Wine Along The 101
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    • 2023 Articles >
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • The Dynamic Lavico Etna Wines of Duca di Salaparuta
    • The Sangiovese Stars of San Felice Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
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    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
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    • About Patricia Decker
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Carneros AVA, Napa Valley
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Frank Family Vineyards tasting room, Calistoga
Napa, the storied valley of world-class wines and expensive vines, should be on every wine lover’s radar.  As California’s first wine region decorated with an AVA, a nod to high quality and distinctive character, Napa still sets the bar high, within the state and around the world, for an intensity that is not duplicated anywhere else.  If you haven’t experienced the power and intricacies of Napa Valley wine, now is a good time to discover why its praises are sung.  With the start of summer, Napa Valley is open for business in a big way.  In tasting rooms, grand houses, and clapboard wineries, nestled among bucolic green vineyards, fabulous wines are being poured from many vintages.  And the reasons to visit are compelling, Napa Valley wines are outstanding in so many different ways.  If you’ve never toured Napa’s wine country or haven’t been back in awhile, here is a crash course on why Napa’s wines are still first-rate.
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Vineyards in the Carneros AVA
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Las Piedras Vineyard planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena
The beauty and breadth of Napa’s wines starts with the numbers.  Today, Napa Valley is planted to 45,000 acres of vines, one-sixth the size of Bordeaux, of which Cabernet Sauvignon makes up the lion’s share, almost half of all the vineyards.  Diverse soils and microclimates make up the Valley, at 30 miles long and 5 miles wide at its fattest, it stretches from the cool windswept vineyards of Carneros at its southern edge, just off San Pablo Bay, to the hot days and cool nights of Calistoga’s volcanic vineyards at the northern tip.  More than 34 wine grape varietals thrive here, from Albariño to Zinfandel, of which three-quarters are red wine grapes, nurtured by small growers and family-owned wineries who make up 95% of Napa’s production.  
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William Hill Estate Winery, Silverado Bench
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Artesa Winery barrel room, Carneros
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Charles Krug Winery barrel room, St. Helena
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Frank Family Vineyards Winery, Calistoga
While you might think Napa makes a lot of wine, total production is only 4% of California’s output, and small lots are at the heart of Napa, where 80% of these family wineries make less than 10,000 cases of wine each year.  And, often, these families’ winemaking roots run deep, where multi-generational dedication to the vines has given birth to titans and talented winemakers alike.  Since 1838, when George Yount planted the first vineyard here, the promise of Napa’s “liquid gold” has drawn immigrants and captains of industry here, and a world-class wine region was born.  The infamous Judgment of Paris wine tasting in 1976, where two Napa wines, a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon, beat the best of French wines in a blind tasting, rated by French judges, cemented California’s reputation for quality wine.  Earning the first California AVA in 1981, sixteen nested or sub-AVAs further define Napa Valley today.  And with so much at stake, preserving land for agriculture and sustainable wine growing practices are high on the list of priorities for Napa Valley.
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Artesa Vineyards, Carneros
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William Hill Estate Vineyards, Silverado Bench
Mother Nature has been kind to this sweet spot of viticulture; a mild Mediterranean climate, soils that are a geological blend of half of the soil types in the world, winds that keep pests at bay, and fog that moderates temperatures in parts of the valley.  Yet Nature can be cruel; droughts, wildfires and earthquakes have rattled paradise along the way.  This sweet spot doesn’t come cheap, with vineyard land prices skyrocketing, wine prices have come up along with it.  While wine aficionados may debate whether the sticker shock is warranted, it seems that not just high flyers, but also mid-range and everyday wines unmistakably bear the stamp of Napa Valley terroir.  It’s a sensory impression that brands the aromas and flavors with that very important sense of place, and that is the definition of wine worth drinking.
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The wines, intense and expressive, are literally sunshine in a glass, where layers of flavor are slowly revealed through the winemaking process.  Where the grapes are grown is very important, as well as how the wines are fermented and aged, a multitude of factors result in many different expressions of the same wine grape varietal, such as how a mountain vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon compares to the ones grown in the legendary dust of the Rutherford Bench.  Sauvignon Blanc is more ripe and round here, compared to the laser-precise ones of New Zealand, yet the acidity is so well balanced with the ripeness as to breathe life into every sip.  Of course, the rest of the Bordeaux varietals have found a home here, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and even Semillon, where mostly the beauty is found in the blend, just like cooking, a splash of this or that can enhance the overall wine.  And in the cooler pockets of the Valley, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have realized their own potential, especially in the area of sparkling wines.  And although it may seem that Napa is Cabernet Country, many winemakers are experimenting with small lots of captivating wines, such as Ribolla Gialla and Tempranillo, or reviving a varietal from the past, such as Riesling.
