With an overwhelming number of great wineries to choose from in the Napa Valley, how do you know where to begin?
One idea is to ask for recommendations from other wineries. Strike up a conversation with the friendly and knowledgeable tasting room staff, as they often have friends and relatives in the local wine scene as well. Wineries know you are not going to visit only one place that day and many of them have partnerships with, or purchase grapes from other vineyards, so it is a great way to get some recommendations for places you may never have heard of. On my last trip to Napa, I did just that and found some amazing places I probably would have otherwise missed. Here are five suggestions on wineries that should be on the list for your next trip to Napa.
Elizabeth Spencer Wines is located at 1165 Rutherford Road (Hwy 128) in Rutherford. The winery is housed in the former Post Office building, built in 1872. The charming, historic building makes an amazing backdrop for tasting some heavenly wines. We were fortunate to try their entire menu, along with some rare vintages, which were all phenomenal. From bright fruity whites, to rich smooth Cabernets, I was completely impressed. My best pick: 2005 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($75).
Hope & Grace Wines is next door to Bouchon in Yountville, at 6540 Washington Street. The winemaker, Charles Hendricks, has done wonders showcasing his own winemaking skills after years of consulting for other labels. He’s one of the nicest winemakers I’ve had the opportunity to chat with after he came in to sign a bottle for me. The tasting room is edgy, with great artistic touches, including the original artwork that inspired the design for his label. With an approximate annual production of 2,000 cases, he has a Chardonnay, a Malbec, a couple Pinot Noirs, and two Cabernet Sauvignons. I was impressed with his whole line up, but my favorite, by far, is the 2004 Hendricks Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($125). Bottled in 2007, but not released until January 2009, the additional bottle aging resulted in a remarkable wine filled with aromas of vanilla and plums, silky fruit on the palate, and a long, lingering finish with subtle tannins.
Jessup Cellars is just down the street from Hope & Grace at 6740 Washington Street. Another edgy tasting room filled with great art and such a warm and friendly ambiance. Founded in 1996, by Mark Jessup, Jessup Cellars offers a great lineup of both white and red wines. Concentrating on small production wines, their focus really is on showcasing the individual characteristics of the location where the grapes were grown, often known as terroir. This attention to detail has resulted in some beautifully hand-crafted wines. My favorite pick here is the Jessup Napa Valley, “Table for Four” ($79). A blend of Cabernet, Cab Franc, Merlot, and Petite Syrah, this wine is filled with aromas of vanilla and spice, very fruit-forward on the palate, and finishes with smooth earthy undertones.
Vincent Arroyo Winery is located in Calistoga and is open for tasting by appointment only now. This is one of my regular stops and his specialty is Petite Syrah. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting as Vincent’s dogs are even part of the winemaking process, complete with their own blends! JJ and Bodega are regular fixtures at the winery and even share in the fame after their appearance in the 2007 Winery Dogs Calendar. Selling about 90% of his wine as futures, offerings may vary based on what is available at the time of your visit. My recommendation, if you can get your hands on it, is the Petite Syrah Greenwood Ranch. Right now, there are limited quantities of the 2007 available for $50.
Franciscan Winery is located on Hwy 29 at 1178 Galleron Road in St. Helena. Normally a red drinker, I have grown rather fond of their whites over the years. I stumbled across their Chardonnay at a formal wine pairing dinner in Las Vegas several years ago, and it still ranks as one of my all-time favorites. The current release is the 2007 Chardonnay ($18) which has flavors of pears and apples on the palate, with a hint of oak. It is not the big buttery, typical California Chardonnay, which is probably one of the reasons I am so fond of it. After talking with the tasting room staff, she directed me to something that is vying for number one now, the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc $17). Beautiful aromas of grapefruit, lychee, and lime zest lead into a signature flavor combination of lime and lemongrass.
While these are only five of my favorite places to visit in Napa, there are well over 500 wineries in the region. Not everyone is always going to like the same wines, but choosing wineries, like these, that offer a great selection of both white and red wines at varying price points, you’ll be sure to find something you will like!
