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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No Bottleshock – Stag’s Leap Cellars Opens new Visitor Center To Acclaimed Reviews

What’s New: Despite change in ownership and winemakers, one of Napa’s most famous and celebrated wineries, Stag’s Leap, keeps getting better with age. After 14 years of conceptualization, the $7 million, 6,000 square foot FAY Outlook & Visitor Center broke ground early July 2013 and officially opened to the public in September 2014.  Renowned architect Javier Barba (named one of the 20 top Global architects by Architectural) designed the center to highlight of the stunning views of the vineyards and the Stag’s Leap mountain palisades. The center is natural and modern with ample glass built in to the design for ample natural light.  The center shares a similar contemporary aesthetic as the Wine Cellars; both were built using stones from the surrounding land to showcase the natural beauty of the environment.

The Experience:  The winery offers an experience for everyone from casual outdoor seating overlooking the vineyards to elegant food and wine pairings in the private reserve tasting room. We were graciously hosted on the guided “fire and water” tour experience where we explored the property winery, finishing with a seated tasting of the current release estate-grown wines paired with a sampling of seasonal appetizers. If you have time, the tour is worth the extra hour. The winery caves are really one of the more unique in Napa and the history of Stag’s Leap is fascinating. If you are navigating along the Silverado Trail and wish to just pop in to visit and taste the iconic Cabernets, there are still many options to choose from now that the Visitor’s Center is open – I recommend the outdoor terrace overlooking the vineyards - the setting is idyllic for a photo opp!  Despite the renovations, the Winery tends to learn towards traditional and formal, perhaps in part due to the French influence or legacy, but the new visitor’s center offers more opportunity for casual drop-in tastings at the tasting bar and democratizes one of Napa’s most famous Cabernets.   

The Current Team: In 2007, The Antinori Family from Italy (with 26 generations of winemaking experience) joined a partnership with Chateau St Michelle Wine Estates and purchased Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. The sale included the estate’s historic brand, the winery, and estate vineyards, S.L.V. and FAY.  A new winemaker joined the team in 2013 - Marcus Notaro. Known as a seasoned Cabernet specialist, he’s now in his second harvest at the winery. His style favors “balance and complexity, richness and elegance while capturing the unique characteristics of the vineyard.

The Wines: If you’ve watched the movie Bottleshock, you may remember the Judgement of Paris. For those who haven’t, Stag’s Leap’s 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon, the vineyard’s first commercial crop, shocked the wine world when, tasted blind, it ranked highest, besting four top-ranked Bordeaux wines in the Paris Tasting. There are now only 2 bottles of the 1983 SLV left in the world, one at the Smithsonian Museum and one that you can view at the new Visitor’s Center!  Since 1973, Stag’s Leap has continued to produce wines that are in the same class as the best French wines and the winery remains best known for Bordeaux style Cabernets.  Attribute the high quality and balance in the wine in part to the unique Stag’s Leap terroir, as well as to the care and precision practiced throughout the winemaking process.  All blocks are pruned and harvested separately before blending, the grapes handled gently, allowing free run juice just enough time on the skins to produce color and depth without leaving harsh tannins.  These distinct lots provide the winemaking team with a rich palette from which to construct each blend. All of our wines aged in 100% French oak, selected from a variety of coopers to achieve the best harmony with the wine. The result: wines known to be “an iron fist in a velvet glove,” a reference to the balance between softness and structure that yields wines of ageability and beauty.  2007 marked the first releases made under the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates/Marchesi Antinori partnership and the 2008 vintage featured the first wines crafted from farm to bottle. The 2009, 2010 and 2011 Estate-Grown Cabernet Sauvignons are enhanced with more upfront purity of fruit character while retaining the winery’s hallmark balance, complexity and elegance.

The Credo: It’s all in the details.  From the beginning of the winery’s renovation, the owners made sure that Barba incorporated unique details into the architecture and interior with the belief that details add complexity and richness to both wine as well as the experience of tasting the wine.  Examples of this abound: look carefully on the exterior of the caves and you’ll discover a trapdoor that opens up to the cave’s soil layers– intended to share with visitors what the cave soil looks like naturally. The caves took 5.5 years to build, requiring 20-30 foot rods to stabilize the cliff and moving at a speed of just 3 feet per day.  Inside the winery, the Great Room is breathtakingly adorned with starry sconces and ceilings that sparkle like the sky - an intentional homage to the seasons, the sun, moon and stars. Antinori’s love for the seasons is shared with his affinity for time (related to harvest, time wine is aged in oak, etc.  100 feet below ground and deep inside the wine cave is one of the most exceptional spaces to host an event in the Napa Valley. The dramatic Round Room offers guests a unique experience where guests have a private viewing the estate wines aging in barrels while observing one of only fifty Foucault Pendulums in the world. The flagstone floor in the cave has “crevices” that were intentionally etched into the ground to represent all the winery properties in Napa Valley. The layout of the Cave itself is designed to simulate the roadmap of Napa (with main thoroughfares such as Silverado Trail, Trancas, Highway 29).

Visit Details: The tasting room is open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for tastings, excluding major holidays.  Wine educators will guide you through three beautiful estate Cabernets in the new tasting center set against a gorgeous backdrop of historic estate vineyards and the Stags Leap Palisades.

Winery tours and groups of five or more require an advance appointment. Reservations are accepted Monday – Friday during business hours via email tours@cask23.com or by calling 707.261.6410.

Tasting Notes: My personal favorite wine that we tasted was the 2010 Cask 23, followed closely by the SLV 2011. The 2013 Arcadian Chardonnay undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation, and is creamy while maintaining crisp acidity and was perfect paired with the marcona almonds.

From SLV:

Arcadian 2013: This elegant Chardonnay is crisp, clean and focused with bright green apple and pear notes. The wine has a distinct floral aroma with a citrus background that is persistent all the way through the finish. On the palate, there is a light oak component to the wine that adds hints of baking spice and vanilla.

Cask 23, 2010 (wasn’t produced in 2011 as there wasn’t enough fruit):

This wine combines the signature perfume notes of FAY vineyard with the structure and minerality of S.L.V. The wine opens with deep red and black cherry aromas along with notes of juicy strawberry, cocoa and spice. The wine has an elegant texture with very fine tannins and great acidity. On the palate the wine is full bodied with rich dark berry fruit with hints of cedar and white truffle that lead to a long fruit and spice driven finish.

SLV 2011. This Cabernet Sauvignon offers vibrant chocolate-covered cherry aromas along with notes of roasted chestnuts and black tea with clove spice. The wine has a lovely core of red berry fruit along with bigger tannins and a pleasing cardamom note on the finish. The wine’s structured tannins, concentrated fruit core and pleasing minerality point to this wine’s ability to age.

Fay 2011: This wine opens with inviting aromas of dark raspberry, mocha and vanilla with a hint of red licorice. This vintage also shows the signature bright cherry note of the vineyard. The aromas are followed by red and blue fruit flavors that meld with black licorice, black raspberry tea and sage on the palate. The wine has a sweet fruit entry with structured tannins – promising long life in the cellar – and a lingering floral note on the finish.

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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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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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