Maurice Grumier Ma Valle Blanc De Noir Brut Champagne
Price: $45
Rituals help mark the end of a year and the beginning of a new one, and champagne on New Years Eve is about as ritualistic as they come. One way to mix things up a little, though, is to try a champagne other than the usual suspects, such as this bottle from small-batch producer Maurice Grumier. Straw-yellow in color, its a blend of pinot noir and pinot meunierblanc de noir refers to a sparkling white wine made from dark-skinned grapesand its refreshing crispness carries notes of brioche, pineapple, apple, and lime.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Spoil yourself with a private table in Jordans grand dining room for a gourmet caviar and Champagne pairing. This by-appointment tasting experience features the Jordan Chefs Reserve Caviar by Tsar Nicoulai, the winery chefs traditional buckwheat blini and caviar accoutrements, Jordan Cuvée by French Champagne producer AR Lenoble, Jordan Russian River Chardonnay and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. High-quality, farm-raised caviar pairs marvelously with fine white and even red wines, not just Champagne. Your host will discuss the history of caviar, the rise of American caviar farms and quality levels of caviar production. Available only to silver, gold and platinum members of the winerys loyalty program, Jordan Estate Rewards. You become a silver member once your lifetime spending reaches $500, so this luxurious private wine and food tasting is quite accessible. $50-$70 per person plus points.
Adamvs 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $450
ADAMVS, a boutique 80-acre estate on Napas Howell Mountainjust 27 of the acres are plantedonly makes four wines, so all of them feel special. But of the four, the ADAMVS cabernet is probably the pinnacle. One reason: owners Denise and Stephen Adams dont make very much of it. Unfiltered and organically grown, this cabernet has a silky mouth feel and taste of blackberry, baking spice, and leather. Drink it now, or in a decade or two. Itll be worth the wait.
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Alpha Omega St Helena
Suzanne Becker Bronk/Courtesy of Alpha Omega
Since opening in 2006, Alpha Omega has forged on with a sustainable and quality-over-quantity mindset. Its annual production of 15,000 cases is far less than that churned out by big-name wineries each year. The result? Super-expressive Bordeaux-style wines that taste like the true essence of the land and are best enjoyed on the sunny St. Helena tasting room terrace while gazing at the burbling fountains and Mayacamas Mountains in the distance.
Patrimony 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $275
Patrimony is the creation of Daniel and Georges Daou, Lebanese brothers who grew up in France and came to Paso Robles, on Californias Central Coast, with the mission of bringing cabernet and Bordeaux varietals to a region best known for zinfandel and Rhone wines. Over the past decade, theyve succeeded, making critically acclaimed cabernets like this one, a classic, deep purple, structured cabernet which drinks beautifully now but could be easily cellared for another decade or so.
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Chateau De Pressac 2018 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Price: $45
This Bordeaux red carries the grand cru classificationbasically a French assurance of high qualityand its well deserved here. This red blend is mostly merlot, with cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon among the other grapes present. It all works wonderfully, resulting in an elegant wine that tastes of raspberries, plums, black cherries, perhaps some tobacco, and rosemary. Its delicious now but is likely to get even more interesting with age.
Global Wine Trade Invited To Take Part In Premiere Napa Valley In February 2023
12/1/2022 Saint Helena, CA Today registration opens for Premiere Napa Valley, the ultimate wine trade event and wine auction that takes place from February 10-25, 2023. Nearly 150 Premiere Napa Valley wine lots and 50 Vintage Perspective lots will be up for auction, powered once again by Sothebys. This follows the announcement last November of a three-year venture with Sothebys to help create more access to Napa Valleys rare wines.
We are excited to welcome our trade partners and friends again in 2023 as we continue and evolve the tradition of showcasing the excellent, unique and exemplary wines from all of our esteemed producers exclusively crafted for Premiere Napa Valley, said Priyanka French, Winemaker at Signorello Estate and 2023 Premiere Napa Valley Steering Committee Chair.
