Decanting Napa Valley by Decanting Wine Country

20 09

exceptional wine, travel & food resources

DECANTING NAPA VALLEY

President / Publisher: Michelle Higgins 707/ 225 5964 michelle@decantingwinecountry.com Vice President / Director of Membership: Donna Douglas 707/ 332 7646 donna@decantingwinecountry.com Editorial Writer: Kirsten Bickford kirsten@decantingwinecountry.com Support Staff: AVA Copy Writer: Dennis Kelly Web Site Assistance: Kevin Onesko Admin. Dana Perry: dana@decantingwinecountry.com Press inquires please contact: pr@decantingwinecountry.com Advisory Board: The Napa Valley John Caldwell.....Caldwell Vineyard Carey Shot....Carey Shot Productions Dave Miner....Miner Family Vineyards Ken Morris...Grgich Hills Estate For a complimentary printed or digital version of any of our publications please contact us at info@decantingwinecountry.com Decanting Napa Valley is a Decanting Wine Countryâ&#x201E;˘ publication. Corporate office is located in Washington Square, 6795 Washington St. Building C Suite T, Yountville, CA 94599. No part of this publication, including text and images, maybe reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

Dear Reader, Decanting Wine Country™ is a series of “by-invitation-only” publications that provide the discriminating wine enthusiast exceptional travel, food, and wine resources throughout California’s best-known viticultural regions. This publication celebrates our fourth annual edition for the Napa Valley – where DWC began and has since grown to include Decanting Sonoma County and currently in production, Decanting Monterey. Our Napa Valley members include winemakers, both iconic and innovative, who together drive the artistry and science of winemaking. Most of the wineries are by-appointment-only, but as members of the DWC Association they offer our readers preferred availability. Our members are internationally recognized and together speak to the unprecedented quality Decanting Wine Country provides for our readers and the exceptional experiences that await them.

Cheers,

Michelle Higgins Founder + Publisher 10 February 2009

NAPA VALLEY Members Napa

Rutherford

09 Domaine Carneros

49 Grgich Hills Estate

Tastings and tours daily

Tastings daily, tours by appointment

11 Caldwell Vineyard

51 Quintessa

Tastings by appointment

Tastings & tours by appointment

13 Darioush

53 St. Supéry Vineyards

Tastings daily, tours by appointment

15 Palmaz Vineyards

55 Round Pond Estate

Tastings & tours by appointment

17 Mi Sueño Winery

57 Swanson Vineyards

Tastings by appointment

19 Buoncristiani Family Vineyards

59 Auberge du Soleil

Tastings & tours by appointment

21 Reynolds Family Winery

Chef Robert Curry

Tastings daily, tours by appointment

St Helena

23 Hartwell Vineyards

63 Vineyard 7 & 8

Tastings & tours by appointment

25 The Westin Verasa Chef Ken Franks

Yountville 29 Keever Vineyards

Tastings & tours by appointment

65 Spring Mountain Vineyard Tastings daily, tours by appointment

67 Melka Wines Tastings by appointment

69 Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Tastings & tours by appointment

31 hope & grace wines

71 Meadowood Napa Valley

Tastings daily

33 Waugh Cellars

Chef Chris Kostow

Tastings & tours by appointment

Calistoga

35 Thomas Keller Restaurant Group

75 Twomey Cellars

Chef / Owner Thomas Keller

Oakville 39 Far Niente

Tastings & tours by appointment

41 Silver Oak Cellars

Tastings daily, except Sunday

77 Larkmead Vineyards Tastings & tours by appointment

79 Calistoga Ranch Chef Aaron Wright

Tastings daily, except Sunday

Information

43 Nickel & Nickel

81 Napa Valley AVAs

Tastings & tours by appointment

45 Miner Family Vineyards Tastings daily, tours by appointment

82 DWC Sonoma Members 83 Winery Map

NAPA

DOMAINE CARNEROS Napa

Cuvees: Brut Vintage, Rosé, and Blanc de Blancs Varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot Appellation: Carneros Special farming or winemaking techniques: Certified organic and biodiverse vineyard, solarpowered facility Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

domainecarneros.com

Winemaker: Eileen Crane

Tastings & Tours Daily

800-716-BRUT

Don’t be intimidated by the grand façade of Domaine Carneros’ French château overlooking rambling gardens and reflecting pools. Inside, the winery’s aristocratic lineage gives way to pure California warmth and charm. “You don’t have to wear your evening gown to visit us,” laughs Founding Winemaker and President Eileen Crane. Though its sparkling wines and Pinot Noirs consistently earn top marks from the industry press, Domaine Carneros prides itself on its atmosphere of relaxed beauty, whether you’re tasting in its salon by the fireplace or watching the vines grow from the terrace. The esteemed French company Champagne Taittinger recognized in the Carneros appellation the potential to produce premier sparkling wines and today 95% are estate-produced from certified organic vineyards. With more than 30 years in the industry, Crane is the most experienced sparkling winemaker in the U.S. “Our goal is simply to the create most memorable sparkling wine experience in the world,” she says.

Domaine Carneros 1240 Duhig Road Napa, CA 94559

Domaine Carneros by Taittinger

CALDWELL VINEYARD Napa

11 Hollywood has already taken note of John Caldwell’s story: how he single-handedly (legal or not) became the first Californian to discover and import rootstocks and grapevine clones from France. In 1984, after stumbling upon the clonal research program at Château Haut Brion, Caldwell eventually brought back over 60 clones of different varietals. Soon after, at a time when phylloxera was decimating Napa Valley’s vineyards, these clones captured the attention of emerging wineries such as Harlan, Spottswoode, and Abreu. They are now refferred to as the “Caldwell Clones” and today, in a Bordeaux-style vineyard, clones are industry standard. Caldwell produces estate-grown, hillside fruit for its signature wines: Gold, Silver, and Rocket Science. The new varietal collection culminates Caldwell’s work over the last twenty-five years with pure clonal varietial wines. Tastings with John Caldwell in his 20,000 square-foot cave will immerse you in his informative, intriguing stories.

