Napa

Napa

Robert Keenan Winery

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Keenan is a nice, friendly, down-to-earth tasting. It was interesting to taste and informative about the vineyards and region, which was particularly useful to put their wines in perspective of the valley. 

Keenan's Summer Blend is a white wine crafted primarily from Chardonnay, with a portion of an aromatic white varietal added to enhance its fruity character. The aromatic varietal in the blend accentuates the wine's nose, while the Chardonnay provides structure and additional aromatic complexity. The lighter body of this blend inspired the name "Summer Blend," making it an ideal choice for warm summer evenings. The wine offers aromas of ripe peach, lemon zest, and pineapple, complemented by concentrated floral nuances. This medium-bodied wine features crisp acidity and mouth-filling flavors.

The 2018 vintage marked the 20th consecutive release of Keenan's "Mernet" (mare-nay), their proprietary blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The name "Mernet" reflects the blend's composition, part Merlot ("Mer") and part Cabernet Sauvignon ("net"). The resulting wine is a seamless fusion, highlighting rich, high-toned fruit with a subtle depth and structure. It can be enjoyed immediately or aged for decades to come.

Jessup Cellars

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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.

Schramsberg Vineyards

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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.

Kongsgaard Wine

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I generally prefer the Chardonnay production of the French in Burgundy but Kongsgaard is legendary in here for a reason. It bridges the styles of your American oak-ey/buttery styles with the mineral, citrus and complexities. One of the best California Chards. Kongsgaard Wine is closed to the public and sold to members only and in some fine dinning establishments.

Merus Wines

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Sold only on allocation, Merus Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Napa Valley's most sought-after wines. Those fortunate enough to taste it understand why.

Morlet Family Vineyards

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We tasted three pinot's a syrah and two cabs. The three pinot's were from the same vineyard in Sonoma but from three different blocks. Three distinctly different wines. All very Burgundian in crafting but with that amazing Sonoma Coast fruit. My favorite style...French winemaking but with CA fruit! The Syrah was amazing. Once again, very French. Northern Rhone in crafting but with Bennet Valley fruit. The Cabs...well, they were quite simply amazing. Two totally different wines from two different AVA's.

Blackbird Vineyards

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“Every wine in the Blackbird collection is a true expression of the Napa Valley, with each possessing extraordinary structure and finesse. These limited production wines display the complexity extracted from the highest quality fruit and devoted winemaking techniques.”
–Aaron Pott, Winemaker

Failla Wines

grape clusters - Pixabay

Although Failla (pronounced FAY-LA) has a relatively brief history, it is marked by complexity. The first vintage release, under the name Failla-Jordan, was in 1998. That year, Failla debuted its Alban Vineyard Viognier from Edna Valley and Que Syrah Syrah from Sonoma Coast, while simultaneously planting the initial blocks at their Estate Vineyard in Cazadero. The first Estate releases would not emerge for several more years.

Ehren Jordan, the founder, has a passion for experimenting with his favorite varietals, exploring their diverse expressions across different climates—cool, cooler, and coolest—as well as varying soil types and rootstocks.

In 1998, Failla acquired a parcel adjacent to an earlier purchase and planted it with five acres of rootstock in 2002, later grafting Pinot Noir clones the following year. Ehren's viticultural training in France profoundly influences his farming and winemaking decisions. Today, Failla’s eleven acres of Estate vineyards produce Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir that embody the essence of California’s coolest regions.

After honing his skills with Pinot Noir from Keefer Ranch Vineyard in the Russian River Valley in 1999, Ehren sought out unique, cool-climate Pinot Noir sources to fuel his ongoing experimentation and passion.

Karl Lawrence Cellars

red wine splash in the glass - Pixabay

Karl Lawrence Cellars is a winery located in St. Helena, California. The winery is owned by Michael Karl Trujillo, Bryan Lawrence Henry. The wine at Karl Lawrence Cellars is produced by Michael Karl Trujillo, Michael Henry. Karl Lawrence Cellars has the following amenities you can enjoy: Retail Sales and Wine Tasting. If you want to visit Karl Lawrence Cellars, it is open at the following times: By Appointment Only

Peju Province Winery

wine and cheese - Pixabay

The tasting room is beautiful, especially the natural stone bar in the room furthest from the entrance. The gardens are also worth the visit, with human-high flowers and an eclectic collection of sculptures. Oh yeah, and one of the guys in the tasting room yodels - definitely a forgotten art.

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