Premiere Napa Valley is an auction that takes place each year in February and is made up of one-of-a-kind wines. Winemakers craft their best and most special wines for Premiere Napa Valley in lot sizes ranging from 60 to 240 bottles total, making them Napa Valleys rarest commercially available wines.
Among the Premiere Napa Valley lots this year will be many selections from the 2021 Napa Valley vintage. In addition, 50 lots will be offered in the Vintage Perspective Auction that range in vintage from 2004 to 2013.
The auction will reach a global audience by way of Sothebys, a trusted source for fine wine and spirits.
About Napa Valley Vintners
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Am Pick Up At The Meritage Resort
This champagne-only Napa Valley tour begins at the White House Inn which is the pickup location for all the wine-enthusiast attendants. This is a beautiful boutique hotel that serves the ideal starting point for the wine tour given how its located in Downtown Napa Valley, the ultimate buzzing heart of the city.
At 9:30 am, you will be picked up in a luxury vehicle owned and operated by California Wine Tours and will proceed with the wine tasting journey once you are comfortably settled and are good to go.
> > stop At Welcome To Napa Sign For Pictures In Calistoga< <
Theres a mini stop in Calistoga at the Welcome to Napa sign and this is the time for all the wine lovers to take their cameras out and take some great selfies and pictures in front of the sign.
Calistoga is a small city in Napa Valley and is home to world-class wines, hot springs, and the most unique kind of relaxed charm.
While this may just be a small stop for pictures, you will experience so much more than that. A glimpse of this beautiful city will simply elevate your experience to the next level.
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Domaine Carneros By Taittinger
This breathtaking winery, modeled after a French country chateau, sits on a sloping vineyard overlooking Highway 12 as you enter Carneros. Owned by the great Champagne family, the Taittingers, Domaine Carneros is a bubbly lovers paradise. Head Winemaker Eileen Crane, hand-selected by the Taittinger family to lead the winery, is a master blender, creating beautifully balanced and age-worthy sparkling wines from the cool climate vineyards of Carneros. Enjoy views of rolling vineyards as you sip, with wine flights, wines by the glass, and delectable pairing plates on offer.
Insider Tip
In addition to sparkling wine, Domaine Carneros makes lovely still wines wines from their estate and from vineyards throughout the Carneros region. Particularly known for their pinot noirs, for something more unique to Carneros, try their merlot from Hyde Vineyards.
Aperture 2019 Oliver Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $150
Ive enjoyed watching the evolution of Sonomas Aperture, a project of wine photographer Andy Katz and his winemaker-son Jesse that dates back to 2009. Apertures wine is oriented towards Bordeaux-style reds, like their 2020 Bordeaux Red Blend, and their wines have consistently shown nuance and sophistication that ages well. Aperture has recently launched three small-site vintages, including this one from Oliver Ranch, a 3.6-acre site in Alexander Valley. Its quickly earned a reputation as a California cab to watchand, of course, drink.
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Robert Mondavi 2019 To Kalon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $250
Napas To Kalon vineyard is so renowned, legal battles have been fought over the right to use its name. The details are labyrinthine and not worth explaining. Suffice it to say that the winners got bragging rights and the opportunity to make some remarkable wine, like this To Kalon Reserve from Robert Mondavi. This vintage, the wines eighth, is 93 percent cabernet sauvignon with a little cabernet franc and petit verdot for blending. Expect aromas of blackberries and plums layered with tobacco, licorice, and molasses on the palate. Drinkable now but would benefit from aging.
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I asked if an unknown-to-me Pinot Gris was dry. She replied, Oh, Yes, so I ordered it. Im sure youve guessed, this far into this article, that the wine wasnt dry. By a longshot.
It was far too soft for all of us at the table. It had obvious sugar and had been aged in oak, which the server may not have known. But her answer was inappropriate at best. A better reply would have been to say she would find out or at least say she wasnt sure.
