Bella Union Winery Opens in Napa

Recently, we had the pleasure to visit a new addition to the Napa Valley wine scene Bella Union Winery. This highly anticipated opening is located in the famous Rutherford AVA on 120 acres. The new winery was founded by Dirk Hampton along with partners Larry McGuire, Beth Nickel wife of Far Niente’s late founder Gil, and Erik Nickel, Gil’s Nephew.  

 

Winemaker Brooke Price’s goal is to highlight Rutherford’s rich fruit in every vintage.

It is a sleek and ultra-modern design with a Jewel Box tasting room that feels like it is suspended in midair. It is designed to attract younger wine drinkers that the industry is trying to reach.  

 

Our host today was Win who was very passionate and had a wealth of wine knowledge. 

We began our tasting with a 2022 Bianco White Blend that was a very refreshing start to a great tasting day.

After touring this beautiful winery, we sampled the 2022 Liaison Red Blend Napa Valley, 2022 Cultivist Red Blend Napa Valley, 2022 La Gemma Red Blend Napa Valley, and 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley.

 

All were ‘great’ but their flagship 2021 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon was exceptional. We took a bottle back to Danville to share with our friends.

 

In conclusion, this winery is a ‘must do’ to add to your Napa bucket list.

 

For more information and to make a tasting appointment go to:

 

www,bellaunionwinery.farniente.com

 

Palmaz Vineyards: “Passionate Pursuit of Wine Making Perfection”

Recently, we had the pleasure to return to Palmaz Vineyards. In an effort to visit all 600 Napa wineries 400 and counting, Palmaz has the distinction of being on our Top 15 Winery list. Palmaz is proudly perched on Mt. George on 600 acres  in Napa. 

This second generation winery was founded by Julio and Amalia Palmaz. Their son Christian is the COO, Daughter Florencia CEO, and daughter in law Jessica Chief Marketing Officer. Florencia is also President of the family’s other primary business, Good Heart Brand Specialty Food Company based in San Antonio, Texas.

We met this warm and passionate wine family many years ago and their spectacular story is unique and very impressive.

We also had the pleasure to travel with Julio, Amalia and Florencia on a memorable trip to South America. The wine cruise sailed from Rio de Janeiro down the coast to the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. The trip included fabulous wine dinners served by the attentive staff on Silver Seas Cruise line.

The trip was highlighted with an elegant luncheon and day of “fun in the sun” at the Palmaz oceanfront summer home in Punta de Este, Uruguay.

Palmaz Vineyards features over 100,000 square feet of caves and a gravity feed wine making system that produces high quality wines. Wine club members enjoy elegant theme parties throughout the year. A wine member receives a gift of an Argentinean Gaucho facon, a silver personal steak knife that can be used at the annual Palmaz Asado barbecue.

From the web site:

“Julio Palmaz was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Julio invented the Palmaz Coronary Stent, a device that revolutionized medicine. (Artifacts related to his research now sit in the Smithsonian Institution medical collection .) Having moved from Argentina in the late 1970’s to pursue medical research at a notable institution, Julio completed his residency at the University of California Davis, where his passion for wine first emerged. To unwind on weekends, Julio and his wife Amalia would drive through Napa in a white Triumph Spitfire, visiting wineries and restaurants. “ I had wanted to make my own wine since my days at UC Davis,” he would later say, “And where better to make the best wine in the world than Napa Valley?”

Our knowledgeable and passionate host for this tour and elegant tasting was Julio. The tasting and food pairing took place in a private room with a high tech computer presentation of each wine.

Our tasting began with the 2019 Louise Riesling paired with Southwest Chicken Salad on an Endive Leaf with Miera Cilantro. Next was 2019 Amalia Chardonnay paired with a Chilled Diver Scallop with Maradal Papaya Mousseline.

We were then treated to a vertical tasting of 2019, 2018, and 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Wild Mushroom Flan Bruschetta, Flank Steak Roulade with French Mustard and French Dip Brioche with Horseradish Cream.

Next, we sampled the 2019 Florencia Muscat paired with Piave Vechio with Honey and Toasted Almonds. Finally, we enjoyed the 2017 Gaston 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

In conclusion, this winery is a unique experience and a “must do” to add to your Napa bucket list.

For more information and to make an appointment go to:

http://www.Palmazvineyards.com

Ackerman Family Vineyards: 30 Years Of Excellence

Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting Ackerman Family Vineyards. The vineyard was purchased 30 years ago in Coombsville in 1994. Coombsville became the 16th AVA within the Napa Valley in 2011.

Winemaker Leo Tellez is a third generation Napan. With Ackerman Family Vineyards, he has found the perfect fit as part of a small family operated estate based wine company creating world class wines.

