Robert Sinskey Vineyards - Elegant, Organically Grown Wines for Food Lovers

The Experience: This is a Napa winery experience that’s suitable for everyone.  Robert Sinskey Vineyards, boasts a recently remodeled modern winery, caves and tasting room off the Silverado trail off Oak Knoll Road, beautiful culinary gardens and orchards, a coi pond, and an extensive culinary program and team that prepares a custom tasting menu daily from the Vineyard Kitchen. The team here cares a lot about hospitality and there is a tasting experience t suit every preference whether it’s a relaxed tasting at the communal table, a tour through the gardens and caves, or a food and wine pairing out on the sun-speckled terrace.  RSV features over thirty varieties of wine to suit every palette so plan on lingering here while you embark on your own tasting adventure.  Sinskey is also one of Napa’s first organic and biodynamic wineries, certified C.C.O.F., and you’ll also notice the orchards, organic gardens, owl boxes and animals that round out the RSV ecosystem and contribute to the terroir-driven wines.

The Credo: At RSV, winegrowing begins with the land and embraces the “whole farm” philosophy of interrelationships and biodiversity of nature, embracing natural processes to grow healthy grapes that become vibrant, living wines.  Robert Sinskey and team believe that wine is best complemented by food and meant to be shared communally which is why every tasting is accompanied by a culinary pairing cooked fresh from locally sourced or farmed ingredients, many from the RSV organic gardens.  Their guiding principle when it comes to the craft of winemaking is that “wine is not an athletic event”, where elegance over brawn is the house style, resulting in balanced wines with great acidity that pair really really well with foods.  An anomaly in the Napa Valley, RSV doesn’t even submit their wine for review by score-centric critics because they don’t believe that wine should be tasted and judged in a competitive atmosphere, devoid of food on the table.

Unique Offering: There has been many occasion in Napa when one faces the dilemma of when to squeeze in time to eat between an afternoon of wine tasting.  If you’re planning to visit Robert Sinskey, the one thing you don’t have to plan is where to stop for lunch; every guest who visits RSV will be treated to delicious food pairings to complement the wines, so don’t fret if you arrive with an empty stomach.  We toured the winery and grounds with our guide, JB, before settling outside on the terrace and while we weren’t expecting such a robust offering, to our surprise (and delight), one of the most beautiful cheese and charcuterie boards was presented to us.

Home-made gougeres, fresh and dried fruits from the organic gardens, honey from the bee hives, and local cheese and charcuterie, paired beautifully with the Abraxas wine (a blend of riesling, pinot gris, pinot blanc and gewurztraminer).  To follow, we snacked on an appetizer of roasted chicken with mushroom stuffing, cooked in the wood-fired oven.  The earthy mushroom notes and smoky chicken paired beautifully with the Capa pinot noir.  To finish, we were treated to a display of sinful house-made petit desserts served with the late harvest pinot gris. Robert Sinskey’s pairing notes booklet even comes with beautifully photographed recipes from the Vineyard Kitchen so you can whip up delicacies like the wild mushroom and cheese souffle at home.  

The Team: Robert Sinskey is a native Californian who received his BA in Fine Arts from Parson’s School of Design and didn’t fall into winemaking until later in life when a six-month assignment helping his father turned into a twenty-five year career making “wines of character that pair well with cuisine”.  

Jeff Virnig, RSV’s winemaker, found his calling to the wine industry significantly younger than Robert He became one of the youngest winemakers in Napa working for RSV in 1991 after getting a BS in agriculture business management from Cal Poly and working at Mayacamas winery and at RSV as assistant winemaker.  Jeff has been instrumental in helping develop RSV’s vineyards as well as wines, emphasizing the importance of improving wine quality through sustainable farming, and helping vines achieve natural balance while growing.

Rob and Jeff both hold the philosophy that artisanal winemaking begins with the care of the land and have farmed their vineyards organically since 1991, honing the biodynamic process and attempting to leave a minimal footprint on the land.  75% of the energy used at the winery is sourced through solar power and they use bio-diesel, made from used restaurant oil to power their trucks and tractors. Robert and Jeff’s conscientious business practices have helped to define the RSV brand as a pioneer of sustainable winemaking in the industry.

The Wines: While there is an extensive array of varietals to try at RSV, there is a consistency in style that ties the portfolio of wines together. They are all made with a higher acidity and elegance that makes them excellent food wines - so think about picking up a few bottles to bring to your next dinner party!  The RSV website does a beautiful job of categorizing the wines by color, varietal, and special release making it both easy to navigate when searching for just the wine you have in mind, and also fun to explore.  The tasting experience is similar. Rather than sticking to a pairing that has been pre-planned and standardized for all guests, at RSV, you can tell your wine guide what you’d like to taste, or let them learn your style and make recommendations as you move from one wine to the next.  

NOTABLE: Check out the POV collection, a wine that is impressive to drink and also to bring to dinner as each bottle features a stunning black and white photo taken by Robert Sinskey himself.

