Clos du Val: A Napa Valley Icon Where History, Elegance, and Bordeaux Craftsmanship Meet

Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting Clos du Val Winery in Napa Valley’s renowned Stags Leap District. Clos du Val—French for “small vineyard estate in a small valley”—is known for elegant Bordeaux-style wines that showcase Napa Valley terroir.

Founded in 1972 by entrepreneur John Goelet and French winemaker Bernard Portet, the winery earned global recognition when its Cabernet Sauvignon was featured in the historic 1976 Judgment of Paris, the blind tasting that reshaped the world’s view of California wine.

Today,third-generation proprietor Olav Goelet and winemaker Carmel Greenberg  carry the legacy forward. Their flagship Bordeaux blend, Yettalil, is named for Olav’s grandmother, Henrietta Yettalil Goelet. As Olav shares, “She inspired the entire family to live a life of adventure and to embrace the joy of bringing happiness to others.”

Our host, Fabian, led a fantastic tasting on the winery’s patio overlooking sunlit vineyards. With perfect  Napa weather, it was an unforgettable setting.

We began with the bright 2023 Rosé of Cabernet Franc, fresh and lively with crisp acidity. Next was the 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, vibrant, balanced, and refreshing.

The highlight of the tasting was the 2023 Cabernet Franc—a blend of 80% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 2% Carménère. It delivered layered notes of cranberry, pomegranate, and clove with impressive elegance. We enjoyed it so much that two bottles came home to Danville.

We then moved to the 2023 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and the flagship 2023 Yettalil.

The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot) was rich and structured, with dark fruit, refined tannins, and a long finish—classic Napa Cabernet.

The 2023 Yettalil was a standout finale. Its blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 10% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Carménère created a wine of depth, finesse, and beautiful balance.

If you’re planning a Napa Valley trip, Clos du Val is a must-visit. It offers exceptional wines, warm hospitality, and one of the most scenic settings in the Stags Leap District.

For more information or to reserve a tasting, visit https://www.closduval.com/.

Grand Opening: Beaulieu Vineyard Hospitality Center

Recently, we had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of the beautifully renovated Beaulieu Vineyard Hospitality Center, nestled in the heart of Napa Valley’s renowned Rutherford AVA.

Founded in 1900 by Georges and Fernande de Latour, Beaulieu Vineyard has long been one of Napa Valley’s most historic and respected wineries. Legend has it that when Fernande first laid eyes on the estate, she exclaimed, “Quel beau lieu!”—French for “What a beautiful place!” More than 125 years later, the name still perfectly captures the beauty and character of this remarkable property.

A defining moment in the winery’s history came in 1938 with the arrival of the legendary André Tchelistcheff, widely regarded as the father of modern California winemaking. His groundbreaking innovations—including aging wines in small French oak barrels, introducing malolactic fermentation, and pioneering cold fermentation techniques—revolutionized California viticulture and established Beaulieu Vineyard as one of the state’s premier wineries.

In 2016, Beaulieu Vineyard entered a new chapter when it was acquired by Treasury Wine Estates. More recently, in March 2025, the winery welcomed acclaimed winemaker Nate Weis, formerly of Silver Oak, as Senior Winemaker and General Manager. His appointment signals an exciting future while honoring the winery’s storied past.

Following a meticulous two-year restoration, the new Hospitality Center is both elegant and inviting. Highlights include the sophisticated Members’ Lounge, the impressive Georges de Latour Library, and the sun-filled Atrium, where our tasting experience took place.

Our gracious host, Julie, guided us through the afternoon with warmth, enthusiasm, and a deep knowledge of Beaulieu Vineyard’s history and wines.

Our visit began with a refreshing glass of the 2025 Sauvignon Blanc as we explored the beautifully restored building, admiring historical photographs and exhibits that celebrate more than a century of winemaking excellence.

Accompanied by delicate tea sandwiches and classic deviled eggs, our tasting opened with the 2023 Los Carneros Pinot Noir. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, it displayed a brilliant ruby color with silky tannins, vibrant cherry fruit, and remarkable elegance.

Next was the 2022 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Franc, an outstanding blend of 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich, expressive, and beautifully balanced, it was one of our favorite wines of the afternoon.

From the Rutherford AVA, we sampled the 2022 Reserve Ranch No. 2 Cabernet Sauvignon. Crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it offered inviting aromas of black cherry and blackberry, followed by layers of dark fruit, spice, and refined tannins.

The highlight of the tasting was the iconic 2022 Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, composed of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot. Elegant, complex, and impeccably balanced, it demonstrated why this wine has been considered one of Napa Valley’s benchmark Cabernets for generations.

To conclude the experience, we enjoyed the delightful 2015 Napa Valley Port, served in elegant teacups as a tribute to Fernande de Latour—a charming tradition that provided the perfect ending to an unforgettable afternoon.

Before leaving, we selected two bottles of the exceptional Cabernet Franc and one bottle of the Port to bring back to Danville and share with our wine friends.

The new Beaulieu Vineyard Hospitality Center masterfully combines history, elegance, and world-class hospitality. Whether you’re a longtime admirer of BV or discovering it for the first time, this beautifully restored destination deserves a place on every wine lover’s Napa Valley itinerary.

We wholeheartedly recommend adding Beaulieu Vineyard to your bucket list. We believe you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for one of Napa Valley’s true icons.

To learn more or make a reservation, visit www.bvwines.com.