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Touring Wine Regions
Schramsberg Cellars, Calistoga
Napa Valley Getaways
Where to find Great Vacations!
This historic grist mill, known as the Bale Mill, was erected in 1846
by Dr. B.T. Bale. The restored flour mill was dedicated in 1925. Highway
29 at 3369 Northwest St. Helena Highway.
Calistoga
Calistoga, the only town around with an
appreciable nightlife, is the
spa capital of Napa Valley, with plenty of opportunity to loll around
in mud. Legend has it that Calistoga was named by town founder Sam
Brannan, who intended it to become the “Saratoga of California”
referring to the spa in New York State, yet after a few libations
coined it “the Calistoga of Sarafornia.”
Calistoga Balloons
Calistoga Balloons schedules flights at the Northern end of the Napa
Valley on a regular basis. More rural in nature, the Calistoga area
offers the most pristine vineyards of this less traveled part of Napa
Valley.
1811 Aurora. (707) 942-5754
Charles Krug Winery & More
Founded in 1861 by Charles Krug (1825-1892), this is the oldest
operating winery in Napa Valley.
Krug Ranch, 2800 Main Street. St. Helena.
Cross Roads
Connecting the north/south Highway 29 with the Silverado Trail are
three major crossroads, Youngville Cross Road, Oakville Cross Road, and
Rutherford Cross, each providing access to wineries, splendid homes and
equally splendid views.
Culinary Arts
Napa Valley spills over with culinary growth opportunities and many
wineries have opened private kitchens, cellars, and vintner homes and
other venues to spread enthusiasm. By the start of its 2003 third
season, Forbes Magazine had labeled the Beringer Master Series as the
“fantasy camp” for food and wine aficionados. The Wine Spectator
Greystone Restaurant’s Greystone Experience includes daily cooking
demonstrations in the Debaun Theater, a 48-seat demonstration kitchen
focusing on techniques oriented toward the home cook while providing
glimpses into the world of professional chefs. The COPIA: The American
Center for Wine, Food & The Arts explores American innovations and
investigating food and drink, and offers programs, classes, exhibits
and demonstrations
Highway 29
As the main road up the valley center, Highway 29 winds through all
the valley towns and past some of the most famous wineries and
restaurants. From Napa to St. Helena, it also parallels the Napa Valley
Wine Train.
Hillcrest County Inn
Great grandfather Alfred Tubbs Hillcrest view of Chateau Montelena and Calistoga geyer from this 60s inn in a county setting.
Lake Berryessa
Before 1957, Lake Berryessa was Monticello Valley. Then, Monticello Dam
was finished to form one of California’s largest man-made lakes, about
25 miles long and three miles wide, with nearly 170 miles of shoreline.
Campgrounds and picnic areas are plentiful and anglers can try their
luck for bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, and catfish.
Napa Napa County seat. Napa was founded
in 1848 by Nathan Coombs. Downtown Napa has many new rennovations including Napa Valley Opera House,
restaurants and shops.
Napa Valley Museum
Special, changing exhibits represent a diverse range of subjects
from fine arts to history to natural sciences along with permanent
exhibits tracing cultural and environmental heritage of the valley. 55
Presidents Circle. (707) 944-0500
Napa Valley Wine Train
Rail enthusiasts can choose among a champagne brunch,
gourmet lunch or full-course dinner with a complete wine experience
while on journeys through the heart of Napa Valley picturesque
vineyards. The 1915-1917 Pullman lounge, dining
and wine tasting cars, embellished by hand-rubbed Honduran mahogany,
polished brass, and grape-motif etched glass, provide a backdrop worthy
of culinary extravagance accompanying the wines. 1275 McKinstry Street,
Napa. (707) 253-2111
Oakville
Boasting its own post office, Oakville is best known for proximity to
local vineyards including the Robert Mondavi Winery, and the Oakville
Grocery, on the National Registry of Historic Places, with an extensive
wine stock, and a full line of specialty cheeses, charcuterie meats and
smoked fish, local produce, fresh pastries, and rustic hearth breads.
