Tres Sabores Winery: My Perfect Napa Experience

If I could only pick one winery experience to best describe what I enjoy the most while wine tasting, it would have to be the time that I’ve spent at Tres Sabores. I recently enjoyed my second visit to the winery, and from start to finish it was perfection. I brought two of my girlfriends that I knew would appreciate the amazing wines and natural philosophies behind this hidden gem. We were warmly greeted by two beautiful golden retrievers, and then met bubbly Ashley for a sip of Rose to begin our tasting experience. We took in the picturesque views of the valley from the back patio and munched on salami and cheese as we enjoyed our tasting.

Julie Johnson, the owner and winemaker of Tres Sabores, joined us and guided our small group through the property and caves. This was a very special treat, she is such an inspiring woman and an incredible winemaker. Julie is very humble about her many accomplishments as a winemaker. She creates the most amazing Zinfandel that I have ever tasted. It had set such an impression on me from the previous visit, that I had to come back for more to taste (and to take home)! Her wines are not ones that you will find at any mass retailer or even at most wine shops, but head to Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc, and maybe you will be lucky enough to find it by the glass. (Kind of a BIG deal!)
 

As we walked through the property with Julie we learned so much about her methodology around growing the fruits, replenishing the soils we a mixture of different seeded plants, and how the sheep play a role in maintaining the winery. We then entered the cave and were treated to barrel samples of several upcoming cabernet sauvignon vintages. It was amazing to taste the just barreled 2012 juice compared to the beautifully aging 2011, almost ready to bottle 2010, and the perfect 2008 Napa Cab! It made me very excited for her 2011 vintage, especially since 2011 has been plagued with rumors of not being such a wonderful year. I can tell you first hand, in the case of Tres Sabores – the rumors couldn’t be further from the truth.

The girls and I truly had the best time, and this experience is going to be pretty difficult to beat for my personal Napa style! I recommend the wine tasting experience at Tres Sabores for someone who is passionate about wine, interested in nature, ready for a laugh (or two), loves dogs, and is looking for great wine that is difficult to find. The fee is $25/person and the winery is by appointment only. I will definitely be back soon and can’t wait to share this experience with some of you!

Tips - Tres Sabores Winery:

• There is a tour and tasting experience available by appointment only at the winery. Please book in advance to avoid disappointment.
• If you're going to plan a tour or tasting here, make this your first or second stop. You won't regret it!
• Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours here...this is a place where you will definitely want to take your time. 
• Plan a little extra time for the drive, and try to come on a dry day if possible.
• Wear your walking shoes, you will want to tour around the property, and this is not a place for stilettos!

Where It All Began: The Appellation Trail (Round 2 + 2)

Last year, I launched The WineTastic Weekend after attending an inspiring event in Napa. The Appellation Trail, part of Flavor! Napa Valley, is an amazing food and wine adventure through the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. It was so wonderful in 2011, I could hardly imagine that this year would be able to meet my expectations for a second time. There was a little bit of additional pressure this year, because we had convinced two of our closest friends to fly up from San Diego to join us. Sean is a real estate guru with a passion for pinot, and Lisa is a fashionista and fashion blogger (LisaPriceInc.) who has a slight obsession with the bubbly. We had hyped up this event so much over the past year, we had to promise our friends that they would attend with no regrets.

Tasting through 100 of Napa's best wineries and over 30 incredible restaurants later, the consensus was that there were definitely no regrets! This annual event which is held the week before Thanksgiving is still the best event that I have ever attended in Napa. The price of the tickets are $150/person, and the caliber of the wines poured and food offerings well exceed the expected value of the ticket.

Wineries were pouring their nicest bottles, and there were many highlights throughout the evening. In particular, I was extremely impressed with Schramsberg and their offerings of J Schram Sparkling Wine and the fabulous J Davies Cabernet Sauvignon. I also was very impressed by the Coombsville wineries, specifically Ackerman, which was pouring their 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. Food-wise, we tasted everything from Redd to Farmstead, and unfortunately didn't make it to Morimoto in time to taste his small plate offering. The funny thing about Morimoto's booth is that last year, he wouldn't really engage with the crowd because he was so focused on the dishes. This year I was able to steal him away for a quick picture (all though I don't think that he was too happy about it), but I had to take the chance!

One of the best things about attending an event like this is discussing the wines and dishes with your friends, and discovering their likes and dislikes. We ended up running into our favorite innkeepers, Jim and Jamie, from The Inn on First and spent our last hour laughing and tasting with them while planning our next trip to the inn. This was such a great night and we will definitely be back next year, hopefully along with our partners in crime! Lisa even posted a great blog here about dressing for Napa, that I highly recommend reviewing if you want to dress it up a little bit but still remain wine country chic. Needless to say, she was dressed perfectly for the event.

