BADEN is Doug Margerum's dream to make the ultimate ezperssion of grapes that are grown in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Winemakers Dough Margerum and Michael Miroballi produce Pinot Noir, Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, white blend called onte, with more varietals yet to come.
The 2007 San Francisco International Wine Competition had 47 judges tasting 4,300 wines. After three days of sipping and spitting, the awards for Best Syrah/Shiraz, and Best of Show Red Wine, went to the 2004 Canihan syrah "Exuberance." It was the first commercial release of Bill Canihan's life, and his was judged the best red wine in the entire competition, which encompassed a galaxy of wines from all over the world.
Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small lots of handcrafted, single-vineyard designate Pinot Noir and Zinfandel produced from the finest grapes the Russian River, Anderson and Dry Creek Valleys have to offer.
One Maple, established in 1998, was originally a mere dream and hobby for Ernie and Kristel Bell, evolving into a full-time family affair with the opening of Trinity County's newest winery and tasting room in July, 2006.
Someone here is doing something right. These wines are perfectly balanced, complex, except the Rose - it's soft and subtle and perfect in its own right and give any wine drinker a good indication of what prime location and winemaker's expertise can deliver.
We had a great time here. We stepped in here while waiting for another winery to open. The very first thing we noticed when we opened the door was the intoxicating scent of wine. We were able to take a self-guides tour around and realized the large barrels were right in the open, which was why the facility had that lovely sweet wine smell. Tour was timed perfectly, not too long, but not too short, and we had a super nice tour guide. Wine tasting after the tour was extra fun.
When Bennie Cassara first set foot on this mountain top retreat he knew this was the place for which he had been looking. Bennie a brick mason by trade was busy running his Masonry construction company in Orange County California, but he was looking for a place where he and his could get away from the daily grind. It was in 1990 the first vines were planted on the tiny hilltop estate. Bennie Cassara chose Pinot Noir grapes at the urging of his friend Brian Babcock of the Babcock Winery. Brian told Bennie his property would be the perfect growing environment for Pinot Noir grapes, this variatal is grown on hillsides in France, and Brian knew the combination of warm days and cool foggy nights would be perfect. Much of the rest of the story is in the glass.
The cave's ambiance is really neat... it's fun to explore the vineyard above the cave before or after your tasting and see where some of the grapes are grown and if you're an adventurous type, it's fun to take pictures by the giant Grape crusher statue on top of the vineyard. This is truly Napa's hidden gem! It's located at the Meritage Resort at the south end of Napa, and the tasting room is in a cave UNDER THE GRAPES. It's such a unique place to visit in Napa. The wines are excellent. The Mysterium is one of my favorite reds, and I love the Sauvingnon Blanc. The chardonnay is also very nice. The service in the wine cave is impeccable, and the employees are really knowledgable about the wine. They will also stay and have a friendly conversation with you if it's not too busy.
The Herzog family has been making wine for a long time. They trace their winemaking origins back to Philip Herzog, who made wine in Slovakia for the Austro-Hungarian court more than a century ago. Philip’s wines were so appreciated by Emperor Franz-Josef, that the emperor made Philip a baron. The Baron Herzog wines—a line of premium yet moderately priced California varietals—are named to commemorate the honor.
The name I chose, you might have figured out, is my beloved last name (compliments of a Lebanese father). Since it is not one of those easily pronounced names, like Smith, I decided it would be best to have something else on the label to catch the eye. I decided on the lotus flower. A variety of waterlily, the lotus rises in the morning from the muddy waters to open its perfectly symmetrical petals symbolizing the creation of life; purity, resurrection and perfect beauty; the union of bliss and emptiness, night and day, male and female. The closed lotus bud signifies potential.
