Napa

Napa

Elkhorn Peak Cellars

red wine pouring into a wine glass - Pixabay

Elkhorn Peak Cellars is a hidden gem nestled in the southeast hills of Napa Valley. As a family-owned and operated micro-winery, it takes pride in producing exceptional wines in limited quantities while maintaining a laid-back, non-pretentious approach to winemaking.

With an 8-acre vineyard established on a historic homestead, Elkhorn Peak Cellars is the labor of love led by the dynamic father-daughter duo, Ken Nerlove and Elise Nerlove. Since 1983, they have quietly crafted world-class Pinot Noir and other varieties, staying true to their roots and delivering wines that capture the essence of their south Napa Valley site.

With an annual production of less than 1,000 cases, their wines are truly exclusive. They are not found in local restaurants or wine shops; instead, Elkhorn Peak Cellars shares its creations directly with loyal Wine Club members and through their website. The winery values maintaining a personal connection with those who appreciate their handcrafted wines.

Elkhorn Peak Cellars is indeed a great find in Napa, located off the beaten path on Jamison Canyon Road. Visitors are first greeted by the winery’s friendly dogs, Maggie and Monty. Ken Nerlove, who is the owner, grapegrower, farmer, winemaker, and tasting host, manages all aspects of the winery with expertise. The tasting room offers stunning views of the lower Napa Valley and San Pablo Bay.

The winery produces four delicious wines: Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a wonderful dessert wine. Although considered a small wine business, it is well worth a visit. Ken provides informative and helpful tips about wine tasting, and visitors are encouraged to try the Dessert Wine, which is particularly noteworthy.

Elkhorn Peak Cellars is proud to be a Verified Napa Valley Micro-Producer.

Trotter 1/16 Winery

road crossing sign with a picture of cluster of grapes

Trotter 1/16 Winery has some great wines that are very limited. Meet owner and winemaker Stephanie Trotter Zachari. Stephanie's inagural wine release are something to stand up and take notice of even though they were limited to just 36 rows. Trotter 1/16 Winery just earned Double-Golds and earned some bragging rights for her Flying J's and Oak Canon Caberbet Sauvigons both 2016's. Each of the wines earned (93pts and 98pts) respectively.  At this time you can order online or email for more information at info@116wines.com

Hours:

Online purchase or contact

Rutherford Grove Winery - now (Pestoni Family Estate Winery)

glass of wine - Pixabay

Bob and Sylvia Pestoni
In the mid-1990s, Bob and his wife Sylvia were presented with a rare opportunity. A small winery adjacent to their family´s Rutherford property had become available for purchase. Over the years, Bob and Sylvia had always grown grapes on their land, but they had always sold their fruit to other wine producers. They hadn´t been interested in becoming vintners before, but the acquisition of this new property renewed Bob´s admiration for his family´s business – and for his heritage. In 1994, they opened the doors to Rutherford Grove Winery and resumed making the single vineyard, hand-crafted artisanal wines Bob´s father and grandfather had created there for more than a century before him.  In 2017, in celebration of their 125th anniversary of Napa Valley winemaking, the winery was renamed Pestoni Family Estate Winery.

Luna Vineyards

small bites and wine tasting - Pixabay

Gorgeous building, three stories including a tower overlooking the vineyard. Comfortable couches, both inside and out. Nicely decorated. Definitely a winery kind of feel. Since it was stop one, I split the classic tasting with two others. Our server was friendly and super informative, pulling out a map every so often to tell us where the grapes of each wine came from.

Baxter Winery

glasses of wine - Pixabay

In 2002, two generations of our family - both winemakers by trade - came together to create BAXTER, highlighting the very best in North Coast viticulture. Father & son partners, Phil L Baxter and Phil T G Baxter, produce handcrafted single vineyard wines focusing on the Anderson Valley and surrounding Mendocino appellations. Known primarily for their Pinot Noir.

Redmon Family Vineyards

wine and cheese - Pixabay

From the very beginning, Redmon Wines made a steadfast commitment to producing wines of the highest quality, with no shortcuts taken.

Located in St. Helena, CA, Redmon Wines is a family-owned winery with deep roots in the Napa Valley that span nearly 50 years. With over two decades of winemaking expertise, the winery’s small production wines have earned a reputation as some of the finest in the region. Visitors are warmly welcomed to explore the exceptional offerings of Redmon Wines.

The winery's small scale enables them to form genuine connections with their customers. They take great pleasure in sharing their story with newcomers and learning about the experiences that led them to Redmon Wines. Together, they build lasting friendships and expand the Redmon wine family.

Redmon Wines’ approach to winemaking involves French oak barrels, premier vineyards, and meticulous practices, ensuring that every bottle is a truly handcrafted product. Lisa Redmon, the driving force behind Redmon Wines, is originally from the close-knit community of Saint Helena, California, and her journey in the wine industry is deeply rooted in her upbringing.

In the early 1970s, Lisa’s family moved to Saint Helena and purchased the local A&W Restaurant, which they operated for 35 years. Growing up in this hardworking environment, Lisa Redmon developed a strong work ethic and dedication from an early age.

Beringer Vineyards

corks and a wine glass - Pixabay

Beringer Vineyards is a large winery in St. Helena, California. Founded in 1875, Beringer Vineyards is "the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley", and is a California Historical Landmark. There reserve Cab is one of my favorites. The tour is informative and interesting so if its your first time I recommend it. But for regular visitors to Napa then the tastings and select wines are what you'd come here for.

Lewis Cellars

vineyard at sunset - Pixabay

In 1992 Debbie and Randy Lewis established a small family winery in Napa Valley and were later joined by their son Dennis in 1999. Total production is approximately 9,000 cases annually of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Lewis Celllars has no tasting room at this time but you can purchase via their website.

Segway Napa - Tour

people on Segway Tour

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. 

Sterling Vineyards

small bites and wine tasting - Pixabay

The brilliant white stucco stands out dramatically against the rugged Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges that flank each side of Napa Valley. Mount Saint Helena makes a lovely distant backdrop. The tour is self guided so it's at your own pace and the gondola ride is unique for the area. It's also one of only wineries that's on a hill in the middle of Napa Valley so the views are to die for. My only suggestion would be (if you enjoy wine clubs) to join the wine club before you go. You can get on the gondola for free for up to 4 people and the tour is included as well. That pays for one of your months of wine right there. Then, you get access to the VIP tasting room which is fantastic.

Pages

Subscribe to Napa