Three Sticks Winery serves up the perfect trifecta: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet

The Experience: Fans of historic Sonoma, Ken Fulk, silky Chards, Cabs and Pinot will delight at the charming, intimate experience offered at Three Sticks Winery. Don’t expect to find a flashy tasting room bar crowded with tourists here. Instead, tastings of the boutique winery are conducted at The Adobe directly off Sonoma Square next to a perennial favorite, El Dorado Kitchen.  The Adobe is easy to miss as you drive past, but once inside, it’s as unforgettable as the wines are delectable.  Renovated by acclaimed interior designer, Ken Fulk, the unique site blends historic artifacts with country-chic decor. The details are everywhere - note the imported Italian chandelier here, a French lantern there, the three sticks logo worked into cowboy-boot print furniture so seamlessly you wouldn’t notice unless pointed out. An integral part of the tasting experience is the tour of the Adobe - with a glass of the bold “Castanada” red Rhone blend in hand - an informative, educational and interesting prelude to the luxe wines to follow.  The abode is humble, yet expertly appointed, consisting of a sitting room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom plus the a beautifully maintained garden for tasting alfresco the warmer season.  A renovated barn near the garden provides a luxuriously private ambiance fit for dining and celebrations.  

After our tour of the property, we were seated to a private tasting at the dining room where the wines had been properly decanted in advance and were also treated to a picturesque display of gourmet snacks and charcuterie which beautifully accompanied the wines.  The leisurely tasting was intimate, the wines exceptional, creating a great balance between rarefied and casual.

The Team:  “Three Sticks” refers to the three Roman numerals that follow Founder and Principal Bill Price’s written name. He grew up and attended high school in Hawaii where his surfer friends gave him the lasting nickname. Though Bill started as a businessman, spending about 30 years in corporate board rooms, he eventually traded in his successful business career for the life of farming, believing in the importance of leaving the world a better place for generations to come.  Winemaker emeritus, Don Van Staaveren was initially enlisted in the project in 2004. Well-respected in the industry, having been in vineyard management since 1970, Don was chief winemaker and Vice President at Chateau St. Jean and accumulated 36 years of experience making wine, in particular Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Sonoma County before helping start Three Sticks Wine program.  Director of Winemaking, Bob Cabral, has decades of experience making wine in Sonoma County and some feel his name is synonymous with great Pinot Noir. Bob’s passion, experience and following for his work with the varietal is second to none.  He’s held roles as associate winemaker at DeLoach Vineyards, custom crush winemaker at Kunde Family Estate, winemaker at Alderbrook Vineyards and winemaker at Hartford Court Winery before taking his seminal position at Williams Selyem.  Bob’s winemaking philosophy has always been to source and farm the best fruit possible, with minimal intervention in the cellar. He was awarded the 2011 Wine Star Award from the Wine Enthusiast as “Winemaker of the Year.”  

The Wines: Three Sticks Wines is one of the few wineries in California succeeding with the trifecta of popular varietals: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The high quality of Three Sticks wines can be attributed to the relatively old vine vineyards farmed by an experienced vineyard manager, the consulting from a veteran winemaker, and Price’s expert management due to experience in the wine business. The first barrel of wine was made by Bill in 2002 before he hired on Don who produced the first commercial wines in 2005. Three Sticks has a natural pedigree from the famed Durell Vineyard from which grapes for some of its Chard and Pinot are harvested. The Durell Vineyard sits on 200 acres of land that overlaps both the Sonoma Coast and the Carneros AVA, and has been producing top quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for almost 20 years. The grapes have been and continue to be sold to many top producers including Kistler, winemaker of one of California's most sought-after Chardonnays.  Three Sticks is a small production winery that produces a couple hundred cases of Pinot, and about twice as much Chardonnay, all from the Durell Vineyard, as well as a Cabernet from grapes sourced from Moon Mountain.

The Credo: The past influences the present - fuse the two to create an inviting space for guests to linger and relish the wines while embracing Sonoma’s rich history. This credo was brought to life by the incredibly talented Ken Fulk, a designer internationally known for creating one-of-a-kind living spaces that marry the past and the present. Ken’s eclectic style coupled with The Adobe’s rich history create a gorgeous juxtaposition that enthrall visitors with a historic vibe while making them feel welcome and free to linger and enjoy the plush, inviting spaces. Landscape Architect Penney Magrane has also managed to combine past with present when redesigning the Adobe’s exterior. She incorporated modern, artful notes while preserving many of the historical plantings and even incorporating design elements from the original Helen Van Pelt garden design.  