Oakville Grocery, 7856 St. Helena Highway. (707) 944-8802
Old Faithful Geyser of California
With Mount St. Helena and the Palisades mountains as backdrops, Old
Faithful Geyser of California puts on its show on a yearly average of
every 30 minutes, day and night. Barometric pressure, the moon, tides
and earthly tectonic stresses determine eruptions and geyser height,
typically about 60 feet high. Depending on the sun, rainbows can
appear. A geothermal exhibit hall, picnic areas and gift shop round out
the experience, with private moonlight viewing available for groups of
50 or more. 1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga. (707) 942-6463
Petrified Forest
Geologists call this attraction one of the world’s finest examples of a
pliocene fossil forest. The forest has been privately owned since its
first proprietor, a Swede nicknamed “Petrified Charlie” started
excavating in 1871. Robert Louis Stevenson in Silverado Squatters
described him as: “[A] brave old white-faced Swede [having] wandered
this way ... And taken up his acres ... All alone, bent double with
sciatica....” Charlie told Stevenson how he had first chanced upon such
oddity: “I was cleaning up the pasture ... when I found ... a great
redwood, seven feet in diameter, that lay on its side, hollow heart,
clinging lumps of bark, all changed into grey stone, with veins of
quartz between what had been layers of wood.” Walking tours of 20
minutes include the Pit, Queen (with an oak growing out of it),
Monarch, Stevenson (the best display of growth rings) and new
excavation. 4100 Petrified Forest Road. (707) 942-6667
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
In 1880, Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island and
Kidnapped, spent his honeymoon here. Nothing remains of his cabin,
although the site is identified on the trail to the summit of Mount St.
Helena. On clear days, Mount Shasta can be glimpsed, 192 miles away.
Highway 29, seven miles north of Calistoga. (707) 942-4575
Rutherford
Unincorporated Rutherford is best known for its two major wineries
Beaulieu Vineyard and Niebaum-Coppola (formerly known as Inglenook.)
Safari West Wildlife Preserve and Tent Camp
Not a zoo and not a drive-through park, Safari West is a 400-acre
wildlife sanctuary providing the spirit of Africa in the heart of wine
country
with guided open-air vehicle and walking tours, along with options for
dining and “bed, breakfast, and a giraffe” tent lodging.
Calistoga. (707) 579-2551
Schramsberg
Founded in 1862 by Jacob Schram, this was the first hillside winery
of the Napa Valley. Robert Louis Stevenson visited here in 1880,
devoting a chapter of his Silverado Squatters to Schramsberg and its
wines. The original house and winery have been preserved. At the end of
Schramsberg Road on Highway 29, 3.1 miles south of Calistoga.
Silverado Trail
Stretching along the valley’s east side with frequent rewarding views,
SilveradoTrail skirts most of the towns, passing by fewer wineries,
with less traffic moving at a faster clip. The name comes from a
history of transporting quicksilver (mercury) from mines in northern
Napa County to gold fields elsewhere for use in separating ore. The
Trail also led to the Silverado silver mine on Mount St. Helena. Robert
Louis Stevenson, in his Silverado Squatters, made famous the ghost
mining town of Silverado, once located between Calistoga and
Middletown, on the shoulder of Mt. St. Helena.
Spa Options
Spa relaxation opportunity abounds in Napa Valley, most certainly in
Calistoga where Dr.
Wilkinson’s Hot Springs Resort
has three mineral pools and mid-week stress-stopper packages. Other
options include Calistoga Oasis Spa, specializing in spa treatments for
couples with ancient volcanic ash baths. Amadeus Spa at the Napa Valley
Marriott offers grape seed scrubs along with a Signature Chardonnay and
Cabernet Massage. Golden Haven Spa has private mud baths for couples,
while the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs features separate men’s and women’s
bath houses and four mineral water pools.
Dr. Wilkinson’s Hot Springs Resort, Calistoga. (707) 942-4102
Calistoga Oasis Spa, (707) 942-2122
Napa Valley Marriott – Amadeus Spa, Napa. (707) 254-3330
Golden Haven Spa, Calistoga. (707) 942-6793.
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, Calistoga. (707) 942-6269
St. Helena
As a high-profile center of the Napa Valley Wine industry St.
Helena’s main drag, Main Street, is lined with designer boutiques and
great restaurants.
