Napa

Napa

Culler Wines

Culler Wines was started in 1997 by Karen Culler, and remains a one person operation to this day. Karen produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from outstanding vineyards throughout Napa and Sonoma, and bottles the wines under the Culler and Casaeda labels. All the vineyards are handpicked and tended to showcase the microclimate of the area and to produce beautiful wines of balance, longevity and power. Culler Wines are small production wines and Karen spends her "free time" also making great wines for Ladera, Wolf Family Vineyards, Renteria, Rivera Vineyards, Probst and Gianonne Vineyards.

Summers Ranch

When we entered, the tasting room was empty, but it quickly filled up. The wines here are excellent. I knew I wanted to buy a bottle or two, but it was very hard to choose. However, I just had to get a bottle of their charbono. Charbono - Dark inky color, blackberry profile, clean acidiity and bright fruit
Merlot - Sweet and soft fruit richness (cherry, currant and mocha), slight smoky oak with smooth tannins
Zinfandel - Nice flavor that finishes quick but hits with a raspberry, cherry flavor with notes of brown sugar and baking spices

Milat Vineyards & Winery

I just visited St. Helena's and had such a great time at Milat. The place is very small, but because my group was the only one there, I did not mind. I also love that the place is decorated with family pictures and it really shows the history of Milat - a family run vineyard. The Milat wine is only sold in Napa, so there is no need to worry about what is a reserve or not.

Aubert Wines

Aubert Wines is a boutique producer that is owned and operated by Mark Aubert. He is also the winemaker at Colgin, where he took over for Helen Turley. Until 1999, Aubert was the winemaker at Peter Michael. While working for this Knights Valley winery, he developed the exceptional Les Pavots red Bordeaux blend.Aubert Wines offers limited tasting appointments. Please contact the winery for more information.

Philip Togni Vineyards

Most of the 2000 case annual production is sold to a mailing list on a first-come basis. Part of each offering is a very limited amount of the Cabernet made ten years earlier, as an illustration of the ageworthiness of our wine. The balance is split between a broad but thin presence in many of the well known wine stores in the U.S., and a definite presence in almost all European countries together with the principle Asian markets.

Sullivan Vineyards

What a fantastic wine tasting experience. We were taken inside Mrs. Sullivan's home for a tasting at the table overlooking her lawn and pond, with a fire crackling away. The people were fantastic. By appointment only. Incredible wine, try the Merlot, if you don't think you like Merlot. You'll leave with a bottle.

William Cole Vineyards

When William and Jane Ballentine bought a nineteenth century ghost winery in St. Helena in 1999, little did they know it would take them three years to acquire a permit to open its doors which had been shuttered since Prohibition. The reason: county laws prohibited restoration of abandoned wineries with less than ten acres and the young couple only owned five. After several years working with the county, the Ballentines received a special historic winery ordinance that allowed them to reopen the 1873 winery.

Bridesmaid Wines

Bridesmaid Wines are impressive Bordeaux-style blends from the Napa Valley, designed for wine lovers and collectors. These bold, alluring wines way over-deliver for the price. Cellar worthy and ready to enjoy now! Bridesmaid White is a blend of great Napa Appellation Semillons and Sauvignon Blancs.

Chase Family Cellars

Excellent Zinfandel and equally excellent Zinfandel Port. I believe they also make a Zin chocolate sauce for those of you with a sweet tooth. Now they're a bit off the beaten path but completely worth visiting. It's rare that you get the combination of excellent people and wine like this while also avoiding the tourist crush that is much of Napa. I highly recommend calling them up and experiencing it yourself. I know I'll be back the next time I'm headed that way.

Pages

Subscribe to Napa