Preferred Napa Valley - Wine Country This Week

Transcription

DAY TRIPS
Summer 2010
Preferred Napa Valley
x
x
x
x
x
FUN
FACT
A publication of
www.WineCountryThisWeek.com
x
x
9 Wine Tasting Trips with
60 Tasting Room Reviews
from Calistoga to Los Carneros
Eastside Bunch
x
1
Lake
Berryessa
TO
CLEAR LAKE
Old Faithful
Geyser
BENNETT LANE
NE
NETT LA
BE N
29
NE
LA
BS
B
BU T
A
TS C
D
NYON R
TU
Calistoga
ENVY WINES
128
POPE VALLEY
WINERY
SUMMIT
LAKE
TO
SANTA ROSA
SU
MM
IT
LA
DR
TA
CO
T
KE
GE
TO GEYSERVILLE
ALEXANDER VALLEY
W
HIT
E
Diamond Mtn.
HOWELL
CASTELLO
DI AMOROSA
CRYSTA
L SPR
IN
SA
NI
TA
RK
PA
BBALLENTINE
ST. CLEMENT
KEENAN
CHARBAY
DEER
29
SPRING
Howell
Mountain
ER
DE
DI
LO
HOWELL MTN
PAGE 6
On & Around
HOWELL MTN
UM
RI
GS
SPRING MTN
Calistoga/St. Helena
POPE VALLEY
MTN
VIADER
BURGESS
NE
LA
LE
BA
PARK
MTN
VALL
AANDERSON’S
CONN VALLEY
TN
T
Chiles
Valley
LM
AT
PR
WEL
HO
ST
BERINGER
Spring Mtn.
I
SS
RO
EY
CONN
CHARLES
KRUG
WINERY & DISTILLERY
PAGE 20
PE
PO
A
ON
DR
St. Helena
MA
RUTHERFORD
KENT RASMUSSEN
LONG MEADOW RANCH
K
TER OA
CHAR
C
PAGE 12
PAGE 27
FORD HIL
L
ER
RU
T
H
V. SATTUI
RUTHERFORD
HILL
Y RD
ST. HELENA
GE
SA
CA
N
WHITEHALL LANE
HALL
Rutherford
LANE
WHITE
Lake
Hennessey
H
YO
N
128
ES P
RUTHERFORD RANCH
FA
ZIN
INGL
12
CHI
L
EW
LN
OPE VAL
LE
.
EL
ND
D
OD
OO
128
PIÑA
NAPA VALLEY CHAPPELLET
TO
LAKE BERRYESSA
AND
SACRAMENTO
ER
LENG
SKEL
128
GRADE
Atlas Peak
INITY
STAGS LEAP/
YOUNTVILLE
BALDACCI
D
KR
PINE RIDGE
CHIMNEY ROCK
CLOS DU VAL
SODA
CORNERSTONE
PAGE 32
STAGS’LEAP WINERY
Stags
Leap
ROAD
Yountville
ON
CREE
29
CANY
DRY
M T. V E E
D
ER
TR
Oakville
LE
AIL
TR
DO
RA
VE
SIL
O A KVIL
DAY TRIP
ROUTES
MT. VEEDER
CORLEY FAMILY’S
MONTICELLO
VINEYARDS
RE
DW
OO
D RO
AD
PAGE 45
MAN
RRAZI
LANE
HARD
OAK
KNOLL
PAGE 39
ANDRETTI
RA
H
NC
121
RD
VALLEY
RD
AVENUE
NUE
E
SOSCOL
BROWNS
REDWOOD ROAD
A
NAPA
ST
A
OM
TH
1st ST.
ON
PS
NAPA
E
AV
12
IN
SON
VI
BRO
WNS V
ALLEY R
D
MA
RD
JEFFER
RICK
TO
HWY. 128
IC
NT
MO
DOMINARI
TRANCAS
D
LIN
PART
RO
EL
Oak Knoll
Mt.Veeder
FONTANELLA
AD
LO
BIG
HESS YATES FAMILY
COLLECTION Hendry Ranch
See the complete Napa Valley map
on pages 62 and 63.
HAGAFEN CELLARS
REYNOLDS FAMILY
PAGE 49
SO
SC
OL
Sonoma
HE
NR
Y RD
.
D
OL
M
NO
121
.
A RD
AL
DE
NICHOLSON
RANCH
SO
Y
29
121
RD
SONOMA
CARNEROS
CUVAISON
ESTATE
WINES
RD
SAINTSBURY
ETUDE
ARF
WH
RD
RD
NEROS
INGS
CUTT
DUHIG
RD
Los
Carneros
Region
ACACIAMcKENZIEMUELLER
LAS AMIG
AS
LOS CARNEROS
BUCHLI
STATION
12
121
LOS CAR
116
Not To Scale
PAGE 55
12
American Canyon
TO
SACRAMENTO
TO VALLEJO
DAY TRIPS
Preferred Napa Valley
9 Wine Tasting Trips
CALISTOGA/SPRING MTN
ST. HELENA
ON & AROUND HOWELL MTN
RUTHERFORD
STAGS LEAP/YOUNTVILLE
OAK KNOLL
MT. VEEDER
NAPA
LOS CARNEROS
6
12
20
27
32
39
45
49
55
A Publication of
669 Broadway, Suite B • Sonoma, CA 95476
P.O. Box 92 • El Verano, CA 95433
707-938-3494 Fax 707-938-3674
PUBLISHER
Mike Giangreco
Direct (707) 938-3734
[email protected]
MANAGING EDITOR
Chandra Grant
Phone 707-938-1783 • Fax 707-938-3674
[email protected]
ADVERTISING
REPRESENTATIVE
RoseAnn Trzesniewski
Phone 707-334-1930 • Fax 707-938-3674
[email protected]
OFFICE MANAGER
Cathy Gore
Phone 707-938-3494 • Fax 707-938-3674
Email [email protected]
EDITORIAL
CONTRIBUTORS
Introductions by Abigail Zimmerman
Charles Neave, Nan Reiley,
Ronda Giangreco, Francs Rivetti,
and Sue Straight, Wine Wench
Diana Greenwood
LOOK FOR US ON FACEBOOK!
NTO
Cover photo by Kristen Loken
courtesy of Long Meadow Ranch
60 Tasting Room Reviews
Acacia Vineyard
Anderson’s Conn Valley
Andretti Winery
Baldacci Family Vineyards
Ballentine Vineyards
Bennett Lane Winery
Beringer Vineyards
Burgess Cellars
Buzz – Downtown Napa
Castello di Amorosa
Chappellet Winery
Charbay Winery & Distillery
Charles Krug
Chimney Rock
Clos du Val – Napa Valley
Cornerstone Cellars
Cuvaison Estate Wines
Dominari
Envy Wines
Etude Wines
Fontanella Winery
Hagafen Cellars
Hess Collection
Keenan
Kent Rasmussen
Long Meadow Ranch
McKenzie-Mueller
Monticello – Corley Family
Napa Valley Wine Train
Nicholson Ranch
Piña Napa Valley
Pine Ridge Winery
Pope Valley Winery
Razi Winery
Reynolds Family Winery
Rutherford Hill Winery
Rutherford Ranch Winery
Saintsbury
St. Clement
Stags’ Leap Winery
Summit Lake Winery
V. Sattui Winery
Viader Vineyards
Vintners Collective
Whitehall Lane
Yates Family Vineyard
59
22
44
37
14
7
16
26
50-51
9
29
11
17
34
33
38
60
53
8
57
48
42
46
10
21
13
58
43
52
61
28
36
23
40
41
31
30
56
15
35
24
18
25
54
19
47
Notes on Wine Tasting in The Napa Valley
It’s a good idea to plan to visit several wineries as every
wine-tasting experience offered is different. With so many
distinctive viticultural areas within The Napa Valley, one
can easily taste many of the world’s best varietials and
winemaking style without learning the region. Listed
below are five basic types of tasting experiences. The experience will vary in style from winery to winery!
Wine Bar Tasting
The most common tasting experience is a Wine Bar
Tasting. You step up to the bar where typically a list of
wines being poured is displayed. Expect to pay a tasting
fee between $10-$40. Some tasting bars will offer you the
option to taste a library or reserve wine. Exercising this
option increases the fee, but will allow you to taste very
unique, old or rare wines.
Sit Down Tasting
A Sit Down Tasting usually requires an appointment,
and there may be a slightly higher fee than a wine bar fee.
Seated in an elegant room, you are poured several wines
by your winery host. Expect your host to describe the
unique characteristics of each wine and how it was made.
Table Service Tasting
A Table Service Tasting, popular at sparkling wine facilities, is a tasting experience where you are seated at a
table and the tastings are brought to you.
Walk Around Tasting
A Walk Around Tasting is a combination of a tour and
a tasting. Your host brings along several bottles of wine on
your tour, and may take you to a garden area of the win-
ery to pour the first round. Then you move to another
place within the winery to sample the next wine. This experience continues until all the wines are tasted.
Barrel Tasting
Another popular tasting experience that can be part
of a tour or a Walk Around is a Barrel Tasting. Your guide
takes a “wine thief,” a special siphon placed into a hole in
the top of a barrel to extract tasting samples of a maturing wine. The sample allows you to taste what the wine
is like in the middle of developing its full potential.
Why make an appointment?
4
Some wineries are so small that they need to know
when you are coming so someone will be there to greet
you. Other wineries have permit restrictions that limit
the number of guests that can visit each day. Others have
sit-down tastings that start and end at specific times. It’s
always a good idea to schedule your appointments well in
advance of your visit because some of the more popular
wineries fill up their appointments weeks in advance.
WWW.LEGENDARYNAPAVALLEY.COM
y
Do the Math
One of the most asked questions asked when it comes to wine is how much of this does it take to make that, and so on. We
won’t pretend that is simple, but here are some industry statistics that will give a pretty good answer to that query. As with
anything agricultural, of course, they are all based on countless variables when it comes to acre yields, but this is a good
starting point. The rest of the information varies little if at all.
=
A case of wine includes:
A dozen 750 ml bottles
(or 24 half bottles)
or 307.2 ounces total,
which comes from
30 pounds of grapes.
A single bottle contains:
750 ml of wine which is 25.6 ounces made from
about 2.4 pounds of grapes (39 oz.) and is enough
for four or maybe five glasses.
An acre of vineyards land can give the grower:
One standard oak barrel of wine holds:
295 bottles of wine (or 59 gallons) made from 740 pounds of grapes
which works out to almost – but not precisely - 30 cases of wine.
Five tons of grapes (though it is also less, depending
on a variety of farming and winemaking practices,
and on the varietal and the vineyards location) which
will give you 797 gallons of juice (or thirteen-and-ahalf barrels) which is pretty close to four thousand
bottles of wine.
What does all that information on a wine label mean?
XYZ Winery
The U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms regulates wine
labels and requires that information be given in a straightforward
way. Basically, you will want to look for the types of grapes grown,
where the grapes are grown and when the grapes were picked.
RESERVE
• Brand name
Carneros
Napa Valley
PINOT NOIR
2002
Produced and Bottled by
XYZ winery, Napa, California
ALCOHOL 13.6% BY VOLUME
• Designation for a special wine
• Vineyard or appellation known for its grapes might be designated
• Location where the grapes used were grown
• Grape Variety used
• Vintage year in which the grapes were picked
• Location where the wine was made and/or bottled
(Not to be confused with the area the grapes are grown.)
• Alcohol content may be stated or the the label may simply say
"Table Wine”
WWW.LEGENDARYNAPAVALLEY.COM
5
Spring Mountain
Calistoga sits in the top end of Napa Valley like a cork in a wine bottle.
This lively, well-preserved historic small-town and surrounding region
simply delights everyone. Delicious restaurants, glorious mountains,
diverse art galleries, world-famous hot springs, eclectic bookstores and
roadside stands, boutique shopping and happy locals combine to make
Calistoga a favorite of Napa Valley locals and visitors.
FOOD
Cafe Sarafornia
1413 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, (707) 942-0555, www.cafesarafornia.com
The best breakfast in town! Owners Madeline & Drake are the vivacious stewards
of this famed, historic diner. For more than 100 years, Cafe Sarafina has been
serving up delicious fare and good people. Don't miss the huevos rancheros!
Brannan's
1374 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, (707) 942-2233, www.brannansgrill.com
Go for the winning wine list (with rare Napa and Sonoma cult labels)
and stay for the fine foods and great atmosphere. Brannan proudly
sponsors local, artisanal producers and their dishes are the better for it.
This summer, dine alfresco on the patio!
JoLe
1457 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, (707) 942-5938, www.jolerestaurant.com
From Farm to Table. JoLe is OpenTable.com's "Diner's Choice Winner" for 2010 –
a wonderful compliment to owners and husband-and-wife team Matt and
Sonjita Spector. Enjoy the delicious menu and mouth-watering pastries!
BENNETT 29
LANE
128 WINERY
Old Faithful Geyser
S
BB
TU
ENVY WINES
GR
Sharpsteen
Museum
FOREST
T
AN
CALISTOGA
Brannan Cottages
LN
Brannan’s
CO
Pink Mansion LIN
Solage
Flat Iron Grill
Cafe Sarafornia
JoLe
MM
E
L
Calistoga
Ranch
ME
A
RK
LA
CALISTOGA D
R
AIL
TR
Bale Grist Mill
State Historic Park
TO
SANTA
ROSA
SPR
I
CHARBAY
NG
128
MO
UN
KEENAN
IN
TA
WINERY & DISTILLERY
6
DO
RA
CASTELLO
DI AMOROSA
SILVE
D
DU
NA
29
LO
WE
AL
PETRIFIED
TO
SANTA
ROSA
Driving Time: 30 minutes
From Bennett Lane Winery
to Envy Wines
1 mile
to Castello di Amorosa 5 miles
to Keenan
9 miles
to Charbay
1 mile
Total 16 miles
A
RON
ST. HELENA
MAD
29
Spring Mountain (Calistoga-St. Helena)
Calistoga/
St. Helena
Flat Iron Grill
1440 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, (707) 942-1220, www.flatirongrill.com
Flat Iron Grill revels in its recently restored historic space! There is nothing dusty
about this intimate, yet friendly restaurant. Open for dinner daily, don't miss
the hickory smoked baby back ribs.
LODGING
Brannan Cottage Inn
109 Wappo Avenue, Calistoga, (707) 942-4200, www.brannancottageinn.com
One of the original 25 Hot Springs Resort cottages from 1860.
Close walking proximity to famed Calistoga Hot Springs (across the street!) and
only two blocks to downtown Calistoga, makes this charming inn a repeat hit.
Six rooms are available year round.
Pink Mansion
1415 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, (707) 942-0558, www.pinkmansion.com
Escape, indulge & dream! Built in 1870 by Napa's original stage line owner,
the Pink Mansion is a lovely, private and restful destination that retains the
elegance of its historic past. Rates include gourmet breakfast for two and
afternoon wine and appetizers.
Solage
755 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, 1-866-942-7442, www.solagecalistoga.com
Where cosmopolitan luxuries take on an enlightened, comfortable attitude!
Offering a healthy, green environment, 89 eco-friendly studios and Michelin star
rated Solbar restaurant, Solage is a stylish and naturally brilliant hotel!
Calistoga Ranch
580 Lommel Road, Calistoga, 1-800-942-4220, www.calistogaranch.com
Tucked into a private canyon in the Upper Napa Valley on a 157-acre site, the
luxury resort captures the rich culture of food, wine and nature.
THINGS TO DO
Castello di Amorosa
4045 N. St. Helena Highway, (707) 967-6272, www.castellodiamorosa.com
A tour of the incredible 13th century, 107 room, Tuscan style castle and winery –
complete with chapel and torture chamber – is highly recommended!
Sharpsteen Museum
1311 Washington Street, Calistoga
(707) 942-5911, www.sharpsteen-museum.org
This museum is a wonderful spot to learn about upper Napa Valley history and
old Calistoga. Exhibit subjects include Sam Brannan, Wappo Native Americans,
one-time-local Robert Louis Stevenson and artifacts from the survivors of the
Donner Party.
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
3369 Saint Helena Hwy North, St. Helena, (707) 942-4575
Once the center of social activity for Napa Valley settlers, this 1846 Grist Mill
ground corn and wheat into meal or flour. This park also boasts scenic hiking
trails, the site of the first Napa Valley Church and Pioneer Cemetary.
Old Faithful Geyser
1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, (707) 942-6463
One of the three "Old Faithful" geysers in the world, Old Faithful of
California is a delightful attraction. Bursting regularly and throwing
thousands of gallons of water high into the air, Old Faithful is a glorious
sight. Other attractions include the petting zoo and picnic grounds.
Open daily, 9am-6pm in the summer. Admission fees vary from $3-$10.
/
Bennett Lane Winery
Bennett Lane Winery is a gem in the newly created
The staff is always happy to lead guests through the
Calistoga AVA. The patio has just been re-landscaped and vineyard and cellar to give you an up-close peek at the
includes the planting of three magnificent and mature world of winemaking at Bennett Lane Winery. Then
olive trees that frame views of the vineyards surround- come to the tasting room for an incredible flight of four
ing the winery and tasting room on every side.
award-winning Napa Valley wines for $10 per person.
They also have planted what they refer to as their
The Bennett Lane wine named Maximus, after the
“Petting Vineyard,” where,
Roman Emperor was their first
when they become seasonally
bottling. In addition, their
Bennett Lane Winery
available, one can taste grapes
wines include Los Carneros
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
and learn about the varieties,
Reserve Chardonnay a white
about how they differ and are
Maximus and the Napa Valley
3340 Highway 128, Calistoga
dealt with throughout the year.
Cabernet. You can sample
1-877-MAX-NAPA
It was in their travels to
these wines in their stylish tastwww.bennettlane.com
Italy that winery founders
ing room, a combination of
Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
Randy and Lisa Lynch began
Country French and CaliforFUN The winery has garnered an incredible thirteen nia, with doors leading to the
an enthusiastic love affair with
FACT 90+ point scores from Wine Spectator in four
fine wine. To pursue their paspatio and lawn. It is the perfect
short years.
sion they found a spot at the
spot to sample their wines for
northern end of the Napa Valthe first time, or to mingle with
ley known as the “Pinnacle of the Valley.” It is the place people who have been their since the beginning. Since
where the Vaca Mountains meet up with the Mayacamas. those earliest days, the plantings outside have matured,
This also makes the winery ideal for picnicking. The the roster of wines has grown, but that essential mission,
grounds are impeccable and you are welcome to come to make the best wines possible, and in their own style,
here and relax – bring along a picnic to enjoy with the has endured.
wines. A visitor to Bennett Lane affords tasters another
“We pride ourselves on being one of the friendliest
rarity: a likely meeting – and perhaps a barrel tasting if tasting rooms in the Napa Valley,” says Stefanie Longton,
you are lucky – with the owners or a personal tour of the Bennett Lane’s retail sales manager, “and we bring towinery with one of the knowledgeable, fun and friendly gether hospitality and wine to make it a great tasting
tasting room staff.
experience.”
BY CHARLES NEAVE
7
Envy Wines
Imagine an afternoon on a sundrenched patio, laughing with Wines line up.
great friends and tasting great Napa Valley wines. Come on over,
Envy’s Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect summer poolside wine!
we’re waiting for you.
Layers of spicy crisp apple, vanilla bean and a dab of honey cream
Veteran Napa winemaker, Nils Venge, teams up with vintner tempt the nose on this wine followed closely by pear and slices of
Mark Carter, to bring you a little slice of wine country heaven, ripe stonefruit. On the pallet, the entry is full of melon and finNapa Valley’s Envy Estate Winery. From the outside, you may ishes with an explosion of crisp apple acidity. Texturally smooth,
think you‘re sitting on a Tuscan terrace. We encourage you to sit this wine leaves your pallet clean and refreshed.
and savor a bottle of our wine with
The Bee Bee’s Blend, which reyour own picnic lunch on our
ceived a 93 point rating and was
Envy Wines
patio. Our peaceful outdoor setting
listed as a Top Value in Wine Adis perfect for relaxing. There’s even
vocate magazine. Parker described
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday -Thursday
a view of Old Faithful Geyser from
it as a “blackberry and black cur11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday
our backyard. Or, slip inside the
rant-filled fruit bomb displaying
1170Tubbs Lane, Calistoga
cool tasting room, and let the sultry
surprising definition and complexmusic enlighten your senses while
ity in its notes of lead pencil
(707) 942-4670 • www.envywines.com
our wines inspire your palate.
shavings, pepper, incense and subSauvignon Blanc, Merlot,
When Mark Carter and Nils
tle smoke. It is a classic Napa red
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah
Venge first started working together
with full-bodied power as well as a
in 1998, they never dreamed that
sense of elegance and purity.”
Enjoy
your
own
picnic
lunch
on
the
patio
and
FUN
one day they would partner up in
The Envy Cabernet Sauvignon
FACT catch the view of Old Faithful Geyser.
beautiful Calistoga for a new wine
is sourced straight from Envy’s
venture.
Estate Vineyard, most recently
Mark has a passion for fine wines. His label, Carter Cellars, recieved 90 points from Stephen Tanzer. Aromas of black currant
has received many favorable ratings ranging from the mid to high with notes of cinnamon, anise and toasted walnuts. On the palate
nineties. You can find his Carter Cellars, as well as Envy Wines, dark chocolate, black cherry and plum. Tanzer recommends you
at his hotel and restaurant Carter House Inns and Restaurant 301 enjoy this Cabernet now through the next 10 years.
respectively located in Eureka, California. His passion for wine
Envy's line up of Petite Sirah's has been a draw for visitors
began when he started buying wines for his famous list at Restau- since they where first introduced. The Estate, Vaca Mountain and
rant 301.
Nord Vineyard Petite Sirahs have all recieved 90 - 92 ratings from
Nils, owner and operator of Saddleback Cellars, is also a Robert Parker, Wine Enthusiast and Stephen Tanzer.
consultant for many Napa Valley wineries in the valley where he
Envy is proud to be part of the brand new Calistoga appelais a local legend with thirty-plus years of winemaking experi- tion, the fifteenth one in the Napa Valley. Fiffty cases of a
ence. He was actually the first american winemaker to recieve Calistoga Estate Merlot were bottled to celebrate the approval.
a 100-point rating from Robert Parker for his 1985 Groth Re- Sipping it has been compared to experiencing your last great kiss!
serve Cabernet Sauvignon. Nils Venge continues to receive great
So please come on by our tasting room any day of the week
scores from Robert Parker as well as other criticis with the Envy and let us share with you what its like to be Envied!