Caldwell Vineyard & Winery 270 Kreuzer Lane Napa, CA 94559

Winemaker: Marbue Marke

707-255-1294

CALDWELL VINEYARD

Appellation: Coombsville District (AVA pending) Special farming or winemaking techniques: New French oak barrel fermentation; harvests in micro-lots Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

caldwellvineyard.com

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Proprietary Reds, Carmenère (clone # 02), Chardonnay (809), Merlot (181), Petit Verdot (400), Syrah (300), Tannat (474), Syrah Port, Syrah Rosé

Tastings by Appt

DARIOUSH Napa

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Merlot,Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir Appellations: Napa Valley, Mt.Veeder, Oak Knoll

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

darioush.com

Winemaker: Steve Devitt

Tastings Daily & Tours by Appt

707-257-2345

It’s unlike any other winery you will visit in the Napa Valley. Or, for that matter, the world. This fact is obvious the moment you spot Darioush from the Silverado Trail. Inside you’ll find a vibrant environment where friendly, knowledgeable staff provide tableside service and the international boutique features eclectic gifts and furnishings. It feels like the high-energy lobby of a luxury hotel, but it’s actually the vision of a single man. Persia-born Darioush Khaledi came to California in 1975 seeking personal freedom and the American dream, which he realized by developing the state’s largest independent grocery business. His success enabled him to pursue his lifelong goal of building an exquisite wine estate inspired by the châteaux of Bordeaux. Contrary to conventional wisdom, he chose to plant Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the cooler regions of Napa. The resulting Cabernets emphasize his personal appreciation for complexity, character and style. Contact the winery’s concierge desk to reserve a private tasting of Darioush’s wines paired with firstgrowth Bordeaux and Burgundy in his personal cellar.

Darioush 4240 Silverado Trail Napa, CA 94558

DARIOUSH

PALMAZ VINEYARDS Napa

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Muscat, Riesling Appellation: Napa Valley Special farming or winemaking techniques: Sustainable farming, gravity flow

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

palmazvineyards.com

Winemakers: Mia Klein and Tina Mitchell

Tours & Tastings by Appt

707-226-5587

Take one abandoned, historic winery founded by a pioneering Napa winemaker; add one family with a flair for engineering. The result is Palmaz Vineyards, the perfect balance between history, family, and technological innovation. Founded in 1881 by Henry Hagen as Cedar Knoll Vineyard and Winery, the property produced award-winning wines until it became a victim of Prohibition in 1920. Fast-forward 85 years, when the Palmaz family purchased, replanted and resurrected the property. With a sensitivity for the environment and historic preservation, the Palmazes built the entire structure into the rock of Mt. George, creating the largest underground winery in the world. Its interior is equivalent to an 18-story building with a five-story fermentation dome, providing the vertical range needed for true gravity-flow, so the artisanal wine is never pumped or agitated.Visitors can intimately experience this unique property in private tours, each given by a member of the Palmaz family.

Palmaz Vineyards 4029 Hagen Road Napa, CA 94558

PALMAZ VINEYARDS

MI SUEÑO Napa

Varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Proprietary Red Appellations: Napa Valley, Los Carneros, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Mountain Special farming or winemaking techniques: Leased vineyards farmed exclusively by Mi Sueño, native yeast fermentations, limited production

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

misuenowinery.com

Winemaker: Rolando Herrera

Tastings by Appt

707-258-6358

If it’s possible to put a dream in a bottle, then Rolando Herrera has done it. His young label, Mi Sueño, means “my dream” in Spanish and when you hear his story, you’ll understand why. Herrera arrived in the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 15, and began his career as a dishwasher at Auberge du Soleil before working harvest at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Under the mentorship of legendary vintner Warren Winiarski, Herrera worked his way from “cellar rat” to cellar master, then went on to hone his boutique winemaking skills at Château Potelle,Vine Cliff, and Paul Hobbs. Herrera’s meticulous hand in both vineyard and winery and his use of native yeasts have earned great respect for his limited production of small, handcrafted lots, and his wines have been served at White House state dinners. Located in an unassuming corporate park, Mi Sueño Winery offers true wine enthusiasts an insider’s look at what it takes to make a dream come true.

Mi Sueño Winery 910 Enterprise Way, Suite M Napa, CA 94558

MI SUEÑO

BUONCRISTIANI Napa

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Rosato of Syrah, Dolcetto, Proprietary Red blend Appellations: Napa Valley, Carneros, Howell Mountain,Yountville, Oak Knoll Special farming or winemaking techniques: Careful vineyard block selection, multiple harvests per block, small-lot fermentation, barrique aging Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

buonwine.com

Winemaker: Jason Buoncristiani

Tours & Tastings by Appt

707-259-1681

Unlike many Napa Valley winemaking families, the Buoncristiani brothers were born and raised on local soil. Now they’re taking that soil and using it to create a new vision in winemaking. Rather than inheriting a family vineyard estate, the four young brothers – Matthew, Jason, Aaron, and Nathan – have built a first-generation, self-made brand that reflects their Italian winemaking heritage. With grandparents from Tuscany, the boys learned from their father, an avid home winemaker, the skills to turn their passion into a profession. Along the way they’ve earned their credentials working with such prestigious names as Melka, Caldwell, Rudd, and Hess. “Our love of wine evolved from growing up here, making wine at home, and sharing it with friends,” explains managing partner Matt. “You can’t get more family-operated than us!” The brothers source their fruit from a variety of premier Napa Valley vineyards to produce rich, fruit-forward wines with great structure and concentration.

Buoncristiani Family Winery DWC 6795 Washington Square Napa, CA 94599

BUONCRISTIANI

REYNOLDS FAMILY WINERY Napa

Tastings Open Daily

Varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Appellation: Carneros, Stags Leap, Pope Valley, among others Special farming or winemaking techniques: Barrel fermentations for reds; soon-to-be certified organic;

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

707-258-2558

Winemaker: Steve Reynolds

reynoldsfamilywinery.com

Fourteen years ago, Steve Reynolds traded in his dental practice for the life of a vintner when he and his wife, Suzie, purchased a 100 year-old chicken ranch in the renowned Stags Leap District. “Countless doctors have started wineries,” he says, “but how many of them build the winery, drive the tractor, and make the wine?” Guests frequently comment on how visiting Reynolds Family Winery is like traveling back in time to the Napa Valley of twenty years ago – it’s a true family operation in which the owner, farmer, winemaker, and salesman are all the same guy. This year marks the Reynolds Family Winery’s tenth anniversary. Its wines have been highly ranked in the industry press, and Napa’s People’s Choice voted it the “Best Boutique Winery” last year. Furthermore, Reynolds was voted “Best Winemaker” three years in a row. “It’s not just a hobby anymore,” he says with a smile.

Reynolds Family Winery 3266 Silverado Trail Napa, CA 94558

REYNOLDS FAMILY WINERY

HARTWELL VINEYARDS Napa

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc Appellation: Stags Leap

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

hartwellvineyards.com

Winemaker: Benoit Touquette with consulting winemaker Michel Rolland

Tastings by Appt

707-255-4269

“Our guests usually say it’s their favorite stop in the Napa Valley,” says Bob Hartwell of his eponymous winery on the Silverado Trail. It’s not hard to see why. Those who put Hartwell on their Napa itineraries experience an intimate, salon-style tasting in Hartwell’s caves. Wine pairings with imported cheeses are followed by a barrel tasting of a future release accompanied by truffles with Hartwell’s own cabernet mixed into the chocolate. Beginning with a single acre Bob and his wife Blanca began construction on their Tuscan-style winery and caves in 1997. Long-haired Scottish Highland cattle now graze on the 90-acre property, which lies on the slope of a dormant volcano that last erupted four million years ago. All Hartwell’s wines are estate-produced in the renowned Stags Leap appellation, with the hilly terrain, temperature fluctuations, and maximum exposure to sunlight which create the optimum growing conditions and define this esteemed microclimate.