The knowledgeable team at Ackerman includes Lauren Ackerman, President, Kristie Fondario General Manager, and Joe Hinde Director of Sales and Hospitality.

A variety of experiences are available that include wine tasting, corporate events, weddings, afternoon teas, cooking classes, and private dining.

In 2010 Lauren purchased the 1888 Napa  Victorian known as the Clifford house located 2 blocks from Main Street in downtown Napa.

She restored this historic mansion to its 19th century splendor. In 2015, it opened as the Ackerman Heritage House. Since then, many people have enjoyed unique experiences at this iconic Napa treasure.

Today our informative host Joe Hinde began our tasting with a glass of 2022 Sauvignon Blanc as we toured this elegantly decorated Victorian.

We then moved to their tasting room and were treated to 3 of their red wines. 2021 Alavigna Tosca, 2018 Memoir and 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. We especially enjoyed the Memoir a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10%Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec and 5% Petite Verdot. We took a couple bottles back to Danville to share with our friends. This is a ‘must do’ experience to add to your Napa bucket list.

In addition, there are many great restaurants within walking distance. We enjoyed a great lunch overlooking the Napa River at The Waterfront Seafood Grille.

For more information and to make a reservation go to:

https://www.ackermanfamilyvineyards.com/

Top 15

After publishing the Top 10 of our favorite wines, we decided we needed to add to our list after visiting several new wineries. We are now changing our list to read the Top 15,

You may read in detail about all of these on my blog https://mikemccolgan.blogspot.com/

We have been very fortunate to visit over 400 wineries in Napa, Sonoma and Healdsburg. Each one is unique. 

Many have asked us what are your favorites?

At lunch one afternoon we tried to select our favorites. That was not an easy task. We considered the wine, the terroir, the passion of the winery members and several other points. Each winery has an interesting story and is an experience. 

One of our favorite visits was blending our own wine at Raymond Vineyards. Not only did we learn a lot about blending but the wine we made came out great and made us happy. This is another fun and ‘must do’ wine experience. “McColgan Private Reserve”.  It is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. 30% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc.

In no special order, we would recommend visiting these 15 Wineries. Some are well known, and others are top secrets. The good news is that all of them are close to Danville.

Antinori Napa Valley-Atlas Peak

Stag’s Leap-Stags Leap

Chimney Rock-Stags Leap

Davis Estates-Napa Valley

Vineyardist-Diamond Mountain

Lokoya- Spring Mountain

Aperture-Healdsburg

Constant-Diamond Mountain

Cultivar-Whitehall Lane in the Mayacamas Mountain Range

VGS Chateau Potelle- Mount Veeder

Palmaz-Coombsville

Gandona-Pritchard Hill

Lithology-Howell Mountain

Melka Estates-St Helena

Raymond Estates-Napa Valley

 

Go to their web sites and make an appointment. You will not be disappointed. 

Antinori Napa Valley: Six Centuries Of Winemaking

 

Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting Antinori Winery proudly perched at the top of Atlas Peak like an Eagle overlooking the beautiful Napa Valley.

The Antinori family has been making world class wine for over 6 centuries. In 1385, Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member of the Florentine Winemakers Guild.

Marchese Piero Antinori is the 25th generation of this famous winemaking family.

Marchese has passed the stewardship of the company to his 3 daughters. Together the 25th, 26th and 27th generations continue the pursuit of excellent winemaking.

Our knowledgeable wine ambassador today was Melinda. She presented the wines with a fabulous food pairing in the dining room overlooking 1200 acres of beauty. It was like being in Tuscany without having to travel there.

We began with a side by side tasting of the 2021 and 2022 Chardonnay. Both were fresh and vibrant on this warm summer day. Next, we were treated to the 2021 Antica Cabernet Franc with an eloquent blend of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. A couple bottles went home to Danville to share with our friends. Finally, we tasted the 2019 Townsend Cabernet Sauvignon with 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc Townsend was the name of the former owner of this spectacular piece of property.

 This winery is a ‘must do’ to add to your Napa bucket list.

 For more information and to make an appointment go to

https://antinorinapavalley.com/

 

Rewa: Classic Coombsville Cabernet

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Recently, we had the pleasure to visit Rewa Vineyards crafting world class wines in Napa’s Coombsville District.

Owner GS Sareen is an entrepreneur and fine wine collector. He was born and raised in India and came to the Coombsville AVA to fulfill his dream of owning a vineyard. REWA is his wife’s name.

Our host was Brian Kulich Rewa’s National Sales Manager. He is a former sommelier enthusiastic and knowledgeable about wine. He also has his own brands of wine called Brian David, Lish, and GlassMan wines.

We had our tasting on the patio of this beautiful house with sensational views of the vineyard and Napa Valley.