Duckhorn Vineyards: Perfect Portfolio Tastings on the Porch

Have you ever seen such amazing wine glass balancing skills? I know that I sure was impressed! I booked a tasting appointment at Duckhorn Vineyards because I had heard many great things about the porch experience and the excellent Merlot. We arrived at the winery and began our tasting with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. We were then escorted to the porch for our seated tasting.

We were poured four reds, and I really enjoyed how they paired each estate wine with a single vineyard or special appellation for the same varietal. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly but not overbearing, and the atmosphere was perfect for a casual tasting. We were able to try several bonus pours from their sister winery Goldeneye, and I was extremely impressed the Gowan Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir. I will have to add Goldeneye in Anderson Valley to my list of wineries to visit next. I have a soft spot for single vineyard pinots, and can't wait to try more from this winery! This was a perfect Napa Valley tasting experience that I would recommend for small to large groups looking for a casual sit down experience. The tasting fee is $30/person and there are special mid-week deals available on the DS Deals App, you can find more information on my Wine Tasting Deals page.

Chateau Boswell & Failla: Completing the Trifecta for Your Next Napa Day Trip

After our trip to Hunnicutt, I had to head back to the Silverado Trail to satisfy my curiosity for Chateau Boswell and Failla. The Chateau was simply one of the most beautiful properties that I had driven past on my way to Hunnicutt, and Failla was an extrodinary pinot that I had received from someone who definitely knows his wine.

We began our morning at Chateau Boswell, where we enjoyed a private tasting for two in the wine cave. Our experience with Matt Simpson was intimate, our morning was filled with laughing, drinking, and learning a thing or two about this hidden gem. This was the first certified Napa Green Winery, and their wines are simply perfection. Personally, I prefer reds to whites. However, the Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay and Jacquelynn Cuvee Blanc were definitely something to write home about (and of course I had to bring them home too). My only regret here were that I came at a time of year where most of the reds were already sold. We tasted one red, but it was the whites that stole the show today. This experience is perfect for you and your fellow wine enthusiast. As you taste your way through the bottles, their Quality without Compromise approach will become very apparent. Tastings are by prior appointment only, and the fee is $40/person. If you are a Lexus owner, you can exercise your benefits here for a complimentary tasting for two.

After waving goodbye to Matt, we were on our way to Failla, which was less than a mile away. We arrived a little early for our appointment so we were able to peek around the awesome tasting room. The house reminded me of going to your cool friends house to play pool and board games. Alex and I found wine barrel chairs on the porch and hung out until it was time to try the wines. We tasted our way through four wines, two chardonnays and two pinots. Instantaneously, we were brought back to that wonderful pinot that we enjoyed several months ago. This small production winery is not messing around! Their available wines were priced in the $30-$70 range and they were wonderful at every price point. Failla is constantly rated in the 90+ range from Wine Spectator, Robert Parker, and many others. We purchased their Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir and also we took a gamble on their Estate Syrah since we were not able to taste it, but it was one that I was definitely willing to take the risk for. We were told that syrah is the winemaker's (Ehren Jordan) favorite varietal, so we are hoping that his passion will reflect in this wine. Overall, this was a great experience, and it would be perfect for a group of friends or family. The tastings are by appointment only and the fee is $20, which is waived with a purchase of two or more bottles.

If you are looking for a perfect day trip, begin your trip at Chateau Boswell, grab lunch at the nearby Solbar, then head to Failla and Hunnicutt for a day filled with amazing and completely different tasting experiences without driving all over the valley.

Hunnicutt: The Next Need-To-Know Winery on the Silverado Trail

I began this adventure outside of a random grocery store off of the Silverado Trail. My navigation system obviously did not steer me in the right direction, and our appointment with Hunnicutt was in fifteen minutes. I called the winery in a panic, and Jennifer (the awesome Hunnicutt hostess), told us not to worry, just drive safely and we will start the tasting when we get there. As soon as we arrived the winery, I immediately relaxed. The atmosphere was cool and inviting, and the winery just had a really different vibe to it. Jack Johnson was playing softly in the background, there were plenty of tables and chairs along the wineries edges, and surprisingly a lot of people hanging out and having a good time.

