Thanks! This is fantastic information. I would definitely say I’m still in the exploratory phase, but learning that I should definitely consider finding some smaller wineries in this process too. I’m super excited to plan and learn more!
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As I mentioned upthread, if still “exploring” I suggest checking out Elyse. Great QPR, wines made by a very well known producer (Russell Bevan), some national availability with distribution and to boot they have a very diverse portfolio. Most of Napa is Cabs with maybe some Sonoma Pinot/Chard mixed in.
For Elyse, if you look on their site: Elyse Winery - Our Wine Portfolio
You can see they have Chard, Rose, Zin, Merlot, Cab, Petite Sirah, 4 different Red Blends and dessert wines. Grant it I am a club member, but they poured over 10 samples for me on my last trip there so you can really experience the portfolio. The owner also walked by and stopped and chatted with us for a bit about his story in the industry and some interesting things about Napa. They will likely also pour some Standard Deviation, Institution and Addax from their sister labels: https://www.2100hoffmanlane.com/
Jean Edwards is near by and same thing - Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc, Syrah, Petite Sirah, etc. Mention you are a WB’er and you’ll get a discount and likely get to taste through the whole portfolio as well!
Neither have “fancy” tasting rooms or post card views, but you’ll get some great 1 on 1 attention in a small tasting room environment with knowledgeable staff and a broad range of wines from across the Valley to really help you hone in on things you may like (or dislike)
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I think it was mentioned upthread, but the Schramsberg caves tour is a lot of fun and very interesting. Given the proximity to Diamond Creek, that could be a great day.
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Definitely look at a map and plan your route.
Traffic is terrible and you don’t want to waste time backtracking or racing across from one side of The Valley to the other.
-Bella Oaks (amazing, used to sell to HEITZ but now has it’s own voice. Winemaker: Nigel Kinesman) also includes a stunning property tour!
-Accendo (gorgeous and also made by Nigel Kinesman)
-Sinegal is dreamy
- Opus One can be a bit “commercial” but definitely worth it
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I have been through many moves with wine over the years. One important consideration for optimization of storage is whether you expect to move out of your current area. If just moving to a different house/apartment in the same area then offsite storage means you don’t have to do anything. However, if moving to a different area then having the bottles offsite means that you have to make separate arrangements for moving, which can get expensive fast. In all but one of my moves my wine was stored in a wine fridge(s) onsite and I simply had the movers move it along with the rest of my stuff - very easy and not very expensive. In one instance I had the wine picked up and shipped separately, which added a second set of arrangements/appointment times (not terribly difficult) but was quite expensive.
In any case, if you are still in exploratory stages and (importantly) have room in your current living situation, I would simply buy a 200 bottle wine fridge, enjoy the ease of access of having everything on site, and have the movers take care of it where ever you end up moving.
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Pride is a great experience with a full breadth of wines and cave tour. Id book a 10 am there and bring lunch. They have a great picnic area with nice views out in the vineyard. Paloma is almost across the street and great kinda under radar. Also up there Barnett, Spring Mountain or Sherwin would make a nice 3rd stop for a full day up there
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Lots of great advice above—you can’t do everything on one trip, use your trip and this board as helpful recon for future trips. Easy to get hooked.
After our last trip, I said no more packed trips with 3+ tastings in a day.
Anyway, we’re headed back again in two weeks and as of now, we have 10+ ‘visits’ in 2.5 days if you count meals with distinguished guests. Yes, I’m a hypocrite—hope those Zbiotics work! Otherwise, I may nap through dinner myself.
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Mark is a great host at Pride!
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You used to be able to spit, I suppose that is now too expensive.
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I’ve said it before but will say it again here. If you’re up on Spring Mtn to visit Pride (which is a good call), I encourage you to slip over the backside of the mountain to Fisher. It’s not far, the property is beautiful, the wines are good, and they put on a good tasting.
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Is there another Pritchard Hill winery you’d recommend with Chappellet? Thinking about doing a second one if we’re headed up there
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Continuum is great. Bryant is probably the best imo. I don’t think they do tastings anymore though.
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Ovid
Brand
Continuum
Colgin
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1 other piece of advice - if you are wanting to buy/collect and have an eye on the future purchases, pick places to taste where:
- the waitlist isnt 10 years and you can get an allocation fairly soon/ASAP
- the price of their wines are in your comfort zone
Would stink to go home, love a wine and wait 10 years to buy it, or love a wine but not be able to afford it on a regular basis.
If you want the “instagram experience” with great views and great wines but not as interested in the “aftermath” if you will, that is totally fine too and could alter where you pick. you can also mix up with some very high end and then QPR places too, doesn’t have to be all of one or the other.
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I second EricZ’s advice. Be mindful of how much the wines cost. Napa has wines for every budget between $40 - $1000+ per bottle.
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Will definitely keep this in mind. Would like to try a mix of price points. It would be nice to try some higher end stuff and be blown away by it and want to splurge on a couple but would also like to find more mid-range stuff that we can get more of if we like
Continuum, David Arthur. There’s also wineries right off Silverado trail before Pritchard Hill.