Hartwell Vineyards 5795 Silverado Trail Napa, CA 94558

HARTWELL VINEYARDS

WESTIN VERASA Napa

Facilities: Pool, gym, business center, bocce ball courts, in-room spa service Restaurants: Two, one Michelin star Property size: 4.6 acres

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

westin.com/verasanapa

Number of guest rooms: 180, most of them suites

Lodging & Dining

707-257-1800

It’s a whole new way to experience the Napa Valley. With the exciting revitalization of Napa’s town center, the newly opened Westin Verasa, Napa is perfectly positioned for those looking to maximize their wine country visit. Located on the banks of the Napa River, the upscale resort affords an elegant, secluded refuge if you feel like relaxing poolside or pampering yourself with a massage or quiet meal. But it’s also within easy walking distance to the dynamic new Oxbow Market, the Wine Train, twelve winery tasting rooms, and the Napa Valley Opera House’s roster of cultural events. Check out the “Unwind Program,” an intimate educational experience with premier vintners, or book the “Running Concierge” for an historic tour of Napa at a jogger’s pace. With its casual luxury and size, the Westin is well suited for weddings, corporate meetings, and incentive events. The low-key Bank Wine Bar and Café complements the more formal La Toque, which has earned a Michelin star and was named one of the “Best Restaurants in America” by The Wine Spectator.

The Westin Verasa 1314 McKinstry Street Napa, CA 94559

WESTIN VERASA

YOUNTVILLE

KEEVER VINEYARDS Yountville

Tours & Tastings by Appt

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and a Bordeaux blend Appellation: Yountville Special winemaking techniques: Gravity flow, hand-sorting, picking in small lugs

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

707-944-0910

Winemaker: Celia Welch Masyczek

keevervineyards.com

Olga Keever has just one word to describe the past year at Keever Vineyards: Excitement. Not only was Keever Vineyards’ 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon given an impressive 93-point ranking in the national wine press, but its superstar winemaker, Celia Welch Masyczek, was named Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine magazine. Built on the site of an old horse ranch in the hills overlooking Yountville, the winery makes 100% estate-produced wines that truly reflect the Keever family. The 2006 vintage is “the first one where every cluster of grapes was touched by a member of our family,” Olga says proudly. Keever limits production of its estate Cabernet to just three tons or less per acre and uses some of the smallest tanks in the Napa Valley to ferment in smaller lots and specific clones and vineyard blocks. Gravity-flow and hand-sorting ensure the gentlest possible handling of fruit.

Keever Family Vineyards P.O. Box 2906 Yountville, CA 94599

KEEVER VINEYARDS

hope & grace wines Yountville

Varietals: Pinot Noirs, Malbec, Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay Appellations: Yountville, Oakville, Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Special farming or winemaking techniques: Sustainably grown vineyards, light-touch winemaking, extended lees for Chardonnay Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

Yountville, CA 94599

Tastings Daily hopeandgracewines.com

Winemaker: Charles Hendricks

hope & grace wines

The Renaissance artist Michelangelo once said, “Carving is easy, you just go down to the skin and stop.” Winemaker Charles Hendricks feels the same way about winemaking – he believes in gently coaxing wine from the grapes, rather than forcing or overmanipulation. Named for his two daughters, hope & grace wines is a portfolio of limited production, single varietal wines. After twenty successful years as a consulting winemaker for such prestigious wineries as Barnett, Regusci, Bacio Divino and Viader, Charles launched his own label. The winery has just expanded to a more spacious home: an elegant tasting salon, filled with art and antiques, that can accommodate larger groups. Along with a passion for winemaking, Charles has a love of art, inspiring him to include a rotating exhibit of fine artists in the hope & grace tasting salon and gallery. Charles quips that it is nature’s job to conceal, and the artist’s job to reveal. Michelangelo would no doubt agree.

707-944-2500

hope & grace wines

Edward James Court, 6540 Washington St.

WAUGH CELLARS Yountville

Varietals: Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Riesling Appellations: Napa Valley, Dry Creek, Russian River, Santa Barbara Special farming or winemaking techniques: All hand-farmed using sustainable practices, mold suppression, different yeast and barrel programs Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

waughcellars.com

Winemaker: Ryan Waugh

Tastings by Appt

888-883-WINE

Ryan Waugh represents the birth of a new generation in viticulture. At just 32 years old, he is one of the youngest winemakers working in Napa and Sonoma, and founded his own label in 2001. Waugh Cellars takes pride in its direct-to-consumer approach. From hosting wine dinners at fine restaurants to pouring at private parties throughout the country, this personal connection is the source of the brand’s success. “We know every person on our mailing list,” says Waugh, “and we’ve tasted with about 95 percent of them.” Fruit is sourced from 13 different vineyards from Santa Barbara to Russian River at which Waugh has complete control of vineyard management and picking. Using minimalist techniques, he strives to grow the best possible grape from each vineyard in each vintage. “We don’t try to alter things if Mother Nature throws us a curve ball,” Waugh says. Joined by two other young brands, Waugh is building a 20,000-square-foot cave facility at Soda Canyon (thecavesatsodacanyon.com) due to open next year.

Waugh Cellars DWC 6795 Washington Square Yountville, CA 94599

WAUGH CELLARS

Debra Jones

THOMAS KELLER

RESTAURANT GROUP

Yountville

Dining

Ad Hoc: The four-course, prix-fixe menu changes nightly, served family style in a casual environment Bouchon Bakery: An authentic, country-style boulangerie and patisserie featuring traditional French breads and pastries, coffees, sandwiches, and salads

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

tkrg.org

Bouchon: Classic French bistro food, one Michelin star, with elegant dining room, full bar and sidewalk patio

opentable.com

Paris. New York. Milan.Yountville.Yes, the tiny Napa Valley town is ranked among the world’s capitals of fine dining. It’s where chef Thomas Keller has chosen to call home and to base four of his dining establishments. Keller’s culinary artistry and unrelenting respect for fresh ingredients have made him critically acclaimed as America’s premier chef. The Frenchbased Michelin Guide bestowed three stars to both The French Laundry in Yountville and Per Se, Keller’s restaurant in New York City, making Keller the first and only American-born chef to have two three-star restaurants since the guide’s inception in 1900. Ruth Reichl, restaurant critic for The New York Times, has called the French Laundry “the most exciting place to eat in the United States.” Now Keller makes his artistry accessible to everyone, with a full menu of dining possibilities within a few blocks.

