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