Poggi Wines (pronounced po-gee) was founded by Tom and Lauri Poggi. Based in Calistoga, they operate one of the smaller estate vineyards in all of Napa Valley - approximately half an acre on the valley floor which is equivalent to approximately 450 vines. They purchased this property in 2004 and have made wine from the estate every year since other than 2008 … [Read more...]

Red Thread Wines is a small producer sourcing from vineyards high on Howell Mountain as well as locations in Sonoma and Lake counties. This brand was founded by husband-and-wife Brian and Gretchen Brakesman; their first vintage was from 2014. Brian discovered the name Red Thread while searching the internet; it is from an old Chinese proverb referring to … [Read more...]

Maxville Winery. After visiting hundreds of wineries, producers and tastings rooms in Napa Valley it is rare at this stage of our wine project when we are truly inspired by a 'new' property for the first time (our first visit was shortly after they opened for tastings). And while under newer ownership, this property has deep historical roots in Napa Valley. … [Read more...]

Theorem Vineyards. Proprietors Kisha and Jason Itkin first visited Napa Valley in 2008 from their home in Houston. While on one of their subsequent trips to the valley, they found themselves falling in love with the wines, the scenery, the region's history and the lifestyle. They pondered the question, "should we start looking at real estate" and Kisha … [Read more...]

Promontory. Long time Napa Valley vintner and proprietor of Promontory, Bill Harlan first discovered a unique piece of property located between Oakville and Yountville in the mid 1980s while hiking a ridge trail in the Mayacamas mountains. These mountains form the western side of Napa Valley and are the site for his two other properties, Harlan Estate and … [Read more...]

Vine Hill Ranch. After more than ten years of tasting up and down Napa Valley on a project that alternates between passion and obsession (The Napa Wine Project), I realized I had somehow visited with nearly 900 unique Napa based wineries and producers. In setting up my auspicious visit number 900 I carefully looked for a producer with a unique vineyard … [Read more...]

AXR Napa Valley is a partnership between four individuals (referred to as the FAB 4) including winemaker Jean Hoefliger, Don Van Laeken, Kelly Trevethan and Mark Schratz. At first glance one might wonder why choose a name like AXR - based on the devastation phylloxera wreaks on this nonresistant rootstock. We certainly thought this when we first heard about … [Read more...]