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Failla Wines

grape clusters - Pixabay

Although Failla (pronounced FAY-LA) has a relatively brief history, it is marked by complexity. The first vintage release, under the name Failla-Jordan, was in 1998. That year, Failla debuted its Alban Vineyard Viognier from Edna Valley and Que Syrah Syrah from Sonoma Coast, while simultaneously planting the initial blocks at their Estate Vineyard in Cazadero. The first Estate releases would not emerge for several more years.

Ehren Jordan, the founder, has a passion for experimenting with his favorite varietals, exploring their diverse expressions across different climates—cool, cooler, and coolest—as well as varying soil types and rootstocks.

In 1998, Failla acquired a parcel adjacent to an earlier purchase and planted it with five acres of rootstock in 2002, later grafting Pinot Noir clones the following year. Ehren's viticultural training in France profoundly influences his farming and winemaking decisions. Today, Failla’s eleven acres of Estate vineyards produce Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir that embody the essence of California’s coolest regions.

After honing his skills with Pinot Noir from Keefer Ranch Vineyard in the Russian River Valley in 1999, Ehren sought out unique, cool-climate Pinot Noir sources to fuel his ongoing experimentation and passion.

Detert Family Vineyards

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Detert Family Vineyards is a small family-owned winery with a long history of grape growing in Oakville. Since 1953, Detert Family has grown Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon on the Western foothills of Oakville. The first produced our own wine from our vineyard in 2000.

Pina Napa Valley

wine cellar - pixabay

Definitely one of those places we would miss if it wasn't for recommendations from others we meet along the way. We entered the small tasting room and walked up to the tasting counter. There were wine barrels all around and two guys manning the counter. The one who helped us out was very welcoming and gave us some nice history on Pina. They are known/applauded for their cabs.We got to taste about 5 cabs, a port and a late harvest chard.. Wow, what an experience!. Where else can you sample 90+ rated cabs for no extra "reserve" fee? Left with a bottle of the Howell Mountain cab and the intrguing late harvest chard. Wonderful, relaxing experience in a very unpretentious setting.

Far Niente Winery

glass of wine - Pixabay

Great wines. Immaculate grounds. Great wines. Affable, extremely knowledgeable, and unpretentious tour guide. Unbelievably awesome garage housing Rolls Royces, Ferraris, Bentleys, a Shelby Mustang, and a Formula One car.

Dalla Valle Vineyards

wine and cheese - Pixaba

In 1983, Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle began planting vines on the hillside east of Oakville, overlooking Napa Valley. Their vineyards produce excellent quality grapes, resulting wines of great intensity, complexity and balance. Gustav passed away in 1995 and Naoko Dalla Valle continues the legacy of Dalla Valle wines. Dalla Valle Vineyards produces two wines; Maya- Proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Dalla Valle Vineyards wines are on a waiting list.

Frog's Leap Winery

wine corks and wine glass - Pixabay

Located in Rutherford at the heart of Napa Valley, Frog’s Leap was founded by John Williams in 1981 and is renowned for its commitment to farming. The winery has been certified organic since 1989 and has practiced dry farming since its inception. After forty years, the Williams family and their team continue to receive accolades for Frog’s Leap’s signature style: wines characterized by balance, restraint, and a profound respect for the natural expression of the vine. The estate features the historic Red Barn, constructed in 1884, along with certified organic culinary gardens and fruit orchards. Visitors are invited to experience the winery’s rich history, much of which is true, through engaging stories shared by the Wine Specialist team.

Appointments are necessary for all visits, including same-day reservations. Walk-ins are accommodated by making a same-day reservation online or in-person at the host stand.

Levendi Estates Winery

red wine pouring and swirling in the glass - Pixabay

Levendi Estate Winery currently makes their wines at the popular Laird Estate just south of Yountville.Levendi concentrates on 100% varietal wines with the focus being Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon; in addition they typically will not blend multiple varietals into the same wine. They make two Chardonnays - the Red Hen Vineyard from the Wente clone which is known for its very small concentrated fruit and the other from Cold Creek on the Sonoma side of Carneros. Our two favorite wines from Levendi are the Symphonia and Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. Both are elegant wines which come from grapes that are grown in entirely different areas.

Dunn Vineyards

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

In 1978, Randy and Lori acquired a 14-acre parcel in Angwin, which included approximately 5 acres of Cabernet vines. At that time, Randy was employed full-time as a winemaker in Rutherford. During evenings and weekends, Randy, Lori, and their young son Mike cared for the vines. In the same year, Randy also took on the responsibility of farming and purchasing fruit from Harry Frank's adjacent property. The initial harvest from these two vineyards produced 9 tons of fruit. Randy further acquired an additional 3 tons from Beatty Ranch, marking the beginning of Dunn Vineyards.

The pace of development quickly accelerated. Randy, Lori, Mike, and their baby daughter Jennifer moved onto the property that would later become the winery. By 1981, the winery was officially bonded. In 1984, the ATF recognized Howell Mountain as a sub-AVA of Napa Valley. Kristina was born, and Lori was busy managing two young daughters and a teenage son while Randy continued to work in the valley, limiting the family’s involvement in the business to evenings and weekends. Despite these challenges, the business flourished. By 1985, the family moved into a new home, known as the "Brown House," and Randy left his valley job.

By the end of the 1980s, Dunn Vineyards had become a thriving enterprise. Randy was consulting for other wineries and consistently selling out his wine. In 1989, facing a shortage of storage space for barrels, he excavated into the mountain to create additional storage, providing room for more barrels and space for Jenny and Kristina to rollerskate.

In 1999, Mike returned part-time to assist with the business. It took about three years, but he eventually joined full-time. Kristina, having graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in winemaking and viticulture, also joined the team. By 2005, both children were working full-time for Randy, marking a new chapter for the family business.

The elevation of over 1,400 feet offers several advantages, including increased sunshine and more moderate temperatures. However, spring begins later and the area is cooler than the valley floor, with frost posing a risk from bud break through flowering. In 2008, a severe frost with temperatures plummeting to 19 degrees over four days severely impacted half of the crop. Yields average about 2 tons per acre, which is relatively low, but the cool, wet vintages mitigate some of the negative effects typically experienced at lower elevations.

Today, the property is home to approximately 42 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. This size allows for effective management of all farming and winemaking operations directly by the family.

Harlan Estate

glasss of red wine - Pixabay

A California "First Growth" estate featuring two wines, a Bordeaux-style Harlan Estate Proprietary Red Wine, and a second wine, The Maiden. Prepare to pay well for a bottle of the Harlan Estate Proprietary Red Wine. Robert Parker has given the Proprietary Red perfect scores in 1994, 1997, 2001, and 2002.

Girard Winery

wine and cheese - Pixabay

After a day of trekking around Yountville and St Helena I wound up at Girard Winery. Girard stays open till 7, very smart move I must say as they get the overflow of folks looking for a place to continue their wine tasting adventures or a place to grab drinks before heading off to a nice dinner. It's not a showy vineyard or winery so if you are looking for the fluff you will not find it (although it is a nice tasting room). What you will find are some REALLY GREAT WINES.

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