posted 03-08-2013 10:36 AM            

Out of your list I've been to Terra Valentine and St Supery. Terra Valentine is a beautiful winery with very good cabs up on Spring Mountain that I would highly recommend. St Supery was an interesting self guided tour (if you are into tours) with good wines. I would second Hawkeye's suggestion of Biale for Zins.

posted 02-23-2013 07:14 AM            

Why I originally sent this to Reb, I don't know. It was meant as a comment to your message below. (Hawkeye)

The only thing I can see negative about using rep friends is that they will probably set you up with wineries that you can purchase their wines locally.

Look forward to seeing your itinerary.

-Hawkeye

posted 02-23-2013 05:56 AM            

How about posting your itinerary so we can see it?

Ladera, indeed, is a great choice. Their Cabs are excellent. Just down the road (coming down the mountain) is Burgess Cellars, another excellent Cab + house.

Up close to Dutch Henry you will find Phifer Pavitt, small wineries specializing in Cab and blend plus a Chard plus, it has a unique tasting room. Within 6 miles of PP is Charnu, where you will taste in their small cave.

Another would be Venge Vineyards. Nice tasting room, excellent wines. If yours and their schedule coincide, I would highly recommend them. Kirk Venge is winemaker for several wineries in Napa.

Also close to Dutch Henry is Barlow winery. Don't forget and miss Bennett Lane at the top of Calistoga. Hope this helps.

-Hawkeye

posted 02-18-2013 05:14 AM            

I will reserve my recommendation until Reb reports back on his visit.

Cab Lover,
I can agree with you on Sterling being a great tram ride and beautiful scenery, but I personally believe their wines are marginal.

We just opened a bottle of J. Gregory and Ladera in the last couple nights and both were outstanding.

posted 02-07-2013 12:57 PM            

I just learned from a person that I had recommended Chase Cellars to called to make an appointment but found out that Jeff Blaume is no longer with them. So until I find our differently, I can no longer recommend Chase. I am going to dig a little deeper. I know several on this board have visited with Jeff and will be shocked also. I have put out some feelers.

-Hawkeye

[This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 02-07-2013).]

posted 02-07-2013 11:24 AM            

One more suggestion. I highly recommend the tasting and tour at Hall Rutherford (not St. Helena). Kathryn Hall was an Ambassador to some place.

At the beginning, you will be given a glass of Chard or Sauv Blanc and the opportunity to enjoy some of the Hall's significant art collection. After that, you will be taken down to the cave and taste under the Swarovski crystal chandelier, an awesome sight. You would want the Artisan Tour. Here is their website http://www.hallwines.com/hall-rutherford.

Have a great trip and let us know how you liked some of the wines. Also, I like to know if the wineries I recommend treat you well. If not, they will go off my list.

posted 02-07-2013 05:10 AM            

We always stay in Calistoga at the Stevenson Manor Best Western Inn. This is a cut above the normal BW. From Calistoga, you can go south down either the Silverado Trail or Hwy 29, plus you can go north through the Alexander Valley to Healdsburg where on the Dry Creek road you will find some of the best Zin producers around.

You like Howell Mountain Cabs, a man after my own taste buds. Since I don't know when you will be arriving on Sunday, I will begin with Monday and if you are there earlier on Sunday, you can hit a few of the ones you mentioned.

All of these that I am suggesting are by appointment.

HOWELL MOUNTAIN - I would suggest that you pick up a picnic lunch because there is no place on HM to get food. If you are staying in Calistoga, I would suggest Palisades Deli.

O'SHAUGHNESSY WINERY - Owned by an heir to the Corning Glass Company. This one is a little hard to find and I suggest that you make it your first stop as it is easier to find it going up the mountain than coming down. If you are staying in Calistoga, I would recommend that you allow about 45 minutes to 1 hour to find it. They produce 2 outstanding Cabs, a Mount Veeder Cab and a Howell Mountain Cab, both are highly rated, 95 and 94 points. Here is their website: http://oshaughnessywinery.com/ We are members of their wine club.

BLACK SEARS WINERY - At the top of the mountain, is BS, producers of a great Zin and an excellent Cab plus a white, I believe. Chris Jombois is the winery manager and married to the daughter of the owners. Their website is blacksears.com Tell Chris that Lee from Tennessee recommended him.

SPENCE VINEYARDS - This is one of the smaller wineries and they only make one Cab. Contact the owner, Jacalyn Spence for an appointment. Their website is spencevineyards.com. Tell her that I recommended them.

As you continue down the mountain, you will find LADERA WINERY AND BURGESS WINERY, both producing excellent Cabs.

TUESDAY - On the way down the Silverado Trail.

For the first two, Phifer Pavitt and Charnu, contact Scotti Pavitt at 707-628-7600 and tell him I recommended him.

PHIFER PAVITT WINERY - Another of the smaller wineries, they make a Cab and a Sav Blanc. Their website is http://datenightwines.com/ They have a very unique tasting room.

CHARNU WINERY - You will taste in their small cave. They are another small producer of two Cabs, their Charnu Cab and one called Red Dye which is their lower price point wine but it is very good. Contact Scotti for an appointment

Then I would lunch in St. Helena where you have a variety of eating establishments.

REDMON WINES - The next recommendation is in St. Helena. Another smaller producer, making a Cab, a Cab blend and a Chardonnay. Their website is http://www.redmonwines.com/ Tell Lisa that Lee From Tennessee recommended them.

CHASE FAMILY VINEYARDS - The last stop of the day, on the south edge of St. Helena. Another of the smaller wineries, they are Zin specialists, making Zin from the famous 100 year old Hayne vineyard. Depending on the weather, you will begin your tasting with a Sav Blanc among the 100 year old vines. Contact Jeff Blaume at 707-312=0573 for an appointment and tell them I recommended them.

I should say that I receive no compensation or commission from any of these wineries. I have just found them to be excellent hosts with outstanding wines.

Some others to consider during your stay. ROBERT BIALE VINEYARDS, a fine Zin producer.

Highly recommended, J. GREGORY CELLARS produce an excellent Cab. Contact one of the owners, Kandice Jessup for an appointment 707-815-5684. Tell her Lee recommended them.

For STAG'S LEAP APPELLATION WINES:
CLIFF LEDE WINERY
ROBERT SINSKEY VINEYARDS
BALDACCI WINERY

For an excellent map, look at: http://napavalley.com/visitorsinfo/Napa_Valley_Winery_Map.pdf

Hope you have a great trip.

posted 02-06-2013 11:27 AM            

Please give us some additional information. How long will you be staying? What varieties of wine do you like. Also, where you are staying will have an influence of the wineries.