Guide to Napa Valley Wines
Mention California wines and the bounty of the Napa Valley is high on everyone's list. There are 14 sub-regions located within the appellation and each winery offers a distinct taste that can differ depending on a vineyard's location. Napa wines are heralded for tastes lavish with fruit and generous with oak, and are perfect for your New Year's Eve dinner or party.
Tastings by appointment only
Bacchus, the god of wine smiled mightily when favorite sons, Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, joined forces four decades ago. Their creation, Opus One Winery, set the mark for others to reach. Although it varies annually the wine is typically made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The winery itself is a visual wonder of limestone partially underground and then spreading across the landscape. Tours are available for estate and winery tours with a single vintage tasting of Opus One or a double vintage tasting lead by senior staff.
Tastings by appointment only
Open since 2000 the Kapcsándy family already has a distinguished lineage of winemakers. From Helen Turley and Rob Lawson to the current Denis Malbec. Each has coaxed the best from grapes resulting in pleasurable wines. The 2007 Endre is a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with delectable doses of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It is chewy with a dark berried taste and creamy finish. Never shy the '08 Endre shows its muscles through tannins and berried summer fruits. Tasting room visitors are limited so call ahead.
Open Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open Saturday -Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sterling Vineyard is a theme park for oenophiles. From the aerial tram soaring above the valley floor to graciously strolling past galleries of art work with a glass of wine or understanding the winemaking process from a variety of televisions. As one of the oldest operations in Napa, Sterling offers a variety of wines. From their single vineyard varietals come the Three Palm Merlot 97 rich with fruit forward taste multi-layered with smokiness, the sweetness of vanilla oak and a deep density of chocolate. Napa appellation grapes form the Sauvignon Blanc 2009 with a citrus and tropical taste riding below a gentle
herbaceous scent.
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Artesa wines reflect their surrounding landscape the Spanish heritage of the Codorníu family who first made wine in the 16th century near Barcelona. A wide variety of wines are available from single estate vineyards, reserve wines and limited reserve. Their classic tier wines range from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir to Chardonnay made from Napa Appellation grapes. The latter 2008's offering is a brisk blend of tropical fruits with a stoned fruit notes highlighted by the tang of citrus and minerals.
Artesa's Visitor Center with its Mediterranean late 20th century design provides a perfect canvas to create a wine memory for everyone.
Open daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
A visit here showcases the passion of humankind and Mother Nature walking hand in hand. Robert Motherwell 's abstract expressionism and the photorealism created by Franz Gertsch are just of few of the museum-quality pieces found in the galleries. The vineyards produce masterpieces in three distinct series – the Hess Collection Mount Veeder Estate wines, Hess Napa Valley wines and Hess Select wines. Among the celebration of wines are the Cabernet Sauvignons. The 2004 Hess Collection greets the nose with aromas of Grandma's kitchen from hot molasses cookies to berried pies. An explosion of summer heat and lush berried and cherried fruits are tempered by the pungency of sage in the 2008 Allomi Vineyard release. Special tastings with specially created foods or cheeses can be pre-arranged.
Linda J. Bottjer is a full-time writer with many grape adventures. Follow her at www.words4sail.com.