Winery Touring & Tasting
Opportunities for winery touring and tasting stretch on
and on in
Napa Valley, where many wineries have tasting rooms, some complimentary
and others for a per person charge of $4 or $5 on up. Domaine Carneros
by Taittinger offers complimentary guided tours daily. The family-owned
V. Sattui Winery has tree-shaded picnic grounds and a gourmet cheese
shop. Mumm Cuvee Napa offers a stroll through photo galleries. Sterling
Vineyards offers a tour highlighted by a tramway offering great views.
Sutter Home/Trinchero Family Estates offers a complete tasting of its
popular varietals.
Domaine Carneros by Taittinger, 1240 Duhig Road, Napa. (707)
257-0101
Mumm Cuvee Napa, 8445 Silverado trail, Rutherford. (707) 967-7700
V. Sattui Winery, 1111 White Lane Street, Helena. (707) 963-7774
Sterling Vineyards, 1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga. (707) 942-3344
Sutter/Trinchero Family Estates, 277 St. Helena Highway South, St.
Helena. (707) 963-3104
Yount Blockhouse
California State Historic Landmark 564 marks the site of the no longer
existing log blockhouse built in 1836 by Napa County pioneer George
Calvert Yount. Nearby was his adobe house, built in 1837, and across
the bridge his grist and saw mills, erected before 1845. Born in North
Carolina in 1794, Young was a trapper, rancher, and miller. He died in
Yountville in 1865. Northeast corner of Cook Road and Yount Mill Road, 1
mile north of Yountville.
Yountville
Named for George Yount, the first American settler in Napa Valley, this
community’s desire to be called a village upon incorporation was
thwarted by the State of California, which didn’t allow for villages.
But that hasn’t kept this town with a population of about 3,000 from
having a village atmosphere, with plenty of shops, restaurants and
lodging.
Where to find Great Vacations!
Bale
Grist Mill
Krug Ranch, 2800 Main Street. St. Helena.
Hillcrest County Inn
Great grandfather Alfred Tubbs Hillcrest view of Chateau Montelena and Calistoga geyer from this 60s inn in a county setting.
Oakville
Dr. Wilkinson’s Hot Springs Resort, Calistoga. (707) 942-4102
Calistoga Oasis Spa, (707) 942-2122
Napa Valley Marriott – Amadeus Spa, Napa. (707) 254-3330
Golden Haven Spa, Calistoga. (707) 942-6793.
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, Calistoga. (707) 942-6269
Wines of
Napa Valley
Climate and soil have put Napa Valley on the map as one of the great wine growing regions. Long famed for growing Bordeaux grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, it was then discovered that southern reaches of the valley near San Francisco Bay were ideal for nurturing grapes of Burgundy including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Old Italian grapes are regaining popularity for producing wines such as Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese and Dolcetto. Apart from the globally known names like Beringer, Charles Krug, and Robert Mondavi, Napa Valley also yields eye-catchers like Frog’s Leap Winery, Hollywood & Vine, Inc., OnThEdge Winery and X Winery.
Climate and soil have put Napa Valley on the map as one of the great wine growing regions. Long famed for growing Bordeaux grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, it was then discovered that southern reaches of the valley near San Francisco Bay were ideal for nurturing grapes of Burgundy including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Old Italian grapes are regaining popularity for producing wines such as Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese and Dolcetto. Apart from the globally known names like Beringer, Charles Krug, and Robert Mondavi, Napa Valley also yields eye-catchers like Frog’s Leap Winery, Hollywood & Vine, Inc., OnThEdge Winery and X Winery.
Healdsburg Wine Country
A Beautiful State of Mind & Time
Just like the bittersweet chocolate that touches all senses and coalesces when paired with a seasoned and spicy red wine - our arrival in Healdsburg was fortuitous, and touched us deeply a more so than imaginable when we first embarked on our journey here. We were in part, that August day - paying tribute to the land of Toad Hollow and the world that the luminous vintners Rodney Strong and Todd Williams had recently left for vineyards in the sky.
We had also come in the spirit of adventure, and reverence. Healdsburg is a gutsy and increasingly glamorous town and wine region. Multi-generation families of farmers, grape growers, and winemakers do their work and live the art of it here - quietly and discreetly.
