Your Travel Guide to Napa Valley
Day One
It's The AVA
In Yountville, it’s all about the Yountville Mounts, at least among those in the know concerning Yountville wines.
The Mounts – actually a single hillside that sits in the center of this American Viticultural Area (AVA) – rises all of 458 feet in the air and is comprised of 500 forested acres with nary a grapevine in sight. Although its land mass (whose western ridge is in the Mount Veeder AVA) takes up less than six percent of the region’s 8,620 acres, the Mounts is the single-most influential determinant on Yountville’s 2,700 acres of planted grapevines.
Located to the south of the northern border with Oakville Oak Knoll District is on its southern line), the Mounts traps much of the fog that creeps through the valley from the San Pablo Bay. The cooling mist undulates down to the floor where most of Yountville’s vineyards lay, and mixes with the warm air that is (the indigenous to this central Napa area, to make it a unique spot to grow grapes.
There are fewer than 20 wineries in the Yountville AVA, which include Cosentino, Bell Wine Cellars, and Kapcsándy Family Winery. But there are nearly 50 growers, who sell their fruit – 70 percent of which is Cabernet Sauvignon - to a couple dozen other brands.Yountville is neither too cold (it’s warmer than the Carneros and Oak Knoll to the south; and specifically the area near and west of the town of Yountville, is one of the coolest in the valley), nor too hot (certainly cooler than Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena to the north). That means, according to Jean-Marie Maurèze, that Yountville “is the best place for Napa wine because when Georges Yount arrived (in 1836) he was the first man to plant the first vine in this area. He figured out it was the best terroir.”
But Maurèze is prejudiced, no doubt because he’s the one – in the modern era - to talk up Yountville as a distinct place to grow grapes; and in 1999 he was the person most responsible for getting the region’s AVA status sanctioned .
Maurèze ( pronounced mor EZ) first came to the Napa Valley in 1981 from St. Émilion in Bordeaux. Years later when he became operations manager .
Original Petition For Yountville AVA:
The original petition for the Yountville AVA gives prominent recognition to the importance of the Yountville Mounts.
“I thought it was very unusual to have (an area) in the Napa Valley without an appellation,” he says now. “It was very strange; coming from France, it’s nonsense because Yountville deserves to be (known as a unique) place and be recognized around the world.”
Maurèze should know about appellations. As a descendant of nine generations of grape growers and vintners at Chateau Courcy, he says he helped create the Montagne satellite or sub-region of St. Émilion. When he realized how the Mounts of Yountville plays an integral role in the terroir of the region, he knew he was onto something.
“The Mounts creates a perfect blend to grow grapes … The Mounts is the commander of the climate,” he asserts. “In the afternoon, it allows the warm temperatures to come back onto the valley floor that are coming from the north. In the mornings, the cool fog comes from the bay.”
As for the soils in the area, Yountville is unusual as a Napa Valley floor region in that it is not dominated geomorphically by large alluvial fans. It is most similar geologically to the Stags Leap District, which also is dominated by an old Napa River channel. However, Yountville is also geologically distinct from the SLD, as it has intense coastal deposits along what must have been a near-shore current set up on the western side of the valley. The only similar coastal deposits found in the valley are in the Hagen Road area east of the city of Napa.
But does all this add up to making unique wines? And is the next-to-last AVA to be named in the Napa Valley mainly set up for marketing purposes, as may be the case with many regions in the valley? Maurèze acknowledges that marketing drives the AVA but in time – perhaps as soon as 10 years – the distinctiveness of Yountville’s terroir will manifest in the glass.
YOUNTVILLE LODGING
Napa Valley Lodge
www.napavalleylodge.com
2230 Madison Street
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-2468
Of the several upscale hotels that Yountville boasts, we recommend Napa Valley Lodge. With 55 rooms, the vineyard setting is charming and mostly quiet and the room's fireplaces offer a romantic touch to it's idyllic setting. Room prices average around $350 which is pretty standard for the area and quality. We also suggest that you check out Villagio Inn and Spa and Vintage Inn if you can't find rooms at the Napa Valley Lodge.YOUNTVILLE DINING
LUNCH:
MUSTARD'S GRILL
- Address: 7399 St. Helena Hwy, Yountville, CA 94558
- Phone: 707 944 2424
- Fax: 707 944 0828
- Website: http://www.mustardsgrill.com/main.htm
DINNER:
AD HOC
Thomas Keller , one of the world’s great chefs, originally planned Ad Hoc as a placeholder for a burger spot. But the family-style restaurant became too popular to give up (Keller’s burger place will eventually be installed elsewhere). There’s a different four-course dinner menu for each night of the week; Monday’s buttermilk fried chicken is the overwhelming favorite.
FIRST WINE TASTING STOP:
Goosecross Cellars
1119 State Lane,
Yountville, CA 94599 * 707.944.1986
Open - 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily - (800) 276-9210
www.goosecross.com/
A family winery founded in 1985. Owners, Geoff Gorsuch, David & Colleen Topper believe that premium wine has always been an art and a passion - but they have never forgotten that wine is meant, quite simply, to be enjoyed.
Why visit Goosecross? Here you'll feel the pride of ownership and experience the personal service.
