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!