Trespass Vineyard
Branding Iron Saloon & Restaurant – Friendly Atmosphere and Delicious Food
Photo © Branding Iron Saloon
This story was not one that was intended to be written. Perhaps not the opening line to draw a reader in, but a story I was compelled to write about. Let me begin.
Friday night we went to dinner with a couple we have known for almost 50 years. He suggested a new restaurant. We had known about the restaurant but being in Murphys, California, about 25 minutes from Copperopolis, we hadn’t visited. He had volunteered to drive, so off we departed to Branding Iron Saloon & Restaurant to try out this new establishment opened on August 31, 2025.
Photo © Branding Iron Saloon
The owners, Jenn and Craig Baldi, previously owners of an establishment in the Town Square in Copperopolis and unfortunately for Copperopolis, they departed and created the restaurant at 75 Big Trees Road in Murphys. One of their goals in establishing Branding Iron Saloon & Restaurant is to have a “Ranch to Table” motif. Their mission is to celebrate the bounty of Calaveras County, both the ranchers and farmers. By having the freshest ingredients, they can provide some of the most delicious foods.
Now back to the reason for this “non-story”. Brought a nice bottle of wine to have with dinner and share with our good friends fully intending not to write a story. However, when we met the waitress, from their previous restaurant, ran into Jenn, it felt a bit like old home week. A friendly and welcoming reception.
When hearing about the specials and their incredible listing of steaks, we made our selections. One had their fish tacos, known at their previous restaurant, another chose the steak and lobster, and my wife and I selected the eight-ounce filet mignon. As you can see from the only picture taken, it must have been 10 ounces before cooking. I could not finish the meal! It also came with a house salad with choice of dressing, a side of steak fries and freshly baked and warm rolls.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
What compelled this “self-written” story are some of the key trademarks of a first-class restaurant:
- A warm and friendly welcome upon entering
- Attentive and friendly wait staff service
- Menu with a variety of options and daily specials
- The meal served warm, promptly and as specified
- The quality and taste of the meal meeting the expectations of the guests.
They hit five out of 5 for 100%. What was a wonderful surprise is that the dishes all came out at the same time and the steaks were sizzling on the plate when served. Speaking for myself the filet mignon steak was equal or better to any steak I have eaten in the past from well-known houses like House of Prime Rib (San Francisco), Flemings Steak House (Tucson), Ruth Chris Steak House (Las Vegas), Abe & Louie’s Steakhouse, Smith-Wollensky Steakhouse (Boston) Three Forks Steakhouse (Dallas) etc.
With hitting all the high marks of an excellent restaurant, this story “wrote itself” and I was simply compelled to type a few words. A wonderful venue, a nice bottle of wine, excellent food and company this evening and Branding Iron & Restaurant is a place worthy of a short or even a longer drive. I can hardly wait for our next visit!
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://murphysbrandingironsaloon.com
P.S. for a story on the 2010 Trespass Vineyard Escapade, I wrote a story on a previous bottle enjoyed about two weeks previously: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/10/08/2010-trespass-vineyard-escapade-continues-to-impress/
2010 Trespass Vineyard Escapade Continues to Impress
The Winery
Photo from Trespass website
Trespass Vineyard is in St Helena at the base of Spring Mountain and owned by Don and Dana Gallagher. They have meticulously worked on their 5-acre vineyard to produce some of the most exquisite wines. Well known winemaker Kirk Venge, along with Don & Dana Gallagher, collaborate in the winemaking process Currently they produce Rendezvous (blend), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Mayhem (blend). In my opinion, they are in the top twenty-five wineries making Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. When blended, they achieve high accolades for their wines. For the last ten years, at least one has made my Annual List of Best Wines Tasted for the year.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
As an aside to the wine itself, two items have always caught my attention. First it is the label which is a beautiful watercolor of the vineyard at the base of Spring Mountain in Saint Helena. The second item is the statement on the back of the bottle which reads “Now and again one comes across a place so extraordinary it captures the imagination, yet you are not allowed to enter. We invite you to TRESPASS”. A very nice play on the wording with a picture on the front of the bottle
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2010 was their inaugural vintage of Escapade. It was comprised of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Cabernet Franc. It was aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Only 95 cases were produced and was bottled unfiltered and unrefined. I filtered it twice before serving and you can see why. The filter had to be cleaned twice to complete the bottle process as it clogged up twice.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes a very deep and brooding reddish/purple coloring. Blackberries and blueberries waft these delightful aromas to the senses. On the palate the fruits with dark cherry and the co-mingled Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc provided a well-balanced, bold and well-structured sipping experience. The astonishing finish provided velvety tannins with a long-lasting vanilla conclusion. This was getting close to the end of its longevity.
Today the Escapade has changed names to be their Rendezvous with the 2021 vintage being the current release. The percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc change year to year. It is listed at $150/bottle on their website.
This wine will make my Annual Best Wines Tasted in the Year for 2025, which comes out in December each year.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://trespassvineyard.com