They produce wines that are distinctive and eclectic in style, and our brand of hospitality preserves authenticity.
Goosecross Cellars Tasting Room
Enjoy Goosecross wine in our intimate barrel cellar. We take pride in providing one of the most enjoyable, informative and friendly experiences in the wine country. The Wine Country Weekly Review recently reported, "If you want to see a small winery... (and) love good wine, the spot to visit is Goosecross Cellars."
Open daily from 10am - 4:30pm. Please call 800-276-9210 for additional information on other Wine Education and Tasting Classes.
Pine Ridge Winerywww.pineridgewinery.com/
5901 Silverado Trail
Napa, CA 94558
Telephone: 707.253.7500
Come to Pine Ridge for a wine tasting experience that is
unique in the Napa Valley. This exclusive tasting allows both
connoisseurs and those new to the pleasures of the vine a
fascinating glimpse into winemaking that is usually reserved just for winemakers and industry insiders.
Guests are treated to a seated tasting deep within our dramatic
Cabernet Caves in which they compare barrel samples of our
finest Cabernets to current release, bottle-aged reserve wines.
The barrel-to-bottle samplings illustrate the evolution and
development of a wine, highlighting the use of French oak
in the aging process. A personal wine educator is on hand
to guide guests through the tasting experience and to answer
questions. With barrel samples of the Rutherford Cabernet
Sauvignon, Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon and our
flagship bottling, Andrus Reserve, this venue serves as a
unique showcase for the finest wines in the Pine Ridge portfolio.
In addition to the wine service in Riedel crystal, a selection
of artisan cheeses is tailored to accompany the wines.
Tastings
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Taste premium Cabernets from barrel and bottl |
Pine Ridge invites you to our tasting room, where you can enjoy a variety of white, rosé and red wines while enjoying the breathtaking view of our Estate Gardens and the Stags Leap District palisades. The tasting room is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except major holidays. Choose from two different flights that each include four of our highly acclaimed wines. For a combination of white and red wines, the Current Release flight is $15, and for Cabernet lovers, our Cabernet flight is $25. You do not need an appointment to taste these flights, however we ask that groups of 8 or more, or those arriving by limousine, call ahead for availability.
Barrel-to-Bottle Cabernet Tasting
You also can schedule an appointment to taste our premium Cabernets from the barrel to the bottle in our dramatic subterranean Cabernet Cave. This exclusive tasting allows both connoisseurs and those new to the pleasures of the vine a fascinating glimpse into winemaking that is usually reserved just for winemakers and industry insiders. With barrel samples of the Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon and our flagship bottling, Andrus Reserve, this venue serves as a unique showcase for the finest wines in the Pine Ridge portfolio. In addition to the wine service in Riedel crystal, a selection of artisan cheeses is tailored to accompany the wines.
This barrel-to-bottle tasting is available by appointment at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. for $35 per person, 18 guests maximum (children not permitted). Call the Concierge at 800.575.9777 to schedule a tasting. Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance.
Robert Sinskey Vineyards6320 Silverado Trail
Napa, CA 94558
www.robertsinskey.com/
The vineyards are the soul of the winery. They define the style of the wine. All grapes used to make RSV wines are from vines planted by RSV. "It is only by knowing your vineyards that you can excel in the craft of making elegant wines," says RSV winemaker Jeff Virnig. "My job is to interpret the inherent characteristics of each individual vineyard and allow them to express their uniqueness instead of imposing a style on them. It is very much an Old World approach that the French would describe as being true to terroir."
TASTING ROOM HOURS
10:00am - 4:30pm Everyday
Domaine Chandon
1 California Dr, Yountville, CA 94599
707 944 2280
http://www.chandon.com
Domaine Chandon is known for their sparkling wine. These include the Brut Classic, Blanc De Noirs, and Riche. They also make the Reserve Brut, Reserve Blanc de Noirs, Etoile, Etoile Rose, Vinetage, and Mount Veeder Vintage.
In 1973, the Moet-Hennessey Corporation went to Napa Valley to look for ideal growing conditions for grapes used to make sparkling wine. This marked the dawn of a new sparkling wine era in California. Most of the existing producers used cheap methods and labeled their wine, “Champagne;” a major faux pas to the French.
The goal of Domaine Chandon was to make terroir specific sparkling wines on their own merit without having to steal the name of a completely different region. The first vintage was released in 1976.
The winery believes in sustainable farming methods, which ensures their land will be able to produce quality grapes over the long term. They do this by avoiding pesticides and herbicides, using alternative methods of accomplishing their viticultural goals.
In addition to the quality sparkling wines and eco-friendly farming, Domaine Chandon has a beautiful winery and restaurant located in the west hills of Yountville. The manicured grounds make it a favorite stop for tourists and locals alike. The restaurant’s reputation was developed by Philippe Jeanty. Ron Boyd is currently the executive chef.
The winemaking team at Domaine is dedicated to producing the finest quality wines. Tom Tiburzi is the head sparkling winemaker. Chandon utilizes traditional old world methods, as well as innovative viticulture techniques to produce the sparkling wine that they are known for. The UC Davis educated James Kress is the head still winemaker.
Well, that's probably enough for one day. Go back to the hotel, take a nap and a swim and get ready for your next day in Yountville.......
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