed in Châteauneuf du Pape. With a Morgan Ranch Wagyu tenderloin, and artisan cheese course, we had a pair of 2021 and 2014 Cabernet Sauvignons. The 2014 had more complexity and “wisdom” as the Bordelaise would say in the 18th century. So, the next time you are in Napa, consider a tasting with food at the winery. You won’t be sorry.
Event Report: Mother’s Day Brunch Story by Tom Murnan
Mother’s Day eve found our Metro group at a generous gourmet brunch courtesy of Pasta Amore. We had the whole restaurant to ourselves, so we filled the party room with one large table. Besides wine, Quaffing had the option of Mimosas, Bloody Marys’ and Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine. The Mediterranean Brunch tower was a cornucopia of Grilled Octopus, Argentinian Red Shrimp, Tuna Crudos, Crab Salad, all with olives, lemon and dip. I could have easily filled up on just this towering display of oceanic goodness. The crab could have been cracked (or shell eliminated) a bit more as it was hard to extract the meat. The First Plate found us with a Mini Belgian Waffle topped with Crispy Pork Belly, Whipped Boursin cheese, and Maple-Sherry Gastrik. Quite tasty! Damn the calories, full speed ahead! This was washed down with not one but two different wines, a 2021 French Beaujolais from the Morgon district which used the Gamay grape, and a German Riesling Kabinett. The Second Plate was a Lobster Quiche with red caviar topped by “Hollandaise sauce with Tarragon,” aka Bearnaise Sauce. This was rich but quite nice. Two wines again accompanied the plate, a White Burgundy and more of our quaffing 2022 Schramsberg.
Photos by Tom Murnan
Our Third Plate found us with a Coffee Rubbed Short Rib with Fingerling Potatoes, Charred Spring Onion, Roasted Peppers, Trumpet Mushrooms and Horseradish Crema. Fresh coffee grounds were pressed onto the rib, then it was heated again to sear. We had not one, not two but a trio of wines to compare with this dish. My favorite was the Venge Scouts Honor Zinfandel 2015, with its ripe fruit and low tannins, it was a great rib match. But the Xavier Vins Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee 2015 had the strength to stand up to the full meaty flavors, as did the Burgess Estate Napa Cab 2013. Not a bad wine in the trio. We ended with the Fourth Plate, a Bananas Foster French Toast with Aged Rum, Brown Sugar, Butter and Praline Ice Cream. Quite the piéce de rèsistance to finish us off. If the dessert didn’t do that, the wines certainly did: a Grahams 20-Year-Old Tawny Port and a Château Doisey Daene Sauternes 2009. Many thanks to Rhonda and Mike Wilke who organized this event. Kudos to Billy Vogt, Executive Chef who prepared the brunch, Mike Sullivan lead cook, and the wait staff who kept everything moving. No one could say they didn’t have enough food or wine at this feast!
2026 UPCOMING OMAHA METRO EVENTS JULY
25
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S BACKYARD BBQ
Chef Patrick Gaughan Jill and Joe Goldstein residence 1703 S 180th St
AUGUST
2026 NO EVENT
SEPT
5
CLEAN OUT THE CELLAR / FOOTBALL PARTY Brent Rasmussen & Susan Rauth
HOSTING AN EVENT?
Let us know when, where and a little bit about what’s going on! We would love to include YOUR event on the calendar! Email details to: iwfs.councilbluffs@yahoo.com