Ceja Vineyards Tasting Room . Ceja opened their new tasting room in early February 2008 and we were here shortly after their opening. This location is quite central and is within walking distance of shops and other tasting rooms in the downtown area. This very spacious tasting room has a nice wine salon lounge feel with the stools at the wine bar, a couch, seats and other small tables. Unique wine and cheese and other pairings are sometimes offered. Extended hours on Friday and Saturday evenings make this a lively spot especially during their free Salsa Saturday nights. Another neat aspect of this tasting room is their Artist Series program. Works of art are featured in this location by up and coming artists. Ceja has always been a producer of excellent wines priced affordably. Words you may see on Ceja's informational literature are "Vinum, cantus, amor - translation, Wine, Song and Love! You may also see their other motto, "Wine+Food+Family+Friends =Fiesta"! You can't help but be caught up in the enthusiasm and passion that this family has for their winemaking.
At press time, all the wines we tasted were under $40 which by Napa standards is a very good deal. Additionally, Ceja keeps their wines lower in alcohol than many wineries; all the wines we tasted were under 14% with many in the high 12's to low 13's. They make a wide variety of wines - and for the set tasting fee, 5 wines are poured. Unless otherwise noted, their wines are 100% varietals. We started with a Sonoma Coast 2006 Sauvignon Blanc. This is a crisp wine with great tropical pineapple guava aromas in the nose and flavors on the front palate - with a slight mineral touch on the finish. Their Vino de Casa is a real find. It is a an extremely unusual blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah. When the winemaker was in college one of his professors told him that its impossible to blend these two varietals. Never say impossible. This wine is a testament that these two varietals actually mesh quite well. The softness of the Pinot Noir is felt on the front palate and the Syrah brings a slight pepper flavor to the mid palate and certainly rounds out this wine with a long finish. Out of 600+ Napa wineries visited with to date, this is the only winery we know of blending these two varietals together.
Their 2004 Merlot is an interesting wine. There are pleasing raspberry aromas on the nose with a great flavor of dried apricots on the palate. Their 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is a juicy wine that will pair very favorably with a medium rare steak. Think Argentinean grown and prepared steak and you have a match! The last wine we tried was their 2004 Sonoma Coast Syrah which is a cool weather grown Syrah that exhibits aromas of white pepper aromas fruit and leather on the palate. The Ceja Vineyards tasting room and grounds in the Carneros region is also open by appointment only, visit our review directly above for information about this location. Also ask about their "Ceja Pesos". At qualifying restaurants if you order or bring a bottle of wine you can contact Ceja directly for discounts on future wine purchases - inquire regarding the specific details of this. Ceja has plans to build a winery facility at their Carneros home which will allow them to ramp up production. We will stay updated about this and post any latest news regarding this here. Visit: www.cejavineyards.com
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Open to Public: Yes
Appointments: No
Regular Tours: No
Hours: 11-5:30pm, Fri & Sat open until 10pm
Phone: 226-6445
Address: 1248 First Street, Napa
 Winery Photos Winery Website
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