The staff was extremely nice and explained the process of making their hard liquor as well as their wine. The wines were tasty and the liquor was fantastic. There was an easy, go with the flow feeling of the tasting and a great welcoming feeling of being among friends.
Nickel & Nickel winery, located in Oakville, Napa Valley, is dedicated exclusively to producing 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard. Established by the partners of Far Niente in 1997, Nickel & Nickel is focused on producing single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the appellation's most significant growing regions. A collection of single-vineyard Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah wine complement the portfolio.
Dyer Vineyard is a small estate vineyard and winery in the Diamond Mountain District of the Napa Valley. The estate produces a limited bottling of Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard is owned and operated by wine industry veterans, Bill and Dawnine Dyer.
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.
PlumpJack Winery's story began in 1992 with the opening of a modest wine store in San Francisco's Cow Hollow/Marina neighborhood, known as PlumpJack Wine & Spirits. Founded by Gavin Newsom, the store was designed to create a welcoming space where people could explore and discover wines in a friendly, approachable setting.
The name "PlumpJack" was inspired by one of Shakespeare's most memorable characters, Sir John "PlumpJack" Falstaff, a fun-loving, irreverent figure known for his unbreakable bond of loyalty with Prince Hal (Henry V), shared over many goblets of wine at the local tavern. Embracing this spirit of camaraderie and enjoyment, Newsom, along with acclaimed composer and philanthropist Gordon Getty, envisioned a winery that would embody the essence of Falstaff's character. This vision came to life when they acquired a historic 42-acre estate in the heart of Napa Valley, an area renowned for producing dynamic, long-lived wines that capture the essence of Oakville, with a history dating back to 1881.
The property had changed hands over the years, eventually being acquired by James and Anne McWilliams in 1974. In 1995, the McWilliams received a proposal to revive winemaking at the historic estate, leading to the creation of PlumpJack Estate Winery. The winery was founded with a commitment to crafting high-quality wines that celebrated the land while remaining approachable.
A pivotal moment in PlumpJack's history came in the 1990s when the wine industry faced the growing problem of cork taint, or trichloroanisole (TCA), which caused undesirable flavors in bottled wines. Unwilling to compromise on quality, Getty and General Manager John Conover took a bold step toward innovation. PlumpJack Estate Winery pioneered the use of alternative closures for luxury wines, introducing screw caps with the flagship 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This move eliminated the risk of TCA while ensuring bottle consistency and longevity. To this day, PlumpJack bottles its Estate and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons 50% under screw cap and 50% under cork as part of a long-term experiment.
In 2012, Winemaker Aaron Miller joined the team, continuing the legacy of producing elegant wines that honor the Oakville Estate Vineyard. Under Miller's leadership, PlumpJack achieved significant milestones, with the 2013, 2015, and 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons earning perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate—a testament to the winery's dedication to quality and approachability.
Surh Cellars, a producer of premium hand-crafted wines, has been rooted in Napa Valley since 1999. The winery specializes in crafting small batches of age-worthy wines sourced from distinguished vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, and beyond. Their wines are made with minimal intervention and without compromise.
Surh Cellars aims to create balanced yet concentrated wines that capture the fruit and character of each vintage and region. From the full-bodied, intense Cabernet Sauvignon to the softer Bordeaux blend Mosaique and versatile Pinot Noirs, their wines are designed to complement food and be enjoyed frequently with loved ones. With production limited to only a few hundred cases per batch, Surh Cellars' wines are truly handcrafted, reflecting the passion behind each bottle.
The wines of Surh Cellars are the result of an ongoing evolution. Since 1992, they have witnessed the industry's transformation, shaped by factors like Mother Nature, consumer preferences, critics, and technological advancements. This journey has been one of constant learning. As climate change has altered the suitability of various regions for fruit growing, Surh Cellars has adapted, focusing on coastal areas as inland regions have become less hospitable. Over the years, they have produced a wide range of varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Chardonnay.
Brandlin has "Two locations" and "Two Experiences" for tasting. The historic tasting room is located at 4550 Silverado Trail just south of Calistoga and is open to the public daily. The Carneros Tasting Room is at 1221 Duhig Road just off Highway 121 and is by appointment only.
Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded the Estate in 1976 and has spent forty uears establishing itself as one of north America's premier producers of Napa Valley wines.
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.
The Snowden family have been growing premium wine grapes since the 1950s, deciding to begin producing wine under our own name in 1993. The family vineyards are located between Rutherford and St. Helena, overlooking the valley floor from the ridge line on the eastern side of the valley.
