Bremer Family Winery

Bremer Family Winery is a historic winery located on Deer Park Road just minutes from the Silverado Trail and Napa Valley on the slopes of Howell Mountain near the small community of Deer Park. This was the 200th Napa winery that we visited as part of our research for Napa Wine Project; we have since completed more than 1,250 visits, tastings and extensive written reviews of Napa Valley based wineries/producers. The winery building dates from 1891 and is located adjacent to the original stone cellar. The cellar was built into the side of the hill in order to keep aging wines cool and it remains very pleasant even on hot summer days.

For such an “unassuming winery” this property has a rich and often confusing historical background due to names and ownership transitions. In regard to wine growing, the story begins with John and Jacob Sutter; by 1884 John Sutter (no relation to the namesake of Sutter’s Fort) owned 20 acres of land on what is now in the Howell Mountain sub appellation. Just like today’s contemporary wine scene, heirs often get into the wine business. Such was the case with his daughter Caroline (often referred to as Lina) and her husband Emile Leuenberger. In 1891 they purchased land near what is now the tiny community of Deer Park and much later the site of today’s Bremer Family Winery.

The Leuenberger’s soon built a winery here and called it Sutter Home, named in honor of Caroline’s father. Five years after building this winery, they also founded Sutter Home Winery and Distillery in San Francisco and is where they blended and bottled wines made from grapes from their Napa Valley property.

The April 1906 San Francisco earthquake & subsequent fire destroyed their business. Moving their blending and bottling operations to Napa Valley later that same year, they purchased the old Thomann Winery and Distillery just south of St. Helena. Already well established with the name Sutter Home, they immediately renamed their St. Helena property to Sutter Home and prominently painted the name of the winery across the roof of the winery building. It was the Trinchero family who acquired their St. Helena property in the late 1940s and kept the name Sutter Home which they continue to operate today.

But the Leuenberger’s original winery in Deer Park was sold and went through several owners including John Ballentine (same family who operates Ballentine Vineyards) who purchased the site in 1922 and reopened operations after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. He made wines here under the name Deer Park Winery until the 1950s; the Ballentine family eventually sold the property in the late 1970s. Proprietor Bill Ballentine of William Cole Vineyards in St. Helena told us he remembers part of his childhood was spent roaming this property.

After several more owners, winemaking resumed in 1979 headed by winemaker David Clark who began using the property again.

Bremer Family Winery is owned by proprietors John and Laura Bremer; they purchased the site in 2002 and changed the name of the winery at that time. John and Laura used to visit Napa Valley quite often over a span of about 25 years. One day, Laura remarked, “I want to do whatever it takes to never leave this valley” which became the impetus for starting this winery. John used to be involved in mining operations in Southern California including for US Mine Corp and several cement companies, was president of Recy Inc., a sludge composting facility in Corona, CA and was also CEO of Riverside, CA based GroWest Nursery on Growest Ave, now home to Moon Valley Nursery. In Napa, the Bremers were also founding partners of Fumé Bistro & Bar.

The cellar was originally built for smaller production levels in the late 1800s; from 2008 through 2012 the Bremer’s drilled a wine cave. The cave encompasses 17,000 square feet which is more than ample space for their extended aging programs and for the most part eliminates the need to stack barrels. Their current production typically ranges between 3,000 and 4,000 cases each year. In 2020, the year of terrible fires, they only produced about 1,000 cases.

While situated below the minimum 1,400-foot elevation of nearby Howell Mountain this site at about 900 feet is just as rocky as a number of Howell Mountain vineyards we have visited. An example of the type of rock can be seen in a side tunnel in the cave which is not covered in gunnite. Thick volcanic compressed ash called tufa runs from the bottom of this section of the cave to the top and during particularly rainy winters, water flows out of this rock into the cave.

In 2020 an application was submitted to the TTB (the branch of the U.S. government that oversees the alcohol industry) to create a new sub appellation within Napa Valley called Crystal Springs. Approved on October 16, 2024, Bremer Family Winery is located within this appellation.

