Perfecting the old California classics, Robert Biale Vineyards has become a revered standard of heritage vineyard Zinfandel and Petite Sirah in the Napa Valley. From the winery’s inception, the Biale founders have cherished the tradition of historic old vines, some dating back to the 1880s, and they prize the small quantity of concentrated and intense fruit that these vines produce. Diligent farming, expressive terroir, and superb elegance define the winery’s hallmarks. Among the winery’s portfolio of 20 wines crafted by Winemaker David Natali, Black Chicken Zinfandel stands out as the flagship and has become a benchmark for the varietal.

The story began in the 1940s when 14-year-old Aldo Biale helped his mother make ends meet by selling homemade Zinfandel, along with eggs and produce, to insider Napans. Over the old “party line” phone system, the code words “a Black Chicken” signified a jug of bootleg wine, keeping nosy neighbors and the authorities from discovering Aldo’s underground Zinfandel operation.

Palmeri Wines is all about mountain fruit. Most of the vineyards designated for Palmeri are located above 1,000 feet, which provides a more balanced growing season. In hotter years, the grapes benefit from a more temperate climate at high elevations, while in colder years, the higher temperatures atop the mountains offer protection from the frost found on the valley floor. The well-draining, nutrient-poor soils of these mountain vineyards produce grapes that are generally more flavorful, show greater complexity, and yield more age-worthy wines.

If you are going to the grocery store wineries--then this isn't a place for you. Please only go here if you love the complex nature of what wine has to offer. This is a haven for people who really enjoy, appreciate, and want to learn more about what wine has to offer. This isn't a taste and dash. This is savor and reflection. Not only is the wine great, but so was the tour given by Mark. I was really impressed with this winery and the friendliness of the staff. I would definitely come here again.

In the heart of Rutherford, Quintessa spans 280 acres and showcases a remarkable diversity of geology, biodiversity, exposures, and microclimates. Founders Agustin and Valeria Huneeus envisioned this unique property as a potential world-class wine estate. Currently, 160 acres are dedicated to the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère across 26 vineyard blocks. Each block is farmed organically and according to Biodynamic® principles, with grapes harvested and vinified separately to highlight the land's distinct characteristics.

Driven by the land’s natural splendor, the Huneeus family has committed to capturing its beauty and harmony in their wines.

Depending on the vintage, Quintessa's offerings may include some or all of the estate's five varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère. The grapes are harvested early in the morning, sorted, and then gravity-fed into oak, stainless steel, or concrete tanks for fermentation. Following fermentation and maceration, each plot’s wine is aged separately for up to two years in French oak barrels. After blending, the final Quintessa wine is bottled and aged for an additional year before release.