Some restaurants will offer patrons a taste.
So, I did what any patron faced with a ludicrously overpriced wine that he or she doesnt like and had been ordered with bad advice: I sent it back.
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Penfolds 2021 Bin 311 Chardonnay
Price: $40
Speaking of powerhouse brandsPenfolds is probably Australias best-known winemaker and here it shows its muscle, blending grapes from different regions to make a chardonnay that, frankly, is probably better than it needs to be, given the strength of the Penfold name. I taste some peach, pear, melon, and baking apples in this vibrant chardonnay, and love the fact that a big brand can still make such fine wine.
Visit These Wineries For Sparkling Wine
Gloria Ferrer Great terrace view, family makes wine in Spain In Carneros Domaine Carneros Spectacular French Chateau, beautiful views of Carneros Domaine Chandon Fabulous gardens, a variety of sparkling wine choices Mumm Napa See robot Bob in action, dont miss the Ansel Adams photo gallery Schramsberg Historic , oldest caves, reservations required for tours
We recommend visiting no more than three wineries in one day. Take time to enjoy the wine country.
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Our List Of The Best Napa Valley Wineries To Visit
Note: Due to state regulations, wineries in Napa Valley are limiting group sizes for tastings. They are enforcing social distancing measures and tastings must occur outside.
Almost all wineries in Napa already required advanced booking before the onset of this public health emergency, so please don’t arrive in Napa without having booked your tastings online. If you don’t already own great wine glasses, pick one from our list of the best wine glasses and bring it along with you.
If you want some suggestions on how to reduce your risk while tasting at the best Napa wineries, you can .
Quintessa 2019 Red Blend
Price: $230
Quintessas flagship estate wine is another Napa cab to which the word iconic is perhaps too often applied, but sometimes clichés are true, and after 30 vintages this wine deserves its accolades. Thats particularly true with the 2019, a blend of 91 percent cabernet sauvignon and small amounts of merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot, and carmenere. Winemaker Rebekah Wineburg describes it as a complex of flower, forest, fruit, and earth notes. For the more data-minded, Wine Enthusiast magazine awarded the wine 100 points, calling it a winemakers master class in blending. Regardless of which adjectives you prefer, this is a gem.
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Beringer Vineyards St Helena
Courtesy of Beringer Vineyards
Beringer Vineyards is a place steeped in firsts. It was one of the first to operate using hand-dug caves and cellars, and the first to give public tours back in 1934. Its also a great first stop for newcomers to wine country. Of course, longtime Napa visitors will also appreciate the warm hospitality and impressive array of quality pours.
Evening Land 2019 La Source Chardonnay
Price: $75
This Salem, Oregon, winemaker is probably best known for its pinot noir, which is indeed excellent, but thats to be expected from a Pacific Northwest winery. The surprise here is this chardonnay, which is biodynamically farmed from estate-grown grapes. Expect to taste green apple, a subtle lemon, and some stone fruit. Contrary to perception about white wine, this white is drinkable now but would also benefit from aging five years or so.
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Peaceful Wine Country Setting
5901 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558, 575-9777
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 348 reviews Tasting price: Starting at $55
Founded in 1978, Pine Ridge Vineyards is a picturesque winery in the heart of the Stags Leap District, where intimate tastings and tours feature stunning views of their sustainable vineyards and the surrounding hills. Sample the winerys elegant cabernet sauvignon wines from the relaxed setting of the shaded patio or picnic grounds, making time to explore the demonstration vineyard to get a closer look at the vines, or opt for one of the cave tasting experiences which will find you touring the winerys vast European-inspired caves.
Insider tip: Pine Ridge Vineyards isnt just dedicated to producing quality estate wine from their vineyards throughout the Stags Leap, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, and Carneros appellations, they are also fully committed to sustainability in all facets of winery operations. The Napa Green Certified Winery is proud that 89 percent of their material is recycled or diverted from landfills, while all of their estate vineyards are Napa Green Certified Land, as well each with a fully customized conservation program to encourage and protect biodiversity.