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Blair Guthrie, winemaker for Stewart Cellars, gives wine writers a tour of Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena
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Rory Williams of Calder Wine broke down the principles of organic and sustainable farming in Tres Sabores Vineyard, Rutherford Bench
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Ana Diogo-Draper, winemaker for Artesa Winery, explains the effect of Carneros' soils and climate on the vines
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A sample of how special Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is, spotlighted here in Stewart Cellars Nomad wine, powerful and elegant
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(L-R) Legendary winegrape grower Andy Beckstoffer with Stewart Cellars' Blair Guthrie and James Stewart in Las Piedras Vineyard, St. Helena
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Writer Barbara Barrielle gets the scoop from Carolina Guthrie on Stewart Cellars' Sauvignon Blanc during lunch at Charles Krug Winery
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William Hill winemaker Mark Williams detailed his winemaking process, Silverado Bench
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Gilian Handelsman of Jackson Family Wines illustrated the differences of mountain Cabernet
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A taste of organically grown rosé in Tres Sabores Vineyard, Rutherford Bench
I recently spent 4 days in Napa Valley, on a very deep dive into what makes it so special.  As part of the inaugural Wine Writers Educational Tours (WWET), thirty wine writers walked vineyards, toured wineries, attended seminars, took notes, and tasted wines, lots of wine, alongside the movers and shakers of the Valley, made up of winery owners, winemakers, vineyard owners and managers, and wine educators.  The scope and assembled knowledge was incredible, as everyone contributed their take to the big question, “What makes Napa Valley so special and does it still matter in today’s vast wine world?”
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Jesus Hernandez, vineyard manager for Artesa Vineyards, reiterates that great wine is made in the vineyard
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(L-R) Brandon DeLeuze and Rory Williams pour a Calder Wine Company Riesling greeting to Tres Sabores Vineyard, Rutherford Bench
Just like a complex wine, there are so many factors that come into play to make Napa what it is today.  Over 150 years ago, within a crucible of climate, soils, and topography, visionary men with wine memories from their homeland molded this valley to produce wine that was even better than they remembered.  Napa winemakers continue this legacy today, and take varietals we think we know well, case in point Cabernet Sauvignon, and finesse the differences in vineyards, between mountainsides and bench land, to craft a wine that speaks of its vineyard row, just like in Bordeaux and Burgundy, coming closer to the essence of what that vine has to offer.  Napa has become a hub of quality, and that attracts some of the best winemakers in the world, intent on creating wines that have enchanting aromas and rich flavors, truly mesmerizing your senses with that Napa essence.
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It’s late May, and clusters of wispy white flowers cling to tender grapevine shoots among the vineyards of Napa Valley, a visible sign that the annual cycle of life has begun.  At first glance, there are very few reminders of the destructive wildfires that raged throughout Napa wine country almost eight months ago.  But as tourists flock to the valley for a wine vacation, the first question to winemakers and producers is “Were you affected by the fires?”  The good news for wine lovers is predominantly “No”, as most of the 900 wineries didn’t suffer any structural, vineyard, or winery losses.  As terrifying and destructive as the fires were, especially to Sonoma, much of the 2017 harvest in Napa Valley was picked, a small blessing among the carnage that Mother Nature unleashed.
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Stewart Cellars tasting room, Yountville
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What to know before you go?  Do your homework and focus on a few wine producers, with traffic and limited hours of operation, plan on only 3-4 winery visits each day.  Many wineries require advance reservations for tasting, so planning is important to the quality of your experience in the Valley.  And yes, almost every winery charges a tasting fee, which is waived if you purchase a certain amount of wine.  Make sure to eat a good breakfast, and drink enough water alongside the wine, you’ll feel better at the end of the day.
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Charles Krug Winery, St. Helena
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Charles Krug tasting room
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Stags' Leap Winery, Stags' Leap District
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Stags' Leap Winery field blend vineyard
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Crocker & Starr Vineyards & Winery, St. Helena
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Frank Family Vineyards tasting room, Calistoga
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Where to start?  With so many wineries, it may be hard to winnow down a long weekend’s worth of wine tasting.  A few suggestions, visit an iconic producer with a long history of winemaking in Napa, such as Charles Krug, the oldest winery, and do a tour and tasting, maybe stopping for a quick picnic among the towering oak trees on the property.  Or reserve a tasting tour at Stags' Leap Winery, with its over 100 years of winemaking history, and enjoy spectacular views across the Valley.  Make an appointment at Crocker & Starr and experience the beauty of winemaker Pam Starr’s spectacular wines with a vineyard tour and tasting.  Drop into the tasting room at Frank Family Vineyards and toast their 25 years of winemaking with a glass savored on the veranda overlooking the vines.
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Charles Krug Winery
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Ashes & Diamonds
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(L-R) Steve Matthiasson, Rory Williams, and Brandon DeLeuze in Tres Sabores Vineyard
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Domaine Carneros
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View from Winston Hill, Rutherford AVA
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Artesa Vineyards & Winery
There are many stories in Napa Valley, and this is just the appetizer to the bounty ahead.  In the next several weeks, I’ll explore the many facets of this exciting wine region; the history and significance of venerable institutions like Charles Krug, the passion of newcomers like Ashes & Diamonds, the master winemakers and consultants like Steve Matthiasson, the organic vineyard farmers such as Tres Sabores, and the influence of European wine houses on Napa such as Artesa and Domaine Carneros.  In the meantime, time for a road trip, and drink in the magic that is Napa Valley!