Rewa winemaker Celia Welch is known as one of Napa’s top winemakers. Her experience at Scarecrow, Staglin, Kelly Fleming, Hollywood and Vine and her own label Corra has continued at Rewa creating these world class wines.

We began with the 2022 Rewa Sauvignon Blanc that soothed your senses on this warm summer day. We then sampled the 2021 “Khanda” Red wine. We especially enjoyed the blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.

We then were treated to a 2016 Rewa Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2021 Rewa Cabernet Sauvignon. Both were 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and elegant expressions of excellence.

For more information about tasting or buying these outstanding wines contact: Brian@Rewavineyards.com

 

Sensational Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Recently, we visited Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars winner of the 1976 Judgement of Paris. The 1973 SLV Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded the highest honor at this prestigious blind tasting.

This award quickly vaulted Napa Valley  to be recognized for making outstanding world class wine. It established  Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars as an international superstar.

This Napa Gem was founded in 1970 by Warren Winiarski. It was situated on 44 acres of pristine beauty next to a vineyard owned by wine growing pioneer Nathan Fay.  In 1986 he doubled the size purchasing the Fay Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard.

In 1996, he purchased a Chardonnay vineyard named Arcadia owned by winemaker Mike Grgich.

Mike was the winemaker at Chateau Montelena.  His 1973 Chardonnay was the winner at the 1976 Judgement Of Paris.

In 1986, a law suit with Carl Doumani owner of Stags’ Leap Winery was decided by the California Supreme Court.  The two wineries were founded in the same year and both claimed first use of the name Stags Leap.

The court decided  the wineries were named after the area and both were allowed to use the name. The judgement included that Winiarski would keep the apostrophe before the ‘s’ and Doumani  would keep the apostrophe after the ‘s’.  

In 2007 Winiarski sold the winery to Chateau Ste. Michelle and Marchesi Antinori for a reported $185 million.  It included the winery facilities and SLV and Fay Vineyards. The Arcadia vineyard was kept by the Winiarski family and provided fruit to the winery.

In 2023, Marchesi Atinori bought Ste. Michelle’s 85% stake and became the sole owner.

The Estate was designed by Spanish architect Javier Barba. The Fay Outlook and Visitor Center was built with stone gathered from the property and combined with sapphire glass showcases the serene beauty of the vineyards and Stags Leap Palisades.

The 35,000 square foot wine cave offers a memorable experience for any private event. The cave showcases extraordinary architecture, art and design pieces throughout the Arcade, Great Room and Round Room.

Since 2013,  Winemaker Marcus Notaro and his team continue the legacy at Stag’s Leap producing world class wines. 

We began our tasting with our passionate host, Patrick, and enjoyed the 2023 Elia Rose with a touch of Cabernet Franc.

We then had a side by side tasting of the 2021 Fay Cabernet, 2021 SLV Cabernet  and 2021 Cask 23. The tasting was outside in the members lounge overlooking the sensational vineyards.  

The wines were all very special and we took home a  couple bottles of the 2023 Elia Rose and a 2021 bottle of the Fay Cabernet.

In conclusion, Stag’s Leap has a rich history and a ‘must do’ Napa experience.

For more information and to make a reservation go to:

https://www.stagsleapwinecellars.com/

Little River Inn: 5 Generations Hosting Guests Wanting to Unwind, Play Nine and Drink Wine

 

When you talk about the top 100 Golf Courses in the world names like Augusta, Pine Valley, St. Andrews, Cypress Point and Pebble Beach are always mentioned and discussed. Having been on all these courses, one that should be included in the conversation is a 9- hole course perched proudly on the deep blue Pacific Ocean called the Little River Inn.

Recently, we had the pleasure to stay and play golf at this warm and friendly refuge. Cally Dym is a 5th Generation Innkeeper. Marc Dym has been Executive Chef for many years.  According to Cally, “The Inn sits on our original home built by my great grandfather Silas Combs in 1863. My grandparents Ole and Cora Hervilla turned our house into an Inn eight decades ago and the family is still happy on the job doing what it takes to make you feel more than welcome.”

Situated on 225 Acres, there are sixty-five ocean view and Ada rooms, a dining room and bar, and a nine-hole golf course with pro shop and day spa. The Inn also offers free lodging for kids 16 and under and will provide pet-friendly accommodation.  This is also a beautiful place for a romantic getaway, executive retreat, or wedding.

From our home in Danville, California, it is a 3.5-hour drive unless you stop at one of the many wineries in Sonoma, Alexander Valley, or Anderson Valley.

We took our time and began in Sonoma at Viansa. This beautiful winery overlooks the valley with an extensive gift shop, deli, and some nicely priced wines. The Viansa Italian Cherry Chutney is a must purchase. The winery also has a library that offers private parties, tastings and filled with some great wines. It is a wonderful place to celebrate a special event. We especially enjoyed their Sangiovese Reserve.