8
!
m
f
,
s
d
g
l
d
a
n
s
y
t
e
u
s
d
m
a
.
!
k
Castello di Amorosa
As you round the last bend in the drive and crest the a wide range of old-world Italian style wines including
hill, Castello di Amorosa stands magnificent and solid, Rosato di Sangiovese, La Castellana, the “Super Tuscan”
the sun on its massive shoulders, a low mist over the Blend, Il Barone, a 100% reserve Cabernet Sauvignon,
moat, as though even the weather contributes to the au- Muscato Canelli, La Fantasia, a special Italian blend, Santhenticity of this place. Spanish moss drapes from ancient giovese, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco and a Red Table Blend
oaks, native grasses flourish and chickens scuttle through as well as Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Merlot and
Cabernet Sauvignon. The
the vineyard rows. Gallantry is
wines are available only at the
alive and well in the Napa ValCastello di Amorosa
winery. Visit to taste in one of
ley. Owner, Dario Sattui, is a
several intimate and intriguing
lifelong student of medieval arOpen daily 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
tasting areas or take a tour, well
chitecture and after thirty years
4045 North St. Helena Highway, Calistoga
worth the time and the modest
of research and dreaming about
(707) 967-6272 • www.castellodiamorosa.com
fee.
Castello di Amorosa and fifteen
Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay,
The walking portion of the
years of construction, he has
Pinot Noir, Merlot, Gewurztraminer, Sangiovese,
tour (during which you will
created an unforgettable, splenCabernet Sauvignon, Muscato Canelli
see the authentic torture chamdid castle that honors his
ber), takes about an hour and
Italian heritage and showcases
FUN Relive the history as you meander through the
tasting is an additional 30-45
his exceptional wines like no
FACT vineyards in an 1800s carriage drawn by the
minutes. Reservations are sugother place could.
sweetest Clydesdales, Leo and Willie.
gested. Tours are offered from
Plan to spend several hours
visiting Castello di Amorosa, or “The Castle” as it is affec- 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and from 9:30 a.m. to
tionately known, exploring the 121,000-square-foot, 5 p.m. on weekends, year-round.
You may also find the Reserve Tour and Chocolate
Tuscan-style, 13th-century fortress. Only then, after marveling at the painstaking placement of every European Tasting an appealing option where your guided walk
brick in the high defense ramparts to each brushstroke in through The Castle concludes with a private sampling of
the murals of the Great Hall, after walking through the eight wines and a chocolate pairing.
There are additional touring options, blending semibrick labyrinth of wine cellars and absorbing the peace of
the quaint chapel where a Latin Mass is held each Sunday nars and private tasting choices including food and wine
at 8:30 a.m.; only then will you begin to understand the pairing. Some are exclusive to the wine club so considerpassion and sweat and patience it took to build this place. ing joining. This remarkable place is truly a must-see and
Castello di Amorosa wines reflect the same attention to the wines are memorable, stylistically crafted to compleBY DIANA GREENWOOD
detail from vineyard to bottle. The Castle portfolio includes ment food.
9
Keenan Winery
Hand-crafted, small-production wines produced by
Set a few minutes drive into a tranquil, Redwoodlined ridge off Spring Mountain Road, a visit to Keenan solar powered, sustainably farmed vineyards, present
Tasting Room is an informal affair. Because of its private, tasting opportunities of dramatic intensity thanks to the
peaceful setting, guests are encouraged to take a time out super-premium fruit associated with exceptional wines
from the hurried tasting room trail, wander the grounds, produced at Keenan Winery.
Consultant Winemaker Nils Venge (the first Ameripicnic at leisure and make themselves at home.
can winemaker to ever receive
Scrappy, the Black Lab,
Keenan Winery
a score of “100” from Robert
welcomes visitors into the
Parker, Jr. of The Wine Advocool, comfortable pet- and
Open by appointment only
cate for one of his 1985
child-friendly tasting room. Its
3660 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena
Cabernet Sauvignons) works
century-old redwood beams
707-963-9177
with the winery’s small, dediand heavy stone walls were
www.keenanwinery.com
cated team on four areas of
built in harmony with the eleCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay
hillside that are planted with
ments to house barreled wines
Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Zinfandel
Cabernet Sauvignon, Caberlong before the days of air conditioning and temperature
FUN Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the views from net Franc, Chardonnay and
control.
FACT their elevation of 1,700 feet above the Napa Valley Merlot grapes.
By carefully controlling
Having sat empty, in a state
floor. Enjoy award-winning wines for sipping,
enjoying and enhancing any occasion.
and finessing abundant flavors
of dilapidation for some forty
of these hillside-grown grapes,
years post-Prohibition, Robert
Keenan’s pleasantly regenerated winery tasting room – wines of unparalleled complexity, richness and elegance
with its imposing King Louis antique banquet table from continue to win prestigious awards with every vintage.
Historic Keenan Winery is nestled high on the Maythe late 1700s – is housed in the original wine producacamas Range, at an elevation of 1,700 feet high above
tion facility.
Groups of up to 12 are invited to taste at a cost $10 the valley floor. With more than a dozen eclectic winerper person from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment, ies located within a four-mile stretch of Spring Mountain
lured by the pull of the winery’s quintessential “big Road, a day on Spring Mountain offers a tranquil escape
from the ordinary.
BY FRANCES RIVETTI
reds.”
10
y
t
e
s
e
t
5
s
f
h
d
g
s
,
e
e
n
e
I
Charbay Winery & Distillery
It is not hard to feel like a part of the family at Charbay’s distilling heritage. This family loves distilling and pushing
welcoming “Still on the Hill” – perched amidst majestic the benchmarks higher. Unfortunately, California law proredwoods and soaring vineyards high above the valley hibits Charbay from offering the tasting and sale of its
floor, above St. Helena on scenic Spring Mountain Road.
distilled spirits.
The unique and compact Charbay Winery and DistillHere you’ll taste refreshing wine-based ready-to-drink
ery is light years and 15 minutes away from the maddening cocktail aperitifs fortified with their brandy, a decadent
crowd of wine tourism in the
pomegranate dessert wine and
Napa Valley, offering intimate
Port along with their current reCharbay Winery & Distillery
tastings and a fascinating inleases of the “Still-on-the-Hill’s”
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
sight into the world of distilling.
excellent Chardonnay, Rosé and
4001 Spring Mountain Road, St Helena
Friendliness is apparent
Cabernet Sauvignon. The 1983
(707) 963-9327 • www.charbay.com
upon arrival through private
brandy is about to be released
gates and toward a charming,
and will soon be for sale at the
Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ruby Port
outdoor copper Alambic pot Vodka, Tequila, Whiskey, Rum, Pastis, Grappa, Brandy Still on the Hill.
still flanking an open tasting
“Along with our wines, we
FUN Taste the Green Tea & Pomegranate
room door. Standing face to
pull visitors into the world of
FACT cocktails you can serve tonight!
face with the art and science of
distilling,” says co-owner and
distilling is all the more compelling while sampling wines, Charbay’s matriarch, Susan Karakasevic. “We distill the
Ports and delicious, one-of-a-kind aperitifs served over ice brandies for our Ports. Alambic pot stills are magical in the
with oranges or lemon zest.
right hands.”
Authenticity strikes a chord as the 12th and 13th genCigar-friendly, Charbay is stocked with a case of Zino
eration artisan winemakers and distillers of the passionate cigars for leisurely al fresco enjoyment outside with an acKarakasevic family invite visitors off the beaten track and companying glass of the winery’s Cab or Port. What better
into a rustic world of wines and Ports.
way to wind down an afternoon on the mountain?
Soon-to-be Grand Master Distiller Miles Karakasevic
Charbay’s signature wines range from Chardonnay to
just passed the mantle of Master Distiller to son Marko Rosé, Cab to Port. Visit Charbay for an enlightening step
after an untraditional apprenticeship of distilling brandy, into a true artisan driven way of life. For an insider treat,
whiskey, rums, pastis, vodkas and even tequila. Miles im- add the remarkable ’83 Sauvignon Blanc flight. Visits are
parted his vast wealth of Yugoslavian winemaking and $20 per person.
BY FRANCES RIVETTI
11
St. Helena
PA
R
ER
ER
AD
DE
BERINGER
VINEYARDS
SPR
ING
ME
OT
RA
IL
AD
OW
PR
AT
T
ST. CLEMENT
Culinary Institute
of America (CIA)
Meadowood
V
LODGING
Inn at Southbridge
1020 Main Street, St. Helena
1-800-520-6800, www.innatsouthbridge.com
Ideally located in the center of St. Helena.
Meadowood
900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena
1-800-458-8080, www.meadowood.com
Luxury country resort unfolds across 250 lush acres with
tennis courts, croquet lawns, 9-hole golf course and spa.
BALLENTINE
S IL
FOOD
Farmstead Restaurant
738 Main Street, St. Helena, (707) 963-9181
www.longmeadowranch.com/farmsteadrestaurant.com
Housed in a former nursery barn, Farmstead showcases the
seasonal, ingredient-driven American farmhouse cooking.
Go Fish
(707) 963-0700, www.gofishrestaurant.net
Go Fish has been written up consistently as one of the top
fish restaurants in the nation. Make reservations for dinner!
Guigni Deli
1227 Main Street, St. Helena, (707) 963-3421
An absolute must! Guigni Deli is known for their
"Guigni Juice" – it makes every sandwich incredible.
Model Bakery
(707) 963-8192, www.themodelbakery.com
Start your day with fresh coffee and hand-made pastry.
Tra Vigne
1050 Charter Oak Street, St. Helena
(707) 963-444, www.travignerestaurant.com
Italian inspired cuisine, remarkable 200 count wine list
V. Sattui Winery
Corner of Hwy. 29 & White Lane, St. Helena
(707) 963-7774, www.vsattui.com
Perfect spot for a wine country picnic with cheeses, meats,
salads and panini as well as BBQ fare and pizzas on weekends during spring, summer and fall.
K
The special little town of St. Helena is located seven short miles south of Calistoga on Foothill Blvd/CA Hwy 29. The playground of the tres chic and
tasteful, St. Helena’s one Main Street is filled to the brim with gourmet bakeries, acclaimed restaurants, couture clothes, and lavish home decor and
kitchen shops.
OO
D
LN
CHARLES KRUG
L M
TN
HOWEL
RD
ST. HELENA
MOUNTA
IN
NE
T
ES
O Model Bakery POP
R
AD
M
Guigni Deli
Inn at Southbridge
Tra Vigne RTER
A
K
OA
CH
LONG MEADOW RANCH
FARMSTEAD RESTAURANT
V. SATTUI
WINERY
Go Fish 128
29
EL
N
O
YS
From Ballentine
to St. Clement
> 1 mile
to Charles Krug
> 1 mile
to Beringer
> 1 mile
to Long Meadow Ranch > 1 mile
to V. Sattui Winery
> 1 mile
to Whitehall Lane
> 1 mile
Total 4 miles
LN
ND
A
INF
RA
G
Z
Crane Park
WHITEHALL
LANE WINERY
N
LL
AL
H
ITE
WH
THINGS TO DO
Weekends at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
1-888-995-1699, www.ciaachef.edu/enthusiasts
Select a cooking or wine class at the world-famous CIA.
Watch bocce ball games most nights at Crane Park
Crane & Grayson Avenues, St. Helena
Local bocce teams compete on summer nights, bring that
bottle of wine, a picnic blanket and watch the games.
12
St. Helena
Long Meadow Ranch
Perhaps if you had the resources, the drive, dedication “Ultimate Flight” is a seated food and wine pairing and
to the environment, sustainability and heritage, plus an includes a hosted olive oil tasting. Menus vary and are seaabiding passion for fine food and wine and the desire to sonal. Reservations are required.
share all of this with others, you might come up with
The “Full Circle Farming Tour” is offered daily at
something close to Long Meadow Ranch, but you can be 11:30 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. complimentary with tastings.
sure there would be an awful lot of time and work in- The tour explains the Long Meadow Ranch “Full Circle”
volved.
approach and offers a sensory
Long Meadow Ranch wines
experience through a visit to the
Long Meadow Ranch
produced include a classic
wine flavor and vegetable garOpen daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
Bordeaux-style Napa Valley
dens, vineyard, chicken coop
Cabernet Sauvignon, the exand Whiting Nursery, and ends
707-963-4555 • www.longmeadowranch.com
tremely limited E.J. Church
with a tasting in the Gothic reCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese,
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
vival Logan-Ives House.
Sauvignon Blanc
made from fruit sourced from
Under the Long Meadow
vineyards first planted in
Ranch brand – or LMR – are
FUN Explore the vegetable gardens, a farm stand and also historic olive orchards,
the 1870s, a nicely complex
FACT an organic nursery, fresh farm-to-table dining, pastures where Highland cattle
Merlot and a very versatile
docent lead tours, wine and olive oil tasting .
Sauvignon Blanc along with the
graze, chicken coops where
“Peter’s Vineyard” Sangiovese
organic eggs are collected, vegmade exclusively for wine club members.
etable and herb gardens, vineyards, Whiting Nursery, the
You have a number of wine tasting options such as the new Farmstead restaurant in St. Helena next to the tast“Essential Flight” – that also includes a sample of their or- ing room where their wines are sampled and sold. And,
ganic Napa Valley Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil – or the over on the coast, is an organic dairy farm. I’m sure I’ve
“Signature Flight” which includes small bites paired with left off at least one or two things, but you get the idea.
the food-friendly wines of Long Meadow Ranch. This flight
So, by now you can understand that anything inincludes limited-production wines and the reserve E.J. volving Long Meadow Ranch is seldom (if ever)
Church Cabernet Sauvignon, plus a taste of two estate olive one-dimensional, which is what makes it so enjoyable, so
oils, including their estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Prato interesting and so compelling a reason to make time in
Lungo, from Napa Valley’s oldest olive orchard. The your day for a visit.
BY CHARLES NEAVE
St. Helena
13
The tasting room may be new – it opened this past Me- the lowest bond number in the state: of 115. There are
morial Day weekend – but there is a lot of history behind now more than 5,600 bonded wineries in the state of Calthis winery situated just two or three minutes north of the ifornia).
quintessential wine country town of St. Helena.
But let’s fast forward. Now when you enter the tasting
John Ballentine emigrated in 1910 from his small farm- room at this working winery, which is 100-percent solar
ing estate in County Tyrone, Ireland to San Francisco. His powered, you come into a long, stylish room with pale
family estate was called Deer
gold walls, an L-shaped bar
Park and it became a major inwith lots of stone and wood
fluence in his life. His son, Van,
and a rack of first-rate glassOpen daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
grew up in the Napa Valley and
ware and bottles of wine. You
by appointment
from the beginning has helped
enter beneath a wood loggia
2820 St. Helena Highway North, St Helena
out. Following in his father’s
with a subtle barrel-like curve.
(707) 963-7919 • www.ballentinevineyards.com
footsteps he helped plant vineInside, windows on the north
yards, pruned vines and made
side of the room look out on
Zinfandel, Chenin Blanc, Malvasia Bianca,
wine, including Zinfandel,
the estate Merlot vineyards.
Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot,
Claret, Cabernet Sauvignon,
The floor is slate, the lighting
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Port
Riesling and Sauterne.
modern. You can look out at
FUN In the middle of Ballentine’s Petite Sirah
The history of this winery
the two sets of hills that truly
FACT vineyard sits a beautiful fig tree that was
involves other families as well,
make this area a valley while
imported from Italy by Betty Pocai-Ballentine.
and any number of hardworkyou are likely to be talking to
ing characters, many of them members of the Pocai family the owners and their enthusiastic staff.
from Lucca, Italy. Over time, their winemaking, their famThough production hovers around 10,000 cases, the
ilies and their fortunes intertwined. Even the devastating wines offered for taste and sale include three Zinfandels, an
San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 played a part. Luck was Old Vine Chenin Blanc, a rarer Malvasia Bianca and their
also a major player, especially when it came to the acqui- Sauvignon Blanc. There is also Syrah, Petit Sirah, Petit Versition of some of the best vineyard land in the entire Napa dot, Cabernet and a Cabernet Franc. To round it off is the
Valley. Luck can never be an underestimated component rich Zinfandel Port. All-in-all it is safe to say that as you
when it comes to successful winemaking, something that taste your way through parts of this list, you will soon discontinues to this day, as any winery owner will attest to cover your own favorites as you muse about the history of
without reserve. (As an aside, the Pocai’s winery has one of it all.
BY CHARLES NEAVE
14
St. Helena
V
g
d
h
n
g
y
n
f
St. Clement
Words hardly do justice to St. Clement Winery and Located in a separate building constructed of hand hewn
Tasting Room. Set high above the Napa Valley floor, in an stone walls, St. Clement’s “Winemaker’s Lounge” offers a
1870s Victorian, St. Clement is at once regal and inviting. whole tier of gorgeous single vineyard Cabernet SauviViews of Howell Mountain and gently sloping vineyards gnons for $25 per taste that are available only at the winery.
St. Clement produces 13 wines but only five of them
kissing valley hillsides are simply delightful.
The St. Clement Winery historically has been a private are in distribution. The remaining eight are secret little
gems that you can only find at
residence up until 30 years ago
the tasting room but never on a
when it became a winery dediSt. Clement
supermarket shelf.
cated to producing world-class
One wine of special note in
wines. The home was built in
the lineup is the Oroppas
1878 and is a remarkable piece
2867 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena
Cabernet. A unique wine of
of California Victorian architec1-800-331-8266 • www.stclement.com
Cabernet Sauvignon with a
ture. Period-appropriate paint,
Savignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah,
splash of Merlot, Petite Verdot
decor and even the details of
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
and Cabernet Franc, Oroppas is
carved arrows in the eaves (to
a Bordeaux blend from four disward off evil spirits) further reFUN The original 1878 cellar was made from local
tinct Napa mountain vineyards.
mind each guest they are tasting
FACT rock and the hillside property has hundreds of
Produced since 1991, Oroppas
not just at one of Napa’s prelinear feet of stone walls that date back to the
never rates below 90 points and
mier wineries, but also enjoying
late 1800s.
the current iteration, the 2006
a piece of Napa history itself.
Oroppas, is a 94 point wine –
Today, the St. Clement Tasting Room respects the history of the building by utilizing and a steal at $55 per bottle! Winemaker Danielle Cyrot
the tidy, welcoming floor plan of the original home and sure knows what she’s doing!
St. Clement is a winery that welcomes picnics. There
modifying slightly the two distinct rooms just off the front
door for wine tasting. Guests are welcome to taste a $10 are two separate lunch spots available complete with
flight of five St. Clement wines (whites and red), or a reds- Adirondack chairs and wooden picnic tables (which may
only tasting room where, for $15, guests are able to enjoy be reserved in advance). Wine club members are able to
a more sophisticated flight of St. Clement’s vineyard spe- enjoy their own, fenced-off patio with umbrellas and incredible valley views. Wines are available for purchase in
cific and flagship reds.
New to St. Clement, and memorable for wine enthusi- the tasting room to accompany your picnic. St. Clement is
BY ABIGAIL ZIMMERMAN
asts and newbies alike, is the Reserve Tasting Room. dog-friendly (on a leash only).
St. Helena
15
Beringer Vineyards
For more than 130 years, Beringer Vineyards has re- potential of grape growing in the Napa Valley is part of
flected the rewards of hard labor, agricultural pride and the living heritage of Beringer Vineyards. In its third cendetermined viticultural stewardship.
tury, today Beringer is led by Winemaker Laurie Hook,
German emigrant Jacob Beringer followed his brother who produces wines that speak eloquently of Beringer’s
Frederick to the New World in 1868 to begin a new life. rich history and contemporary elegance.
Hearing of California’s warm,
Winemaker Laurie Hook
sunny climate, the brothers
speaks
volumes when she says
Beringer Vineyards
headed west to Napa Valley.
that
“you
can’t make wine only
Vintage cellar worker, Jacob
through science...trust your in2000 Main Street , St Helena
Beringer was thrilled to find
tuition as well.” It is this blend
1-866-708-9463 • www.beringer.com
Napa’s rocky, well-drained
of art and science that elevates
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,White Zinfandel
soils similar to those of his naBeringer wines above the rest.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir
tive Rhine Valley.
A special wine recently reFrom the beginning, the
leased
is the 2006 Private
FUN The entire winery site was designated a historic
Beringer brothers were vastly
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
FACT District on the National Register of Historic
Places in 2001 and is the oldest continuously
ahead of the oenological times.
from a blend of seven premier
operating
winery
in
the
valley.
Together, Frederick and Jacob
Napa vineyards. A blend of
built a gravity-flow winery and
mountain and valley floor fruit,
steam-powered grape crusher as well as enlisted the help this Cabernet retails for $115. This wine will age beautiof Chinese laborers to hand-dig tunnels within the hills fully and cellar for years. Incredible!
of Napa Valley. Today, these caves still perfectly cellar
More than five tastings are available to the public and
and age wine in a stable 58-degree environment – one include private tastings, vineyard tours and history
crucial key to Beringer’s continued success in winemak- walks. Open daily between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June
ing.
through October, Beringer Vineyards is located at 2000
Beringer wines are world-famous for crafting classic Main Street, St. Helena, California in the Napa Valley.
wines from Napa’s finest appellations and vineyards. Please visit www.beringer.com for more details.
Founder Jacob’s foresight in recognizing the quality and
BY ABIGAIL P. ZIMMERMAN
16
St. Helena
f
,
s
k
s
y
d
s
e
n
r
f
,
-
d
y
e
0
y.