Meanwhile, the 21st Century genre of “gentrification” is apparent downtown, and at some of the outlying wineries. The result is a mostly complementary mix of old and nouveau businesses and residents. Although that issue is quietly debated amongst those interested in engaging in friendly discussions of the past, present, and future.
We arrived with this impression and growing perspective, as we walked the town, and traveled the vineyards, constantly meeting locals who shared heart to heart with us. The days were both soulful and vibrant - filled with people, places and things to see, touch, taste, and feel.
Hotel Healdsburg (“HH”) became our first home base. An endless flow of adjectives encapsulate our experience there: warm, neighborly, genuine, relaxed sophistication, knock out decor, fabulous pool and lounging areas) became our first home base. An endless flow of adjectives encapsulate our experience there: warm, neighborly, genuine, relaxed sophistication, knock out decor, fabulous pool and lounging areas “HH” hats on head, we hit the road with the convertible top down and our own little soundtrack on the car stereo.
Murphy Goode beckoned us and there we discovered a Petit Verdot that made us kiss the soil it was grown in. It was August, and we had hoped to travel to France in September to visit the home of Petit Verdot. Due to some new circumstances, that dream might have to be delayed. No worries, we had found Petit Verdot’s second home.
Our spirits then guided us to Michel
~Schlumberger Wines in Wine Creek Canyon, a tucked away region in Dry Creek Valley, which is surprisingly slightly Mediterranean. We arrived at a Mission style courtyard, with a captivating pond the dimensions of a lap pool, and a beautiful sparkler like fountain in the center. So soothing on an increasingly hot day. Inside, we were invited into a cool and comfortably set butcher-block table for wine & cheese pairings. It’s so intimate - like being in Jacques Pepin’s kitchen. What follows is a captivating tasting of estate wines, and regional artisan cheeses. Bliss is just the beginning of describing the experience. A guided walk through the organic vineyards is an ideal way of communing with this very special place. Call ahead to reserve your visit. They’re very flexible and accommodating.
We reluctantly said farewell, until the next time. It was time to “walk the red carpet” at the Sonoma villa of our icon: Francis Ford Coppola. The setting of his “Unnamed Cafe” feels like being at the Cipriani in Torcello or Giudecca, Italy. The cuisine is equally transcendent. The Bellini’s extend a friendly rivalry to Harry’s Bar in Venice. Fascinating and lively conversations flowed with the Coppola staff. The tasting room feels like Francis Ford Coppola’s work studio. It’s filled with interesting creative objects that are highly useful and great mementos. All that, and an academy award caliber Director’s Cut Zinfandel. Francis a grazie!
We were feeling a bit theatrical at that point a and had visions of replicating the scenes of “I Love Lucy,” stomping newly harvested grapes with joyful abandon, or a “Walk in the Clouds” with Keanu Reeves. Our fantasies were rewarded when we learned about harvest events all around us at: Dry Creek Vineyard (fun, fun, fun!); Ravenswood (“Wine Making 101”); White Oak (wine blending sessions); (grape stomping!), and if all that is not enough a we could go to Sonoma County Grape Camp. A quick Google of www.wineroad.com or www.wdcv.com gave us details.
We were becoming at one with the landscape and the people of this wonderful place. It seemed only logical to head to “Locals a Ten Artisan Wineries a One Room.” Here, you taste the wines by flight. All of the wines of each winery organized to taste by varietals a so for example 5 Syrah’s from 5 different local winemakers.Wine tasting heaven - on earth.
The next visit on our tasting tour was at Lynmar. The organic gardens are beautiful in their abundance and nurturing qualities. All of the cuisine is conceptualized and prepared on site. The appetizer pairings with their estate wines and gracious hospitality provides the perfect primer for the dining experiences in the evenings ahead.
The grand finale for the day was an exquisite experience at Jordan Vineyard and Winery that is like stepping into Bordeaux, both in style of wine, and atmosphere. A progressive tasting includes the pairing of a different wine and artisan cheese, in three separate scenic locations at the vineyards and winery.