Thomas Keller Restaurant Group DWC 6795 Washington Square Yountville, CA 94599

THOMAS KELLER RESTAURANT GROUP

OAKVILLE

FAR NIENTE Oakville

Varietals: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon Appellations: Oakville, Napa Valley Special farming or winemaking techniques: Solar-powered, organically farmed and sustainably managed, no malolactic fermentation of Chardonnay Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

farniente.com

Director of Winemaking: Dirk Hampson

Tours & Tastings by Appt

707-944-2861

Romantically translated, its name means “without a care,” but that easygoing expression belies the many achievements of Far Niente. Now, 30 years after its revival, the winery has many reasons to be proud – not the least of which are its estate-bottled wines, a single Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon made in the renowned house style. Far Niente was founded in 1885 and prospered until the onset of Prohibition. After being abandoned for 60 years, it was bought and renovated by the Nickel family, who have continuously operated the property with partners Larry Maguire and Dirk Hampson. The winery’s meticulous renovation has been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Tours include its extensive caves, an impressive collection of vintage cars, and a view of the gardens, which feature the largest single planting of southern azaleas in California. And last year Far Niente became a net-zero user by installing the world’s first gridconnected floating solar-powered system.

Far Niente 1350 Acacia Drive Oakville, CA 94562

FAR NIENTE

SILVER OAK CELLARS Oakville

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon Appellations: Napa Valley, Alexander Valley Special winemaking techniques: American Oak, extended aging

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

silveroak.com

Winemaker: Daniel Baron

Open Daily except Sunday

800-273-8809

At Silver Oak Cellars, wine lovers come for the Cabernet. And they stay for the Cabernet. Instead of producing six or seven different varietals, the estate seeks to create a single exceptional wine: an opulent, well-rounded Cabernet Sauvignon that is both enjoyable upon release and worthy of cellaring. No wonder Silver Oak has been voted “most requested Cabernet” in the national wine press for several years running. Founded in 1972 by Raymond Twomey Duncan and Justin Meyer, Silver Oak is still a family affair under the management of sons David and Tim Duncan. The estate’s hallmark is its 100 percent American white oak barrels – contributing fewer harsh tannins than French oak – and an extended aging process. After a devastating fire in 2006, the Duncan family has just opened its new landmark winery and tasting room that reflect the legacy of Silver Oak with technology that raises the standard of Napa Valley winemaking.

Silver Oak Cellars 915 Oakville Cross Road Oakville, CA 94562

SILVER OAK CELLARS

NICKEL & NICKEL Oakville

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel Appellations: Oakville, Stags Leap, St. Helena, Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain, Rutherford,Yountville, Carneros, Napa Valley

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

nickelandnickel.com

Winemaker: Darice Spinelli

Tours & Tastings by Appt 707-967-9600

From the outside it’s an historic, 19th-century farmstead. Inside, it’s a solar-powered 21st-century winery dedicated to producing 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines. Nickel & Nickel is born from the long tradition of fine winemaking at its sister estate, Far Niente. The Nickel family, with partners Larry Maguire and Dirk Hampson, built the winery specifically to produce wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard. They also wanted to create an architecturally rich property honoring the valley’s past. Dating from 1884, the original Queen Anne-style house on the John C. Sullenger farmstead was meticulously renovated. A 1770-era barn was moved from New England to house the production offices. Two new fermentation barns were built, using post-and-beam construction, over an underground barrel cellar and press area. The historic feel and remarkable, vineyard-designate wines combine to create a unique tasting experience for the most sophisticated wine enthusiast.

Nickel & Nickel 8164 St. Helena Highway  Oakville, CA 94562

NICKEL & NICKEL

MINER FAMILY VINEYARDS Oakville

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux-style blend, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, Rosato, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,Viognier Appellations: Napa Valley, Mendocino, Santa Lucia Highlands

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

minerwines.com

Winemaker: Gary Brookman

Daily Tastings & Tours by Appt.

800-366-WINE

At Miner Family Vineyards variety is the spice of life. Walk into its friendly Oakville tasting room with endless Napa Valley views – no appointment necessary – to sample wines from a full array of California vineyards. The Miner label produces more than two dozen bottlings, from a dry rosé of Sangiovese (Mendocino) to three Pinot Noirs (Monterey) and a Viognier (Madera). Small lots from a single vineyard or appellation showcase each area’s microclimate. The winery’s portfolio is led by its flagship Bordeaux-style blend The Oracle and the Miner Cabernet Sauvignon. But such diversity of region doesn’t compromise Miner’s style. “By using only ideal fruit sources combined with the best winemaking techniques available, our wines are the pure expression of both the vineyard and the varietal,” says proprietor Dave Miner. The winery is also committed to being environmentally friendly, with a new solar-powered installation and waste-water recycling program. Call ahead to tour its 20,000 square feet of caves.

Miner Family Vineyards 7850 Silverado Trail Oakville, CA 94562

MINER FAMILY VINEYARDS

RUTHERFORD

GRGICH HILLS Rutherford

Varietals: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fumé Blanc, Zinfandel, Merlot, late harvest dessert wine Appellation: Napa Valley Special farming techniques: Certified organic and Biodynamic®

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

grgich.com

Winemaker: Miljenko “Mike” Grgich

Tastings Open Daily

800-532-3057

In a valley where signs for new wineries seem to crop up every day, it’s worth noting the longevity of someone like Miljenko “Mike” Grgich. Last year he celebrated his 50th harvest in the Napa Valley and was elected to the Vintners’ Hall of Fame. It was Grgich’s 1973 Château Montelena Chardonnay that beat an array of French white Burgundies in the historic Paris blind tasting of 1976. Since then, Grgich has focused on creating consistently complex wines using certified organic and Biodynamic® farming techniques. Assisted by his daughter,Violet Grgich, and his nephew, Ivo Jeramaz, he makes 100 percent estate-produced wines that have graced the tables of royalty and heads of state. “There is no step in the growing and making of wine that is too small to ignore,” he says. “My father taught me, ‘Every day do something a little better.’ That’s good advice not only for winemaking, but for life.”

Grgich Hills Estate 1829 St. Helena Hwy. Rutherford, CA 94573

GRGICH HILLS ESTATE

QUINTESSA Rutherford

Varietals: A single red blend composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, CarmenĂ¨re Appellation: Rutherford Special farming or winemaking techniques: Organic and biodynamic vineyard, state-of-the-art gravity-flow winery, French oak aging in caves Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

quintessa.com

Winemaker: Charles Thomas

Tours & Tastings by Appt

707-967-1601

Agustin and Valeria Huneeus discovered the land that would become Quintessa in 1989 - it was the last great undeveloped property in the Napa Valley. The 280acre estate includes a valley, a lake, a river, five hills, four microclimates and a great diversity of soil types, all in the renowned Rutherford appellation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fact that the property had never been planted to grapes spoke to the vivacity of the soil and the absence of grape pests,â&#x20AC;? explains Valeria. Using the most advanced viticultural techniques, select rootstocks and clones, and the expertise of winemaker Charles Thomas and famed consultant Michel Rolland, Quintessa produces a single extraordinary wine that expresses the diversity and elegance of the vineyard. A native of Chile, Agustin devoted his entire professional life to the wine business across the globe before establishing Quintessa. Valeria, the vineyard master, is a biochemist, microbiologist and viticulturalist. The winery they built has won several architectural awards for its environmental sensitivity and subtle presence.

