Enjoyed the tour, which walked you thru different tasting stations...two outside and three inside the cellar. Our host Brian, or the Brain as he is known iduring his tours was very easy going and taught us all about the wines development. You'll get to keep your glass at the end if you'd like to, so great extra addition to the tasting.
Tucked away past a lush garden, and through the barrel cellar, the Prager tasting room is like a secret hideaway - rustic and casual - and unlike any tasting room in the Napa Valley. Currency from around the world covers the walls and ceilings.
Delicious wine and sparkling views of Napa. I know there are tons of quality wineries around that have similar offerings, but Rombauer is definitely one worth visiting. Gorgeous garden space with some cute little trails to walk along while you enjoy your wine and soak up the Napa Valley air.
I prefer to go in Fall or early Spring or during the week. The servers or more relaxed and they seem to have a better time introducing you to their wines and letting you know more of the wine history. You get to sample 5 of their wines including their AMAZING chardonnay and Fiddletown Zin. These are the bottles we always end up with and they are usually priced pretty similar to what you would find in a big store (BevMo, Total Wine, etc.). Most of their pricier zins like the Fiddletown aren't sold in stores however. They give you the wine glasses as part of the tasting as well.
We stopped by Stonehedge at the end of our day. Lois (aka "Red") was AWESOME. We walked in, asking her if it would be OK if our dog came in. We had a great conversation with her and another couple who brought cheese to pair with the wine, while our dog sniffed around, living it up as each person he approached gave him praised and lots of love.
This small family winery is spectacular! The love and care that goes into producing a bottle of pinot is a testament to the pride that the owners have for this vineyard which has been in the family since 1938.
Bravo!!Their vineyard is in Rutherford and they only make two wines, a Pinot Noir (yes a Pinot Noir) and a Chardonnay. These are both serious, and not inexpensive wines. That said, they are elegant, have wonderful cherry and raspberry flavors and will reward cellaring. I am a big Russian River Pinot fan, but these are very nice wines. Worth seeking out. Can't wait to sip again!
Culler Wines was started in 1997 by Karen Culler, and remains a one person operation to this day. Karen produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from outstanding vineyards throughout Napa and Sonoma, and bottles the wines under the Culler and Casaeda labels. All the vineyards are handpicked and tended to showcase the microclimate of the area and to produce beautiful wines of balance, longevity and power. Culler Wines are small production wines and Karen spends her "free time" also making great wines for Ladera, Wolf Family Vineyards, Renteria, Rivera Vineyards, Probst and Gianonne Vineyards.
When William and Jane Ballentine bought a nineteenth century ghost winery in St. Helena in 1999, little did they know it would take them three years to acquire a permit to open its doors which had been shuttered since Prohibition. The reason: county laws prohibited restoration of abandoned wineries with less than ten acres and the young couple only owned five. After several years working with the county, the Ballentines received a special historic winery ordinance that allowed them to reopen the 1873 winery.
They offer both a bar-tasting with no reservation needed, or a reservation-only ($30) educational sit-down tasting in a private room with 6-10 individuals. As far as wines go I have never had a bad wine at Caymus' tasting room. The Wagner family has created some wonderful wines. Although the tasting room is quite small the wines are wonderful as well as the staff.
The mountain series from Atlas Peak explores the diversity of the Napa Valley region at an entirely different level. Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its lush, full-bodied character with big, bold tannins, and deep, concentrated color.
Pavilion wines are available in fine wine shops and restaurants in most states. If you would like to find a local retailer that carries Pavilion wine you can find more about distribution via their website.