Unique Offering: The home of Three Sticks Tasting Room is The Adobe, the longest occupied residence in Sonoma and one of the town’s few remaining buildings from California’s Mexican Period. It was built in 1852 by Native Americans but went through a number of owners in its first 100 years.  After purchasing it 170 years after it was constructed, owners Bill and Eva Price gathered a team of local architects, contractors and archaeologists to carefully preserve The Adobe’s integrity and protect the aspects that held the most historic significance. During restoration, a refuse site dating back to circa 1860 was unearthed. Sonoma’s City Historian, George McKale, oversaw the archaeological excavation of the site while Three Sticks staff sifted through all the dirt, rocks and clods  - many of their finds are now on display at The Adobe for guests to see and even feel for themselves.

Visit Details:

All tastings are available by appointment only, Mon - Sat. 10:30am, 1:00pm, and 3:30pm. 

Tastings last between 60 -120 minutes depending on whether dining options are included.

Four-wine Current Release Tasting - $35 per person

Seven-wine Current Release & Library Tasting - $70 per person. Limit is 8 people per group tasting.

Dining Options: All food is prepared by El Dorado Kitchen.

Five wines paired to perfection with chef’s seasonal selections - $85 per person

Private Luncheon: Three-course meal with Three Sticks wine pairings - $200 per person

To book, contact Three Sticks at concierge@threestickswines.com or (707) 996-3328

Tasting Notes:

2013 Durell Vineyard ORIGIN Chardonnay - Durell Estate Vineyard $48

This austere wine is fermented in a concrete egg for 28 days and aged 12 months in small stainless steel barrels, this wine reveals the distinct characteristics of Durell Estate Vineyard. The wine’s richness is surprising for an unoaked Chardonnay, and also bursts with tropical fruit, honeyed lemon, peach and honeysuckle. High acidity adds balance and gives the wine mouthwatering tartness.

2013 Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir - Sonoma Coast $65

Fresh blackberry, hints of soft leather and Durell’s signature tea leaf and savory mushroom aromatics, this wine captures your attention right away. This Pinot shows off its wonderful intricacy via layers of dark cherry and earth embodying Sonoma Coast’s unique terroir.

2011 Moon Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon - Moon Mountain District $75

Rich and aromatic, this sleek Cabernet shows tiers of blue fruit, berries and dusty deep rose. Upon entry, juicy dark cherry and sweet oaky spice predominate. Round tannins and a plush structure elevate the lengthy finish on this rich mountain Cabernet.

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Hunnicutt - Cab, Chard and Zin for Enthusiasts who want the winery to themselves

The Experience: Hunnicutt Winery is a well-kept secret in northern Napa for people seeking a relaxing, intimate environment, serious wines and the beauty of nature. Tastings are scheduled in advance and done privately, one group at a time, starting with a personalized welcome sign bearing your party’s name. One can’t help but feel the exclusive feeling that you’re at a private home away from home - there’s no crowded tasting bar here! The decor is cozy, but chic, with bicycle paraphernalia adorning the walls (the Hunnicutt family are active sports enthusiasts). Nestled under beautiful pine trees, you will enjoy these well-integrated, ageable wines expertly crafted to be enjoyed by those who love wines of great structure and finesse with a hint of playfulness. Just a couple of tasting appointments are offered each day so that guests can really enjoy the tasting experience without being rushed, or having a tasting attendant who is distracted by servicing other groups. The cave and property tour are worth the extra fee, and include barrel tastings of some of the single vineyard red wines. The winery was completed recently in 2011 and makes wine for 20 other small Napa Valley wine brands - you’ll see their barrels aging in the cave cellars.

The Team: Justin Hunnicutt Stephens, with his father Don, owns and operate the property, producing the first commercial vintage of Hunnicutt in 2004. Justin made his way to Napa after working in the world of commercial real estate and having an “awakening” that wine was his true passion. After making the decision to change careers, Justin moved to the Napa Valley and worked at notable wineries including Miner Family, Saddleback Cellars, Venge and Seavey Vineyards, gaining winemaking knowledge before founding Hunnicutt in 2001. In 2004, he joined a winery started by his father Don, (the D. R. Stephens Estate brand) and is now the Managing Partner of both wine brands as well as Hunnicutt Wine Company, LLC, which is a custom crush winery in St. Helena. Kirk Venge is Hunnicutt’s winemaking director and known for his great expertise and knowledge. Kirk grew up in Rutherford and was always surrounded by wine. After getting his degree from UC Davis, he worked at Mumm and also in New Zealand before returning to Napa to start his own brand, Venge Vineyards, while also consulting at several local wineries including Hunnicutt. Seana, Justin’s wife, grew up in San Francisco and worked for advertising for 10 years before moving to Napa to start a family with Justin and help with the advertising for Hunnicutt.