Jennifer greeted us, and seated us at a table with a cold tasting of their chardonnay, from the "up and coming" Coombsville wine region, and it was delish! All of the anxiety from our trip to the winery just melted away as we sipped through this wonderful chardonnay. We hung out and tasted our way through the Hunnicutt and Cutt wines, stopping just in time for a tour of the cave. Once we walked into the caves we noticed that Hunnicutt houses many other winemakers creations, along with their own, and it was cool to see all of the different sizes of the barrels housed in their caves. After completing the tour, we sat back down and tasted the 9-3-5 cabernet sauvignon. It was an awesome cab, and it truly practically sold me on their wine club. It was full bodied, smooth, complex, and well balanced, which is everything that any cab lover would ask for in a great bottle from a Napa winery.

My friends and family are next on the list of people that I have to tell about this winery. I think that everyone will love it! I feel like you could spend as little as an hour, or as long as the day at this winery. The wines were very impressive, but without the attitude of most Napa wineries. The tasting fee is $25/person and they do require an appointment (which you can book here). Now that I have been to the winery, I know that during my next visit I want to check out Failla and Chateau Boswell as well, which are both practically next door. This is definitely not a winery to miss, just don't trust your GPS like I did!

Swanson Vineyards: Caviar, Chocolate, Cheese...and Delicious Wines

Swanson Vineyards in Rutherford, is a must stop on your next Napa trip with your love. The exclusive Salon Tasting ($65/person) is amazing! With Caviar, Chocolate, and Cheese pairings...it is worth every penny! Alex and I were able to experience this intimate tasting with just our host, and it was fabulous. We tried 5 delicious wines and were both surprised and extremely impressed with the 2008 Swanson Merlot. This is definitely a cab lover's wine, and one of the best merlots that we have ever tasted! Once I tried it with one of Swanson's famous Clarke's Bark, I was in heaven.

The tasting room's decor was fun and unique, with bright paintings, red and white striped walls, and gorgeous wooden furniture. Then there was the displays of wine, tastefully distributed around the room. Personally, I LOVED the modern house wine bottles that donned labels like: "Please Forgive Me", "Lucky Night", "Help is Here", and "Just Married". They make the perfect gift for a bridal shower, housewarming, thank you, or any occasion really. I would definitely come back to Swanson for another tasting. Next time, I'll try their drop-in Sip Shoppe and try some of their other pairings (starting at $20) and hopefully one of their specialty bon-bons!

Newton Vineyards: Spring Mountain's Unfiltered Special Selection

Fine wines, gorgeous views, small private tastings, amazing bites to pair, and great company...what more could you ask for? Newton Vineyards knows how to execute a top-notch experience for their guests! This winery has an incredible view of the valley, several wine caves, and gorgeous, lush gardens all around. We began our tour and tasting with a little history of the winery, and then took a walk around the property. After returning to the tasting room, we sat down and began to enjoy our tasting. Newton Vineyards pairs their wines with delicious small bites from Etoile restaurant (located in their sister winery Domaine Chandon). Don, our tasting host, guided us through all of the amazing wines and provided us tips for tasting the wines. The Unfiltered Chardonnay, in particular, tasted quite differently later on when we were to revisit the wine. He made us all feel very relaxed and comfortable. His open personality welcomed all of our questions, and he made this an enjoyable experience for us. Our tasting group was even lucky enough to try some left over library wines from the winery event the evening before!

My personal favorite was the 2009 Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon. It was an amazing cabernet, and the first unfiltered one that I have every tried. For $60, it was definitely a well made wine, worthy of the Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon price tag. This is a great winery to add to your next Napa itinerary for a special tasting of a style of wine making that is pretty difficult to find (unfiltered).

A fun fact for my fashionistas...this winery is owned by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), who owns Veuve Clicquot as well. If you are looking for a wine with the same quality standards as your favorite handbag, this is your next favorite winery!

Tips - Newton Vineyards:

• There are 2 tasting experiences offered at this winery: Seated tasting only $30/person, Tour & Tasting (with pairing) $40/person. Our experience was the tour and tasting with the food pairing, please allow up to 1.5 hours for this experience.
• If you're going to plan a tour or tasting here, make this your first or second stop. You won't regret it!
• This winery is by appointment only and they do get booked up on the weekend. The group size is limited to 12 people.
• Express any food allergies during your booking, to ensure that you can enjoy your paired bites.
• Plan at least 15 minutes more for your drive than your GPS calls for, because you will be driving up a mountain!

Mark Your Calendars: 5 Napa Harvest 2012 Events Not to Miss!

After an awesome weekend in Napa for my birthday, I was inspired to look ahead for a few fun events over the next couple of months. We had such a great time at Nickel & Nickel's Cabernet Release Party and Far Niente's Chardonnay Celebration. We tried their delicious wines, ate great food, and met new friends (the picture above is from Richard Dominguez who we met at N&N). Then I realized that this was just the beginning of the festivities in Napa this year...the BIG events are still to come!