N
Charles Krug
To sample Charles Krug wine is to sample the history same redwood that was used to make tanks for fermentaof the Napa Valley. Charles Krug, a Prussian immigrant, tion in the Redwood Cellar after the Mondavis purchased
was a 19th century wine visionary and entrepreneur who the winery in 1943. The knowledgeable staff will tell you
made the first commercial wine in the Napa Valley, and the about the current releases and also about the sustainable
winery he built in 1861 is where Napa wine began. Now farming methods used in the vineyards, part of their misthe winery’s long-time owners, the Peter Mondavi, Sr. sion to steward their 850 acres of prime acreage, and also
Family, also represent a family
to remain a family-owned winof innovators and entrepreery that is always focused on
Charles Krug
neurs. At this St. Helena winery
quality and sustainability.
Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
across from the Culinary InstiThey’ll also tell you about the
2800 Main Street Hwy 29, St Helena
tute of America, you can
Vintage Selection Cabernet
(707) 967-2229 • www.charleskrug.com
witness both the past, the presSauvignon, which is the winMark your calendars for this year’s
ent and the future.
ery’s flagship wine, made since
Tastings on the Lawn, September 11th!
Located on the original
1944.
Charles Krug estate, the tasting
In the tasting room you will
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Port
room is shaded by giant heralso meet Buddy, the peachitage oak trees and a very FUN In 2011, Charles Krug, the first winery in the
colored cat, who defines the
pleasant picnic area is behind
FACT Napa Valley, will celebrate its 150th Anniversary! word “mellow.” There is also
the farm house-like building.
an interesting, but not overKrug’s original cider press is on display and the property whelming, selection of wine-themed merchandise,
is bisected by train tracks that recall an era when Napa Val- including books, sauces, glassware and a handsome bust
ley fruit was shipped to the east coast during Prohibition. of patriarch Peter Mondavi, Sr.
Behind the cellar lies the newly-restored circa-1881 CarWhen you sample the wines there are any number of
riage House. The Great Lawn, home of the annual Tastings options. The Bordeaux-style Cabernet, of course, but also
on the Lawn, lies adjacent. It’s all about a new era at the Merlot, the signature-style Sauvignon Blanc, perhaps
winery, where they are moving forward without losing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. The list goes on, all
sight of the winery’s history. It is part of what they call a of it worth a try, and in the context of the history of the
“New Renaissance.”
property, made even more enjoyable by the surroundings.
In the tasting room there are two bars, made from the
BY CHARLES NEAVE
St. Helena
17
V. Sattui Winery
The “V” in V. Sattui Winery stands for Vittorio, an ItalIn the Premium Tasting you’ll try a flight of six singleian immigrant who founded the winery in San Francisco in vineyard and limited-release wines for a $10 fee.
1885, and the great-grandfather of Dario Sattui, owner of
There are eleven luscious Cabernets from which to
the establishment in its current location since 1975. But the choose and long before anyone ever made White Zinfan“V” could also stand for “village” as this Napa Valley winery del, V. Sattui made a rosé from the Napa Gamay grape.
is a little slice of Italy much like the bustling central piazza Every year it’s the most popular single wine and that probof an Italian community. Complete with stone walls, court- ably has something to do with its food-friendly personality.
yards, a museum, archways, an
On weekends in warm
elegant fountain, two and a half
weather, aromas from the outV. Sattui Winery
acres of lush picnic grounds,
door kitchen waft through the
a gourmet deli that’s more of
picnic grounds. There might be
Corner Hwy. 29 &White Lane, St. Helena
a well-stocked neighborhood
salmon or tri-tip or smoked
(707) 963-7774 • www.vsattui.com
store with unexpected treats and
turkey legs on the grill, or
goodies, and a selection of
homemade thin-crust pizzas in
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir
award-winning wines that go
the wood-fire oven, and you’ll
Sangiovese, Grappa, Sparkling Wines, Port
with food, family and friends, V.
love the twice-daily pulled
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay & more!
Sattui is a gathering place. Here,
mozzarella with Heirloom
as in Italian piazzas, there are
FUN A piece-of-Italy setting – enjoy tasting with food tomatoes. This is enough for
lively conversations, lots of
anyone to become a V. Sattui
FACT pairings, a marketplace & deli with more than
laughter, children playing, famregular.
200 cheeses and picnic grounds. Full barbecue
ilies celebrating and glasses
When you visit, consider a
on warm-weather weekends.
clinking in toast. You’ll even see
membership card to the Cellar
a dog or two sleeping in the shade in the oak grove.
Club, which allows year-round access for you and up to
Your fun begins when you first enter the Marketplace, three guests to taste the full portfolio of wines in the private
where a friendly face greets you with complimentary “Cellar Club.” As a member, you’re also invited to arrange
cheese and food samples. Make your way to one of six tast- for focused tastings and food pairings in the “Gold Room”
ing areas, all of which offer options for sampling. The cellar cave, a beautiful space where stone shelves are filled
Classic Tasting is one option, a flight of six current release floor to ceiling with reserve and vintage bottles.
wines for a $5 fee. If you like white wines, V. Sattui makes
If you’re planning a wedding this summer, check with
up to four different and distinct Chardonnays each vintage the hospitality department. Everything you need for a
and is one of the biggest producers of Johannisberg Ries- lovely event is right there within those Italian walls.
ling, with both dry and off-dry styles.
BY DIANA GREENWOOD
18
St. Helena
-
o
.
y.
m
e
e
d
r
n
l
d
m
r
i
a
r
o
e
e
”
d
h
a
D
Whitehall Lane Winery
Of all the good reasons to visit Whitehall Lane Winery, a drop-in visit, Whitehall Lane is geared to satisfy all of
numero uno must be its highly-acclaimed wines: Wine your wishes. You can arrange private tours and tastings for
Spectator Magazine has rated its wines among the top five groups from four to a hundred in beautiful settings right
in the world three times in five years. OK, that award alone here at the winery. The property expands to the west with
rates a visit for sure, but there is much, much more to surprisingly private gardens with covered terraces adjoinWhitehall Lane than a casual stop at the tasting room. In ing a delightfully quaint, well-appointed bungalow that
fact, Whitehall Lane may be
can be reserved for dinners and
unique because here you can
formal wine tastings. In the
Whitehall Lane Winery
choose the kind of wine-tasting
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. •Tours 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. production facility, a grand barexperience you want to have, in
rel room becomes another
1563 St. Helena Hwy., St. Helena
one of five different venues on
impressive setting for your wine
1-800-963-9454 x19 • www.whitehalllane.com
the property.
tasting event.
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,
Let’s start with the tasting
Newest of these attractive
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir
room itself, low key and ecooptions is the Club Room, a
friendly in appearance under
private, elegant second-floor
FUN The Leonardini Family has created a portfolio
the shade of huge, spreading
tasting room with a glass wall
FACT of limited production wines to be found only
trees. It is small and surprisingly
opening onto an open-air terat the winery.
minimalist-modern in appearrace with tables and chairs and
ance, yet warm and inviting at the same time. Turquoise views across the valley to the entire western range of hills.
and yellow walls, polished slab tile floors, an azure-blue Even though you are right next to busy Highway 29, the
painted bar and striking artwork depicting aerial views of feeling is cloistered and serene. A professional kitchen advineyards and winery are the chief décor features.
joining the Club Room is a joy to the catering staff who
Many wineries can lay claim to producing one superior prepares guest meals there.
varietal, but Whitehall Lane’s wine awards include not only
Whether you want to impress out-of-town visitors with
Cabernet Sauvignon, but also Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and fine wines in a luxurious private setting, or if you are lookChardonnay. Annual case production is relatively small, ing for a venue for business meetings, or a place to
and many of the wines are not readily available nationally, celebrate a special occasion with family and friends,
another good reason to check in here personally.
Whitehall Lane can customize the experience to fit your
If you want a wine-tasting experience that goes beyond requirements.
BY NAN REILEY
St. Helena
19
Howell Mountain
POP
D
YR
LE
AL
EV
POPE
VALLEY
WINERY
CO
VALL
TTA
GE
POPE
SUMMIT
LAKE
D
MIT
EY R
WHITE
SUM
LAK
E
Pope Valley
Market
E
AG
WH
ITE
CO
E
EL
LAS POSADAS
STATE FOREST
PA
RK
. RD
T
ES
HOWELL
CON
N
I
MTN
VA
RO
SS
AIL
HOWEL MTN
TR
On & Around Howell Mountain
29
128
LM
Pacific
Union
College
W
HO
DEER PARK
LO
D
R
TN
D
DI
N
LA
TT
BURGESS VIADER
CELLARS
R
EY
ALL
CHILES POPE V
College
olle Market
kett
ANGWIN
DO
20
From Kent Rasmussen
to Anderson’s Conn Valley 4 miles
to Pope Valley Winery 13 miles
to Summit Lake Winery 6 miles
to Viader Vineyards
6 miles
to Burgess Cellars
> 1 mile
Total 30 miles
RA
VE
SIL
Beginning on the Silverado Trail, this trip includes Conn
Valley, Howell Mountain and Pope Valley with striking
views from high elevations to rolling hills on the valley
floor. You can see what Napa County was like in the early
pioneer days. Be sure to plan a full day for this one –
it’s a beautiful drive and you’ll want to take in the sites.
Most of these wineries require prior appointment and
watch for the addresses or you might miss them.
FOOD
College Market
15 Angwin Plaza, Angwin, (707) 965-6321
Here you will find plenty of options for picnicking.
Other than salami (meat-free products only), this store
has any other grocery items you may need.
Pope Valley Market
5850 Pope Valley Road, Pope Valley, (707) 965-9922
This small market with some snack lunch items and
local organic herbs. It's a great place to stop and grab an
ice cream treat during your drive on a hot summer day.
LODGING
Camping – Bothe-Napa State Park
Hwy 29 & Larkmead Road between St. Helena/Calistoga
1-800-444-PARK
Vacation Rentals
Look online for vacation rentals on Howell Mountain.
There are some very nice private homes available .
THINGS TO DO
Las Posadas State Forest
5850 Pope Valley Road, Pope Valley, (707) 965-9922
Hiking trails include a 4.4 mile, full loop trail that
passes a pioneer cemetary dating back to the 1800s
Howell Mountain Challenge
Sunday, August 8
(707) 965-6346, web2.puc.edu/Pioneers/HMC
If mountain biking is your speed, this is a 10 mile circuit that’s hilly on smooth to medium-rough trails with
lots of trees … a fun course!
DE
ER
On &
Around
LLE
Y
OP
P
ANDERSON’S
CONN VALLEY
KENT
RASMUSSEN
EL
ND
FA
ZIN
Kent Rasmussen Winery
What is it about the wine business that seems to attract Kent backed up his zeal with a degree in enology from Uniindependent-minded mavericks with a visionary twist and versity of California at Davis, worked at wineries around the
unbounded optimism? For an answer to that question, you world and ultimately founded his own in the mid ’80s.
Kent makes three wines under his own label: Pinot Noir,
would do well to visit the Kent Rasmussen Winery. This small,
family-owned-and-operated winery is a fine example of what Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
In keeping with his unorthodox philosophy, Kent also has
one couple’s dream and dedication can accomplish.
Kent Rasmussen participated in a high school foreign a label called Esoterica, devoted to unusual and underutilized grape varieties such as
exchange program in his teen
Kent Rasmussen Winery
Petite Sirah, Late Harvest dessert
years with a winemaking family
wines, Rousanne and Cabernet
in Germany. His fascination with
Franc. Kent experiments with
winemaking began here and has
1001 SilveradoTrail South, near St. Helena
small quantities of different varicontinued throughout his life –
(707) 963-5667 • www.kentrasmussenwinery.com
eties constantly, so availability
with some educational and occudepends on the vintage. It is
pational detours along the way
Estate Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah,
Kent’s hope to spark wider ununtil he found the path to his
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,
derstanding of these esoteric
heart’s desire.
Late Harvest Viognier and Chardonnay
grapes, while also indulging his
Even before he took the leap
FUN The winery itself is a bit of Napa Valley history
mad-scientist leanings.
into the wine business (he was a
FACT since it was, for almost 100 years, the local
Kent also makes Ramsay
librarian for several years), Kent
slaughterhouse .
wines, a name coming from his
was making wine from his famwife Celia’s family name. These
ily’s vineyard as early as 1979, in
the now-famous but then unknown viticultural region called wines are often available in restaurants and wine shops, unCarneros, at the southern end of Napa Valley, next to the San like the much smaller production Rasmussen and Esoterica
Pablo Bay. Here they planted Pinot Noir – this was an act of wines, usually sold only at the tasting room or to wine club
faith at the time, because Carneros was largely an unknown members.
Come to the winery for a very one-on-one, personal
entity as a wine-grape-growing region. Today, of course, it is
world-famous for both its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and experience. You’ll need to call ahead for an appointment
Kent Rasmussen’s Pinot Noir is one of the best wines made because the winery is so small that it is not equipped with a
from there – his are among the most mature and proven vines big staff, fancy tasting room or wine-related merchandise.
in the whole Carneros. There’s even an official “Rasmussen” By prior arrangement, they can also arrange snack platters for
Pinot Noir clone, now used widely throughout California. your group to enjoy with your wines.
BY NAN REILEY
21
Anderson’s Conn Valley
With its acres of vineyard rows and rustic charm set in year. Visitors learn about cultivation, fermentation, barrel
the hills above St. Helena, visitors to Anderson’s Conn Val- racking and, of course, the unique “underground” tasting
ley Vineyard never forget the country charm. In fact, it is experience.
equal parts that and the tours and tasting in the caves that
While they have long been famous for their 100% Esmake visiting Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyard a unique tate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, they are fast becoming
and unforgettable experience. And the wines, of course. known for Pinot Noir as well as artfully crafted blends
The wines are stellar.
which include Éloge, Éloge
“I think that is what makes
Gold and a new Bordeaux-style
Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards
us stand out among the myriad
blend, Right Bank. Many peoOpen Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-2pm
of tours and tastings you can
ple are also surprised that they
680 Rossi Road, St. Helena
take. You can barrel taste differalso make an excellent
ent vintages next to each other.
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
(707) 963-8600 • www.connvalleyvineyards.com
You taste in the caves from curand a Late Harvest bottling.
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay,
rent releases from the bottle,
Ronene Anderson – director
Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Blends
both red and white.”
of operations at the winery with
Unique to Anderson’s wine
FUN “Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignons her husband, founder, owner
making art is the extended time
FACT taste like the best young Bordeaux wines in great and winemaker Todd – explains
Vintages.” Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine
of barrel-aging in one of two
her job simply: “I do everything
Advocate. Stay at their lovely Vineyard House.
underground caves. On average
Todd doesn’t do and we both
the Cabernet Sauvignon and
give tours. We are still a family
Èloge wines spend up to two years in barrels prior to bot- operation as it has been since 1983. It is what we chose to
tling.
do and we have been doing for quite some, which I think
The two caves total just over 11,000 square feet and says something about us and the winery.”
are capable of storing more than 500 barrels. Throughout
A couple of other notes: They also have a picnic area,
the year, young barrel-wine is tested and re-barreled regu- should you decide to bring a lunch. Depending on the sealarly to remove sediment and guide the development of son, you might consider a sweater for your time in the
color, taste and smell.
caves, which are maintained at a temperature of 55 to 60
Groups of wine lovers tour the Anderson’s winery degrees year round. Plan on two to four hours for a comnearly every day to discover for themselves how their ex- plete tour depending on your schedule.
ceptional wines are produced so consistently year after
BY CHARLES NEAVE
22
l
g
g
s
e
e
y
t
c
r
h
r
s
g
h
y
o
k
,
e
0
-
E
Pope Valley Winery
Along a winding country road, up an unpaved drive and workshop, complete with the tools of the trade. The winpast Gus a big, friendly, chocolate lab, you’ll find one of the ery itself is housed in an historic building that was
most unpretentious, down-to-earth tasting rooms around. designed, before electricity was brought to the site, to utiThe Pope Valley, one of the California wine region’s hid- lize the slope of the hill to move the grapes through the
den treasures, is home to the Pope Valley Winery. This process of becoming fine wine.
serene, bucolic setting offers a wine tasting experience far,
The Eakle family now runs the winery and lovingly profar away from the ostentatious
duces 5,000 cases a year of
fare to be found at some of the
some of the finest wines in the
Pope Valley Winery
more well-known wine country
Napa Valley. All of their wines
Monday -Wednesday by appointment (please call)
destinations. Here you will be
are from estate-grown fruit,
Thursday - Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
treated less like a visitor and
with some from vines that are
6613 PopeValley Road, PopeValley
more like a friend.
nearly seventy years old. Each
“Turn left and go back 100 years.”
To reach the Pope Valley
member of the family gets in on
(707) 965-1246
Winery requires a leisurely
the act, with the newest memwww.popevalleywinery.com
country drive that is, in itself, a
ber, three-month-old Owen,
Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
significant part of the experiserving as an unofficial greeter
Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Zinfandel Port
ence.
Winding
through
and “smile producer” for visipicturesque fields, undulating
tors.
FUN All the beams used to build the winery were
vineyards and oak-studded hills,
You’ll enjoy the drive, but
FACT originally from the Oat Hill Quick Silver Mine
one gets the feeling of being
the true prize comes when you
and are still in place at the winery today.
transported back in time. The
arrive at Pope Valley Winery.
pace here is slower, more peaceful than the flurry and com- This isn’t just a pretty place, this is where some truly amazmotion found along the main thoroughfares of the Napa ing wine is made. Pope Valley Winery is noted for its Old
Valley. Photo opportunities present themselves around Vine and Late Harvest Chenin Blancs from Meyercamp
every bend in the road.
Ranch, and the Eakle Ranch Merlot is a lush, fruitful wine
The Pope Valley Winery was founded in 1897 by Ed that will complement nearly any dish. They also produce an
Haus. The bubbling sounds of Haus Creek can be heard as award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Cabernet
you roam the grounds of this historic winery. The original Sauvignon, as well as Sangiovese, Sangiovese Rosé, Zinfanfarmhouse still graces the property, as well as a blacksmith’s del, and Zinfandel Port.
BY RONDA GIANGRECO
23
Summit Lake Winery
Good wine is not hard to find, but in the hustle and and weasel their way into getting some of the most learned
bustle of the tourist trade in the Napa Valley it isn’t easy to minds in the business to provide both practical information
locate that laid back, “the way it used to be” experience and used equipment to help them build their winery.
that many visitors seek. Sometimes you are lucky enough
At first, the property at Summit Lake didn’t hold very
to stumble upon it. However, if you just happened to much promise. Overgrown, rugged and looking very
somehow find yourself on the back roads leading to Sum- lonely out at the back of a long dirt road, the land had
mit Lake Winery, chances are
nonetheless been planted
you are about to consider yourdecades ago with a small vineSummit Lake Vineyards
self seriously lost. No need to
yard. While the couple was able
worry. One of the most kindto coax the vines into produc2000 Summit Lake Drive, Angwin
hearted and genuinely gooding an incredible quality wine,
natured winemakers you’ll ever
the old plants just could not
(707) 965-2488
meet is waiting for you and will
produce the quantity of fruit
www.summitlakevineyards.com
pour you a glass of fantastic Zinneeded. With the help of their
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah,
fandel or Cabernet from his
children and friends, the couple
Zinfandel, Zinfandel Port
“tasting room” located in his
cleared the land, planted more
yard, usher you to a weathered,
FUN People enjoy Summit Lake Vineyards so much, vines and slowly began to build
but amazingly comfortable
their winery.
FACT they once had a tasting stay for two days!
chair overlooking the hillsides
Today, Bob and his family
and regale you with stories of
produce several wonderful
his life in the Napa Valley. He’ll also help you find your way wines, each named for one of his treasured grandchildren.
back down the hill.
The Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel Port and Rosé are all
Bob Brakesman of Summit Lake Winery personifies the estate grown. It is, however, their Howell Mountain Zinpioneer spirit that led many men and women to this area fandel that “put them on the map” and gave them the
to try their hand at winemaking. His only motivation was respect of winemakers throughout the valley.
a love of wine and his knowledge didn’t go much further
Come for the wine. Stay for the sheer joy of spending
than how to extract a cork from a bottle. But Bob and his a day on a real working farm with goats, horses, friendly
late wife, Sue had such warm and friendly personalities dogs…and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.
that it wasn’t long before they were able to cajole, bargain
BY RONDA GIANGRECO
24 On & Around Howell Mountain
d
n
y
y
d
d
e
,
t
t
r
e
e
d
y
l
.
l
e
g
y
O
Viader Vineyards
There is seldom one word that will accurately describe thwarted the ambitions of many, but Delia is not a woman
a winery, but in the case of Viader it is possible…elegance. who backs down from a challenge. After obtaining her PhD
From the moment you step into the tasting room housed and raising four children on her own, creating a unique
in a stunning stone building that is perched on a mountain estate vineyard property, creating a wine blend and a super
rim, you will know that you have arrived at a hidden gem premium brand was hardly a daunting task for her.
where few are fortunate enough to find themselves.
Her signature wine, Viader Proprietary Red Blend, feaAs you and your friends are
tures Cabernet Sauvignon with
seated at one of only two tables
a significant component of
Viader Vineyards
overlooking one of the most
Cabernet Franc. Viader “V” is
Please call ahead to make an appointment
magnificent sights on earth, it
an exclusive Petit Verdot blend.
1120 Deer Park Road, Deer Park
dawns on you that you must
The estate Viader Syrah is a
(707) 963-3816 ext. 110
have done a few things very
clonal blend of Barossa and
www.viader.com
right in life to have landed here.
Hermitage clones of Syrah.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, PetitVerdot,
Then wine arrives. Viader is
Starting in 2003, she began
Syrah,Tempranillo, Rosé
known worldwide for producproducing “Dare by Viader,” a
ing some of the highest quality,
FUN Ask about our educational Food & Wine pairing line that focuses on single varivery limited production red
eties from select vineyards in
FACT options! Cheese pairings are available for
wines. This is truly superbly
the Napa Valley blended with
$5/person if you request this option in advance.
handcrafted wine. Expertly preestate fruit, including a wonpared hors d’oeuvres, lunches and dinners by Mariela derful Cabernet Sauvignon, a Cabernet Franc, a
Viader, a Thomas Keller trained chef, are also served for pri- Tempranillo and a Dry Rosé. All of the wines are simply
vate events and paired with Viader wines. Now you know wonderful and available for sampling depending on the
you have found the ultimate wine tasting experience.
tasting menu from which you choose.
