The Classics
These places are the proven, the blue chip, the tried-and-true. They live up to the hype, both in terms of quality wine and visitor experience.
Chappellet Vineyard garden view / Photo courtesy Chappellet
Chappellet Vineyard
One of Napa Valley’s founding wineries, Donn & Molly Chappellet were among the first to plant vineyards on the high-elevation hillsides of Pritchard Hill, founding the vineyard in 1967. All six of their children are involved with the vineyard. The organically farmed estate rewards with a quiet setting and views from 1,800 feet, across Lake Hennessey and beyond. Visitor options range from winery vineyards walks to more in-depth tastings. By appointment only; chappellet.com.
New Names, New Wines from Napa
As some readers know, I’ve only recently been able to dedicate more time to writing here on Vinography after a number of years being an entrepreneur and small business owner trying to squeeze in some wine writing around the edges. By virtue of that struggle for time, I have not exactly kept up with new developments in California wine at the level to which I aspite. There was a time that thanks to an endless parade of large public tastings, I was almost sure to hear about new wine projects soon after they popped up.