The Napa Valley has long been considered as producing some of the best wines of the US and some would argue, the world. Ever since the famous Judgment of Paris Wine Tasting in 1976 where the English wine writer Steven Spurrier organised a tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines from California up against some of the most established vineyards of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The tasting panel included some of the best palates that France had to offer and to everyone's surprise the top red and white were both from California, in particular, Napa. This put the region firmly on the world wine map.
However, although it's probably the most famous wine region in California it actually only produces around 4% of all Californian wine with around 500 wineries predominantly family owned. Around 80% is red with Cab Sauv leading the way and 20% white wine mainly from Chardonnay. The region is made up of 16 sub AVAs ( American Viticulture Areas ) and the Valley is nestled between the Mayacamus and Vaca Mountains . Some vineyards lay on the valley floor at sea level while others are situated higher up in the hills some 300 or so feet higher.
One of the most famous wineries in the region is Stags Leap Winery situated in the Stags Leap AVA. A long rich history, Stags Leap Winery is a story of lavish parties, high society, misfortune, deceit and deception. After a few decades of various owners of the estate a vineyard was finally planted in 1872 with the first vintage arriving in 1893. By 1900, 40,000 gallons of wine was being produced. Shortly after this, the area was hit by the dreaded Phylloxera Beetle, which decimated the entire world's vineyards. Over the next few decades, the estate changed hands many times and the vineyards soon recovered. The estate became a hotspot for the rich and famous to escape San Francisco and was known for its lavish parties. But its next demise was due to the current owner, Horace Chase, losing his money in failed Mexican silver mines.
The most entrepreneurial owner was Frances Grange who purchased the property in 1913. After her husband was seriously injured in an accident she was left with the running of the house and the estate. During the prohibition years she built a Speakeasy bar in the basement of the house with a secret trap door and applied for a post office licence so people had an excuse to 'use' the facilities . She also wrote leaflets for customers instructing them on 'how not to make wine' as it was only against the law to instruct people on 'how to make wine'. A very clever woman, she passed away in 1956.
The Napa Valley is rich in diversity and a pioneer of sustainable wine making. It pays particular attention to quality wine production, at the same time protecting the environment, leading the world in this field.
Although their wines are not yet available in the UK they soon will be. We tried these.
Stags Leap Winery Viognier 2022
Fresh and crisp with tropical fruit and a citrus finish.
Block 20 Merlot 2020
Smoky nose with vanilla fruit velvet character and a smooth finish.
Don't forget we run regular wine tastings , light lunches teas and coffees and wines by the glass. Our outside courtyard is open.