Napa

Napa

Cimarossa Vineyards

grape clusters - Pixabay

Dino's Italian heritage all but ensured a wine and farming way of life, through it wasn't his only calling, at least initially. Prior to officially getting into the "grape game" in 1997, Dino studied at the University of Genoa where he uncorked a passion for the scientific aspects of medicine, which led him first to Switzerland and then the U.S. for his work with virus and infectious disease. With some "serendipity and luck" (Dino's words) his move to the West Coast coincided with the region's biotechnology boom. Turns out the yeast used in biotechnology is the same type used in wine fermentation. A wine country way of life planted its seeds.

Medicine not only shaped a lifelong career but also fostered a flourishing relationship between Dino and his wife, Corry Dekker. Corry Dekker, who leads vaccine clinical research at Stanford University, specializes in vaccine safety and frequently serves as an advisor to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At Stanford, she oversees vaccine trials and regularly conducts adult lecture series and discussions within her field.

The couple first connected over their shared interest in biotechnologies while working at Chiron, each making significant strides in their respective areas. With a background in pediatrics, Corry has earned the title of "The Queen of Flu Vaccines," as Dino affectionately describes her. She has collaborated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in response to national emergencies and has worked across a range of disease areas, including smallpox, malaria, and the recent H1N1 outbreak. Her team is dedicated to keeping the public informed about disease prevention.

Jean Edwards Cellars

Entrance to Jean Edwards

Karen and John Troisi started Jean Edwards Cellars in 2004 and released their first wine in 2006, which was spectacular. Wine Spectator Magazine named them as one of "20 new cabernet producers to watch that could be the next cult wines". Jean Edwards Cellars is in the good company of well-known producers such as Scarecrow, Kapscandy, Ghost Block, MacAuley, and Oakville East. The fruit for this wine comes from the Stagecoach Vineyard located on Pritchard Hill on the eastern side of the Napa Valley. Their vines (neighboring with Paul Hobbs) have produced a delicious full-bodied, solid and classically styled Napa Cabernet. In the glass deep garnet-purple, with lovely dark cassis, plum, cedar and earth notes, hints of tobacco and vanilla and a delicious hint of dark chocolate on the palate. Aged 24 months in French Oak, the wine is 92% cabernet sauvignon and 8% cabernet franc. Jean Edwards Cellars produces full-bodied and wines yet not at all over the top, this wine has a balance and fineness that so many of the huge framed super expensive Napa Cabs seem to lack. Drinkable now, especially with a decanter, it will continue to gain complexity with additional cellaring for 5-10 years. Production was a mere 250 cases.~

Hours:
Tuesday & Wednesday  - Closed
Thursday - Monday- 11:00 am to 5:00 pm           
 

Richard Partridge Wines

glass of wine - Pixabay

Richard Partridge Wines is a small, family-owned winery located in the Napa Valley, producing approximately 500 cases of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay each year. This limited production and intimate operation preclude mass marketing approaches, but it ensures a compelling story—and fortunately, they have one to tell!

Richard Partridge's journey began far from the vineyards of Napa Valley. Raised on soybean and wheat farms in Indiana, he initially pursued a career as an electrical engineer in Illinois. There, he met his wife, Cris. The couple eventually relocated to Southern California to establish their own company, R.F. Partridge & Associates, Inc., specializing in large electrical generators and backup power solutions for data centers, hospitals, military bases, and other significant facilities. Richard’s expertise in delivering reliable power set the stage for his next venture.

Despite their home in Orange County, Cris and Richard had a deep passion for Napa Valley. They decided to invest in property there, leading to the creation of their winery. A fortuitous introduction to winemaker Bob Egelhoff sparked a fruitful partnership focused on crafting exceptional wine from the Valley's finest grapes. Under Bob’s skilled winemaking, their inaugural 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon earned the second-highest rating for a ’98 Napa Valley Cab from James Laube of Wine Spectator, affirming that Richard had once again delivered exceptional results.

Since 2005, winemaker Jeff Fontanella has overseen the creation of their wines with expert precision. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage marked their first estate wine, and their goal remains to consistently produce a limited quantity of the finest wine from their St. Helena vineyard.

As a boutique winery, Richard Partridge Wines aims to maintain its focus on quality over quantity. By keeping production small, they ensure meticulous attention to every aspect of the winemaking process, from grape cultivation to the final bottle on the shelf.

Schramsberg Vineyards

grape clusters - Pixabay

Visitors are invited to explore one of Schramsberg's two winery locations during their next trip to Napa Valley. At Schramsberg, guests can enjoy tour and tasting experiences or tasting-only experiences, both available by appointment only. At Davies Vineyards, seated tastings are offered exclusively by appointment.

Kelham Vineyards

red wine swirling and dancing in the glass - Pixabay

So, you're in Napa for a long weekend or maybe even a wallet-draining week. There's plenty of choices to feed your wine fix. This charming little vineyard absolutely, positively needs to make your "must visit" list. No tasting room. No walk ins. No boutique to purchase a variety of goods while visiting. You need to call, make an appointment, and then prepare yourself for a truly personal wine experience given where the family that grows it presents their five or six well-done sophisticated wines.

Buoncristiani Family Winery

wine swirling in the glass - Pixabay - saman teher

This is a Famly business run by four Brothers, all native residents of Napa, and all grew up making wine in their garage as kids.... Needless to say they produce some outstanding wine! The brothers take turns conducting private tours at a cave winery in the southeastern hills of the Napa Valley. It's a great tour and a REAL Napa Winemaking experience.

Tor Kenward Family Wines

grape cluster - Pixabay

Tor Kenward Family Wines is a small family owned winery that specializes in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay. Tor Kenward, a Napa Valley vintner for over three decades, is champion of single vineyard wines. "After making wines here for over thirty years I believe the vineyard is the real winemaker. My job is to nurture and stay out of the way of greatness," observes Tor.

School House Vineyard

wine barrels all stacked up - Pixabay

John and Mancy now offer 4 wines: Chardonnay Pinot noir Zinfandel Mescalanza (a blend) Syrah Mescalanza ( a blend ) All 4 are great. You will be tasting at their house, by appointment only. It is a wonderful intimate experience. The Pinot is amazing.

Beaulieu Vineyards

corks and wine glass - Pixabay

The Georges de Latour name has become a wine legacy. When André Tchelistcheff joined Beaulieu Vineyard in 1938, he tasted the de Latour family’s private wine—known as "Private Reserve"—from the 1936 vintage. This Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine was so remarkable that Tchelistcheff insisted it be bottled and sold as the winery’s flagship offering. In 1940, Beaulieu Vineyard released the first vintage of Private Reserve, naming it in honor of the winery’s founder. This marked the debut of Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine destined to become Napa Valley’s first “cult” Cabernet. Over the past 70 years, Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has set the standard for Napa Valley Cabernet and remains one of the most highly collected American wines.

Pages

Subscribe to Napa