In 1974, shortly after their Peace Corp assignment in Colombia, Tom Clark and Laurie Claudon came to the Napa Valley, new baby boy in tow. Immediately caught up in the infectious energy, they were ready to take their place among a small group of visionary grape growers and winemakers. Together, that group of pioneers laid the foundation for the unrivaled status of today’s Napa Valley.
Wing Canyon has played a major role in the evolution of Mt. Veeder as a prominent wine-producing region. From vineyards to carp farm, popular resort to a camp for the blind Wing Canyon has been home to valley pioneers and visitors for over a century. Captain Stalhan Wing produced the first Mt Veeder wine, which he entered into the Napa County Fair in 1864. He was also known for his carp, thousands of which he raised in man-made ponds amongst the vineyards.
A family-owned artisan winery located in the rolling hills of Paso Robles. Their estate-grown line features Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Muscat Blanc, Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot varieties.
The tasting room is open from 12 to 4 every Thursday through Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome for parties up to 6 people. For same-day requests, please call us to check for openings.
The staff here was very friendly and inviting, I felt comfortable asking any and all questions I had. Would definitely recommend this, especially for a lunchtime stop so you can picnic. They even had some picnic type food items for sale. Bartholomew has an excellent hike, approximately 3 miles, which provides an excellent workout. Parts of the trail are challenging for novice hikers, with very steep ascents and descents, even a few stream crossings on rocks. It's a fun hike with an excellent vista view, and maybe you will see some wildlife.
We have enjoyed visiting Black Hand Cellars tasting room on several occasions and while communicating with Tom Banish the owner and winemaker we have yet to actual talk face to face. The name Black Hand Cellars, evolved through many stories of the owners great Grandmother on the banished-side of the family would tell about the great wines her husband would make and how the Black Hand Mafia found a liking to his wine and would seek him out for it. With such an intriguing history the name for the winery was chosen and the roaring 20's theme set in motion along with hands stained from the harvest of their rich red wine varietals. Tom and his wife have done a great job with their wines and make it a fun experience all at the same time. Tom and his wife are very much into the entire experience and they have been known to stay a little longer even while closing to share the fruits of their labor and the Black Hand Cellar experience.~
Hours:
Mon-Sun - 12:00pm to 5:00pm
John and Kimberly Cabot set out to be self sufficient and live off of the land. After college on the Humboldt coast they moved inland where more fruits and vegetables could ripen. They grew a wide assortment of organic produce and marketed it through Northern California retailers and Farmer’s Markets. Ten years of growing experience on the Klamath River in Northern California nurtured within them a deep respect for the land. They also developed a deep appreciation for red wine from their families. They set out to bring their love for growing, wine and the land together into one dream… They began planting wine grapes in 1998. It was exciting to pioneer an undiscovered wine area in California. The land is carved by narrow gorges and steep mountains making ideal vineyard sites rare little gems. They now have three small vineyards that they hand planted with small crews of locals. Each of the vineyards is individual and is meticulously tended in accordance with its unique needs.
Hecker Pass Winery, established in 1972 by a third-generation vintner from Italy, produces wines in a classic European style. The winery embraces traditional methods, including dry farming, head pruning, hand picking, and wild yeast fermentation, ensuring each wine reflects a natural, Italian character. Committed to sustainability, they avoid herbicides, pesticides, and cultured yeast, focusing on crafting authentic wines. Today, the fourth and fifth generations of the family proudly continue this legacy, producing old-world wines in a sustainable way for future generations.
The origins of Envy Wines trace back to the mid-1980s, with the construction of the historic Carter House Victorian. As the small bed and breakfast attracted a growing number of guests from cities across the West Coast, the addition of the Hotel Carter and the highly regarded Restaurant 301 became necessary to accommodate the demand. To enhance the dining experience, Mark Carter began assembling what would become a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine list. His curation included some of the world's finest wines, from first-growth Bordeaux to top Napa Cabernet and lesser-known gems, making the list truly exceptional. The restaurant's acclaim and its impressive wine list allowed Mark to host winemaker dinners featuring prominent figures such as Dan Duckhorn and Nils Venge.
During these events, Mark and Nils developed a close friendship, united by their deep passion for exceptional wines. Mark's ambition to create his own wine label, Carter Cellars, aimed to produce the best Napa Cabernet possible. Nils Venge, renowned for earning the first “perfect score” on a domestic wine from Robert M. Parker Jr. in 1985 while at Groth, was seen as the ideal partner for this pursuit of excellence.
In 2006, Mark and Nils found a permanent home for Carter Cellars and established Envy Winery on Tubbs Lane in Calistoga. The 17-acre property focuses on estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Over the years, Envy Wines has grown steadily and now produces nearly 2,500 cases annually, utilizing grapes from their estate vineyard as well as select vineyards throughout Napa Valley.
Like many of the smaller Napa vineyards, this one had a distinct personality. From the beautifully appointed tasting and event rooms to the hip staff and owner to the funny little chihuahua statue (I'll let you find him) the message was clear: we're serious and knowlegable about good wine but we also know how to laugh. Very different from some of the huge vineyards which can be awfully serious. Definitely make this stop when checking out Calistoga. The 2010 Calistoga Estate Cabernet Sauvignon at $48. This is 100% Cab. An appealing bright purplish in color, it had a very nice aroma of black cherry, smoke and vanilla. Smooth and fresh on the palate, it was mostly black cherry with some vanilla. The finish was quite long with cherry, lingering tannins and spice.
Great place to visit if you plan to do some wine tasting in the Napa Valley. Decide what tasting you want, and you can even take your glass out back by he infinity pool and enjoy vineyard views, come back in, and get your next tasting, etc. The staff at Signorello are very personable. A pizza oven is currently being installed out on the back and Signorello will be doing wine and pizza on the patio. stop by Signorello Estate if you haven't been yet...Its definitely worth it!
Mahogany Mountain Vineyard and Winery is a small, family-owned and operated winery specializing in limited production of handcrafted fine wines from our estate-grown Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Zinfandel. Our vineyards are located on 43 acres in a picturesque and sunny high valley (1,500 ft. elevation) in Ramona, California surrounded by mountains. The microclimate is perfect for growing red wine grapes and dry-farming: hot long summer days and cool nights produce beautifully ripe fruits with deep intense flavors.