  The upcoming harvest events are a great opportunity to taste a selection of special and library wines as well as the new releases at most wineries, and usually with some great food and/or entertainment to make it more-than-your average-tasting. I really enjoy trying new wineries at these types of events, because it is always a fun and different experience. Here are several to mark down on your calendars, and all of the information currently available for them:

September 15, 2012
Merryvale Barrel Tasting & Pick Up Party featuring Profile (1-4pm): 
Your invited for an afternoon of wine, food, and fun...with a french twist! The 2009 Profile will be released and served, along with 2011 Profile barrel samples, and delicious french croissants and mini croque monsieurs. The event will be held on the Veranda and in the Crush Pad area depending on Harvest. The fee is $25 per person, free for Profile Club Members.
To RSVP, Call: (877) 887-7763, or click here to email Merryvale.  

October 6, 2012
Groth Reserve Cab Release Party (10am-3pm): 
Join us to celebrate the release of our 2009 Reserve Cabernet. This event is open to the public by prior reservation. We will enjoy this new vintage along with great food and musical entertainment, barrel tastings of our 2011 Reserve Cabernet, vineyard tours with Winemaker Michael Weis, and a food & wine pairing class* with Chef Kimball Jones. The fee is $25 per person, free for wine club members.
To RSVP, Call: (707) 754-4254

Elizabeth Spencer Annual Harvest Celebration (6-8pm): 
Please join Elizabeth and Spencer for an enjoyable evening in The Courtyard of our Tasting Room in Rutherford. Elizabeth Spencer wines will be paired with delicious hors d’oeuvres served at individual food and wine stations.
To RSVP, Call: (707) 963-4762

October 13
Nickel & Nickel Harvest Party: Join us in the Gleason Barn at the height of the harvest season as we raise a glass to the new vintage.
For information, please call the winery - By appointment: (707) 967-9600

Jarvis Winery Harvest Tasting (1-4pm): Join us for an afternoon of fun at this year's harvest tasting with music, and food pairings matched to our wines. Barrel tasting with Winemaker Ted Henry, current releases and library wines poured for your enjoyment. Inner Circle wine club members receive 2 complimentary tickets, additional tickets at a special rate of $50/person. General admission tickets are $80/person. 
For information, please call the winery - By appointment: (800) 255-5280 ext. 155

Cornerstone Cellars: A New Kind of Wine Tasting in Yountville

Our experience at Cornerstone Cellars was quite unique for a tasting in wine country. Their tasting room was bright, open, and had a variety of different seating arrangements. I felt like I was in a bright hotel lounge, instead of a tasting room, which is something rare to experience in Napa. Alex and I had booked their boxed lunch pairing for two, and we enjoyed a delicious lunch from Bouchon, along with a variety of Cornerstone's wines to compliment.

The food was plentiful, and the wines were very nice. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. They were there to answer questions and guide our tasting, without being pushy or overbearing. Our time at Cornerstone felt relaxed, and very much at our own pace. We especially enjoyed the 2009 Cornerstone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and could not shake it out of our minds all day! This delicious Oregon Pinot has inspired us to plan a trip later this year to Willamette Valley to taste more of the pinots that they have to offer. After trying the amazing pinot, along with their other great cabs, we knew that we would definitely bring friends back here to taste! If you are planning a Napa trip and would like to enjoy a lunch during your afternoon tasting, this is a perfect place to go without planning for the additional time required for a vineyard tour (as most places with lunch offerings include). If you are planning for just a tasting, there is no appointment required and their tasting fees start at $15.

Elizabeth Spencer Wines: A Perfect Summer Courtyard Tasting

Driving up to Elizabeth Spencer Wines, I really didn't know what to expect. We drove up to this little brick tasting room in Rutherford, and were escorted to the courtyard for a casual afternoon tasting. We sat down at a table and were warmly greeted with our first pour, water, and delicious breadsticks. Our conversation was great and really interesting, because we loved every wine that we tried! Usually there are one or two standouts wines, but at Elizabeth Spencer, we were very impressed with all of them. During this trip, we were joined by our good friend Megan Henderson (Everyday Sommelier) who after years in the wine industry, definitely knows her vino! We tried about six wines, and all of us kept debating over which ones we enjoyed more. It was such a great atmosphere, completely laid back, no pressure, which always makes the experience so much better. We ended up purchasing several bottles, including a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2008 ExS Syrah, from their special selection label.

