I generally prefer the Chardonnay production of the French in Burgundy but Kongsgaard is legendary in here for a reason. It bridges the styles of your American oak-ey/buttery styles with the mineral, citrus and complexities. One of the best California Chards. Kongsgaard Wine is closed to the public and sold to members only and in some fine dinning establishments.
Surh Cellars, a producer of premium hand-crafted wines, has been rooted in Napa Valley since 1999. The winery specializes in crafting small batches of age-worthy wines sourced from distinguished vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, and beyond. Their wines are made with minimal intervention and without compromise.
Surh Cellars aims to create balanced yet concentrated wines that capture the fruit and character of each vintage and region. From the full-bodied, intense Cabernet Sauvignon to the softer Bordeaux blend Mosaique and versatile Pinot Noirs, their wines are designed to complement food and be enjoyed frequently with loved ones. With production limited to only a few hundred cases per batch, Surh Cellars' wines are truly handcrafted, reflecting the passion behind each bottle.
The wines of Surh Cellars are the result of an ongoing evolution. Since 1992, they have witnessed the industry's transformation, shaped by factors like Mother Nature, consumer preferences, critics, and technological advancements. This journey has been one of constant learning. As climate change has altered the suitability of various regions for fruit growing, Surh Cellars has adapted, focusing on coastal areas as inland regions have become less hospitable. Over the years, they have produced a wide range of varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Chardonnay.
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.
Pavi Wines - you can drink (not visit) - have some wonderful Italian varieties...almost the only people in Napa who do. You'll find their wines on a lot of restaurant lists...it's great quality at good prices. I especially love the Pinot Grigio ... way better than the average "nothing there" pinot grigio, very refreshing on a hot afternoon. They sell it by the glass at Calistoga Inn - I'd say it's best on the deck there! You can also find it in St. Helena at Tra Vigne, Farmstead; in Calistoga at Brannan's; and in Rutherford at Rutherford Grill. You can also enjoy a glass at: Napa Wine Company Tasting Room “Cult Wine Central” 7830-40 St. Helena Hwy Oakville, CA 94562
YES, as good as it gets. This is where culture, style, design, money and dedication to wine come together and make an oasis for enjoying wine. The cave is meticulously clean, deeply detailed in design and artwork. What a great way to relax before the tour & tasting begin. The staff is extremely friendly & knowledgable about wine. Some great reds!
Vinum Cellars, established in 1997 by first-generation California winemakers Richard Bruno and Chris Condos, was born from a dream financed on credit cards in Napa Valley. From the beginning, their mission has been to explore California's coastal vineyards and unique microclimates, seeking out the finest vineyards cultivated by the state's top growers. These long-time partners, mindful of their modest beginnings, ensure that every wine they produce offers an exceptional quality-to-price ratio. Each wine is meticulously handcrafted from single vineyards, adhering to a small-lot philosophy. From Coastal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Vinum Cellars produces varietal wines sourced from single vineyards and appellations across California.
As an environmentally conscious winery, Vinum Cellars collaborates exclusively with sustainable growers to create eco-friendly products. Their packaging choices are deliberately made to reduce their carbon footprint, incorporating domestically produced lightweight Eco-Series glass and labels and cartons printed with non-toxic, water-based inks. Additionally, all packaging suppliers recycle 100% of the waste generated during the manufacturing process.
Wine is a magnificent creation formed by the union of natue with cultue. To sybolize this idea Mark McCoy and Bobby Moy include a stylized key, the symbol for Chiron to represent the "I" in Chiron. In January of 2020 Chieron wines became a winery partner with The Studio at Feast It Forward. 1031 McKinstry Street in downtown Napa. You can do a walk-in or call ahead for a private tasting.
The mountain series from Atlas Peak explores the diversity of the Napa Valley region at an entirely different level. Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its lush, full-bodied character with big, bold tannins, and deep, concentrated color.
What a hidden gem! They only make four types of wine: sauvignon blanc, rosé, cabernet sauvignon, and a blend. Normally after you wine taste, you would just buy your favorite wines and leave the winery, right? Well, Doug, the vintner and now tour guide, then took us for a tour outside the wine cave and showed us the estate's 200+ year old rose, the extensive car collection residing in a renovated barn, and the fully restored functioning green house.
The wines of Boeschen Vineyards celebrate the land and traditions of Napa Valley. On an estate founded in 1880, our family farms the 11-acre vineyard and crafts the wine from barrel to bottle. Experience a taste of how Napa used to be – and still is at Boeschen Vineyards.
Behrens Family Winery is a boutique winery in the truest sense. Owned by Les Behrens and Lisa Drinkward, who’ve made wine under the Behrens & Hitchcock label since 1993, Behrens Family Winery produces small lots of six or seven wines a year at its winery perched high on top of Spring Mountain in Napa Valley. Each wine is a low tech labor of love: crushed into one-ton T-bins, punched down by hand, gently transferred to barrel, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. One only has to look at Les and Lisa’s hands during harvest to know their wines are truly “hand-crafted.” The couple also gravitates toward small, interesting and low-yielding vineyard sites, working with growers who they know, like and trust, and who are as obsessive about quality as they are. For Les and Lisa, it’s all about letting the vineyards steal the show, and allowing the wines to speak for themselves.