Viader is the brainchild of one very determined and talAppointments are necessary and limited, so call early to
ented woman. Delia Viader founded the winery in 1986. obtain your seat for one of the most sophisticated and exHer vision of planting a European style vineyard, with clusive tasting experiences available anywhere. Viader
vines oriented up and down the steep hillside of Howell accommodates visits Monday through Sunday. Tastings
Mountain requires, to this day, meticulous hand farming. are available between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Such intensive labor and attention to detail would have
BY RONDA GIANGRECO
25
Burgess Cellars
There is one very important element that truly defines property could have fallen into less principled hands, but forBurgess Cellars…the unique site. As Steve Burgess says, “It is tunately the Burgess family has worked hard to maintain the
distinct quality of the vineyards and the result is some of the
why our wines are different. It is why we are different.”
Located high on Howell Mountain and commanding a very best handcrafted wine to be found.
The tasting room experience at Burgess is also refreshingly
breathtaking view of the Napa Valley, Burgess can trace its origins to a winery that was established on the property in the free of pretentiousness and unnecessary frills. Located in their
barrel room, the tasting bar is
1880s. That was long before cars
often manned by one of the famor paved roads existed to link the
Burgess Cellars
ily members. If you are lucky,
property to civilization. The vineBy appointment only
Steve Burgess might be behind
yards were planted with the help
the bar. A big guy with a big smile
of mules, dynamite and with the
1108 Deer Park Road, St. Helena
and a warm welcoming manner.
long, hard labor of people whose
1-800-752-9463 • www.burgesscellars.com
The house style of Burgess
vision is reflected today in the
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
wines
are elegant and complex
fine wines of Burgess. “We’ve
Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Grenache Rosé
with purity and balance and inbeen sustainable since before the
(Some are rare or seasonal and are not always available.)
clude an array of Cabs, Merlots
word was invented. With us it
FUN Burgess Cellars has an incredible selection
and Syrah. They also make a few
has always been a necessity,” reFACT of older vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon.
wines that are only obtainable at
lates Steve. In addition to
Vintages go back to 1979 – a great way to
the winery. Their Grenache and
sustainable farming, some of the
celebrate birth years, anniversaries, etc.
Grenache Rosé are true “finds”
Burgess Cellars vineyards are curthat you won’t get anywhere else. While you’re there, Steve
rently in the process of CCOF certification.
For those who wish to visit the historical wine country of might even open a library wine or two for you to taste.
Their flagship wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, thrives on the
the Napa Valley, an afternoon at Burgess is essential. Not
everyone finds this magnificent winery, but for those who do, western slopes of Howell Mountain near the winery; Merlot
is ideally suited to the Triere Vineyard on the Napa Valley floor
a “real Napa” experience awaits them.
Since 1972, Napa Valley pioneer Tom Burgess and his in the Oak Knoll AVA just south of Yountville; Syrah is perfamily, along with gifted winemaker Bill Sorenson, have fol- fectly matched to conditions in the estate vineyard site on the
lowed the belief that it is vital to grow only those varieties eastern slope of Howell Mountain.
If you find yourself at their door without an appointment,
ideally suited to a particular vineyard’s soil composition, sun
and wind exposure, and overall micro-climate. The family acts feel free to request an “on-site” appointment. If possible, they
as stewards of the land, rather than owners. This amazing will be pleased to accommodate you. BY RONDA GIANGRECO
26 On & Around Howell Mountain
128
SAG
E
RUTHERFORD
RANCH
CAN
Y
ON R
D
From Piña Napa Valley
to Chappellet
6 miles
to Rutherford Ranch
4 miles
to Rutherford Hill
> 1 mile
Total 11 miles
NN
V
SIL
K
EE
CR
E
RA
RD
128
D
CO
,
y
O
128
29
RD
Auberge du Soleil
180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford
(707) 963-1211, www.aubergedusoleil.com
The discreet entrance off the Silverado Trail is your
first clue of the refined, uber chic elegance awaiting
(guests only) at this exclusive creme-de-la-creme
hotel in premier Napa Valley. Entrance to auberge is
very restricted to guests only though the discerning
public is welcome to dine at the Micheline star restaurant or sip that $130 per glass of vintage
Champagne on the Terrace.
CHAPPELLET
LAKE
HENNESSEY
Auberge
du Soleil
L RD
e
t
r
e
LODGING
Rancho Caymus Inn
1140 Rutherford Road, Rutherford
1-800-845-1777, www.ranchocaymus.com
Rustic elegance at its most charming. Surrounded
by the all-consuming fragrance and visual splendor
of Napa Valley, the Rancho Caymus Inn is a tranquil, petite 26-room Inn that is designed and
decorated to capture the simpler times of early California.
RUTHERFORD
HILL
H IL
s
x
s
w
t
d
”
e
FOOD
Rutherford Grill
1180 Rutherford Road, Rutherford
(707) 963-1792, www.hillstone.com
Located at the crossroads of Hwy 29 and Rutherford
Road, the Rutherford Grill has been serving fabulous
food to locals and tourists of Napa Valley for
decades. Don't miss the fantastic selection of appetizers and entrees!
R
FO
HE R
RUT
y
r
s
,
d
e
FROM THE WRAPAROUND DECK AT AUBERGE DU SOLEIL BISTRO & BAR
This central, verdant quilt of Napa Valley boasts countless principal wineries that makes Napa so famous: White Hall Lane, Grgich Hills, Mumm Napa,
Cakebread to name just a few. If you seek grandeur, striking beauty, and wine country elegance, Rutherford is a great place to begin!
RU
TH
ER
FOR
D
e
e
Rutherford
Rancho Caymus
Rutherford Grill
DO
TR
A
IL
PIÑA
NAPA VALLEY
Rutherford
27
Piña Napa Valley
There are many choices when it comes to selecting
The tasting room is similarly unadorned. At Piña it
your perfect Napa Valley experience, but if you want to is all about the wine. The entire retail department conunderstand what winemaking really means to the fam- sists of a few t-shirts hung on the wall. There are no
ilies who have lived and worked in the region for decorative decanters, whimsical wine stoppers or Napa
centuries, a visit to Piña Napa Valley on the Silverado Valley snow globes available for purchase. While standTrail is essential.
ing in a working barrel room, you might be asked to
Their history of making
step aside as workers hoist
and growing wine in the Napa
hoses and tote cases. The Piña
Piña Napa Valley
Valley stretches back to the
brothers have put nearly all of
Open daily, by appointment, 10 am to 4 pm
1850s. The four sons of John
their effort, money and time
8060 SilveradoTrail, Rutherford
Piña Jr. and Arline (Glos) Piña
into one thing…the wine.
North of Skellenger Lane
work together to continue a
That fact will be succulently
(707) 738-9328
tradition of pride, passion and
apparent from your first taste
www.pinanapavalley.com
persistence that for decades
of their magnificent CaberChardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
has produced some of the
nets. They also produce an
finest wines in the valley.
award-winning Chardonnay
FUN A newly installed bocce court and picnic deck
John, Larry, Ranndy and Davie
that is a must-have for a disFACT looks out over an expansive view of the valley
know and love this business as
criminating cellar.
below.
only those who have lived and
But all work and no play is
breathed it all their lives can.
not their motto. A newly inTheir family has seen a lot of changes to the valley they stalled bocce court and picnic deck looks out over an
hold so dear, but in spite of temptations to the contrary, expansive view of the valley below.
they have remained true to the vision of their ancestors
Piña Napa Valley is an appointment only winery, but
to produce great wine and only great wine.
if you find yourself at their doorstep without one, feel
From the moment you spy the old tractor parked free to ask for an “on-site” appointment. If there is room
near the entrance of Piña Napa Valley you realize that for another guest, they’ll welcome you and chances are
this is not a “Hollywood” winery. This is a real working that one of the Piña brothers will be there to pour for
farm where the company’s meetings are held around the you and even show you some photos of an original
BY RONDA GIANGRECO
kitchen table and there is not a necktie in sight.
Napa family.
28
Rutherford
t
o
a
o
t
a
f
e
y
e
n
y
-
s
n
t
l
m
e
r
l
O
Chappellet Winery
A visit to enchanted Chappellet Winery is a list-topping heating and a supply of stylish down jackets for inclement
necessity for the true wine country adventurer. For this is weather!
a quest of unparalleled vineyard beauty – the ultimate, dis90-minute tasting tours are all about the nuts and bolts
covery of solitary splendor at the pinnacle of an intriguing of making the exceptional mountain wines, as visitors are
detour above and beyond the secluded Silverado Trail.
guided through the production process and into a delightImagine a fairyland of lichen and moss, an elevated eco- fully entertaining and informative group amble through
system where oak and fern and
vineyard vistas.
wildlife flourish in a protected
Standing some 1,200 scenic
Chappellet Winery
region of tranquility and cool,
feet above Lake Hennessy
Tours and tasting by appointment only
mountain breezes.
across from monumental
at 10:30 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. Monday-Friday
Intrepid tasting room guests
Mount St. Helena, tasting visiSaturday & Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m.
arriving to taste at Chappellet
tors are kept company on their
1581 Sage Canyon Road, St Helena
might find themselves a tad distour by a cacophony of blue(707) 963-7136 • www.chappellet.com
orientated at the understated
birds, owls, kestrels and red tail
exterior of the Pritchard Hill-top Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc , Merlot, Chardonnay hawks enticed to the winery’s
winery. For a narrow, fern-lined,
FUN The experience at Chappellet is one of breathtaking outstanding organic vineyards
natural footpath from an inforFACT scenery, educational & interactive walks through by boxes designed to accommal parking area is the only
the vineyards and of course, extraordinary wines. modate the vineyard manager’s
indication of a port of entry into
feathered friends.
the secluded winery’s inner sanctum.
Sustainability is taken seriously at Chappellet, where
Though once inside, there is no mistaking an under- farming has been a way of life for the family-owned winstated level of sophistication in the top-notch production ery more than forty years. Pritchard Hill is home to
and cellaring facilities of the winery’s first-class wines.
multiple members of the Chappellet family. Visitors can’t
What you see is what you get at Chappellet, in place of help but be captivated by the rustic charm of this remote,
a formal tasting room, visitors are treated to the authentic hilltop locale where one could quite happily set up camp
experience of sampling extraordinary Cabs, Napa Valley and stay awhile amidst the vines and the breeze and the
cool climate Chardonnay and Mountain Cuvee right inside sound of nature in its gloriously protected element.
an up-scale, barrel-storage facility, complete with an exChappellet welcomes guests for tours and tastings at a
clusive corner banquet table, mood lighting, ambient cost of $25, by reservation.
BY FRANCES RIVETTI
Rutherford
29
There are 15 sub-appellations in the Napa Valley and gnons (several only available at the winery), Sauvignon
the Rutherford AVA (American Viticultural Area) may be its Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel and Rhiannon, a lusmost renowned. Legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff cious proprietary red blend.
remarked, “It takes Rutherford dust to grow great CaberOur winemaking team crafts elegant, true-to-the- varietal
net,” and we have five different Cabernets to choose from; wines with fruit sourced from the two estate vineyards and
including three from our 100% CCOF (Certified Califor- other select vineyards sites throughout the valley. The cooler
nia Organic Farmers) certified
sites yield grapes with bright,
organic estate vineyards.
rich flavors and tropical fruit
The Zaninovich family accharacteristics. Warmer sites
Open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm
quired the winery and estate
within the valley produce grapes
1680 SilveradoTrail South, St. Helena
vineyards in 2000, but have
with deep, intense flavors. To1-707-968-3200 www.rutherfordranch.com
been growing and crafting wines
gether they provide the
for three generations.
winemakers with an unequaled
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot,
Morgan Zaninovich over-sees
palette of flavor and character
Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel
the day-to-day operations and, at
quality.
FUN Corks are a natural and renewable resource produced andAll
times, can be seen at the winery
are available in the tasting
FACT from the bark of cork oak (Quercus suber).
with one of the newest members
room
along
with Scott Family EsIn Portugal, during spring and summer, the thick outer
of the family (the fourth generatate
Pinot
Noir
and Chardonnay
bark is harvested by hand (mechanized processes have not
tion!) in tow. Rutherford Ranch
from
the
family’
s
vineyards in Arreplaced the age-old methods) without damaging the tree.
Winery is located off the Silverroyo Seco (Monterey County).
In fact, studies have shown that cork harvesting actually
adds to the tree’s health and vigor. You can see one of these
ado Trail, just below Auberge du
Visitors can also enjoy the
amazing oaks at the winery.
Soleil, Napa’s exclusive resort,
winery’s signature Chocolates &
restaurant and spa.
Reds tasting – an instructive and
The winery grounds include a century-old olive grove delicious experience – and purchase family produced olive
and the unpretentious, homey atomsphere offers a peace- oil and organically grown raisins (a visitor and staff
ful respite in a day of winery hopping and visitors are favorite).
welcome to enjoy picnic at tables under the oak trees.
For a listing of upcoming winery events, visit us on
Rutherford Ranch’s full line of award-winning premium Facebook, and our website at rutherfordranch.com, and
Napa Valley varietals include a selection of Cabernet Sauvi- discover why we create “Wines Worth Knowing.”
30
Rutherford
n
-
l
d
r
,
t
s
s
e
d
r
g
y
-
e
&
d
e
f
n
d
Rutherford Hill Winery sits on the eastern hillside of ery. The tasting room staff can sometimes be the make-orupper Napa Valley, just off the Silverado Trail. The road break part of your experience, and here you’ll find friendly
winds upward through oak and eucalyptus groves, past professionals who let you enjoy your visit the way you
some of the valley’s most exclusive homes, just beyond want to, not the way they want you to. And they are pourAuberge du Soleil, one of the valley’s most luxurious inns. ing excellent wines, so what’s not to like?
As you enter the winery’s secluded driveway, you may well
Rutherford Hill is most famous for its Merlot, which it
feel a curious mixture of awe at
has been making since the winthe beauty of the surroundings
ery was founded in 1972. The
and relaxed comfort as if you
winery also features ChardonOpen daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
just came home. Part of the
nay, a lovely dry rosé of Merlot
200 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford
hominess comes from the
and Cabernet Franc, Cabernet
t a s t ing room itself, a big
Sauvignon and a Reserve Mer(707) 963-1871 • www.rutherfordhill.com
weather-beaten wooden barn
lot. But that’s not all. The
Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
structure with a gambrel roof,
winery has been owned by the
Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot,
tucked onto the hillside and
Terlato family of the Terlato
Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc,
surrounded by rows of climbWine Group since 1996.
Syrah, Zinfandel Port
ing roses and exuberantly vivid
Under its auspices, Rutherford
FUN This is a very popular location,
beds of flowers. A few steps
Hill has expanded its offering
FACT call ahead to reserve a picnic table.
down lead to a wide paved
to several exciting tasting
patio shadowed by the overroom-only,
limited-edition
hanging roof. Here, comfortable benches and an outdoor wines like Malbec, Syrah and other lesser-known but exbar invite guests to linger in the outdoor beauty.
cellent grape varieties.
But you’re here for the wine, too, so pass through the
The winery offers tours of its famous caves and cellars
huge double wooden doors and into Rutherford Hill’s by reservation every day at 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30. For a fee,
handsome, two-story tasting room. One wall, mostly of you can have a cave tour that includes wine tasting as well.
glass, looks out onto the patio, retaining the outdoor- Outside, a delightful picnic area in an olive tree grove overindoor feeling, and another set of double glass doors opens looks stunning views to the eastern side of Napa Valley.
into the production facility, where you can see neat rows of Don’t miss the chance to enjoy your lunch here with a botstainless steel fermenting tanks leading back into the win- tle of delicious Rutherford Hill wine.
BY NAN REILEY
Rutherford
31
Stags Leap/Yountville
OS
SR
OA
D
BALDACCI
YO
UN
TV
IL
LE
CR
STAGS’ LEAP
WINERY
PINE RIDGE
N
FIN
LR
D
CHIMNEY
ROCK
MA
FIN
NE
L
SO
N
D
DI
LR
EL
T
29
NT S
YOU
ON
Bardessono
ERA
SILV
Napa Valley
Bike Tours
IL
TRA
V Marketplace
Bottega
Napa Valley Aloft
ON
NGT
SHI
DO
WA
GT
32
IN
LODGING
Bardessono
6526 Yount Street, Yountville
(707) 204-6000, www.bardessono.com
A chic hotel, restaurant and spa in the heart on
Yountville. Think perfectly made cappuccino,
gourmet picnics made to order, in-room massages, discreet outdoor showers, rooftop pool and
winemaker dinners. Dog friendly.
Yountville Inn
6462 Washington Street, Yountville
1-866-366-8166, www.yountvilleinn.com
A lovely hotel with old-world craftsmanship, large rooms,
excellent customer service and creekside setting .
Villagio Inn & Spa
1-800-531-1133, www.villagio.com
Wine Spectator magazine calls Villagio “the ideal
pied-a-terre for anyone intent on exploring the glories of America's preeminent wine region.” Spacious
rooms, welcome bottle of wine, daily Champagne
breakfast buffet and afternoon tea all add the perfect
touches to your day.
SH
FOOD
Hurley’s Restaurant & Bar
(707) 944-2345, www.hurleysrestaurant.com
A lively bar, popular with locals and winemakers,
plus fresh, seasonal foods inspired by the
Mediterranean... what's not to love? Try the two
course fixed menu for only $18!
Bottega
(707) 945-1050, www.botteganapavalley.com
Welcome to celebrity Chef Michael Chiarello's
Bottega Ristorante. Named by Zagat 2009
as the “Top Newcomer” to the Bay Area.
From Clos du Val
to Chimney Rock
> 1 mile
to Stags’Leap Winery 1.6 miles
to Pine Ridge
> 1 mile
to Baldacci
> 1 mile
to Cornerstone
3 miles
Total 6 miles
WA
Stags Leap and Yountville AVAs are best known
for producing more restrained Cabernets than
their warmer microclimate neighbors. Both
regions benefit from western hills that funnel
coastal breezes from nearby San Pablo Bay.
In summer, this wind cools hanging fruit and
reduces acidity in resulting wines. Wines from
this region also benefit greatly from the rocky,
volcanic soils. While Stags Leap enjoys the
quiet serenity of wine tasting along the
Silverado Trail, neighboring Yountville hosts
the restaurants, hotels and upscale shopping.
Its no wonder wine lovers from near and far
flock to Stags Leap and Yountville regularly.
RAS Galleries
Hurley’s Restaurant
YOUNTVILLE
CORNERSTONE
CELLARS
Villagio Inn & Spa
29
Yountville Inn
NIA
IFOR
CAL
THINGS TO DO
V Marketplace
(707) 944-2451, www.vmarketplace.com
Find that perfect home, garden or bath accessory.
Discover fine art, gourmet chocolates, artisanal
wine labels, quality clothing and carefully crafted
jewelry for all ages! Dine in some of Napa's most
popular cafés and fine restaurants.
V Marketplace is a destination offering the best
of everything in Napa.
RAS Galleries
(707) 944-9211, www.rasgalleries.com
An exclusive American art glass, ceramics,
and fine art gallery. RAS Galleries is thrilled
to be thriving since 1990 and provides world-class
collectors as well as new art enthusiasts a place to
explore some of the finest artisan works created
today.
CLOS DU VAL
NAPA VALLEY
Napa Valley Bike Tours
(707) 944-2953
www.napavalleybiketours.com
Rent safe, clean, tuned-up bikes for a few hours,
a whole day or even join in for a four-night
bicycling vacation! Often the best memories of
a trip don't come home in a shopping bag; they
are the memories you make with your loved ones.
Guided and self-guided tours also available.
What a great find!
Napa Valley Aloft: Hot Air Ballooning
(707) 944-4408, www.nvaloft.com
Soar high above the vineyards, hilltops, and
gaze all the way to San Francisco. Guaranteed
single flights (not a bunch of low altitude hops),
professional pilots and staff, and Napa Valley
lunches clearly made Napa Valley Aloft a first
choice among astute locals and visiting guests!
Photos by Avis Mandel
Clos Du Val - Napa Valley
For some reason, whenever I visit Clos Du Val Win- Cabernet Sauvignon, plus two specialty wines, the
ery in the Napa Valley’s fabled Stags Leap District, I am Pinot Rosé and an Unoaked Chardonnay. There is also
reminded of one of those pristine Swiss hotels situated Ariadne, a proprietary blend of Semillon and Sauvion a lake. But instead of water there are rose bushes, gnon Blanc. Rich, elegant and intense, it excels in food
long rows of vineyards and immaculate landscaping pairings. All are made from fruit sourced from the area’s
while behind me is the long winery with its ivy-cov- premium vineyards, then carefully created by masters.
ered walls. The spacious
The scale of the tasting
picnic area on perfectly
room where you can try these
Clos Du Val - Napa Valley
trimmed lawn stretches to
wines is such that when there
one side. It is all part of Clos
are just a dozen people inside
5330 SilveradoTrail, Napa
Du Val’s 38-year tradition of
it does not feel at all empty,
1-800-993-9463 • www.closduval.com
producing classic, estate-style
and when ten times that
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
wines of balance, complexity
number are there it does not
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
and elegance.
feel crowded. Tall glassFour decades ago, Amerifronted wood doors look into
FUN Dusty Bottle Club members have exclusive rights the winery itself.
can businessman John Goelet
FACT to purchase Clos Du Val's older vintage Cabs and
sent French winemaker
Outdoors, whether in the
are invited to attend special library tastings
Bernard Portet on a mission
picnic area out front, or in the
throughout the year.
to find new territory with the
intimate Olive Grove to the
potential to produce worldside, visitors find the winery
class wines. Two years and five continents later, Portet the perfect spot to enjoy a bottle of Clos Du Val wine,
landed in California. Goelet acquired 150 acres of paired with a picnic as simple or as elaborate as they
land and founded Clos Du Val, a “small estate of a might want. The courts for the French version of bocce
small valley,” in 1972. The first vintage of Cabernet ball – pétanque – are open to anyone who’s game. The
Sauvignon in 1972 was one of only six California tasting room staff can furnish a set of boules, and also
Cabernets selected for the now-legendary 1976 Paris tell you about the demonstration vineyard out front,
Tasting.
which is both fascinating and educational. All in all a
The wines they are known for today include a se- visit to this iconic winery on the Silverado Trail is well
lection of Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir and worth an extended visit.
