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

Oakville AVA - Napa- Miner Family Winery

Miner Family Winery

If you go to Napa and you have to choose just ONE winery to visit, you should know that the Miner Family Winery has a special place in the hearts of Napa County wine lovers. Here you will experience everything that Napa represents - warm hospitality, stunning views, and fantastic wines.

The Miner Family has pulled off something very special with their wines. Producing over 20 varietals they truly capture the essence of each one. From their flagship wine The Oracle, to their 4 Pinot Noirs (sourced from Santa Lucia Highlands), to Sangiovese, Viognier, Merlot, Rosato, and so many others in between… they get it-they understand how to bring out the best qualities in each particular varietal without trying to make it something more than what it is, and without trying to change it. 

Viognier, for example, is my favorite white wine. When I sip a Miner Family Viognier I can taste the floral aspects of a California Viognier, as well as the acidity that comes from a French Viognier. It’s all there - everything that it claims to be.  And they achieve this perfect balance over and over, year after year.

The Miner Family Flagship wine is The Oracle. It’s a blend of all 5 wines in the Bordeaux family; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.  If you’ve ever wanted to be a winemaker (even for a day!), Miner offers you the opportunity to do just that. During this seminar you get to try your hand at blending your own version of The Oracle ($100 per person). You’ll taste and discuss the results, and go home with a half bottle of the current vintage of The Oracle. This is a unique and educational experience and it’s a way to really engage in the winemaking process.

Dave Miner lost his wife and co-founder Emily to lung cancer in 2011. Emily’s Cabernet was thereby introduced in 2016, and each year proceeds from her namesake wine are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Emily and her love for wine and hospitality thrive on in the hearts of Dave, their beautiful children, and all of those fortunate enough to have known her. 

Dave’s involvement in philanthropy doesn’t end with cancer research. He is a big supporter in the Jazz music scene. If you love Jazz Music you’ve probably heard of Benedetto Guitars. When Dave commissioned his first Benedetto Guitar he had it finished with his own Cabernet Sauvignon. Bob Benedetto was so enchanted by this that he began creating a ‘Vinodetto’ model for Dave each year. In turn, Dave releases a ‘Benedetto Signature Cabernet’.

He’s also passionate about hockey, and since 2004 Miner has been the official wine of the NHL. Every year proceeds from designated wines are donated to various charities supported by the NHL. 

The Miner Family is in the midst of a spectacular remodel, which will include the aptly named, soon to be revealed, wine club member lounge upstairs, so be sure to include this Winery on your “must do” list next time you visit Napa Valley!  – Lea Gourley

Oakville AVA - Napa - Oakville Grocery

Oakville Grocery

So let’s say you’ve been out wine tasting in Napa all day and you’re ready for some food. You want a meal, but you don’t want to go to a fancy sit down restaurant, and you’re not exactly sure what you’re in the mood for.

Here’s what you do; head on over to Oakville Grocery right in the heart of Napa. This place was established in 1881-it’s a historical landmark, and the longest continually running grocery store in California.

This isn’t just a grocery store though. This place has a little bit of everything-all fresh and local. From artisan cheeses and olives, to freshly made sandwiches, wood fired pizzas, and a stunning array of local jams, mustards, and tapenades. You could spend hours browsing the wine selection alone.

Dandy and I split a sandwich made with smoked chicken breast, gruyere, and sweet & spicy mustard. We also had some pesto pasta, fresh garlic hummus, and a caprese salad. We ordered our food and then sat outside overlooking the stunning mountain views. I could have easily gone in and ordered a whole other meal and done it all over again.

Next to the store is a Victorian House with a rich museum, showcasing some of the tools and highlights of each Napa AVA that Jean-Charles Boisset established.  If you’re a history buff, you’ll love this.

And here’s the thing that really sets this place apart, especially for you wine lovers. You’ve heard of Opus One and Screaming Eagle Vineyards, yes? Those are some of the upper echelon wines that put Napa on the map-but their bottle prices aren’t for the faint of heart. At Oakville Grocery you can taste a sample of some of those wines. (Screaming Eagle was available for a few months and by the glass was $600…but at least you could try it without having to buy the bottle) They’ll set you back a few bucks, but you can go home and brag to your friends that you drank, literally, some of the most famous wines in the world. 

Spring Mountain AVA - Napa - Sherwin Family Vineyards

Sherwin Family Vineyards

When you schedule your appointment for a Sherwin Family Vineyard tasting, make sure you give yourself some extra time. It’s hard to leave this place. You’ll be greeted like family, and invited into the tasting room that feels more like a living room. A super fancy giant living room, but still a place where you can relax, have a glass of wine, and chat with friends-old and new.

After dedicating 30 years building and developing in the Bay Area, Steve Sherwin was ready for a different pace. A good friend urged him to buy property in the peaceful setting of Spring Mountain and grow grapes. He purchased 30 acres in 1996, and Steve says it’s one of the best decisions he’s ever made. 

Never Forget.

Sherwin Family Vineyards is the only alcohol-containing product in the United States allowed to showcase the American Flag on its label. After the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, Steve and Linda were asked to contribute to a wine auction to benefit families of those lost in Windows of the World. They couldn’t say yes fast enough.

They designed a stunning patriotic bottle that was so well received they decided to produce more bottles, and continue contributing to various charitable causes. But first (this is America after all), there was paperwork. As it turns out, they needed permission from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in Washington D.C. They were warned not to be too hopeful, but they got the exemption! Their joke is that the guy with the “approval” stamp was in a hurry to clock out that day.

As a lifetime industry worker, I’m truly touched by this ongoing gesture. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t remember that awful day and its repercussions, but to see tangible evidence of something good coming out of it has occurred a mere handful of times. This was one of them.

The Sherwin Vineyard grounds have picnic tables, bocce ball, and even a little putting green where you can try to win wine by hitting the golf ball to the little island on the lake. We got to see a couple of people try it…so close!

So bring your friends & family to the top of Spring Mountain and you’ll be sure to have a great time!  -Lea Gourley