Napa

Napa

Charter Oak Winery

wine grapes and glass - Pixabay

Charter Oak Winery is a small boutique producer of the most exceptional Napa Valley red wines made by winemaker Robert Fanucci.

Charter Oak wine is unfined and unfiltered, with the grapes fermented using natural yeast. The winemaker employs tools crafted by his grandfather (Nonno in Italian) to punch down the cap three times a day, working the must into a foaming lather. This unique method sets their wine apart. The winemaker believes that the key to their success lies in the natural fermentation process and the meticulous punch-down of the cap with handcrafted wooden tools, a ritual performed with dedication. Witnessing the sun illuminate the purple grape juice as it bubbles to the surface is a sight the winemaker cherishes deeply, as it nurtures the soul.

After three to four weeks in the fermentation tank, the time comes to separate the skin from the juice, all done by hand using a 100-year-old basket press. The wine is then transferred into barrels using buckets. Although this method is not the most efficient, it adheres to the winemaking tradition passed down from the grandfather. The result is wine that is truly handcrafted, and each bottle reflects a distinct difference from mass-produced alternatives.

White Rock Vineyards

wine corks and wine glass - Pixabay

Christopher the wine maker was very welcoming. We made our appointment last minute but he accommodated our schedule. He was super laid back and very knowledgeable, and he made us feel comfortable. I recommend this tour to anyone looking for a nice secluded vineyard with a lot of history and a casual setting.

Crane Family Vineyards

beautiful clusters of grapes - Pixabay

Crane offers some excellent reds in a beautiful, unassuming, and unpretentious format. Your proprietor, Tom Crane, a second generation owner/grower, will sit out on the lovely porch and describe each one of his wonderful wines. No pressure to buy here; the wines sell themselves. Tom offers a Cab, Merlot, a Bordeaux blend called Allison's cuvee (named after the winemaker), and a Port all at good prices. While the estate is small and lacks the flash and polish of larger operations, the hospitality and great wines more than made up for it. If you are the adventurous type and want to go off the beaten path for a warm Napa afternoon at a boutique winery, by all means give Tom a call.

Chappellet Winery

glass of wine - Pixabay

This is a very interesting place to taste. They take their wine seriously, it is off the beaten path, and reservations are required. View - absolutely breathtaking! Plan to spend some time taking pictures throughout the vineyard and of the lake. This is one of the best spots to get pictures in Napa.

Kent Rasmussen Winery

red wine swirling in the glass - Pixabay

Kent Rasmussen Winery produces three different lines of wines, all beautifully made by winemaker, Kent Rasmussen. Should you desire detailed production notes, you can either email us for them, or go to our national sales manager, Ron Berger's website. KENT RASMUSSEN * RAMSAY WINES * ESOTERICA Wines can be found via online sales

Broman Cellars

wine cellar - Pixabay

Broman Cellars was established with a singular goal: to craft world-class wines that are enjoyed both upon release and for years to come. The vision for the winery is the result of a collaborative family effort involving winemaker Bob Broman, Deborah Broman, and Lisa Broman Augustine.

As a family-owned and operated winery since 1994, Broman Cellars is dedicated to handcrafting superior-quality wines through meticulous attention to detail in both the vineyards and the winery. Their portfolio includes a Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate vineyard on Deer Park Road, a crisp and clean Sauvignon Blanc sourced from valley floor vineyards, and a Proprietary Red Wine that highlights their favorite blend of the vintage. In exceptional years, they also produce a Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, selecting barrels that exhibit unique and extraordinary character.

Green & Red Vineyard

wine and cheese - Pixabay

I'm hesitant to tell anyone about this gem so I can keep this secret to myself but the zins are so outstanding that I suppose I should share. This is a small production winery that definitely focuses on quality over quantity but their price point is still so reasonable! If I were coming to the Napa Valley and only had time for one winery, I would come here, well worth the extra drive (it's sort of in the middle of nowhere). Appointment only and be prepared for the steep one way driveway.

CK Mondavi Vineyards

grape cluster - Pixabay

Cesare and Rosa Mondavi moved to the Napa Valley and purchased the Charles Krug Winery in 1943. Winemaking was an important part of their Italian heritage and together with their sons Robert and Peter, they created CK Mondavi – a line of wines offering both tremendous quality and value. CK Mondavi began with a vision and commitment to produce high quality wines worthy of gracing the tables of families across America. Seventy years later, this vision continues.

Cardinale Estates Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

When Winemaker Christopher Carpenter envisions each new vintage of Cardinale, he becomes a composer to each of our esteemed Napa Valley mountain vineyards. Together, the Cardinale vineyards create a perfect composition in a remarkable Cabernet Sauvignon.

Emmolo Wine Company

wine and cheese - Pixabay

In 1994, Cheryl Emmolo founded Emmolo Wine Company for two key goals: to fulfill a lifelong ambition to make her own wine and to extend her family’s legacy to her three children, Charlie, Joey and Jenny Wagner. It is no surprise that Cheryl was able to secure from her father the crème de la crème of his Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot grapes for her small production. On the first day of harvest for Emmolo's first vintage, in 1994, Cheryl and her three children celebrated their new family enterprise by picking grapes and trucking them to the crush pad together. Starting with just 400 cases of Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and 90 cases of Merlot, Cheryl has carefully expanded Emmolo’s production with the help of her sons and winemakers, Charlie and Joey Wagner. With the 2000 harvest, she seized the opportunity to acquire Sauvignon Blanc from Caymus Vineyards’ program, allowing her to extend her distribution in selected national markets.

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