The Wines: Hunnicutt wines are best described as bold, but well-balanced - for those who like a substantial wine but appreciate complexity. The winemaking philosophy starts in the vineyards - Kirk and Justin work with the winery’s growers to develop the highest quality fruit and from there let the terroir shine through in the wine. Grapes are sourced from all over the valley. The Zinfandel comes from the Chiles Valley region in the eastern Napa county. Cabernet grapes come from three vineyards sourced from Rutherford, Spring Mountain and St. Helena. These vineyards produce very different wines which combine elegantly for a well-balanced, smooth wine. Hunnicutt keeps the wine from each vineyard barreled separately until the final blend - you can taste them in the barrel and notice the distinct differences in the single lots. Hunnicutt also produces Chardonnay, coming from Rancho Sarco Vineyard in Coombsville, Star Vineyard in Rutherford and Dutton Ranch Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. While you seldom see a winery that specializes in these three varietals, they are able to focus on these “wines that are their favorite to drink” by sourcing grapes from various parts of Napa and Sonoma valley - untethered from any estate vineyards. Outside the Hunnicutt wines, the CUTT label was developed as a catch-all for different varietals that the winery switches up yearly. The varietals selected each year for CUTt depend on what unique and special vineyards the winemaking team can and choose to source based on availability. There is one bottling under the label that is consistent in name, if not blend, and that is the “Fearless Red” - always a unusual and fun blend wine, perfect for casual drinking and entertaining! It should be noted that the other Hunnicutt red wines are made to be aged. 

The Name: Though Justin grew up being told different dramatic stories about where his middle name, Hunnicutt came from, Justin eventually learned that Hunnicutt was actually his Great Grandmother’s maiden name. It is also now the middle name of their daughter, Parker Hunnicutt Stephens. The companion brand, CUTT, was added in 2007 - focused on producing wines other than Zinfandel, Cabernet and Chardonnay.

The Credo: “We strive to produce excellent quality wines while trying to make the idea of wine unintimidating. Wine evokes fond memories and is supposed to be fun”. Though I didn’t get a chance to meet him, Mo, our gracious guide, describes him as down-to-earth and he apparently is regularly present at the tastings, chatting and pouring wine for visitors.

Visit Details: The winery is open daily by appointment only. You can make a reservation by calling 707-963-2911, or book online here. Portfolio tastings for up to 12 guests cost $35 per person, or you can choose to do a tour of the 15,000 sq. foot caves, which includes barrel tasting and a wine tasting paired with cheese and charcuterie in the Cave Room for $70 per person for up to 8 guests.

Tasting Notes:

2013 Chardonnay - $45
Bright with notes of honeysuckle, lemon zest and tropical fruit paired with subtle hints of orange blossom, vanilla and shortbread providing enticing depth in each glass. On the palate the supple notes of citrus and melon shine brightly and linger on through the mid palate, where they are met by delicate spice and a hint of toasted ground vanilla bean on the long tapered finish.

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $55
Bursting with boysenberry, blackberry and black cherry. Underlying the immense fruit, there is a lovely, but subtle, floral component lending elegance to this big wine. Warm, toasty vanilla from the French oak is present, but frames the fruit rather than dominates the palate. The mouthfeel is explosive and dense. Velvety Nutella, crème de cassis, blueberry pie and blackberry jam hit your mouth in tidal wave proportions. The tannins and bright acidity ensure a long, prosperous life in your cellar, but the fine grain tannins allow this wine to be enjoyed in its youth… with vigorous decanting.

2012 Zinfandel - Not currently available for purchase
This gorgeous Zin exudes aromas of blueberry preserves, boysenberry and sweet oak. The palate offers rich, brambly blackberry and blueberry flavors with youthful tannins wrapped in a soft blanket of boysenberry and plum. The incredible depth of fruit, supported by a firm acid backbone makes this wine wonderful on its own and absolutely delicious with food.

2012 CUTT Fearless Red - $45
This deeply hued wine evokes the bramble of blackberry and blueberry. The fruit notes are abundant, but with freshness, signifying perfect ripeness. Accompanied by the fruit notes are subtle hints of vanilla and black pepper dancing around the edges. On the palate, lush berry notes burst forth, intermingling naturally with the promised pepper and allspice. On the finish, the abiding blackberry continues and is paired with light toasty oak, vanilla and rounded dusty tannins, which lead to a long lovely finale.

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Chimney Rock Winery - A Beacon for Cab Lovers along the Silverado Trail

The Experience: You can’t (and shouldn’t) miss Chimney Rock Winery off of the Silverado Trail. The grand white Dutch Colonial architecture is striking against the dramatic Stags Leap mountains.  And this winery doesn’t just have a pretty façade – it is a producer of world class Cabernet Sauvignons, consistently earning top scores with a savvy female winemaker at the helm.  With such acclaim often comes a certain stuffiness at Napa wineries, but the energy in the tasting room and on the tour of the winery is warm, welcoming, and “upscale-casual”. What you’d experience at a local country club, especially as you relax and ensconce yourself in the manicured inner courtyard, surrounded by flowers, a trickling fountain, whitewashed colonial walls stretching towards the sun, and a nearby cozy fireplace beckoning in the tasting room.  Come here for a fun group outing or for a romantic tasting, but prepare to linger and enjoy the beautiful environment.  This winery is great for Cabernet and Bordeaux Blend lovers who like doing vertical tastings. You can taste at least 4 verticals of the Chimney Rock Cabernet which showcases each vintages unique characteristics as well as the effect of age on these beautiful wines.