How appropriate, that the Les Mars Hotel was our home for the evening. The atmosphere is 17th and 18th Century French Affluence. The staff attentive, the furnishings are impeccable. It is also the locale of the acclaimed Cyrus restaurant, where the cuisine of the chef is residence has been enthusiastically compared to The world renowned French Laundry located in neighboring Napa Valley.
For a more casual evening out, step into the Healdsburg Square, and explore the tasting rooms and restaurants within a 4-6-block perimeter. At Williamson Wines, the Dry Creek Outback owners meet city living for a fabulous experience in food & wine pairing.
By early evening, it’s time for more than liquid calories. The restaurant selections are abundant. Will it be an evening with: Bistro Ralph or Barn Diva? Do we feel like: Zin or Ravenous? How about dinner and jazz at Palette Art Cafe, or al fresco at Oakville Grocery? So many questions and options. When you go, take your time+fortify yourself for the next day ahead. Remember to start up your tasting engine the next morning with deliciously intense mug of Flying Goat Coffee. Cheers!
A Beautiful State of Mind & Time
by Leslie Gainer
Just like the bittersweet chocolate that touches all senses and coalesces when paired with a seasoned and spicy red wine - our arrival in Healdsburg was fortuitous, and touched us deeply a more so than imaginable when we first embarked on our journey here. We were in part, that August day - paying tribute to the land of Toad Hollow and the world that the luminous vintners Rodney Strong and Todd Williams had recently left for vineyards in the sky.
We had also come in the spirit of adventure, and reverence. Healdsburg is a gutsy and increasingly glamorous town and wine region. Multi-generation families of farmers, grape growers, and winemakers do their work and live the art of it here - quietly and discreetly.
Meanwhile, the 21st Century genre of “gentrification” is apparent downtown, and at some of the outlying wineries. The result is a mostly complementary mix of old and nouveau businesses and residents. Although that issue is quietly debated amongst those interested in engaging in friendly discussions of the past, present, and future.
We arrived with this impression and growing perspective, as we walked the town, and traveled the vineyards, constantly meeting locals who shared heart to heart with us. The days were both soulful and vibrant - filled with people, places and things to see, touch, taste, and feel.
Hotel Healdsburg (“HH”) became our first home base. An endless flow of adjectives encapsulate our experience there: warm, neighborly, genuine, relaxed sophistication, knock out decor, fabulous pool and lounging areas) became our first home base. An endless flow of adjectives encapsulate our experience there: warm, neighborly, genuine, relaxed sophistication, knock out decor, fabulous pool and lounging areas “HH” hats on head, we hit the road with the convertible top down and our own little soundtrack on the car stereo.
Murphy Goode beckoned us and there we discovered a Petit Verdot that made us kiss the soil it was grown in. It was August, and we had hoped to travel to France in September to visit the home of Petit Verdot. Due to some new circumstances, that dream might have to be delayed. No worries, we had found Petit Verdot’s second home.
Our spirits then guided us to Michel
~Schlumberger Wines in Wine Creek Canyon, a tucked away region in Dry Creek Valley, which is surprisingly slightly Mediterranean. We arrived at a Mission style courtyard, with a captivating pond the dimensions of a lap pool, and a beautiful sparkler like fountain in the center. So soothing on an increasingly hot day. Inside, we were invited into a cool and comfortably set butcher-block table for wine & cheese pairings. It’s so intimate - like being in Jacques Pepin’s kitchen. What follows is a captivating tasting of estate wines, and regional artisan cheeses. Bliss is just the beginning of describing the experience. A guided walk through the organic vineyards is an ideal way of communing with this very special place. Call ahead to reserve your visit. They’re very flexible and accommodating.
We reluctantly said farewell, until the next time. It was time to “walk the red carpet” at the Sonoma villa of our icon: Francis Ford Coppola. The setting of his “Unnamed Cafe” feels like being at the Cipriani in Torcello or Giudecca, Italy. The cuisine is equally transcendent. The Bellini’s extend a friendly rivalry to Harry’s Bar in Venice. Fascinating and lively conversations flowed with the Coppola staff. The tasting room feels like Francis Ford Coppola’s work studio. It’s filled with interesting creative objects that are highly useful and great mementos. All that, and an academy award caliber Director’s Cut Zinfandel. Francis a grazie!
