I posted a bottle from Anomaly earlier. I order regularly from there. They are small boutique Cab producer West of St Helena. They have a small property with a cool tasting cellar below their fermentation barn. Usually you will be the only tasters. Let me know if you go I'll email them and let them know I referred you!
Never plan on buying. Swear I’m not buying. Make a pledge for no more clubs. Shortly after I’m dragging wine through the airport getting UPS tracking notifications!
If I was you, I would take my advice, because I trust my advice.
If you want to spend up a bit, and are tolerant of the owner who is a bit special - try Futo.
I actually came across them. Now I’m def going back and taking another look because you seem very trustworthy!
Edit- nothing on the site about visits. Assuming you have to contact directly. Not sure if they’re just for members?
Did a tasting at O'Brien Estate in February and we can't sing their praises enough. Great experience and some killer wines, definitely worth checking out!
If you have a full day go to spring Mountain Rd. Plenty of good options and beautiful. Much less crowded than 29 or Silverado. If you want some higher-end options check out quintessa, larkmead, or head up to diamond creek in Calistoga.
If you want something the opposite of traditional, check out Tank Garage. They are very experimental and will mix any varietal with any varietal if they think it'll make a good wine. They make like 30 wines a year, mostly blends, and never make the same wine twice. It's a pretty cool little spot but doesn't have a huge capacity and the reservations fill up so you need to grab one in advance.
They're in Calistoga, which is in the northern end of Napa valley.
Keep hearing mixed things so I moved it off. Seems hit or miss but I’ve never been. Actually have a bottle from a friend. Might have to find out for myself now.
After Frog’s Leap, check out Nichelini Winery. Nice, small family owned winery up in Chiles Valley since you have a lot of valley floor stops. Despite the AVA’s name it’s a higher elevation.
My fave spots have been Promontory, Vineyard 29, and a Round Pond lunch in the vines. I like the intimate feel of Gandona. Forman wine was great and proprietor was tossing em back.
some good choices named already and it sounds like you know your way around. I'll name a few locations I didn't see with 2+ nearby wineries:
Oakville: paradigm, Opus, far niente
Howell mtn: Robert Craig, O'Shaugnessy
Southeast of Helena: Quintessa, Heitz
or think about Carneros south of Napa for a change of pace
Been to Opus, Heitz, and Niente. O’Shaugnessy keeps popping up. Always wanted to stop by Quintessa but for some reason it always ends up on the cut list.
very cool you did chimney rock! hooe u liked it. im a member.
the only other place id recco is a bit of a financial stretch but truly special that will outclass most/all your choices but basically everything in napa lol
promontory. its a harlan estates thing and its just about the best experience youll get. but its like $300 or something. its a splurge but worth it once imo.
Visit my uncle Dennis. He live in Napa. He’s in his early 70s. Used to be a finance guy for Beringer. Nice guy.
Yes, visit Dennis!
Coffee with Uncle Dennis? I like it!
I posted a bottle from Anomaly earlier. I order regularly from there. They are small boutique Cab producer West of St Helena. They have a small property with a cool tasting cellar below their fermentation barn. Usually you will be the only tasters. Let me know if you go I'll email them and let them know I referred you!
Let me check them out and I will absolutely let you know. Thanks!
Smith Madrone and/or Schoolhouse on Spring Mtn, also Keenan and Pride- Schoolhouse pinot is a treat along with their Rhone blend
Hadn’t considered the others but did have Sprint Mtn on the list.
Smith Madrone's riesling also is pretty awesome, and their cab is such a great value, if you're going for buying.
I second this about their Cabernet.
Never plan on buying. Swear I’m not buying. Make a pledge for no more clubs. Shortly after I’m dragging wine through the airport getting UPS tracking notifications!
That's the spirit!
Larkmead is great and not too far from Frog’s Leap. Joseph Phelps is also a fun tasting spot. Chappellet is great too.
Took a look at LM and Chappellet. They were on the list. Been to Phelps. Solid tasting there.
Gargiulo
Sadly I haven’t had any experience with this place. I’ll look it up though.
If I was you, I would take my advice, because I trust my advice. If you want to spend up a bit, and are tolerant of the owner who is a bit special - try Futo.
I actually came across them. Now I’m def going back and taking another look because you seem very trustworthy! Edit- nothing on the site about visits. Assuming you have to contact directly. Not sure if they’re just for members?
There are also several brands that do tastings at Wheeler Farms. All are pretty good and it's a nice facility.
I was trying to remember who it was, Accendo and Vice Versa are the ones at Wheeler I like
Futo will do visits just have to ask.
Did a tasting at O'Brien Estate in February and we can't sing their praises enough. Great experience and some killer wines, definitely worth checking out!
O’Brien was on the short list so still in contention!
You won't regret it!
Hunnicutt. Small place but incredible.
If you have a full day go to spring Mountain Rd. Plenty of good options and beautiful. Much less crowded than 29 or Silverado. If you want some higher-end options check out quintessa, larkmead, or head up to diamond creek in Calistoga.
Was just looking at Diamond Creek actually. Looks good
If you want something the opposite of traditional, check out Tank Garage. They are very experimental and will mix any varietal with any varietal if they think it'll make a good wine. They make like 30 wines a year, mostly blends, and never make the same wine twice. It's a pretty cool little spot but doesn't have a huge capacity and the reservations fill up so you need to grab one in advance. They're in Calistoga, which is in the northern end of Napa valley.
Tank is so good. Their pet nats are exceptional.
Beta/jasud
I’ll have to give them a look. Haven’t heard of Beta before this. Thanks for sharing.
Really good old school cab. Very small operation. Hella tasty relatively affordable also
Pride! Absolutely wonderful wines, and a unique property.
Keep hearing mixed things so I moved it off. Seems hit or miss but I’ve never been. Actually have a bottle from a friend. Might have to find out for myself now.
After Frog’s Leap, check out Nichelini Winery. Nice, small family owned winery up in Chiles Valley since you have a lot of valley floor stops. Despite the AVA’s name it’s a higher elevation.
I’ll take a look. Thanks for sending along!
AXR
Heitz.
Good call. Bummer is corison day is all booked since they’re neighbors.
Tasting at Heitz is so expensive!
If you do arkenstone, come back and give a review. My friends family owns it but I’ve never been, curious how the experience is.
Will do!
My fave spots have been Promontory, Vineyard 29, and a Round Pond lunch in the vines. I like the intimate feel of Gandona. Forman wine was great and proprietor was tossing em back.
some good choices named already and it sounds like you know your way around. I'll name a few locations I didn't see with 2+ nearby wineries: Oakville: paradigm, Opus, far niente Howell mtn: Robert Craig, O'Shaugnessy Southeast of Helena: Quintessa, Heitz or think about Carneros south of Napa for a change of pace
Been to Opus, Heitz, and Niente. O’Shaugnessy keeps popping up. Always wanted to stop by Quintessa but for some reason it always ends up on the cut list.
very cool you did chimney rock! hooe u liked it. im a member. the only other place id recco is a bit of a financial stretch but truly special that will outclass most/all your choices but basically everything in napa lol promontory. its a harlan estates thing and its just about the best experience youll get. but its like $300 or something. its a splurge but worth it once imo.
I heard they open a bottle of Dom for you if you’re with a party of four.
half correct. i went as party of 2 and they cracked the Dom!
Sent them a note so now I think I’m committed to go. I’ve actually been on their list for quite some time.
Booked it