The Team: Chimney Rock Winery Estate was founded in 1980 by Stella (the daughter of a South African Diamond Family) and her husband Hack Wilson, (former Pepsi CEO). They purchased the 180 acre parcel of land and decided to plant grapes and build a winery on the site that was formerly a golf course in the 60’s and 70’s.  In 2000, the Terlato family joined in partnership with the Wilsons, adding resources to enhance Chimney Rock’s reputation as one of the country’s best producers of Cabernet Sauvignon.  Tony Terlato is an icon in the wine industry, often referred to as one of the most impactful individuals to influence how and what American wine consumers drink, and rumored to have brought Pinot Grigio to the US from Santa Margarita. The Terlatos assumed full ownership in 2004, and since then have built and advanced the quality of every aspect of the estate and its wines, focusing on sustainable farming, and quality control practices.

Winemaker, Elizabeth Vianna is an adventurous female winemaker, whose love for wine bloomed while she was a consumer while living in New York City, working as a clinical toxicologist at New York Hospital. Her intense passion for wine propelled her to apply to UC Davis’ winemaking program instead of medical school. She first came to Chimney Rock as a harvest intern in 1999, was named assistant winemaker at Chimney Rock in 2002, advanced to the position of winemaker in 2005 and in 2009, was promoted to General Manager of Chimney Rock Winery, while continuing in her role as head winemaker. She has consistently produced wines that have been highly rated among critics and loved by consumers, which may be attributed to her fearless experimental style of winemaking. She’s used over 100 strains of yeast (most winemakers stick to 1), and harvests and ferments 38 blocks of Cabernet separately, using a variety different cooperages of French Oak barrels to age the wine. She uses the rare, asymmetrical trellising system called the Fletcher Lyre, which ensures fruit from both sides of the vine ripen at the same pace. The result of her careful attention to the vines is a an authentic expression of the terroir, which her winemaking practices preserve and highlight.

The Wines: Chimney Rock is best known for its luscious, ageable Cabernets from the famed Stags Leap AVA in Napa.  The winery produces 9 different Cabernets each year, however, only one of its proprietary blends is available commercially for purchase (the others are offered exclusively to club members and tasting center visitors).  The red grapes are all Estate grown; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot are all grown and harvested in separate blocks which are fermented and then blended together in unique blends each year to produce the label’s signature red wine.  This gives each vintage a distinct character, each refined, rich in color, intense, and full bodied, the tannins finely structured to that they are drinkable at release, but will also age gracefully for years. Chimney Rock also produces small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris, which, combined into their “Elevage” blend is the perfect luscious, full bodied white wine for people who “only like red”.

The Credo: Quality over Quantity is apparent as the ethos at Chimney Rock. After touring the expansive winemaking facility, I was asked about the production per year and was surprised that it varies greatly based on weather and conditions. In 2011, only 8,000 cases were produced, while in 2012, over 30,000 were produced - no grapes are ever sold or purchased so Chimney Rock only produce what the land bears each year. The Terlato’s and Elizabeth’s goal is to tell the tale of the grapes from the place they are grown, through the changing seasons and climates, producing the best expression of the renowned Stags Leap District.  The grapes are watched carefully throughout the growing season, picked by block when they are perfectly ready for harvest. The winery was renovated to give Elizabeth plenty of space to test and experiment with winemaking and aging different blocks separately, which can then be aged and blended into unique estate wines.  The quality of the wines is apparent at the first sip, and savored through the last.

Unique Offering: Upon arrival, the first wine poured is the Sauvignon Gris, a rare varietal from the Bourdeaux region that is grown at only two other wineries in the US (Chalkhill and Rutherford Hill). This unique grape is also known as “Fie Fiet” or Sauvignon Rose, and is related to Sauvignon Blanc with more of a pinkish hue to its skin.  It has more sugar than Sauvignon Blanc, and produces a richer, fuller mouth feel, making it a great blending wine.  While unique and interesting on its own, I preferred the wine blended in the 2012 Elevage Blanc, a lovely blend of SB and SG that has a luscious mouthfeel, nice acidity, and a lingering finish that would please the palate of even the most discerning “red wine only” patrons.

Visit Details: 5350 Silverado Trail Napa, California 94558. Telephone: 707-257-2641, website: www.chimneyrock.com. Tasting Hours: 10:00-5:00.  For tours, reservations are required in advance. There is comfortable seating inside the tasting room, and outside on the courtyard terrace, or you can pop in for a tasting at the bar.  Ask for Donna Rutherford for a guide. The retired highschool teacher is very friendly and a wonderful educator!

