Napa

Napa

Romeo Vineyard and Cellars

In downtown Calistoga this tasting room was very charming and inviting. The manager and tasting guide, Brandon, were very helpful and welcoming, we really felt at home. Great ambiance, exquisite Sempre Vive wines, cheese and charcuterie.
Romeo Vineyards produces elegant awines from vines forty-two years old which reside south of a nine acre reservoir in Calistoga, California. The vineyard lies sandwiched between two forested knolls, leading to the geographical conditions that create hot days and cool nights and an extremely long hang time in our Calistoga vineyard. This allows their grapes to develop full flavors, deep color and intense complexity.

De Sante Wines

David and Katharine DeSante are truly a wonderful winemaking team. Nothing was ever left to chance with David. He carefully planned and executed every detail of the winemaking process. It was immediately evident when talking with David that he not only had the knowledge and experience to make great wine, but also listened and respected the needs and realities of the vineyard. Katharine works with David in the winery, but also manages the business end of wine.

Cockerel Family Wine Estates

It began as a dream to produce a superb Sauvignon Blanc in the Napa Valley modeled on the best traditions of the incredible Bordeaux blancs of France. In 2005 we were fortunate to locate a beautiful estate vineyard in Calistoga which was planted over 50 years ago on St. George rootstock. Back dropped by the Palisades, the old vines thrive in this dry-farmed vineyard which has deep soil that is well suited to growing Sauvignon Blanc.

The result -- our first estate grown wine Terroir Coquerel, followed by Le Petit Coquerel, and in 2008 Cockerel Family estate grown late harvest Sauvignon Blanc, La Douce Revanche. Each wine is distinctive and delicious, reflecting individually the terroir of their original Calistoga vineyard and of the elegant flavors unique to Sauvignon Blanc.

Robert Foley Vineyards

n 1998 Robert Foley Vineyards bottled its flagship Claret, a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend, and has since expanded and diversified its production to offer more of the big reds Bob is famous for: Petite Sirah, Merlot, Charbono, the limited-release Howell Mountain Cabernet, and Bob's latest creation, The Griffin a blend of the best in the red cellar).

Bob's winery facility on the summit of Napa County's Howell Mountain near Angwin, houses more than 1,000 barrels in an extensive cave system that was completed in 2008 for the production of wines for the Robert Foley Vineyards label as well as Switchback Ridge, Dos Lagos Vineyards, and Engel Family wines.

The winery is a small production facility without visitor facilities, and is not open to the public.

Retro Cellars

When Mike and Kara Dunn decided to make a wine of their own, they knew that they wanted to honor the history of the vineyard as well as the efforts of those that made the opportunity possible.

The historic Park Muscatine vineyard on Howell Mountain was chosen in part because Mike has known this vineyard since his childhood, pruning the vineyard in winter, and harvesting the fruit in the fall. And with its scant ton per acre production, this vineyard is a gem.

Jax Vineyards

Marjorie was an excellent host, and she made us feel so welcome like we were visiting a friend's house.The house and the vineyard were beauiful (just like visiting Southern France). Not to mention all of their wines are great. The private tasting with the cheese pairings were exceptional. Truly a hidden gem, you won't be disappointed! A word of warning is that you'll probably end up joining their wine club or carting back a whole bunch of wine :)

Tor Kenward Family Wines

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.

The Terraces

This little hidden gem is very easy to miss while whizzing past on Silverado Trail. But don't overlook this one. You won't be disappointed. Some of the best zinfandel and very good cabernet sauvignon. It is a great value wine that will hold its own against some higher priced wines. This is a very small winery with limited production and only offers a few wines. You won't find this in too many stores so you will need to make a trip out there of go on-line. If you call in advance you can get a quick tour around the winery via golf-cart.

Chase Family Cellars

Excellent Zinfandel and equally excellent Zinfandel Port. I believe they also make a Zin chocolate sauce for those of you with a sweet tooth. Now they're a bit off the beaten path but completely worth visiting. It's rare that you get the combination of excellent people and wine like this while also avoiding the tourist crush that is much of Napa. I highly recommend calling them up and experiencing it yourself. I know I'll be back the next time I'm headed that way.

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