We were feeling a bit theatrical at that point a and had visions of replicating the scenes of “I Love Lucy,” stomping newly harvested grapes with joyful abandon, or a “Walk in the Clouds” with Keanu Reeves. Our fantasies were rewarded when we learned about harvest events all around us at: Dry Creek Vineyard (fun, fun, fun!); Ravenswood (“Wine Making 101”); White Oak (wine blending sessions); (grape stomping!), and if all that is not enough a we could go to Sonoma County Grape Camp. A quick Google of www.wineroad.com or www.wdcv.com gave us details.
We were becoming at one with the landscape and the people of this wonderful place. It seemed only logical to head to “Locals a Ten Artisan Wineries a One Room.” Here, you taste the wines by flight. All of the wines of each winery organized to taste by varietals a so for example 5 Syrah’s from 5 different local winemakers.Wine tasting heaven - on earth.
The next visit on our tasting tour was at Lynmar. The organic gardens are beautiful in their abundance and nurturing qualities. All of the cuisine is conceptualized and prepared on site. The appetizer pairings with their estate wines and gracious hospitality provides the perfect primer for the dining experiences in the evenings ahead.
The grand finale for the day was an exquisite experience at Jordan Vineyard and Winery that is like stepping into Bordeaux, both in style of wine, and atmosphere. A progressive tasting includes the pairing of a different wine and artisan cheese, in three separate scenic locations at the vineyards and winery.
How appropriate, that the Les Mars Hotel was our home for the evening. The atmosphere is 17th and 18th Century French Affluence. The staff attentive, the furnishings are impeccable. It is also the locale of the acclaimed Cyrus restaurant, where the cuisine of the chef is residence has been enthusiastically compared to The world renowned French Laundry located in neighboring Napa Valley.
For a more casual evening out, step into the Healdsburg Square, and explore the tasting rooms and restaurants within a 4-6-block perimeter. At Williamson Wines, the Dry Creek Outback owners meet city living for a fabulous experience in food & wine pairing.
By early evening, it’s time for more than liquid calories. The restaurant selections are abundant. Will it be an evening with: Bistro Ralph or Barn Diva? Do we feel like: Zin or Ravenous? How about dinner and jazz at Palette Art Cafe, or al fresco at Oakville Grocery? So many questions and options. When you go, take your time+fortify yourself for the next day ahead. Remember to start up your tasting engine the next morning with deliciously intense mug of Flying Goat Coffee. Cheers!
The Woodbridge Story
Harvest of Joy
Harvest of Joy
Lodi, California has been one of the largest grape growing regions in California for over 100 years. Lodi produces more grapes annually than the entire Napa Valley, and Sonoma Valley combined. The region produces 40% of the Zinfandel for the entire state, and over 25% of the other top varietals Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Taste exclusive small lot “Winemakers Selection” wines, hand crafted by Woodbridge winemakers in very limited quantities, reserved exclusively for the tasting room and members of the Heritage Wine Club. Everyday, Woodbridge offers two complimentary tours of the facility, and free tastings of selected wines at the Visitors Center, including Select Vineyard Series wines, crafted entirely from Lodi area grapes.
Call the Visitor Center:
209-365-8081 www.woodbridgewines.com
Taste exclusive small lot “Winemakers Selection” wines, hand crafted by Woodbridge winemakers in very limited quantities, reserved exclusively for the tasting room and members of the Heritage Wine Club. Everyday, Woodbridge offers two complimentary tours of the facility, and free tastings of selected wines at the Visitors Center, including Select Vineyard Series wines, crafted entirely from Lodi area grapes.
Call the Visitor Center:
209-365-8081 www.woodbridgewines.com
Woodbridge Winery by Robert Mondavi
in collaboration with California Tour & Travel
present a video vine-to bottle Harvest Tour at the Wine Tasting Bar. Available at the Visitor Center, the documentary features history and the working relationship of the winery in the community, winemaking process, retail store and limited bottlings available at the winery. Provenance and appellation are fully explained as well as how to join the Woodbridge Heritage Wine Club and receive varietals dating to California's earlier days, like Petite Syrah, Alicante Bouchet and Barbera; as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Old Vine Zinfandel and Merlot.