Tasting Notes: Produced by Chimney Rock Winery

2012 Elevage Blanc: Small berries and balanced yields from the vineyard in Rutherford produced this complex blend of Sauvignon Blanc and the unique Sauvignon Gris.  Find aromas of white peach, hints of passion fruit, caramel, and vanilla custard.  The texture of this wine is striking with a delightfully long, rich finish.

2009 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon: A fairly dry spring provided the winemaking team with small and densely flavored Cabernet Sauvignon berries. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc were of equally superb quality. This blend represents a seductive tapestry of the diverse winery blocks, illustrating the power and grace of the unique Stags Leap District Terroir. Notes of Cassis, blackberry, vanilla, and toffee.

2010 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon: Possessing the bright fruit aromas and elegant tannins that hint at remarkable ageability, this wine is further proof that glory can be found in even the most challenging of weather years. Bright cherry and cola aromas are enveloped by roasted coffee, caramel and vanilla.  Soft but sassy on the palate, the tannins are supple with a bright, lengthy finish.

2011 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon: In this cool and damp weather year, the winemaking team devoted extra time and energy to the vineyards to ensure that only the best fruit was included in their wines.  The result is a wine that is the best of both worlds; a true expression of a cooler vintage, while still reflecting the grace and poise typical of Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon.   Aromas of cherry, cassis as well as whispers of sage and savory tomato leaf on the palate. The wine shows a tannin backbone that is reminiscent of Bordeaux reds.

2011 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon: More than any other, this wine celebrates the diversity of our beloved land.  Rich with ripe fruit flavors of black cherry, cassis and blackberry highlighted by hints of cocoa powder, vanilla and toffee.  On the palate, it’s richly textured and shows Chimney Rock’s classic lush mid-palate and a lengthy, rich finish.

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Whetstone Wine Cellars - Sip luxury pinot noir in a down to earth Chateau

The Experience: Expertly crafted, high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir enjoyed in a gorgeous Chateau setting with a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and unique personal touches makes for a charming experience for a wide demographic. Wine connoisseurs will love the varied portfolio of elegant pinot noirs, couples will find the second level mezzanine “sweetheart tables” the perfect place to enjoy wine and romantic ambiance while overlooking the ambient tasting lounge below, and groups will adore (in warm seasons), the expansive lawn, cornhole and picnic tables.  Whetstone’s tasting room, located on Atlas Peak Road near Silverado Country Club, is housed in the aforementioned 19th Century French-style Chateau which was built by Hamden W. McIntyre, a winery design expert with a portfolio that includes historic wineries Trefethen, BV and Rubicon.  

First Impressions: Though we actually arrived early, two friendly young female tasting room staff welcomed us warmly and immediately offered to snap a group photo for us despite being busy with several other groups they were also tending to. According to Michelle, one of the winery owners, the staff she hires help with everything from writing the tasting notes, to planning events and even helping out with a recent wedding proposal that took place at Whetstone, inspired by a couple’s previous visit. Everyone was smiling, even dancing to the cheerful music playing; their joy and passion for their work (if you’d even call it that) evident. Michelle herself took plenty of care in welcoming us personally, and spending time with us throughout our visit - the consummate hostess.

The Team: Jamie Whetstone, winemaker, started his winemaking career working at Turley Wine Cellars in 1998 where Turley famously made each member of the diverse team learn how to change a clutch on a tractor before moving on to more specialized roles.  Jamie worked with Turley through 8 vintages and after taking a sabbatical and working for the Seysses family at Domaine Dujac in France, he returned to Napa where Turley helped him get his start making his first Whetstone  wine.  In 2005, Jamie left Turley to break out on his own and focus his energy entirely on Whetstone. He soon brought his wife, Michelle, onboard to help manage every aspect of the customer experience, from the design of the tasting room to sales, marketing and event planning. Originally from Napa, Michelle has a background in interior design which is evident when you walk into the chateau and delight in the “Restoration Hardware elegant” meets “Etsy-craftsy” meets “country chic” interior.  No detail goes unnoticed, from cozy furniture groupings to the finer details like feather quills used to scribe tasting notes and the gourmet (and highly addictive) savory rosemary almonds served with the wine tasting.  Michelle believes in the value of face to face interaction; her authentic style engaged my family at length during the tasting. Simply refreshing in an industry which tends to be dominated by elaborate, and often impersonal tasting rooms filled with antiseptic staff. While we didn’t get to meet Jamie, rumor has it that he is just as down to earth and authentic as Michelle, not to mention a pretty talented winemaker. Michelle notes that Jamie was once offered a winemaking role at famed cult winery, Screaming Eagle, but turned down the prestigious job to pursue his own eponymous brand, which gives you an idea of his winemaking talent.