Quintessa 1601 Silverado Trail Rutherford, CA 94574

QUINTESSA

Kristen Loken Anstey

ST. SUPÉRY VINEYARDS Rutherford

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Malbec, Moscato, Bordeaux blends Appellations: Rutherford, Napa Valley Special farming or winemaking techniques: Sustainably farmed, biodiversity of wildlife & agriculture

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

stsupery.com

Winemaker: Michael Beaulac

Tastings Open Daily

707-963-4507

Like a good Meritage, St. Supéry’s vineyards represent a perfect blend. Its Rutherford vineyard and winery reflect the long heritage of winemaking in this celebrated appellation. Its Dollarhide vineyard, located in the northeast corner of Napa Valley, is an historical horse ranch with a completely different microclimate and a diversity of soils, topography, and wildlife. Together they produce some of California’s most notable, estate-bottled wines, and offer a variety of ways to spend a pleasant day in the wine country. Take a tour through the second-floor gallery, which gives a view onto each step of the winemaking process, including its famous “smell-a-vision” feature. Enjoy monthly art exhibits or, on weekends, try the Divine Wine Room for selected tastings of estate wines, food pairings, and knowledgeable insights from St. Supéry’s friendly, approachable staff. Outside, the shaded grounds include a parc and boules for the traditional game of pétanque.

St. Supéry Vineyards and Winery 8440 St. Helena Hwy. Rutherford, CA 94573

ST. SUPÉRY VINEYARDS AND WINERY

ROUND POND ESTATE Rutherford

Varietals: Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo Appellation: Rutherford Special farming or winemaking techniques: Organic and sustainable farming, double hand-sorting, small lot blending and fermenting

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

roundpond.com

Winemakers: Thomas Brown and Brian Brown

Tours & Tastings by Appt

888-302-2575

Completed in 2007, Round Pond is one of Napa Valley’s newest wineries but it reflects a tradition established over 25 years ago by the MacDonnell family on their Rutherford property. Since 1983, they have grown premium grapes for some of the valley’s most prestigious wineries – today its 432-acre estate includes sustainably grown vineyards, biodynamic gardens, and organic olive orchards. Consulting winemaker Thomas Brown and winemaker Brian Brown employ the latest root stocks and clones and pick only specially designated vineyard rows from the very best blocks. No wonder their wines are getting such buzz in the industry press: The San Francisco Chronicle named Round Pond’s Cabernet Sauvignon in the Top 100 Wines of both 2007 and 2008. Whether you’re enjoying a food and wine pairing in its elevated tasting lounge or taking in the 360-degree views from its covered terrace, “We want our guests to feel as if they’re sitting in our living room,” says Miles MacDonnell.

Round Pond Estate 875 Rutherford Road Rutherford, CA 94573

ROUND POND ESTATE

SWANSON VINEYARDS Rutherford

Varietals: Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon and rare small-batch varietals Appellation: Oakville, Napa Valley Special farming or winemaking techniques: Sustainable farming and minimalist winemaking

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

swansonvineyards.com

Winemaker: Chris Phelps

Tastings by Appt

707-967-3500

If your tastes favor fin-de-siècle Paris over rural California, Swanson Vineyards is the place to go. Its whimsical Salon and Le Cirque offer both seated and standing tasting experiences, featuring the winery’s small-production varietals paired with its own American caviar, signature chocolate bonbons, and artisanal cheeses. But behind the glamour are serious wines. In 1985, when W. Clarke Swanson, Jr. decided to develop a viticultural estate, he hired legendary vintner André Tchelistcheff as his chief technical consultant. Tchelistcheff advised him to plant the then relatively unknown varietal Merlot in his Oakville vineyard. Swanson Vineyards, still family-owned and operated, has grown to become the largest single estate producer of Merlot in the valley while Oakville has emerged as one of Napa’s foremost red wine appellations. From the beginning, Swanson has followed the domaine model of Europe’s premier wine regions by maintaining complete control over all aspects of farming and winemaking.

Swanson Vineyards 1271 Manley Lane Rutherford, CA 94573

SWANSON VINEYARDS

AUBERGE DU SOLEIL Rutherford

Property size: 33 acres Restaurant: Michelin one star Facilities: Swimming pool, full spa, fitness center, tennis court, yoga pavilion

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

aubergedusoleil.com

Number of guest rooms: 50

Lodging & Dining

800-348-5406

When the Auberge du Soleil first opened in 1985, critics called it “Casa Vogue” and applauded its new style of informal elegance. Now, after 24 years and a major renovation, the Auberge has earned a star from the Michelin guide and retains its luster as one of the most comfortable and sophisticated small luxury hotels in the world. The Provence-inspired property sits on a 33-acre hillside olive grove. Earth-toned maisons enclose 50 guest rooms, each with its own terrace overlooking acres of vines and, on clear mornings, the spectacle of colorful hot-air balloons rising in the distance. The 120-seat restaurant and bar also look onto superb vineyard views. Chef Robert Curry’s cuisine gives local ingredients a Mediterranean flair, and Sommelier Kris Margerum’s wine list is the valley’s most extensive. The 7,000 square-foot Auberge Spa enhances the tranquil retreat, along with a swimming pool, fitness center, and tennis court.

Auberge du Soleil 180 Rutherford Hill Road Rutherford, CA 94573

AUBERGE DU SOLEIL

ST. HELENA

VINEYARD 7 & 8 St. Helena

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay Appellation: Spring Mountain Special farming or winemaking techniques: Sustainably farmed, all hand-sorted, whole-berry fermentation

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

vineyard7and8.com

Winemaker: Luc Morlet

Tours & Tastings by Appt

707-963-9425

In the late nineteenth century, Spring Mountain district became one of the first recognized grape-growing regions in the Napa Valley. Now it’s considered to be among the premier winemaking appellations in the world, after a run of bad luck in the early 1900s, when Prohibition and diseased vines nearly shut it down. No wonder Launny and Weezie Steffens chose to name their new winery after two lucky numbers: “7” represents good fortune in western cultures, while “8” is lucky in eastern cultures. Planted high above the fog in well-draining volcanic soil, its vineyards produce lateripening, low yields. “There is no set formula for how we make the wine,” says Winery Manager and Assistant Winemaker Wesley Steffens. “With each vintage, we let the fruit speak for itself.” French-born winemaker Luc Morlet oversees a handcrafted process to produce wines that are concentrated and round on the palate with robust minerality, typical of mountain vineyards.

