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From Port to Chocolate

Prager Ports, fortified wines from Napa Valley, complement chocolate to perfection on Valentine’s Day and all year round

By Simone Zarmati Diament

When Jim and Imogene Prager founded Prager Port Works in 1980, on a small piece of land off Highway 29 in the vicinity of St. Helena in Napa Valley, Port or Porto was not yet a DOG or Denomination of Origin Guarantee of the fortified wines originating in the Douro Valley in Portugal and shipped everywhere in the world from the city of Porto. So, unfettered by formalities, they made dessert wines, table wines and signature ports in their family-owned company that the second generation of Pragers – Peter, Jeff, Mary, John, Katie and brother-in-law Richard Lenney – has since taken over, producing only 3,600 cases each year. Currently, Prager makes highly prized ports from vineyards that produce intensely flavored grapes of the Portuguese varieties.

2004 Royal Escort Vintage Port ($ 80.00) is rich, full bodied with bright fruit flavors and a nice acidity that balances the aromas of spiced cherries, boysenberries, cedar and plums it has developed in 2 ½ years in wood. Less sweet than most ports, this is a perfect wine to accompany chocolate desserts.

The Vintage Port & Chocolate Decadence package ($129.15) includes a box of Prager’s chocolate truffles and a bottle of Royal Escort Vintage Port.

The Prager family also produces Noble Companion Tawny port made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, Tomas Port made from Portuguese Touriga Nacional and Tinta Cao grapes, as well as white ports, dessert wines and a Petite Sirah table wine.

Prager Wines and Ports are available at the tasting room at 1281 Lewelling Lane off Highway 29 just south of downtown St. Helena, or you can buy them online at www.pragerport.com, and at select retail stores. A tasting of all their Ports and wines is $10, which includes a souvenir oversized crystal tasting glass. Tasting hours are 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For more information, www.pragerport.com or 1-800-969-7678.

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