Buy Now…Woodbridge Harvest Tour DVD
in collaboration with California Tour & Travel
present a video vine-to bottle Harvest Tour at the Wine Tasting Bar. Available at the Visitor Center, the documentary features history and the working relationship of the winery in the community, winemaking process, retail store and limited bottlings available at the winery. Provenance and appellation are fully explained as well as how to join the Woodbridge Heritage Wine Club and receive varietals dating to California's earlier days, like Petite Syrah, Alicante Bouchet and Barbera; as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Old Vine Zinfandel and Merlot.
Buy Now…Woodbridge Harvest Tour DVD
Far Niente
Historic Winery preserves
Napa's Oldest Wine in a Bottle
Fleming Jenkins
Vineyards & Winery
Historic Winery preserves
Napa's Oldest Wine in a Bottle
Far Niente was founded in 1885 by John Benson, a forty-niner of the California gold rush and uncle of the famous American impressionist painter, Winslow Homer. Benson hired architect Hamden McIntyre, creator of the former Christian Brothers winery – now the Culinar y Institute of America at Greystone – to design the building. Constructed against a hillside in western Oakville, Far Niente functioned as a gravity flow winery, gently moving the grapes through each stage of production. Far Niente prospered until the onset of Prohibition in 1919, when it was abandoned and left to fall into disrepair. Sixty years later, in 1979, Gil Nickel purchased the winery and adjacent vineyard and began a three-year restoration of the property.
During restoration, the original name, Far Niente, from an Italian phrase that romantically translated means “without a care,” was found carved in stone on the front of the building where it remains to this day. “We felt an obligation to preserve the name with the hope that we could recapture a bygone era when life was indeed without a care.” remarks Gil.
Nineteen eighty-two marked the return of winemaking to Far Niente, with the harvest of the winery’s first Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay was also produced at the winery for the first time that year; the 1979, ’80 and ’81 vintage wines were made at an offsite location. Today, the winery continues to focus on producing only the two varietal wines. California’s Oldest Bottle of Wine Far Niente’s past and present were reunited in 1998, when a bottle of Far Niente Sweet Muscat, vintage 1886, was discovered in a private cellar in Marin County. The bottle exhibits the original label, cork and capsule, and is believed to be the oldest intact bottle of California wine in existence today.
The label, featuring a sepia-tone line drawing of a hammock laden with grape clusters, is thought to have been designed by Benson’s nephew, artist Winslow Homer. Historians of the artist liken the style of the hammock on the label to the same technique employed in Homer’s other works. Eric Rudd, a historian and expert on Homer, has explained that while Homer created very little commercial art, he was known to have supplied his work to friends and relations for commercial use, including his cousin, Virginia Johnson. This was the same Virginia Johnson who inherited Far
Niente in the early 1900s, from her uncle, John Benson.
Today, Far Niente wines carry an intricate art nouveau-style parchment label, which was designed by artist Tom Rodrigues in 1979. Rodrigues also designed the labels for Far Niente’s sister wineries Dolce, producer of a late harvest wine, and Nickel & Nickel, a new winery devoted exclusively to producing small-lot, single vineyard wines. Far Niente wine caves would become the first to be constructed in North America since the turn of the century, spawning a new industry in California wine country.
The wonderful car collection is comprised of treasures from Italy, Britain, Germany and America, plus a number of vintage BMW motorcycles. The cars are hardly treated like a museum collection. In fact, they’re driven regularly along the wide open spaces and curvy hillsides of the wine country.
Almost ten years after the first excavation and accompanied by Alf’s expertise, Gil undertook the
adventurous project of expanding the wine caves to 15,060 square feet. At the time, Alf and his four-man crew utilized a 22-foot long electric and hydraulic drill used in England for digging coal mines, and completed the shotcrete-lined caves in 1991. A second phase, adjoining an additional 13,000 square feet were added in 1995, and a third phase, bringing the total cave area to 40,000 square feet, was completed in 2001.
