Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Michel-Schlumberger

wine barrels - Pixabay

It's almost not fair for me to give this place a review-- as there has recently been a change in ownership. The new owner is renovating and updating a majority of the property. The drive up to Michel-Schlumberger is absolutely gorgeous; at least it is in April because it is not directly off the freeway; instead it is through several windy roads, and then through more curvy windy roads. It feels like you've reached some kind of sanctuary or private retreat in the countryside by the time you've arrived.

Stephen Ross Wine Cellars

grape cluster

Stephen Ross's story begins with the "Stephen Ross Dooley wine story" in Minnesota, where in my teenage years curiosity in wine led Stephen to make rhubarb and apple wines in the family basement…

Things progressed on a nice upward trajectory from that point. Curiosity evolved into a passion for winemaking, which led to a degree in Enology from The University of California, Davis;  then 10 years of winemaking (all vinifera from here on out, thankfully) in the Napa Valley, two southern hemisphere harvests, and seven years in the Edna Valley before launching his brand, Stephen Ross.  Paula joined the team soon after Stephen hired their first employee in 2005. A companion brand, Flying Cloud, was launched in 2003. 

Stephen Ross was founded on the principles of working with quality vineyards and hand-crafting the best wines possible from the grapes they yield. 

McKenzie-Mueller Vineyards And Winery

red wine pouring into a wine glass - Pixabay

This is an appointment only winery, and it has a quiet, more laid back feel than other places in Napa. The tasting room is really cute, with artwork and photography lining the walls. The wine maker's son, Julius even sells some of his beautiful photos at the winery. Our server was the wine maker's daughter, Sam, and she was great. We tried several different wines, including a Chardonnay, Malbec, and my personal favorite, the Cab-Franc. Everything was super well done. The Chardonnay was sweet, and not overly buttery, the cab-franc was smooth and the Malbec full of flavor. Sam was even kind enough to let us try one of their Napa Jazz wines. Very good, with a fancifully designed label. The best part? The wines are moderately priced. Most bottles cost around $30-40. The scenic rolling hills of grapevines, and large, earthy smelling wine cellars are great for photo opportunities. When we visited, the vineyard was in bloom with wild flowers. Super pretty. If you're in the Valley looking for great wines and an affordable price and gorgeous vistas without all the crowd, definitely give this place a try.

Scribe Winery

road sign with picture of a cluster of grapes and crossing

Recently we got introduced to Adam Mariani of Scribe Winery in Sonoma. The winery produces a nice selection of wines without producing so many to miss giving proper attention to each varitiel. Adam and his brother Andrew believe that the best wines are the result of a healthy relationship. between man and nature. The Mariani brothers manage their winery taking into consideration that site-specific wines represent the vineyard, the time and the place from where the fruit grows. The result, the vineyard and it's ecosystem are reflected in the wines produced by Scribe Winery. The winery is closed to visitors at the time of this entery due to the Covid-19 situations that is experienced by us all.  The Mariani's look forward to pouring their wines for your pleasure as soon as circumstances permit. You can make a reservation at frontdesk@scribewinery.com or order some delicious Scribe wines online. 

 

Levendi Estates Winery

red wine pouring and swirling in the glass - Pixabay

Levendi Estate Winery currently makes their wines at the popular Laird Estate just south of Yountville.Levendi concentrates on 100% varietal wines with the focus being Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon; in addition they typically will not blend multiple varietals into the same wine. They make two Chardonnays - the Red Hen Vineyard from the Wente clone which is known for its very small concentrated fruit and the other from Cold Creek on the Sonoma side of Carneros. Our two favorite wines from Levendi are the Symphonia and Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. Both are elegant wines which come from grapes that are grown in entirely different areas.

Biddle Ranch Vineyard

wine swirling in the glass

Not long ago, a group of friends with deep roots in California’s Central Coast set out to create something special—Biddle Ranch. What began as a shared dream has since evolved into a labor of love, taking their families on a remarkable journey into the world of winemaking.

At its heart, Biddle Ranch is about the simple pleasure of enjoying exceptional wine in a stunning setting with cherished company. Every day, they strive to bring that feeling to life in their tasting room. With the skilled hands of winemaker Ryan Deovlet guiding the process from grape to glass, and the next generation taking the helm, Biddle Ranch is proud of what they’ve accomplished and excited to share it.

Visitors are invited to experience the beauty of their varietals firsthand. At Biddle Ranch, they promise a warm welcome and a feeling of home.

Vincent Arroyo Family Winery

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Vincent Arroyo Family Winery was founded by Vincent Arroyo, who discovered his passion for viticulture in the early 1970s. While browsing the San Francisco Chronicle, Vince came across a listing for a farming property just north of Calistoga, California. Feeling more connected to the land than to his career as a mechanical engineer in Silicon Valley, he was drawn to the prospect of a rural lifestyle and decided to make a change. In 1972, he purchased the 23-acre property and began transforming the existing prune and walnut orchards into what is now Vincent Arroyo Family Winery.

Initially, Vince sold all of his grapes to the Napa Co-Op. However, he soon began experimenting with winemaking, releasing the first commercial vintage of Vincent Arroyo Family Winery in 1984. In the early days, Vince managed everything himself, from driving the tractor to making the wine. Today, the winery produces 8,000 cases annually but remains a true family affair. Vince's daughter, Adrian, and her husband, Matt Moye, are dedicated to preserving the family's traditions while keeping the winery relevant and current, with the hope that Vince's three grandsons will one day carry on the family business.

Matthew Moye, the co-proprietor and winemaker at Vincent Arroyo Family Winery, has been tending to the wines under Vince's guidance for the past decade. Originally from California's Central Valley, Matt graduated from the University of San Diego and pursued a law degree at the University of the Pacific-McGeorge, where he met his future wife, Adrian, who is Vince's daughter. After passing the California Bar, Matt realized that law wasn't his true calling. Vincent offered him a position at the winery while he figured out his path, and it didn't take long for Matt to discover his passion for winemaking.

When he's not in the cellar crafting wines, Matt enjoys golfing, fishing, and beachcombing with his family. He and Adrian live in Napa with their three sons, who they hope will one day lead Vincent Arroyo Family Winery into its third generation.

Richard Longoria Wines

Wine swirling in the glass - Pixabay

Longoria Wines is an artisanal family winery established in 1982 by Rick and Diana Longoria. Rick’s decision to start his own wine label was born out of a desire to produce Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, two varietals he was not producing as the winemaker for J. Carey Cellars, his first job as a winemaker. Rick sensed that those two varietals were poised to become the signature varietals for the new Santa Barbara County wine region, and he wanted to become a part of this new movement.

Trentadue Winery

glass of wine - Pixabay

Trentadue Winery is a great experience from start to finish. This house of ports was impressive from the moment we pulled in the parking lot, which is much larger than most other wineries. As you walk towards the tasting room one can't help but be drawn to the beautiful grounds. There is a large picnic area which can be rented for parties or weddings and would serve as a wonderful backdrop for either. Trentadue was one of the better wineries we went to in Geyserville. Their grounds are really nice for a picnic and the wine was pretty good too.

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