The wines: Whetstone focuses primarily on Pinot and Chardonnay from different Napa and Sonoma valley regions because “it’s what we like to drink” says Michelle.  Jamie was inspired by pinot noir after his experiences working in France and this expression is evident in the elegance, complexity and almost feminine quality of the pinots we tasted, each layered with flavors ranging from bergamont to rosepetals to baking chocolate. The “Jon Boat” pinot blends grapes from different vineyards, while the “Bella Vigne” and Russian River pinot are harvested from a single vineyard.  In addition to the Whetstone label, the team has recently co-founded the Manifesto brand with Henri Gabriel. Manifesto rounds out the varietal portfolio including a Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel, all offered at very reasonable price-points. Despite being economical, these wines are beautifully crafted and ideal for events hosted at Whetstone’s chateau (think wedding dinners perfection!).

What’s Next: Whetstone just recently joined the acclaimed Terroir portfolio - the wine collection founded by Charles Banks (cult winery Screaming Eagle’s owner) that focuses on wines known for their quality, typicity, character and value. Aside from being a great honor to join the group, Whetstone will now gain additional resources freeing them up to spend more doing what they do best - making excellent wine and crafting personal wine centered experiences. Whetstone’s current production is at currently 4,000 cases of wine and while they intend to keep it a boutique winery, they would eventually like to increase production to around 10,000 cases.

Unique Offering: The Whetstones are more than winemakers - they are entertainers who share their wine with visitors offering a lingering, memorable experience.  When starting out on their own, Michelle and Jamie had an idea to start hosting wine-paired lunches in the vineyard before they opened the official tasting room. “It was like a pop up restaurant before those were even popular!” notes Michelle. At one of these wine pairing lunches, they partnered with a famous chef friend, Michael Chiarello, and the event was picked up for an in depth article by Food and Wine Magazine. After the article went to press, inquiries for Whetstone skyrocketed and the couple knew it was time to find a home to continue on their events and tastings. They eventually found the chateau and spent 2.5 years renovating before opening the doors in 2013.  In Napa, weddings are not permitted by law at wineries, however, since the Whetstones don’t make wine at the chateau, it’s considered a “tasting room/tavern” and so weddings and other social events are permitted - a rare find for couples looking for a magical environment to tie the knot.  The large lawn is ideal for hosting concerts during the summer and the team has hosted up to 150 people there at a time in the warmer months.  The chateau also features an upstairs with a large terrace, dining room, bedrooms and a kitchen, which can be rented for events.

Visit Details: It’s highly recommended to call at least 24 hours in advance to arrange a tasting as there is no tasting bar, but rather a number of different “settings” in which you can enjoy a tasting of four of Whetstone’s current release wines.  Visits are $25 per person generally, though catering and other special requests can be accommodated by contacting Michelle Whetstone directly - michelle@whetstonewinecellars.com (707)254-0600.

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes:

2012 Carneros Chardonnay “Jon Boat” - $45, 500 cases produced

Stainless steel fermented - half the wine was 100% French oak-aged in neutral barrels and the other half remained in stainless steel sur lees. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Very big nose full of pineapple, mango, key lime and white peach. Secondary aromas of Banana Runt candies, green apple and gardenia. Ripe, medium bodied flavors of apricot, pear and quince. Secondary hints of licorice, key lime, green apple and petrol.

2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir “Jon Boat” - $50, 675 Cases produced

Stainless steel fermented, 100% French oak-aged in 20% new barrels. Bottled unfined, unfiltered. Big nose full of bing cherry cola, rose petals, forest floor, mint tea, and juniper.  Secondary aromas of vanilla, saddle leather, nutmeg and hints of tobacco. Medium to full bodied flavors of plum, Bing cherry, and blackberry pie. Long finish of ripe cranberry, anise and Baker’s chocolate.

2013 Russian River Pinot Noir “Pleasant Hill” - $55, 450 cases produced

Aged in 40% new French oak barrels, sur lees. Gorgeous dark cherry color and big, luxurious nose of dark, ripe cherry, tangerine, bergamont, and floral notes of rose petal. Secondary hints of orange pekoe tea, Chinese Five spice and a touch of tarragon.  Big, silky flavors of dark cherry and blueberry with afterthoughts of right pomegranite and tangerine tea and a finish of Bing cherry and Baker’s chocolate.

2012 Sonoma Coast PInot Noir “Bella Vigna” - $85, 200 cases produced

Stainless steel fermented, 100% new French oak-aged in 35% new oak barrels.  Bottled unfined, unfiltered. Diverse nose of spicy rhubarb, wild strawberry jam, clove, red meats and “animale”. Secondary aromas of Asian soy, orange pekoe, tea and sage. Ripe flavors of cranberry, rhubarb, dark Bing cherry tea and baker’s chocolate. Finishes long with Bing cherries, crushed mint candies and hints of white pepper.

