Located on Napa Valley’s western slope, Backen, Gillam & Kroeger designed the renovation of what was the stone ruins of a winery dating back more than 100 years. In addition to creating a hospitality space, the winery’s unique cave system incorporates all other aspects of a winery. Private tastings.
In 1983, Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle began planting vines on the hillside east of Oakville, overlooking Napa Valley. Their vineyards produce excellent quality grapes, resulting wines of great intensity, complexity and balance. Gustav passed away in 1995 and Naoko Dalla Valle continues the legacy of Dalla Valle wines. Dalla Valle Vineyards produces two wines; Maya- Proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Dalla Valle Vineyards wines are on a waiting list.
We are a full service winegrape merchant working with wineries to locate, procure, and inspect winegrapes from all over California. We work with growers to market and sell their winegrapes.
Quixote is truly magical with astonishing architecture that is highlighted by vibrant colors and unorthodox design concepts such as no straight lines. In addition to the beautiful, grounds, the fun atmosphere and the charming hostesses, the wine was excellent! 4 stars for the architecture designed by Hundertwasser - colorful and whimsical. Lots of fine details - the wonderful wood floor in the tasting room and by all means do not miss the bathroom with a great tiled shower and tile framed mirror, even the loading dock is artful. This is a must see place. Make an appointment and don't forget your camera.
Segway Napa We started tour off around the graveyard/Veterans area in Yountville. Gale the tour operator gives you lots of history about the area, wineries, etc...A great way to learn about the area and the rich history of the region. Next we glided down various back roads in the beautiful countryside surrounding Yountville. Gale gave us more wonderful historical tidbits and was quite knowledgeable about local plants, trees, wineries, etc. Then we hit Goosecross Cellars for a very relaxed winetasting and were treated to some fantastic wines. We ended up buying three different bottles and had lots of room to carry them back with us in the pack-sacks that are attached to the Segway's. The people at Goosecross were great and I will write up a separate review for them. After the tasting we sat out back next to the vineyards drinking wine and eating some great cheese and crackers that gale brought with her - lots of great conversation about the region and her time working at various wineries.
The tasting room is beautiful, especially the natural stone bar in the room furthest from the entrance. The gardens are also worth the visit, with human-high flowers and an eclectic collection of sculptures. Oh yeah, and one of the guys in the tasting room yodels - definitely a forgotten art.
Cornerstone/Stepping Stone didn't disappoint and ended up with a fantastic wine tasting experience from start to finish. Its small, but tasteful wine room makes you feel as if you are being welcomed to the vinter's home. Its cozy tables and bar tables offer some fantastic pours with a plethora of wines whether it is syrah, sauvignon blanc, or syrah. However, it is their cabernet that truly shines. Yet everyone's taste is different and while your experience might be different, I certainly think it is worth the experience. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful. They aren't pushy, however they explain the nuances between each wine they have crafted and what sets it apart from other wineries in the area. Prices are rather reasonable with a its higher price Cornerstone wines and its "price friendly" Stepping Stone series. Certainly a great wine room when you are on a tour of Napa!
The cave's ambiance is really neat... it's fun to explore the vineyard above the cave before or after your tasting and see where some of the grapes are grown and if you're an adventurous type, it's fun to take pictures by the giant Grape crusher statue on top of the vineyard. This is truly Napa's hidden gem! It's located at the Meritage Resort at the south end of Napa, and the tasting room is in a cave UNDER THE GRAPES. It's such a unique place to visit in Napa. The wines are excellent. The Mysterium is one of my favorite reds, and I love the Sauvingnon Blanc. The chardonnay is also very nice. The service in the wine cave is impeccable, and the employees are really knowledgable about the wine. They will also stay and have a friendly conversation with you if it's not too busy.
Arns Winery is definite Must Try and Buy wine and winery stop while in the Saint Helena area of Napa Valley, CA. I arrived at the winery and was met by John, Sandi, and Kathi as well as their lovable yellow lab. I tried their 2008 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, and their 2008 Syrah (Melanson Vineyard). The Cab is full-bodied, with luscious chocolate and black cherry, a tiny bit of pepper, and has one of the most lingering, long-lasting finishes I can remember.
corks and wne glass - Pixabay
Louis M. Martini is one of the old wineries known for their Cabernets. They have a nice patio area where you can bring a picnic while doing your wine tasting. When we walked in the tasting room, we walked up to the counter and selected the $15 tasting of three cabernets. We were give the first pour at the counter and were told we could go into large patio area and sit at one of the tables where our tasting could continue. Meanwhile, we setup our picnic and enjoyed our tastings with our picnic. The sever was very informative and came back with the next pour on our tasting menu when we were ready. The pours were generous and we were also given pours of the Meritage and Monte Rosso in the $20 tasting menu as well. It great place to bring a picnic to have your wine tasting in their nice patio area. Would definitely recommend.
