St Helena AVA -Napa - The Saint Wine Bar

The Saint Wine Bar

Vintner Heidi Bamburg Tucker and Winemaker Scott Mangelson have created a wine bar that encompasses a philosophy they have embraced from a poem by Mignon McLaughlan:

For the happiest life, rigorously plan your days, and leave the NIGHT to chance.

Located in in the original Bank of St Helena, this wine bar is full of history, yet has such a modern air of style and class. The building dates back to 1890 when Charles Greenfield built it for a dry goods store. It was then sold to The Bank of St Helena in 1905. The original vault from back then is still in the building and it is a beautiful site to see! 

They carry a delightful array of wines from near and far, and they can be enjoyed alongside cheese and charcuterie boards. This is a spot that manages to be perfect for both a romantic date night, and an elegant reunion with a dozen of your closest friends.

Heidi and Scott have embarked on the journey of producing their own wines, aptly labeled NIGHT, grown in the Spring Mountain and Carneros AVA’s in Napa. They offer live music every Friday and Saturday night - and what could possibly be better than live music, incredible wine, and a great atmosphere?  I should mention too, the hospitality here is second to none. 

So whether you’re meeting some girlfriends for a way overdue catch-up session, or you need a night away from the kids with your spouse, put The Saint on your list of destinations-I guarantee it’ll become one of your “go-to” spots.  – Lea Gourley

St Helena AVA - Napa - Farmstead

Farmstead Restaurant at Long Meadow Ranch

“Farm to table” dining has been embraced by Napa County for many years now, but Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch has created a food and wine experience that is more than an experience-it will be a legacy.

Ted and Laddie Hall met in the late 60’s and began a life together that landed them in California. Naturally this led to a passion for food and wine, and in 1989 they purchased the overgrown land of Farmstead and began creating what now includes 4 wine estates and more than 2000 acres of farming operations in Napa, Marin, Mendocino and Humboldt. 

Long Meadow Ranch is a pioneer of organic viticultural practices, and the food in their amazing restaurant benefits from sustainability and organic practices as well. You’ll know it as soon as you taste it. 

Featuring meats, eggs, vegetables, olive oil, and even honey from their various estates, Farmstead has one of those delightful menus that make it impossible to go wrong. So follow your heart. Order what looks good. But whatever you do, do not miss out on the mini ham sandwiches with pepper jelly. Or the grass fed meatballs with feta. Who am I kidding; just don’t miss out-make reservations to experience this food as soon as possible! – Lea Gourley

St Helena AVA - Napa - Charles Krug Winery

Charles Krug

Peter Mondavi Sr. Family Estate

One of the reasons wine tasting is such a unique and memorable activity is the rich history involved at each winery you visit. When everything comes together as it should during a wine tasting, you find yourself immersed in the story, the culture, and the history of whichever winery you happen to be at. That sense of the past; the feeling of being carried away with the story is what compels us to be drawn to a certain wine over and over again.

If you feel like-minded, then you definitely want to experience the Charles Krug Winery during your next wine tasting adventure. As the oldest winery and tasting room in Napa, it offers the perfect mix of history and innovation. Established in 1861 by Charles Krug himself, and taken over by the Mondavi family in 1943, you could easily spend the whole day here, sipping wine, learning the history, and enjoying the elegant yet inviting ambience. 

Peter Mondavi Sr. had a vision of a Redwood Cellar that would be open to the public in order to share the sense of legacy he had always enjoyed so much at Charles Krug Winery. He was able to see that vision come to fruition before his passing, and tasting wine here feels like paying homage to an old friend. So when you visit, raise a glass and toast the legacies who made it possible to stand in that spot, to sip that wine, and experience that moment.  -Lea Gourley

St Helena AVA - Napa

St. Helena AVA

Established in 1995, the St. Helena AVA is home to some of Napa’s most recognizable names, including Charles Krug, Beringer, and Joseph Phelps. We’ll learn more about Charles Krug, “the father of Napa Wine” later on in the month. 

History

Napa is known all over the world for its remarkable wines, and St. Helena is where it all began. Grapes were grown here as early as the 1840’s when General Vallejo gifted Edward Bale property in St Helena in celebration of his marriage. Bales’ bride wasted no time in planting Mission grapes and watching them thrive. That area is now known as Beckstoffer’s Las Piedras Vineyard, and it is still producing grapes.

In 1861 Charles Krug founded his winery, beginning a legacy that still stands strong today. It wasn’t a smooth easy road though.

In 1873 Krug and Henry Pellet met great resistance when attempting to sell their Mission grape wines back East-people were partial to their European varietals. On top of that Phylloxera (a microscopic aphid that eats grape roots) was spreading through California grape vines, causing great concern and eventually the need to change the types of grapes entirely.

Krug and his fellow visionaries, Henry Pellet and Seneca Ewer, persevered.  They founded the St. Helena Viticultural Club and boldly kept moving forward. We have them to thank for solidifying Napa Valley’s place as the world renowned wine-making mecca that it is today.

Climate and Soil

The St. Helena AVA receives greater protection from the western hills than many of the AVA’s we’ve learned about so far. That means less fog, and less cooling ocean breezes. The area is the narrowest part of the Napa Valley floor, and therefore receives more heat reflection from the nearby hillsides. The peak temperatures in the summer reach 90◦F. 

The South and West borders are sedimentary and gravelly, with lower fertility and moderate water retention. The Northern and eastern soils are more volcanic as well as more fertile.

Biodynamic agriculture matters in St. Helena, and they’re going to be ahead of the game as that becomes more and more important and embraced.

Grapes

You’ll definitely find Cabernet here, and it’s worth noting St Helena Wines are more about developing food wines; nuanced wines. It’s not so much about packing a huge punch with big, bold, “in your face” wines. You’ll also find Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Zinfandel, and even Sauvignon Blanc.

Some wineries worth visiting are Charles Krug (read next weeks’ blog for more info!), Beringer, Duckhorn and the Clif Family Winery. 

Rutherford AVA - Napa - Raymond Vineyards

Raymond Vineyards

I’ve been to a few wineries in my time, not as many as Dandy of course, but enough to feel like I sort of know what I’m doing when I walk into one. Well nothing prepared for me for Raymond. What a fascinating place! It’s definitely the right winery to feature as our “experience” portion of the Rutherford AVA.

So you walk in, and the first thing you notice is a HUGE crystal chandelier. It’s big and shiny, and lord knows I like things that sparkle. I was already a fan. However, we were just getting started. 

The first room we visited was the Red Room, and words can’t even begin to describe this place-go check it out! I will tell you this; it’s red, and plush, and velvety. There are lounge chairs, and deep chairs, and couches that seem like beds. There are mirrors, and art, mannequins dressed in nothing but jewels, and a huge bar for tasting wines. Private events can be held here, and I imagine people have some stories to tell! If you have a hankering for Moulin Rouge, this place will soothe your soul.

Here’s the coolest thing about Raymond though (and that says a lot, I could’ve strolled around for hours), they have a “Winemaker for a Day” experience, and you get to blend your own red wine from various Napa appellations, bottle it, and take it home! It costs $125 per person, but the experience and memories are priceless. The room is large enough for groups, and we think it would be an excellent event for a company to bond over. Hmm…I wonder if my boss would go for that…?

If you’re feeling a little heady, or overwhelmed by the sparkle and velvet, just take a stroll outside. A complete 180, the exterior is a lovely oasis with chickens and goats, and even a resident cat to bring you back down to earth. A breath of fresh air, quite literally. I would definitely recommend this winery to anyone who thinks they’ve seen it all! – Lea Gourley