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Tuesday, January 24, 2017

The Vineyardist Winery-Napa Valley's Luxury Wine

In an effort to dine at 3000 restaurants in San Francisco (800 and counting) and visit all 600 Napa wineries (350 and counting), we recently spent a "perfecto" day in Napa Valley enjoying some great wine and food.

We had the pleasure of visiting The Vineyardist Winery on Diamond Mountain in Calistoga on Petrified Forest Road.

The original owner of the estate was Lorenz Peterson, a Danish born ship builder from San Francisco.  He lost his entire savings in the Bank Panic of 1873 except for $2,000.  He used that fund to purchase the property. He built a family home that still exists today.  The rich wood of the interior reminds one of being on a ship. He planted vines and farmed, crafted and marketed the wine which led him to the name of  "the Vineyardist".

In 2000 Dirk Fulton, a Bay Area lawyer, and his wife Becky Kukkola  acquired the Estate and selected two of Napa Valley's best artisans to help bring their wine project to fruition.  They spent 10 years finding their perfect gem.  The grounds are abundant with lemon trees. olive trees. organic herb gardens and spectacular heavenly views. A beautiful tasting facility is in the final stages of construction and should be open within the next few months.

The Vineyardist Winery is an exclusive "collectors winery".  We enjoyed a wonderful tour from the Director of Marketing & Hospitality Mark Sherwood.  The Vineyardist Wine is a singular bottling of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon produced off the estates seven acres of densely planted vineyards. We had a private tasting of their 2011 and 2013 vintage that was bursting with flavor and a silky smooth finish. Robert Parker rated the 2013 a 98 plus.  We also tasted LSR Lazy Susan Ranch Cabernet which is a new companion wine and takes the original name of the historic property and the estates younger vines.  All three of the wines are  definitely upcoming star wines for wine enthusiasts to seek out. 

We also enjoyed a lovely lunch at Sam's Social Club in downtown Calistoga. It was named after Samuel Brannon California's first millionaire. Our favorite was the house made ricotta crostini with pepper jam that went well with our Venge Cabernet that we brought with us. Sam's has no corking fee so it is smart to bring your favorite juice.

On the way home, we stopped at The Olive Oil Company.  This tiny white house at the end of the street from the former Tres Vigne Restaurant is a hidden St. Helena gem. The Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salami and pantone from Italy is something not to be missed.  This place has been around since the 1930's and a "must do"  to complete a perfect day of Napa wine tasting.

Whether it be winter, spring, summer or fall, the natural beauty of Napa is always a ball.



For more information go to:
Info@ thevineyardist.com