Visit Details:  While reservations are highly recommended, RSV has the hospitality credo of welcoming everyone to the winery. Your options below:

• “A Perfect Circle” gives guests the opportunity to explore the caves and gardens, tour the cellar and indulge in a 3-course tasting of seasonal dishes from the Vineyard Kitchen accompanied by a flight of RSV wines. By appointment at 11am and 1pm
• “The Communal Table” allows guests to enjoy a flight of wines seated in the Great Hall, Terrace or Fig Garden with a communal group of up to 8 people.  An RSV Wine Informant will guide you through a flight of RSV wines accompanied by tastes from the Vineyard Kitchen. By appointment
• “Unscheduled Flight” for those who prefer spontaneity, this is the first come, first served option for guests to belly up to the tasting bar and enjoy seasonal tastes from the kitchen paired with a flight of RSV wines. No appointment necessary, though there may be a wait for this option during peak times

Tasting Notes:  It’s hard to select which wines to feature here, but here’s a diverse array of the RSV offering and some of my favorites.

Abraxas, Vin de Terroir, Los Carneros 2013

This wine is fun in so many ways. From the bottle (which looks like an oversized riesling bottle) to the blend of grapes (riesling, pinot gris, pinot blanc and gewurztraminer), it’s a great wine to sip on it’s own on a hot day, but pairs beautifully with so many foods, from spicy foods to vegetable dishes to seafood, it’s a great wine to pair with foods that can be otherwise tricky to balance with wine.  The wine has aromas of pear and almond and lychee, with an old world style, but bright, minerality.  It mas a medium body and long finish with tasting notes of peach, lime and even melon or grapefruit rind.

Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, Los Carneros 2015

I first tasted this wine at a blind tasting and have never forgotten it’s subtle elegance and the color, the palest peach hue, is just lovely. It’s a stunning wine with aromas of peach and apricot, strawberries and citrus notes of grapefruit and lime.  The wine is vibrant with fruit and also has some savory herbaceous qualities which makes it the ideal wine to pair with virtually everything.  

Pinot Noir, Capa Vineyard, Los Carneros 2012

This pinot noir is surprisingly full bodied and bursting with ripe, red berry notes. It has generous, bold fruit flavors, like ripe cherries, but also savory qualities with touches of dried rose, tea and tobacco.  This wine beautifully bridges old world with new world styles, and is perfect to drink now or set down to age gracefully for years to come.

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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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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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Blackbird Vineyards - You were always waiting for this moment...

The Experience:

I’ve visited both tasting locations for Blackbird Vineyards, the label for boutique, premium, Pomerol-inspired wines and found them equally enjoyable and unique in their own way. The more well-known location to taste these wines is at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley - a collective wine, art and design gallery located at 6711 Washington Street in downtown Yountville. Ma(i)sonry makes an aesthetic statement, housed in a historic 1904 stone building that was restored in 2008 by Blackbird Vineyards’ Founder Michael Polenske.  The property also includes a picturesque outdoor sculpture garden that catches the attention of all who pass by and the name Ma(i)sonry is fitting, meaning “A setting in which people come to be inspired by all things aesthetic”.   Here, it’s all about the lifestyle experience of Napa Valley featuring a gallery of unique, high end art and furnishings that guests can appreciate or acquire.  For the most well-rounded experience, select from an indoor or outdoor tasting location to taste through Blackbird wines. Bonus: try additional wines from the rotating collection of limited-production wines featured in partnership with Ma(i)sonry.

For a more exclusive, private experience that focuses solely on the Blackbird wine portfolio, tastings are available upon request at the Blackbird Vineyards Oak Knoll House. The Oak Knoll House is cozy, furnished in the “Napa Chic” Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley aesthetic. Llocated on Blackbird’s estate vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley, the Oak Knoll District is planted primarily with Merlot, the base of Blackbird wines.  Jonathan Henson manages all private Blackbird wine tastings and will prepare a private tasting for your party in the sitting room of the Oak Knoll House where you can look out on the estate vineyards while tasting through the Blackbird portfolio of wines, (and even sample a couple of wines from the Mendoza-based Recuerdo collection).

The Team: Key Players: 
Michael Polenske, leads the force as the creative director, chairman and founder of Bespoke Collection (which includes Blackbird Vineyards as well as Recuerdo wine portfolios).  After 20 years of investment management, Michael’s shifted his focus to “the business of leisure”, which includes acquiring Blackbird Vineyards in 2003 and turning it into an ultra-premium label. He also curates the art, furnishings and wines at Ma(i)sonry and is philanthropically active as a founding board member of Festival Del Sole Napa Valley, which celebrates the art of life with components of music, art, food and wine.

Paul Leary joined Blackbird Vineyards, as President in 2006 and was instrumental in the

launch of Ma(i)sonry in 2008. Leary also established the Mendoza, Argentina partnership with The Vines of Mendoza in 2011 to launch Recuerdo Wines.  It’s no surprise; as a Napa Valley entrepreneur and senior executive, Mr. Leary worked previously at the well-known Duckhorn Wine Company, and is a current board director of the Napa Valley Vintners.   His focus is on niche marketing, client relationships and maximizing peer-to-peer referrals. “It’s up to us to create the experience and then to let our consumers tell the story,” Leary says.

