Napa

Napa

Corison Winery

glass of wine - Pixabay

The Corison Winery, in its timeless Victorian-style barn, is situated in the heart of Cathy's beloved Kronos Vineyard. With eight acres planted exclusively to St. Georges rootstock, Kronos is a historic treasure. As one of the last old Cabernet Vineyards in the Napa Valley, it is one of the few vineyards to have produced world class fruit continuously for more than four decades. Farmed organically and growing on gravelly loam soils, the gnarly old veterans produce scant yields that result in wines of rare concentration and refinement. They are juicy with blackberry and plum fruit and complex with a mineral note and exquisite violet perfume.

Jessup Cellars

wine and cheese

First off, the tasting room is spacious and beautifully illuminated, adorned with paintings and sculptures by local artists. Secondly, all of the staff that greeted us that day were not only accommodating, friendly, knowledgeable, but also very approachable and warm; Dan not only kept us totally entertained and engaged throughout our tasting but was actually able to inform us about the wines in a comprehensible and genuine manner. As a wine enthusiast I really appreciate that the people at Jessup make wine tasting relaxing and approachable. 

Both seasoned wine lovers, and those just learning about wine, are embraced and welcomed at Jessup Cellars.
Located just a block north from the famed The French Laundry in the quaint village of Yountville, our wines are available exclusively through our Tasting Room Gallery and website.

Founded by Dan and Becky Blue, Roy and Cheri Eisiminger, Vance and Jana Thompson, Jim and Kelly Mazzo, Kerry and Cindi Solomon, and Eric and Marleen Donnenfeld, their mission is to create and share life-enriching experiences for their members and guests, while also giving back to the community through the support of the arts.

Terra Valentine

glass of wine - Pixabay

Just ten minutes up from Highway 29 and you have the view - of Napa Valley. Then, if you book a tasting tour, instead of standing at a bar, or a cold cellar, you will be seated in a room streaming with sunshine. From there a generous sampling of their current releases will be poured, alongside a nice place of cheese, nuts and chocolate. Time to consider the tasting...and what you will buy to have at home. I know that one of my Cabernet favorites.

Baxter Winery

glasses of wine - Pixabay

In 2002, two generations of our family - both winemakers by trade - came together to create BAXTER, highlighting the very best in North Coast viticulture. Father & son partners, Phil L Baxter and Phil T G Baxter, produce handcrafted single vineyard wines focusing on the Anderson Valley and surrounding Mendocino appellations. Known primarily for their Pinot Noir.

Waugh Cellars

barrel room - PIxabay

Waugh Cellars, Ryan Waugh founded this winery in 2001 at the young age of 25. Many 25 year olds are still trying to figure out what to do with their careers. At the time of our visit Ryan is project manager for his own 22,000 square foot completely underground-contained cave winery (including the crush pad) 900 feet above the valley floor in the famed Stag's Leap District. Ryan is one of the new generation of Napa winemakers - young, lots of enthusiasm, with initiative, International wine experience and an unbridled passion for working with vineyards. He was bitten with the wine bug while studying to be a Doctor at Santa Clara University.

Quintessa

wine and cheese - Pixabay

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.

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.

Elyse Winery

wine barrels

It was back in 1987 that Ray and Nancy Coursen crushed 4.5 tons of Zinfandel from the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford to craft 286 cases of their first wine. While the portfolio has grown over the last 25 years, the focus remains on creating vineyard driven wines that pair well with food. Total production is currently 10,000 cases and the wines are nationally and internationally distributed.

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.

Grace Family Vineyards

red wine pouring into wine glass - Pixabay

It's too bad they aren't open to the public or have a tasting room. This is about as good as Napa Cabernet gets. Big and Bold as the way Norcal Wine Country should be. It's definitely on the pricey side, but as a person that doesn't usually drink Cabernet by default and usually only if I have food, this was still tremendous standalone. Kudos to our sommelier who was not only highly entertaining, he definitely hit it out of the park as a recommendation. The "Blank Vineyard" cabernet is truly a great wine. I hear that they also make olive oil. Grace Family Vineyards can be reached by fax at: 707-963-5271. Or via email to Marna Farver: beoptimystic2 [at] aol.com Grace Family Vineyards regrets that the winery is not open to the public, nor do they have a tasting room.

Pages

Subscribe to Napa