Napa

Napa

La Jota Vineyard Co

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La Jota wines are handcrafted at their original 1898 fieldstone winery and hillside cave. From the low yielding vines of 28 mountain acres, La Jota produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and our crown jewel, the annual Heritage Release Cabernet Sauvignon. La Jota Vineyard was made world-famous by W.S. Keyes who founded this Howell Mountain region in the 1890s and pronounced it as the ideal source for bold, full-bodied and long aging wines. The volcanic soils of La Jota, high attitude and elevation a well as the cooler climate of this unique vineyard site has continued to yield wines of great fruit intensity, structure and aging potential. La Jota Vineyard Company continues to craft Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlots from Howell Mountain that are exceptionally bold, long-aging and full-bodied wines.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

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Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars offers unparalleled hospitality. Secure a reservation to discover iconic Napa Valley wines, refined food and wine pairing experiences, and stunning views of the famous FAY and S.L.V. vineyards set against the backdrop of the Stags Leap Palisades.

Storybook Mountain Vineyards

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Storybook Mountain was originally founded by Jacob Grim, as a reference to the Grimm fairy tales. Finding the black wrought iron gate and stepping into this winery on a misty, gray day was very akin to what I can only imagine as stepping into a fairy tale. But a fairy tale finishing with the aroma of a 97 point Zin type of ending, not a Grimm ending. Storybook Mountain's sought-after estate wines are carefully hand-crafted from choice grapes grown in certified organic estate vineyards surrounding the winery. A winery out in the thick of a California redwood forest, and also the makers of the world's first 97pt Zin. If you suspect that this means they are serious wine makers, you're absolutely right. Storybook has a rich history and blue collar vibe. It's totally worth going!

Opus One Winery

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Beautiful property with elegant tasting rooms and a lovely upper balcony for you to enjoy your "tasting" on. They don't do the typical 1oz tasting that most wineries offer. Opus One's tastings are full glasses of their two wines being offered that season. Opus One, unlike many other wineries, offers intimiate tours just to your group. There's no feeling of being herded along with 15 other strangers, straining to hear what the winemaker or guide is trying to say. Caleb, our guide, was perfect. He spent just the right amount of time on relevant topics and in each area of the winery. We saw the barrel room, the vines, all the sorting processes, the vats, the winemaking room, even some executive offices! This was service at its best. We were given the Overture (2009, I think), Opus One 2009, and Opus One 2006 to taste throughout our two-hour tour. I wouldn't recommend this winery if you are with 15 friends on a party bus, looking to get drunk. Or if you're just looking to "check out" Napa for the first time. Or if you couldn't tell the difference between red wine or white wine with red food coloring . The money and the prestige are not worth it. It's a special treat to learn and experience Opus On

Titus Vineyards

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f you can get an appointment here, I highly suggest doing it. A lot of the valley wineries are commercial and push sales and have tons of tourists - not here! This is a laid back, family owner, quality one on one experience. We arrived and were the only ones there and were greeted by our tour guide and his dog 29 (aptly named after the highway that runs through Napa). We sat on a bench outside the old house that serves as their headquarters and enjoyed many of their wines and their homegrown olive oil. A small family winery on the Silverado Trail. Just love their reds. Great Deal ! ! Wines are underpriced at least 30%, and no charge for tasting. You need to call for an appointment and it is a little hard to find but worth it.

Amizetta Vineyards

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Amizetta Vineyards is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Napa. Located on Howell Mountain in St. Helena, this is unlike any winery in the area. With its terraced vineyards growing on huge rolling hills, this is a hidden gem. This wine is serious, and the mountainous terrain really imparts great characteristics to their juice. With a view of Napa Valley below and Lake Hennessy, you couldn't ask for more.Amizetta is off the beaten path, but worth the effort. The Clark family was very hospitable and clearly proud of their vineyard. The wine is very good; the tour, very interesting; the scenery, beautiful. Make an appointment and see this small production winery. From expert to amateur wine-taster, you will learn something.

Chappellet Winery

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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.

Cockerel Family Wine Estates

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It began as a dream to produce a superb Sauvignon Blanc in the Napa Valley modeled on the best traditions of the incredible Bordeaux blancs of France. In 2005 we were fortunate to locate a beautiful estate vineyard in Calistoga which was planted over 50 years ago on St. George rootstock. Back dropped by the Palisades, the old vines thrive in this dry-farmed vineyard which has deep soil that is well suited to growing Sauvignon Blanc. The result -- our first estate grown wine Terroir Coquerel, followed by Le Petit Coquerel, and in 2008 Cockerel Family estate grown late harvest Sauvignon Blanc, La Douce Revanche. Each wine is distinctive and delicious, reflecting individually the terroir of their original Calistoga vineyard and of the elegant flavors unique to Sauvignon Blanc.

The Cockerel Family's vineyards and winemaking operations are centered around their estate vineyard, "Walnut Wash," located in the afternoon shadows of the Mayacamas Mountains at the northern end of Napa Valley, within the Calistoga AVA. This site benefits from a warm and protected environment, with a mix of deep clay and stony soils. The vineyard currently encompasses seven acres planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho, Petite Sirah, and Tempranillo. In 2014, four additional acres were planted with Cabernet Sauvignon. Under the stewardship of winemaker Christine Barbe, the vineyard is meticulously managed to achieve low yields and high quality, resulting in exceptional fruit each vintage due to the unique conditions and favorable terroir.

In the realm of winemaking, Christine Barbe has significantly influenced the quality and style of Coquerel wines. Each bottling is crafted by hand in small lots to ensure character and authenticity. The white wines are noted for their brightness, crispness, elegance, and structure, while the reds are characterized by their intensity, aroma, harmony, and lushness. Complexity, concentration, balance, and minerality are the defining features of their wines.

Broman Cellars

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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.

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