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Hamel Family - The hottest new wine family since the Mondavi’s

Have you ever tried to dress casual chic only to find that it’s a lot more difficult than putting on a formal suit or dress? It may be because it’s hard to find just the right balance between comfortable and elegant, chic and unpretentious. Hamel Family Wines has perfected this art like no other winery in Sonoma, somehow managing to make you feel like you’ve been invited to someone’s warm, private residence, but leaving you with such an elevated experience that you realize a large amount of thought and care went into every detail that made you feel just that comfortable.  Hamel’s limited production premium wines are fantastic and keep getting better; no surprise given the Hamel Ranch location at 15401 Sonoma Highway, nestled at the base of the beautiful Mayacamas Mountain range in the region that is known for producing the most coveted Sonoma Valley blends. The property was acquired by the family, George, Jr. and Pam Hamel and their sons, George III and John Hamel in 2010, but the property had a history of being family owned for over 100 years (the Hearst family was a previous owner).  This family element is a common theme in the Hamels’ vision of creating a winery that is like a  home to its loyal customers and treasured guests.

The wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Rose (made from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre), Zinfandel and a Bordeaux style Cabernet blend) are all high quality and beautiful wines, but they share the spotlight with the winery’s brand itself, elevated by the all-star team that reads like a who’s who of the industry’s finest. This includes consulting winemaker, Martha McClellan, whose credits include some of THE top tier Napa Valley cult wineries, Harlan Estate, Sloan Estate and Checkerboard Vineyards; organic viticulturist Phil Coturri, famed design genius, Ken Fulk, who manages branding and lifestyle events, which have included campfire concerts, an outdoor movie series, and vineyard dinners catered by Gary Danko. When it comes to hospitality, the Hamels have definitely invested in adding extra touches of luxury. George III (aka GIII) couldn’t rave more about Hamels’ hospitality director, Dawn Agnew, who was previously maitre d' at Gary Danko's. Dawn’s responsible for many of the personalized touches at Hamel, which include pashminas for visitors on chilly days and badger-shaped door mats let outside your car door to prevent any mud from getting inside when you depart.  The winery and estate were designed by Gould Evans, an award-winning architecture firm whose principals and associates are united around a common vision: to create environments that transform their surroundings, engage their occupants, and sustain their environment. This ethos shines through at every touchpoint. While the estate and winery are breathtaking, they are not ostentatious and blend in elegantly with the natural beauty of Sonoma Valley. Entering the winery, floor to ceiling glass draws all attention to the surrounding picturesque landscape. The color palette is muted and there are clean, modern lines to showcase the expansive views of the surrounding vineyards.  The walls lack expensive artwork, but the property's natural beauty captures your focus.

The interior design by Angela Free, is equally thoughtful, with detail that includes a variety of natural and reclaimed materials.  The rammed-earth wall that spans the length of the 6,875 Estate House was made from excavated earth from the development of the winery. The Hamel Family made sure that virtually nothing was carted away from the property and everything was put to use in some way.  The 12,000 sq. ft caves are made from excavated Monterey Riverbed and house 3 state of the art concrete eggs that are both decorative and functional. While they’ll be used for Sauvignon Blanc, they currently sit dramatically in front of 3 exposed earth walls that showcases the different the layers of terror that while made naturally, could easily have been mistaken for modern art. Personal touches abound, from the stately round dark wood table in the Winery’s Reserve room, sourced to resemble the family’s own dining room table, to the chandeliers in the Library that are made with differently shaped crystals, each piece of which is magnetically attached to the circular metal frames so that they can be adjusted if the “energy” of the room needs to be tweaked.

We visited Hamel Family twice - once on the official opening and again for a special visit for my father’s birthday. The first event was over the top fun with a “Camp Hamel” theme that carried through the event from the staff uniforms (that looked like girl and boy scouts), to the catered food selections (which included a tent for charcuterie and Zinfandel, a make your own trail mix bar, Delfina Pizza truck paired with Girl and the fig offerings, and much more) to the decor (With Ken Fulk’s team managing, it was perfection).  The second visit was intimate and charming. Tastings are scheduled by appointment only and though the property is large enough to host sizable events, as a rule they host only up to 4 parties at a time so that every guest gets a premium experience.  Every tasting is led by a personal ambassador and everything you could imagine wanting in a tasting has been anticipated. We were fortunate enough to enjoy a tour of the winery and caves with George Hamel III who is personable and jovial as he led us through the inner workings of the winery and provided some fun anecdotes. One thing is clear - this family is serious about hospitality and quality, but never lose sight of being playful and clearly enjoy what they are doing. 

They’re in the industry to promote a certain lifestyle experience and build a solid brand rather than to produce vast quantities and make a quick profit. When I inquired about future plans, GIII confirmed that the family winery will remain small production and doesn’t plan to produce more than 6,000 - 7,000 cases annually and these limited production wines will be distributed primarily to the wine club members.  What’s next for the winery? Continuing to build the wine library of vintage wines is in the plans. There is a new floor to ceiling wine cage, inspired by the great houses in Bordeaux, which will eventually hold many verticals of the Hamel wine. A new executive chef program is also in the works - GIII mentioned that the newest team member, Clinton Huntsman, hails from Bouchon restaurant and Calistoga Ranch and will be joining the team to add to the private dining experience at Hamel.  It’s clear that in this spectacular setting, with this armada of artists and gurus, Hamel Family is aligned for continued success.

