Recently we had the pleasure of visiting Cakebread Cellars.
It was founded in 1973 by Jack and Dolores Cakebread. It is still
family owned and operated and produces 150,000 cases of wine each year. Jack is
still alive and his wife Dolores recently passed away at age 90.
The tasting room has been recently remodeled and
has an intimate warm feeling with high wooden ceilings and large bottles of
their great wine proudly displayed. Jack is also
an amateur photographer and has many of his photos gracing the walls.
We enjoyed a tasting in their outside garden overlooking their grapes on a spectacular sunny warm Napa winter day. Our host was Gabe who was very knowledgeable and passionate about the wines.
We began with their famous crisp and refreshing 2018 Chardonnay followed by 2017 Pinot Noir, 2016 Merlot, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2017 Vaca Cabernet Sauvignon. We especially enjoyed the Merlot that was 82% Merlot, 7% Petite Verdot, 6%Petite Syrah and 5% Cabernet Franc. The Vaca Cabernet was also a spectacular full bodied rich wine We took both of these wines back to Danville with us.We also tasted the 2018 Rubaiyat Wine. This wine is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 49% Petite Syrah and 1% Grenache. It was named for a famous love poem by the 12th century Persian philosopher/poet Omar Khayyam. The poem is written on the back of each bottle.
A perfect bottle for Valentine’s Day!
After the tasting, we enjoyed a great lunch at Farmstead. Hog Island Oysters, pulled pork sandwiches and their famous beignets with caramel bourbon
sauce made for a great ending to another fantastic day in beautiful Napa.
For more information and to make a tasting
appointment go to:
https://www.cakebread.com/