Vineyard 7 & 8 Spring Mountain Road St. Helena, CA 94574

VINEYARD 7 & 8

SPRING MOUNTAIN VINEYARD St. Helena

65 More than a century ago, Napa Valley’s first immigrants looked not to the valley floor but to the hillsides to plant their vineyards. Among them were a German, a Frenchman, and a man of Mexican birth, each of whom built majestic wine estates on Spring Mountain. Today these historic estates comprise a single property with lavish Old World architecture surrounded by 120 yearold olive trees, gardens, and vineyards. No wonder Food & Wine magazine rated Spring Mountain Vineyard among the area’s best winery tours. The Reserve Tour offers cave barrel sampling and an intimate, salon-style tasting in the 1885 Victorian Miravalle, with library vintages and cheese pairing. The Estate Tour gives a walking tour of the estate’s grounds and a cave tasting of current releases. Employing ancient techniques with modern technology, owner Jacob E. Safra puts his greatest passion into Elivette, a singular, Bordeauxstyled wine that expresses the soul of this property.

Spring Mountain Vineyard 2805 Spring Mountain Road St. Helena, CA 94574

Winemaker: Jac Cole

877-769-4637

SPRING MOUNTAIN VINEYARD

Appellation: Spring Mountain Special farming or winemaking techniques: Sustainable, organic, biodiverse environment; trellised to vertical gobelet form; Mistral triple-sorting system; extended sur-lie batonnage

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

springmountainvineyard.com

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux blend

Tastings Daily & Tours by Appt

MELKA WINES St. Helena

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Proprietary Red Appellations: St. Helena, St. Emilion (Bordeaux), Knights Valley, Coombsville Special farming or winemaking techniques: Organic

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

melkawines.com

Winemakers: Philippe and Cherie Melka

Tastings by Appt

707-963-6008

The Los Angeles Times has called him “the most famous winemaker you’ve never heard of in California.” Robert Parker named him one of the nine top wine consultants in the world. And yet, despite his international credentials and acclaim, Bordeaux-trained Philippe Melka keeps a low profile when it comes to his own family-based winemaking. Philippe and his wife Cherie have been producing their own labels since 1996, along with a long list of high-end clients such as Hundred Acre,Vineyard 29, and Gemstone. The Melkas’ CJ Cabernet Sauvignon, named for their children Chloe and Jeremy, derives from two Napa Valley vineyards. Using the French word for “blend,” the line of Metisse vineyard-designated reds comes from single vineyards in St. Helena, Knights Valley, and St. Emilion (Bordeaux). All reflect the Melkas’ commitment to telling the story of the native soil, combining French expertise and tradition with the latest in viticultural techniques.

Melka Wines P.O. Box 82 St. Helena, CA 94562

MELKA WINES

JOSEPH PHELPS VINEYARDS St. Helena

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Bordeaux-style blend, vineyard-designated Cabernet, proprietary dessert wine Appellation: Napa Valley Special farming or winemaking techniques: All sustainable and some biodynamic practices; an extensive biodiversity program

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

jpvwines.com

Winemakers: Damian Parker, Ashley Hepworth

Open Daily Tours by Appt

707-963-2745

This is one of the oldest and most respected wineries in the Napa Valley. “Joe Phelps is truly a pioneer,” says Damian Parker, Director of Winemaking at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. “The 1974 Insignia was the first Bordeaux-style blend produced in California under a proprietary label. That same year, our Syrah revived a French varietal whose plantings here had disappeared for more than 50 years. And in 1990 we introduced a whole new family of Rhone-style wines.” Joe’s son, Bill Phelps, is proud for another reason, as well. “We probably have the longest tenured team of any winery in the Valley,” he says. “Many of our employees have been with us for more than 25 years.” This year, Joseph Phelps Vineyards will add yet another feather to its cap: beginning with the 2009 harvest, Phelps will own and control virtually all of its grape sources, becoming 100 percent estate-produced except for its limited production of Syrah.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards 200 Taplin Road St. Helena, CA 94574

JOSEPH PHELPS VINEYARDS

MEADOWOOD NAPA VALLEY St. Helena

Facilities: Two swimming pools, full spa, 9-hole golf course, tennis, croquet, private hiking trails Restaurant: Michelin two-star

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

meadowood.com

Property size: 250 acres

Lodging & Dining

800-458-8080

Meadowood Napa Valley began as a private club for local vintners forty-five years ago and has grown into a center of wine-country life – its Auction Napa Valley attracts wine-lovers from around the world every summer. It also offers the ultimate destination for discerning travelers with a passion for fine wine. The property features championship croquet lawns, seven tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, two swimming pools, a full-service health spa, a two-star Michelinrated restaurant, and a year-round calendar of cultural events. Scattered within a 250-acre, forested valley, Meadowood’s 85 cottages, suites, and lodges have private decks for quiet entertaining or intimate meals. The highly trained staff includes tennis, golf, and croquet professionals, a wine educator, and a cultural affairs director. Whether you choose to spend an active day outside, or pampering yourself in the spa, you’ll find the perfect way to relax amid the elegant, natural beauty of this private estate. Number of guest rooms: 85 cottages, suites, and lodges

Meadowood Napa Valley 900 Meadowood Lane St. Helena, CA 94574

MEADOWOOD NAPA VALLEY

CALISTOGA

TWOMEY CELLARS Calistoga

Varietals: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc Appellations: Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Santa Barbara County, Anderson Valley Special winemaking techniques: Soutirage traditional, barrel-to-barrel racking

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

twomeycellars.com

Winemakers: Daniel Baron, Ben Cane

Open Daily except Sunday

800-505-4850

It’s called soutirage traditional – an Old World technique rarely used outside of France’s Bordeaux region – and Twomey Cellars is one of the few California wineries using the labor-intensive method to produce its flagship Merlot. The wine is slowly decanted from barrel to barrel, leaving the sediment behind. Using gravity instead of pumps, the gentle racking softens the tannins while clarifying the wine and creating lush mouthfeel and voluptuous flavors. Winemaker Daniel Baron developed a passion for Merlot while working in France’s Pomerol and St. Emilion districts, acclaimed for that varietal. But his desire to make a California Merlot with a French sensibility was hindered by a lack of fruit with the necessary characteristics – until he visited Soda Canyon Ranch, planted with top-flight French clones. The single vineyard also provides fruit for Silver Oak Cellars which, like Twomey, is owned and operated by the Raymond Twomey Duncan family.

Twomey Cellars 1183 Dunaweal Lane Calistoga, CA 94515

TWOMEY CELLARS

LARKMEAD VINEYARDS Calistoga

Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Tocai Friulano, Bordeaux blends Appellation: Calistoga (AVA pending)

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

larkmead.com

Winemaker: Andy Smith

Tastings by Appt

707-942-0167

San Francisco philanthropist and socialite Lily Hitchcock Coit when she built her country home on this land in 1875, named it for the larks in her meadow. Now embarking on its third century of crafting estate-grown wines, Larkmead Vineyards is renowned for its historic pedigree and as a valued grower for many of the Napa Valley’s most prestigious wineries. No wonder Robert Parker called Larkmead “a sensational producer…one of the reference points as well as historic vineyards of Napa Valley.” For more than 60 years, the Solari family has devoted its efforts to producing premier Bordeaux varietals and blends that are a true expression of this remarkable place. The resulting wines are known for their elegance and finesse. “We’re proud of our heritage as growers and vintners,” says Winery Manager Colin MacPhail. “In both the vineyard and the winery, we put our skill and patience into creating the best wines we can make.”

Larkmead Vineyards 1100 Larkmead Lane Calistoga, CA 94515

LARKMEAD VINEYARDS

CALISTOGA RANCH Calistoga

Lodging & Dining

Property size: 157 acres Facilities: Swimming pool, full spa, private hiking trails Restaurant: Yes

Decanting Wine Country : Napa Valley 2009

707-254-2800

Number of guest rooms: 48 free-standing lodges

calistogaranch.com

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another side to the Napa Valley, but you have to know where to look. Tucked into a private, wooded canyon just south of Calistoga, this 157-acre resort blends nature with luxury in an enclave of ancient oaks, rolling hills, and a private lake fed by a rocky stream. An Auberge Resort, Calistoga Ranch provides a uniquely northern Californian experience, a secluded haven from the bustle of the valley floor. Its 48 free-standing lodges follow the contours of the land to merge with the ruggedly beautiful landscape and heighten the connection to nature. The premier restaurant and fullservice spa are open exclusively to its guests and resort members, with soaking pools overlooking the creek and trees. The national travel press has taken note: last year Calistoga Ranch was named among the best hotels and resorts by Travel & Leisure, CondĂŠ Nast Traveler, and the Robb Report.

Calistoga Ranch 580 Lommel Road Calistoga, CA 94515

CALISTOGA RANCH

NAPA VALLEY Appellations Atlas Peak AVA: Atlas Peak is the highest point in the Vaca Mountain Range at 2,700 feet, located northeast of the city of Napa. Zinfandel is emerging as the best varietal for the appellation’s growing conditions, however; Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese are planted in this region. Carneros AVA: Straddling the borders of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys on the north coast of San Pablo Bay is the appellation known as Los Carneros– ‘The Rams’. The cool wind and fog in the early afternoon provide the ideal conditions for producing fine Chardonnays, elegant Pinot Noirs and crisp sparkling wines. In recent years, Carneros has also been recognized for the quality of its Syrah and Merlot. Chiles Valley District AVA:

This narrow appellation in the Vaca Mountains along the northeast side of the Napa Valley can be described as a ‘valley within a valley’. It was named after Joseph Ballinger Chiles, who was given a land grant, Rancho Catacula from the Mexican government in the mid-1800s. The terroir is unique, as cooling bay breezes which affect the Valley floor do not reach as far inland as Chiles Valley, making the climate more continental than maritime. Zinfandel is grown here with great achievement.

Diamond Mountain DistrictAVA:

Cabernet Sauvignon is the true diamond of this AVA. Covering 5,000 rocky acres in the Mayacamas Range on the northeast side of Napa Valley, this region has just over 500 acres under vine. Unique, porous volcanic soils and extended exposure to the sun produce powerful Cabernets with chewy textures and diamond-hard tannins. Other varieties, including Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel, are being grown here with great success.

Howell Mountain AVA: The first

Napa Valley sub-region to be designated an AVA in 1984. Overlooking St. Helena from the Vaca Mountain Range on the valley’s northeast side, the appellation encompasses around 14,000 acres, yet possesses only 600 acres of vines. The region is rugged, with vineyards at 1,400-2,200 feet in elevation, avoiding the influences of the fog that often blankets the valley floor below. Howell Mountain is well known for its Bordeaux varieties and Zinfandels.

Mt.Veeder AVA: Nestled in the Mayacamas Mountains, this 25 squaremile appellation is situated on volcanic Mount Veeder at 2,677 feet above sea level. The slopes are steep, the soils are thin and the viticulture is back-breaking, but the result is intense, chewy wines with distinctive wild berry fruit flavors and magnificent spice. Oak Knoll District AVA: Located toward the southern end of the Napa Valley at a relatively low elevation, this area is accessible to this climate moderating effects of San Pablo Bay. The Carneros appellation, located to Oak Knoll’s immediate south, is generally the only place in Napa that can claim a cooler climate, with a reputation for a delicate and restrained style of Chardonnay. It has notable wineries from neighboring appellations choosing Oak Knoll fruit for their Chardonnays. Oakville AVA: When H. W. Crabb

planted a vineyard in Oakville in 1868, he named his chosen site ‘To Kalon’, Greek for ‘most beautiful’. Today, this vineyard is surrounded by 5,000 acres of vines, in an appellation that only totals 5,700 acres. The gravelly, well-drained soils are perfect for the world-class wines that are mostly from Bordeaux varieties. They are characteristically rich and dense, with firm tannins.

Rutherford AVA: “Cabernets need,

a touch of that Rutherford dust.” (Andre Tchelistcheff, legendary winemaker of Beaulieu Vineyards). The celebrated vignerons of this appellation deeply respect the unique terroir here – as they say, the “dust”. The historic wineries of Inglenook and Beaulieu, as well as dozens of new houses, have proven that this sixsquare-mile plot of vines, halfway up the Napa Valley, rivals the best appellations of the Old World.

St. Helena AVA: The St. Helena

appellation is located where the Napa Valley floor narrows, between the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountain ranges. The history of winemaking in St. Helena is legendary, as Charles Krug opened his celebrated winery here in 1861. Located in an up-valley area, the climate is quite different from the surrounding regions. The marine air that affects the lower areas of the valley is not so dominant here; however, cool Pacific breezes from the north reach St. Helena, cooling vines and deliver graceful, intense fruit with concentration and depth.

Spring Mountain District:

Currently known for its mountaingrown Cabernets, this region’s first premium wines were whites, particularly Chardonnay and Riesling. Vineyards here are on steep, east-facing terraces of the Mayacamas Mountain Range, situated up to 2,600 feet above sea level. Due to the higher elevations of the vineyards, fog is not a factor here like it is in much of Napa Valley. The Spring Mountain District’s wine-growing history reaches back as far as the Civil War, and by 1874 the legendary Beringer brothers had a vineyard planted here.

Stags Leap District: Legend has it that a great stag, escaping a hunting party, leaped from peak to peak on palisades towering over the Napa Valley below. Located on the Vaca Mountain Range, six miles north of the city of Napa, the Stags Leap District is a mere two square-miles. Famous for Cabernets described like ‘a fist in a velvet glove,’ these are wines with firm tannins, yet with a sense of elegance and grace that sets them apart.

In 1976, at a blind tasting in Paris, nine judges awarded first place to a 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, ahead of the great growths of Bordeaux. That historic event not only put this tiny appellation on the map, but solidified California’s claim as one of the world’s great wine regions.

Yountville: In 1836, George Calvert Yount, one of the Valley’s earliest settlers, was granted his Rancho Caymus. He soon planted the first vineyard just outside the town that now bears his name. Since then, vineyards have always existed in the appellation. The AVA has one of the valley’s coolest vineyard exposures. Its long, chilly growing season produces incredibly long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon, with rock-hard tannins and deep concentration. Wild Horse Valley: One of the

Napa Valley’s earliest appellations may well be its least known. The Wild Horse Valley AVA, is a mere 3,300 acres in size, with barely over 100 acres under vine, and just a single winery calling it home. Straddling Napa and Solano counties, this viticultural area enjoys many hours, as summer fogs usually stop before reaching Wild Horse’s elevation. Its southerly location near San Pablo Bay exposes it to cool westerly winds from the ocean and bay, especially in the spring and summer.

SONOMA Members Sonoma Hanzell Vineyards 707 996-3860 18596 Lomita Avenue, Sonoma hanzell.com,Tastings by appt Bartholomew Park 707 935-9511 1000 Vineyard Lane, Sonoma bartpark.com,Tasting daily Schug Carneros Estate 707 939-9363 602 Bonneau Road, Sonoma schugwinery.com,Tasting daily Fairmont Inn and Spa 800 257-7544 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma fairmont.com/sonoma MacArthur Place 800 722-1866 29 East MacArthur St., Sonoma macarthurplace.com Glen Elen and Kenwood Imagery Estate Winery 707 935-4515 14335 Hwy 12, Glen Ellen imagerywinery.com, Tasting daily

Freestone, Sebastopol, & Forestville Freestone/Joseph Phelps 707 963-2745 12747 El Camino Bodega Freestone, Tastings by appt freestonevineyards.com Merry Edwards Wines 707 823-7466 2959 Gravenstein Hwy. Sebastopol,Tastings by appt merryedwards.com Paul Hobbs Winery 707 824-9879 3355 Gravenstein Hwy. Sebastopol,Tastings by appt paulhobbs.com Marimar Torres Estate 707 823-4365 11400 Graton Road Sebastopol, marimarestate.com Tasting daily, appt for tours Hartford Family Winery 707 967-8333 8075 Martinelli Road, Forestville,Tasting open daily hartfordwines.com

Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant Benziger Family Winery 800 464-6642 707 935-3000 1883 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen 7871 River Road, Forestville farmhouseinn.com benziger.com,Tasting daily, Tram by appt Windsor Audelssa Estate Winery Inman Family Wines 707 933-8514 707 395-0689 13647 Arnold Drive 5793 Skylane Blvd. # C, Windsor Glen Ellen CA 95425 inmanfamilywines.com audelssa.com, Tastings weekends Tastings weekends or by appt or by appt Landmark Vineyards 707 833-0053 101 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood landmark.com, Tasting daily Kenwood Inn and Spa 800 353-6966 10400 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood kenwoodinn.com

Healdsburg Arista Winery 707 473-0606 7015 Westside Road, Healdsburg, aristawinery.com Tastings weekends or by appt Bella Vineyards 707 473-9171 9711 West Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg, Tasting daily bellawinery.com

Healdsburg A Rafanelli 707 433-1385 4685 W. Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg arafanelli.com,Tastings by appt Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards 707 838-4306 10300 Chalk Hill Rd. Healdsburg chalkhill.com, Tastings by appt Quivira Vineyards 707 431-8333 4900 West Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg quivirawine.com, Tasting daily Lambert Bridge Winery 707 431-9600 4085 W. Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg lambertbridge.com, Tasting daily Rodney Strong Vineyards 707 431-1533 11455 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg rodneystrong.com, Tasting daily Jordan Winery 707 431-5250 1474 Alexander Valley Rd., Healdsburg jordanwinerycom, Tastings by appt Twomey Cellars 3000 Westside Road Healdsburg, CA 95448 800 505-4850 Tastings daily except Sun Les Mars Hotel 877 431-1700 27 North Street, Healdsburg lesmarshotel.com Geyserville Silver Oak Cellars 707 857-3562 24625 Chianti Rd, Geyserville silveroak.com Tastings daily except Sun

MAP Location & Page Number

Napa 09 Domaine Carneros Tastings and tours daily 11 Caldwell Vineyard Tastings by appointment 13 Darioush Tastings daily, tours by appointment

15 Palmaz Vineyards Tastings & tours by appointment 17 Mi Sueño Winery Tastings by appointment

65 63

19 Buoncristiani Family Vineyards Tastings & tours by appointment 21 Reynolds Family Winery Tastings daily, tours by appointment

23 Hartwell Vineyards Tastings & tours by appointment 25 The Westin Verasa Chef Ken Franks

Yountville 29 Keever Vineyards Tastings & tours by appointment

31 hope & grace wines Tastings daily

51 59 49 53 55 57 43 41 39 35 29 31

33 Waugh Cellars Tastings & tours by appointment 35 Thomas Keller Restaurant Group Chef / Owner Thomas Keller

Oakville 39 Far Niente Tastings & tours by appointment 41 Silver Oak Cellars Tastings daily, except Sunday

33 19 23

43 Nickel & Nickel Tastings & tours by appointment 45 Miner Family Vineyards Tastings daily, tours by appointment Rutherford 49 Grgich Hills Estate Tastings daily, tours by appointment

15 13 21

51 Quintessa Tastings & tours by appointment 53 St. Supéry Vineyards Tastings daily, tours by appointment 55 Round Pond Estate Tastings & tours by appointment 57 Swanson Vineyards Tastings by appointment 59 Auberge du Soleil Chef Robert Curry

St Helena 63 Vineyard 7 & 8 Tastings & tours by appointment

65 Spring Mountain Vineyard Tastings daily, tours by appointment

67 Melka Wines Tastings by appointment 69 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Tastings & tours by appointment 71 Meadowood Napa Valley Chef Chris Kostow Calistoga 75 Twomey Cellars Tastings daily, except Sunday 77 Larkmead Vineyards Tastings & tours by appointment 79 Calistoga Ranch Chef Aaron Wright

map template courtesy of winecountry.com

Association by Invitation

decantingnapavalley.com

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