I recommend coming here for a Courtyard Tasting ($25/person) this summer with a few friends, when you need a break from the cave tours or formal seated experiences. An appointment is not required unless you would like to guarantee a space in the courtyard. Also, the winery is hosting a fun event on August 11th from 5-8pm. There will be a live band, food, and of course, Elizabeth Spencer wine pairings. The event pricing is $60/person for the general public and $40/person for wine club members. If you are around Napa that evening, I would definitely check it out! We are looking forward to enjoying these amazing wines at home, and coming back soon.

Views Above The Rest: Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Viader

Tasting rooms and caves are great...but sometimes you want to visit a winery with an incredible view to feel like you have really escaped from the city, your job, reality, or a combination of all of the above! Lately during my trips to wine country, the wineries with the best views have been extremely appealing to me. My last post featured Artesa Winery, and tonight I am featuring two more great wineries above the hills. If you are looking for some of the best views and outdoor tastings in Napa Valley, Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Viader are high on my list. We recently went on our second visit to Joseph Phelps in St. Helena, and enjoyed the Terrace Tasting on the patio of the property. This tasting experience is a great one to share with friends, you could spend hours enjoying your six tastes and hanging out at this beautiful place. My favorite wine that we tasted during this experience was the 2008 Insignia, their flagship wine, which is a blend of their best red grapes. We were able to try two vintages of the Insignia, which was a real treat! It was amazing to see how much the wines developed over the years. Their Terrace Tastings are offered between 10:00am and 2:30pm on the weekends and they cost between $30 and $60 per person, depending on which wines you are interested in tasting. Joseph Phelps is by appointment only and they accept reservations up to a party of six.

Another winery with a gorgeous view is Viader, located near Howell Mountain. This winery had a gorgeous terrace with tables for a seated tasting while taking in the view. Their wine offerings included a Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, and several delicious blends at this Argentinean inspired winery. The 2009 Viader, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, was delicious. It was so velvety, and it definitely was a stand-out wine! Viader's tastings are by appointment only and range from $45 to $65 for a tasting. They are open for tastings from 10:00am to 4:30pm. This is a great property to relax with your loved one and enjoy an intimate, yet casual tasting of great red wines with an incredible view.

Next time you are looking for a great view paired with delicious reds in Napa, head to Joseph Phelps Vineyards or Viader, and you will feel like you have gotten away from it all!

Artesa Winery: Amazing Views Paired with Spanish Wines and Tapas

                                        

In case you haven't noticed...I really enjoy food and wine pairing experiences. So naturally, when I saw a deal on Ruelala for Artesa Winery's Spanish Tapas and Wine for Two, I bought it! A few weeks ago, Alex and I reserved our appointment at Artesa and drove out to the winery on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. 

                                        

The winery was a beautiful and interesting place built right into a hillside! If you are an artist, architecture, or sculpture buff, you will love touring Artesa. This large winery is owned by a Spanish family, who insists on having a resident artist, Beringer winemaker, and prayers on repeat in the barrel room. Our experience began with a glass of bubbly and a tour for just the two of us hosted by the Tasting Room Manager, Michael McKinley. 

The Codorniu Napa Grand Reserve sparkling wine, was the perfect way to start the tour and it was actually the first wine that Artesa produced. We spent about 30 minutes learning about Artesa while touring the facility and enjoying the views. Then, we made it over to the patio for the food and wine pairing.

 Michael began by pouring us a white spanish varietal, Albarino, and we started our pairing with a fresh scallop ceviche. It was really delicious! One thing that made this experience unique, was that Michael was able to enjoy the pairing with us. It was awesome! I felt as if we were spending the day with our own personal wine guru, and enjoying a nice meal together. The conversation was natural and informative, we felt so comfortable and relaxed. We tasted a total of seven wines, and enjoyed five unique pairings. One of our favorites of the day was their Artisan Series Cabernet Franc, (it was really good) and at $40/bottle we had to take one home! The overall experience was really fun and interactive, yet relaxing. It was a great way to decompress prior to a hectic week at work and we were so thankful to have found it! The Spanish Wines and Tapas experience is new to Artesa, but it is only one of the many tasting experiences that they offer. We will definitely be back to try the Chocolate Indulgence, Vino con Queso, or even a casual visit to taste and enjoy the views from the patio.

Tips - Artesa Winery:

• This winery does not require an appointment to taste, unless you are looking for a tour or pairing experience.
• The tasting room is open daily from 10am-5pm. 
• The different tasting experiences range from $10 to $80, so find the one that suits your budget and desired experience.
• Keep your eyes on the look out for an upcoming tasting experience offering on Gilt City, Michael hinted that one may pop up soon!