Acclaimed winemaker Aaron Pott studied oenology at the UC Davis, working part-time in the research laboratory at Robert Mondavi Winery before completing his education with a master’s degree in Viticulture from the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, France.  Pott eventually became winemaker and general manager of Château La Tour Figeac Grand Cru Classé St. Emilion before returning to the States where he held positions at Beringer as a winemaker for the company’s international brands and later worked as winemaker and general manager at Quintessa. In 2007, Pott formed “Pott Wines” and now consults for a limited quantity of notable producers, including Blackbird, as well as making wines of his own. As Blackbird wines indicate, Pott was named “Winemaker of the Year” by Food & Wine magazine in November, 2012.

The Wines: 
The word Merlot means “Little Blackbird” and the Blackbird wine portfolio focuses 100% on Merlot-Based Bordeaux Blend varietals (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc). The collection also features a unique, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon-based Rose, Arriviste, which can be served year round (think summer picnics and festive winter holiday parties). Arise is the well-structured red proprietary blend and every vintage of this Bordeaux-inspired blend made from the most exceptional fruit and blended to lithe, luscious perfection. The memorable label of Arise features blackbirds sitting on wires that if viewed as notes on sheet music make up the first line of the Beatles song, “Blackbird”.  The three other Blackbird proprietary Bordeaux blends, Illustration, Paramour and Contrarian feature grapes from the same premium vineyard blocks, but blended in different percentages; Illustration has the highest percentage Merlot, Paramour has the highest percentage Cabernet Franc, and Contrarian has a relatively even blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Be sure to also taste the Recuerdo wine portfolio which is a new venture being undertaken by the team producing wines from Argentina’s Mendoza region that will please your palate and your wallet.

The Credo: 
One expression that is shared by Blackbird, along with life Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley is ‘A life Aesthetic’ focused on the famous Napa lifestyle.  Everything that Michael Polenske and the team at Bespoke Collection does is at the hand of an artisan and offers ultra premium, unique and curated experiences.  Ma(i)sonry frequently hosts events that feature artisans, and Blackbird supports many local and national philanthropic organizations. An entire page on the Blackbird website is dedicated to connecting Blackbird fans to their “friends of Blackbird”, featuring a lengthy list of partners and affiliates, from private clubs to tourism and festivals to lifestyle brands.  For the coming year, the big focus at Blackbird is on their 10 year anniversary with the release of the special “Denary Cuvee”. The bottle featured blackbird wings in the shape of an “X” for the ten year anniversary, and is made from just a handful of the most top-tier barrels of grapes hand selected by winemaker, Aaron Potts.

Fun Facts and Unique Offerings: 
It was less than serendipitous that Blackbird Winery was founded in 2003, right before the movie Sideways, which notoriously led to a decrease in Merlot consumption in the US since the main character disparages the varietal, came out in theaters (2004). However, Michael Polenske was undeterred and chose not to change the course of the winery’s production and even infused a bit of humor into the situation, obtaining a license plate emblazoned with “f’ing merlot”.  While arguable the more popular crown preference is for Left Bank Bordeaux Blends which feature Cabernet Sauvignon as the “star” varietal, Michael had always preferred the Merlot-based Pomerol blends, and after tasting these wines, it’s easy to see how turn the Sideways theory over on its head. For anyone who loves Merlot, this is the premier destination for tasting some of Napa’s finest. It’s also a great place to visit for Bordeaux fans who can taste through the four proprietary blends and compare notes and preferences on the wines made with Merlot in varying percentages compared to the other two blended varietals, Cab Sauv and Cab Franc.

Visit Details: 

Guests are welcome to peruse Ma(i)sonry’s galleries seven days a week, from 11am - 4:30 pm with seasonal evening appointments until 9 p.m. Reservations can be made online here. Walk-in’s accepted based on availability and reservations for 6 or more guests are required.

To taste at the Oak Knoll Blackbird Vineyards House, reservations are required and very limited - call in advance to request availability. Contact Jonathan Henson at (707) 287-9799 or at Jonathan.Henson@Blackbirdvineyards.com.

Decantress Favorite Wine Pick: 2011 Paramour

I love this wine as I adore the somewhat herbaceous qualities of Cabernet Franc, which dominates this blend and gives it commanding structure, and the Merlot smooths out the wine giving is a sensual silky quality that is graceful and irresistible. The 2011 blend comprised of 71% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and oozes passion.  In winemaker, Aaron Pott’s words: “The 2011 Paramour offers exquisite aromas of blackberry, blueberry and tobacco. This authentic expression of Cabernet Franc showcases textured layers of chocolate and nutmeg, combined with fine-grained tannin and cedar overlay. The supple finish is round and balanced, providing persistent length of flavor. Paramour will continue to develop with time in the bottle for the next decade or more. The cooler-than-normal 2011 Napa Valley grape-growing season concluded in an expedited harvest. The outcome was a vintage with flavors developed at lower brix, resulting in truly elegant wines with European-style texture and great complexity."

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