Next, we visited Jacuzzi Family Vineyards that offered tastings of a variety of pressed olives. We also enjoyed the Fig Balsamic Olive Press and sampled their various wines.

Husch was our next stop on the winding and picturesque Highway 128. The Husch property has picnic tables and a small wooden tasting cabin that accommodates up to ten people. We especially enjoyed their Mendocino Zinfandel.

Across from Husch was Roederer Estate. The elegant tasting room sits high on a hill and has panoramic views of the valley. They produce over 100.000 cases annually and we sampled their sparkling wines. We took home a couple bottles of Rose that was recently served at a White House dinner with the French President,

Our nicely stocked wine van was now ready for the balance of the Grand Prix like drive through the stately redwood trees. The combination of the various tastings and afternoon sun glistening through the massive trees was like being on the highway to heaven.

Arriving at the Little River Inn, a special feeling of calmness surrounds you as you enter the circular driveway of the moon Ray white painted Inn perched high above the deep blue Pacific Ocean.  The rooms are clean and spacious and the first thing you notice is the large windows with a fireplace, deck and rocking chairs to soothe your soul watching the beauty and sound of the ocean right out your door. Our room also had a refrigerator to stock some of our wine purchases.

Breakfast is served daily in the restaurant, and you can also have it delivered to your room.

The famous Ole’s Whale Watch Bar opened in 1939. When the bar opened, beer sold for 10 cents and scotch and bourbon for 25 cents Today the bar is famous for Bloody Mary’s and Martini’s.  It is also the best place on the Mendocino coast to watch for whales. It opens at 4 pm and is full of energy and feels like you were in a pub in Ireland full of lots of happy, friendly people enjoying life.  After some of their hand shaken martini’s, many claim to have even spotted some whales.  They have outstanding calamari, and a few other items to snack on before dinner.

Nearby the Inn is the iconic town of Mendocino with shops, restaurants, and the Botanical Garden walking tour. The tour is a relaxing way to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Coast.

The Little River Inn Golf Course is a place where God would choose to play. Like everything at the Little River Inn, it has a colorful history. Ole Hervilla was watching Arnold Palmer on TV in the 50’s and decided a golf course would draw more patrons. He opened the course in 1957. It is an Audubon-certified sanctuary with deer wandering around the greens and blue heron, frogs, rabbits, raccoons, enjoying life in the pastoral setting of regal redwoods and pine trees. There are also 2 lighted tennis courts next to the golf course.

The challenging 9-hole course is friendly for all skill levels. It can play like 18 with 3 tee placements and dual greens on number 7 and 9.  Number 8 and 9 overlook the Inn and have a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean for a memorable finish. Green fees are $30 for 9 holes and $45 for 18. A fully stocked pro shop with golf carts, pull carts and rental clubs are also available. It is a terrific way to start your day at the Inn.

After golf, you can arrange for a massage to insure you look and feel great. The spa service is available from 10-5 each day and a perfect way to relax, indulge and rejuvenate your aching bones and tired mind overloaded with the high-tech communications in our modern world.

Dinner is served every night in the spacious dining room.  We enjoyed a great bottle of Rafanelli Zinfandel to go with our dinner that included clam chowder, rigatoni. fish stew, fish and chips, and a delicious fresh berry dessert.

We would highly recommend that you add the Little River Inn to your “must do” bucket list.

For more information and to make a reservation go to:

https://www.littleriverinn.com/

 

Zakin Wines: Crafting World-Class Wines with a Spectacular View of Napa Valley

Our recent visit to Zakin Wines was nothing short of extraordinary. Nestled atop 150 acres of Howell Mountain terroir, the estate offers a stunning panoramic view of Napa Valley that takes your breath away.

We had the pleasure of sampling the exceptional wines, skillfully crafted by renowned winemaker Philippe Melka and proudly presented by owner Jan Zakin. Jan's passion for winemaking shines through in every bottle, reflecting her dedication to creating world-class wines.

The estate, where Jan and her husband Jonathan realized their dream, is a testament to their commitment to excellence. Their daughter Tatiana, who shares their passion for wine, is poised to carry on the family legacy.

We were treated to a unique private tasting of their exquisite wines in the elegant dining room, overlooking the picturesque property. The 2021 Russian River Chardonnay was a delightfully smooth start, and we couldn't resist taking a bottle back home. The 2021 Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2019 Howell Mountain blend were both outstanding, showcasing the unique terroir of the estate.

Our experience at Zakin Wines was truly exceptional, thanks to the combination of breathtaking views, exceptional wines, and the warm hospitality of Jan and her husband. We left eagerly anticipating our next visit and the opportunity to discover more of their incredible creations.

For more information and to schedule a memorable tasting contact Jan directly at jan@zakinwines.com.