BY CHARLES NEAVE
33
Chimney Rock
It’s a simple philosophy at Chimney Rock: great wine fermenting it. The resulting free-run juice is barrel-aged in
starts in the vineyard. Of course, it sure helps if the vineyard the finest new and one-year-old French Oak, then bottle
is in the greatest sub-appellation in one of the greatest wine aged without any filtering or fining. This gives the wineregions in the world.
making team the opportunity to select only the best lots for
Mother Nature has graced the tiny Stags Leap District of Chimney Rock’s reknowned Bordeaux-style blend Elevage
Napa Valley with a near perfect environment for producing and to showcase certain specific blocks on the estate as sinworld-class Cabernet Sauvignon
gle bottlings.
and Bordeaux-style blends.
What’s great for visitors is
Chimney Rock
When grapevines are allowed to
that Chimney Rock offers three
express themselves here they
unique tastings available when5350 SilveradoTrail, Napa
produce silky, elegant and
ever you drop by (that’s right, no
1-800-257-2641 • www.chimneyrock.com
refined wines that drink beautiappointment for groups up to
Cabernet Sauvignon, A Bordeaux Red and
fully now but also reward a
six people). You can get to know
White Blend and a limited Cab Franc Rose
collector’s patience.
Stags Leap District right at the
It’s hard to imagine that what
tasting bar, where you can try
FUN There are a variety of Tours and Tastings to
is now Chimney Rock Winery
FACT please any palate. The Vineyard Walk includes some of Chimney Rock’s limited
was once the 18-hole Chimney
production and library wines.
an alfresco lunch and an opportunity to taste the wines
Rock Golf Course. The winery
Stop in between your other winwhich originated in the vineyards surrounding you.
was started in 1980, when the
ery appointments, or make it a
Offered by appointment only.
then-owners converted nine of
first stop or last stop for the day.
the 18 holes to vineyards. In 2000, the Terlato Family purWith just a little advance planning, you open yourself
chased Chimney Rock and converted the rest of the golf up to some incredible in-depth tasting and touring
course to vineyards.
opportunities at Chimney Rock. Take a tour of this
Now the sprawling, 117-acre Chimney Rock estate magnificent estate, including the vineyard and cellar; enjoy
vineyard has 27 separate blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, a tasting of Reserve or single-block Cabernets presented as
plus a smattering of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit a vertical (several different vintages) paired with a selecVerdot. The winemaking team at Chimney Rock tion of cheeses; or splurge for the ultimate Vineyard Tour
processes this precious fruit as minimally as possible and Tasting which includes an alfresco lunch served in the
by hand-harvesting, gently destemming and whole-berry vineyard.
BY MICHELLE J. BAKER
34
n
e
r
e
-
s
e
o
o
w
e
y
d
.
a
y.
f
g
s
y
s
r
e
R
Stags Leap AVA is the valley within Napa Valley – at
The Historical Tour and Tasting is a 90-minute tour
once picturesque and storied in its history and beauty as and tasting that takes you around the property, through
it is renoknwned for exquisite wines. Stags’ Leap Winery the history and a tasting of five wines, $45 per person.
is, and always will be, the namesake for this idealized val- Wines tasted include: the 2008 Reserve Chardonnay
ley.
($40), 2008 Viognier ($25), 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet
Stags’ Leap’s stone Manor House was built in 1892 Sauvignon ($49), 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, The
from local rock and granite
Leap ($75), 2007 Ne Cede
quarried nearby. By the 1920s,
Malis ($75). Tours leave daily
“Stags’ Leap Manor,” as it came
at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
By advance appointment only
to be known, was a fashionable
Manor House Tasting is a
destination spot for vacationing
60-minute sit-down tasting of
1-800-640-5327 • www.stagsleap.com
Hollywood elite and bootlegfive wines (no tour but does
Viognier, Chardonnay, Merlot
gers regardless of that pesky
include a brief history of the
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rose
federal law called Prohibition.
property). Tasting includes the
The property played host to
2008 Viognier ($25), Napa
FUN During your visit, be sure to go upstairs and
legends of rum-runners,
Valley Merlot ($32), 2006
FACT see the historical photos of the property and
gangsters, rumored ghosts
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauviresort menus. Outside, see the swimming pool
and gypsies.
gnon ($49), 2005 Estate
… one of the first in California.
Since 1970, Stags’ Leap
Cabernet Sauvignon ($75),
benefitted from a thorough renovation and enjoys more The Leap, 2006 Napa Valley Petite Syrah ($38). Tastings
than a sterling reputation as one of the nation’s finest, are at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m daily, $30 per person.
most critically acclaimed wineries. Stags’ Leap wines emPorch Tasting (no tour) – book your seat on the
body the unique terroir and microclimate of Napa. Manor House Porch every day on the half hour between
Traditional winemaking is prominent at Stags’ Leap and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., $20 per person. Taste through four
focuses on the pure expression of the land. Wines are wines while enjoying the view from the patio. Wines curmade beyond well and are delicious, showing finesse and rently featured are the 2009 Amparo Rosé ($20), 2008
integrity.
Napa Valley Chardonnay ($28), 2006 Napa Valley
Stags’ Leap Winery has three visiting options. All re- Cabernet Sauvignon ($49), 2006 Napa Valley Petite
quire an appointment made in advance.
Syrah ($38).
BY ABIGAIL ZIMMERMAN
35
Pine Ridge Winery
The Pine Ridge Demonstration Vineyard will teach you
Pine Ridge Winery enjoys a place of prominence just
abreast of the Stags Leap District palisades. If the views not only about varietal characteristics of Cabernet Sauviaren’t breathtaking enough, just try their wines! Pine Ridge gnon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot
red wines, whites and the recently released rosé are sure but also give you insight into the more nuanced world of
clonal selections and various root stocks. Only half of an
to impress.
Pine Ridge specializes in producing wines that embody acre, this vineyard sits adjacent to the tasting room and is
easily accessible for all visitors.
the unique characteristics of the
Each tour traces the develNapa Valley Appellation in
Pine Ridge Winery
opment of a bottle of wine –
which its 220 acres of estate
Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
from vines, to grapes, fermenvineyards are located. An intertation to barrel aging in the
esting blend of critically
caves. Guests will begin in the
acclaimed vino and educational
(707) 253-7500 • www.pineridgewinery.com
vineyard before heading to the
tours, Pine Ridge Winery offers
Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec
Fermentation Cellar and finally
the very best of Napa Valley.
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
end with a private wine and
Tour the Acclaimed “Le Petite Clos”
FUN
Extensive tours begin in the vineyard, then
cheese pairing at the very back
and Demonstration Vineyards
FACT to wine production, before delving into the
of the Pine Ridge 4,600 barrel
Without a doubt, one of the
37,000 square feet caves for a barrel tasting. The tour
wine cave.
finest ways to learn more or be
concludes with a seated wine and cheese pairings in
Wine served includes a
introduced to the exceptional
the stunning caves, 120 feet below ground!
chilled Viognier or Dijon clone
world of wine is to take a tour
Chardonnay, the Carneros Merof Pine Ridge vineyards any day starting at 10 a.m., noon lot, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
and 2 p.m.
Cabernet Sauvignon and the Fortis, the proprietary blend
For a $25 fee, you will follow a trained wine profes- from only Pine Ridge’s finest barrels.
sional through one of two vineyards:
Pine Ridge recently expanded its critically acclaimed
Le Petite Clos Vineyard is a fully enclosed, 1.7-acre red wine and Chardonnay portfolio to produce a simply
vineyard. As a guest, learning an appellation, let alone its superb rosé. Created in the saignee method, this rosé is a
microclimate may seem daunting. But with this easy-to- blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
follow tour and one-of-a-kind lesson vineyards, each visitor Pine Ridge produced only 425 cases and just released this
will see, learn of, and literally feel the classic microclimate marvelous wine in time for summer. Available at $20 per
of famed Napa Valley.
bottle.
36
u
t
f
n
s
–
e
e
e
y
d
k
l
a
e
t
d
d
y
a
.
s
r
N
This is what I imagine Stags Leap District to be like vineyard (planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah,
about 30 years ago. An unpretentious, slightly askew win- Gewurztraminer and Merlot).
ery sign along the road. A dirt and gravel driveway leading
Baldacci produces three Stags Leap District Cabernets
through the vineyard. A cozy tasting room just a bit larger in all. Their flagship wine is the Brenda’s Vineyard Caberthan a breadbox. And a few people genuinely happy you net Sauvignon, which is tough to get your hands on at just
found them and quite proud to show you their wares.
180 cases produced annually. Brenda’s Vineyard represents
Welcome to Baldacci Family
“the best of the best” – the best
Vineyards, started in 1997
seven barrels from the best
when Tom and Brenda Baldacci
vineyard block on the estate.
purchased this sweet 17-acre
The Black Label Estate Caberby prior appointment
parcel with ample hills and
net Sauvignon is the Baldacci’s
vales to provide the ideal setting
“ambassador” wine, represent(707) 944-9261
to grow great Cabernet Sauviing the best fruit from different
gnon. In 2000, the Baldaccis
blocks of the estate vineyard.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir
added a 7,000-square-foot wine
Not to be missed, there’s the IV
Syrah, Gerwurtztraminer
production cave in the hillside
Sons Cabernet Sauvignon, a
FUN Baldacci seems to inspire that drop-in, homey
behind the tasting room. The
supple and full-bodied Stags
FACT feeling. There’s a simple indoor tasting room
estate vineyard now produces
Leap District Cabernet that’s
and an outdoor patio with umbrellas.
classic Stags Leap District
ready to be enjoyed now.
A rare find ~ don’t miss it!
Cabernet Sauvignon – silkyThe Baldacci’s Carneros
textured with ripe black fruit flavors and refined tannins, vineyard just came on line in 2008, and now the tasting
ready to enjoy now or ageworthy up to 10 years.
room offers a couple of wines from the Carneros estate: the
The highly acclaimed wines at Baldacci are the handi- 2008 Elizabeth Pinot Noir (named after Tom’s mother) and
work of renowned winemaker Rolando Herrera, who got the 2009 Frederich Gewürztraminer (named after Tom’s
his start down the trail at Stag’s Leap Cellars. Herrera went grandfather).
on to make wine at Chateau Potelle, Vine Cliff and Paul
Baldacci’s winery permit requires that visitors have a
Hobbs before returning to the Stags Leap District to work prior appointment. It’s easy to get an appointment, often
with the Baldaccis. Herrera also makes his own wine under on the same day, by calling (707) 944-9261. The staff will
his own label, Mi Sueño, and has a vineyard management be genuinely happy to see you, and quite proud to show
company that manages the Baldaccis’ 22-acre Carneros you their wares.
BY MICHELLE J. BAKER
37
Cornerstone Cellars
First of all, let it be said that Cornerstone Cellars is a percent Cabernet Sauvignon offering, made from grapes
winery founded for Cabernet Sauvignon. Then, let it be said from three different valley vineyards. It’s a fruit-forward
that Cornerstone also makes several other delicious wines wine with silky tannins and great balance between fruit and
under its Stepping Stone label, so there need be no dis- oak. The second is from Howell Mountain (a sub-appellaagreements about whether or not to visit. Cornerstone has tion of Napa), famous for its high-elevation, low-vigor
a very small case production of wines that cannot be widely vineyards that produce intensely flavored grapes with great
backbone and longevity in the
distributed because of their
bottle. Both wines are bound to
scarcity, so you owe it to yourCornerstone Cellars
make a favorable impression on
self to stop in and taste some of
you. A real bonus is that Corthe best award-winning Napa
nerstone Cellars has an
Valley Cabernets. Period.
6505Washington Street,Yountville
outstanding library of its CaberLocated in the heart of tiny
(707) 945-0388 • www.cornerstonecellars.com
nets, and you can buy older
downtown Yountville, the winSauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Cabernet
vintages of the Howell Mounery’s tasting room is just a few
Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache
tain Cabernet (going back to the
steps away from some of the
FUN Cornerstone Cellars is located just steps from
initial vintage of 1991) that
most famous restaurants in the
FACT great restaurants like The French Laundry,
beautifully reflect the true reanation. Why not work up an apBouchon, Ad Hoc, Bistro Jeanty, Redd, Hurley's and
sons why we cellar some wines
petite or walk off a big feast by
Bottega. Exceptional wines make the stop worthwhile.
for additional bottle aging.
strolling along Washington
Cornerstone is gradually exStreet to the Cornerstone Cellars
tasting room which occupies part of a one-story farmhouse- panding its portfolio of wines to include a Napa Valley
style building surrounded by white railings and exuberant Sauvignon Blanc, a crisp yet rich white wine with deep flavors of pear and melon. One soon-to-come additional
flower boxes at the windows.
Inside, you’ll find a large living room-tasting bar with Cornerstone offering is a Pinot Noir from the famed
blonde hardwood floors, black leather couches and several Willamette Valley of Oregon. Watch for this one!
The Stepping Stone wines are designed for comfortable,
small bistro-like tables with stools so you can perch for a
while if you like and take your time with the tasting. The every-day quaffing, and include a delightful dry rosé that
walls have an excellent display of local photographers’ and will be perfect for summer picnics and patio barbecues. A
spicy red Grenache from Lake County and a deep, dark
artists’ works for sale.
The Cornerstone Cellars label now features two Caber- Cabernet Franc round out the Stepping Stones offerings.
BY NAN REILEY
net Sauvignons, both from Napa Valley. The first is a 100-
38
OA
K
KN
OL
LA
VE
Oak Knoll Inn
VE
SIL
AIL
ANDRETTI
WINERY
TR
MONTICELLO
CORLEY FAMILY
DO
The
N
Cottages K K
of Napa OA
Valley
HAGAFEN
RA
L
OL
Fumé Bistro
4050 Byway East, Napa
(707) 257-1999, www.fumebistro.com
Always seasonally correct, great service and comfortable
seating. An American bistro with fare spiced with Italian,
Mediteranean and French influences, Fumé Bistro's dishes
are simple, honest and straight-forwardly delicious.
Bistro Don Giovanni
4110 Howard Lane, Napa
(707) 224-3300, www.bistrodongiovanni.com
From the outdoor terrace to the candlelight to crackling,
wood-burning fireplace, Bistro Don Giovanni invites you
to savor all things delicious from Napa Valley.
Soda Canyon
Store
ON
DA
RD
Y
AN
C
SO
REYNOLDS
FAMILY
HR
NC
D
,
t
A
k
Spanning the width of central Napa Valley and encompassing both the Silverado Trail and
Highway 29, Oak Knoll may be a bit less known to distant visitors, but in no way is it less
mighty than its neighboring AVAs! Filled with manicured vineyards and many new wineries, Oak Knoll is an adventure in wine cultivation!
RA
y
l
d
FOOD
Soda Canyon Store
4006 Silverado Trail, Napa
(707) 252-0825, www.sodacanyonstore.com
The perfect place to begin or end your day in Napa Valley.
Known year round for its delicatessen, espresso bar,
boxed lunches, fine wine and gourmet cheese selection,
Soda Canyon Store is a fun, insiders' favorite.
BIG
s
d
d
r
t
e
o
n
n
r
e
t
s
Oak Knoll District
Bistro Don Giovanni
E
V
RA
O
AD
LV
SA
RAZI
AN
DEM
Fumé Bistro
HAR
LODGING
Oak Knoll Inn
2200 E. Oak Knoll Avenue, Napa
(707) 255-2200, www.oakknollinn.com
Wine Spectator Magazine reviewed the Oak Knoll Inn as
"One of the most luxurious B&Bs in all of Napa Valley."
It is easy to see why. Set within 600 acres of Chardonnay
vineyards, the Inn's old stone building, graceful sweep of
Cyprus trees and exquisite service make Oak Knoll Inn
a perfect retreat.
The Cottages of Napa Valley
1012 Darms Lane, Napa
(707) 252-7810, www.napacottages.com
Welcome to your own private cottage in Wine Country!
Cottages come with gardens and tubs – the perfect place
to indulge in a glass (or two) of wine at any time of the day.
The basket of fresh pastries from Bouchon every morning
doesn't hurt either!
29
From Razi
to Reynolds Family
1 mile
to Hagafen
1 mile
to Monticello
1.6 miles
to Andretti
> 1 mile
Total 4 miles
Y
NAPA
E
S AV
NCA
TRA
THINGS TO DO
Picnic at Soda Canyon Store
4006 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
(707) 252-0825, www.sodacanyonstore.com
Purchase your picnic or boxed lunch inside and then enjoy it
out in a creekside vineyard setting. Both shaded and sunny
picnic options are available. Open daily, year-round.
Oak Knoll District
39
Razi Winery
Razi Winery came to life about two decades ago with of eco-friendly bamboo.
the production of Chardonnay, and has grown over the
Settle into the leather cushioned stools at the metal
years to include a barrel room and a beautiful tasting topped tasting bar and begin the Razi experience. You
room. The enterprise also includes a modern custom might even get a barrel sample. It is always a treat to be
crush facility, where small production winemakers and able to sample a wine even before it is bottled because
growers can make their own wines.
it gives you a reference point; an idea of what is to come
When architect Fred Razi
in the year or years ahead.
first acquired the property he
Since the owner lives on
Razi Winery
replanted the vineyards. This
the
property there is a good
Open daily by appointment 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
has paid off in the wine he
chance
that the person pouring
now makes. The vines as well
will be Fred Razi, or perhaps
(707) 224-4299
as location, climate and the
the winemaker.
Chardonnay and a Red Blend of
soil are crucial in making
The wines available are the
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah
great wine, no matter the variRazi Chardonnay and the
FUN Vineyards are everywhere, the towering old trees newest of the two wines bearetal.
FACT majestic, the tasting room sleek but welcoming. ing the Razi Winery label, a
The winery, on the east
Since the owner lives on the property there is a
side of the Silverado Trail
classic red blend comprised of
good chance that the person pouring your tastes
north of Napa, includes not
three components: Cabernet
will be the owner or perhaps the winemaker.
just the trappings of a busy
Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah,
boutique winery, but also the Razi home, pavilion, pool all with fruit sourced entirely from Napa Valley vineand grounds.
yards.
Vineyards are everywhere, the towering trees are maBecause Razi Winery does custom crush work, they
jestic, the tasting room is sleek and modern but very also pour wines from those smaller labels. Think of it as
welcoming with its adroit use of woods, lighting and just one more reason to pull off the Silverado Trail and
high ceiling. Mahogany doors open to the vineyard at take the time to savor, not just the wine, but the whole
the rear. Finished barely two years ago, it also includes thoroughly enjoyable tasting experience.
a new barrel room and the structure is fronted by a stand
BY CHARLES NEAVE
40
Oak Knoll District
l
u
e
e
e
n
d
g
s
e
e
a
f
t
,
-
y
s
d
e
E
There are winery owners who get caught up in the
They produced their first vintage in 1999 and today
technology or the agriculture, the science or the hospital- offer seven carefully crafted wines: Chardonnay, an excepity end of things. Then you have people like Steve tionally food-friendly Merlot, two Pinot Noirs plus an
Reynolds, owner and winemaker of Reynolds Family Win- Estate Cabernet. Then there is the Reserve Stags Leap Cab
ery on the Silverado Trail. He loves it all, and it shows. He and an exciting red wine blend named “Persistence.” Peris happy to talk about every bit of the process with an en- haps most unusual of all is the captivating and complex
thusiasm both infectious and
bottling that includes fruit from all
refreshing.
of the appellations in the Napa
Open daily by appointment 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“We own 14 acres here at
Valley and is called simply “Four3266 SilveradoTrail, Napa
the winery, ten of it planted
teen.”
(707) 258-2558
with Cabernet Sauvignon
To sample some of these
www.reynoldsfamilywinery.com
vines,” Reynolds says. He
wines, stop by their Tuscan-style
Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon
lives on the property with his
tasting room – which also houses
Merlot,
Chardonnay
wife Suzie and their three
the barrel room and the winery
children. “We also work with
FUN The winery is Tuscan style and is surrounded proper – and enjoy. This hand20 different vineyards and
FACT by 10 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, planted in some room has doors opening
growers. In our own vineonto a long terrace facing the
1996. A lifelong love of wine, shared with his
father, has led to truly well-crafted wines.
yard we are a year or two
pond. Inside, it has iron chandeaway from being certified orliers, dark wood, a long tasting
ganic, and we’re also working on being as green as bar, high ceilings, views of the vineyards and the Vaca
possible.”
Range, and an intimate, sun-filled private tasting room.
“My interest in wine started when I was living in Ger- All-in-all it is a wonderful place to try the Reynolds wines
many as a teenager,” he explains. “Wine was always part of and to say hello to Bert, the winery’s resident and beloved
our daily life and my father often took the family on wine feline.
tasting trips through Europe. My father and I dreamt of
“We’re always trying to do the right thing when people
building a winery together, and our vision became a real- visit. To give our guests what we would like if we were the
ity in 1994.”
ones visiting the winery.”
BY CHARLES NEAVE
Oak Knoll District
41
Hagafen Cellars
“Passion, soul and enjoyment – without all three, you bottled, include a multiple-gold-winning Napa Valley
don’t have a fine wine.” Those are the words of Hagafen Sauvignon Blanc, a food-friendly Chardonnay, Cabernet
Cellars founder and winemaker, Ernie Weir.
Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir
The Napa Valley’s Hagafen Cellars, at the southern end and Syrah, the perfect-for-summer Don Ernesto Vin Gris
of the Silverado Trail, has carved out an envious niche for Rosé, some surprising Rieslings, a Roussanne and the Napa
itself. Their wines have been served at the White House Valley Brut Cuvee Sparkling Wine. And that’s only a samunder both parties, since
pling.
