Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc

Armida Winery

wine cluster - Pixabay

Overshine Wines, a project of Armida Winery, is deeply inspired by the essence of California. The state's cultural diversity, iconic landscapes, and innovative spirit—from the mountains and redwoods to the beaches and bustling hubs like Hollywood and Silicon Valley—define the winery's philosophy. Overshine captures the magic of California’s golden light, vibrant food culture, and the rich tapestry of influences that shape its identity.

At the heart of Overshine's vision is a belief in inclusivity and environmental sustainability. The team envisions a world where everyone is welcome, and where preserving the health of the land is a top priority. Their holistic approach celebrates diversity and resilience, reflected in their commitment to sustainable farming, producing wines that are both authentic and joyful, and fostering a spirit of connection to the beautiful place they call home.

Overshine was founded by David Drummond, with the collaboration of Sam Bilbro and Thomas DeBiase. David’s deep California roots and passion for wine, combined with his brother’s involvement in the Healdsburg Jazz Fest, led him to Healdsburg. After meeting Sam and Thomas, David was inspired by their wines and the vibrant, welcoming atmosphere they embodied. Together, they saw an opportunity to create a future for wine that was both innovative and joyful, and thus, Overshine was born.

Tom Eddy

wine cprks and glass - Pixabay

The first vintage of Tom Eddy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was 1991, but Tom’s experience in the wine industry goes back farther than that. He earned the U.C. Davis degree in 1974, did his requisite stint in a few big wineries, then settled into the North Coast as general manager and winemaker at Souverain Winery in Geyserville. The accolades for his wines started to follow, for everything from North Coast French Colombard to Sonoma County Zinfandel.

Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery

clusters of Cabernet Sauvignon

The founders, Mario and Linda Clough, were enjoying a glass of wine on the hilltop of their beautiful property when Mario shared his dream of owning a vineyard and winery. This dream quickly evolved into a shared passion, leading to the founding of Lucchesi Vineyards and Winery. With the support of friends, family, and their five children, the vines were planted in 2000. Since then, this stunning, view-filled vineyard in Grass Valley has remained family-owned and operated.

The Land
The 20-acre vineyard and winery is nestled in the Sierra Foothills, offering breathtaking views of Nevada County and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The southwestern exposure of the land maximizes sunlight, allowing the grapes to ripen perfectly, resulting in concentrated flavor, color, and texture. The finest grapes in the Sierra Foothills grow here, serving as the foundation for their artisanally crafted wines. The Cloughs’ love for the land is reflected in every bottle, and they hope visitors can taste this passion while enjoying wine tastings at their beautiful Grass Valley winery.

The Wines
Lucchesi Vineyards specializes in traditionally crafted wines produced in small lots to capture their varietal character and regional qualities. The winery currently grows 16 different varietals, including Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Grigio, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot, along with three Portuguese Port varietals: Tinto Cão, Tinta Negra Molé, and Touriga Nacional. They invite everyone to come for wine tasting at the vineyard, which is open daily from 12 PM to 5 PM.

Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso

Larkmead Vineyards

glass of wine - Pixabay

Larkmead puts out some of the finest Cabs and Sauv Blancs in the valley. The vineyard itself is beautiful, located right on the valley floor. Sonny treated us great, explaining the winemaking process and the unique history behind Larkmead. Not to be missed if you are in Napa. The Larkmead Vineyards tasting room is open from 10am to 3pm, by appointment.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars offers unparalleled hospitality. Secure a reservation to discover iconic Napa Valley wines, refined food and wine pairing experiences, and stunning views of the famous FAY and S.L.V. vineyards set against the backdrop of the Stags Leap Palisades.

Clif Bar Family Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Wine was suprisingly good, Cliff did have all of the hiking/biking gear all over the place. I am a huge fan of Cliff bars so it was nice to see they are serious about winemaking. The prices are good, it was only $15 to taste a bunch of wines, and it included an expresso drink!

Whitehall Lane Winery

glasses of wine - Pixabay

Whitehall makes some great wine! We were surprised by the mostly empty parking lot and even considered turning away before entering. Did an empty parking lot mean bad wine? Everything we sampled, from white to red was great. Easy drinking and definitely well priced. Come summer time it can be very busy at times. Well worth a visit.

Clark-Claudon Vineyards

wine and cheese - Pixabay

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.

Summers Estate Wines

glass of red wine - Pixabay

In 1987, Jim Summers acquired a 28-acre vineyard nestled in Knights Valley, a region located northwest of Calistoga between Mount St. Helena and the Alexander Valley. At the time, the property was predominantly planted with Merlot grapes, established 30 years earlier by Dan Duckhorn, along with some Muscat Canelli. The inaugural vintage of Summers Ranch Reserve Merlot was produced in 1992, yielding 900 cases. Today, the estate also produces Petite Sirah from the Knights Valley vineyard. Known for its warm climate, volcanic soils, and proximity to Napa Valley, Knights Valley has recently garnered increased attention for its Bordeaux varietals.

In 1996, Summers expanded their vineyard holdings by acquiring 25 acres at the intersection of Highway 128 and Tubbs Lane in Napa Valley. This property, now known as Summers Estate Wines, is home to the Villa Andriana Vineyard, named in honor of their daughter. While the estate has been fully revitalized to maximize its potential, the 40-year-old Zinfandel vines are meticulously preserved. The winery and tasting room, surrounded by over 22 acres of Zinfandel, Charbono, and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, strike a perfect balance between pleasure and productivity.

Summers' signature wine is the distinctive Charbono, a varietal believed to be an early Italian adaptation of Charbonneau, a French grape. Some argue it is closely related to the Dolcetto variety, which is commonly grown in northern Italy. The Charbono vine produces large berries that create a deeply colored red wine, known for its rich fruit flavors and low tannin content when subjected to extended skin contact during fermentation.

The Summers Estate, with its scenic vineyard views in Calistoga, California, stands as a testament to the region's rich winemaking heritage.

 

 

 

 

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