Modus Operandi Cellars puts out some truly fantastic wines and Jason is the perfect host for the tasting experience. We found him years ago almost at random, joined the club, and haven't looked back since. Both Jason's whites and reds are something special and still rank among my favorites of all time.
PALMERI wines are created by Kerry and Daisy Damskey with wisdom and passion as an expression of their dedication to what they love. Partnering with such renown grape growers as Jan Krupp of Stagecoach Vineyards in Napa and Denny Van Ness of Van Ness Vineyards in Geyserville, PALMERI is ensured the choicest selection of fruit with which to begin Kerry's special alchemy.
Kevin Carriker, together with long-time friend and winemaker, Mark Herold, makes a knock-out Cab which mostly comes from Coombsville, the coolest micro-climate in Napa, and since inception has remained fantastic and nearly impossible to acquire. As an answer to demand that surpasses all production, and to produce an approachable wine at a more achievable price point, they create a red wine blend called Window Pane.
The Trinity Oaks winemaking team pays close attention to developing California's top vineyards with a focus on coastal climates proven to produce superior, expressive fruit.
At Covenant, we believe fine wine creates a special bond between people who love wine and share a respect for tradition. That’s what brought vintner Leslie Rudd and winemaker/writer Jeff Morgan together to craft what Robert Parker has called “the greatest kosher wine on Planet Earth.”
A very friendly small winery with it's focus on Pinot Noir. I first experienced La Rochelle's wines back in 2010 or 2011. I was inspired that day at a tasting to start my blog www.california-wine-trails starting with the tasting notes on a napkin that same day. It has been sometime since I last visited but if you enjoy Pinot Noirs this is certainly one winery to experience just how versatile this grape is and the different ways it can end up in the glass. Yes, I had a couple of favorites, but it was the best tasting of that day. While they do their best to accommodate walk-ins, they encourage setting an appointment so you have the time and attention to enjoying these wonderful wines.
Jacalyn and Allen Spence of Spence Vineyards didn’t originally set out to make wine. They were a South Bay couple that often came up to Napa Valley for weekends to relax, eventually buying a beautiful property high atop Howell Mountain in 1996. One day in 1998, at a charity auction for the Howell Mountain Elementary School, they won a winemaking kit that contained everything they needed to make 25 cases of wine. That might be enough for any couple to get hooked on winemaking but it just so happened that their neighbor on Howell Mountain was Randy Dunn – an iconic winemaker in the Napa Valley – who helped them make their first wines.
What makes Bravante so unique is the personalization that is provided with a boutique winery that you rarely get in Napa these days. Dave who provides some of the best wine tours and experiences you can find all over Napa understands that good wineries isn't just about branding and ratings but the experience and personalization that is attached to every unique visit and taste of each individual bottle of wine.
The best part about the tasting room is the staff. I enjoyed someone taking the time to talk to me about what I was drinking. Also, there is an adorable outside patio where you can sit and sip your wine. Plenty of buttery breadsticks and fresh water refreshed our palates between sips. Such an experience helped us to trust our own responses to the wine. Bryanna allowed us to explore the wines without overloading us with facts about the grapes or winemaking process. She responded to our questions with sensitivity and no hint of arrogance. All of us came away from the experience with a heightened awareness of the care with which Elizabeth Spencer wines are sourced and crafted. The reds we tasted were distinctively delicious, each proudly representing its appellation and the winemaker's skill.
Fantesca Estate & Winery is rich with history, having originally been in the dowry of Caroline Bale when she married Charles Krug in 1860. Even then, the property was recognized as prime mountain vineyard land and the perfect place for a Spring Mountain winery. A wonderful winery. The views are wonderful and the wine is spectacular. The owners are fantastic folks and the entire staff makes you feel like family.
