My wife and I are planning a trip to the Napa area in May and are deciding between Cade and Barnett for a last stop. We will be at Schramsberg for a tour at 11, stop for quick bite and then off to the next tasting. I was looking for a winery that had both nice views as well as tasty wines at a reasonable price. It seems like both of these wineries check both boxes. One of the only things holding me back from Cade is that they only offer two Wines (assuming the tasting is rounded out by some of their sister brands) but the views seem to be better at Barnett. And they have more of a variety, but Cade’s top wine is more accessible to me than Barnett’s. One other upside is I can source Barnett locally. We were also looking at Outpost but the timing may not work, Stony hill but they only have 1 red, and pride is closed on Tuesday’s.
Thoughts or recommendations? I worry if I choose a winery on views alone, what if it’s a crummy day? I need the experience and wine to be worth while lol
My personal vote would be for Barnett. Mostly be sure to try to get to taste and chat with their winemaker David Tate. He’s extremely accessible and is just as knowledgeable as he is accessible. He’s worked in several places around the world and finally settled at Barnett
at a reductionist level, they both taste like napa cab, neither strays far from that prototype. i prefer howell mountain fruit to spring mountain fruit
Been to Cade several times, very sophisticated, very Green winery structure and concept. On a very clear day you can see all the down the Napa Valley to the Bay.
Wines are consistently high quality, great management.
Thanks for the input. My wife decided on Cade. We are out there celebrating her birthday after all. Too bad we only have two days in Napa. Looks like we’ll be saving Barnett for next time, barring any changes