This estate property at the time of their purchase was 47 acres; today 9 acres are planted to vine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and Merlot). The Bremer’s also own several vineyards on Howell Mountain including off of Las Posadas Road which is a very historical part of Howell Mountain within La Jota Ranch. Total land under their ownership are 110 acres.

On hot days stepping inside the cellar, one will be amazed at how much colder it is inside, as the entrance to their cave is from within the old cellar. Several tasting tables are setup inside the cellar or if weather permits, visitors can taste outside at one of the tables under one of their stately oak trees next to the small and scenic seasonally running creek. This is a long way from some of the noisy, crowded tasting rooms in downtown Napa on Fridays and Saturdays in particular. Visits are personable, casual and unscripted. This picturesque property features a bocce ball court and beautifully landscaped grounds.

Towards the end of a tasting, visitors are accompanied into the cave passing by a number of old wine making pieces of equipment lining the wall at the cave entrance. These devices were used at one point for filtering, bottling and other niche uses. And still filled bottles labeled Deer Park Winery are also on display here as an homage to the former owners.

Bob Boland (who we first met with) has been Bremer Family Winery’s winemaker since they purchased the property; after more than two decades, he is now among some of Napa Valley’s longest tenured winemakers at one property. The first vintage bottled under Bremer Family Winery was from 2000 crafted from wines already in barrel prior to the Bremer purchase.

Select Wines
All of the Bremer Family wines are very much hand crafted; winemaker Bolan used to make wine for at least one other small Howell Mountain producer; today his primary focus is on Bremer Family Winery along with his own small Pinot Noir brand, cleverly named: Bob Bolan Wines.

Their wine making philosophy is one of patience. Their Chardonnay often sees close to 2 years in barrel. Red wines made here are typically aged up to 30 months in barrel with an additional 3 years in the bottle before being released; this is significantly longer than most wineries. These are balanced and approachable bottlings upon release. One wine made available to their wine club was 9 years old at the time of its release, a classic example of the sometimes used phrase, “no wine before its time”. Blending decisions often take several months. Bremer Family makes 8 to 12 different types of wines each year.

These wines all are fully ripe, but are always emboldened with a sense of freshness, powered by a bright acidity. And based on their extended aging prior to release, they are meant to be enjoyed in their youth, but always have the character and ‘stuffing’ to be age worthy should you choose to set aside a few bottles for future occasions. And we recommend doing so; you won’t be disappointed.

Whites
Chardonnay
The 2023 Bremer Family Chardonnay was fermented in barrel and then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels followed by an additional year in bottle before release. This wine is pale to medium gold in color; the bouquet is a ripe expression of the variety, sweetly scented with aromas of honeycomb, honeysuckle, and ripe stone fruits including nectarine and peach, layered with tropical notes of papaya, mango, pineapple, Asian pear, and pineapple guava. Additional aromas of butterscotch, vanilla, and crème brûlée add richness, yet the wine avoids being overly oaky or buttery. Medium bodied, with a perception of sweet fruit, the palate offers flavors of yellow peaches in light syrup, apricot, pineapple, butterscotch, crème brûlée, caramel, vanilla, and a finishing note of toasted hazelnut. The ripeness is balanced nicely by a bright vein of acidity, and the wine lingers with a lightly tangy character. This is a refreshing expression of the variety.

The 2020 Bremer Family Winery Chardonnay was aged in 100% oak barrels for 18 months of which 1/3 was in new French oak. It went through full malolactic fermentation but is not a ‘buttery’ bottling. This wine is medium to deep gold in color; the bouquet is sweetly fruited and offers attractive aromatics of butterscotch, honeycomb, pineapple, apricot, a subtle toasted oak note, dried straw and some tropical florals including jasmine. This highly flavorful bottling features a perceived sweetness of fruit on the palate including notes of apricot, yellow peach and pineapple. There is also pear, white nectarine and some tropical notes including mango, papaya and guava. The palate offers a lightly creamy but not viscous texture which is complemented nicely with a bright acidity. This wine finishes with a lingering note of Golden delicious apple.

