Fine wine needs to evolve from a distinct point of view – a self imposed discipline to navigate the siren song of temptation. Otherwise, you may wake up one day to find yourself fabricating a wine to placate a critic or fill a market segment, and discover your craft has devolved into just another recipe for soulless wine.

Having a distinct point of view can also be dangerous. It invites unwelcome criticism from those who make a career out of second guessing the methods or intent of others. Yes, dig deep enough and you can find inconsistencies or incomplete execution in anything, but this is a craftsman’s journey that will only improve with repetition and refinement. The following, gleaned from 35 years of winegrowing, are our rules for great wine from our point of view.

First off, the tasting room is spacious and beautifully illuminated, adorned with paintings and sculptures by local artists. Secondly, all of the staff that greeted us that day were not only accommodating, friendly, knowledgeable, but also very approachable and warm; Dan not only kept us totally entertained and engaged throughout our tasting but was actually able to inform us about the wines in a comprehensible and genuine manner. As a wine enthusiast I really appreciate that the people at Jessup make wine tasting relaxing and approachable. 

Both seasoned wine lovers, and those just learning about wine, are embraced and welcomed at Jessup Cellars.
Located just a block north from the famed The French Laundry in the quaint village of Yountville, our wines are available exclusively through our Tasting Room Gallery and website.

Founded by Dan and Becky Blue, Roy and Cheri Eisiminger, Vance and Jana Thompson, Jim and Kelly Mazzo, Kerry and Cindi Solomon, and Eric and Marleen Donnenfeld, their mission is to create and share life-enriching experiences for their members and guests, while also giving back to the community through the support of the arts.

In downtown Calistoga this tasting room was very charming and inviting. The manager and tasting guide, Brandon, were very helpful and welcoming, we really felt at home. Great ambiance, exquisite Sempre Vive wines, cheese and charcuterie. Romeo Vineyards produces elegant awines from vines forty-two years old which reside south of a nine acre reservoir in Calistoga, California. The vineyard lies sandwiched between two forested knolls, leading to the geographical conditions that create hot days and cool nights and an extremely long hang time in our Calistoga vineyard. This allows their grapes to develop full flavors, deep color and intense complexity.

In 1987, Jim Summers acquired a 28-acre vineyard nestled in Knights Valley, a region located northwest of Calistoga between Mount St. Helena and the Alexander Valley. At the time, the property was predominantly planted with Merlot grapes, established 30 years earlier by Dan Duckhorn, along with some Muscat Canelli. The inaugural vintage of Summers Ranch Reserve Merlot was produced in 1992, yielding 900 cases. Today, the estate also produces Petite Sirah from the Knights Valley vineyard. Known for its warm climate, volcanic soils, and proximity to Napa Valley, Knights Valley has recently garnered increased attention for its Bordeaux varietals.

In 1996, Summers expanded their vineyard holdings by acquiring 25 acres at the intersection of Highway 128 and Tubbs Lane in Napa Valley. This property, now known as Summers Estate Wines, is home to the Villa Andriana Vineyard, named in honor of their daughter. While the estate has been fully revitalized to maximize its potential, the 40-year-old Zinfandel vines are meticulously preserved. The winery and tasting room, surrounded by over 22 acres of Zinfandel, Charbono, and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, strike a perfect balance between pleasure and productivity.

Summers' signature wine is the distinctive Charbono, a varietal believed to be an early Italian adaptation of Charbonneau, a French grape. Some argue it is closely related to the Dolcetto variety, which is commonly grown in northern Italy. The Charbono vine produces large berries that create a deeply colored red wine, known for its rich fruit flavors and low tannin content when subjected to extended skin contact during fermentation.

The Summers Estate, with its scenic vineyard views in Calistoga, California, stands as a testament to the region's rich winemaking heritage.