In an effort
to dine at all 3000 San Francisco restaurants(800 and counting) and visit all
600 Napa wineries(350 and counting), my wife Linda and I recently traveled to
Sherwin Family Vineyards in St. Helena.
After spending
30 years in the Bay Area as a builder and developer, Steve and Linda Sherwin
decided they wanted a slower life style and purchased 30 acres of grape vines
on the top of Spring Mountain in 1996. As you drive into this serene location
complete with a pond, you immediately feel a sense of peace and tranquility
from the rigors of city life.
The tasting
room has a fireplace for the cool days and patio for the warm days. Like an
Eagle, it proudly overlooks this spectacular piece of property and enhances
your wine tasting experience.
Donna was our
knowledgeable and energetic host and we were also joined by Steve Sherwin owner
and winemaker. We began our tasting with the crisp and refreshing Chardonnay
balanced by rich fruit and hints of oak.
Steve then let
us taste the Cellar Scraps. With a proud smile on his face, he said "this
fun Cabernet changes every time we make it. We take a look around our cellar
and use the leftovers from some of the finest wine ever produced at
Sherwin." We liked it so much that we took
a few bottles home with us. We also joined their "Cellar Scrapper"
wine club which includes an annual 6 bottle shipment and an invitation to their
"Swill and Grill" barbecue bash.
The estate
Cabernet Sauvignon is made from the fruit of the 16 acre estate grapes on the
top of Spring Mountain. It is their flagship wine and ready to drink now or add
to your cellar. It is a blend of 80 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 12 per cent
Cabernet Franc and 8 percent Merlot.
For the grand finale,
Steve gave us a special treat as we tasted the Reserve Cabernet right from the
barrel. Aged 8 months in French Oak, this 100 percent Cabernet is excellent and
elegant. The gold label and golden wax cork is like owning a expensive piece of
art and a great addition to any cellar. Besides being dipped in red or gold wax, the
special Sherwin bottles can be bought with the American flag etched on the
bottle making for a great gift, golf tournament, or charity auction item. Steve
said he is the only winery in America that has been approved to place the
American flag on the bottles.
We would highly recommended this winery to visit. The wine is great and the setting is "sensational" on the top of Spring Mountain.
For more information and to schedule a tasting go to.: http://sherwinfamilyvineyards.com/