New Destination In Napa For Sparkling Wine Lovers
The popularity and sales of Champagne and sparkling wines are increasing.
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Be Bubbly is the name of a new Champagne and sparkling wine bar that recently opened in downtown Napa, California. In addition to an intimate lounge, Be Bubbly also houses a bottle shop. Surprisingly, this is the first and only such business dedicated to bubbly wines in the entire Napa Valley, where there are currently some 375 wineries offering tastings and 90 urban tasting rooms.
The opening reflects Americas growing affection for sparkling wines, both domestic and imported. According to BevAlc Insights , except for an early dip in March and April 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, sales of Champagne and sparkling wines have increased steadily over the past five years.
The market promises to remain solid in spite of pandemic-related restaurant and bar closures, and a bevy of cancelled celebrations, meetings and events. Available in a range of options to please every palate and pocketbook, sparkling wines are popular as an in-home treat as well as gifts for friends, family and associates.
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Early Mountain 2019 Shenandoah Cabernet Franc
Price: $45
Im rooting for the Virginia wine industry, because, well, wouldnt it be cool to have an East Coast counterpart to Napa or Sonoma or Paso Robles? Virginia may have a ways to go, but it seems the most likely candidate for that status, and this wine, from a winery owned by Jean and Steve Case , is a fine example of how good an East Coast wine can be. With hints of plums, blackberries, black cherries, and leather, its got an abundance of nicely balanced flavor.
Looking For A Champagne Winery In Napa Valley
Of course, as aficionados know, if its not made in the Champagne region of France, it cant really be called champagne. But that hasnt stopped many Napa Valley wineries from specializing in sparkling wines that taste just as good and use many of the same techniques. In fact, some of them are actually operated by French champagne companies. For those on the trail of Californian sparkling wines, here are the best Napa Valley wineries to try.
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Terre Et Sang Kissing Vipers 2020 Grenache
Price: $75
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This grenache requires a little background. It comes from a new winemaker in Santa Barbara, CA., founded by mother-and-son team Dalita and Duncan Harmon. The name, terre et sang, translates from the French into earth and blood, which comes from a proverb, Wine is the blood of the earth, which probably dates to the Bible. And the name, Kissing Vipers, is intended to refer to the risk and thrill of each new vintage.
Never mind the melodramatic marketing Kissing Vipers is indeed worth the risk. Its a medium-bodied red, beautifully balanced, with hints of red fruit, spice, and leather. This grenache is drinkable now but feels sophisticated beyond its years.
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Exploring Napa Valleys Exciting Effervescent Wines
With tiny streams of bubbles and bright effervescence that dances across the tongue, a glass of sparkling wine seems alive. And while champagne, prosecco, and California bubbly all sparkle, each one has a unique personality. Champagne is toast and minerality, and Prosecco is soft and floral. And just like California is about sunshine, so is Napa Valley sparkling wine.
In the early days, California winemakers were inspired by the best French wines. After all, the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting made connoisseurs take Napa wines seriously. In the early days, California sparkling winemakers used the same grapes and the same méthode champenoise, with a secondary fermentation in the bottle, to try to create an American version of champagne.
But those days are over. Were able to make sparkling wines that rival the best in cham- pagne, said Hugh Davies, owner, and CEO of Schramsberg, the winery his parents founded in 1965. From prestigious houses like Schramsberg and Domaine Carneros to nontraditional bubbly made by Tank Garage Winery and CARBONISTE, California sparkling wine houses are doing their own thing. There are truly some fantastic Napa Valley sparkling wines, said Winemaker Dawnine Dyer. Theyre some of the most complex and enjoyable wines around. Now she makes Bordeaux blends on Diamond Mountain with her husband, Bill. But Dyer made history, and lots of fine California sparkling wine, as Domaine Chandons first American winemaker from 1978 to 1999.
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