Ronald Reagan’s first term,
In the intimate tasting
Hagafen Cellars
proving that wine is apolitical.
room, surrounded on three
In fact, the wines of this small,
sides by vines and backed up
acclaimed winery have been on
by the winery itself, is a small
1-888-424-2336
the menu card at 1600 Penntasting bar with a stave-like
www.hagafen.com
sylvania Avenue more than two
front. On many days the windozen times.
ery cat, Lola will watch lazily as
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay,
The wines this familymore people become acLate Harvest White Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir,
quainted with one of the
owned winery makes are
Sparkling Wine, Syrah, White Riesling, Zinfandel
bottled treasures of the Valley,
exceptional examples of the
FUN Their wines have been served at the White House
where kids and pets are welwinemaker’s craft, including
FACT two dozen times. As proof of this, on two walls
come. Between the winery and
their Bordeaux-style blend,
of the comfortable tasting room are framed
the tasting room is the comthe much-sought-after Prix
letters and menus from the White House.
fortable picnic area and a spot
Mélange.
to simply sit and taste al fresco.
Founded more than three
decades ago by Ernie and Irit Weir, their first vintage was At the far end is an organic vegetable garden.
“I never seek to change what nature has provided. My
the 1980. The property is situated between two of the valley’s most respected appellations – the Stags Leap and Oak goal is to showcase the best that our land has produced.”
Knoll districts. As you drive up the gravel drive lined with Tours are available everyday except Saturday, by apolive trees, many of the vines that produce their wines are pointment, and begin at 11 a.m. Visit the website at
www.hagafen.com for recipes and free tasting passes.
close on either side.
BY CHARLES NEAVE
Their impressive list of bottlings, many of them estate-
42
Oak Knoll District
y
t
r
s
a
-
g
e
p
l
e
s
e
,
d
t
.
y
”
t
E
Monticello Vineyards
Jay Corley came to the Napa Valley more than forty Not as large and sprawling as the original perhaps, but
years ago, with a goal both simple-sounding and also overall faithful in spirit and heritage. Situated across from
daunting. It was to make wines that would stand up the working winery and the public tasting room, it is suragainst any wine made anywhere in the world. Today, rounded by carefully tended lawns, hedges, trees and
Monticello Vineyards – the winery he founded – produces flower gardens, with a shaded picnic area just beyond.
about 15,000 cases a year from their handsome facility on
The tasting room staff is always friendly and wellBig Ranch Road north of the
informed and the room itself
City of Napa, on a parcel of
has been designed and furMonticello Vineyards - Corley Family
land literally surrounded by
nished to make visitors feel at
hundreds of acres of prime
home, whether they arrive by
4242 Big Ranch Road, Napa
vineyards. Using grapes from
bicycle, rental car or Ferrari.
(707) 253-2802 • www.corleyfamilynapavalley.com
five estate vineyards, the wine
The walls and ceiling are made
Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
they produce bears three labels:
of wood, and the tasting bar
Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Monticello Vineyards, Corley
that extends the length of the
and Corley Reserve.
room on the left is wood as
FUN At Monticello Vineyards what you find is
The Corley family decided
well. At the back of the comFACT Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Not as large and pact but comfortable room,
to devote their time, resources
sprawling as the original perhaps, but overall
and considerable energy to
glass-paned double doors open
faithful in spirit and heritage.
focus on the classic varietals:
into the temperature- and huChardonnay, Cabernet Sauvimidity-controlled barrel room.
gnon and their Bordeaux varietal blend, Corley, (utilizing Which, depending on when you visit, can be an oasis of
Cabernet Sauvignon and their Merlot and Cabernet Franc), calm or a beehive of frenzied activity.
with smaller amounts of Syrah and Pinot Noir included in
A real experience is to be hosted by the staff or family
the short but succinct roster. All of them, it should be for a sit-down tasting in the Reserve Room or the Library
noted, are estate grown.
of the Jefferson House. It is in here where you’ll symboliTo sample these wines, a visit to the winery is in order, cally cast your vote as to whether or not Jay Corley
and here things once again differ from other wineries in achieved his dream of more than three decades ago. And,
the Valley. At Monticello Vineyards what you find is, to be it must be said, it is the perfect place for you to visit and
simplistic, Monticello… Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. cast that vote.
Oak Knoll District
43
Andretti Winery
As the world famous race car driver Mario Andretti has and flowers, the carefully aged look of the villa itself, the
often said, “I want people that visit my winery to feel at fountain in the courtyard that you pass by as you walk tohome. It’s probably my Italian nature – to want to make ward the tasting room, the wrought iron of the balconies,
people feel welcome, to be a good host, to treat people all lend a certain and well-executed Old World feel to the
like family.” And what better place to do that than at a experience that a visit brings.
winery in the heart of the Napa Valley?
The fountains, the artwork, the thoughtful and skilled
The year was 1996 when
landscaping, it all creates an enMario saw his dream become
vironment far removed from
Andretti Winery
reality. That’s when he opened
the hectic pace that many visiOpen daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
the doors to the Andretti Wintors inhabit. It is, if only for an
4162 Big Ranch Road, Napa
ery in the fabled Oak Knoll
hour or so, a vacation in itself.
1-877-386-5070 • www.andrettiwinery.com
district of Napa.
A short trip to Italy and to the
Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay,
Today, this stylish Tuscanhillsides there that are so rich in
Merlot, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Syrah,
style villa receives visitors from
viticultural history and tradiCabernet Sauvignon, Port
around the world, drawn by
tion, pageantry and heritage.
both the name, as well as the
From a simple but satisfying
FUN Modeled after a rambling Italian village, the
wines produced by Bob Pepi
sampling of five Andretti WinFACT winery conjures up the boyhood home of its
himself, famous as another
ery wines in the tasting room to
namesake, Mario Andretti, one of the finest
generation of renowned winea custom experience that inrace car drivers of all time.
makers. His philosophy is that
cludes wine and food pairing or
great wines are made in the vineyards. Bob’s wines are well a tour of the winery and vineyard. They can tailor your
recognized by their descriptive fruity character, complex- visit to your schedule and your desires. Vineyard tours are
ity and balance.
offered seasonally.
Well over a decade since the winery was founded, the
The winery’s friendly and knowledgeable staff, and the
varietals that Andretti Winery uses includes Sauvignon villa itself, make for a welcome stop for all visitors. The
Blanc (a perennial favorite), Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, property is also available for corporate and family events.
Sangiovese, a Pinot Noir, Merlot, their classic Cabernet So, there really is no reason not to stop at Andretti Winery.
Sauvignon and Zinfandel-Primitivo, among others.
When you do, remember the words of Mario: “Grazie
When you drive into the winery, the plantings of trees molto!”
BY CHARLES NEAVE
44
Oak Knoll District
CR
29
KR
D
AS
TRANC
LY
YATES
FAMILY
EE
SV
RT
La Taquiza
Fish Tacos
WN
RIC
BRO
K
FONTANELLA
PA
RT
MA
Browns Valley
Market
1st ST
ON
THO
From Hess Collection
to Yates Family
3 miles
to Fontanella
3.5 miles
Total 6.5 miles
OLD SONOMA ROAD
THINGS TO DO
Westwood Hills Park
3107 Browns Valley Road (1 mile west of Hwy 29)Napa
(707) 257-9529
Enjoy three miles of trails through beautiful oak trees and
grassy meadows. The Carolyn Parr Nature Museum
(near the parking lot) offers a children's nature library and
exhibits on indigenous flora and fauna to Napa Valley.
Mount Veeder Magic
Mt. Veeder, Napa, (707) 866-750-2091
Dream of being a winemaker? Be the envy of all your friends
with your own Cabernet Sauvignon made with the help of
their highly skilled winemaker using premium grapes.
Quantities are limited!
29
MPS
e
arn
To C
S VLY
Westwood
Hills Park
BUH
ros
UM
RIC
K
BROWNS VLY BROW
N
VE
NA
NAPA
Candlelight
Inn
EAS
PA
La Taquiza Fish Tacos
2007 Redwood Road, Napa, (707) 224-2320
Open weekdays 10:30am-8:30pm; Sat 10:30am-7pm
A ittle hole in the wall that serves a variety of fish tacos
for lunch or dinner...fresh ingredients, great salsa!
LODGING
Candlelight Inn Bed & Breakfast
1045 Easum Drive, Napa
(707) 257-3717, www.candlelightinn.com
This lovely B&B is located near the bustle of downtown Napa
but far enough away to provide each guest with a serene,
tranquil environment. Built in 1929, this Tudor mansion
sits rimmed by strong redwood trees, manicured gardens
and a secluded swimming pool. Decadent three course gourmet breakfasts start your day out right!
Y
DR
D
e
e
.
.
e
E
DR
g
o
r
r
e
FOOD
Browns Valley Market
3262 Browns Valley Road, Napa, (707) 253-1873
Browns Valley Market is the best kind of locals market.
Hand-written notes explain fine cheese, local breads
and delicious items available for purchase. Fresh produce
and local wines are sure to delight any visitor.
HESS
COLLECTION
OO
d
m
n
.
e
n
-
Mt. Veeder has been producing rich, distinct
Napa Valley wines since the 1860s. Distinct mountain
fruit produces wines that speak volumes about the
rugged, labor-intense environments from which
they spring. Steep hillsides, rugged terrain and a
surprise ancient seabed, violently shoved aloft by
volcanic activity eons ago result in vines that produce
tiny berries and immensely intense flavors. This
same sense of independence, local flavor and wild
ruggedness pervades the uniquely memorable
and delightful accommodations throughout this
Napa Valley AVA.
DW
RE
e
,
e
Mount Veeder
Mt. Veeder
45
The Hess Collection
A visit to The Hess Collection on Mount Veeder is a turn what you take.” The Hess Select wines are benchmark
multi-tiered experience, and that may be an understate- wines from their respective regions made for immediate enment. There is the historic building, once occupied by the joyment.
In addition to the standard tasting room option, the
Christian Brothers and built in 1903, plus hillside vineyards, the beautifully tended grounds and an art collection winery also offers a “Tour, Wine and Cheese Pairing” posthat is in a lofty league of its own. Then there are the wines sibility, with an educational wine production tour followed
available for tasting and purby a current release wine paired
chase in their first floor tasting
with local artisan cheeses.
The Hess Collection
room near one of the barrel celThere is also a longer option
lars. The museum, beginning on
that begins with a taste of the
4411 Redwood Road, Napa
the second floor, holds part of
“Wine of the Day” and a visit to
(707) 255-1144 ext. 226 • www.hesscollection.com
Swiss businessman Donald
an historic vineyard, continuing
Hess’s extraordinary collection of
Hess Collection Mount Veeder wines, Napa Valley wines on to the winery/barrel room
contemporary art.
before it moves on to the Execand small-production wines sold only at the winery
When it comes to the wines,
utive Dining Room looking out
FUN Special Tours Offered: Call (707) 255-1144 ext. 226 on the scenic hills, where five
The Hess Collection portfolio is
FACT TOUR, WINE & CHEESE PAIRING – Enjoy an
comprised of Hess Collection
wines are tasted. “Tours of the
educational, wine production tour followed by a current release
Palate” is a guided tour of The
Mount Veeder, Hess Napa Valley
wine presentation paired with local artisan cheeses
and Hess Select.
Hess Collection Contemporary
TOUR OF THE PALATE – Guided tour of Hess Collection Contemporary Art Museum, taste of three wines and food pairings
Hess Collection wines come
Art Museum followed by a tastOUTDOOR TASTINGS – Come experience the newest pairing of
from the steep Mount Veeder esing of three current release
Mount Veeder wines with artisanal cheeses in the comfort of the
tate vineyards and are an
wines paired with creations
newly created reclaimed teak wood tables and chairs
expression of this unique mounfrom the winery’s executive chef.
tain climate and show structure, complexity and elegance. Reservations are required for these three tastings, but there
Hess Napa Valley wines come from vineyard sites hand- are also complimentary winery and vineyard tours offered
picked for their superior climate and location.
daily between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Single vineyard wines come from Napa Valley singleThere are also pairings of Mount Veeder wines with arvineyard sites handpicked for their superior climate and lo- tisanal cheeses in the gardens, where reclaimed teak tables
cation. Another notable achievement is that the estate and chairs are new additions, available by reservation. It is
vineyards are sustainably farmed in accordance with the perfect way to decompress, revel in nature and to enjoy
founder Donald Hess’s philosophy to “nurture the land, re- some of the Valley’s best wines.
BY CHARLES NEAVE
46
Mt. Veeder
k
-
e
d
d
n
e
o
g
m
t
e
e
e
y
e
s
.
e
d
s
s
y
E
Yates Family Vineyard
There would really be no point to having winery tours
Many of the varieties they tend at their vineyard go into
at the Yates Family Vineyard tasting room. As you stand at their wines, including the Viognier, a “Mount Veeder Esthe small wood-topped tasting bar, your back is to the bot- tate” Merlot and the Alden Perry Reserve – a classic
tling line, behind the bar are barrels and cases of Yates Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet
wine, and to the left is lab equipment and the other bits Sauvignon. They also bottle a 100 percent Cabernet Sauviand pieces of winemaking. You are not near the winery – gnon and the Yates “White Horse” which is completely
you are in the middle of it, in
Cabernet Franc, a noble grape
the second floor barrel room of
not often found as a standYates Family Vineyard
Hendry Ranch, from whom the
alone wine since it is so often
Open daily by appointment only
Yates family leases space so you
used in blends. As long as the
4723
Redwood
Road,
Napa
can come and taste.
wine has not sold out, it is all
(707) 226-1800
Yates Family Vineyard is
available for an informal and
www.yatesfamilyvineyard.com
owned by Michael and Lynn
enjoyable tasting in a fascinatYates, with the winery and
ing setting.
Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
vineyard staffed by their two
Since you taste in a winery,
Cabernet Franc
daughters, Whitney and Mary.
or
outside
on the crush pad on
FUN Mention your interest in a barrel sample
Whitney and Michael form
the
other
side of big sliding
FACT and the family will probably love to share.
what they refer to as the Yates
wood doors, there is always the
“father and daughter winemakpossibility you might have the
ing team.”
chance to help out. During crush it might be removing
All of the wines they produce use estate grapes from leaves from clusters. Or, maybe you can help punch down.
their 275-acre property (35 of it planted to hand-farmed No promises, but throughout the year there are always
vines, at up to 1,200 feet elevation) at the end of Redwood things happening, and it is all part of the Yates experience.
Road. The property has been in the family for more than
One important note: Since most of the Yates operation
60 years. In fact, they have been grape growers since 1950, is at the end of the road, calling ahead to taste is an abbut it wasn’t until 1999 that they made their first wine that solute necessity, but you will find that is well worth it.
was meant for more than home consumption.
BY CHARLES NEAVE
Mt. Veeder
47
Fontanella Family Winery
It is only a short distance from the city of Napa, per- stretch forever. They are both memorable venues. You
haps ten minutes, but when you head west out of town might even get to see the spotless barrel room, which after
suddenly you are in another world, another country even, all, is just on the other side of the door.
or so it seems. This small, pristine winery, which opened
If you have dreamed of having your own unique wine,
in 2008, is set in the increasingly steep hills of the famous there is even a program where you can have your own wine
wine growing region known
made, using your blending inaround the world as Mount
structions. All it takes is
Fontanella Family Winery
Veeder. It is faced on one side
membership in their wine club,
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment
by vines, and is the home and
an inexpensive blending kit,
1721 Partrick Road, Napa
domain of winemaker Jeff
and the urge to be creative.
(707) 252-1017
Fontanella and his wife, Karen.
Your only commitment is to
www.fontanellawinery.com
In fact, on your visit, it is albuy a case (a dozen 750 ml botCabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay
most inevitable that you will
tles or six magnums) of “your”
meet one or perhaps both of
wine at the member price. If
FUN Fontanella Family Winery, the newest
them.
you want more, that is entirely
FACT winery on Mt. Veeder, produces only 1,400
cases of wine annually – making them a
The young couple are the
up to you. But try to imagine
true
"micro-boutique
winery."
first to admit that they are livanything better then having
ing the wine country dream
some of your special Cabernet
that takes root in so many. In their case, they took it to Sauvignon to share with family and friends. The wine will
heart and now welcome visitors to sample their small-lot, be shipped to you in the fall, just in time for the holidays.
limited-production artisan Chardonnay, Zinfandel and
No matter what you decide – to visit and sample or to
Cabernet Sauvignon made by Jeff, who over the years have a special wine blended for you – the result will be
honed his craft at such icons as Saddleback Cellars and the same. You will have a relaxing, enjoyable experience
Opus.
… that much is guaranteed. And, you will also see what
You can sample the results in the intimate tasting the Napa Valley used to be, and where it’s future may lie.
room, or outdoors, where views of hill and vine seem to
BY CHARLES NEAVE
48
Mt. Veeder
Rd
Yountville St.
Im
pe
ria
Av
e
St
on
t
Uva
Trattoria
Italiana
VINTNER’S
COLLECTIVE
Clinton St.
Azzuro
Pearl St.
gt
St
Clay St
JOHN
ANTHONY
St
Town Center
ils
W
TASTE AT OXBOW
MAHONEY VINEYARDS/ UNCORKED
AT OXBOW
WATERSTONE
St
First St.
Brown St
Coombs St
Uptown
Theatre
Clay
Market
Second St.
Randolph St
Franklin St
Avia
Pea
GUSTAVO THRACE
MASON TOOLBOX Oxbow
Public
First St.
OLABISI/
TRAHAN
X WINERY
St
St
Cole’s Chop House
Napa Valley Opera House
CEJA
Th
on
WINERIES OF
NAPA VALLEY
NAPA VALLEY
WINE TRAIN
Jua
hin
ge
W
as
Fir
St.
St
Je
ffe
rs
on
ga
rez
St
W
ar
re
n
to
MC KINSTRY
lis
Soscol Ave
lle
r.
West St.
Co
eD
Tulocay St.
Ca
STONEHEDGE
WINERY
Main St.
St
Yajome St.
Terr
ac
Caymus St.
co
ird
Riv
er
Napa St.
Se
nd
lW
ay
ROBERT CRAIG
Vallejo St.
Main St.
Brown St.
Jefferson
TWENTY ROWS
Cla
yS
st
DOMINARI
Pueblo
Arroyo Dr.
FOOD
Azzuro Pizzeria & Enoteca
1260 Main Street, Napa
(707) 255-5552, www.azzuropizzaria.com
Thin crust pizza with fresh toppings and artisanal
ingredients. A wide variety of penne, antipasti, insalata and bruschette are also delicious.
Cole's Chop House
(707) 224-6328, www.coleschophouse.com
Make your reservations for this classic American
chop house in the heart of old town Napa. The menu
features 21 dry-aged prime steaks, Certified Angus
Beef, New Zealand lamb and fresh seafood.
Celadon
(707) 254-9690, www.celadonnapa.com
A quasi-casual dining experience, Celadon takes
the best of Napa Valley produce, wines and foods
and serves them up as “Global Comfort Foods”
with a casual, stylish flair. No pretensions here …
just delicious lunch and dinner!
Napa General Store
(707) 259-0762, www.napageneralstore.com
Napa General Store offers earth-friendly, artistic creations that are unique and useful. Great gifts for
food lovers, wine afficionados, and creative types!
Uva Trattoria Italiana
1040 Clinton Street, Napa
(707) 255-2546, www.uvatrattoria.com
"Uva," as the locals call it, it a popular spot to hangout and eat. Feel free to sip handmade cocktails and
snack on great appetizers or dive in with relish to the
"soul satisfying" five-course menu! Uva also has a
bustling music scene and proudly boasts 5 nights of
live jazz every week.
Big Ranch
Trancas
Church St
Third St.
M
Seo
nd
Oa
Ev
en
d St.
St
n
kli
Fifth St
h
Pos
t
Thir
Fourth St
Fr
an
t
St
kS
Main St.
,
e
s
,
,
.
o
”
f
y
e
g
t
l
.
o
e
e
t
.
E
Downtown Napa is the first stop as you enter
Napa Valley. Just an hour north of San Francisco, downtown Napa is an essential stop for
any visitor. This charming old town is filled
with great shops, wine tasting venues, fine
dining, inns and all sorts of special events happening along the recently restored waterfront
and trees-lined avenues. If you are lucky to be
there on Thursday evening, try the Chef's
Market with four venues of live music, chef's
demonstrations, wine and micro-brew tastings, arts & crafts vendors and merchants.
www.napadowntown.com
Randolph St
u
r
Napa
Celadon
Tayl
or
Napa General Store
St
olp
nd
Ra
LODGING
Avia
1450 1st Street, Napa
(707) 224-3900, www.aviahotels.com
A spunky new hotel in revitalized downtown Napa,
Avia brings fresh creative decor and modern style to
this historic neighborhood. Enjoy the flip-flop, feelgood vibes with in-room Banana Boat Products, a
$25 dining and chef-surprise cocktail credits in the
lounge, and more.
Beazley House Bed & Breakfast Inn
1910 1st Street, Napa
1-800 559-1649, (707) 257-1649
www.beazleyhouse.com
A picturesque B&B inn located in the heart of old
town Napa. Escape to your own private garden hideaway just steps from fine restaurants and great
shopping. Heart-healthy breakfasts are always on
the menu and the gracious rooms, peaceful gardens
and individualized concierge service are only some
of the perks.
bs
m
Co
St
THINGS TO DO
Oxbow Public Market
644 1st Street, Napa, (707) 226-6529
www.oxbowpublicmarket.com
One-of-a-kind foods, picnics, wines and unique
shopping all under one roof. Friday night music
and Saturday morning Farmers Markets are a treat.
Uptown Theatre
1350 3rd Street, Napa, (707) 259-0123
www.uptowntheatrenapa.com
This 1930s, Uptown Theatre features a fantastic lineup of creative, live music acts. This summer's
calendar includes Ani di Franco, Kris Kristofferson
and the Gypsy Kings.
Napa Valley Opera House
(707) 226-5392, www.nvoh.org
Celebrating 130 years of artistic excellence!
Check out Ziggy Marley, Court Yard Hounds,
Paula Poundstone, Jim Messina and numerous
opera performances for this summer!
Napa
49
St.
St.
