This is one of Napa's most memorable wineries - and the newest. It took more than half a decade to build and involved hand masonry by Italian artisans. Why? Because Castello is truly a castle. A Medieval, stone castle.... with a moat!
Tucked away past a lush garden, and through the barrel cellar, the Prager tasting room is like a secret hideaway - rustic and casual - and unlike any tasting room in the Napa Valley. Currency from around the world covers the walls and ceilings.
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.
The Greenwood winery tasting room is definitely a head turner. This is one of those drink wineries that are beautifully crafted building designed by the owner/winemakers' father. The setting is so gorgeous, you'll wish they had lodging accommodations, Wow! and you haven't even stepped a foot inside. The tasting here is free though small. We tried about 5 wines (2 desserts) and ended up buying two bottles: a sauvignon blanc and merlot (double gold winner). Their bottles are beautifully designed with dragons as well as their wine glasses.
Handley Cellars is a small, 14,000 cases per year, family-owned winery in California's Mendocino County, bonded in 1982. Handley Cellars is located at the northwest end of the Anderson Valley on 59 acres of the original Holmes Ranch. Still standing on the property are the now-refurbished ranch house, barn, and the original water tower. Handley Cellars offers a wide variety of wines that complement today's diverse cuisine with its worldwide influences. Winemaker Milla Handley seeks to make balanced wines that possess distinctive varietal characteristics, wines that reflect the soil and climate in which they were grown.
What really made the experience magical was the overall layout and view of the place. The wine tasting counter/bar is backdropped by an amazing window that overlooks the vineyards. The wine tasting room itself is on a hill overlooking the vineyards, so all you see out the window is a sloping valley of gorgeous grape vines.
Stopped by in the Fall to do a little tasting on our way up to the hot springs. I first went to this winery about 13 years ago and was a member for years. They have excellent red wines and fun harvest parties - complete with grape stomping! It's a quaint winery away from the crowds in Napa and couple of my favorites were the 2003 Cabernet Bosche and Zinfandel.
Trefethen Family Vineyards is a winery that should be on your short list of essential Napa Valley wineries to visit. They have a superior line up of wines that should appeal to many different palates. Prices are very reasonable for Napa Valley. It is also easy to reach and has plenty of parking. Shannon, our wine host, provided a great tasting experience thanks to her charm, humor and enthusiasm.
