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.

Chimney Rock Rocks

Recently, we had the pleasure to visit Chimney Rock Winery located on the beautiful Silverado Trail in Napa’s Stag Leap District.

Chimney Rock’s history dates back to 1980 when Hack and Stella Wilson purchased the 180-acre parcel which included a golf course. They brought their passion for wine and South African winery architecture to the Napa Valley. In 1990, the Cape-Dutch style winery and tasting room were added to the estate. Shortly after phylloxera caused the property to be replanted with only red Bordeaux -variety grapes recognizing the unique terroir of the Stags Leap District. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot were planted to produce world class Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2004, the Teralto family purchased this sensational estate. Today there are 119 acres of vineyards divided into 28 district blocks.

Winemaker Elizabeth Vianna crafts these grapes into world class wines. One of our favorite chefs Gordon Ramsey featured Elizabeth as a special guest filming a segment of his Food Stars series at the winery. After a blending class with Elizabeth, contestants were asked to create their own blend and food pairings. Elizabeth and Gordon carefully evaluated each of the contestant’s creations. This was a brilliant and fun way to get national exposure to the Chimney Rock Wines and the fabulous Napa Valley.  

We enjoyed tasting these wines with our knowledgeable host Tyson. The tasting was held on the outdoor patio overlooking the pristine beauty of the famous Stags Leap district.

We began with a splash of 2022 Sauvignon Gris chilled perfectly to open our tasting senses. We then tasted the 2021 Elevage, a super expressive blend of 55%Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petite Verdot and 3% Malbec.  

We then tasted the 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. We especially enjoyed this graceful and elegant blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Petite Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. We took a few bottles back home to Danville to share with our friends.

We also tasted the 2019 Alpine Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 Ganymede Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Arrowhead and 2021 Tomahawk that were all graceful full-bodied world-class creations.

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

For further information and to make a reservation go to: https://www.chimneyrock.com/index.cfm?method=homepage.showpage