Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Baldacci Vineyards

wine swirls and dances in wine glasses - Pixabay

Baldacci Family Vineyards has been a family-owned winery in the Napa Valley for over 25 years, founded by Thomas and Brenda Baldacci in 1998. Today, their son and second-generation vintner Michael Baldacci serves as winemaker, continuing the family’s legacy and dedication to crafting sustainably-farmed, world-class wines.

 

Within each of us lives a legacy, a story waiting to be told.  Stories, like wine, are meant to be shared. Tom Baldacci understands this. Maybe not consciously – but at his core, Tom knows that for a story to become a legacy, it must be shared and passed forward to keep it alive. Almost 30 years ago, Tom drove by the property that now is home to Baldacci Family Vineyards. Where some may have seen an old house and farm in need of repair, Tom saw potential. In the breathtaking views on the Stags Leap property, in the aged vines and gnarled olive trees, Tom saw a story waiting to be told.

Jessie's Grove Winery

picture of winery's Westwind Zinfandel

Jessie’s Grove Winery in Lodi specializes in crafting small-batch, artisanal wines that showcase the vibrant flavors of the region’s renowned grape varietals, such as Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignane. Visitors can explore the newly renovated tasting room, the historic barn, or enjoy a glass at the outdoor pouring stations, each offering a unique and personalized wine-tasting experience for every occasion.

With a commitment to sustainable farming, Jessie’s Grove ensures that each grape is carefully nurtured, resulting in wines that capture the true essence of Lodi. Guests can enjoy guided tours of the vineyards, exclusive barrel tastings at the historic estate, or peaceful picnics amidst the tranquil beauty of the Lodi countryside.

Rodrigue-Molyneaux Winery

Cluster of grapes - Pixabay

At Rodrigue Molyneaux, they believe that the great wine must come from great grapes. Nancy & Garry Rodrigue see to it that their grapes recieve intensive monitoring of the watering and pruning techniques. These farming practices keeps the yield down to three tons or less per acre. Although the yield will be smaller, the grapes will be larger with more fruit flavor. This is the reason Rodrigue Molyneaux red wines are so robust with a fruit-driven complex flavor.

Vine Cliff Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Vine Cliff Winery was established in 1871, when 500 acres were carved out of the George Yount estate. One of the first bonded wineries in the United States, and the first in Napa to plant Bordeaux varietals on a commercial scale, Vine Cliff was one of the region’s most successful wineries through the end of the 19th Century. A series of natural problems drove the winery under in the early 20th Century, with the land remaining fallow until it was purchased by Nell Sweeney for her family in 1985. Now, under the leadership of Rob Sweeney, the family’s oldest son, Vine Cliff has regained its position as a leader in the production of superior Napa Valley wines.

Rock Canyon Vineyards

picture of recued donkey at the estate

Located in Alpine, CA at an altitude of 3,000 feet is Rock Canyon Vineyards. Hot summer days and cool nights contribute the some wonderful handcrafted and unfiltered wines with delightful unique earthy falvor. Think of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and some red blends.

Elizabeth Spencer Wines

bottles, glasses of wine and grapes - Pixabay

The best part about the tasting room is the staff. I enjoyed someone taking the time to talk to me about what I was drinking. Also, there is an adorable outside patio where you can sit and sip your wine. Plenty of buttery breadsticks and fresh water refreshed our palates between sips. Such an experience helped us to trust our own responses to the wine. Bryanna allowed us to explore the wines without overloading us with facts about the grapes or winemaking process. She responded to our questions with sensitivity and no hint of arrogance. All of us came away from the experience with a heightened awareness of the care with which Elizabeth Spencer wines are sourced and crafted. The reds we tasted were distinctively delicious, each proudly representing its appellation and the winemaker's skill.

Black Sears Estate

grape cluster - Pixabay

A small, family-owned-and-operated vineyard and winery, located at the top of Howell Mountain, producing estate-bottled Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Black Sears offers an authentic Napa Valley winery experience that stands out. Visitors can expect to meet knowledgeable farmers, encounter adorable vineyard dogs, and enjoy exciting wildlife sightings all while taking in panoramic views of two majestic valleys from Howell Mountain's highest estate.

Please note that white pants and heels are not recommended.

Guests are welcome at the winery Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm, by appointment only.

Trione Vineyards & Winery

wine barrel - Pixabay

Besides a great Sauv Blanc, Syrah and Cab, perfect California weather, comfortable outdoor seating, and peaceful views of the mustard-filled fields that embody the wine country; a great staff awaits you for a tour and tasting. They provided tasting notes on a card for each wine they served - providing us information while the server was helping someone else. I thought this was a very nice touch as it allowed us to take the notes with us and just add our personal comments. Other wineries provide the same info on a sheet of paper, this was just more convenient for us.

Melka Wines

small bites and wine tasting - Pixabay

Napa Valley isn't quite like Hollywood (yet), where the stars get by on a first-name basis. Even so, what serious wine collector doesn't know who Helen and Heidi are? While the name Philippe may not register so quickly, winemaker Philippe Melka is definitely a Napa winemaker to watch, a man many believe is poised to become one of the valley's hottest consultants since Helen Turley and Heidi Barrett.

Pages

Subscribe to Cabernet Sauvignon