During restoration, the original name, Far Niente, from an Italian phrase that romantically translated means “without a care,” was found carved in stone on the front of the building where it remains to this day. “We felt an obligation to preserve the name with the hope that we could recapture a bygone era when life was indeed without a care.” remarks Gil.
Nineteen eighty-two marked the return of winemaking to Far Niente, with the harvest of the winery’s first Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay was also produced at the winery for the first time that year; the 1979, ’80 and ’81 vintage wines were made at an offsite location. Today, the winery continues to focus on producing only the two varietal wines. California’s Oldest Bottle of Wine Far Niente’s past and present were reunited in 1998, when a bottle of Far Niente Sweet Muscat, vintage 1886, was discovered in a private cellar in Marin County. The bottle exhibits the original label, cork and capsule, and is believed to be the oldest intact bottle of California wine in existence today.
The label, featuring a sepia-tone line drawing of a hammock laden with grape clusters, is thought to have been designed by Benson’s nephew, artist Winslow Homer. Historians of the artist liken the style of the hammock on the label to the same technique employed in Homer’s other works. Eric Rudd, a historian and expert on Homer, has explained that while Homer created very little commercial art, he was known to have supplied his work to friends and relations for commercial use, including his cousin, Virginia Johnson. This was the same Virginia Johnson who inherited Far
Niente in the early 1900s, from her uncle, John Benson.
Today, Far Niente wines carry an intricate art nouveau-style parchment label, which was designed by artist Tom Rodrigues in 1979. Rodrigues also designed the labels for Far Niente’s sister wineries Dolce, producer of a late harvest wine, and Nickel & Nickel, a new winery devoted exclusively to producing small-lot, single vineyard wines. Far Niente wine caves would become the first to be constructed in North America since the turn of the century, spawning a new industry in California wine country.
The wonderful car collection is comprised of treasures from Italy, Britain, Germany and America, plus a number of vintage BMW motorcycles. The cars are hardly treated like a museum collection. In fact, they’re driven regularly along the wide open spaces and curvy hillsides of the wine country.
Almost ten years after the first excavation and accompanied by Alf’s expertise, Gil undertook the
adventurous project of expanding the wine caves to 15,060 square feet. At the time, Alf and his four-man crew utilized a 22-foot long electric and hydraulic drill used in England for digging coal mines, and completed the shotcrete-lined caves in 1991. A second phase, adjoining an additional 13,000 square feet were added in 1995, and a third phase, bringing the total cave area to 40,000 square feet, was completed in 2001.
Fleming Jenkins
Vineyards & Winery
Lina Broyda, San Jose Fairmont Hotel, winemakers Dr. Greg Jenkins and Peggy Fleming.
Passionate
about life on the 20th anniversary of her 1988 Olympic skating victory,
Peggy Fleming was diagnosed with breast cancer. She reflects, “For
me, it was another Olympics, a life Olympics in which I was granted a
second great victory. Early detection saved my life, and since then,
Greg and I have looked for ways to help raise funds and awareness in
the quest for a breast cancer cure.”
Peggy Fleming and her husband, Greg Jenkins found a way to blend their passion for producing wines from their own vineyards, and join it with their philanthropic aspirations. Greg and Peggy have created series of special releases specifically devoted to raising funds for breast cancer research. 100% of the net profits of Victories Rosé will be donated to charities supporting a cure for breast cancer.
All of Fleming Jenkins wines will be available for tasting at their new winery tasting room that opened in Winter 2006. For more information contact Peggy and Greg at their winery.
Fleming Jenkins Vineyards & Winery at the Historic Novitiate Winery 300 -A College Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Phone: (408) 358-4949
www.flemingjenkinswinery.comPeggy Fleming and her husband, Greg Jenkins found a way to blend their passion for producing wines from their own vineyards, and join it with their philanthropic aspirations. Greg and Peggy have created series of special releases specifically devoted to raising funds for breast cancer research. 100% of the net profits of Victories Rosé will be donated to charities supporting a cure for breast cancer.
All of Fleming Jenkins wines will be available for tasting at their new winery tasting room that opened in Winter 2006. For more information contact Peggy and Greg at their winery.
Fleming Jenkins Vineyards & Winery at the Historic Novitiate Winery 300 -A College Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Phone: (408) 358-4949
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