Wine Tasting in
The Downtown Napa Tasting Room Association known
as “BUZZ” is a collaboration of 14 winery tasting rooms
located in the heart of the historic town of Napa. Independently owned, each of the winery participants strive to
produce unique, artisanal wines of the highest quality for
Napa Valley. Together we provide fun, memorable and educational experiences for all of our guests. Our mission is
to encourage economic growth of the community and city
of Napa, while allowing wine lovers to discover some of the
very best wines Napa has to offer.
Ceja Vineyards is an ultra-premium, Latino familyowned winery in the Napa Valley, founded by MexicanAmerican immigrants. The Ceja’s dedication to
sustainable agriculture and the gentle handling of the
grapes in the cellar can be tasted in every sip of their
award-winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and two Vino de
Casa blends.
1248 First Street, Napa
(707) 226-6445
Gustavo Thrace is a boutique winery currently producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon
Blanc, Barbera, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah and a very unique
Bordeaux blend that are co-grown and co-fermented. With
the blockbuster independent film “Bottle Shock” having
been created after partner Gustavo Brambila, on most days
you’ll be able to catch Gustavo and partner Thrace hanging out in the tasting room…pop in for a glass!
1021 McKinstry Street, Napa
(707) 257-6796
John Anthony Vineyards is a boutique winery producing high-quality, small-lot wines. This tasting room
offers classic casual elegance in the new heart of downtown Napa Valley. Taste a selection of their highly
50
Napa
acclaimed wines and if you are lucky you’ll be able to join
their JAV waiting list for special future bottlings!
(707) 265-7711
Join us at Mason Cellars Oxbow Tasting Room
where you will taste some of the finest Sauvignon Blanc
produced by winemaker, Randy Mason. In addition to
producing award-winning Sauvignon Blanc (Mason and
Pomelo), Mason produces small quantities of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Grigio. Stop by and enjoy
the charming, country-styled tasting room that also features local artist paintings, creations and unique home
giftware. Tastings are complimentary at Mason Cellars
Oxbow Tasting Room.
(707) 255-0658
At OLABISI you can now taste craftsman winemaker
Ted Osborne’s rare vineyard-designated wines while
browsing the town’s charming central district. He shares
the cozy space with Trahan Winery, for whom he consults,
which means this spot promises double the pleasure, double the vino. “...when you’re drinking wines with friends you
can pull out a bottle of Olabisi and tell them the story about
this hot new winery…They are ripe, rich wines that are remarkably elegant and graceful. Osborne…shows a deft hand
for crafting wines of subtlety and finesse.”
– James Laube, Wine Spectator Magazine
974 Franklin Street, Napa
(707) 257-7477
Robert Craig offers a down-home atmosphere as
you enjoy your tasting in the peaceful, park-like setting adjacent to the Napa River while sipping Robert
Craig’s silky-smooth mountain Cabernets. Just minutes
from Oxbow Market, Napa Valley Wine Train Depot
and the Napa Town Center, this casual yet eclectic
Downtown Napa room is a must visit!
625 Imperial Way, Napa
(707) 252-2250
Stonehedge Winery brings affordable handcrafted
wines to Downtown Napa. Stonehedge Winery offers
unique wine varietals in a casual and fun atmosphere. Our
friendly hosts at our Wine Tasting Lounge promise to tantalize your senses with winery knowledge to enhance
every moment you are with us during you tasting experience.
1004 Clinton Street, Napa
(707) 256-4444
TASTE AT OXBOW wine tasting salon in downtown
Napa offers an elegant, relaxed wine tasting experience
featuring wines from Mahoney Vineyards and Waterstone
Winery. TASTE AT OXBOW offers a truly memorable,
one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience in a luxurious
lounge with wines by the glass and a wine tasting menu
offering a wide range of tasting selections.
(707) 265-9500
Arrive as visitors but leave as friends at Toolbox Wine
Co. The ladies behind the brand want you to enjoy great
wines at an affordable price, with the mission “building
houses & good will, one bottle at a time,” which is supported by donating $1/case to their charitable partner
Habitat for Humanity. You may even be challenged to a
game of darts or “corn hole” as you sip on great wines and
learn about their passion and story driving their fun brand!
(707) 257-6796
Trahan Winery is a small, family winery dedicated to
creating incredible wines from only the highest quality
grapes. The vineyards we choose to work with are hand
farmed by small growers dedicated in their own right to
producing exceptional fruit. Our passion is to bring joy
into our lives and others through our offering of fine wines.
974 Franklin Street, Napa
(707) 257-7477
Twenty Rows is family owned and operated tasting
room and winery located in Downtown Napa. At Twenty
Rows, we pride ourselves on producing a Napa Valley wine
you can drink every day. We make wonderful wines at an
incredible value, crafted from carefully selected grapes to
reflect the distinctions on the varietal. Open Tuesday
through Saturday from 11-5.
880 Vallejo Street, Napa
(707) 265-7750
Come get Uncorked at Oxbow, a restored historic
home turned tasting room pouring the wines of Ahnfelt
and Carducci. Wine, art, entertainment and fun set this
salon apart from many other valley tasting experiences.
The grand salon welcomes guests for tastings, barrel
blendings and event music fare during the week. Come
enjoy getting uncorked!
(707) 927-5864
Spend more time enjoying wine and less time traveling
between tastings by experiencing several hand-selected
Napa wineries in one location! Wineries of Napa Valley
collective offers a warm and friendly atmosphere with a
wide selection of wines from several Napa Valley producers. A truly great selection with wonderful hospitality.
1285 Napa Town Center, Napa
(707) 253-9450
X Winery strives for the continuous improvement
of our products, our relationships and ourselves. Our
company is focused on innovation, efficiency, service and
imagination; and we have a deep desire to satisfy wine
lovers the world over. Our goal is to please, spark
conversation and bring reward to all that find our wines.
1405 Second Street, Napa
(707) 204-9522
Napa
51
In the plethora of wine tasting bars that dot the charm- Napa Valley Wine Train. Locals treat themselves to an afing countryside of Napa County, it is hard to find one more ternoon on the Silverado Car (train fare: $49.50), purchase
unique than the tasting bar on the Napa Valley Wine Train. an amazing cheese plate ($22) and then wander down to
Located in a historic Pullman rail car that is almost 100 the tasting bar for wine, conversation, and vineyard views.
years old, the Wine Train’s wine bar reflects a time of lux- Favorites among visitors to the valley are the lunch options
urious passenger travel served with the exciting addition of of the Gourmet Express ($94) or Vista Dome ($124).
today’s sophisticated pastimes – sipping wine, learning
Either way, a stroll through this amazing vintage train
about wine and enjoying the
with a wonderful lunch and a
graciousness of life.
stop at the wine bar, is a
Nowhere else will you be
chance to revisit American
(707)
253-2111
•
winetrain.com
able to view vineyards gently
history and renew your own
FUN The Napa Valley Wine Train is the first and only
rolling past as you sip some of
personal connections with
FACT locomotive in the United States to convert to
compressed natural gas. Each of the 1915-1917
the world’s most amazing vinfriends, family and life.
Pullman rail cars weigh 80 tons.
tages. Depending upon the time
Dedicated to preserving a
of year, you can watch the vineyards as they move slowly past way of life, the Napa Valley Wine Train is instrumenthrough their life cycle – from the barren vines being caned tal in maintaining and using historic rail cars that no longer
in wet vineyards to the pregnant purple fruit hanging pen- exist elsewhere on the American landscape. For Napa, we
dulant under full canopies of green.
also preserve an important transportation corridor that
At any given time, the wine bar will sport 40 to 50 bot- would have been abandoned decades ago. We layer this
tles of wine available to taste. The cost is $10 for four tastes with a unique and award-wining restaurant and an opof wine. Flights can be suggested and selected by the wine portunity to explore the wine country in an inimitable
educator staffing the bar, or you can pick and choose what- manner. Please join us for lunch or dinner. We are the Iron
ever flight you might fancy. Start with a sparkling, proceed Horse.
to a Grenache Blanc, find a delightful red (maybe a famous
The Wine Train runs year round with lunch trains
Napa Valley Cab?), and finish with a sticky Port or a late boarding at 10:50 a.m. and dinner trains boarding at 5:50
harvest treat. You decide; because it is all about you.
p.m. For more information, visit winetrain.com or call
The wine tasting bar is only open to passengers of the 1-800-427-4124.
52
Napa
e
o
.
s
n
a
a
n
n
h
a
r
e
t
s
e
n
s
0
l
Dominari
Dominari is thrilled to unveil their brand new tasting Dominari wines are hand-sorted and hand made. A rarity
room in an excellent location right at the foot of the Napa in today’s overly commercialized wine industry. Indeed,
Valley. Dominari Winery provides a unique venue for tast- the Schutz’s wines can be truly described as among the
ing wine as well as private
finest in all of Napa.
events. Depending on what you
Although in Italian, the word
Dominari
are in the mood for, the big
Dominari
can mean protected
Open by appointment
comfy sofas, the beautiful marfarm house, its origin is from
620 Trancas Street, Napa
ble bar or the more formal
the Latin verb meaning “to
(707) 226-1600 • www.dominari.com
sit-down tasting room for a
practice superiority.” Dominari
Chardonnay, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel
wine and food pairing provide a
is committed to doing just so,
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
variety of locales that fit your
producing only the best of the
FUN
personality and palate. Come
best.
FACT Dominari is Napa Valley’s newest tasting room.
see for yourself!
Directions: From Highway
Jurgen and Marie Schutz
29, take the Trancas exit.
have been making wines and cultivating vineyards for 18 Travel east on Trancas for about one mile, just past the Big
years. Working with high mountain vineyards on famed Ranch Road intersection. The winery is on the north side
Atlas Peak and valley floor fruit in small-lot productions, of the street.
BY ABIGAIL ZIMMERMAM
Dominari’s delicious lineup of current releases include:
• 2007 Chardonnay: This beautiful little fruit-driven white was fermented in stainless steel.
Rich over tones of crisp apple balance nicely with the perfect amount of acidity and body, ($25).
• 2007 Petite Syrah: Definitely Dominari’s best seller right now!
Earthy, spicy, and rich with balanced tones of ripe, red fruit, ($35).
• 2007 Zinfandel: From the Nichelini Ranch vineyards in Chiles Valley, jammy, as well as spicy, ($35).
• 2006 Merlot: A strong, but subtle expression of this varietal, elegant and sophisticated, ($45).
• 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon: A Napa Valley classic! Big and bold, this is Atlas Peak fruit at its finest.
Long on finish and smooth on tannins, ($75).
Napa
53
Vintners Collective
Set in the oldest stone building in all of Napa, this in- wine today! The Pfieffer has been many things, most colnovative tasting room features close to 20 exceptional orfully a brothel filled with painted ladies of ill repute, a
winemakers in Napa Valley. Created by wine-lover Garret rowdy saloon and a late 19th-century brewery. ProhibiMurphy, the Vintners Collective is a one-stop shop where tion tamed this sandstone giant but thanks to creator
wine lovers can taste (and buy) some of the best small Garret Murphy, a return to the more sensuous arts of wine,
wineries in Northern California today.
seems quite fitting for such a once-colorful property!
Some of the Vintners CollecThe creator behind the Vinttive wines are the most sought
ner’s Collective, Garret Murphy,
Vintners Colective
after in the world!
came to the United States from
Open Daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Today, the Las Bonitas 2006
Paris, France as a consultant for
Cabernet Sauvignon is certainly
restaurants at Napa resorts
(707) 225-7150 • www.vintnerscollective.com
turning-heads. For only $60 per
Auberge du Soleil and Meadbottle, this Cabernet throbs
owood. Having been raised in
FUN Housed in the historical Pfeiffer Building,
with smoky, spicy, dark cherry
France by an Irish-American faFACT c. 1875, once housed a brothel, a saloon
notes. Composed of entirely
ther and a French mother, his
and a brewery
Coombsville fruit – a new, soonpassion for food and wine,
“If you had to pick just one … Vintners Collective.
to-be appellation in the Napa
matched only by his love and
It’s all about great wine here…”
Valley – this new release is an
interest in people, led Murphy
– FRENCH LAUNDRY SOMMELIER, KEITH FERGEL
exciting blend of Cabernet
to embrace a new career path
(76%) and Syrah (24%).
in the sale and marketing of the
Vintners Collective is pleased to currently showcase the finest wines.
following, artisan (and often “cult”) labels: Ancien Wines,
As the tasting room for fifteen amazing wineries, the
Buancristiani Family Winery, Chiarello Family Vineyards, winemakers often drop in to say hello or to pour their
Clark-Claudon, D Cubed Cellars, JC Cellars, Las Bonitas, wines. You never know whom you might meet!
Longfellow, Melka Wines, Mi Sueno Winery, Parallel
Directions: From Highway 29 take the First Street exit
Wines, Phelan Vineyards, Richard Perry, Showket Vine- east. Veer onto Second Street (going east). Take a left on
yards and Vinoce Vineyards.
Main Street and the Collective is located on the left at 1245
Building of Note: For history lovers (like me), the land- Main Street, about four minutes from Highway 29.
mark Pfieffer Building is rich in local lore as exciting as the
54
Napa
FOOD
Boon Fly Cafe
4048 Sonoma Highway, Napa
(707) 299-4870, www.theboonflycafe.com
The Boon Fly Cafe offers tasty beverages, breakfasts, lunch and dinner on
premises or packed to go. Part of the Carneros Inn, the Boon Fly Cafe is
centrally located to all of Carneros and a spot for easy, delicious, fresh
foods. Try the Boon Fly Donuts at breakfast with hot coffee to start
or the wine bar and appetizers after a long day.
Farm at Carneros Inn
(707) 299-4880, www.thecarnerosinn.com
Dinner at the Farm is a relaxed yet elegant affair. Enjoy the outdoor
living room, cathedral ceilings, fireplaces and alfresco dining all
summer long with wines from around the world and dishes made from
Napa Valley bounty.
Domaine Carneros
1240 Duhig Road, Napa
(707) 257-0101, www.domainecarneros.com
Perched high on a hill, the Chateau is at once lovely and imposing. Open
daily for tastings, Domaine Carneros is the California expression
for famed wine house, Champagne Taittinger. For a light meal, flights
LODGING
Carneros Inn
(707) 299-4900, www.thecarnerosinn.com
The Carneros Inn, a Plumpjack Resort, is a unique creation of architecture
and culinary wonders. Fine foods and luxurious rooms share emphasis
evenly within a long, modern compound reminiscent of the area's silos,
barns and rancher's cottages.
THINGS TO DO
di Rosa Preserve: Art & Nature
(707) 226-5991, www.dirosaart.com
A lyrical art and sculpture “gallery” set under the big, blue sky and within
the rolling hills and vineyards of Carneros. Join guided tours or hike
the property solo and enjoy the unique metalworks juxtaposed with
one of America's most lovely wine appellations.
Stanly Lane Marketplace
3100 Golden Gate Drive, Napa
(707) 480-4479, www.ds-produce.com
A fresh-produce market revered by foodies and local tastemakers. Look
for the 1,200-foot green and white tent filled with bins and baskets of
only the freshest, most local of locally produced vegetables, fruits, flowers,
cheeses and olive oils. Everything is organic. Savor an iced coffee drink
and browse this great local wines and gift items inside.
12
C AR
NEROS
121
ROAD
Domaine Carneros
SW
S
RD
RAMAL
ER
H
WIT
D
12
F
SR
N
29
R
HA
RO
NE
From Saintsbury
to Etude
1 mile
to McKenzie-Mueller
2 miles
to Acacia Vineyard
> 1 mile
to Cuvaison Estate
2.3 miles
to Nicholson Ranch
3.2 miles
Total 9 miles
SAINTSBURY
ACACIA
McKENZIE
-MUELLER
LAS AMIGAS
121
ING
AR
CUVAISON
29
TT
SC
121
NAPA
CU
SONOMA
Stanly Lane
Marketplace
ETUDE
MILTON RD
NICHOLSON
RANCH
Carneros Inn
Farm at Carneros Inn
Boon Fly Cafe
di Rosa Preserve
STANLEY LN
12
e
r
t
n
5
of wine matched with bites of artisan cheese and other nibbles are available
in the salon or on the terrace overlooking the vineyards from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
LO
y,
m
r
s
n
s
,
d
y
h
e
One of the most unique appellations, Los Carneros bridges the southernmost ends of both Napa and Sonoma counties. Colloquially known as
simply “Carneros” (for ram in Spanish), Carneros has long been known for
its cool, coastal climate, natural beauty and unparalleled Pinot Noirs,
Chardonnays, Syrahs and sparkling wines.
DUHIG RD
a
r
,
Los Carneros
Los Carneros
55
Saintsbury
The last time I was at Saintsbury in Los Carneros (“The Noir, and it is still among the best in the nation in that reRam” in Spanish, when sheep vastly outnumbered vines gard. An important part of the success of Saintsbury has
in this part of southern Napa County) the small group been its unwavering commitment not just to demonstratthat was leaving were all smiles. One mentioned that ing that world-class Pinot Noir could be a California
while you have to know where you are going to find the mainstay, but also the founders’ commitment to the vinewinery – though in all honesty it is not really very difficult yards of Carneros as a source of outstanding grapes.
– they agreed that it was well
The wines they offer inworth it. The fact that between
clude the seven famous Pinot
Saintsbury
them they had two cases of
Noirs (we told you they were
Tasting by appointment
wine to load into their rental
very serious about this vari1500 Los Carneros Avenue, Napa
SUV confirmed it.
ety), two outstanding Syrahs
(707) 252-0592 • www.saintsbury.com
A tasting at this very rural
and two artfully crafted
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Vin Gris
winery might be inside – in a
Chardonnays, plus their fanciFUN According to the Wine Spectator’s Matt Kramer, fully named Vincent Vin Gris.
compact room with a high,
FACT Saintsbury “single-handedly demolished the
sloping ceiling, tile floors and
Vin Gris is the name used in
old assertion that California cannot create
wood tasting table with bottle
Burgundy for a delicate, rePinot Noirs of a Burgundian standard of
green chairs – or outdoors,
freshing pink wine made from
delicacy and finesse.” Saintsbury remains at
where lush plantings of every
Pinot Noir. Saintsbury’s is a vin
the front of the Pinot Noir revolution.
sort fill in every space that the
gris saigné, made from juice
gravel walkways and tasting area do not. Blooms change bled from the Pinot Noir tanks before fermentation bewith the seasons, in fact, they often change weekly or even gins. In other words, a wonderful wine for the warmer
overnight, and at certain times it seems to be a butterfly months in particular; a wine that makes you smile with
sanctuary, watched over by the winery’s two cats, Ralph that first sip.
(the sweet gold one) and Beau. Views stretch across hunAs to tastings, they are the first to say that, “We’re very
dreds of acres of vineyards to the low hills beyond.
flexible in what we do and in what we pour.” A wine
Established in 1981 by Dick Ward and David Graves, lover’s paradise in other words, and in every way.
Saintsbury set the standard for modern California Pinot
BY CHARLES NEAVE
56
Los Carneros
s
a
-
t
e
s
d
.
n
m
n
e
r
h
y
e
E
Etude Wines
Etude Winery was founded to be a “winegrowing” cases produced/$42 per bottle), 2006 Etude Deer Camp
house, not a “winemaking” house. Since inception 25 Pinot Noir (960 cases produced/60 per bottle) and the
years ago, Etude has been on a quest for oenological per- 2006 Etude GBR Estate (1,200 cases produced/$60 per
fection. Founders, and Winemaker Jon Priest, believe that bottle).
great wines are grown, not made and that “inspired grape
Second, the Etude Seated Reserve Tasting may be engrowing diminishes the need for intervention by the wine- joyed with an appointment (made in advance) and also
maker.”
features five top-tier wines:
Priest sums it up best,
2008 Etude Rosé Pinot Noir
Etude Wines
“Etude was founded on the phiCarneros (2400 cases produced
losophy that winemaking
/ $20 per bottle), 2006 Etude
1250 Cuttings Wharf Road, Napa
begins in the vineyard long beDeer Camp Pinot Noir (960
(707) 257-5300 • www.etudewines.com
fore the harvest and that
cases produced / $60 per botPinot Noir, Chardonney, Merlot, Pinot Gris
superior grape growing dimintle), 2007 Etude Heirloom Pinot
Pinot Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Rosé
ishes the need for intervention
Noir915 Cases Produced / $90
FUN What began twenty five years ago as a philoby the winemaker, resulting in
per bottle), 2006 Etude CaberFACT sophical state of mind is now a state-of-the-art
wine that is grown, not made.
net Sauvignon Rutherford200
winemaking facility where the ancient art of
This remains our approach
cases produced / $100 per botwinemaking is pursued with a singular passion.
today as we continue to build
tle), and the one-of-a-kind 2005
Worth a trip to the Carneros region!
the Etude legacy.”
Etude Cabernet Sauvignon
Working with viticulturalist Franci Ashton, Priest has Oakville (296 cases produced / $100 per bottle).
developed Etude Winery from this bold philosophical corEtude also offers a Wine & Food Pairing for the most
nerstone into a premier producer of coveted wine. Already discerning of visitors. This pairing introduces a private tastknown for Carneros Pinot Noir and Napa Valley Cabernet ing experience and explores the subtle nuances that make
Sauvignon, Etude has now introduced brilliant Pinot Etude wine and select foods such a great pairing. For $35
Blanc, Pinot Gris and Merlot to huge reviews.
per person, each guest will enjoy a flight of six Etude wines
Two delightful tastings are available at Etude. First, the paired with three savory bites. ($25 for Edification MemWalk-In Tasting features five wines. These wines are: 2007 bers). Pairings are available Friday through Sunday at 10
Etude Chardonnay Carneros (1,200 cases produced, $38 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. (Maximum of eight people and Reserper bottle), the 2007 Etude Pinot Noir Carneros (17,000 vations required.)
