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.
Livingston Moffett Wines is located in the heart of the Howell Mountain Appellation. This family-run winery uses a hands on approach to farming, winemaking, and sales to produce finely crafted wines. Trent Moffett is a second-generation vintner and carefully selects grapes from vineyards around the Napa Valley as well as from his family’s vineyard to make top-notch wine.
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.
David and Katharine DeSante are truly a wonderful winemaking team. Nothing was ever left to chance with David. He carefully planned and executed every detail of the winemaking process. It was immediately evident when talking with David that he not only had the knowledge and experience to make great wine, but also listened and respected the needs and realities of the vineyard. Katharine works with David in the winery, but also manages the business end of wine.
Waugh Cellars, Ryan Waugh founded this winery in 2001 at the young age of 25. Many 25 year olds are still trying to figure out what to do with their careers. At the time of our visit Ryan is project manager for his own 22,000 square foot completely underground-contained cave winery (including the crush pad) 900 feet above the valley floor in the famed Stag's Leap District. Ryan is one of the new generation of Napa winemakers - young, lots of enthusiasm, with initiative, International wine experience and an unbridled passion for working with vineyards. He was bitten with the wine bug while studying to be a Doctor at Santa Clara University.
Eagle Eye is a family-owned estate winery situated in the small valley of Gordon Valley, renowned as "The Hidden Gem" of Napa Valley. Owners Bill and Roxanne Wolf, driven by their passion for food and wine, have revitalized this historic property, which dates back to the early 1900s.
The estate benefits from five distinct soil types and a Mediterranean climate, which together define the unique terroir of Eagle Eye's wines. The winery's offerings include Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot Rosé, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Proprietary Red Blend, all crafted to complement a wide array of foods and palates. Surrounding the 13-acre vineyard, known as AlphaWOLF Ranch, are 300 Tuscan varietal olive trees. These trees produce the acclaimed AlphaWOLF Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which has garnered multiple Gold Medal Awards.
Mount Eden Vineyards is a historic wine estate situated at an elevation of 2,000 feet, overlooking Silicon Valley in the Santa Cruz Mountain Appellation, about 50 miles south of San Francisco. Established in 1945, it stands as one of California's original "boutique" winery properties, dedicated to producing small lots of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate's lineage of estate-bottled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is the longest in California.
The vineyards, planted in the austere, infertile Franciscan shale on a cool, exposed mountaintop, yield low but consistently high-quality crops that have produced world-class wines for over half a century. In 2007, Mount Eden expanded its holdings by acquiring a 55-acre wine estate in the Saratoga foothills, which was named Domaine Eden.
In addition to its estate wines, Mount Eden Vineyards also crafts non-estate Chardonnays from California's central coast, with a focus on the Edna Valley. They have achieved notable success with Chardonnay from the Wolff Vineyard, consistently earning recognition for producing exceptional wines from this region.
Punk Dog Wines represents an adventurous approach to winemaking. The goal is to craft wines with immense character, bold flavors, and unconventional blends. Fully embodying a Californian spirit, Punk Dog Wines refuses to be constrained by traditional blends or preconceived notions.
The name "Punk Dog" is inspired by Sophie, a small dog with a larger-than-life personality. Mischievous and strong-willed, Sophie is known for her playful antics, like running around with a stolen sock and rewarding her pursuers with enthusiastic kisses.
When establishing the winery, the founders questioned the necessity of using grapes from the same region or adhering to conventional blending practices. They explored the effects of combining varietals that might not traditionally be paired and blending grapes harvested at varying ripeness levels.
The philosophy behind Punk Dog Wines was influenced by a cellar master’s advice during the founder’s first vintage. After enduring long days of labor, the cellar master remarked in his Bulgarian accent, “Eric, smile! You’re making wine!” This perspective of taking winemaking seriously while maintaining a sense of fun has become central to their approach.
Sophie, with her bold and adventurous nature, is the perfect mascot for the winery. Reflecting the same spirited attitude and sense of adventure, the team’s goal is to create outstanding wines while enjoying the process. With the work done and the “cows home,” the invitation is simple: relax, enjoy the wine, and share in the fun.
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.
This hidden gem of a winery boasts a no-frills approach to great wine. Their taste is a bit different -- fruity & light merlots, light cabs, amazing port. The true gem here is Petra. She's a great conversationist and has remembered me and my friends every time we come. This one is WAY out of the way, but a completely unique experience in Napa. The basic tasting was free, and the reserve tasting was $15. The wine was pretty good and the bocce court outside was a nice distraction. The place is like a deserted farm with dogs wandering around and unfinished road through the vineyard. It is NOT fancy, but it is often deserted and gives you the feel that you are in your own country vineyard.