Sparkling
The 2020 Bremer Family Blanc de Blancs, Napa Valley Sparkling Wine (méthode traditionnelle) is medium gold in color; the first aromatics we noticed were Golden Delicious apple and brioche, with additional notes of pineapple, apricot, peach, papaya, and Alphonso mango, along with a tangy citrus character. Loaded with layers of fruit across the palate, this wine tastes sweetly fruited with flavors of pineapple, golden apple, and golden kiwi. Bright and balanced, it lingers with a persistent core of fruit and refreshing acidity. Laura enjoys sparkling wine, so they decided to produce this bottling; this is their third vintage and it is made entirely on site.

Reds
Zinfandel
The 2013 Bremer Family Napa Valley Zinfandel (tasted 10 years post vintage) is medium garnet in color; the bouquet offers a diversity of aromas including most which have become tertiary. It reveals scents of of black licorice, old leather, mushroom, bramble, tobacco spice, cooked blackberry, raspberry, lightly toasted bread, dried berries and deeper in the aromatic layering, notes of mocha and espresso. This wine shows flavors of red plum, cherry, dried cranberries, currants and raspberries. It offers plenty of brightness on the finish, mostly red fruited along with fine-grained rounded tannins and light drying but persistent character. The long and somewhat savory finish continues to produce flavor for quite some time and is accompanied by a note of crushed black pepper. This wine still a few years of life ahead of it, but we would drink it sooner than later. And it would pair well with pepperoni pizza or red meat on the BBQ.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
The 2018 Bremer Family Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, is sourced from their winery estate property. This wine is deep ruby in color and nearly opaque; ripe but not overripe, it reveals aromas of cherry, plum, blackberry, dark raspberry, and dark olive. The oak influence remains in the background and never contributes overtly toasty characteristics; instead, it manifests as notes of dark chocolate, mocha, and sweet baking spices. Ripe yet bright, the palate offers both red and darker fruits including cherry, boysenberry, blackberry, dark raspberry, Satsuma plum, and a note of dried tobacco leaf. The finish is ripe but lifted by bright acidity working in tandem with both flavor and texture. The tannins broadly coat the palate with a rounded and lightly dusty character. With time in bottle, their texture has broadened and softened nicely and is now very well integrated.

The 2016 Bremer Family Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. This wine shows very nicely at the time of our tasting 7 years post vintage and was their current release. This bottling is deep ruby; the bouquet offers a ripe sweetly fruited bouquet with notes of chocolate, Graham Cracker and mocha along with aromas of dark plum, blackberry, boysenberry and dark cherry. These aromatics are somewhat mirrored on the palate with a perception of ripe fruits along with licorice, chocolate and a savory and slightly dusty finish including flavors of tobacco spices. The tannins are lightly textured and are well-integrated. This wine drinks wonderfully by itself.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain
The 2018 Bremer Family Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is 98% varietal, blended with 2% Cabernet Franc. This wine is deep ruby and opaque; the bouquet offers ripe, mature fruit including plum, dark raspberry, boysenberry, and blackberry accompanied by notes of chocolate and cinnamon stick. Beautifully balanced at eight years post vintage, the palate reveals flavors of dark plum, black cherry, blackberry, boysenberry, mocha, and dark chocolate. Still remarkably fresh, this wine finishes with red-fruited brightness and vibrant acidity. The tannins are gravelly and lightly grainy; their presence is felt primarily on the front of the palate but persists with a long-lasting drying character. Structured yet lively, this wine still has many years of life ahead of it.

