Baldacci Family Vineyards is located in a beautiful part of the Napa Valley just off of the Silverado Trail (west side) slightly south of the Yountville Cross Road. Records show the property was originally planted to grapes in 1888; it was purchased by Thomas (Tom) & Brenda Baldacci in 1998. The site caught their eye for several reasons: an unfinished house … [Read more...]
Matthiasson Winery
Matthiasson Winery was founded and is owned by two farmers, husband and wife Steve and Jill Matthiasson. Steve was born in Winnipeg, Canada and is the viticulturist and winemaker, and Jill, originally from Pennsylvania, runs the business side of the operations while also farming a number of fruit trees which she used to sell at select farmers' markets in the … [Read more...]
Diamond Creek Vineyards
Diamond Creek Vineyards is one of Napa's most venerable and historic wineries having been founded in 1968 by Al and Adele "Boots" Brounstein (Al died in 2006 and Boots in 2019). Their first commercial vintage was from 1972, although they did make a little wine at what was the nearby Cuvaison Winery at the time from the 1971 harvest. This is California's … [Read more...]
Whetstone Wine Cellars
Whetstone Wine Cellars. In 2013 Whetstone Cellars opened a tasting salon in an old French-style chateau building (dates from 1885) on a 2-acre property located on Atlas Peak Road (next to Del Dotto Winery) and a short drive from the Silverado Country Club. This was a significant upgrade from their prior shared tasting room in downtown Napa. Tastings are … [Read more...]
Kelly Fleming Winery
Kelly Fleming Winery is located in the northern part of Napa Valley, nestled in the narrow Simmons Canyon against the steep hillsides of the Vaca mountain range only a 5 minute drive from the center of historic Calistoga. From this part of the valley, one hardly knows they are in Napa Valley. Rugged hillsides, narrow secluded canyons and forested slopes all … [Read more...]
Rarecat Wine
Rarecat Wine was founded in 2009 by long time vintner Sharon Harris. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area but was not raised by family in the wine business. However, she recalls her parents enjoying the art of entertaining including a vivid memory of their flaming vodka watermelon drinks. Sharon remembers when she was hooked by wine; while studying for … [Read more...]
Stringer Cellars
Stringer Cellars. Founded by winemaker Casey Stringer in 2016, the focus of his production is on small lot wines from both Napa Valley and beyond - including Santa Barbara and Sonoma counties. Casey remembers visiting Napa Valley for the first time. He was on a trip with his parents to scope out several college campuses including USF and Humboldt State in … [Read more...]
Hertelendy Vineyards
Hertelendy Vineyards (pronounced 'HUR-tuh-LEN-dee') was founded by proprietor Ralph Hertelendy; his inaugural release was from 2013. His parents immigrated from Hungary to the United States as children to escape World War II and settled in the Oakland area of the San Francisco Bay Area. His father Paul was a music critic for the Oakland Tribune and San Jose … [Read more...]
Switchback Ridge
Switchback Ridge has a long family history in Napa Valley dating back to 1914 when property at the base of Dutch Henry Canyon south east of the town of Calistoga just off of the Silverado Trail was purchased by family relatives Elizabeth/Eliza and Mads Peterson. Mads immigrated to the U.S. in 1883 from Denmark and passed away in 1936; Eliza was originally … [Read more...]
Silver Oak
Silver Oak was founded in 1972; their remarkable success story begins with two men, co-founders Justin Meyer and Raymond (Ray) Twomey Duncan (both deceased). Ray was born in South Bend Indiana to parents Walter Sr (a World War I veteran) and Velma Twomey Duncan; he was raised in La Salle, Illinois (population today around 9,500 residents) and graduated in … [Read more...]