Los Carneros
57
McKenzie-Mueller
McKenzie-Mueller is a boutique winery based on 50
This unique winery presents wines that are only estate
acres in prime Napa Valley. Family owned and operated, grown and produced from their two vineyards. First, the
McKenzie-Mueller prides itself on being a small, hands-on, Big Ranch Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District grows their
food-friendly little wine label that just happens to also be Cabernet and Cabernet Franc in deep, rich, loamy soils.
the “Estate of the Year” in Wine & Spirits magazine in 2000. Second, the Los Carneros Vineyard produces Pinot Noir,
Producing just 2,500 cases, McKenzie-Mueller Pinot Grigio, Merlot and Malbec in the cooler temperatures
represents some of the finest
and shallow topsoils. Everyvineyards in the Carneros reMcKenzie-Mueller Vineyards & Winery thing is done by hand and boy,
gion. McKenzie-Mueller owners
can you taste it!
Bob and Karen produce their
McKenzie-Mueller’s tasting
2530 Las Amigas Road, Napa
wines from scratch. They are
fee is a nominal $10 and in(707) 252-0186 • www.mckenziemueller.com
both the grape growers and the
cludes:
Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec
winemakers!
2006 Pinot Noir: An inCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa locals from the start,
tense, fruit-driven, full-bodied
Bob and Karen met over a vat of
FUN All of our wines are Estate produced and bottled Pinot fermented with native
Zinfandel grapes and its been
yeast, $35.
FACT and come from our two vineyards: Big Ranch
love, wine and kids ever since!
2006 Chardonnay: A classic
Road in Oak Knoll and Los Carneros. Enjoy a
Of course, the outstanding eduwhite
barrel fermented on navisit in the rolling hills north of the San
cational degrees in winemaking
tive yeast in French Oak, $35.
Francisco Bay.
from UC Davis and decades of
2005 Merlot: McKenzieexperience doesn’t hurt!
Mueller prides itself on having several Bordeaux varietals
Since 1990, Bob and Karen began as growers and wine- produced from estate vineyards in Carneros. Karen explains
makers and have since expanded their winery from a small that fruit ripens more evenly given the cooler but longer
500-case production into a more sizeable enterprise that re- growing season in Carneros and that this Merlot realizes
flects their commitment to quality, harmony with nature that ripeness, $35.
and exquisite wines. To say that they did it alone would be
All tastings and tours are by appointment only. Please
a lie... All five kids help out in winery operations as do the call (707) 252-0186 or visit mckenziemueller.com for more
handful of employees this wine family has embraced into information. McKenzie-Mueller is located at 2530 Las Amitheir clan.
gas Road in Napa.
58
Los Carneros
e
e
r
.
,
s
,
g
-
d
e
c
-
s
s
r
s
e
e
N
Acacia Vineyard
Located just two miles north of the San Pablo some 150 acres of gorgeous estate vineyards.
Bay in the heart of the Carneros region, Acacia
Today, guests visiting Acacia will taste handVineyard boasts beautiful views of the Bay and es- crafted wines that begin long before juice ever fills
tate vineyards.
a single bottle. Vineyards are meticulously mainSimilar to famed Burgundy wine-growing region tained with careful canopy and cluster
in France, Carneros is reknown for Pinot Noir and management. Fruits are only picked once Matthew
Chardonnays. Thanks to a
and his skilled staff detercooler microclimate than
mine the Pinot and
Acacia Vineyard
other parts of Napa or
Chardonnay fruits are ripe
By appointment only (due to permitting)
Sonoma Valley, fruits grown
and have the proper balMonday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
in Carneros benefit from
ance of acid and flavor.
Sunday 12 to 4 p.m.
temperate days and coastal
Acacia
Vineyard
is
2750 Las Amigas Road, Napa
fog from the Pacific Ocean.
thrilled to announce the
(707) 226-9991
Under the stewardship
release of the 2008
www.acaciavineyard.com
of Senior Winemaker
Chardonnay from the
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Viognier, Syrah
Matthew Glynn, Acacia
Sangiacomo Vineyards in
wines are pure and stylistic
Carneros. This new vintage
FUN Just two miles from San Francisco’s
wines of the Burgundian
FACT San Pablo Bay with stellar views of vineyards of Acacia’s most flavorful
varietals, Pinot Noir and
white wine is 100% barrel
and the bay. Founded in 1979, they are a
pioneer in the Carneros appellation.
Chardonnays, grown here
fermented and features rich
in Carneros.
aromas and flavors of pear
Acacia Vineyard began in 1979 when the found- tart and white peach as well as bright acidity and
ing owners (and pioneers of winemaking in the long-lasting flavor, ($40 per bottle, $480 per case).
Carneros region) began producing boutique, vineAcacia wines may be tasted for a $15 fee. This
yard-designate Pinot Noirs. Today, Acacia makes fee will be applied toward a purchase. For wine
undeniably distinctive Pinots from the St. Clair club members, the tasting is free for a total of four
Vineyards as well as the Lone Tree Estate Vineyard. people. Single-vineyard and winery-exclusive
Expanding in the mid 1990s, Acacia began to pur- wines are both offered during a tasting at Acacia.
chase property surrounding their winery, amassing
Los Carneros
59
The year-old Cuvaison tasting room, in the Carneros outside in, and wide doors and minimalist shelving
region of Napa, is a spot that appeals on many levels. To crafted from recycled redwood, visitors do not stand at
begin with it is an architectural gem, one with a list of a tasting bar to taste. They are served by a knowledge“green” credentials that extends from insulation made of able and friendly staff who can supply information on
recycled denim through indigenous low-water plantings, the wines as well as on the region and winemaking.
a program to recycle cork and
Cuvaison has long been faglass, and a recaptured water
mous
for their estate grown
source, plus a solar array of alwines, most prominently
Open by appointment only 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
most 1,500 panels that
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,
1221 Duhig Road, Napa
supplies 85 percent of the tastbut also stellar Carneros Syrah
(707) 942-2455
ing room and winery’s
and Merlot, plus some labelwww.cuvaison.com
electricity. Geese, duck, egrets
ings available only to wine
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay,
and other species frequent the
club members. The rich, fullMerlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon,
property’s ponds in every seabodied yet accessible Cabernet
son, especially this year, when
Sauvignons – particularly the
FUN Call 707-942-2455 to schedule a 20-minute,
unusual spring rains has kept
award-winning Brandlin from
FACT educational walk through the vineyards and
a
tasting
of
Cuvaison’s
Carneros
flight
of
wines
them fuller than normal.
their fabled Mount Veeder
available 9:30 a.m., Friday-Monday.
Cuvaison Estate Wines,
vineyard high above the valley
now in its 41st year, has long
floor – are popular offerings, as
been a winemaking and grape growing innovator as well is their dessert wine, Espiritu.
as a steward of the land.
To sum up, a visit to Cuvaison is more than one diSet in the middle of the extensive vineyards, it is mensional. It satisfies true wine lovers, people who want
unique on other levels as well. In addition to the sublime to experience wine country and who want to be nursetting, it is, without a doubt, visually stunning. Perfect tured and maybe learn a little more about this part of
lighting, a tasteful decor (including a special tasting the world. You go for a taste or two or three, you relax,
room for wine club members and private tastings), a and you inevitably leave with a smile on your face. What
wrap-around deck, glass walls that open to bring the could be better than that?
BY CHARLES NEAVE
60
Los Carneros
g
t
n
n
y
,
h
e
t
e
m
r
y
s
t
f
,
t
E
Nicholson Ranch
The winery sits in a commanding spot above one of ceiling and both a U-shaped tasting bar in the center and a
Napa and Sonoma’s most important intersections, but its smaller, curved bar to one side. Bars are topped with a speelevation, and the foothills behind, give it the regal, almost cially sourced granite, the floors are tile and doors on three
serene bearing.
sides open to the outdoors – two onto the courtyard where
Set in one of the world’s prime grape growing regions, you can also taste. Plantings throughout are subtle and mathe 160 acres (30 of it planted, mainly to equal parts ture, and you can ask the helpful tasting room staff about
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,
the small chapel that you see up
two varieties the area is famous
on the hill directly behind the
Nicholson Ranch Winery
for) enjoys a combination of
winery. They can also explain
soils, sloping hills and climate
the origin of the enormous lion
4200 Napa Road, Sonoma
that is ideal for producing presculpture you can spot from the
(707) 938-8822
mium grapes. This includes not
road.
www.nicholsonranch.com
just the Chardonnay and Pinot
Between the collection of
Noir, but also Syrah and Merlot.
well-designed
buildings are
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot
One thing you cannot see
courtyards, and indoors, next
FUN Pinot Noir is often called the “Heartache Grape.” to the commercial kitchen, is
from the road below are the
FACT There are few areas where it grows well and if it an elegant room often used for
chairs and the tables with their
is over manipulated, it can lose a lot of its characteristic
colorful market umbrellas set on
the many weddings and special
beauty. It is for this reason that Nicholson Ranch is
trimmed grass backed by a freeevents held at this spacious
built as a five-level gravity flow winery, which allows
form pond complete with lily
hillside property. There are
the wine to flow naturally between winemaking stages.
pads, where you can take a botalso cave tours available by
tle of Nicholson Ranch wines
appointment. And somehow
and picnic. Forget the picnic? In the tasting room is a se- the scale of it all works, whether your group numbers six
lection of cheese, crackers and the like. The pond is home or eight, or goes into the hundreds. Whether you sit on
to largemouth bass and the occasional river otter. Blue the Redwood Terrace, gather by the Fountain Courtyard,
herons, white egrets and an assortment of ducks often visit, head to the picnic area or adjourn to the tasting room,
while overhead red tail hawks soar.
it is all part of a memorable wine country experience,
The tasting room, which faces the pond through a tow- where an extensive list of elegant, hand-crafted wines
ering window that faces east/southeast, has a high wood waits for you.
BY CHARLES NEAVE
Los Carneros
61
Pride Mountain
Constant
Paoletti
Barlow
Larkmead
Vineyards
Sterling
Twomey
CASTELLO
DI AMOROSA
Blair
Frank Family
LE
Saviez
L
EN
IES
FR
DR
IT
MM
SU
Outpost
LA
SUMMIT LAKE
Aetna Springs
James Creek
D
NYON R
Howell
Mountain
POPE VALLEY
POPE VALLEY WINERY
A
TS C
Lamborn
KE
DR
Rancho de Las Flores
TA
(Wermuth)
White Cottage
O’Shaughnessy
Ladera
HOWE
Neal Family
LL MT
N
Bravante Haber
Cade Winery
Arkenstone
G Cook
E
AN
Dutch Henry
12
Madrigal
Spring Mtn.
D
OA
STA
128
Downtown Napa to Yountville
Yountville to St. Helena
St. Helena to Calistoga
Calistoga to Alexander Valley
Downtown Napa to Sonoma Plaza
128
Goosecross
Cellars
50
50
60
40
MILES
128
20
30
15
45
25
100
90
90
70
TO
LAKE BERRYESSA
AND
SACRAMENTO
15
15
10
35
20
Atlas Peak
10
10
10
25
20
60
60
70
60
TRAVEL TIME
(Average) (Peak)
Lake
Berryessa
Getting around Napa Valley
Golden Gate Bridge
Bay Bridge
Sacramento
Santa Rosa
FROM
Getting to Napa Valley
Chiles
Valley
Oakville
YR
Paradigm
CREE
T
ON
ER
CONN
RINITY
LL
GA
Rutherford
St. Helena
E
N
CA
OAKVILLE
RUTHERFORD
ST. HELENA
CALISTOGA
TO
SANTA ROSA
TO
SANTA ROSA
ST. HELENA RD
N
Teachworth
MT
Clos
Pegase
ON
BU T
K RD
VIADER
BA
Venge
BURGESS
E
POP YON
Benessere Rombauer
CANAD
Failla CRYSTAL SPRIN
RO
Tudal
UM
Schramsberg
RI
AlloraRS Hunnicut Chateau Boswell
Eagle & Rose
LE
EH
J Davies
Casa Nuestra
V Madrone
Boeshan
Duckhorn
Ehlers Estate
RK
PA
Trinchero Napa Valley
ER
DI
DE
LO
Freemark Abbey
A Dozen Vintners Amuse Bouche
Revana
Stony Hill
BALLENTINEER PARK
Vineyard 29
Markham DE
St. Helena Winery
Sherwin Family Brehrens & Hitchcock
ST. CLEMENT
I
Ritchie Creek Barnett Vineyards
SS
RO
William
Cole
Amizetta
LLEY R
VA
SmithSchweiger Vineyards Vineyard
CHARLES
7 & 8 Madrone KEENAN Peacock Family 29
ANDERSON’S
Paloma Guiliam’s
SPRI
O
KRUG
CONN VALLEY
D
Terra Valentine Eeden NG MTN Clare Luce
Forman MTN
CHARBAY
T
Calafia
AT
PR
LL
Abbey
Cellars
WE
Cain School House
HO
Juslyn
David
Buehler
Spring Mountain
ST
Fulton TON
PE
Seavey
L
PO
FU
Arns Winery
BERINGER
Trespass RONA
Orin
Spottswoode MAD
Swift
Merryvale
Newton ING St. Helena
KENT RASMUSSEN OA
Wine Center
R
OAK
TER
Ruston Family SPNapa
R D
Joseph Phelps
Valley Farms CHAR LONG MEADOW RANCH
IN
Marston Family
T
Salvestrin
Clif Family
S
NG
Murphy
RI
R SP
Kelham
Chase Family
SULPHU WELLING
Louis
M.
Martini
Volker Eisele Family
The Terraces
Prager LE
Sutter Home
Hall
Rutherford
William Harrison
Rustridge
FORD HIL
Heitz
Hall
L
ER
& Mario Perelli-Minetti
RUTHERFORD
HILL
Flora Springs
V. SATTUI
Tayson Pierce
RUTHERFORD
RANCH
Quintessa
N.
LL
E
D
O
ND
FA
Arger Martucci INGLEWO
ZIN
Kuleto
Corison
Nichelini Brown Estate
Raymond
Lake
Milat
YO Hennessey
Midsummer
N
Neyers
Del Dotto
Sullivan
Conn Cellars
Fleury
Creek
David
Continuum Estate
WHITEHALL LANE LANE Franciscan
Arthur
Luis Corthay
HALL
Girard
Mumm Napa
WHITE
Frogs Leap
Witt
Rutherford Alpha Omega
CHAPPELLET
Caymus
Honig
R
O
F
ER
Grove
RUTH
Rutherford Gardens
Tres Sabores &
ZD Wines
PIÑA NAPA VALLEY
Pedemonte Cellars Provenance
Beaulieu
Round Pond
R
NGE
LLE
Miner Family Vineyards
SKE
Grgich Hill Estate
Elizabeth Spencer
Rudd
Pedras
Plumpjack
Rubicon Estate
Peju
Groth
St.
Supery
Saddleback
Y
NLE
Sawyer Cellars
MA
Cellars
Gargiulo
Swanson OAKS
Sequoia Grove
LA
BEL
Cakebread
Vine Cliff Winery
AD
Silver Oak
RO
Turnbull
SS
Staglin Del Bondio
O
Nickel & NickelKVILLE CR
Paraduxx
Opus One OA
Robert Mondavi
Napa Wine Company
O A KVIL
LE
GRADE
Far Niente
Cardinale + Lokoya
Von Strasser
Reverie
Diamond Terrace
Diamond Mtn.
MO
ND
AL
WE
NA
DU
W.H. Smith
OnThEdge
Rios Wine Co
Wine Garage PINETofanelli
TRY RD
Hans-Fahden
Graeser
DIA
August Briggs Cuvaison Estate Wines
TE
E.
AV
PE
LN
CO
LIN
RS
LN
LANG
TO
SANTA ROSA
Silver
AD
Tedeschi Family
Rose
128 Calistoga Lava Vine
ME
ENVY WINES
N. FORK
BENNETT LANE
Zahtila Vineyard
RK
29
LA
E
L SPGS
GR
GE
T
CRYSTA
TO
CLEAR LAKE
CON
N
TO GEYSERVILLE
ALEXANDER VALLEY
SA
NI
TA
CO
T
E
HIT
W
Chateau
Montelena
Vincent OD
NE
LA
Arroyo ENWO
BS
UB
L
Old Faithful
GS
AP
N
LA
RU
Tom Eddy
Geyser
Helena View AtalonBENNETT LANE
Johnston
Summers
Estate
Storybook
TH
TO
CLEAR LAKE
ROSSROAD
LE
O
OW
AD
ME
DC
DA
Y RD
LE
T
HOWELL MTN
OPE VAL
LE
RT
AN
D
CHI
LES
P
MY
GR
BUCKEYE
GE
SA
IL
RA
OT
AD
VER
SIL
MO
NE
116
AR
NO
DR
TO
SAN FRANCISCO
AND HWY. 101
12
121
CARNEROS
RD
AL
YR
D
Los
Carneros
Region
DE
SW
HAR
FR
D
LOS CA
RNER
OS RD
IGAS
LAS AM
Ceja Family
Vineyards
ING
Adastra
Bouchaine
RD.
SAINTSBURY
ETUDE
OL
CUTT
ACACIA McKENZIE
MUELLER
CUVAISON
ESTATE
WINES
Madonna Estate
E
Domaine
Carneros
SONOMA
AV
Truchard D SONOMA
29
121
1st ST
.
TRANCAS
HAGAFEN CELLARS
MA
PUEBLO
CENTRAL
IN
Robert Craig
121
D
OA
LA AVE
121
L FERRY
AIRPORT BLVD
Spelletich
SOSCO
X
AU
DE
Trinitas
R
BO
Falcor
N
GE
HA
Bourassa
Vineyards
Patz
& Hall
Delectus Winery
Modus Operandi Cellars
& J. Doran KAISER
American Canyon
WEST IMO
TO
HWY. 128
Jarvis
R
Moss Creek Winery,
Altamura Vineyards & Winery
& Suisun Valley Wineries
RD
Caldwell
Kenzo
Estate
TO
SACRAMENTO
TO VALLEJO
12
COOMBSVILLE RD.
.
D AVE
Black Cat
Whitford Vineyards
Cellars
E . 3R
Palmaz
Vineyards Farella-Park
IC
NT
MO
LO
EL
Del Dotto
William Hill
Verismo
Folio
LINCOLN
Frazier
Gustavo Enoteca
Twenty Rows Thrace
Mahoney/Waterstone
VALLEJO
Vintners
Taste at Oxbow
Stonehedge
John Anthony CejaCollectiveMason Uncorked
Olabisi/Trahan
Bounty Hunter S
Tulocay
Elements
OS
CO
X Winery & Amicus 3rd ST
L
PINE
Cellars
Wine
Page
AVENUE
Judd’s Hill
DOMINARI HdV Wines
Boyd
Robert
Biale
ANDRETTI
Hunnicutt Wines
Black Stallion
Van Der Heyden REYNOLDS FAMILY
NE
N LA
DMA
Silverado Trail
HAR
Wine Studio
RAZI
Luna Vineyards
ry
inst
Not To Scale
ON
PS
Folio
Winemakers’
Studio
ST
A
E
L AV
KNOL
Antica
VinRoc
Atlas Peak
Krupp Brothers
Stagecoach Vineyard
McK
TO
PETALUMA
AND
HWY. 101
NICHOLSON
RANCH
M
HO
Guffy
Family
VI
NAPA
BRO
WNS
VALLEY
RD
A
OAK
CORLEY FAMILY’S
MONTICELLO
VINEYARDS
James Cole
Signorello Vineyards
Darioush
CLOS DU VAL
CHIMNEY ROCK
Oak Knoll
Trefethen
STAGS’ LEAP WINERY
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
Regusci
N
LEVERONI RD
D.
LEY
OW
NS VAL
YR
BR
RD
T
NR
HE
RICK
PART
VE
DA
AR
REDWOOD ROAD
OR
CH
O’Brien Estate
Silenus Vintners
Laird
S
Stags
Leap
Hopper Creek
Bell Wine Cellars
Jessup
Hope and Grace
Hill Family Estate
Hartwell Vineyards
PINE RIDGE
Silverado
Vineyards
Taylor Family
BALDACCI
Quixote
Steltzner
Lindstrom
Robinson Family
Cliff Lede Robert Sinskey
Shafer
AD
O
SR
OS
CR
LN.
ERSO
Artesa
FONTANELLA
Crane Family
J.Kirkwood
Mt.Veeder
RM
AN
DA
FFM
HO
D
LIN
Sonoma
Black Cordon
Sixteen by Twenty Wines
HESS
YATES FAMILY
Hendry
COLLECTION
D
OA
DR
OO
DW
Ma(i)sonry
Beau Vigne
CORNERSTONE
YOUNTVILLE
RE
MA
YOUNT ST.
ON
DIS
Domaine ChandonLIFORNIA te
a
CA
riv
KeeverRD VIEW p
A
EY
VIN Elyse
Yountville
29
IL
TV
UN
YO
LE
STATE
Kapcsandy
Goosecross
Cellars
Oakville
JEFF
For corrections, deletions, additions, fax (707) 938-3674
or email [email protected]
12
Mount Veeder
Mayacamas
Sky
Godspeed
Wing Canyon
Cosentino
Cardinale + Lokoya
Paradigm
Folie a Deux
Napa Cellars
Far Niente
RD
Wineries not open to the public are not represented.
INITY
GRADE
NC
Check the listings in the back for
hours, address and phone number.
Wine Country This Week Preferred
Open to the public
Glen
Ellen
TR
ER
M T. V E E
D
Paraduxx
D
LE
ETTE
ROA
ON
Napa Wine Company
VA
NS
ANY
Opus One O
OW
AC
Robert Mondavi
LL
E
Y RDY RD
VALLE
SOD
O A KVIL
BR
LD
BORR
O AVE
RD
S OL AN
CRE
H
BROWNS
TON
RA
.
BUCHLI
STATION
HING
BIG
SOSCOL
NAPA VALLEY
CORPORATE DR
EK
WAS
RD
AVE.
DRY
AK
3RD
IL
RA
OT
ATLAS PE
4TH AVE
KE
Y
LL
DUHI
G RD
ARNOLD DR.

Preferred Napa Valley - Wine Country This Week

Transcription

Similar documents

Layout 1 (Page 1)

Freakshow 2013 - Michael David Winery

Chamber Exclusive Business Opportunities pdf link

HARTWOOD WINERY

Map of the State Fair Park - Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show

ORLANDO DIAZ

A special thanks to our generous supporters!

Washington wine country Washington wine country

Second Annual Indiana Winery Tour