The 2007 Bremer Family Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with a small percentage of Petit Verdot. This wine is deep ruby and opaque; the bouquet is mature but still retains a certain freshness at 19 years post vintage. Aromas include old leather, cherry pie, raspberry jam, boysenberry, blackberry, and light notes of chocolate, mocha, and cocoa powder. Ripe yet still bright at this age — no surprise given the vineyard source — the palate remains brambly and energetic with mostly primary flavors including cherry, blackberry, and Himalayan purple mulberry. A long-lasting pull of juicy, crunchy acidity parallels the fruit on the extended finish. The tannins are surprisingly youthful for the wine’s age, sporting a gravelly, grainy, and dusty texture. Softened by time in bottle, there are no overtly sharp edges here. Ultimately, this textural character defines the wine’s lingering impression.

Cabernet Franc
The 2017 Bremer Family Cabernet Franc is 100% varietal. This wine is deep ruby and opaque; the bouquet smells ripe and sweetly fruited with aromas of cherry pie, blackberry jam, boysenberry spread, ripe raspberry, and ripe Santa Rosa plum — reminiscent of these fruits after dropping to the ground and sitting in the sun for several days. Additional layers of dark chocolate, mocha, and graham cracker add further richness and complexity. Fully ripe on the palate, the wine offers flavors of blackberry, dark plum, dark licorice, and boysenberry. This is a ripe expression of the variety with no green or herbal notes that this variety is often known for. The finish lingers with a pleasant and lasting warmth, while the tannins are ripe, resolved, and integrated at this age, sporting a lightly gravelly texture nine years post vintage. The wine finishes ripe yet remains lifted by a vibrant thread of acidity that keeps the palate remarkably fresh even at this stage of evolution.

Claret
The nomenclature for this bottling is personal; Bob originally suggested the name because he was living on Claret Street. And claret is a British term originally used to describe red Bordeaux wines from France, while California wineries such as Bremer sometimes use it to describe a red blend created from Bordeaux varieties.

The 2018 Bremer Family Claret is composed of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc. This wine is deep ruby and nearly opaque; the bouquet is ripe and sweetly fruited with aromas of dark raspberry, blackberry at the peak of ripeness, cherry, boysenberry, Santa Rosa plum, and dark chocolate. This wine is both ripe and restrained, with a lively vein of acidity running the length of the palate. Flavors of red cherry, boysenberry, Persian mulberry, currant, and cranberry dominate the palate. It finishes with a persistent red-fruited tartness and integrated tannins that parallel each other across the extended finish. Their texture is lightly gravelly and still youthful even eight years post vintage.

The 2015 Bremer Family Claret is a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Merlot. This wine is deep ruby in color; the bouquet is immediately spicy with notes of sweet tobacco and dried herbs along with ripe Santa Rosa plum and chocolate. The focus here is clearly on the fruit with the barrel aging providing subtle complementary characteristics both on the bouquet and the palate. This is a balanced and easy drinking red wine that offers flavors of plum, blackberry and dark cherry. The lightly grainy tannins are felt more on the front of the palate than the finish. This wine lingers slightly savory accompanied by bright red fruits.

The 2007 Bremer Family Claret is deep garnet in color and nearly opaque; for reference, we needed, nosed and noted this bottling 19 years post vintage. The nose smells very ripe and sweetly fruited with transformation from fresh fruits to mature scents at this age. And plenty of dessert-like aromas apparent. It smells like blackberry pie, boysenberry jam, cherry liqueur, plum compote, mocha, chocolate pudding, cocoa powder and sweet tobacco spice. As ripe on the palate as the bouquet leads with, this wine tastes like blackberry jam, cherry pie, boysenberry jelly, and uber-ripe dark plums. Like many of the Bremer bottlings we have tried over the years, this wine is on the ripe end of the spectrum, yet is accompanied by a lively and bright acidity. But here the ripeness dominates. This wine finishes with with well rounded, resolved and ripe tannins. Their texture persists with a light dusty and gravelly character. We would drink this soon, rather than continue with additional aging.

Merlot
The 2018 Bremer Family Mountain Merlot is composed of 92% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. This wine is deep ruby and nearly opaque; the first aromatics we noted were red plum and raspberry, followed by additional layers of blackberry, boysenberry, chocolate, mocha, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, and cocoa powder. Like all of their wines, the oak never dominates the fruit. Still fresh, balanced, and bright at eight years post vintage, this wine offers both red and dark-fruited flavors including cherry, boysenberry, raspberry, currant, cranberry, and slightly underripe plum. Filled with energy and texture, this mountain-grown Merlot is highly worth seeking out. It is also built to age, and we would very much like to revisit it again in another 10–15 years. The gravelly, lightly grainy tannins fully coat the palate, while the wine’s freshness feels like an attribute that will continue to carry it gracefully with additional time in bottle.

The 2009 Bremer Family Mountain Merlot shows sweet aromatics with notes of baking spice including cinnamon, mocha, and toffee accompanied by hints of vanilla and dark cocoa. As the wine continues to open in the glass, additional aromas emerge including ripe blackberry, plum, and a touch of cedar. The palate sports flavors of ripe blackberry, dark plum, and black cherry are layered with subtle notes of chocolate and spice, giving the wine both generosity and character. This is certainly not a light Merlot; it delivers richness of flavor along with a pleasing density across the palate. Despite its concentration, the wine remains balanced with enough acidity to keep the fruit lively and fresh. The texture is supple and rounded through the mid palate before leading to a finish marked by moderately gripping tannins that provide both structure and persistence. Lingering notes of dark fruit, mocha, and spice continue well after the finish.

Dessert
Not many Napa Valley based wineries make port, but Bremer produced for at least one vintage, a white port-style wine (Muscat grapes) and during certain years, a very limited red port-style wine, primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

The 2010 Bremer Family Port (tasted 13 years post vintage) is medium garnet in color; the intense bouquet offers a rich union of dessert and baking spices including toffee, caramel, brown sugar, rum raisin, molasses, Bailey’s Irish coffee, clove, cardamom, mocha and brown chocolate. But there is plenty of fruit here still including ripe blackberry, boysenberry and a dark cherry liqueur. Smelling this olfactory orgasm reminded us of walking into winemaker Dick Peterson’s Christmas tree barn next to his Christmas tree farm on Darms Lane in Yountville many years ago and sampling cider and holiday cookies. Sometimes aromatics can trigger strong feelings of nostalgia. Equally as intense on the palate, this wine delivers flavors of blackberry, boysenberry jam, dark slightly overripe cherries, black chocolate, brown sugar, cardamom and cloves. This wine’s sweetness is tempered somewhat with its bright acidity. It was fortified mid fermentation with Germain Robin brandy. This is ‘sailboat wine’ or cold winter evenings cuddled on a couch around a wood-burning fire kind of wine.

Bremer Family also produced Austintatious for a few years, a wine named after John and Laura’s son Austin (a unique red varietal blend).

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Bremer Family maintains a fairly extensive library collection of bottlings for sale with vintages available up to 20 years old including a number of large format wines. To have a library collection available like this is a a rarity among Napa Valley based wineries. Other than a very limited placement at Carpe Diem Restaurant in Napa the wines are sold direct to consumer through visits, their website and their wine club.

For more information, to schedule a visit to the winery (children and pet friendly) or to join their wine club with access to special pricing and events, visit: www.bremerfamilywinery.com

Property

Cave/Winery

Old Winemaking

ARCHIVED NOTES
Fumé Bistro & Bar
This small restaurant is located right off of Highway 29 just north of the city of Napa; it was previously home to a number of restaurants including the Flying Boar. Longtime chef in the valley and one of the partners Terry Letson joined initial partners John and Laura to open the restaurant. NOTE: John and Laura are no longer involved with Fume Bistro and have not been for years.

Finding restaurants with staying power in the competitive Napa Valley culinary scene is very difficult. We first ate here with friends back in 2009, but we are definitely due for a revisit soon.