In the winery, we checked out the Hamel’s winemaking in progress as the grapes were still fermenting in the tanks.  Hamel takes a delicate approach to winemaking, carefully sorting grapes and using primarily gravity flow to press the free-run juices.  Three types of vessels are used for winemaking: conical shaped stainless steel tanks, custom made in Burgundy, French Oak barrels made from four different French cooperages, and the concrete eggs. Each vessel adds spice and character to the grape juice that when blended together, making for a magical, well-integrated product.  The grapes themselves are predominantly grown on the Hamel Ranch estate, though they have a second vineyard,Tres Palmas Vineyard, located 7 miles northwest of Hamel Family Ranch in Sonoma Valley. Also in the works is a demo vineyard on the ranch close to the Tasting Center that showcases all the varietals grown on the ranch and will even be made into it’s own special cuvee.

The property is designed so that guests have a variety of tasting options and can select the location that suits their preference. This could be set up on comfortable cushioned chairs outside on the terrace overlooking the vineyards, in the dramatic Reserve Room in the caves, or enjoying a more refined experience in The Library. We were set up to taste in the beautiful library, and the table was set elegantly with pressed linen napkins, beautiful Holmegaard wine glasses, customized tasting menus, and the perfect artisanal charcuterie and cheese board.  Everything was customized to suit our preferences; Our ambassador, Stephen, initiated the tasting by making sure we had selected the music or our preference (jazz), and making sure the temperature was perfect.  The five wines we tasted were all beautiful and we had ample time to savor each before moving on to the next (see tasting notes below).  Even the “spittoons” for unfinished wine were custom sourced from Burgundy. When we reluctantly parted ways, the finishing touches were polished - a sign of true hospitality. Dawn Agnew insisted on making the call to our next winery herself to let them know we’d be slightly tardy (oops - too much fun at Hamel!), and we were sent on our way with artisanal bottled waters and gourmet sea-salt covered chocolate bars. When we reached our car, there was one final surprise, but you’ll have to visit yourself to experience it as well as hear for yourself the great story behind the Hamel Family mascot, the badger. Read more about the Badger or visit yourself: Hamel Family Wines, open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. 15401 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma Valley, (707) 996-5800.www.hamelfamilywines.com.

The Wines:

2013 Rose -  $28 per bottle: 519 cases produced.

in the glass, the rose exhibits a copper jewel-toned color, with aromas of ranier cherry, white peach, and strawberry set against a backdrop of fresh flowers and sage.  On the palate, the rose is clean and bright upon entry and smooth and round on the mid-palate and finish.  While retaining its brightness throughout, the carefully selected blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, combined with time spent in oak sur lie, lend the wine a full concentration of flavor and a smooth mouth feel.

2013 Sauvignon Blanc - $40 per bottle: 228 cases produced

This golden wheat colored wine displays aromas of bright citrus, lemon brioche, and sliced green apple. Behind the initial fresh fruit characters are tones of flowers, wet stone and sea breeze.  A verve and vibrancy on the palate is balanced by a layered richness and complexity derived in part from the fermentation in French Oak and aging sur lie.  A prominent mineral tone is carried through to a long and rich finish.  

2012 Estate Zinfandel - $45 per bottle: 289 cases produced

This wine has a deep, dark ruby hue in the glass.  The aromatics show dark cherry, a hint of blackberry, and plum framed by floral and spice elements of violets, black peppercorn, anise and nutmeg.  The entry is rich with firm tannins and lush depth bridging the mid-palate and finish. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered. While this wine is approachable and powerful while young, it will gain complexity in the months and years to come.

2011 Isthmus - $80 per bottle: 273 cases produced

Deep ruby in its hue, the Isthmus displays pure aromas of dark cherry fruit, plum, and fresh earth, woven in with notes of vanilla, charcoal and lilan.  The brightness and freshness of the fruit carries over onto the palate.  Supple yet balanced, this wine juxtaposes a juice mid-palate with fine tannins and a firm, persistent finish.  Showing accessibility in its youth, this wine’s structure will keep developing over the next 10 years.

2010 Bordeaux Blend “Pamelita Reserve” -  $135 only 11 cases left

Made from 65% Cabernet, then Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot, this wine shows the most complexity and ageability. Aromas of blackberry, red plum and cassis mingle with dark chocolate and baking spice. The palate is inviting and silky, with savory notes of earth and leather balanced by a backbone of acidity and a smooth tannin structure. This wine's layered finish makes it enjoyable now or cellar-worthy for years to come.

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