August Briggs Winery is a small family owned and operated winery located just south of Calistoga. We've passed this winery hundreds of times and it is always our "landmark" for knowing that we have reached the north part of the Napa Valley - where there is less traffic, wineries are more spread out and there is a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the "wine strip" along Highway 29 between Yountville and St. Helena. Don't be fooled by what looks like a barn on the outside. This winery is very functional and the tasting room inside is modern, open and airy with windows overlooking the wine barrels. Typically each wine is produced in quantities of only several hundred cases. This is really a family affair as you can often find Joe's parents or relatives behind the tasting counter and the owner and winemaker, August "Joe" Briggs sometimes gives barrel tours (well worth signing up for). Joe has been working in the wine industry for many years and it is only in 2002 that he was able to purchase land and in 2004 opened this winery.
Unlike many Napa Wineries the tasting is complimentary. They produce an excellent Syrah and a "big" bold Cabernet Sauvignon. Like Pinot noir? For a winery "up valley" they produce quite a few different Pinot noirs - although none are grown on the estate as this part of Napa is a bit warm for high quality Pinot noir. As of press time, they have four of these Pinots available all of which come from a variety of Napa/Sonoma cool-climate locations. The 2006 Dijon Clone Napa Valley Pinot noir is a winner. This is a very fruit driven Pinot both on the nose and on the palate. Delicious concentrated flavors show including cherry and strawberry with some clove and black pepper spices intermingled in. Also of note is their Zinfandel - it is sourced from old head pruned vines in the Calistoga area. The 2006 we tried is not jammy or heavy rather it is medium bodied with good balance and shows excellent fruit. Their estate property is planted to just over an acre and as a result, they source from a variety of vineyards, ranging from Napa and Sonoma to more northerly Lake County.
One wine you rarely see available from Napa wineries is the Italian varietal Charbono - the reason being is there are less than 100 acres of this varietal planted in the entire state! Ask to try their version. Another varietal that in our Napa tasting experience is quite rare is the Pinot Meunier which is a close relative of the Pinot noir grape. Pinot Meunier is normally grown in a select part of France but is seems to do quite well in the Napa Valley. A label for the famous NASCAR Driver Jeff Gordon is also made here - called the Jeff Gordon Collection. Jeff has been by the winery a number of times to check out the production of his wine label! Visit: www.augustbriggswines.com
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Open to Public: Yes
Appointments: No
Regular Tours: No
Hours: 10:30-4:30pm
Phone: 942-4912
Address: 333 Silverado Trail, Calistoga
 Winery Photos Winery Website
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