Hunnicutt is a family-owned winery in Napa Valley that specializes in producing small lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Chardonnay. Established in 2002 by Justin Hunnicutt Stephens, the winery reflects his extensive experience in the wine industry, which he gained through part-time jobs in his youth as well as various roles in wine production, sales, and management early in his career. Situated on a hillside in the foothills of Napa’s eastern Vaca Range, Hunnicutt boasts an 18,000-foot network of caves carved into volcanic tuff. The winery's wines are crafted by Kirk Venge, a respected winemaker and close friend of Justin, and are sourced from distinctive estate vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma County.

The origins of Envy Wines trace back to the mid-1980s, with the construction of the historic Carter House Victorian. As the small bed and breakfast attracted a growing number of guests from cities across the West Coast, the addition of the Hotel Carter and the highly regarded Restaurant 301 became necessary to accommodate the demand. To enhance the dining experience, Mark Carter began assembling what would become a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine list. His curation included some of the world's finest wines, from first-growth Bordeaux to top Napa Cabernet and lesser-known gems, making the list truly exceptional. The restaurant's acclaim and its impressive wine list allowed Mark to host winemaker dinners featuring prominent figures such as Dan Duckhorn and Nils Venge.

During these events, Mark and Nils developed a close friendship, united by their deep passion for exceptional wines. Mark's ambition to create his own wine label, Carter Cellars, aimed to produce the best Napa Cabernet possible. Nils Venge, renowned for earning the first “perfect score” on a domestic wine from Robert M. Parker Jr. in 1985 while at Groth, was seen as the ideal partner for this pursuit of excellence.

In 2006, Mark and Nils found a permanent home for Carter Cellars and established Envy Winery on Tubbs Lane in Calistoga. The 17-acre property focuses on estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Over the years, Envy Wines has grown steadily and now produces nearly 2,500 cases annually, utilizing grapes from their estate vineyard as well as select vineyards throughout Napa Valley.

Like many of the smaller Napa vineyards, this one had a distinct personality. From the beautifully appointed tasting and event rooms to the hip staff and owner to the funny little chihuahua statue (I'll let you find him) the message was clear: we're serious and knowlegable about good wine but we also know how to laugh. Very different from some of the huge vineyards which can be awfully serious. Definitely make this stop when checking out Calistoga. The 2010 Calistoga Estate Cabernet Sauvignon at $48. This is 100% Cab. An appealing bright purplish in color, it had a very nice aroma of black cherry, smoke and vanilla. Smooth and fresh on the palate, it was mostly black cherry with some vanilla. The finish was quite long with cherry, lingering tannins and spice.

When William and Jane Ballentine bought a nineteenth century ghost winery in St. Helena in 1999, little did they know it would take them three years to acquire a permit to open its doors which had been shuttered since Prohibition. The reason: county laws prohibited restoration of abandoned wineries with less than ten acres and the young couple only owned five. After several years working with the county, the Ballentines received a special historic winery ordinance that allowed them to reopen the 1873 winery.

he winery sits ontop of a hill, right at the napa/sonoma carneros region border. The building, architecture, and scenery are simply breathetaking. If you arive early enough in the morning, you can take a tour, where they walk you around the production facility downstairs. The wines are pretty pricey, but they are pretty darn good. A lot of the wines are estate grown pinots and chards, but they do source some amazing Cabs from upper valley. They are a very busy winery, but they are very attentive to each customer.

Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery