NVL winery spotlight
Miner Family Winery:
Unpretentious, Approachable, Inviting Photos courtesy of Miner Family Winery
BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR
S
mall, family-owned wineries are at the core of what makes Napa Valley special, and there’s a lot to love about Miner Family Winery. Owner Dave Miner put it like this: “We like to have people come here and have a good time, learn some things they want to, taste good wines and just enjoy themselves. Those are the themes here at Miner that we try to promote all the time. So come visit.” This place and brand are firmly built on friendly and foundational pillars: unpretentious, approachable, and inviting. When guests arrive at Miner, they encounter a panoramic sweep of wine country at its best. Just north of Yountville, tucked into the eastern hills of the Oakville AVA on the scenic Silverado Trail, the views are like nothing else in the valley. Visitors will also notice a few impressive things about the surroundings: An expansive array of solar panels are installed on the east side of the property which provide 100 percent of the winery’s power, supporting a dedicated environmental philosophy, and a half-acre of Cabernet Sauvignon planted at the entrance to the winery. 48
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In addition, the eastern hillside houses a 20,000-square-foot wine cave. The newly renovated space for indoor tastings, completed in 2019, is the epitome of inviting with top-to-bottom upgrades. Now, finally reopened, the attractive spaces are just like new. “The new design is a true reflection of our personality as a company and a culture. It's fun, casual, and relaxed but still incredibly classy. It evokes who we are and embraces two of my passions: world-class wine and jazz guitars,” said Dave Miner. Exterior renovations continued through 2020, and now both the second and third floor terraces highlight unobstructed west-facing views of beautiful Oakville. Each wine at Miner is sourced from some of California’s most sought-after and respected vineyards. The portfolio features a wide range of varietals, including the consistently popular Wild Yeast Chardonnay, Rosato of Sangiovese, and The Oracle, Miner’s flagship Bordeaux-style red blend. Miner’s hospitality approach is approachable but elevated, and guest experiences are central to what makes Miner special.
In the Oracle Blending Seminar, visitors try their hand at winemaking with all five Bordeaux varietals that go into The Oracle: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The new Library Experience tasting takes guests through current release flagship wines and library offerings, using stemmed Riedel® glassware to enhance each varietal. Additionally, the Vineyard Comparative guides guests through six wines sourced from different vineyards to highlight and observe terroir differences prior to a private guided tour of the caves. Amid a display of Dave’s wine-stained guitars, the third-floor tasting space provides a private lounge to accommodate larger groups. Miner is truly a warm and welcoming destination in the heart of wine country. The wonderful people, unmatched views, and sensational wines make for an unforgettable experience. FOR MORE INFORMATION
7850 Silverado Trail Oakville, CA 94562 minerwines.com
