We were given the opportunity to check this place out through the wine tour we scheduled. Their operation is also one of the most intimate experiences you will have in terms of a winery visit. You literally taste their wine on some super comfy patio furniture in the middle of a field/clearing right next to their vineyard! The owner, Donny, is very knowledgable and guides you through his wines.
The Stanton family has been growing grapes in the Napa Valley since 1947. They began making their own wine in 1999. For this first vintage and the next three they used grapes exclusively from our Oakville vineyard. In addition to the Oakville property, the Stanton family owns two vineyards in St. Helena.
In 2002, acclaimed winemaker Dave Phinney, joined the Stanton team, lending his talented hands to the ’02 vintage, creating a wine that quickly captured the attention of critics and wine afficianados. A fan of Petite Sirahs, Doug decided to dedicate some of their Petite Sirah production to introduce their first vintage in 2004.
Stanton Vineyards remains, and will remain, a boutique winery, producing about 800 cases total (625 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 180 cases Petite Sirah) under their Stanton Vineyard label. This small production, which accounts for less than 7% of the grapes grown on their properties, allows them to focus on producing both grapes and wine of great character. Because, as Doug, his father John, and grandfather Jesse all agree, the grapes and the soil come first.
Located in Rutherford, west of Hwy 29 off Bella Oaks Lane. The tour/tasting appointment here will last about 60-90 minutes, depending on the group dynamic. Standard cave tour and sit-down tasting. You pay for what you get - pricer than other wineries, but the wines are excellent, full-bodied and rich. Family owned and run, committed to the environment. Great tasting experience.
While collectors have made Marilyn Merlot one of the fastest-appreciating wines on the market, it is wine enthusiasts with a sense of humor who have long enjoyed the playful spirit behind Marilyn Merlot wines that are now also seeking the Marilyn Merlot because of the emphasis on making a notable wine from prized Napa Valley grapes. While the concept and engaging label of these wines has given these bottles a degree of fame, it is the wine in the bottle that merits the enthusiasm of those who seek it out every year.
Raymond Vineyards, founded in 1970 is one of Napa Valley's great estates. Through the years, Raymond Vineyards has built an enduring legacy for elegant wines with beautiful balance, finesse, power, and complexity. Five generations of the Raymond family imbued the winery with a sense of its deep roots in the Napa Valley and a commitment to honor those roots through every wine produced. Today, Raymond is an integral part of Boisset Family Estates. Raymond Vineyards is renowned for its 100% Cabernet Sauvignons made with grapes from the most prestigious Napa Valley appelations.
The reds were all fantastic..I really was pleasantly surprised. Their tasting room has a large table that they invite you to sit at, or , you can go outside and sit at those smaller tables, if you choose to. Wines are fantastic and the people here are passionate, welcoming and knowledgeable. They host a number of fun events and perks for wine club members. They also are well known for their micro-batch wine making - come make your own wine from start to finish (blending, bottling, labeling) with the experts!
Chateau Montelena boasts a celebrated history, with the Judgment of Paris being just one notable chapter.
While modern technology enhances the creative possibilities in winemaking, it does not replace the artistry or the people behind it. There are no set formulas in their approach.
Every project at Chateau Montelena is driven by careful consideration and a commitment to shaping their future with determination.
The tasting room is only by appointment, and the location is quite far off the beaten path, but the wine is worth the trip. The tasting area is a bar in a foyer run by the owner of the vineyard. It's not fancy, but if you like Howell Mountain wines, this is a great place to taste.
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.
Vine Cliff Winery was established in 1871, when 500 acres were carved out of the George Yount estate. One of the first bonded wineries in the United States, and the first in Napa to plant Bordeaux varietals on a commercial scale, Vine Cliff was one of the region’s most successful wineries through the end of the 19th Century. A series of natural problems drove the winery under in the early 20th Century, with the land remaining fallow until it was purchased by Nell Sweeney for her family in 1985. Now, under the leadership of Rob Sweeney, the family’s oldest son, Vine Cliff has regained its position as a leader in the production of superior Napa Valley wines.
