posted 06-19-2012 06:18 PM            

The drive is no issue, we will be there midweek M, T, W so traffic should be light. Also, once we are out and about we are gone for the day until dinner cleanup.

posted 06-12-2012 02:10 PM            

You certainly sparked my interest with your interest in small production wineries . . . I like to think that is my specialty. So hang on and I may change up some days and wineries for you.

We will start on your first day in Calistoga. Go north of Calistoga a short distance to Bennett Lane. Maybe not so much small production, but very excellent wines. I think they have the best $35.00 (anyway that is what it used to be) bottle of blend in the valley, their Maximus. Their cabs, especially their Reserve is outstanding.

We have tasted at Dyer, excellent cabs, and the tasting is in their private home on Diamond Mountain. Dawnine Dyer did the tasting personally.

Just down the road from Dyer is Diamond Terrace which produces a Diamond Mountain and a Howell Mountain cab. Maureen and Hal Taylor are the owners and they pour in their home. A wonderful experience. Be sure to tell them that Lee from Tennessee recommended them. Their website is: http://www.diamondterrace.com/Diamond_Terrace/Welcome.html Their winemaker is Thomas Rivers Brown, a particular favorite of mine.

Day 2, Arkenstone was not one of my favorite stops. When she learned we were only going to purchase a couple bottles of wine, she couldn't get us out fast enough. You might want to consider going clear to the top and tasting at Black Sears with Chris. They have an excellent zinfandel and cab. Tell Chris Lee from Tennessee recommended him. Their website is http://www.blacksears.com/

Just up the road from them is Outpost. A great place for a picnic, whith with great mountain views, and is needed if you are going up on Howell Mountain. They produce some excellent cabs. Their website is http://www.outpostwines.com/ Both the last two wineries have Thomas Rivers Brown as their winemaker.

On the way down the mountain, stop at Ladera for some outstanding varietals and if you have the time, Burgess

I would also recommend O'Shaughnessy, but I understand that they are basically sold out until their new year launch.

Day 3, Stags Leap. One of my favorite appellations. Cliff Lede is wonderful as is Robert Sinskey, both a little more commercial than the ones you have tasted so far, but wonderful wines. Also, in the same area is Baldacci which you might like.

If you have time, check out Biale on the north edge of Napa. They have OUTSTANDING zins plus others.

Day 4 I would recommend 3 wineries of the type you are looking for. Chase Family Cellars just on the south edge of St. Helena, basically a Zin house. They make their zins from 130 year old Hayne zin vineyard which is worth seeing in itself. Their website is http://www.chasecellars.com/ Tell Jeff Blaum, the winery manager, that Lee from Tennessee sent you.

Almost backing up to the Hayne Vineyard is Anomoly Winery. They make a cab and that is it. http://anomalyvineyards.com/ Again, tell them Lee from Tennessee sent you.

And a highlight, in St. Helena is Redmon Winery. I believe they make less than 200 cases of Cab, a Cab blend and Chard. The website http://www.redmonwines.com/ You will be hosted by Lisa Redmon Mangelson the owner and she is a delightful person. Tell her Lee from Tennessee Sent you. I know you will enjoy.

This will give you some of my favorite places to taset. Have a great trip and be sure to write a trip report on this Board.

I have no financial interest in any of these wineries, I just think they produce some of the better small winery wines.

-Hawkeye

[This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 06-12-2012).]

posted 06-11-2012 05:07 PM            

What I am truly interested in is the small production wineries that are difficult/impossible to find at even the best wine shops. I live in SoCal so I have many great wine shops along with a cousin with a wine bar, but they can't have everything I am only planning on 2-3 wineries each day because I can only buy so much wine, I'm not independently wealthy. But I do want to be able to buy from the carefully researched wineries that I am visiting.

Day 1 we will head to Calistoga for lunch after our long drive, leaving LA area at 5am. While in the north of Napa we will go to Up Valley Vintners tasting facility primarily for Dyer cabs, then head to Venge. That's all for that day, but we may hit up something on the drive back south or one of the tasting bars in Napa proper.

Day 2 is Arkenstone in Howell Mountain, then Hunnicut, and Freemark Abbey. Still working on lunch and dinner and daily logistics.

Day 3 we will get to Stags Leap District for Cliff Lede and Steltzner. I know there are so many other great wineries in the region but I have access to most in LA, especially the discounts I can get from the cousin's shop.

Day 4 is open, we may go to Downtown Napa and have breakfast, go to a tasting room in town and head home.