Napa

Napa

Mi Sueno Winery

grape clusters and vineyard - Pixabay

Mi Sueno isn't your typical winery. It's located in an Industrial complex in the South of Napa and your tasting is in the chilled storage area of the warehouse. Despite the unconventional setting, the private tasting that I enjoyed here was extremely well done and informative. Jaime gave us a quick tour of the facility and we settled down at a grand wooden table and the pours began. Jaime is quite the story-teller, weaving together the story of the owner and the winery with the explanation for each of the wines. We tried 11 of their wines that day, with very very generous pours of each. My favorites were their 2009 Cab and the 2011 Valeria, a petit verdot, from their reserve line, Herrera, but I was also fond of the 2009 Chardonnay (not too oaky) and 2009 Pinot Noir. Give them a call or shoot them an email and make sure you stop and visit this place. A "Hidden Gem of Napa Valley"!

Quintessa

wine and cheese - Pixabay

In the heart of Rutherford, Quintessa spans 280 acres and showcases a remarkable diversity of geology, biodiversity, exposures, and microclimates. Founders Agustin and Valeria Huneeus envisioned this unique property as a potential world-class wine estate. Currently, 160 acres are dedicated to the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère across 26 vineyard blocks. Each block is farmed organically and according to Biodynamic® principles, with grapes harvested and vinified separately to highlight the land's distinct characteristics.

Driven by the land’s natural splendor, the Huneeus family has committed to capturing its beauty and harmony in their wines.

Depending on the vintage, Quintessa's offerings may include some or all of the estate's five varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère. The grapes are harvested early in the morning, sorted, and then gravity-fed into oak, stainless steel, or concrete tanks for fermentation. Following fermentation and maceration, each plot’s wine is aged separately for up to two years in French oak barrels. After blending, the final Quintessa wine is bottled and aged for an additional year before release.

Miner Family Vineyards

glass of red wine - Pixabay

Location: A delightful tasting facility perched on the hillside that feels spacious and has a great view. Service: Knowledgeable and friendly staff, although this is hit and miss. The first gentleman who poured for us was very helpful, but then a brusque lady came along and stole our spit bucket that we were using and gave it to the couple she was attending. Wines: We had a $25 flight of 5 wines that came with the flexibility to pick any combination of the wines they were pouring. Miner does not produce estate wines and their grapes are sourced from third party vineyards. It was fun to compare the difference between the two styles of Chardonnay, one of which (2008 Chardonnay, "Wild Yeast") received more oak aging & malolactic fermentation % than the other (2010 Chardonnay, "Napa Valley").

Cuvaison Estate Wines

grape cluster - Pixabay

They have a simple tasting room with seats and tables outside facing the vineyards. If the weather is lovely definitely opt for sitting outside! I came here for a girl's wine tasting day. Our wine guide was nice and friendly, he was nice enough to give us two extra tastings. We sat outside and admired the pretty vineyards wine sipping our wine. We got three tastings and just split among the five of us. My favorite was the chardonnay, nice and light and as our wine guide said "can go with anything." Great winery with nice staff. If you're around this area, definitely stop by.

Brookdale Vineyards

wine and cheese

The name “Brookdale” evokes memories of a horse farm in New Jersey where the Seitz family was raised. This original farm has since transformed into a community college and a state park, yet it still retains the name Brookdale. Additionally, Brookdale Farm can now be found in Kentucky, where another family member established a renowned racehorse breeding farm in 1983. The author also comes from a family that raised horses throughout their childhood and into adulthood. For these reasons, a horse is featured prominently on the Brookdale wine label, connecting the family’s rich history.

David Arthur Vineyards

wine dancing and swirling in the glass - Pixabay

David Arthur is located on the mountain with absolutely breath taking views of the valley floor. On our day it was quite pretty but extremely windy. I enjoyed having a private tour as its more intimate and you really get to know the whole story. We tried 5 different wines finishing with their Elevation. Along the way we were able to do some barrel tastings which was very exciting and interesting to learn about the process David uses. I will surely make a return trip up the hill very soon.

Kongsgaard Wine

red wine splashing in the glass - Pixabay

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.

Truchard Vineyards

glasses and bottle of wine with chateau in the background - Pixabay

Our guide, Aida, was very welcoming, non-pretentious, and warm. She poured generously for our tasting and provided us with detailed history of the vineyard, and the couple that started it all. Still owned by the original family, this winery is beautiful, rustic, and definitely a place to stop by for good wine and some wonderful scenery. Make an appointment even if it's the same day.

Staglin Family Vineyard

wine with chateau in the background - Pixabay

Located in Rutherford, west of Hwy 29 off Bella Oaks Lane. The tour/tasting appointment here will last about 60-90 minutes, depending on the group dynamic. Standard cave tour and sit-down tasting. You pay for what you get - pricer than other wineries, but the wines are excellent, full-bodied and rich. Family owned and run, committed to the environment. Great tasting experience.

Bacio Divino

Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – People enjoying wine on patio

On the sun-soaked, vine-dappled slopes of Napa Valley, overlooking the town of St. Helena, a family took a chance. Driven by an unshakable desire to create something truly their own and to leave a lasting impression, they embarked on a journey to craft a signature wine worthy of their name. It was 1993, and the world of wine shimmered with possibility.

Winemaking is a blend of mystery and mischief, and with this alchemy, they produced not just one but two proprietary blends. The first was Bacio Divino—a “divine kiss” composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced by Sangiovese and, occasionally, other varietals. In 1999, its vivacious younger sibling, Pazzo, made its debut—an exuberant Sangiovese-centric blend enriched by Merlot, Syrah, and a touch of estate Cabernet.

Ever curious, they expanded their vision, venturing into single-varietal wines. This evolution led to the creation of their namesake wines: Janzen (2004), Vagabond (2004), and Lucie (2009).

Now, twenty vintages into their small, family-run venture, they take great pride in each bottle. Every accolade humbles them, yet the drive to single out, blend, taste, and create remains unwavering. Through hard work and dedication, many dreams have been realized. They invite others to discover a favorite among their offerings, with the hope that the enjoyment of each will come effortlessly.

 

Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery

Gallery | Agata Art Gallery

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