FIgure i’d poll the collective board since I have pretty limited knowledge on it. My friend is visiting napa next friday and is asking me for recs on wineries that do a really good sauv blanc & cab. Off the top of my head I thought Alpha Omega (which they went with me last time) and Arkenstone (who said they don’t have any availability to taste with her).
Anyone have any recs that I can guide her too? Not opposed to paying for a tasting, but would appreciate something a little more in depth than a tasting room.
I’ve had some very good one’s from Cliff Lede. I’ve also had a few good ones from Honig and St Supery, though not enough to know if they are always good producers. All 3 also make a Cabernet.
Cliff Lede and Duckhorn make good ones, albeit in a bit riper, rounder, more crowd-pleasing style. Both are nice places to visit, as well, in sort of a conventional way.
Add altamura to the list as very good SB and good site visit.
From the list above, I would say:
delete Alpha Omega due to terrible customer service (Unless your friends really enjoy mediocre service)
duckhorn is nice but can get crowded (I would say buy their SB and not visit the winery)
mondavi does have very nice SB, and very nice site experience (Even though they are large)
becklyn has superurb SB, imho (but no real site visits, iirc)
Don’t know what the above dude’s beef is with AO, but I’ve enjoyed the exact opposite of bad service every time I’ve been there. And the SB is nice.
Also, Lail, Scholium Project.
2nd Arkenstone. Great wine, place and people. Have enjoyed Ashe/Entre Nous…but don’t think they take visitors. Mike Smith makes some great ones for himself and clients (like his price points as well).